Paige's Preschool Graduation

Paige had her Smartie Pants Preschool Graduation on the 23rd of May. She was in the morning session this time so her program was at 5:00. She has learned the song Zippity Do Da in school sings it so cute that she was asked to sing a solo at the graduation. I wasn't quite sure that would happen. She did it during their practice the Tuesday before and she was confident that she could do it during the graduation. As the program started and Paige realized how many people were in the audience she began to get worried and scared and started to have "stage freight" as she called it. She barely made it through the opening song before she burst out in tears! I felt so bad for her up there on the stage in front of all those people crying and there wasn't much I could do to help her out. She managed to get her emotions under control enought to say her part, "When I grow up I want to be a dentist and a mom" Then when the next song came on she started crying really hard. I think she realized that her solo was coming up and she was extremely nervous about it. I went up to the stage and offered to sing it with her in hopes that would help her out. It turned out that I sang a solo of Zippity Do-Da by myself and it was extremely off key as I sang, trying to keep my emotions in check as well. I just wanted to cry with my sweet little girl. There were well over 100 people there that night, so I could see how she was so overwhelemed and nervous. After the "solo" she seemed to recover and feel better. She sang the last song really well and received her diploma with a half smile. As soon as the whole program was over she was laughing and running around and acting like her usual self. She had to get a picture with her bestest friends from preschool Sloan Gibbs, and Tessa Beck. And she had to get a picture with Miss Mandy, of her her favorite people. For the teacher gift this year, we gave each of the teachers a pot of flowers with a note attached that said. "thanks for helping me grow this year!" I can't believe my little girl with be in Kindergarten in the Fall! Where does the time go?

Paige's 1st Day of Preschool

Somehow the month slips by before I know it and I am playing catch-up on the blog...better late than never I guess!
Paige had her first day of Preschool on the 11th. She could hardly stand waiting for her first day when Parker started school. She was so excited to go back and to see her teachers, Miss Joni & Miss Allyson. She was also excited to see if they had done anything new with the preschool, like paint the walls. (I didn't think they would have). Well Paige went the week before for open house day and the first thing she noticed was the new wall color. She is very obsevant! Paige loves school and making new friends. She is very smart and knows all of her letters and numbers up to 20. She can write he name and some other words with a little help. The teachers have told me more than once that she is the smartest one in her class, of course they tell me not to tell anyone else that! We hope you have a fantastic year in preschool Paige!!

Preschool Field Trip

I was lucky enough to be able to go with Paige and her preschool on their field trip yesterday. They visited the Kindergarten center so that the kids that will be graduating from preschool and who are 5 years old would see the school they will be going to. They also went and had a tour of the local fire department. I think Paige's favorite parts were riding on the bus for the first time and visiting "Parker's" school. There were 32 kids in all and 11 adults trying to corral the kids. I thought the kids were very well behaved and did what they were asked to do. I was in charge of Paige and 3 other little girls. It was a fun day and I was glad that it worked out that I was able to go and spend some time with Paige. The fire station was pretty boring...I think they forgot the preschool was coming and they didn't really have a presentation prepared for the 3,4,5 year olds. They kept talking to "us adults" about the cost of the vehicles and stuff like that. The kids were bored to death and to top it all off, it was a windy day so they didn't take out the fire engine and the kids didn't even really get to see it. They didn't even get a sticker!!! The last two years when Parker went he got a picture in front of the fire engine and he even got to sit inside it. He came home with a sticker and had a great time. Paige could have cared less. The funnest part was when one of the firemen came out in his uniform and let a few kids try on his hat and jacket. It was kind of a bummer, but the kids still had fun and enjoyed their field trip!

Show and Tell

Parker had show and tell yesterday at preschool. I asked him what he wanted to take, expecting him to say the usual thing...a weapon of some sorts. But to my astonishment he told me he wanted his class and teachers to see Paxten. This kind of caught me off guard and then I asked if he wanted to take a picture of him. Then I remembered I had seen a girl bring her dog for show and tell one day as I was dropping Parker off. After asking him a few questions I learned that they do show and tell right at the beginning of class. So I asked Parker if he wanted to take Paxten to class for show and tell. He immediately got excited and said that he would tell his teachers he had the best show and tell ever! He was so excited when we got there that he kept telling all his little friends what his show and tell was before class got started. Finally when it was Parkers turn to show, he stood up while holding the baby and said, "this is my little brother Paxten Wayne!" He was the proudest big brother in the world and I was pretty proud too that he wanted to show off my sweet little baby. I guess Parker does like having a little brother after all. I think he is a good helper and loves to hold Paxten whenever I need 2 hands. I am so glad he feels this way and shows how much he loves his little brother!

Smartie Pants Fair

During fair week Parker's preschool also does a fair for the kids. Parker was asked to bring an item for the fair. It could be a flower, a vegetable, a picture, or a baked good. Last year He took a zucchini from the garden. This year he took some marigolds from our flower garden that grew to be huge. He got a 1st place ribbon. I think he was the only kid to bring in flowers. (I think all the kids got a 1st place ribbon, but we won't tell him that) He was pretty excited...and more excited that he got cotton candy!

First Day of School

Monday September 7th was Parker's first day of Preschool. He had been asking my quite frequently when he was going back and I was excited to finally be able to tell him that "tomorrow is preschool." When he woke up first thing he said was "Mom, today is Preschool!" He was so excited to go back and to see the friends he had made the previous year. This year will be a little different, the school changed locations, yay for the teachers and there will be some new faces in Parker's class. He had a great first day and looks forward to the days when he goes to school! I have to admit that I enjoy the days he goes as well. We both do better around each other when we get a little break from one another.

Preschool Graduation

Parker graduated from his first year of Preschool this year. Smartie Pants Preschool had their graduation on May 20th. (yes I am a little behind!) They practiced very hard learning their parts and songs for the program. The teachers were amazing and worked so hard on the program to make it enjoyable for the kids as well as the parents. The cultural hall was decorated so cute and there were a ton of balloons all over. The kids started out with a song and as the song said their name they stood up holding a sign with their name on it. Then a few kids came to the front and introdced themselves and said what they liked about preschool. Then they sang a song as a class. When it was Parker's turn he came to the microphone and said, "Hi I'm Parker and I like preschool cuz I get to play the fishing game." I was a little nervous because we had been practicing he part but we hadn't been practicing an introduction of who he was. So when all the other kids were saying their names I hoped he would be able to say his name clearly for all the people to understand. He did a great job! I was so proud of him. He has loved going to preschool and all the friends he has made. I am still having a hard time trying to tell him that he has one more year of Preschool before Kindergarten. I think he will miss going to school this summer and looks forward to seeing Miss Joni and Miss Allyson next year!!

First Day of Preschool

Well today was the first school day of Parker's life. I think he was rather excited and I was too, just a little bit. I was excited for a number of reasons, I want my child to be social and to be able to be around people and feel comfortable. Secondly I want him to be leaning and growing in an environment outside of our home. Third, I want him to make some new friends. Those are just a few of the things that I am excited he will learn about this year. I told him all day yesterday and last night that he needed to go to bed early so he could get up for school. Well the dang kid didn't fall asleep until after 9:30!! Is that early to a kid?? So of course he was a beast to wake up this morning. But I convinced him to get up with a bribe of his favorite breakfast...pancakes. I even bribed him that he could help me if he got out of bed right then, which he did. There was very little helping and even less eating. His attention span is way too short. I think he managed to get a few bites in before I told him he had to get dressed RIGHT NOW or we would be late. After getting dressed, combing hair (he wouldn't let me cut his hair or else that would have been one less task) and brushing teeth we were ready to go. Of course being the scrapbooking mother that I am I snapped a few pictures, ok 15 or so, and hurried to the car. I didn't want him to be late on the first day. We got there in time and I snapped a few more pictures and said "I'll see you in a few hours ok." He looked at me a little shyly and said "ok." I am not sure if he was quite sure of the situation and all the people around him who he did not know. Well I didn't stick around to find out. He would be there for 2 hours so I ran home to get a few things done, did I mention Paige was sad to see her brother go and the fact that she didn't get to go with him. Anyways, I got a few things done at home then went to a Presidency meeting and before I knew it 2 hours had flown by. What??? I am going to have to budget that precious time better. I hurried to get there, I didn't want him to be the last kid there. He was so excited to see me and to show what he had done. As we got into the car he noticed another little boy leaving and kept pointing to him and said "Him him I know him" I asked if he was a new friend and Parker said "yes" so he made a new friend on the first day! I think it went well and I know he is excited to go back because as we were leaving he said "I go to that house 555" When he wants to do something he says for 555. I think he got that from me saying only 5 more minutes, or in 5 minutes we are going. He got the 5 part. So it is pretty funny when he gets excited about something and wants go 555 or stay 555 I know that he really liked it. Here are a few pictures from the day. I can't believe my little boy is growing up!

Preschool

I have been thinking a lot lately about putting Parker in preschool and couldn't quite decide what to do. He won't be starting kindergarten until he is almost 6 so we still have 2 full years before that happens. I have heard a lot about pre schools in this area and also the cost of them. That was one thing that really held me back. We can't quite afford something very expensive, but I also felt like I couldn't afford not to put him in to some sort of class. I think he needs the socialization with other kids and a steady routine. He needs something more stimulating and challenging than I feel I can give him at home everyday, especially with another kid around. So I kind of put it on the back burner and didn't really think about it for a while. Well I was talking to my mom the other day and she mentioned that one of our friends really good friends was starting a preschool and she thought Parker might like it. I had seen a few posters for this preschool and had heard of the ladies doing it, but I don't know them personally. So my mom being the great mom that she is called and got all the information for us and even paid for the start up fee and first months class. So Parker is officially signed up for Preschool. When I asked him if he wanted to start going to school he said, "Ya, today?" No not today, and I think he will be asking me everyday until he starts going on Tuesday. We went to the teacher's home, where the preschool will be, last night and she showed Parker all the different things she has and some of the activities she has planned and he said, "I love it" so I think that was a good sign. She is a super nice lady and I know she has great morals and standards. I know that she will do a great job and I trust her with my child. I hope that he plays well with others and does a little maturing. That would be wonderful. I am excited for the 2 hours a day twice a week without him. Isn't that being an awful mom?? I think it would be wonderful if I could go to the store with one less kid, I might be able to get a lot more done, and he will be doing something besides watching cartoons and bugging me. I am sure I will have many updates on his progress and of course pictures from his first day of "School", sniff, sniff. Why do I get emotional about that. I want him to go, but I can't believe my baby is growing up. I am in big trouble when he starts kindergarten I can already tell!

Yay!!!

We are officially potty trained here at our house. Parker has not had an accident in 3 days. We are so proud of him and how quickly he caught on (once he decided that he was ready) I am absolutely loving not having to change his diapers!! Two kids in diapers was ridiculous and expensive. Now we can move onto bigger and better things. I am trying to talk Parker into going to a preschool. I just want to get the idea in his head so that when he is in preschool he will enjoy it. So I am going to be looking into a few places to see what will work best for us. I think it would be great for him to be involved in something outside our home and to be around other kids. Also I know I would love a few hours of the day to run errands with only one kid. If anyone out there that lives around us has any suggestions, let me know.