V8 and school lunches

This morning I thought I was doing the good mom thing by packing an extra healthy lunch for Joey. Normally I fill his nalgene bottle with water but this morning packed a can of V8 instead. At dinner tonight Joey politely asked that I not pack V8 anymore. When I asked why; he said, "Because I spilled it all over the classroom. It got on the carpet and the tile and it took A LOT of paper towels to clean it up."

I am seriously shaking my head right now. Mom fail. Joey fail. His teacher must hate me!
I am sending this picture in a note to his teacher tomorrow. I hope she has a sense of humor.

Back to school!

First grade is here! Summer vacation was wonderful, but by the end Joey was eager to get back to school!

Joey talked about first grade all summer and was super excited for back to school night. He got to see his classroom, meet his teacher and drop off school supplies. That night he was itching to get to bed so the next day could start. 

Of course no first day is complete with out me taking numerous pictures to commemorate.

While Joey was away at school Lucy, Van and I adjusted to a new routine. It involved all around naps! Two hours to be exact! I hadn't taken a nap since before Lucy was born! 

At 4 o'clock the little ones and I walked down to the bus stop to get Joey. Van was so excited to see Joey and Joey spent the rest of the day talking about how amazing first grade was!

Last Day of School.

Today Joey graduated from Kindergarten. I am so proud of him and how far he has come academically and behaviorally. At school the kids and their families celebrated the last day by having a kindergarten graduation ceremony. They sang some songs, received diplomas, and ate cookies and juice. When we got home I set up a "welcome to summer" swag basket! Here's to a summer full of fun and not having to get up and go so early to make the bus!

First Day of School

I have both looked forward and dreaded this day since Joey was born.
We have a school age child now. He is growing up too fast.
This brings a myriad of newness not only to our routine but to the growing of our oldest child.
Homework. Lunch Menus. Permission Slips. Outfits. Drop Offs.
It's all so new and will take some getting used to.
We love his teacher, Mrs Madsen and think she is just the right kind of teacher for him.

The First day of school. Waiting in line for the teacher to come get them. 

Getting ready for Mrs Madsen to read them a book!

Growing Up

This week has been an emotional one for this Mommy.

Right before my eyes my once first, precious newborn has become school age in a short 5 years.

We spent the better part of two weeks preparing for the end of preschool. Joey, not really understanding that he wouldn't be attending Immanuel Lutheran anymore; focused on telling stories of his friends he has made in the class. I focused on the progress he has made from November, when we first enrolled him, to the middle of June. He stands taller now. Any glimpse of a goofy toddler has now amassed into a good looking little boy who still makes the most funniest faces imaginable.
Once a child who had trouble expressing his emotions in words now begins most conversations with, "This makes me feel....", "I feel like...", "I really like...".

In the span of 7.5 months my little baby is now a boy. As of today, Joey is now a preschool graduate who is registered and ready for Kindergarten!



For end of year teacher gifts we made planters that included these tags...




Earlier in the week, my friend Carly and I registered her son, Gabe and Joey to participate in the weekly Track and Field meet at Sparks stadium.
Now I know that I am super competitive when it comes to sports, but I was shocked to see that "competitiveness" translate to Joey's sports as well. I learned a humbling lesson this week in the nature of letting Joey learn the ropes of competitive sports and me being there only for support and emphasizing the fun. I know Joey had fun, but I also know it hurt him not to win when it came to the races. After Joey collapsed at the finish line in tears for not "winning" we had a good talk on the importance of doing this just for fun and that practice ensures that we do our best. I know that he moved past it pretty quick, but I felt awful that I somehow instilled in him that winning was the most important thing. It was just another example of me having a hard time accepting that Joey is getting bigger and that I am going to have to somehow manage not to get so nervous and excited for his sports. When did I become that parent who lives vicariously through her kids?



Softball Throw.



I think this may have been Joey and Gabe's favorite part of the meet.



Running!



Showing off his ribbons.

Preschool!

Joey is official a preschooler!
Last week he started attending Immanuel Lutheran Preschool in downtown Puyallup. It came highly recommended by several friends whose kids also attend.
Our original intentions for Joey was to "preschool" at home and then start Kindergarten in the fall. But after the arrival of Van it was noticeably clear that Joey needed some time and attention away from the house. Two months into being a big brother, Joey has learned to entertain himself. He can sit at the dining room table for hours and play with his Legos and Hotwheels. If you know Joey, that is kind of a big deal given his attention span and energy.
He is only in his second week of school, but he loves it and he loves Mrs Biermann.
I printed out the sign he is holding from IHeartNaptime's blog. There are signs for all the way up to 12th grade.
Can you imagine Joey being a senior holding this sign?
Perhaps he will do it to humor his Mom.

One thing I love about Joey is that he is one funny guy. I could tell from a very young age that he is a comedian. The picture below is no different. He will give you one "real" pose, but then you have to take a silly picture as well.