Back to School 2012

Our back to school this year has been pretty momentous. Harding and Shelby are at a new school together and their classes are on the same hallway. Harding has now entered the big world of kindergarten and Shelby is in a Head Start preschool class.

As a teacher, I am usually pretty anxious when I have to go back to school at the end of the summer and this year was no exception. In fact, I have been a complete mess because of all the changes the kids were facing this year (H in kindergarten at a school where we don't know anyone and Shelby with new teachers and all new therapists). Somehow, we made it through last week unscathed though, and now that we have met all the teachers, been in the classrooms, and the kids have the first day of school under their belts, I feel much better about the whole situation. 

Harding came home from the first day full of excitement about hunting for the gingerbread boy in the library and making a new friend named Isabella. He proudly demonstrated to us that kindergarteners need to walk on "marshmallow toes" instead of elephant feet. We're hoping that skill will be used at home too!

Shelby's transition is off to a better start than we expected. She has pitched tantrums at the end of music time each day, but is eating and playing in the classroom just fine. She has also really taken to her speech therapist, Sarah, which is good news. I hope she'll warm up to the new PT and OT this week.

Harding at meet-the-teacher with Mrs. McClure. He wanted to stay all day!

Shelby at meet-the-teacher with Ms. Kathy, Ms. Maria, and Ms. Rebekah. She did not handle it as well as Harding, but allowed Kathy to hold her briefly for this picture.

Daddy helping Shelby feel comfortable in her new classroom.

Harding was excited about the dolphin mural and said, "Take my picture swimming with them Mommy".

My big boy on his first day of kindergarten. He was so excited! Trip texted me this picture at drop-off because I was busy teaching my new students on their first day of school.