Pre-K Graduate (Round One)

Another year of preschool in the books for Brantley!  With a July birthday, we have decided to wait another year before sending him to kindergarten, so although most of his preschool classmates are headed there this fall, he is not.  However, because we are changing daycare/preschools, it still seemed like a graduation of sorts and Craig and I were beyond excited to take a few hours off of work to celebrate this special occasion with our oldest.

The celebration wasn't a typical graduation, but the kids did sing some songs and each was called on stage to pose with their certificate and teachers.

Brantley got so lucky with his teachers this year.  Mrs. Grau and Mrs. Larson are both amazing women and so, so dedicated to their jobs.  And I especially loved each of their Iowa connections. 😉  Seriously though, they taught him so much and he really looked up to both of these special ladies.  (Weird story, one his teachers has a blog and I followed it long before she was Brantley's teacher!)

After the graduation, we all went outdoors for a picnic.  It was a crazy windy day, but beyond that, the weather couldn't have been more perfect.

 

 
Brantley was so lucky to attend preschool with these two daycare friends, Jace and Drew.  They've been together at preschool for two full years and at daycare for a couple more!  They may play like besties and fight like brothers, but boy was it easier sending my barely three-year old to preschool knowing he had these two by his side!

We have loved every minute of watching Brantley grow academically and socially and we are so thankful for two amazing years of preschool at this Presbyterian church.  We are extra proud of our pre-K (round one) graduate and can't wait to see what the future has in store!

 
And just for fun, a comparison photo.  Because isn't that what taking first and last day photos is all about?

Brantley's First Day of Pre-K

For whatever reason, Brantley's preschool started later than most schools around here--but yesterday was finally the day and we got our turn at first-day-of-school photos!  I've been prepping him for these photos for days.  "All mommies take pictures on special days like this, so I really need you to cooperate."  (How sad is it that I already have to do that and it's only our second year!?)

 

 

It was nearly impossible to get a real smile out of him, but I managed one thanks to some fart jokes. #boymom

  

As for his career goal...clearly the summer Olympics made a pretty big impact.  Though I have low expectations (he's not tall by any means), I will encourage him to follow his dreams.  And hey, at least it's better than a snowman!

This year, Brantley will be attending pre-K (or the 4-year old class) three days per week.  Like last year, he is attending preschool with two daycare buddies - Jace and Drew.  And like last year, our daycare provider will transport the boys to and from daycare every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.  I am so, so thankful we have that option!

I'm also thankful for the drop off photos I receive from Ms. Stephanie since I'm not able to be there to do it.

I was able to sneak away from work last week for "Hello Day."  Craig and I got to see Brantley's classroom and meet his two teachers, Mrs. Grau and Mrs. Larson.  Oddly enough, both of them have Iowa connections and one is even a Hawkeye fan...so you know it's going to be a good year!  

And of course, I couldn't resist a comparison photo.  I can't believe how much he's changed in one short year!  (See last year's first day photos here.)

We have yet to decide whether or not we're going to send Brantley to kindergarten next year.  He'll be 5, but a young 5 with a July birthday.  There are all sorts of pros and cons...but that's another post for another day!

Brantley's First Year of Preschool

It's been just over a week now since Brantley finished out his first year of preschool.  It was a successful first year and I wanted to jot down a few notes before I forget some of the little details.


 
// Brantley adored his teachers - Mrs. Brewster and Mrs. Schapper.  And he really wanted to please them.  He was never overly interested in learning how to write his name until we told him Mrs. Brewster had suggested it.  From that point forward, he would come to us and ask if he could practice writing his name.

// There was a show & tell rotation throughout the year.  Brantley had a turn three or four times.  Among his show & tell items: his Donald Duck hat from "Mickey Mouse's House", the batting practice baseball Daddy caught at a Royal's game, and lastly, his "Jesus book."  We helped him come up with the first two items (earlier in the year), but the "Jesus book" (kids' Bible stories) was all his idea and he was dead-set on taking it.

// The show & tell person was also the leader in class that day.  Brantley was the very last leader on the final day of preschool and he was so excited about that!

// Shortly after he started in September, Brantley told us he had a new girlfriend - Natalie.  By the end of the year, he had moved onto Lilly and Olivia instead (but not our neighbors with the same names).

// Though he seemed to love preschool itself, he didn't always love telling us about it.  From what I've heard, this is normal for a 3-year old, especially one on the younger end.  However, he got a little more willing to summarize his day towards the end of the year.

// Brantley attended preschool with two of his daycare buddies - Jace and Drew.  Although it was his first year in school, I was never nervous for him, as I knew he'd always be in good, familiar company.

// According to Brantley, his favorite part of preschool was snack time.  Go figure.

I am so thankful for our daycare provider, Ms. Stephanie, who took care of both drop off and pick up from preschool twice every week.  She also took these photos on his last day.  I'm not sure why, but I totally teared up when I saw them.  As a teacher myself, I am just so thankful Brantley had such a positive experience in his first year of school and I think these pictures really show how much he loved his teachers (and vice versa).

After their last day, Ms. Stephanie took the three boys out for a special lunch.  Again, I am just so thankful for our second mommy who treats our kids like her own and arranges to do such a special thing.  I don't know many daycare providers who would do this!!

And since they never made it to the blog, here are some pictures from Brantley's spring music program.

And a photo from Muffins with Mom.

And finally, a comparison photo from his first and last days of 3-year old preschool.

I know he's already excited to begin again in the fall and I hope we have as good as an experience next year as we did this year!

Brantley's First Preschool Christmas Program

Yesterday was Brantley's first preschool Christmas "program".  And I use the word program very loosely, as the kids sang three songs and then resumed their normal day of preschool.  Parents were invited; however, there was no reception or celebration afterwards and since his preschool is a good 25 minute drive from my school, I elected not to go.  Now before you go and judge me for being a horrible mother (future Brantley), please know that today was my final day with my students and because of the start time of the "program", I would have had to find coverage for both of my blocks of finals.  I just didn't want to mess with that as no teacher ever likes giving up plan time (although I know my amazing coworkers would have) and I really felt the need to proctor my finals myself.  So I sent Craig to the "program" with very specific instructions to video every performance and I asked our daycare provider, Miss Stephanie, to snap a few photos for me.  In the end, Craig said it was really cute, but suggested I made a good decision not to drive all that way.  However, my heart near broke into a million little pieces last night when Brantley asked me if I would come to his preschool sometime like Daddy had. #thestrugglesofbeingaworkingmom

For our family--mainly grandmas and great-grandma--here are the videos of his program.

Our First "First Day"

I love "First Day of School" photos.  Perhaps because I'm a teacher and the first day of school is super exciting to me.  This year, we experienced our first "first day".  Brantley started 3-year old preschool yesterday and to say he was excited was an understatement.  We've been talking about this day for weeks months and for the past three years, part of his daily daycare routine was to drop off the "big kids" at preschool.  Finally, it was Brantley's turn to be one of the "big kids".  He had absolutely no fears about going to preschool and he did amazingly well.  Of course, it helps that he's attending with two of his best daycare buddies - Jace and Drew.  That definitely makes a mama feel better.  And as if he wasn't already excited about preschool, he got a new backpack and water bottle, which were pretty much icing on his cake.


 


I really didn't think I'd get emotional about the experience.  After all, he's attending only two days per week for three hours per day.  But after scrolling through photos of last week's "Hello Day", I broke down.  There's something very bittersweet about sending your first child (probably any child, really!) to school.  He's growing up, there's no doubt about it, and unfortunately, big milestones are accompanied by lots of emotions for this mama.

I debated about what do do for "First Day" photos for quite some time.  I mean, it' a big decision trying to decide how to handle the next 15(ish) years of first days!  Initially, I planned to use some free "First Day" printables I found on Pinterest.  And then, I found this sign on Etsy and I love it!  I truly can't wait to compare each year in about 15 years. :)

As for what he wants to be when he grows up....yeah, a snowman.  Like a real, true snowman.  But to his defense, he's getting this question confused with what he wants to be for Halloween (Olaf). Whatever.  It was funny so I went with it. ;)

We are lucky enough to have a daycare provider willing to transport the kiddos to and from preschool.  It's amazing, really, and we couldn't ask for much more.  We are also lucky in that she takes pictures and records the milestones much like I would do.  She sent us a few pictures of his first day...

...and she sent this video she took soon after picking him up. 


So in Brantley's own words, "I had a good day at preschool."  I think it's safe to say he's excited for day two tomorrow!