Lesson plans preview for next week

For the Week of September 24-28, 2012

 

Spelling/Grammar/Literature: In spelling, we will work on counting syllables and listening for the sounds /l/, /h/, and /g/. We will also be working on recognizing letters instantly, playing Alphabet Bingo, guessing letters by their shape, and naming what comes before and after certain letters. This week we will discuss setting, characters, event, and precise language.This week we will work on the correct way to grip a pencil, and we will learn general handwriting rules. We will be learning how to hold a book correctly, and to identify the title, author, and illustrator. With each story, we will discuss setting, characters, event, and precise language.

 

Unit Study: This week in Unit Study, we will begin learning about the United States of America. We will discuss that the USA is located in the middle of the North American continent, between Canada and Mexico. We will learn that the USA is made up of 50 states, with 48 being connected together. We will be introduced to the United States flag, seal, and bird (the bald eagle). We will discuss the stars and stripes on the flag, and the significance of the colors and the number of stripes (13). We will also be learning about the White House, and looking at the different rooms that are in the White House.

 

Math: In math, we will begin Chapter 6: Numbers 0 to 20. Counting up to 20 is the most basic form of counting two-digit numbers. Mastering knowledge of numerical sense up to 20, as well as its sequence, is the stepping stone to counting numbers up to 100. In this chapter, children will count up to 20 objects by using one-to-one correspondence. They will also build on their concept of one more by using ten-frames to count on. Children will also learn to compare and sequence numbers to 20. This week we will focus on counting to 20 and reading and writing the numbers 10, 11, and 12. We will be using hands on activities and manipulatives to further our understanding.

 

Nature Study: This week, we will continue discussing birds. We will review the characteristics of birds (1-Warm-blooded, 2-Vertebrate, 3-Have feathers, 4-Have beak, 5-Have two wings and two feet, 6-Hatch from eggs), and the hand motions to help us remember the characteristics of birds. This week we will be introducing Mockingbirds. We will observe photos and listen to the sounds of the mockingbird. We will be drawing pictures of mockingbirds in our nature notebooks.

 

Bible: This week, we will be reading the stories of “Sodom and Gomorrah” and “Isaac and Rebekah.” Please feel free to read and discuss these stories at home with your child.

 

Show and Tell: For Show and Tell this week, please have your child bring an item that is red, white, or blue.

 

*Thank you so much to all of you for helping make our Texas Roundup a success! The children had a great time reviewing, having horse races, and tasting chili and trail mix. Thank you!!!

Men are from Mars....

The other day, I was rewarding Aidan for a successful potty trip with a treat from the "magic box".  He picked some Nerds candy that was probably left over from Halloween last year.  I reached out to try some--I had to make sure it was alright!  Then, he informed me that it was only for boys.  This led to a hilarious discussion about the difference b/w girls and boys:

So, what kind of candy do girls eat?  Tea.
Do what?!

I asked in a different way.  So, what kind of snacks to girls like?  Uumm, girls have tea. 

What about boys.  What kind of snacks to they like?  Boys like candy...and...laffy taffy...and...magic boxes....

And, Aidan, what kind of games do girls like to play?  Umm, I don't know...

What kind of games do boys play?  Clubhouses, outside, sandboxes....uh...swords...dragons...

Interesting.  Don't girls like to play clubhouses and outside games too?  No, because they're girls.

Oh, so can you think of any games that girls might like to play?  Books.

......But, I like to read books too.  (whew!)

So funny that even at 3, he's forming some impressions about gender. 

I think that if Connor and I were to have this same conversation, he'd be a bit more diplomatic...like, well, yeah, some girls like to play chase but some girls don't...and, boys sometimes like dolls whenever they are sad or something.  Got to love my little savvy ambassador!

Aidan...he is nothing if not true to his instinct.  He unapologetically tells it like he sees the world...not really desiring to entertain another point of view ---that's what I think...that's who I am. 

The proud mama in me is convinced that I am watching a confident leader and strong, determined, and unwaivering man in the making.  I pray that the Holy Spirit will lead his heart to desire the Lord's point of view in his life.  And, that God will shape his character to be an honorable and ethical and loving man.  A man who in the face of false teachers will hold true, unyielding to the Truth of the Gospel.

Lesson plans preview

For the Week of September 17-21, 2012

 

Spelling/Grammar/Literature: In spelling, we will work on counting syllables and listening for the sounds /d/, /f/, and /l/. We will also be working on recognizing letters instantly. This week we will introduce the correct way to grip a pencil, and we will learn general handwriting rules. In literature, we will be learning how to hold a book correctly, and to identify the title, author, and illustrator. This week we will discuss setting, characters, event, and precise language.

 

Unit Study: This week in Unit Study, we will continue our study of Texas. We will locate Texas on a map of the United States of America. We will identify the capital city of Austin, the panhandle, Red River, Rio Grande, and the Gulf of Mexico. We will learn about the symbols of Texas, including the bluebonnet, the pecan tree, the mocking bird, the lone star flag, and the armadillo. On Friday, we will conclude our study of Texas with a Campfire Review.

 

Math: In math, we will complete Chapter 5: Size and Position. In this chapter, children will learn to recognize big and small things and to use prepositions to describe position. This week we will focus on big and small things and understanding the concept of same-sized objects. We will explore the idea that only a few big objects fit into small spaces and many small objects fit into big spaces. We will discuss positions and identify positions of objects in space.

 

Nature Study: This week, we will be discussing birds. We will introduce the characteristics of birds (1-Warm-blooded, 2-Vertebrate, 3-Have feathers, 4-Have beak, 5-Have two wings and two feet, 6-Hatch from eggs), and the hand motions to help us remember the characteristics of birds. We will be observing birds (live and in photographs), and we will be drawing pictures of birds in our nature notebooks. We will go on a bird hunt around the school to watch live birds.

 

Bible: This week, we will be reading the stories of“Abraham’s Two Sons” and “The Sacrifice of Isaac.” Please feel free to read and discuss these stories at home with your child.

 

Show and Tell: For Show and Tell this week, please have your child bring an item that is native to/related to Texas. This can be an item that was found (pecan, river rock, Mockingbird feather, etc.) or it can be a photo of a trip (Alamo, river, etc). It can also be a picture from the internet of an item that is native to Texas.

Lesson plans preview

**Monday, September 10, 2012: Waco Landmark Field Trip—Meet us for Lunch in the Pecan Bottoms of Cameron Park at 12:00 pm

 

Spelling/Grammar/Literature: In spelling, we will be discussing letter names and sounds. We will be focusing on the sounds of n, s, a, i, and z. In literature, we will be discussing and identifying beginning, middle, and ending sounds, and we will talk about rhyming words. We will be learning how to hold a book correctly, and to identify the title, author, and illustrator. This week we will discuss setting, characters, event, and precise language.

(Connor's school implements the curriculum from Neuhaus called scientific spelling...which, as best I understand it, is an approach that teaches the students the sounds, patterns and rules, and phonology so that they don't have to memorize so much--sounds good to me).

 

Unit Study: This week in Unit Study, we will conclude our study of Waco landmarks by taking a field trip around our city. We will then move from a study of Waco to Texas. We will locate Texas on a map of the United States of America. We will identify the capital city of Austin, the panhandle, Red River, Rio Grande, and the Gulf of Mexico. We will learn about the symbols of Texas, including the bluebonnet, the pecan tree, the mocking bird, the lone star flag, and the armadillo.

(Connor is so excited already!  And, I have to laugh in anticipation of the chance that he may be corrected whenever he says the word pecan--he takes after his Southern Mama and says 'pee-can'. Dear school, please don't take the Southern accent out of my boy!)

 

Math: In math, we will begin Chapter 5: Size and Position. In this chapter, children will learn to recognize big and small things and to use prepositions to describe position. This week we will focus on big and small things, and understanding the concept of same-sized objects. We will also explore the idea that only a few big objects fit into small spaces and many small objects fit into big spaces. We will also begin to discuss positions, and identifying positions of objects in space. (I also learned this week that the LOCS curriculum for math is Singapore Math.  Here's a link to an article about the success of the Singapore curriculum: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/01/education/01math.html

 

The more I learn about Live Oak's approach and methods, I am more and more blown away and so happy with our decision to put him there.

Side-bar:  I spent a lot of time worrying about this school or that...got a LOT of welcome (and unwelcome) comments.  Public vs. private vs. charter.  I think that every parent wants (and SHOULD) think that where their child is in school is the best place for him or her; and, throughout this experience surrounded by other families sending their children to kindergarten, I've encountered some parents who, in an attempt to defend their decisions, are really judgemental about other options.  I'm just so thankful that we have options!  What a wonderful situation we have here in Waco!...I hope that I never make another mother feel conflicted about what they've chosen as best for their family.  Come on!  We are all out to give our children the best opportunities to grow their minds, hearts, spirits, and give them the tools they need to make their own dreams come true and make their own difference in this world.        

 

Nature Study: This week, we will continue our discussion on fish. We will review the characteristics of fish (1-Cold-blooded, 2-Vertebrate, 3-Have scales, 4-Breathe through gills, 5-Most have fins, 6-Hatch from eggs), and the hand motions to help us remember the characteristics of fish. We will be observing goldfish (live and in photographs), and we will be drawing pictures of goldfish in our nature notebooks. (Connor asked me the other day,"Mama, did you really come out of grandma's tummy?  And, did Aunt Gretta too?")

 

Bible: This week, we will be reading the stories of“Abram’s Journey” and “Abram, Sarai, and Hagar.” Please feel free to read and discuss these stories at home with your child. 

 

Show and Tell: For Show and Tell this week, please have your child illustrate their favorite part of our Waco landmark field trip. We will be sharing our drawings and our favorite parts of the trip.

 

Up to our eyeballs in poop....yeah, ya' heard me!!

 Aidan has, for as long as I can remember, has filled our world with light and happiness.  His fun-loving personality and heart-on-his-sleeve attitude makes him probably the most magnetic and definitely the cutest member of our little family.  You should hear this kid pray--so cute (God, tank you for mama and daddy and Connor and Aidan, and grandma and pop pop, Jesus and God....and tank you God for shoot guns)--couldn't you just eat him up?! 

He rolls with the punches.  He laughs with the best of 'em.  There's no such thing as a stranger, shyness is unheard of, and his middle name could be play....or maybe milk---tee hee.

With Connor in kindergarten these past few weeks, we've gotten to spend more one-on-one time with this here cutie pie...and we are loving it!

His play is almost totally different than Connor.

      

It's cars, trucks, trains, and planes....and a whole lot of SILLY.  He makes pow sounds for guns and rubbling sounds to help his vehicles come to life.  He talks while he plays--I can't always tell what the story is about, but usually I hear him narrating where his trucks go. And, I've noticed him going off on his own for 20-30 minutes at a time, just pushing his cars around the floor making up pretend games with them.  He's content not to include me...very self-motivated. 
He looks up to Connor with so much pride.  I'm totally in love with him when I see his entire body filled with excitement and joy in the presence of his big bro.  And, thankfully, at least so far, he doesn't seem too broken-hearted if Connor rejects his enthusiasm and refuses his company at times.  To see the two of them together, getting along, is truly the stuff of my dreams!

I guess you're wondering about that title...well, no cuter-than-cute kid can be completely perfect...right?!

That brings us to the subject of poop.  We knew we were up against quite a different personality going into potty-training.  I thought that I'd out-smarted it...waited til he was 3...til I thought he was ready.  Well...apparently, his 'testins (as he likes to call them) weren't ready. 
By the end of the first month of my VERY casual and not-very-consistent tries to potty train, the kid was doing both jobs on the potty during the day.  I thought I was home free.  What a great and smart mommie I was! 

But, poopie-pants put a big kink in my ego-trip.  A few weeks after daytime success...after diapers had been removed and given away, the kid just started back up pooping in his pull-up. 
And, we're not talking a one-time-a-day pooper here.  Aidan is.....very regular.....more than very regular.....like 3-5 times a day regular. 

Once his preschool started back up, his teachers urged us to put him in underwear rather than a pull-up. 

He was good....for them! 

But, he held in 2 days worth of poop at school and then let it all out on his next day home with me.  FIVE pairs of underwear people!!!  FIVE.  FIVE!
Finally, I surrendered back to the pull-ups (BTW, that evening I had one dirty pull-up too!)

Not sure how cloth diapers are environmentally friendly.  I must've swirled those underwear in the toilet and flushed 4 or 5 times each before I was able to soak off all that yuck.  And, my skin crawled thinking about them spinning around in my washing machine.......**shudder**

I'm at a bit of a loss as to why the digression.  Am I expecting too much from him?  I've been told that boys generally have a harder time potty training than girls at the same age.  I know he can do it b/c we had 3 or more good weeks. 

During one of the grossest clean-up sessions, I caught Aidan laughing at the situation.  OH NO HE DIDN'T!  "It is NOT funny young man!"  And, to this he cleverly and in his very cute and Aidan-way answered,"oh, I wasn't laughing at that Mommy.  I was laughing at something else." 


What has worked for all those other mommies of hard-headed boys?  Any advice is welcome!!  Pretty please! 

Lesson plans

Lesson plans for next week:

Spelling/ Literature: In spelling, we will be discussing letter names and sounds. We will be focusing on the sounds of n and s. In literature, we will be discussing and identifying beginning, middle, and ending sounds, and we will talk about rhyming words. We will be learning how to hold a book correctly, and to identify the title, author, and illustrator. This week we will discuss setting, characters, and event. (I can definitely tell this stuff is starting to sink in as the weeks go on.  I can hear him saying words over and over, thinking what the first letter must be and getting tickled when he finds ryhming words.) 

Unit Study: This week in Unit Study, we will be discussing our community of Waco. We will learn that a landmark is a building, monument, or place designated as important or interesting. We will discuss various landmarks of the Waco area including The Dr. Pepper Museum, the Suspension Bridge, The Alico Building, Lover’s Leap, Cameron Park, and the Cameron Park Zoo. (Connor loves being the authority on any subject.  He'll love getting the official scoop on these Waco places that we've loved and visited all his life.) 

 

Math: In math, students will learn to count to 10 and write the numerals for these numbers, and to find one more or one less to solidify the counting sequence. This week we will be focusing on: knowing that objects can represent a set of objects up to 5 and fingers and toes together can represent up to 20; determining one more; understanding and showing the meaning of same and more; and knowing how many more. We will be using manipulatives and hands on activities to learn about numbers.  (Today in the car, Connor informed Aidan that if you keep counting after one thousand you eventually get to two thousand.  Smartie pants)

Nature Study: This week, we will introduce fish. We will learn the characteristics of fish (1-Cold-blooded, 2-Vertebrate, 3-Have scales, 4-Breathe through gills, 5-Most have fins, 6-Hatch from eggs). We will learn hand motions to help us remember the characteristics of fish. (This subject is definitely peaking his interest.  He finds and captures roley-poleys and worms and then wants to know if they have bones or not.  Also, how do fish breathe?  And, did you know that the water that you drink goes into your stomach, your body uses it, and then the stuff your body doesn't use comes out in your pee pee? )

Bible: This week, we will be reading the story of “The Tower of Babel.” Please feel free to read this story at home with your child, and have them narrate the story back to you.  (I love to hear the take away from these stories.  It seems like every time we talk about a particular OT story, he brings up a different point.  And, his perspective is priceless, ie. the people thought that they could build it so high to be like God---that was so silly!  Cuz, God's everywhere...not just high.)

Show and Tell: Show & Tell this week is My Favorite Color. Please have your child bring an item that represents their favorite color.  (I'm curious what his favorite color will be this week.  It's been changing lately, from purple to gold or silver, and most recently to yellow.)

A day of firsts

• Aidan's first day in his 3-4year old preschool class.  Big boy!  He didn't even look back.  I left him rattling off a series of things to Mrs. Ginger about his trucks, very important I have no doubt.  Later, when he told me about his day, he referred to the playground, his classroom, and his school as Connor's school--like he was at Connor's school today and he played on Connor's playground, etc.  I'm sure the idea of following his big bro's footsteps is a comforting feeling (no surprises...Connor survived and therefore, so will I).  I pray for Aidan to always know that Jesus loves him, for him to continue to light the world like sunshine, and for his new friendships to grow.
• Today, we saw the first tears from Connor when he pleaded with me to come and get him early from school tomorrow.  "I don't want to go back to kindergarten, Mama.  It's so long!"  My heart ached for him and I wanted so badly to be able to say,"of course, baby, Mama won't make you stay at that long, long school!......"  But, of course, I didn't and I can't.  With as much empathy and compassion I could muster, I told him he'd have to go back, stay the whole day, and we'd have to come up with a solution to help him deal with his feelings.  Oh yeah, his feelings.  In passing tonight, he tells me that when he's at school, he sometimes has feelings of being nervous.  Curious, I asked him nervous about what exactly?  He said that it was different stuff...like being scared of his teacher (not a new thing with him when it comes to new situations)....also, scary stuff like nightmares  (well, this wasn't expected--never had that kind of fear at school).  I pray for Connor to always know that Jesus loves him, for these feelings to disappear, that he will find joy in his classwork and in his friends, that he will have energy, that he would feel the closeness of the Lord protecting him each and every day, and I pray that God will continue to sharpen his mind and shape his character throughout this difficult time.
• Today, for the first time, I got all the way to school to drop off Aidan and I realized that I'd let his lunch at home.  Blerg!  Yep, that was about 30 minutes on the road that I'll never get back.
• This morning was the first time that Aidan climbed out of his crib without our help.  I awoke today to them whispering in their room and later I realized that Aidan's voice was moving around.  I heard Connor say something about don't wake up mama and daddy.  Then I saw bright lights through my eyelids and realized they had flashlights.  When I sat up, I saw their creation--they'd stretched out practically every baby blanket that we owned and placed them end to end, making a road of sorts from our bathroom all the way into their room.  Sweet playing and loving each other's company that early in morning was music to my ears and warmed my heart.
• I am officially, for the first time ever, a member of a fantasy football league.  That's right.  Jump back!  I know practically nothing about the individual football players, but hey, what fun!  Oh, and my team name: Vamp from Savannah. tee hee hee

Lesson Plan Preview

I think that I'm starting a fun tradition on Fridays to record the lesson plans for Connor's class the upcoming week.  I love getting this sneek peek into his world away from us:

Spelling/Literature: In spelling, we will be discussing letter names and sounds. We will be focusing on the sounds of i, t, and p. In literature, we will be learning how to hold a book correctly, and to identify the title, author, and illustrator. This week we will introduce and discuss characters and setting. (All week this week Connor has been having fun rhyming words....a game that I was never able to coax him into playing.  I'm definitely seeing that the collective peer pressure of school instruction in this way is very positive for Connor) 

Unit Study: This week in Unit Study, we will be discussing Communities. We will discuss the different services and businesses within a community. We will introduce that communities around the world have similar characteristics. We will even be creating a model community within the classroom.  (I'm seeing this play out in a lot of questions for me and Richard about how we as a family fit into our community).

Math: In math, students will learn to count to 10 and write the numerals for these numbers, and to find one more or one less to solidify the counting sequence. This week we will be focusing on: knowing that objects can represent a set of objects up to 5 and fingers and toes together can represent up to 20; determining one more; understanding and showing the meaning of same and more; and knowing how many more. We will be using manipulatives and hands on activities to learn about numbers.  (This is one of the aspects of Connor's school that I love--getting the kids to think outside of the box and to complement their standard lessons with hands-on activities. 

 

Nature Study: This week, we will review the seven characteristics of living things (breathing, feeding, movement, growth, reproduction, excretion, sensitivity) and we will use these characteristics to identify objects as living or non-living. We will learn about the scientist Linnaeus, and how he created the Classification System. We will also introduce the five kingdoms of living things.  What can I say....I didn't get introduced to this til I was in 7th grade!  I know he won't be breaking down the genus and species of plants and such, but, really, wow!  I'm so excited that he's getting exposure in a structured way to this stuff, with his teacher applying what they learn (rather than what I'd do and just tell him and then leaving it for another topic).  I love school!

Bible: This week, we will be reading the stories of“Noah’s Ark” and “The Flood.” Please read these stories at home with your child, and have them narrate the story back to you.

Show and Tell: Show and Tell for this week will be free choice. The object must fit into your child’s backpack, with the backpack still able to be zipped up.  This should be fun to see what he'll bring.

Cherishing little boy's point of view

Just a quick peek into Connor's take on the world:

In the car after school, Connor tells me how his teacher took a light and a mirror and bent the light and made it shine onto the wall.  And, then how she used colors and bent the colors too and shone them on the wall.

I was astounded, thinking that his class was embarking on some pretty amazing physics experiments.  I was all,"Wow! Mrs. Maeyaert is really ambitious!"

As he kept describing how it worked, I finally figured out that he was talking about an overhead projector that they must've used that day.
Oh, the amazement and wonder of my little smarty-pants.

I love how his mind must've really studied that machine to figure out how the picture ended up on the opposite wall while his teacher drew maps of the world on it as they learned about oceans and continents.  It must've mesmerized him.  I love his curious mind.

Here's a picture he took--he's moved on from still-shots.  He wanted to take a few while he spun around to capture the motion.  What a kid!

Lesson Plans

Connor's teacher sent the parents a preview of next week.  Wow!  They are going to be busy little bees. 

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For the Week of August 20-24, 2012

Welcome to Kindergarten! We are so excited about this new year!

Snack Helper for this Week: Margaret

Snack Helper for Next Week: Miriam

Spelling and Literature: This week for spelling, we will be segmenting sentences into words, counting the words in a sentence, and segmenting words into syllables. In literature, we will begin an author study focusing on Robert McCloskey. We will be reading his works Make Way for Ducklings, Lentil, Blueberries for Sal, One Morning in May, and Journey Cake, Ho! We will be learning how to hold a book correctly, and to identify the title, author, and illustrator. In grammar, we will begin learning the sentence structure of a statement.

Unit Study: This week in Unit Study, we will be discussing Earth, the seven continents, and the four oceans. We will be learning about the compass rose and the directions north, south, east, and west. We will be learning a song about the continents and oceans. We will also begin learning about Communities. We will discuss the different services and businesses within a community. We will introduce that communities around the world have similar characteristics.

(Connor is going to LOVE this part.  And, it'll give him a chance to really use his compass)

Math: In math, students will learn to count to 10 and write the numerals for these numbers, and to find one more or one less to solidify the counting sequence. This week we will be focusing on composing/decomposing numbers through 10, one-to-one correspondence, pairing number names with numerals, ordering numbers 0-10, and understanding the concept of one more. We will be using manipulatives and hands on activities to learn about numbers. (He's waaayyy past counting to ten, but I'm sure there's a lot more to it when you figure in all that composing and decomposing and pairing that she talks about....Guess it'll be a while before they get to googoplex!)

Nature Study: This week, we will learn the seven characteristics of living things (breathing, feeding, movement, growth, reproduction, excretion, sensitivity) and we will use these characteristics to identify objects as living or non-living. (the boys will love the excretion part...hee hee)

Bible: This week, we will be reading the stories of“The Garden of Eden” and “Cain and Abel.” Please read these stories at home with your child, and have them narrate the story back to you.

Show and Tell: Please have your child bring a picture of something living and something non-living. The picture can be from the internet, a magazine, a drawing, or a photograph. Your child should be ready to share three (3) things about their Show & Tell with the class.
(After I told Connor what next week's S&T would be, he crinkled up his nose and said,"But Mama!  There are like thousands of living things...How can I pick only one?!"  Hold on there fella...)

_____________________________________________________________

I'm so excited for him!

First day of kindergarten for Connor

I want to preserve all of today to look back on b/c I know these feelings of newness and excitment and nervousness will fade soon.

Connor started kindergarten today.  Boy, that sentence is packed full of emotion as I type it...might not read like it later, but let me tell you!

The lead-up to his big day was nothing short of overwhelming for me.  Really and truly, there was not much to actually do aside from buying school supplies, uniforms, shoes, getting to parent orientation and meet the teacher night.......well, I guess there WAS quite a bit of prep.  My emotional and physical state came to a giant head last week and the faucet turned on--full-blast.  But, once I got it out and saw how excited Connor was getting, I have been so excited for this day to get here.

Today, of course, my eyes wouldn't shut after 4am, while my little kindergartener slept soundly til I woke him at 7:10.

As I pattered around the house, made his lunch, got myself ready for work, I began to remember my own school mornings.  I don't really remember my first day of kindergarten.  I do remember my first day of 2nd grade (in a new school) very well.  There was me, little miss something, in a big room full of other someones and I knew nobody.  I remember very distinctly 'ordering' ice cream with lunch when I turned in my lunch money to the teacher.  I envisioned three scoops of glorious strawberry ice cream, topped by a bright red cherry.  Wha!!??I know, right??!!  Later, as I sat finishing what I'm sure was a very sad and forgettable cafeteria lunch, a solid brick ice cream sandwich CLUNKED onto the table beside me.  Well, it was strawberry....sigh...

I remember those familiar sounds while waking early on school days--the sound of my mama walking down the hallway, her make-up containers hitting the vanity tray as she got ready of a morning, the way the birds sounded as the sun peeked out between the trees, my ticking alarm clock on my nightstand, zippers, closet doors...
This morning, I wondered what Connor's sounds would be...what would he later remember of his school mornings. 

I sat on the edge of his bed and rubbed his back.  He grinned when he opened his eyes and saw me there.  I saw him remember what today was (he noticed the outfit that he'd taken out last night....yep, the child was so excited that he laid out all his clothes the night before, including his shoes.)

Breakfast was the same as almost every other morning.  Waffles with nutella. 

Aidan was so sweet about the whole thing too--he is really going to miss long days with Connor.  They started playing with a toy light sabre, and I teared up thinking about how there would be fewer and fewer mornings when they could just play on and on for hours. 

There was no drama getting to the car.  I think he was relieved to see other kids walking in with there parents--probably noticed that the other kids were nervous like him.  He took a little charge of us--kind of herded us ('come on mama, we need to go this way' and stuff like that).
As we walked into to the school building, I was so surprised that Connor walked on ahead of us...by himself!  It was just what I needed to see.

He was so proud to hang his backpack on his hook and put his lunch bag in his cubby.  Mrs. Maeyeart, his teacher, had play-doh for each child to play at their seats.  I could tell we were embarrassing Connor a little with all our pictures...but he really took it in stride and I think that I even noticed a little pride from him for us. 

Leaving.  Walking out was not tearful for me like I thought it would be.  I guess if he'd been sad or crying, I would never have made it out.  But, praise the Lord, he looked happy and proud of his little accomplishment..making it to his first day...getting here. 
I went back a couple times and peeked in the door (not crazy...all within like 5 minutes.  I just had to get one more look.).  He would feel me watching and turn, grin, and wave like 'I see you...okay...see you after school...sheesh'.

Oh, and we'd given him a special first-day gift.  A small, pocket-size compass.  He loves stuff like that, and he's enjoyed figuring out how to use it.  I told him that it was a symbol and was supposed to remind him while he's away from us at school that he is never lost as long as he has faith in Jesus...that He is always with him and will never lose him.  He's not let it out of his sight since he got it.  I love little boys.  Especially my little....nope, BIG boy :)

Pick-up:  I couldn't get to school fast enough to pick him up.  We were 20 minutes early.  I resisted the urge to go in and do a bit more peeking.  A few moms and dads walked up--I could tell they were trying to stay put too (one asked,"can't we go in?  are we just supposed to wait out here?!").  Finally, the troops came filing out behind the teachers.  Connor caught my eye behind the glass door and waved great big.  He was fine...in one piece...smiling...happy....whew!!

Now, my little chatterbox is anything but chatter-ey about what I want to hear about.  My strategy to get a few kindergarten tid bits out of him was to NOT ask directly.  I usually give him 5-10minutes of quiet in the car.  Finally, he tells me:

• it was pretty fun.  you know, it was pretty fast...like Mrs. Stephanie's and Mrs. Kelley's.
• you were right Mama...the teacher told us where to go. (he had been a little anxious about being able to find the bathroom and where to eat lunch)
• you know, we didn't even have naptime.  But, I'll still bring my taggie blanket and Old Puppy in my backpack everyday...just. in. case.
• well, I already made a friend.  (I asked what was his or her name).  It was a boy. (oh, well, what was his name?).  Well, I didn't ask him that!  I looked under the table and then he looked under the table and then we just kept doing that over and over...so, we're friends!

Aidan was glad to get big brother back home too.  He kept hugging and kissing him which made Connor crazy-annoyed.  Not to mention all the pictures I took (I've no regrets...no apologies from this here mama).

As I rehashed the day in my mind later, I smiled to myself thinking about how small he felt in my arms as an infant, the countless hours spent pacing the nursery trying to get him to nap, the days exploring the backyard and digging in the sandbox, the hundreds of thousands of hugs and kisses given and taken, sending him to time-out...and not sending him to time-out when I should've, making mama-mistakes, being rewarded with successes, praying for his soul and heart and character, and being there each time he did anything..for the first time........and, realizing I'm sending him alone for a big part of his day to learn, discover, wonder, and do things for the first time without me.  It is so hard and brings me so much pride at the same time.  He is my awesome, sweet, smart, and loving little boy--the best 5 year old I know.

Aidan: a THREE year old!

Dear Aidan,

You turned 3 last month and I just don't know where the time has gone.  It seems like just yesterday you were kicking my tummy.  Daddy and I were so excited to meet you, our sweet baby boy!  When the doctor held you up for the first time and I saw your pink face and soft red hair, I was in love from the first moment.  Daddy was very proud holding you and showing you off.  I wanted to hold on to and guard that moment forever in my memory...how I felt with that first glance and hearing your first cries. 

Grandma and Pop Pop carried Connor in to get a peek at you while you lay in the nursery for the first time.  He was very curious about you.  He had never had a brother before.  (you've taught him a lot about that since then).

For the first few months, you seemed to be patient and content to sleep and eat.  There was so much noise and chaos at first, but you just took it all in stride.  We kept you most days in the pack-n-play in the kitchen or the den, right in the middle of all the action and conversation.

Around about 5 or 6 months, it seemed you woke up from your baby sleepiness.  You sometimes fretted at night....I was sure that you were starting to teethe. 

After you were about a year and a half and you were still waking in the middle of the night fairly regularly, I became convinced you simply wanted some one-on-one time with us and a little cuddle.  It was a bit exhausting for me and daddy, but you were such a sweet and smiley boy that we hardly noticed.

Aidan means 'fiery' and Samuel was picked because Hannah's son in the Bible was Samuel and it means 'God heard'.  Imagine: a passionate, fiery, answer to prayer from God.  That's what you are Aidan...down to the very last drop of your being.  If something makes you mad, you explode and are overcome sometimes with your anger; then, as soon as you've gotten rid of all that 'fire', you are so quick to apologize, smile, and hug.  Aidan, you are so easy-going--a quality that even I envy as I don't always approach life with the happy, optimistic, and forgiving temperment that I see in you (even as a child of three, you are God's witness to your Mama!).  You love your family and your trust is a marvel to me...especially, your trust and faith in Connor (despite y'all's repeated quarrels).  Holding a grudge is unheard-of for you. 

You've so much confidence!  When unfamiliar adults or kids are around, you answer their questions, look them in the eye, laugh surely, and join in new games...You got THAT from Daddy!  I pray that you will always be that little sunshine that fills the room with light.

Right now in your three-ness, Aidan, you like:

• cars, trucks, planes, and basically anything with wheels. You scoot and drive your vehicles over the carpet and couch and make little rubbling sound effects for them (never did we teach you this--you've got an innate and passionate understanding for how they work)
• peaches, grapes, apples, pears, mac 'n cheese, and nutella. My sweet boy is also crazy about sweets--you reach for smarties and suckers from our 'magic box'.
• no, you love for Mama to do EVERYTHING for/with you. Daddy gets quite the complex when you shoo his kisses away whenever I'm in the room or insist that I change your diaper, not him. You call out for me in the morning...sometimes pretty insistently. But, seriously, I LOVE the look on your face when I open the bedroom door and see you see me--your face lights up in the most magnificent smile...even your eyes smile. Sometimes during the day, you'll just stop, look at me and say,"Mama, I just love you and I'm your best friend." I.LOVE.THAT.
• "Kipper" and "Phineas and Ferb" (I think that latter is b/c it's your brother's favorite).
• for us to read to you--hard to nail down your favorite book. Right now, it's a book from the library called _Convertibles_ (go figure)
• your friends. This is a new one just recently. I'm not necessarily hearing you come home from parent's day out talking about certain friends except the occasional mention of Armando. Mostly, you love those friends you see regularly while you're with us--like at church (Clark, Cooper, Abby, Noah, James, Luke.....). You are a very loyal and encouraging friend....especially, to your best friend, Connor.
• to forgive.  You are a great forgiver.  Now, you can get mighty angry. But, forgive--now that's something you do VERY WELL.  Everyday, you teach me how to love more by watching you.

We love you so much sweet Aid-ey!  You ARE my sunshine.