Life As We Knew It...

... is completely different! This past week, I accepted a co-teacher position in first grade at a local school that will hopefully turn into my own classroom in the future. With that came Kensley transferring preschools, dates, and times. She previously went from 8:45 to 1:45 on Tuesdays and Thursday and now she will go to a Christian preschool from 7-3 daily. Kensley will also wear a uniform - pictures will come. Not a bit of this was in "our plan" for this year, but apparently there are bigger things in store for us as everything miraculously fell into place as this job unsuspectingly became available. We are very excited for things to come!
Also this weekend, Mike thought it would be a good idea to convert Kensley's toddler bed into a full-size bed since she was such a big girl and deliberately chopped up all of her "bops." I don't have pictures of that yet, either. Converting the bed wasn't on my radar, so I hadn't researched/decided on little girl bedding.
A note about "bops" (Kensley's term of endearment for her pacifier): We've asked on many occasions to get rid of the "bop," but Kensley just wasn't ready and I was too afraid of other outcomes to press the matter. On Friday, she was in control - she got to decide how many pieces and where to cut them - and she was READY! What a great weekend for some big girl milestones!

I Pledge Allegiance and Uncle Rob

Kensley's class is working each day on the Pledge. Today, Kensley was just as excited to go to school, but she was "not going to say the Pledge." I told her in no uncertain terms, "Yes, you are. That's part of Daddy's job and you are going to be respectful of it and do your part."
Little Miss went on to tell me that she can't do it "all," which allowed for compassion as well as a mini-lesson and reciting of the Pledge. I explained that school was like building a tower with blocks starting little by little to make a tall tower. I went on to say that she didn't have to know everything at once, but she did have to keep trying her best. Kensley was instantly relieved. School crisis #1 averted. Whew.
I was also reminded how Uncle Rob had a similar story in Kindergarten. He came home in tears at the end of the first week of school because he didn't know how to read... Bless their sweet little hearts. Maybe this is a sign that Kensley will have an inkling of perfectionism? Maybe???

Worth the Wait

Posting these pictures are loooong overdue, but I couldn't post them until all Mother's Day gifts were given, and by then, I'd forgotten! Here's Kensley in May at 2.5 years old.

School: Day 2

Kensley loves school. According to drop-off procedure, I should take Kensley in, drop off her bucket (they use these in lieu of backpacks), have her potty, wash her hands, and then accompany her to the playground. As we arrived for Kensley's second day of school, I opened the door to get her out of the car and Kensley looked at me and said, "I am going to be a sweet girl today." I told her I was proud of her and she gave me a sweet kiss. Immediately following, Kensley said, "OK bye, Mom," I told her that I needed to take her in a go potty, wash her hands, and watch her go to the playground. I (finally!) got Kensley unstrapped and as we got to the front entrance, she told me bye AGAIN! At this point, the mom and son arriving at the same time were laughing at her eagerness. Was she ever excited when we finished our routine and she got to go play on the playground. What a wonderful way to start the day! I sincerely hope she is always this eager to go to school.

"Bye, Mom! See You Later!"

That's all she said after a hurried smooch and our little Kensley was off to the world of school. It's preschool for our big girl and was she ever ready!!! Many of Kensley's friends have gone to preschool, which has given her an itch. Having a later birthday, I held her back so she could start with the kids with whom she'll be going to public school. Kensley's teacher seems very compassionate and super-excited to start the school year with the little ones and we are so happy for a positive start to Kensley's school experiences.
**I forgot to mention that upon entering her classroom, Kensley told her teacher, "This is my mom. She is here right now, but she isn't staying today." Ms. Marlo looked at me as if to explain and I did... "Yes, I am Mom, but I won't be staying today like I did for Open House." Kensley was clearly ready for this new indepdence.