B is for Bubblegum

What a difference a year makes!  Last year as Blake started school I was excited and nervous to watch my little boy enter the world without me (even if it was only for 2 1/2 hours twice a week)...read more about that journey here or here 

(yeah it was a BIG deal for me, exhale)

Anyway, this year was SO much different!  I wasn't sad as Blake started school (although I make NO promises on next year...Kindergarten!).  This year, I was filled with nothing but excitement and happiness..I knew he could do it (it, being things like going to the bathroom on his own, vocalizing what he wants/needs without me there to talk for him) I know he can handle it, I know he has friends and is excited to make more and learn and grow.  I actually worked where Blake goes to preschool after high school while I was starting my real estate career and loved it then.  In fact, I knew that my kids would go there someday.  Even with that background, I am still so impressed and in love with the new curriculum they are putting into place!  The amount of responsibility enforced, the ways they help them to learn how to learn, how to remember things on their own and be responsible for themselves and their actions, all valuable tools that will help as they go into the "real school" next year and beyond.  Today was nothing short of solid validation that he is in a great place, a place that is in touch with my beliefs regarding education and these first fun years of his long schooling experience...and that?  That feels great!

So, here ya go!  A few tid bits from my time this morning in the bubblegum class...

After getting to school, finding his name, matching his name on the attendance board, hanging
up his backpack and coat, B was asked to write the letter of the week (L) on a white board.

I have always loved blake's school circle time...I think it is mostly because I love the teacher

 side of things and that is where the fun things like the calendar, weather, and "how many friends are 

here today" happen.  This year, on the big kid side there is even more fun!  8 kids a day get to be helpers! 

 Each one with a certain task and my, oh my is that a big deal when you are 4!  Blake is SO excited 

when he is "schedule keeper" (which is too funny and totally B).  I love the way they say the pledge of allegiance  I love the way they sing "I love my flag, my beautiful flag" and I am that coo-coo mom that totally gets teary!  Calendar, Weather, Word

 recognition, counting = check!  This year, they are each also given the first letter in their name when they are 

dismissed from circle time to go to centers and that is how they check in to the center they want to play 

at..if there isn't a velcro spot for their letter, that means the center is full - BRILLIANT!  I was shocked

 at how good all of the kids were about keeping track of their letter!

This weeks theme is "community helpers" and focused on Dr.s and Nurses...

B thought this was FANTASTIC and loved laying Dr in dramatic play!  I can safely say, after todays class, 

I have been given all of my vaccines for the rest of my life!  Seriously, why do 4 year olds love giving shots so much ;) 

 It was FUN and interestingly enough, ALL boy Dr's today!

Dr. Blake Lanterman (and I LOVED when he told me the brown baby 

was sick because her knees were swollen - see the swelling?

And, Blake's friend Beau is always a topic of fun conversation around the house!  

These two love to be together at school.  It was great to see them interact today. 

 They do play together and have a blast, but they also do their own thing.  It was a perfect balance!

It is a running joke with Blake's teachers and I that he never does art!  

Blocks, dramatic play and the sensory table are FAR more his thing...today,

 I simply asked if he wanted to do art and he DARTED to the art table!  Today, they made a Stethescope!

SNACK TIME!!  "who wants ranch for their carrots"

RECESS TIME!  For weeks now I have been hearing about the "spiderman web" that Blake can climb on...today, I saw him in action!

AND, probably my favorite part...watching him pause, get his fingers into perfect "web" position and then proceed with his spiderman play!

SPIDERMAN!!

In line ready to go in!

Now, for my ALL TIME SUPER DEDOOPER FAVORITE TIME OF THE DAY!  Small group...

First, a "learn to listen" activity, snap and clap game (kind of like a simon says) and the kids LOVED it!

They are starting their Handwriting Without Tears and Blake LOVED IT!

And, discussion about feelings and how to handle them.  

"bubbles in your cheeks" to teach listening and not talking when the teacher is talking...

Great tools, Great teachers, Great students, Great fun!  

Then, I got to read the end of the day story to the kids! 

I can NOT wait to go again and help in Blake's class...

and he already asked if I could go back Monday...