Week 183

Aug 29-Sep 4

This week we had open house for Jack's new preschool.  He has been waiting ALL.SUMMER.LONG to start school.  We found his firetruck backpack and lunchbox (I know, how appropriate) weeks ago. Many mornings he has come into our room wearing/carrying them while proudly stating, "I'm ready for school now!"  It is so adorable.  We opted for the Mon.Wed.Fri. option instead of 5 days a week.  Jack could handle 5 days a week, but selfishly I wanted to have some time with him too.  He will go from 9:00 am-12:00 pm at a local church preschool.

Mrs. Galloway with Jack

Daddy and Jack at Open House

Jack and Mommy at Open House

The first meeting was a parents only evening.  We met Jack's teachers, saw his classroom, and got the briefing on the plans for the year as well as the schedule.  There are 14 kids in the class...4 girls and 10 boys!  Oh my!  He has a main teacher and an assistant teacher.  Luckily Jack's teacher has been doing this for 15 years so she knows what to expect.  So far I really like her and her philosophies on discipline.  I think with that many boys in one classroom you have to have a backbone and enforce the rules or they will quickly learn how to run all over you.

Cute classroom!

Answering the phone...hilarious!

His teacher also showed us the curriculum for their age group.  It was created by one of the early education college professors at USC.  She explained that in the past she has had parents who have been disappointed because their expectations were well beyond the curriculum.  Apparently some parents think that in 3 hours a day, 3 days a week, in a 3 year old preschool class their child will learn how to read, write, spell, etc.  Hahaha!  She explained that the core curriculum only requires them to teach 5 basic colors, basic letter recognition, and counting to 10 if I remember correctly.  She also explained that she taught more than this and most kids will already know most of these things.  From what I understand some of the parents are very upset by this.

Putting the baby to bed.

Jack and his new little friend at the cash register.

It's church preschool people.  It's not some fancy schmancy, expensive preparatory school.  It's not the responsibility of the teachers at the preschool to teach your child everything that they will learn in kindergarten.  Jack knew all of his letters last year at this time.  He can't write them, but he can recognize all of them, sing his ABC's, name about 12 colors, recognize his name, count to 15, etc.  We work with him a little bit, but not in a formal setting.  He learns through basic play.  When we are playing blocks we will count them, group colors, stack them, etc.  If you pay attention and play with your kids they will learn what they need to know. This is how 3 year olds learn.  I swear, people don't want to put forth any effort in teaching their kids.  TELEVISION won't teach your kids!!!!  Sometimes you have to hang out with them!  :)  Jack loved seeing his new classroom and I know he will have a great year with his teachers and new friends!

Pink cupcakes for Baby Abigail!

Jack and Daddy!

Abel and Mommy!

We got a chance to visit our new baby cousin Abigail!  She is so stinking cute!  Jack helped me make her pink cupcakes with pink frosting and even pink sprinkles!!!  He's such a good little baking assistant.  Somehow we went over there and I didn't even get a picture of Abigail.  I think Ed's mom has some of the three cousins together though.  I will see if I can get ahold of some.  After a quick visit we stopped at Flight Deck restaurant to eat a bite of lunch.  The boys loved the airplanes.  Thanks for the recommendation Ryan & Amanda!!!

Jumping in Abel's crib.

Silly boys playing!

What a mess!  :)

Abel after his ice cream sandwich!

Such a handsome boy.

Playing with their new bath crayons.

They both love bath time!

To finish up this post here are some pictures of the boys.  Abel is almost a year old and they are truly starting to play together more.  It is AWESOME because they get along and they entertain each other!! :)  I love watching them interact, it is so sweet!  Here are some quick pictures of Jack in Abel's crib.  Apparently Abel woke up crying one morning and Mommy and Daddy didn't tend to him quickly enough for Jack's liking so he climbed in and kept him company for awhile.  They are so silly!  Jack got some fun crayons for the bathtub and the two had a great time 'coloring' together.