School is back in full swing for both Winnie and Rush! Rush started 3K this year, and is a pro, as he's in the same class/has the same teachers as Winnie did last year. Winnie is in JK and loving it! I say this every time I post about our school, but WE LOVE OUR SCHOOL. The kids have really flourished there; it's such a special place for our family. It's been a great year for me, too, because I've been volunteering more. And when I say "volunteering more," I mean totally overcommitting, but I don't mind at all. Here my little cuties are on Picture Day. We practiced smiles beforehand, and I sent them off terrified of what I was paying $40 for. (School pictures- not cheap these days.) I did not opt for the airbrushing, special lasers, blemish correcting, or patriotic backgrounds. That saved some money.
Both of the preschool grades do special days that highlight each of the kids. 3K has Star Days, while JK calls them All About Me Days. Moms or Dads are welcome to spend the morning on those days, so you'd better believe I'm there every time. Winnie's All About Me Day was on picture day. She brought home the AAM box the week before, and got to bring back 5 things from home that represent "who she is." We had so much fun choosing the 5 things. She chose our copy of Charlotte's Web (she loved that book- we read a chapter every night before bed), a Max Beckmann-inspired drawing she had done (pictured below), a baby picture of herself, her little baby doll that she sleeps with named Tiniest Baby, and a map of Arkansas that we marked with special spots- Papaw & Googie's house, ZAZA's Pizza, Tracy's apartment, the Buffalo River, the Arkansas Razorbacks, etc. She was proud to show off her things to her class.
They also get to spell out their name into a megaphone "Give me a W!" style. What a hoot!
Her favorite part of the day was getting out the letters that spell out her name and choosing friends to wear each one. Mrs. Burzinski mixes the kids all up, and she has to put them back in the correct order. Cute little story: the boy with the red shoelaces is one of Winnie's favorite boys in her class. They were in 3K together, as well. When she was choosing friends for her name, he whispered to himself, "she's never going to pick me." It broke my heart, and I wanted to holler out to her to pick him. When she did, pure joy came over his face, he raised his hands up in the air, pulled both of his elbows to his side and exclaimed, "YES!" I love these kids. It really is the little things.
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Rush also recently had his first Star Day. I was so excited to spend the morning in his class. I had no idea how he was going to "be" at school. He's so fun! He's outgoing and not shy at all, which really surprised me. He LOVES his teachers and has a few friends at school that I think he is just crazy about. The day before, we bought a snack to bring in to share with the class. He chose grapes and cheese sticks. He worked so hard the night before, counting out 10 grapes for each bag and adding in a cheese stick. He said everyone's name to make sure we had one for everyone, and then reminded me we needed one for Mrs. Heinemann and Miss Baker. What a thoughtful guy! Here he is giving clues for what item he brought in the Mystery Bag. His three clues were: 1) It has horns, 2) It is gray, and 3) It has 3 toes on each foot and no knees.
After a few really bad guesses, he revealed his little Schleich rhinoceros. He's really into rhinos.
They get to walk around and show everyone. So proud!
I had the best time with this little guy. He is such a cutie. It was great to see him in his world, with friendships that are all his own. I love that both kids have such a special place to grow.
