Restricted

James had a note from his teacher sent home in mid February. I guess he got "in trouble" for improper use of electronics- meaning he was using his iPod at a restricted time. Not a big deal but we restricted his iPod use for the rest of the week. He was okay with this.

He decided to read books on the bus instead of play on his iPod. I really liked this idea.

The teacher note also mentioned some resistance to art work at school. It was a good opportunity to draw a picture together at home. James chose to draw a picture for his teacher about the bus.

James reading a book on the bus--

 

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Last picture of Fall

Late October. Another picture that I forgot.

Morning bus stop scene.

 

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First Day of 2nd Grade!

Seriously. I'm going way back to September. Sigh! Will catch up...

Sneaky came back, as is his tradition. James reminded me the night before, luckily!

 

 

 

His buddy Dane met him at the bus stop. He's one stop down but his Mom drops him off at our stop to keep each other company.

 

And coming home on the bus..

 

And our usual celebratory ice cream with dinner!

 

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First Day of 1st Grade!

Guess who came to wish James a great first day of 1st Grade?

 

 

Sneaky! And he brought good luck money :)

 

 

I was also returning to my "First Day" so I didn't see James off on his bus, but I was home to help greet him from his first day.

 

Of course it was splendid. James really does like school. He never complains about going.

 

Grandma Rose called to get the full report.

 

And right away we established the routine of doing homework immediately after dinner. It is still working!

 

It's going to be a great year!

 

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FREEZING

It was kinda cold in January.

 

We didn't feel it was safe for James to stand at the bus stop for even 5 minutes, so we sat in a running car and waited for the bus. James liked sitting in the front seat, sans carseat. He felt like a Big Kid.

 

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Mom goes to Kindergarten

The teacher had sent out an email to the parents saying that the classroom is now ready for parent volunteers. I had a day off from work, but James had school so I thought that was my perfect opportunity to volunteer in the classroom!

I arrived at 9:30am, after their first recess. I didn't receive much instruction from the teacher on how I could help so I just wandered around the classroom and encouraged the kids to complete their assignment. I tried to use what Spanish I could :)

Señora Kennedy explained that a holiday was coming up and the kids needed to think about what they were thankful for. They all started drawing. I wish I could remember what the kids drew, some of them were pretty funny!

James says he is thankful for "familia and numeros". Numbers again!

Señora Kennedy also gave a lesson on family that I really, really appreciated. She was explaining that all families look different. Using her smart board she drew some pictures on the screen and then was able to manipulate the drawings with her fingertips, moving the pictures to make different family configurations. She explained that some families have a mama y papa, just a mama, or that abuelos (grandparents) may live with a family. If the kids got her meaning (this was all in Spanish) I think that all kids could see themselves in her description- even a same sex parent household. I wrote the teacher an email of thanks, telling her how important this was to me.

And then there was recess..

 

 

 

 

James and George.

There was a bit of naptime, or just plain old "lay on the floor and be quiet time."

And I found out how James knows how to count to 120. He chooses his floor space each day to be right by the number chart. During rest time I sat quietly next to him and stroked his hair. He told me he was counting quietly, just gazing up at the chart.

Lunch time!

 

 

 

I left after lunch time. James came home on the bus.

Wearing another hat!

And we found this Thanksgiving card in his backpack. We decided to give it to Tia ChaCha for hosting Thanksgiving the next day.

She loved it!

 

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Bus Stop

One morning I had the privilege to stand with James at his bus stop. It's usually SuperDad's job.

He gave me this look...

 

But seconds later gave me the sweetest hug and kiss goodbye. I was so glad because the one other time I stood at the bus stop with him he told me, "Mom, all the other kids say I'm in love with you." (He always says he is, so I didn't see the big deal with this.) He was basically telling me that he can't be in love with me in front of the other kids :( :( I was super sad.

But I guess now it's okay :) So all is well in the Force.

 

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First Day of Kindergarten!

Sneaky made a surprise visit. James didn't even notice him right away!

 

First, he had to show Dad that he DID grow up to be a big boy today!

He was showing his Dad that his legs look longer :)

I guess we have held the First Day of Kindergarten to be a very important day. A day that he is truly, truly a big boy and can do so much!

Finally, he spied Sneaky!

Wow!

"Five dollars because I'm five!"

James chose his lunch for today. Peanut butter heart sandwich, strawberries, juice pouch, and a surprise in the black Lego box (five gummy bears).

The Sneaky surprise hit a couple of birds with one stone. Or however that saying goes!

1. It brought us some excitement and James was thrilled!
   
2. It asked James to take some great pictures. (Sometimes he doesn't like to pose.)
   
3. And it asked James to leave Blankie behind. (He had already agreed to this but it was nice for him to hear it from Sneaky!)

Sneaky will take great care of Blankie today!

New Lego Ninjago backpack. Super cool! And notice his tag. His name, his address, and his bus number. It's supposed to stay on his backpack all year.

 

 

 

It was sprinkling when we went outside to the bus stop. NO problem!

James met several kids who are also going to the Spanish Immersion program. Three kids in SI, and then one 5th grader at the Intermediate program. Same building.

Look, there's the bus!

And then everything happened so fast! I snapped pictures and we waved goodbye. There was no time to cry!

A quick wave goodbye and he really didn't look back :)

Looking both ways before he crosses the street!

Our across-the-street-neighbor kids agreed to take care of James. I am so grateful. They said they would make sure he found the Kindergarten area. They were so sweet.

They held his hands going to the bus. Awwww!

Bye James!

I'm so excited to hear all about his day. I'm sure he'll have a great first day!

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