Artwork

Sean and Clare bring home stacks and stacks of artwork and writing projects each week.  Sean's writing projects are getting really fun to read:

"Puppies are cute. I love them!  They are fluffy"  And the puppy is telling Sean he loves him.

"Before I am 100 years old, I want to be a video game designer"

"Abraham Lincoln was a great American because he is on Mount Rushmore!"

"I do not like Green and Eggs and Ham! I do not like them Sean I am!  But I would eat... meat on a feet!"

And Clare brought them home in her February artwork packet - I complimented her cute little George Washington craft and she tartly told me that it is not our first president but an ELF!

First day of school

Sean's had a good week of First Grade and Clare is loving Pre-K!

First Day of Spring

We started the first day of Spring 2015 by pulling on snowpants and playing outside in the newly fallen snow:

The kids went down the snow slide again and again and again.

Later, I took Sean to a birthday party at an indoor fun place with a skating rink, arcade, bouncy house, and an insane jungle gym.  Sean gave roller skating a try - we went around the rink one time before he decided he wanted to go over to the jungle gym with his friends.

We played a couple of games of air hockey, too :-)

After the party, Sean and I came back home to Clare and Daddy.  The four of us went for a walk to soak up some of the warm sun.  When we got back, the kids wanted to ride the bikes, so we got out their bikes and rode down to the little waterfall and enjoyed the sun setting down on the first day of Spring!

First Day!

The kids started new schools on Thursday - Clare started a new preschool and Sean started Kindergarten!!  We've been steadily receiving paperwork and notices from the elementary school regarding Sean's first day.  Sean's teacher even sent him a letter that included some "Jitter Glitter" to put under his pillow the night before school so that he could be sure to have a good night's sleep!

The kids had a good breakfast, we made sure we had all of our bags and that Sean had his nametag necklace on.  Then we headed out the door - we stopped to take pictures, of course:

Google made a little movie of our pictures on the porch  :-)

We dropped Clare off at her new preschool and she seemed totally fine - not nervous at all!  It helped that there were only a couple of other students in the class so Clare was sure to get a lot of attention from her teachers.  After we made sure Clare was settled, we drove Sean over to the elementary school.  We were a little early, so we checked out the before-care program and then waited outside the front doors.  

In the parking lot with Mommy:

Waiting to be let into the building:

Sean met up with one of his buddies -  they've known each other since the Toddler A room at daycare!

Once we were let into the building, we walked down to Sean's new classroom.  We met his teacher and Sean found his seat.  He got right to work coloring in his owl (the school mascot is an owl):

With Daddy:

Sean had a great first day of Kindergarten.  His "special" that day was gym class and he loved it!  He also really liked the aftercare program - they got to go to the gym again!  Clare did well at her first day, too.  She met new friends and spent a lot of time at the puzzles center, doing each and every puzzle over and over again!

The kids both had great second days, too.  Sean's was extra-special because he got to ride the bus to school!  Can you see him in this picture?  The bus driver let him sit in the front seat since it was Sean's first time riding the bus to Kindergarten.  Sean thought riding the bus was the coolest thing ever!

We're looking forward to this new and exciting school year with our two big Sooy Kids:

Class of 2014

Seanybear graduated from Pre-Kindergarten last Thursday! The warm, rainy weather didn't deter Sean's grandparents, great-grandparents, and Auntie Mary from coming out to watch him end his pre-school career.  And despite feeling all-around rotten (she had been sent home with a fever that day), Clare watched too. Wisely, the school rented a huge tent so we could enjoy the ceremony without getting soaked.

Before the children came out, the school's owner and principal, Mr. John, gave a speech recalling the "exit interviews" that he had with each of the students.  Here's the clip about the conversation he had with Sean:

He asked Sean what he wants to be when he grows up and Sean said he wants to be a baseball player, specifically a pitcher but he likes to hit, too.  Sean said that Mommy loves flowers and that her favorites are daffodils and clover (Yes, this is why we let clover take over our lawn).  Sean also said that he thinks Mr. John is about 100 years old (yikes!).

After the speech, Sean's class filed out of the building:

After reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, Sean's class sang several songs...

...and then it was time to give out the diplomas!  Here's Sean receiving his diploma and shaking hands with Mr. John:

After returning to his seat, Sean immediately used his diploma as a spy glass, of course :-)

After the ceremony, it was time for the school picnic.  There was a lot of yummy food and of course, a cake!

Sean ran around with his buddies for most of the picnic.

Clare perked up a little when we brought her a plate with a hotdog and fruit... and cake, of course :-)

We tried to pin down the graduate for photos, but by this time it was sunny and warm again and he just didn't want to sit still.  At least we got a snap with Mom-Mom Jackie and Pop Pop Pop!

Congratulations, Sean!  Here's to a fun summer with our soon-to-be-Kindergartener!

Kindergarten Registration

We registered Sean for kindergarten this week at our local public elementary school!  We met up with some of Seany's friends from Pre-K before going inside the school.  

We filled out some paperwork, then Sean went off with a teacher for a one-on-one interview.  He passed his screening with flying colors!  While I met with the school nurse to go over Sean's medical history and vaccinations, Sean's future teacher read a couple of books to a small group of children.

Sean decided he likes this new school and he was excited to hear about the "Kindergarten Tea" we get to go to in June.

After registration, we went out on a little lunchdate with one of Sean's best pals and her mommy.  These two have known each other since the infant room:

After lunch, we went to our town's "big playground" where the kids ran around and around playing games of tag, "Star Wars", and "Princess and Bad Witch".

First Day!



Sean's first day of Pre-K was yesterday!  He's in a new classroom with a new teacher and a new curriculum - all in preparation for Kindergarten next year!  I tried to snap a few pictures to capture this momentous morning, but Sean was not really excited about it:

At least Clare was very glad for the opportunity to mug for the camera!

Sean had a very good first day - and second day - at Pre-K.  He is having fun in his new setting and has been keeping his listening ears and his helping hands on!  We can't wait to see what this year brings!