Monday morning was their first day of school. Briggs has started his second year at his preschool in the threes class and Kerigan was old enough for the Parents Day Out (PDO) class. Although she's so young, her class lasts just as long as B's and is a nurturing learning environment as well. I know my babies are in the best hands at their school. We have fallen in love with the staff and we know they love and truly value our little ones.
When I walked out to the parking lot after dropping them off, I walked out alone. No baby in my arms or on my hip. We are surrendering our future to God as far as having any more kids. Perhaps he will bless us with more or perhaps he wants us to just raise the two little souls he's already blessed us with. Either way, I was mix of emotions walking out. My heart is full though, knowing we are putting them in the hands of people who know and love B & K and want to teach them that God loves them.
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As far as our first day traditions, I always want my children to get excited for school. I want them to look forward to it. So this is the reason we are starting new traditions this year. After talking to other moms, pulling from what my own parents did for me & the influence of pinterest, we decided on three traditions for now.
Tradition No. 1: An encouraging gift for the teacher.
My degree is in education. I was in the field for around 3 years. It was a short time but a rewarding time. The reward came with a lot of hard work, tears, hours, confusion, planning, reading and more. I get it. I will always get it. Teachers are mission workers. I value every educator out there who truly has a heart for what they do. You are selfless, you are creative, you are brilliant. You need to know that. People who have never been in the classroom may tell you differently. But I know. And I want you to know how much our family loves you.
The buckets read "Colossians 3:16"
Let the teaching of Christ and His words keep on living in you. These make your lives rich and full of wisdom. Keep on teaching and helping each other. Sing the Songs of David and the church songs and the songs of heaven with hearts full of thanks to God
We pray that these simple little buckets can be a reminder of encouragement to last the whole year.
Tradition No. 2: A Special Breakfast
My mom was a high school teacher when I was growing up. She always had to be at work pretty early. So dad was in charge of getting us dressed, doing our hair (kind of), making us breakfast and getting us on the bus. One of my favorite things about those mornings with dad is that he would get so pumped to make us a great breakfast. Cooking for others is his love language :) His enthusiasm was contagious and always started me off with a great day.
So to continue dad's tradition, we made the kids a very special breakfast. They had pancakes with sprinkles and scrambled eggs with cheese. Then each of them got to have one apple pretzel for "dessert".
Tradition No. 3: Photo with a Chalkboard Signs
I love this idea! I know it's not original but its brilliant. So we got some chalkboards at HobbsLobbs on sale a few weeks ago. I used old school chalk to make the signs because that's just fun. We plan on taking a last day of school photo with them as well to compare.
I hope the kids let me take their pics for their whole school career :)
It's a lot of pressure to keep your back pack on and hold the sign ;-)
Kerigan recruited daddy to help hold up her sign.
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Morning drop off went pretty well! We went as a family which made it extra special.
Briggs is showing us his name tag.
Kerigan waiting out in the lobby until her class starts.
Walking in and ready to give her teacher her present.
And she's off!
Briggs had a great drop off and was full of excitement to start preschool. Kerigan cried when she realized we weren't following her into her class. Thankfully her teacher said it didn't last too long after we left. In her PDO class, they do a "Baby Doll Circle Time". That was her hook and the key to Miss K's heart. When I picked her up at the end of the day she was pointing to my face and her face and saying "eyes...nose....mouth" And if you know Kerigan, this is a huge deal! I think she will love her class. I pray our sweets will have a wonderful year, learn a lot, and know that God loves them.
Cheers to the new school year & hugs for your preschool friends!