Back to school.

All 3 big kids are back in school. Catherine started about two weeks ago and is in second grade. So far this year has been an easier transition than last year since she was more familiar with the school and her classmates. She is in the Learning Community again this year, which is a cluster of 1st-5th grade classes. The teachers can move students into different groups for writing and math based off of ability, not grade level. She really likes her teacher and is even riding the bus home this year! 

Anna is in K3 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. She was very excited to discover that she gets to go EVERY Tuesday and Thursday, not just this week. She gets really excited about packing and carrying her lunchbox. 

Will is in K5 this year. He says that he is not excited about it but I think he will really enjoy it. He's soooo close to reading on his own and I think with the focused effort and encouragement from his great teacher that he will "get it" really soon. He's also really good at math and can do addition and subtraction very easily in his mind. 

If you have children in school, you know how many papers and projects they bring home. It's hard to decide which ones to keep and where to keep them. So far my system (which I actually start when they're two) is to create an envelope for each child for each year. I will eventually get a large plastic box or tote for each child and put their envelope for each year in there. I keep the envelopes close to the kitchen so that I can easily add a paper or picture to them on a daily or weekly basis. I love to look back and see how their handwriting has changed or how they colored. I also add notes they write to us, special papers from church, etc. 

And this was our back to school shopping supplies. That's a lot of glue and pencils!!

Boosterthon Fun Run

Catherine's school had their Boosterthon Fun Run this morning. She was so excited about it!

She has been collecting pledges and donations all week from friends and family. The kids run laps (25-35) for an hour and pledges are made for each lap. People could also make a flat donation. The money is being used to buy a set of iPads and playground equipment for their school. And ten percent of what each class earns goes directly to their teacher to use for classroom supplies.

I'm not a huge fan of fundraisers and I don't like asking people for money, but I do have to say that the organization who runs this has it well planned and thought out. It was the most enjoyable fundraiser I've participated in.

Catherine did a great job of learning to speak to adults and talk to them about it. Her first attempt to ask Mimi and Poppop for a pledge required three phone calls, lots of tears, and a good bit of prompting from Poppop. But by yesterday she was calling out of town friends and our neighbor. She even wrote a note to the sweet mom who drives her home in the afternoons and asked for a donation. She always made sure to tell them that they could pledge up to $65 per lap :)

We are so proud of you, Catherine. It's a lot of fun to watch you grow up and try new challenges. Many thanks to our friends and family who supported Catherine's fun run!

The Great School Debate

Long before Jay and I had children, we discussed/debated/argued about what we would do for school. We both grew up attending public schools (although there weren't really other options in either of our hometowns). I taught in a private school and enjoyed a lot of the advantages that had to offer though. I also feel more of the need to shelter and protect and keep them close, while Jay is more open to worldly exposure and failures so that we can teach and guide them through that while they are still home with us. I think both sides of this argument have very legitimate concerns and issues and we both kept arguing for our side for years. 

Catherine attended a private church-based preschool and we did keep her there for kindergarten. After exploring many options for "big school" and lots of prayer, we felt like God was confirming that we should enroll her in our public school. She is adjusting well. It was a little overwhelming to go from a small preschool to a large school of 800+ students. And this is a new experience for our family, so we're figuring it out as we go. I think Catherine gets frustrated if we don't know how certain things work at school because a lot of kids in her class have older siblings there and already know the routine. But she's our oldest and gets to be our guinea pig :) By the time James and Elizabeth get there, we'll have this all figured out!

One thing that has been helpful is the Learning Community classroom. There is a 1st-5th grade group of classes that can move the students for math and reading based on the skill level. They evaluate this for different units and at different times of the year based on teacher observation and testing. Catherine is currently in the 2nd grade reading class and that has brought an extra challenge for her that is encouraging. Her first grade teacher is also fantastic and allows the children a lot of flexibility and opportunities for learning based on their individual styles and personalities.

The sweet child's least favorite subject is P.E. She is her mama's child. She cries most Weds nights and Thurs mornings because she is terrified her PE teacher will give her a test and she might not be able to catch the ball or something. It's her greatest area of weakness at school. Hey, you can't be good at everything, right?

I still have moments (or days) when I want to keep her home, shelter her more. It's hard for me every time I drop her off to watch her walk into school. That's our little girl, and she seems vulnerable to walk into that big building by herself. But I have to be careful not to project my fears and insecurities onto her. To keep her here would ultimately be because of my needs, not necessarily what is best for her. I it's a little step of letting go and trusting God. She is his daughter more than mine and I have to trust that He knows what is best for her. I'm also trusting in Jay's leadership in this area and I respect his decisions and wisdom immensely. 

Here are a few cute pics from the school carnival. It was about a month ago but I forgot to post them.

Her anticipation of the carnival night was intense. About like waiting for Christmas morning.

It's exciting to watch her grow up and learn new things. We are very proud of Catherine!

Pet Show

Today Will's class had a pet show. Some people brought real pets. But when you have to get five kids ready and out the door, you don't take the dog too. Especially our crazy Eli. So Will opted to take his monkey. Perfect!

What was really funny was what happened as we were getting everyone in the car to go to school. Will had gone outside to play while I was feeding and diapering babies. When it was finally time to go I kept calling him, but he wasn't answering me. After a few minutes of this I was getting really frustrated because he wasn't coming to the car and I couldn't find him.

Finally I caught a glimpse of his shirt through the trees at his tree fort. I yelled again for him to come get in the car. By now I was starting to lose my patience. Then he says "but I'm stuck". So I head down to the tree fort to find that the boy had tied a rope around his waist and is stuck to the tree fort! Gotta love little boys.

School Schedules

We are all adjusting to our new school schedules around here. 

Catherine is finally getting a little better with being at school every day. She still cries when it is PE day and is tired in the afternoon, but her adjustment has been much better this week.

Will started his K4 class last week. He goes three days a week from 9-2. He loves it and is excited and it already learning lots. He has especially been working on writing his letters and words lately (on his own initiative) and I can tell a huge difference in just the past few weeks. He still can't decide if he's left handed or right handed, so he just switches the pencil back and forth as he chooses.

Anna is going to preschool two mornings a week this year. She is also very excited, especially about picking out what clothes to wear to school and about packing her lunchbox. In true Anna fashion, she has chosen to wear Will's underwear under her skirts the first few times to school. Thankfully her teachers know us and don't think we have completely lost our minds yet. Also in true Anna form, she closes her eyes for every picture I take directly of her beautiful face. our crazy girl.

And what better way to relax after long days at school than a bubble bath?

First Day!

Catherine had her first day of first grade yesterday!

I still can't believe she's old enough to be in first grade but I'm trying not to dwell on that. Everyone keeps asking how I'm doing about sending her to school. Honestly, if I slow down and think about it, it makes me a little sad. I really love the innocence and simplicity of preschool and little years and I don't want to think about her growing up too quickly. But I am so busy that I really haven't had much time to slow down and think about it. I didn't even cry yesterday!

I know she will do great this year. She loves school and reading and math and art. She is made for the school setting and I know she will thrive. It is an adjustment for all of us for her to be gone during the day and for us to figure out getting her to and from school. Right now Jay's parents, Jay, and I are alternating who is taking her in the mornings so that I don't have to load all 5 kids into the car every morning at 7:30, especially on the days that I'll take Will to preschool at 8:30. She is going to start riding the bus home (hopefully next week) because I can't figure out a way to spend 45 mins sitting in the car line every afternoon while Anna and the babies need naps. We're still working all of that out.

Here's the cutie pie heading out for her first day. She really really loves her new backpack and lunchbox.

She is very excited about her teacher, Mrs. Huguet. We have heard wonderful things about her teacher and are expecting a great year. Catherine is part of the Learning Community at her school, which is a group of 1st-5th grade classes that can move students around for reading and math based on their skill level. They also do a lot of project-based learning for social studies and science. We think this will be a really good fit for her to keep her challenged.

Overall she had a great first day. She met some new friends and got to sit beside the two girls in her class that she already knew (one from dance and one from preschool). She said she did not like lunch because it was too busy and rushed. And she did not like waiting in the car line. She was very tired by the end of the day!

We made cookies once she got home to celebrate her first day. Here we go Catherine! You're growing up!!

I can't believe it!

I can't believe it but in a few more weeks Catherine will be starting the first grade!! How is that possible? I guess I thought she would be a preschooler forever! She picked out a new backpack and lunch box and is super excited. I feel totally unprepared though! Time to start the school season of our parenting careers I guess.

Kindergarten Graduate!!

Catherine is an official kindergarten graduate!! We are so proud of her. She has worked very hard, learned a lot, and is ready to go on to big school. If it were up to me, she might stay in preschool forever. But she's growing up! And so we celebrate with her as she finishes this milestone.

Her teachers gave each student in the class an individual award. Some students were recognized for their kindness to others, for being good listeners, for their skills in art or music, etc. Catherine's award is for the "Kindergarten Bookworm" because she loves to read and is really good at reading. As she finishes kindergarten, she is currently reading 2nd and 3rd grade chapter books on her own. 

She was very excited to wear her cap and gown and receive a diploma. She did inform me multiple times though that the rolled up paper they got today wasn't the real diploma. The real diploma will be flat. She was also very excited about the songs they were singing for graduation, including The Star Spangled Banner.

Catherine has made some really good friends at her school. Some of them will continue on to the elementary school she'll attend next year. Her best school friend, Anna Louise, will be at a different school though. These girls sure are going to miss each other. Jay and I laughed today because Anna Louise's individual award was for "most attentive listener." It's makes perfect sense why they're friends: Catherine talks while Anna Louise listens!!

The whole family is so proud of her! Will wore his bowtie for the special occasion. He is really going to miss having her there with him next year. On the days he goes to school, she walks him to his class and gives him hugs and kisses. But he'll transition to the big brother role next year because Anna is going to go to preschool two mornings a week. He can help drop her off!

We're so thankful that Steve and Marcy can be here for events like these now that they live in Greenville. Marcy has been here for the past 4 or 5 weeks getting the house set up. Last week they got their furniture and things from Huntington moved here. Steve got here yesterday. We're excited to all be together and so thankful that they can be part of the kids' lives on a daily basis.

Congratulations Catherine! We love you so much and are so proud of you. We can't wait to see where God leads you and how you use the talents He has given you.

Nivens Farm

Last week, Catherine and Will's preschool classes went to Nivens Farm for a field trip day. We went a hay ride, picked apples, saw some animals, got pumpkins, played on the playground, ate a picnic, and sweated (it was about 85 degrees that day!) This was my first time to Nivens and I really enjoyed it. It's not quite the same fall/mountain feeling that you get at Sky Top, but it was a great place for the kids. In addition to apples and pumpkins, we also brought home some yummy apple butter, blackberry jelly, and local honey.

A Special Treat

The day before Catherine started kindergarten, the two of us went out for a special date. She picked to go to The Glazing Pot to paint something. The most difficult part of the entire process for her was deciding what to paint once we got there. Finally, she chose to paint ice cream bowls for herself and Will. (Once Anna has outgrown the milk allergy, we'll go back and make her one too.) She did a great job picking out colors and painting. And now they have a special bowl to enjoy their ice cream in--which they would do every day if we let them!

Snapshots of School

Here a few quick snapshots of school from conversations we've had with the kids in the last week:

1. Catherine: "What I really want to learn at school is take-away. I already know how to do addition, but I guess since everyone else doesn't I'll have to learn it again. I mean, I know how to add; like I know that 10 + 10 = 20. I don't even have to count on my fingers or anything."

2. Today was Will's first day to do carpool, when I drop them off and they walk in by themselves. (teachers are on the sidewalk of course.) What I overheard last night: Catherine: "Will, do you want me to walk you to your class tomorrow since it's your first day of carpool? And I can help you put your lunchbox on the shelf if you can't reach it." And today, from Will: "Mama, Catherine helped me to my class and gave me a hug too."

3. #2 is much better than last week, when I dropped Will off. I gave him a hug goodbye at the door. Anna then ran into the classroom to the dress-up box. I went to get her and then left, apparently without telling Will goodbye again. About 3 mins after I'm in the car, Will's teacher calls and says that Will is upset that I didn't tell him goodbye. A crying Will gets on the phone and I reassure him of my goodbye and how much I love him. I hang up the phone feeling guilty mommy syndrome, wondering if I should turn the car around and go back to hug my little boy.

4. Mommy: "Catherine, what's your favorite part of school?" Catherine: "lunch" She's definitely a Hatten!

5. Mommy; "Will, what's your favorite part of school?" Will: "shooting bad guys on the playground." He's definitely a boy!

6. While saying prayers the other night, Catherine said she wanted to pray for school. I asked her if there was anything specific and she said to pray that she would learn to color faster. Our sweet diligent girl is so detail oriented that she can't color the whole picture perfectly in 10 mins and gets upset about it.

We're glad the school year is off to a great start and thankful for our wonderful school!