Kiki's All-Stars

Hi Ho, Hi Ho, it's off to school we go!

I absolutely can't believe that my baby is now a little student. He started Mother's Day Out/Pre-School  this week and it's been going great! His teacher, Miss Kiki (who we all absolutely adore), said that she has never had a student do so well on the first day/week. There was no crying from him at all and he laughs, smiles, participates, plays and does what he is told! I need to schedule a meeting with Miss Kiki to figure out what her secret is. :) Mason had three events prior to the school year to meet his teacher and fellow classmates, which I think really helped with his comfort. Sean and I were with him at all of these and he must have picked up on the fact that we were happy and comfortable, so he was too. I can only hope that the year goes as smoothly as the first week has!

Most of the kids in our weekly playgroup were starting or returning to their school programs so we held a little Back to School party for them at our house. All the moms contributed a back to school themed snack and Amanda brought some cute printable decorations. Amanda has a friend that is starting a photography business so she offered to come snap some pics of the event and in exchange learned how challenging it can be to take pictures of toddlers!

Adorable decorations and yummy treats

Mommies with the kiddos and a rare picture of just the moms! (who was watching the kids?!?)

Who needs utensils, or hands for that matter? 

The Friday before school started Mason had a meet the teacher day at school. Sean and I were there too and it was so cute to watch him wander to all the areas of his classroom. He actually spent more time in the young 2's room (he's in the 18-24 month class), which connects to his through a door. He will be spending a good amount of time in both rooms so it's good that he loves them both!

Discovering all there is to play with

Hank and Mason, aka the defensive line, and Mason with Miss Kiki

When the big day arrived on Tuesday we fed Mason a big breakfast, dressed him in his green polo (we plan to take a first day picture of him in a green or navy polo for every first day of school - so long as he lets us at least!), packed his backpack and headed off to see Ka-Kee (Miss Kiki). We're so pleased with every part of his school, including the other parents, his classmates, classroom and teacher. It's located right behind our house in a Methodist church so it's a super convenient location that offers a secure and loving Christian environment.

He literally posed for us. I'd say 'turn to the side' or 'show me your back' and he complied! 

So excited! I love Miss Kiki's reaction in the lower right picture.

His schedule includes music/movement, playground, snack, arts & crafts, and free play. One day a week he stays for "lunch bunch" which includes lunch and quiet time. That starts next week and I'm anxious to see if he actually rests on a nap mat or not! They have a color and shape that they focus on each month and all of their art activities center around that. This month the color is red and the shape is circle. I'm going to have to resist the temptation to frame all his "art" around the house as I'm sure I'll find it all adorable!

This time last year Mason had just started crawling, was taking three naps a day, eating baby food, taking a bottle, and not communicating verbally. I can't believe that just one year later he is literally running to a classroom with a backpack and lunchbox and using small words to talk to me about his day (this is of course prompted by me asking him about exactly what I know he did that day)! I love our little boy so much and look forward to his many years as a student.