Grace's First Day and What About Char Char?

Grace went to her first real day of preschool today and I got a full report from her on the phone while I was at work because I couldn't wait to hear until I got home.

According to Rita who went with Paul's mom to drop her off, there were at least four kids crying, none of whom were Grace... whooo hoooo.  Apparently, they were again the first ones at the school and were greeted outside by Sister Maria.  There are a set of 4 year old twin boys in her class as well, (the 3 and 4 year olds are combined) who apparently would not stand in line and were picking up bugs and not listening.  Sister Maria had to lay the smack down.  She also had to physically take a crying kid out of his mom's van.  Hahahaha.  Grace's backpack was in our truck which went into the shop (long story) so she had to bring her back up princess bag.  Well apparently this was a good thing, because another girl had a similar one and they were comparing their bags.  Grace went into the building smiling and was good to go.

When I called the Augles at about 11:15 Grace picked up the phone.  I didn't even recognize her voice since she never wants to talk to me on the phone.  She told me that she learned about story time and she got "this," whatever that was.  I can only imagine she was holding it up and talking on the phone at the same time.  Then she told me that she had her snack.  I asked her if the other kids were nice and being good today and she said, "No, the boys got in trouble.  One boy stole my carrot."  Then she told me that she got in trouble.  I said, "What did you get in trouble for," to which she replied, "No, I just got in a little trouble because I was missing you."  I can only imagine what happened however with a response like that, what can I even say.  She talked non-stop and apparently kept telling Charlotte, " I go to school now," as if that makes her superior.

Speaking of Charlotte.  They all walked to the school to drop Grace off and apparently Charlotte was mesmerized by what was going on and all the kids standing in lines.  She did not want Grace to go to school and apparently she was very bored without her today.  She was very excited to pick her up and play with her.

Grace already has homework.  Because she is first on the class roster, she is the first "Student of the Week," and we have a project to do, due Tuesday.  Better make sure I am on my game!  Gotta set the standard high!!!

Nauseous

Enough said!

Grace's Pre-School Orientation

We went to Grace's preschool orientation today.  She was so nervous once we were in the classroom.  She made us go everywhere with her.  She had a seat with a name card on it and Paul literally had to pick her up and sit her in the chair because she was clinging to us.  We were the first to get to the classroom so at least she had a few extra minutes to get warmed up before other kids showed up.  She loved the idea that she gets to hang her backpack up and that she has a spot for her supplies that we brought.  Once we left though, she wanted to know where all of her stuff was because her backpack was "empty."  Tomorrow is the full time which will be from 7:30 to 11:00 so I hope she does well.  She started shaking a little bit when she had to go potty.  I'm really hoping she asks her teacher and doesn't just get scared and have an accident.  Wish us luck.  Here are some pictures from today.  While we were listening to a presentation by the teacher, Sister Maria, the kids were coloring and playing with blocks.  Grace made a picture that was titled, "First Day of School," and had a school house on it.  When we got back to the Augle's, I hung it up so it wouldn't get ruined.  Then I had to leave to go back to work.  Grace ran to the fridge, grabbed the picture, and said, "Mom, can you take this to your school and hang it up?  I made it for you?"  I almost started crying it was so sweet.  I love that little girl!

Back to Work

Well, today is my first day back at work.  I have mixed feelings about this.  I'm going to be interviewing for a new job by the end of the week so I am more stressed than anything.  7 weeks as of yesterday and I am feeling nauseous every day and very very tired.  Hopefully this doesn't cause too many problems.

Grace would not put on socks this morning (in all fairness, she hasn't worn them all summer) and she wouldn't buckle herself in the truck (yes, she knows how to do this well).  I suppose it's because she's tired.  Yes kiddo, you are back to waking up at 5:45 a.m.

Grace starts preschool this week and we have parent night tonight.  Time to get on the ball people.  This is it... I'm nervous about this too.  Her orientation with Sister Maria is Wednesday and Paul and I are both going to take her.  Paul is taking the day off but considering it's my first day, I'm going to work and then going to the orientation and then back to work.  Ahhhhh.

Charlotte was easier this morning.  She came running in to see me when Paul got her out of bed so I am expecting a happy response when I return home from work today.

A few things that she has mastered this summer besides what I've already written:

Charlotte now has a very active imagination.  When I ask her to get something, instead of actually getting whatever it is, she scoops her hands at the carpet and hands me "pretend" whatever.  She and Grace have both been pretending to bring us Brandy, the dog.

Char-Char has also found a way to combat her sister.  She tries to fold her arms together, and then points and says, "Stop" to whomever she is getting mad at the moment.  When I laugh at this she does it more and tells me to stop over and over.  Hilarious.

Grace on the other hand has found a way to combat Charlotte right back.  She simply just stares at her.  I mean this can go on for a few minutes and Grace doesn't falter even when Charlotte starts taking swings at her.  Obviously this is the point where I intervene and tell them both to stop.

Well... wish me luck.  One more week and I will start posting belly pics before mine gets out of control.  I have a feeling I'm not going to be small this pregnancy.  Oh, and I'm guessing this is a girl based on my aversion to meat products and only being able to eat small meals at a time without getting sick.  Plus my face is really oily.  I'm pretty sure this is how I was with Grace.  Toodles!

Charlotte: Colors, Counting, and Being Serious!

Charlotte likes working on her colors these days, however she only likes to respond with green and if we say, "No, it's not green, what color is it?" She responds with, "Yellow."  She then repeats whatever color we tell her it is.  Her counting has increased.  Now she says, "1,2,3,4,5,6, I say 7, 8, she says, 9, yellow, 13, 19.  Huh.  If everything is green and yellow is a number, we have a lot of work to do with her.

She hasn't lost her serious face though and she has started pointing at me and scolding me when I do it to Grace.  HAHAHAHAHAHA

Grace's Beautiful Drawing

Grace has been making me some wonderful drawings this summer.  She is getting quite creative.  I can't wait to display them at work.  She also is learning to write her name.  She can recognize it when she sees it now because we have been practicing.  Here is my favorite drawing from the whole summer:

Do you like reading my posts out of order?

If I blog about Minnesota before the end of Disney World would you still be interested in reading?

Seriously June was the last post? Where is Time Going?

I have so many things to blog about.  I wish I had blogger on my phone and when I spoke, the words would just show up on my blog.  It would sound something like this.

Charlotte: "Mommy!"

Me: "Charlotte."

Charlotte: "Mommy!"

Me: "Charlotte, yes?"

Charlotte: "Grace...mine.  I want it."

Me: "Grace...come here.  What does your sister want?"

Grace: "She wants fill in the blank...it doesn't matter and I had it first!"

Me: "Find her something else to play with and be nice."

Grace:  "Ok mommy.  Come on Charlotte!"


And REPEAT!!!!

Sometimes I feel like it is groundhog day, over and over and over.  I also feel like feeding time is like an assembly line.  Kids in seats, bibs on, cut up food, kids eat some, others land on floor.  Get milk in cups, clean up floor, clean up kids, clean up what fell off kids onto floor while cleaning them up.

However, I am very sad that I go back to work in three weeks and that Grace is starting preschool the same week I'm back.

My next couple of weeks looks like this.  Class work, Galena, prepare for Rita's shower, get school supplies for Grace (can't believe preschool has such a long list), work Freshmen Orientation which I hope I can just use my presentation from last year, and probably do more school work in that time.  This Masters is going to kick my butt.  Oh and I'm pregnant!