Off to School

It's hard to believe that this season of life is already upon us! Cody and Jaden started pre-K this fall, and suddenly, my little boys don't seem quite as little anymore! At the end of the summer, we bought school supplies for our school-going 4-year-olds. Cody and Jaden took a long time to pick out their backpacks, waffling back and forth between many different kinds. I actually got teary-eyed in Target when I was taking this photo... Wearing backpacks makes them seem so big!

Cody finally ended up with a "soft Minions backpack," as he likes to call it. Jaden selected the Hot Wheels backpack. Our other school supplies were minimal-- markers, Kleenex, and baby wipes. Both boys seemed eager about the idea of school.

We signed the boys up for the Tuesday/Thursday pre-K class at our church's early childhood center. Their days are fairly lengthy-- from 9:15 to 2:30-- so we figured that easing into only two days per week of school would be helpful. 

Jaden and Cody officially started school on a Thursday, following a meet-the-teacher day on Tuesday. They both admitted to being a little nervous before the day started. Of course, Mommy made the boys take those traditional back-to-school photos by the front door. :) 

Jaden

Cody

New backpacks filled with supplies and lunchboxes... we are ready to go!

Cody and Jaden get to hang their bags up right next to each other in the school hallway.

Here is their teacher, Ms. Kelly. We have heard so many positive things about her classroom, which is known as "the butterfly room."

Mrs. Hayes is the assistant teacher.

Jaden and Cody both seemed very nervous about leaving Mommy and Daddy on their first day. I will always remember the precious image of the two of them looking over at each other and grabbing one another's hand as they walked into the classroom together! Neither boy cried as he left, which surprised me somewhat. Later, however, we heard that both boys cried shortly after Mommy and Daddy left their sight and that they each cried off and on throughout the day. :( The full day of school was a big adjustment for them both!

 By the time we picked them up at the days' end, though, Jaden and Cody were both smiley and excited to tell us about their day. Without hesitation, they both said the favorite part of their day was the long recess. They told us about being in two different "small groups" and about learning how God created day and night. 

School drop-off still causes a bit of anxiety at times, especially for Cody, but neither boy struggles with crying throughout the day anymore. We love hearing them sing songs and recite rhymes that they learn at school. We continue to pray for a smooth year of learning and growing for them both. We are proud of our little preschoolers!