Back to Summer

As has become our tradition, on the 4th of July we went to the 4k race on Grand Island and then stuck around to watch the parade.  This year Lara ran the race while the kids and I cheered.

Later that day we went to the local amusement park, Martin's Fantasy Island.  Residents of the town get in for free on the 4th.  The kids are at an age now where they can both enjoy the rides.

One of the best parts of the day was seeing fireworks around the area while we were riding the Ferris Wheel.  We then stuck around to watch the fireworks that were set-off at the park.

Loved It!

We were anxious for Grant to get home from his first day of kindergarten so we could hear all about it.  Gracie said she missed him a bit but overall I think she had a great day.  We got Grant balloons, made him a cake, and got him a few presents to celebrate.

When Grant got of the bus and saw us waiting he had a little smirk on his face.  This is the bus aide teaching him how to cross the road.

As soon as he got to us he tore into his book-bag, got out his lunchbox, and pulled out a treat that he had saved for Grace!

He then showed us some of the work he had done that day, including this drawing.  Although his coloring said he was sad and scared on the first day of school, he was nothing but happy and proud when he got home.

After chugging some water he decided to dump the rest on his head to cool down.

Once we left the end of our driveway and got inside, Grant was so surprised at the decorations and presents.  He said, "I can't believe it, it's just like my birthday!"

Grant talked to us quite a bit about what happened during his day.  He said at one point he told a little girl, "I don't know where I am supposed to go?" and she said that she didn't know where she was supposed to go either.  Before he went, he thought his favorite part of the day would be lunch.  After his first day, he said his favorite part of the day was his snack.  It wasn't lunch because the lunch room was too loud.  He said he just wanted to stand up and yell for everyone to be quiet.  Although the room was loud, he said everybody at his table was quiet.  He talked about everyone waiting in line to go to the restroom and how they have a rainbow chart for their behavior.   Everyone starts at green and if your good you move up to blue, indigo or violet.  If you are bad you move down to red, orange or yellow.  He mentioned how a girl at his table had already moved up and some boys had already moved down.  Overall he just seemed to have such a great, great day.

Following that, the second morning went so much better than the first.  He ate his breakfast, got ready, and was excited to get on the bus.  After he got home from day 2 he said he kind of wished he had school the next day rather than it being the weekend.

Grant - You did such a great job transitioning to kindergarten, just like we knew you would!!!  Mommy and I are so proud of you and can't wait to see all that you learn this year.

First Day!

Today was Grant's first day of kindergarten.  He woke up a bit earlier than usual ~6:45am, but he was happy because it gave him time to watch a little tv before getting ready for school.  I made him homemade blueberry muffins at his request.  He was nervous for school and especially worried about how long he would be there.  He fought getting ready, but finally did.  He fought getting his picture taken, but finally relented.  The bus driver was so nice.  As he pulled up, he yelled out the window,"Hey Grant, you are going to have a good day." Lara and a bus aide helped him get on the bus.  He kept saying he wanted one more hug and finally the aide had to pull him away.  Lara and I are anxious for the bus to drop him back off at home and hear all about his day.

  
Yesterday Lara made Grant veggie pizza and macaroni and cheese for dinner.  She let him pick anything he wanted.  Tonight I think we will fire up the grill after he gets home.

Here comes Kindergarten!

I am going to interrupt my summer updates to talk about what happened today.  Grant (& Lara, Grace and I) visited Grant's classroom and met his teacher, Mrs. Loncar.  Before this we were at the school 2 other times.  The first was an orientation where Lara and I learned some general things about the school while Grant went in for a separate classroom with other incoming kindergartners.  The second time Grant went to be assessed for classroom placement.

He is a bit nervous but excited for the first day of school tomorrow.  It is great that he has 2 days of school and then will have a long weekend.

Here we are doing a little scavenger hunt to find things around Grant's classroom.

Here's his desk...

and his locker!