Preschool!

With Maia in school all day, it seemed like a good time for Tai to venture off to preschool.  We do a lot of fun things while home, but he definitely misses his sister.   Preschool for the two year old set is short--2.5 hours for 2 mornings a week.  That's the perfect amount of time to run to the grocery store or do some studying for a graduate class.  It seemed like a good deal to me.


I must confess that I wasn't sure about sending Tai off to school before he turned 3, so I left the decision up to him.  Last Spring, I would ask him every so often if he would like to go to school like his sister,and he always answered, "No!"  Since he did not seem interested, I did not plan to enroll him for this fall, but over the summer something changed.  When I was getting Maia's lunch ready for her summer camp, Tai wandered into the kitchen and asked, "Where's my lunch?"  I explained that he would be eating lunch with me at home, and he didn't seem very happy about that.  Then, when we dropped off his sister in her classroom, Tai ran off with the older kids and started playing with the toys in the room.  I had to drag him away screaming, and that is when I knew he was ready. 


So far, Tai really seems to be enjoying school.  He hasn't had any separation anxiety, and always seems happy when I pick him up.  The only concern I have is that his class is very small.  A couple of kids dropped out at the last minute, so it's only Tai and one other little boy.  Yes, the student/teacher ratio is 1:1.  Two teachers and two kids...  While I'm happy he's receiving lots of attention, I know he is very social and wants to be around other children.  I worry a little about that, but when they go to recess, they go out with another class.  At least Tai can run around with other kids during that time.  For now, everything seems to be working out well.


Without further ado, the pictures from Tai's first day!

All smiles!

I wish I could freeze time.  He is at the perfect age right now!

Showing off the back pack

"Let's go, Mom!"

I like that the building has so many different uses.

He is excited to start playing!

Long Overdue Play Set Pics

Yes, I found the camera!  Here is the finished product:)  Yoshi is our hero for building this.  The kids absolutely love it, as you can see from the pictures.

First Grade!

Today was Maia's first day of school! She is officially in elementary school now, and I must confess that letting her go was difficult for me. Kindergarten wasn't as big a deal because it only lasted 2.5 hours, but now she stays at school from 8:30 to 3:10.  That is a long time!  Thankfully, she can come home for lunch if she chooses.  Of course, she thrives on hanging out with her friends, so she doesn't want to come every day, but once a week or so will still give us something to look forward to.

I know I'll feel better in a couple of days, but I feel a bit incomplete right now.  The oddest moment was during lunch, when I realized there was no reason to leave a seat empty between Tai and me, so I sat in Maia's seat.  Then, as if on cue, Tai asked me what Maia was going to eat for lunch and suggested we save some food for her.  I don't cry often these days, but if I were going to cry, that would have been the moment.  It seems like just yesterday that Maia was a toddler.  How has the time passed so quickly?

Little Maia (9 months old)  practicing standing up with her daddy.

Remember this picture?  Maia (3 years old) on her first day of preschool.

Maia today!  How grown-up she looks!

The kids look so big in this picture.  Is it my imagination?

Maia with her teacher, Mrs. Jacobs.   We already love her!

I will miss my sweet little girl, but I am proud that she is so confident and eager to go off to school.  And I'm looking forward to having new and different experiences with her as she gets older.  This is what life is about, I believe.  It's hard to let go, but in the end, it's best for our children to experience freedom and independence.  Although, I must admit, I now completely understand why some families choose to home school their children. 

It's Missing!

Tai likes to say those words, but today it is I who must declare, "It's missing!"  I hid my camera so Tai wouldn't grab it, and now I can't remember where I put it.  That means the pictures of the completed play set will have to wait.  Don't fret, dear readers!  I am sure it will turn up... eventually.

In Progress

Have you guessed yet?

It's an ...

Outdoor playset!

Yoshi worked so hard.

It took a full three days!

He even worked on it every day when he got home from work. 

This is not the finished product.  Stay tuned!

Latest Project

Yoshi's building something made out of an insane amount of pieces. Stay tuned to see what it is!

Maia's Favorite Things

Maia loves:
Riding her scooter
Riding her bike
Playing in the pool
Swinging
Ice cream
All things girlie
PUPPIES
Stuffed animals
Watching TV
Reading books
Playing with friends