Day 3 - Tears

Today was our first day of tears! I was waiting to pick Cohen up from school at the usual time. When I saw his teacher walking out the students I got out of the car to grab Cohen. When he saw me he burst into tears! I panicked thinking - great here it begins - him not liking school or someone being mean to him and him never wanting to go back. Well that couldn't have been farther from the truth! When I asked Cohen why he was crying he could barely make out the words "I want to stay at school with my teacher!!" I started to laugh :) I was soo happy that was the reason for the tears!! His teacher saw that he was crying also and came over to see what was wrong. When she heard that he was crying because he didn't want to leave she gave him a big hug and said he could come again tomorrow. Immediately the water works stopped and he began telling me all about his day! His teacher laughed with me and gave Cohen a high five and we headed home. I am truly amazed at how much Cohen loves school and I am sooo grateful for the wonderful teachers he has!!
               It was also such a wonderful morning I decided to take the kids to the park to run off some energy! Boy do they all love the park!!

Nevaeh and Kendall

No hands Mom

Swings seem to be the favorite

Cohen now takes it upon himself to help out with Kirsten if I am busy with Kendall or something else. Today he grabbed Kirsten and the bottle while I was laying Kendall and Nevaeh down for their naps :) Also notice the Ipad - he said he and Kirsten were going to watch a movie when they ate lunch :) Love my big boy!!! 

With love from the zoo

Day 2

Today (actually yesterday since I didn't blog yesterday ) was Cohen's second day of school. When I went downstairs to get him up for school he was already sitting on the edge of his bed - dressed and ready to go :) Immediately he put on his backpack and shoes and telling Keith it was time to go - at 7:15 when he doesn't need to be there until 7:45 and we live 5 min away :) I really hope this continues :)

           Cohen's homework for today was to find out what "the boy in the red shirt's" name was and we have an answer - Byron. So Byron is our new friend :) Today was also Library day and of course Cohen found a book about dinosaurs - his new obsession :) They sang songs and his favorite was "Going on a bear hunt." I am so glad that he is enjoying school and to see him so excited to tell me all about his day when I pick him up helps me so much knowing that what we are doing is right for him. 

Cohen with his 1st school library book

He told me Kirsten missed him while he was at school :)

In other news- Kirsten is learning to hold her bottle-  just kidding but she always has to have her hands up by her face or holding onto something :)

Holding her bottle

Pretty Girl

with love from the zoo

First Day of School 9/4/12

Today was the day I was looking forward to and dreading all summer. I knew it was going to be a very emotional day sending Cohen to school for the first time. He has been so excited all summer about going to school - we can't pass Excel without Cohen saying "there is my school! " He has been telling everyone who his teacher is and showing them his backpack and all of his school goodies.
               So the day started with a thunderstorm. I found the umbrellas and got Cohen up. Cohen is NOT a morning person - especially when you try to make him get somewhere at a specific time. But this morning he moved pretty fast :) Keith took the morning off so he could go with us and I am sooo glad he did. Because of the rain everyone was dropping off their kids into the school. Trying to push a double stroller and pay attention with Cohen and all the running kids was a bit much. We found his class room and was immediately greeted by his teacher. We hung up his backpack on his hook and put on his name tag. Cohen's teacher had stations set up on the tables with blocks on one, puzzles on another etc. So we started at one table and moved around. I was doing really good with seeing him in his environment. Then the dreaded question came. "Mom, are you going to leave me here?" Hold back the tears, hold back the tears!!!!! I replied with "You are going to stay for a little while and I will be back to get you in a little bit." Cohen looked up at me with his eyes a little wide and said "Can I just go home with you?" Hold back the tears, hold back the tears!!!! I explained that he was going to have lots of fun and I would be back really soon. And that was all I could do. I looked at Keith and gave him the sign it was time to go before I completely lost it right in front of Cohen. I didn't want him to see me cry. I was afraid then he would really be scared and want to come home. So we left and got into the car and then I allowed myself to shed some tears.
              When I got to the school to pick Cohen up he was super excited to tell me all about school. He told me about his new friend - the kid in the red shirt - we will have to find out his name tomorrow :) He also had to show me his picture that he made and his empty lunch box because he ate his snack "all gone."
                All in all it was a good day. I am so glad he did well and likes school. Let's hope that continues :)

First day of Young 5's

Fun in the class room

I really like school

Thanks to all who have prayed for this transition. Hopefully it continues to go well :) With love from the zoo

Labor Day

We celebrated Labor Day this year at my parents house with my mom's side of the family. It is always such a blessing spending time with them. We are truly blessed to have a Christ centered family who genuinely love each other and love spending time together. It was a beautiful, warm day and so nice to be by the lake. We spent most of our time on the boat or eating lots of great food!! Cohen's fear of the water is almost completely gone now and is even trying his hand at skiing - yes I said skiing. My parents neighbor has this really cool way for kids to learn to ski. It looks like an inflatable sea doo that has ski boots on either side. The kids put their feet in the boots and can either stand up or ride on it. Cohen will stand as long as he doesn't see really big waves :) It seems like such a better idea to ease kids into skiing then how I learned with the 2 skis tied together :)

So proud of himself

We also spent time on the tube!

Cohen having to do whatever Stacy and Kevin do

Stacy, Cohen and Kevin

Cohen, Kayla and Jessa

I believe they are having fun :)

After all of our fun on the water it was time for dinner - hobo pies :) And man were they good!!!! One of my favorite things about summer :) Oh and watermelon!! Someone likes watermelon just as much as her momma :)

Master hobo pie makers!

Great Grandparents

Poppy and Kirsten

Love my kids

Stacy and Kevin

Aunt Stacy and CoCo

Sisters

It was an awesome day and I feel truly blessed to have such an amazing family!!!! With lots of love from the zoo