~The Best of Friends~

I've been told many times about how siblings do not get along, how they end up hating each other most of the time while growing up... so for now, I'm going to enjoy where my kids are at (and HOPE that it won't change!). Hunter and Abby love each other so much and really enjoy being around each other. They are independent enough to leave each other alone but yet, still enjoy doing things together. They share pretty well (Hunter gives into her cries), and she will give up when he is stubborn about giving in. I find it interesting watching the two of them and how much they interact together. I'm sure things will start to change a bit when she is talking more... and I know that is right around the corner! She seems to be SO wanting to say more, but has a hard time coming up with the words. It is a matter of time... and that goes so quickly.

So today, we got home from a trip to Eau Claire, and we all went out to pick our pumpkins since it froze hard last night and killed the plant. We had a great time all together getting the pumpkins on the wagon. I enjoyed getting some time to take photos of my kiddos. They turned out great, and I would be tempted to use them as Christmas photos. The kids love getting their picture taken together, but Abby... oh Abby... she will NOT look at me when I want to take a picture of just her! Most of the time when I get one of just her, all I get is her attitude. But I remember this phase with Hunter, and the more acts like a ham for the camera, the more she will too. He loves getting his picture taken, just so he can look at it. Goof ball!

After we picked our pumpkins, we walked around the yard picking up "Fall things" for Hunter's classroom. This kid gets a lot of homework. Almost every night we have to do something different for the next day. I also have to keep on top of what letter he is learning in school now. This will be difficult just staying ahead of what he needs for each class! Oh well, good thing I'm done with classes now, just in time for him to start! Enjoy this fall weather... I know we are happy for the change of the season, but yet, like every year, where did the time go? In just a few short months, the snow will be falling, the kids will be stuck inside, and we will be enjoying getting ready for the holidays. Stay warm everyone!

***Hunter's First Day of School***

Hunter- First day of pre-k 3

Checking out the little sink!

So I had myself completely convinced that 3k was not really school, that he really was just doing more of a 'playdate' type thing twice a week for a few hours... that was until I saw the entire set up on the first day of school! We went to see the classroom last week Tuesday. We met the teacher, took his picture, talked to the principal, everything a normal student does on the first meet and greet day of the year. Tuesday was a breeze, the kids were fun, we were all smiles. But then, for me, there was Thursday.

Hunter was pretty excited for school. He wasn't overjoyed, but I don't think he really knew what to expect. I was not sure how he was going to take it. For a long time he told me he wasn't going to school this fall, that he would go when he gets older, and then I had to convince him he really was signed up for school. After meeting his teacher on Tuesday, he really relaxed about it all and even at the open house he was pretty casual with having his parents there. He was running up and down the halls and talking to everyone who would look at him (yes, my "I'm shy" boy!). So by the first real day on Thursday, he was humming to himself "Mrs. Canfield, Mrs. Canfield, Mrs. Canfield" on the way out to the car.

We got to drop off and we walked up to the school. We went in the side door, and there it was... it was real. There were kids and tables and worksheets with their names on them, and hooks with his name on it... I helped him with his assigned duties of signing in at the board and answering the question of the day (again, another thing with his OWN name on it... the name I gave him 3 short years ago...). Then he sat down at the table where the sheet had his name, and that was it. He was set, the time was for me to go. I looked at him, he was calm, waiting for the next direction from one of the aids. I told him to have fun, he said ok, and looked back to his work. It hit me like a brick in the throat and I had to get out of the room. Luckily, his friend Ed was there so I could say hi to him and get my mind off the intense feelings I was having! I walked out of the room... thinking to myself that there really wasn't anyone I could talk to after his school day besides for him to find out what happens. I wouldn't know the little details of what he learned, the songs he sung, the friends he made, the toys they played, the little things he will pick up on. I now need to realize that he can do these types of things in the hands of others and that from this point forward a school will be a part of my life with my son. Even if for now it is just two days a week for a few hours...