Bryce's First Day of Kindergarten

We didn't tell Bryce the night before Kindergarten started that it was the next day. We were afraid with how much he thinks and worries over things that he wouldn't get a good night sleep. So, that morning he came in to get me I told him that it was an exciting day because he got to start Kindergarten. He said, "Yippee, we better go quickly."

He got dressed and ate breakfast very fast, which is unusual for him. When we got to school he was excited to play on the playground. The parents were invited inside to meet the teacher, here a little bit about what their first day would be like, gather some papers, take a family picture, and finally say goodbye. Bryce gave us big hugs and kisses, including butterfly, Eskimo, and his latest ear kisses and said goodbye. I was so relieved that he was happy, but at the same time sad to see that he was growing up.

When I picked him up he said he had a great day. He did tell me that he was supposed to color a picture of himself, but he didn't do it because he didn't want to. He was happy to tell me all about his day, with a surprising amount of details.

The Friday of his first week of school, Mrs. Trager pulled me aside and let me know that he had an issue with stubbornness and refusing to do his work. She said when she pushed him to do something he pushed back. I reminded her that we warned her about that when we went to meet with her before school started. We teased that she might be sorry she had requested him to be in her class. I also explained that at his preschool all projects were optional. I told her we'd talk at length with Bryce over the weekend in hopes of getting him on the right track. I also asked if it would be okay if I checked in with her daily to see how he did. Bryce insists that the only day he was stubborn was the first day. He said Mrs. Trager never said, "Bryce you must do ________." I explained that there are 23 other kids in the class and that when she gives a project to the whole class that includes him and that he must do the work. I also let him know that she doesn't have time to tell each kid individually that they must do the project.

Over the weekend we devised a sticker chart with consequences and prizes for good behavior at school as well as at home. If he has an entire week with a good report than he gets to order hot lunch one day the following week. He has an opportunity to earn 28 stickers a week (4 each day, Morning, School Day/Lunch time, Afternoon, Evening and Bedtime) if he earns 25 stickers he gets a Lego kit. If he doesn't get a good report for school daily than when he gets home he doesn't get to watch Cat In The Hat, his new favorite show. We'll see how this goes.

Faith 2 Years 10 Months

Faith is getting very anxious to start a ballet class. We were hoping she could start in September, but just found out the school won't take her until she is 3. She is dancing around the house, in stores, or wherever we go move than ever. She keeps reminding me that when she turns three she gets to do her ballerina class.

She is also getting very excited to start preschool. Since Bryce began Kindergarten she asks daily if she gets to go. We were planning on her being at school just for the 9-12 Tues/Thurs preschool program, but she is insisting on staying for lunch until 1. Bryce didn't start staying until half way through his first year in the back class (3 year old class). I guess we are going to have to let her stay since she wants to so bad.

Faith recently discovered Olivia, a show on Nick Jr. about a little pig. It is a cute show and she keeps talking about it. Besides Veggie Tales this is the first show she has really enjoyed and asks to watch.

Faith continues to have a lot of fits. When you tell her that she will have a consequence if she continues a certain behavior she says something like, "well if you do that then I will hit, bite, climb on the counter and get my toy, etc." We always though Bryce was the strong-willed one, but she by far outdoes him in this regard. We continue to try and be firm with her, but sometimes nothing works. When she gets in a mood you have to let it play out because there is no talking her down.

She is smart as a whip. She knows her days of the week, can count to 20, knows her ABCs, knows she lives on Wilshire Dr. in Santa Rosa, and can write the letter F. Now that Bryce is in school and will have homework, I'm guessing she'll want homework too. If she does homework, keeps playing with Bryce's V-Reader, and watches the Letter Factory and the Word Factory she'll be reading when she is 4.