School Begins!

Gwen and Olivia started school today.  As a second grader Olivia felt like an old pro.  She knew exactly what to do, where to go and what to expect and especially loved the thought of being Gwen's mother hen.  As a kindergartner, Gwen went in quietly and confidently.  She has been excited to go to school, and to ride the bus for ages now.  She was thrilled that it was finally her turn.  I was interested to see that she became quiet, and observant through the experience.   I watched them get on the bus and then followed the bus to school and helped Gwen get to her classroom.  She went right in, found a spot to sit and engaged in an activity that looked interesting to her.

Interesting facts about Gwen and Kindergarten:

• Gwen's teacher did her student teaching in Brad's Kindergarten class!  She had saved a couple of journal entries that Brad had drawn and passed them along to us last year. (this fact adds to our list of: Liv's preschool teacher was Brad's 2nd grade teacher, and her Kindergarten teacher was a friend of Brad's mom in highschool.)
•  Gwen has definite ideas about fashion and shopped for her own school clothes, although I was not looking forward to it, it was a blast for both of us.  
• Gwen is a youngin.  She is actually still 4 until later this week.  I have debated whether to send her to school or hold her back since the day she was born.  We feel very good about the decision to send her this year.  We are sure its the right thing for her.

Interesting facts about Olivia and Second Grade:

• She is a combination of excited and shy.  She is eager to start a new year, but feels uncomfortable in a new setting.
• She looks forward to walking Gwen to her classroom each morning and sitting with her on the bus.
• She has requested homemade lunch this year and helped me make a list of healthy options she likes to eat.
• She heard through the grape vine that her teacher is the best teacher in the whole school.

Looking at these pictures makes me realize:

• How little Gwen is.  Half the size of her backpack.
• How grown up Olivia is getting.  I didn't notice the peace sign she flashed until I started looking through these pictures.

Interesting facts about me and school this year:

• It is my first year of feeling like I can really volunteer.  I am debating helping out in the classroom or in the lunchroom.  I am currently leaning toward lunch duty (I think it will be more Beckham friendly)
• I am going to miss the girls.
• Today I was pleased with the amount of quality time we had to be together after school.