My 1st confession - I am at my worst in the morning...

Girls, this week, your dad has been leaving for work at 6:30 a.m. while his parents are on vacation.  It's not like your dad is that helpful in the morning as it is, but at least I have the option.  :-)

This morning...most mornings, we are rushing out the door to make it to school on time.  We live just three traffic lights away from school - less than two miles - but somehow, this is a reality.  This morning, I raised my voice at both of you because you were dilly dallying getting ready.  If you retain these memories of me acting disappointed in the morning, please try to disregard them!  I will try to get up a little earlier and get myself ready for work quicker so I don't take that added pressure out on you.  You accepted my apology in the car.  Thank you.  You will learn soon enough that even me, your mommy, is not perfect.  But please always know that I am doing my best every day to keep my own life and this family's life on track so everyone can be happy.  I love you so much girls.  Bigger than the sky!

Parents Night 2012

Tonight, I attended Parents Night at BCDS.  Tae and I were supposed to tag-team (I would go to Lauren's class, Tae would go to E's) but he had dinner planned a month ago for his birthday (yes, the one in JULY!) so I "pardoned" him...but not before busting his chops.

After the usual speech from Mrs. Elizabeth Lyons, Head of Lower School and Assistant Headmaster, about the school's philosophy, curriculum, investment in staff development, etc., parents went to their children's respective classrooms.  I went to Lauren's since I was already familiar with the Nursery curriculum. 

Lauren's Kindergarten teacher is Mrs. Bianca Lavey.  She is actually filling in for a K teacher who is out on maternity this year.  Well, it turns out that we LUCKED OUT big time with Mrs. Lavey.  I hope she somehow figures out a way to stay at Buckley and be E's K teacher.  That's how much I love her.  (Yes, it's only Day 10 of K and I can already make that statement.)  Mrs. Lavey went through the K curriculum in great detail.  Her passion for teaching and connecting with each child individually was apparent.  With only 12 children in her class, Mrs. Lavey shared how easy it was to hold "conferences" with each child and communicate in real-time the areas the child needed to develop.  I love the fact that she spent the past four years at Teacher's College at Columbia University as a Staff Developer, teaching teachers how they should teach reading and writing!  

After tonight, it reinforced the decision to send the girls to Buckley.  I am so pleased.  :-)  Here is how Lauren spends her day at Kindergarten from 8:25 AM to 3:00 PM (2:00 PM on Fridays):

8:25 Morning Meeting

8:40 Shared Reading and Interactive Writing

9:00 Reading Workshop

9:45 Read Aloud

10:00 Specials (Spanish, science, music, PE, etc.)

10:30 Snack

10:45 Writing Workshop

11:30 Specials

12:00 Math Workshop

12:45 Lunch

1:15 Recess

1:45 Rest/Story Time

1:55 Word Study

2:10 Choice Time Workshop

2:50 Pack Up

OCD

Not with all things, but with very specific things, Tae shows signs of OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder).  For example, in our first house, all flat-head screws were horizontal.  He also uses a level to hang everything on the wall.  Even an 1/8th difference is unacceptable.

Ever since Lauren was a baby, she exhibited a level of focus and concentration way beyond her years.  She always had her nose buried in books.  No surprise that she knew both lower and uppercase letters before she turned two.  Numbers, colors, shapes by 1.5 years.  As a preschooler, her teachers have always shared that she takes great care in her assignments, completes her tasks, etc.  

About a year ago, she fell in love with these little toys called Squinkies.  They are little squishy characters that come in a plastic egg-like holder.  By now, Lauren has about 100 Squinkies.  She loves to open each one, put them in various containers (Tupperware, Ziploc bags, glass jars), put them back in their shell, and put them in another container or bag.  She sits, focuses, and simply loves doing this seemingly meaningless activity.

This past Friday, September 14, 2012, we took the girls to one of my favorite stores, Lakeshore Learning Center, to get a little gift for both E and L for having such an amazing first full week of school.  Remember, Lauren came home on a school bus for the first time this week.  E picked these bouncy balls she calls "Spotchy balls" and Lauren picked up a bag of jewels (used in arts and crafts projects).  As soon as she brought the jewels home, she immediately put them in a Ziploc bag.  Over the past 24 hours, she has taken this bag of jewels almost everywhere.  She also put them into various containers like her jewelry box.  Before lunch, she decided to place jewels around the entire circumference of our dining table - almost 200 jewels.  Every jewel had to be aligned, precise, and satisfactory according to her standards.  I obviously have no idea what kind of profession she will choose as an adult, but I wanted to capture this moment to see if this will all have meaning one day.  This is one of the many things I love about Lauren!

Teeth

First visit to the dentist: Fri, 08/24/12

Staying occupied watching cartoons.

Right before we left for our annual summer vacation to Montauk, I took Lauren to the dentist for the very first time.  It was a success!  She didn't have any cavities and everything looked good.  The dentist, Dr. Elizabeth Kitsos, however pointed out something I was not expecting at all...her middle front tooth was wiggling!!  I honestly feel that kids are no longer "little kids" when they start losing their baby teeth.  It's almost as if they are going through their awkward growth years.  My baby!  This couldn't be possible.  She said the tooth can wiggle for months but couldn't pinpoint the exact time she expected the tooth to fall out.  At the same time, Dr. Kitsos confirmed that Lauren's 6-year-old molars were coming in earlier than normal - but not a big deal.  (Lauren got her teeth very early as an infant and had 8 teeth by the time she turned one.)  Her lower left molar was almost completely out.  Her lower right were just about to break through...and the top would follow shortly thereafter.

On Thursday, 9/13, as I was brushing Lauren's teeth before bed, she said something was stuck between her teeth.  She had corn on the cob so I was expecting a kernel or something.  Lo and behold, her permanent lower-middle tooth was coming in.  I continued to brush in COMPLETE DENIAL.  I finally mustered enough composure to tell Tae...then my mom.  I guess her adult teeth are coming in sooner than her baby teeth are ready to leave.  Her teeth are wiggling but they still appear quite sturdy.  I have the heeby-jeebies with this kind of stuff so I can't even get myself to wiggle her teeth by myself.  I speak sternly and tell Lauren to leave her teeth alone.

In reality, I don't want her to lose her baby teeth.  Not just yet.  Not ever I suppose.  I am starting to experience more hardship acknowledging the growth of my children.  I see 7-year-olds (just two short years older than Lauren) and they are completely different.  They are so much older.  It's unbelievable to me that by the time E is L's age, L will be this "elderly" 7-year-old.

My friends tease me and say I was never great with change.  And I admit it - when it comes to my children - I am TERRIBLE with change.  I know that there is absolutely nothing I can do to prevent them from growing up.  But there has been so much growth, development, and well - change in the past three months alone for Lauren.  I wasn't prepared for it.  Tae and I are completely aligned with this sentiment so at least we can share our ba-lues together.  Sigh.

Happy 5th birthday Lauren!

 I forgot to post this on 7/22!  Capturing the magical day Lauren turned 5!

Happy 5th birthday to my dearest Lauren Sadie!

Lauren's first time on a school bus (The ANXIETY!)

As I was leaving E's classroom today after drop-off, the Kindergartners were coming down from their morning meeting area called Grace Commons.  I took the opportunity to hang out and see L w/ her friends.  Cute.  Then I saw the teachers and it triggered a thought, "Oh, I should just remind them that L is going on a bus starting today."  So I did and when I said the words, "it's her first time on the bus, can you take extra care and make sure she gets on the right bus..." I started to cry in front of her teacher Mrs. Bianca Lavey!  She was of course so understanding and made me feel great.

The bus company told me that there are six stops before Lauren and to expect her around 3:30 (school gets out at 3).  3:30 came and went and nothing.  Immediately, 1,000 questions entered my mind.  Why did I decide on the bus?  The school is only three traffic lights away...was I being lazy?  I'm going to change back to private pick-up.  Then I calmed down enough to call the bus company.  And ~10 min later, her bus swung around the circle and she got off.  She said she wanted to take the bus again.  She was WIPED out.  She has to get used to the long day but all in all, an eventful day!

Of course I captured this on video.  :-)

Lauren right after getting off the school bus for the first time!

E begins Nursery

Today, E started Nursery at Buckley Country Day School.  During orientation on Friday 9/7, parents were encouraged not to make a "big deal" about the first day...leave cameras at home if possible...have only one parent do drop-off, etc.  My E was a pro!  She waved good-bye and blew me kisses.  (She went to camp at Buckley for eight weeks in the summer so I didn't expect any issues but one can never assume anything - especially when children are concerned.)

I know you're going to have a GREAT year w/ Mrs. Lori Zwick and Mrs. Bettianne Carioscia!

My Ebi on her first day of Nursery (dismissal)

E on Orientation Day Fri 9/7/12

Lauren's 1st Day of Kindergarten

Lauren walking confidently on her first day of Kindergarten.

 

Today, September 6, 2012, Lauren started her first day of Kindergarten at Buckley Country Day School in Roslyn, NY.

Something noticeable happened to Lauren when she turned 5 years old.  Her language became mature, her emotions deepened, and her intellect expanded.  She was truly transitioning from Toddler to Big Kid.  Drop-off today was a bit surreal.  Was I really dressing Lauren in a uniform?  No more sneakers?  No more pants?  No more accompanying her to the classroom?  Yes to all of these questions! 

Though we pay nearly $25,000 in property taxes per year, Tae and I made the decision to send our girls to an independent school.  We fell in love with Buckley on our very first visit.  We love the teachers, administrators, curriculum, environment, and the sense of community.  Our hope for Lauren and Elizabeth is for them to develop a love of learning, excelling, connecting, appreciating, and discovering.  We are so proud of them and know they will have an extraordinary year!

Lauren in front of Buckley Country Day School.

Lining up with her classmates.