A week of school under our belts . . .

Whew. We've made it through our first week of school!

Anna Claire:

• Nearly missed the bus on her first day when it showed up more than 10 minutes early!
• Worked out well though, since the super-nice school bus driver (Mr. Ken, a sweet grandfatherly type) offered to pick her up and drop her off right at our door since the bus stop is a good ways down the street. We gave Mr. Ken a big chocolate chunk cookie today to say thanks!
• LOVES her teacher(s) - Mrs. Friedrich and Mrs. Beckman (the permanent paraprofessional in their room).
• Has made several friends in her class already. I hear a lot about Lindsay and Ross, as well as others.
• Has been 'tested' on her alphabet and sorting - yeah, we're not worried.
• Has read a book to her reading group ("an easy one" she says, somewhat exasperated).
• Enjoyed both taking her lunch 3 days and getting lunch in the cafeteria (2 days).
• Had PE, Art, and Music (next week will also send her to the computer room for Technology). So far, she likes Art best.
• Earned enough pennies (through behavior and performance) to buy a ring pop and a sparkly pencil in the 'shop' today, as well as saved $0.10 to carry over to next week (this is Mrs. Friedrich's discipline/reward system).
• Had an all-around grand time. I *fully* expect her to sleep in tomorrow though!

Caroline:

• Had a GREAT first day at preschool! No tears that I saw at all (drop off or pick up)!
• Came home all smiles telling me about Mrs. Sharon (same teacher Anna Claire had both years of preschool too, so we know her well) and "friends" and that she "played with toys."
• Tells anyone who asks how much she liked preschool.
• Until it came time to go a second day - a bit more hesitant, a few tears at drop off, none at pick up and she again told me she'd had a good day and had fun.
• Is mad, mad, mad that she can't ride the school bus with her sister!

I:

• have a beautifully spotless van to show for my 'childless' time (shampooed carpets and everything!)
• thoroughly enjoyed tea/muffins with a couple friends Thursday morning, and then a little shopping jaunt with one of them.
• am already planning out my schedule to attack the house room by room to organize, thin-out, and deep clean for the next days 'on my own!'