New Scholastic Endeavors

Chick started Kindergarten!  Aside from getting lost on the first morning (why wasn't there someone to help the kindergarteners get from the bus to the classroom? I called and only felt more frustrated by the "we should have someone out there by next week" answer...seriously, I think she'll know her way by then.  It was the first day that mattered!). . . Anyhow, aside from that, all went well.  She seems to like it and be learning new things.  Her reading has really taken off lately, and her teacher puts a lot of emphasis on proper penmanship.  She's made new friends, and her favorite part of school is recess (but really, isn't that always the favorite?)

She takes the bus to school, and it was a major stress as I realized that the bus stop was around the corner.  Which meant that I'd have to take all five kids to the bus stop at 8:20 every morning...and on rainy bad mornings I'd probably need to drive there to keep the babies warm and dry.  I'd chosen to stick with our assigned school (which is probably the worst around) because I knew that I couldn't get drive her to school this year with the new babies.  So to have to drive to the bus stop seemed to nullify any benefits of bussing.  But long story short, there's a neighbor boy and his mom who volunteered to walk her down for me.  So every morning Landon comes and knocks on the door, and Chick opens it, and Landon says, "Hi, are you ready to go?"  (sometimes it gives me visions of when she starts dating) and then they run off down the road with their backpacks bouncing.  cute stuff.  Anyhow, that has been a HUGE help, and she only missed the bus once (pre-Landon).

Monkey started Preschool!  She goes to our friend Jill's preschool, where Chick went for two years.  Monkey LOVES preschool.  She loves playing outside, and singing songs, and reading stories, and playing with her new friends, and painting.  So far there isn't anything that she doesn't like.  I love that she has something all to herself. 

In lieu of paying tuition, I make random stuff for Jill.  One thing was composition books for the students (using Lia's tutorial again...thanks, Lia!). 

In addition to preschool twice a week, Monkey and Moose go to my Aunt's apartment about twice a week while Chick is at school.  Part of the time is spent doing preschool-type stuff, so Monkey is working on her letters and doing art projects there (Moose usually does them too, but they aren't geared toward him).

On the days when both Chick and Monkey are at school:  Moose doesn't know what to do with himself.  Hopefully he'll get over that soon. 

At any rate, it's been very exciting to see everyone learning new things and loving their new school experiences.

***
The story of the chalkboard: 

I saw someone else's cute chalkboard online and got all covetous.  So I bought a fancy board at the craft store.  Driving home I had buyers remorse.  $5 (after coupon) for a piece of wood that I plan to use once a year?! I decided to take it back.  The next day I'd swung back the other way-- I really wanted a school day sign, and of course could use it for other days too, and what's $5 anyhow?

So I mentioned to Mr. Fox that I couldn't decide about keeping the board.  He said, "there's tons of wood in the backyard, use some of that."
I responded with some comment about wanting it to be pretty, and he said that it could be cut into any shape. 

So I picked out a board from the back yard, drew a shape onto it, and he cut it for me.  I already had chalkboard paint, so we were able to make the cute chalkboard sign for FREE.  I like free.  And my sign is cuter than the one that I'd gotten from the craft store : )  Plus I did a little bit towards decluttering the back yard (ok, very little, but something).

My husband is awesome (and a penny pincher).
True story.