Backpack Station!

***Disclaimer: The picture quality is not so great-due to the fact that there is ZERO natural light in this hall way, 

so bear with me on 'em***

Delaney being in school gave me the ultimate excuse to organize. I needed a place for their backpack, a place for her papers, etc. I was so excited. There was a problem though....we are on a budget. If ,only was no object, I would be at The Container Store at least once a week and this house would be crazy, OCD, organized. But, not the case, so I had to work with what I had. Our mud room in Tanque Verde Manor (btw I'm thinking of changing the name to Mikkelson Manor) will be awesome. Just you wait.

Back to our little house....we literally have no spare room, so I decided that our one and only hallway would have to be the launch pad. I already had the oval shaped wood things and the hooks. Her coat/ sweatshirt goes on the bottom hook and her backpack on the top. She knows to  take out her lunchbox everyday and put it on the counter, then hang her backpack up again. Above the hooks, there are bulletin boards. Basically, I put calendars, reminders, invites, etc that are specific for the kid. In Delaney's case, we have her important line leader and guessing bag calendar up there so she can countdown to her turn. Very big deal.

I am in the hallway, right in front to the kid's door- that closet on the right is my laundry "room". told ya it was small:) We just moved that bookcase into the hallway because we moved it OUT of the living room. I kinda like it there though, so it may stay.

I had the picture frames and the cork, so I just made the little bulletin boards (down the road, I will probably be buying some real ones, but these work for now. 

Brody's little area.

In between the hooks, I put the sorting tray. This is where they put their works of art from school or church. And then once a week or so, I file them in their crates:) 

Nothing fancy, but at least it is somewhat organized!

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Preschool: Here She Comes!

Yesterday was Delaney's first day of school- ever. She has been ready for a long time and I have kept her home because I feel like there is such a short time that they get to be home before they go to school and since I stay home, I wanted her there with me. 

At 6:40 am she was in my bed, grinning from ear to ear and asking if this was the day that she would stay and I would go. I smiled back, as much as I could, and said, "Yes, today is the day- you stay, I go". I had a hard time with that one, not gonna lie. We got out of bed, Brody was still snoozing so we had a nice quiet few minutes to start the day. I got their cups ready and poured my coffee in peace. Just as I turned on the shower, Brody wandered out of his room and sat on the couch to watch Curious George. I took a shower and got ready. The kids both had breakfast and Delaney was begging to get dressed, so while she did that, I wrestled clothes on Brody. I did her hair and she picked out a bow to wear and put her socks and shoes on without help and without being told. It's like she's in college. 

When it was time to actually leave, she got her lunch box, put it in her back pack and waltzed right out to the car where she was forced to endure the inevitable first day picture. My plan was to have "Preschool"spelled out in chalk on the wall and she would stand next to it, but alas, that did not happen. Luckily, I printed this sign, just in case. The pictures were quick- mostly because the sun was bright and she "just can't take it" and because Brody kept photo bombing each picture as he rode by on his bike. 

She's so cute!

I really don't know why she was leaning on the car.

She's a little excited.

We got in the car and I quickly rambled off every piece of advice I could think of. Make sure to use your manners, don't push, if someone is sad-try to cheer them up, make sure to wipe good, wash your hands, don't say shit or son of a bitch, wait your turn, don't kiss any one, don't talk to strangers, yes you can talk to kid strangers in your class, but not other strangers, raise your hand, push in your chair, if you fart say excuse me, don't eat your boogers, introduce yourself to people, shake hands, drink water, do your best, don't say I can't, I will be waiting for you when you get done, etc. It's only an 8 minute ride, but it was seriously as if I had never taught her anything. 

We made it to the parking lot and I had a moment. Maybe she doesn't really need to go. Right?? I didn't turn off the car right away- which annoyed her to no end. When I finally did, she was itching to get out. I grabbed Brody's hand and watched Delaney walk right through the gate, all on her own. I signed her in, walked in while she unpacked her bag, hung it up like a pro and sat down criss cross applesauce, hands in her lap. That was it. She did wave and I might have yelled, "I love you munchie so much" as loud as I could before I picked Brody up and carried him out. 

This one gets me.

Waiting to go in

God must have been watching because I didn't have a chance to be too sad- Brody was sad enough for the both of us. He pulled his hat down over his eyes so I couldn't see him crying. Then we got in the car and he kept turning around to look at Delaney's empty seat and kept asking,"Where Gawaney?" It was heartbreaking. We went home and played trains for awhile and then went to Target. The time went by so slowly. When I told Brody it was time to pick Delaney up, he was so excited! We went to school, signed her out and waited outside her classroom until the door opened and out walked a little line of preschoolers. My heart melted. She's so big. She had a great day. She sang us her welcome song and was completely dumbfounded that there were 2 Jacobs in the class. 

I am happy to report that this morning, she was just as eager to go and Brody was a little less sad. There were still tears, but no dragging him away- he walked like a big boy. Lord help me the day that he starts. I am gonna need a drink that day!

Meet Your Teacher!

Preschool. How in the world is she old enough for preschool? I try to wrap my mind around how fast time goes and am baffled. I sat in bed the night before Meet Your Teacher morning and looked at a picture of me, holding a two week old Delaney, with my friends, Ami, Mary, and Anabelle. It seems like a couple months ago- not almost 5 years ago. As much as I didn't want her to go, I knew she needed to. I knew that it would be good for Brody as well. They are together 24/7- they are on top of each other all the time! Literally, Delaney's bed is above Brody's. They have been fighting a lot and I having a small break from each other was going to be worthwhile. What I did not expect was how upset Brody was going to get. Yesterday morning, the teachers invited us to bring the kids in to see their classroom and meet their teachers- we were to stay the whole time with our child (we could stay the whole time or ten minutes-didn't matter). Delaney was up and dressed by 7:00. She picked put the dress she wanted to wear and despite it being slightly scandalous with some cleavage showing, she wore it. My mom met us at Marshall Elementary (I went to the same school for preschool!) to pick up Brody while Delaney and I hung out in her class. 

Delaney got out of the car and immediately Brody wanted to hug her and he told her that he didn't want her to go to school. It was heartbreaking. We assured him that he would see her again and persuaded him to get in Nana's car. When they left, it was time to go in!

Such a sad face. What's in the bag?? A bowling set. Don't ask.

My preschooler!

Can't get over how big she is!

 Immediately we were greeted by Mrs. Mortenson. She welcomed Delaney in and told her to play with whatever she wanted. Of course, she chose a small Little People house and asked Mrs. Mortenson to play with her! They were so cute! She was having a ball!

Mrs. Mortenson and Delaney

She finished playing with the Little People House and while I chatted with her other teacher, Mrs. Alva, Delaney spied a huge dollhouse and camped out there most of the time. 

Posing- no idea where she gets that.

Right before it was time to leave, she found the craft center- with scissors! We don't use the kid scissors too often around here- Edward Scissorhands  Brody can't so much be trusted just yet. Delaney was in heaven. While she was cutting, with her tongue concentration, I took some pictures of my little girl's cubby. She has a cubby! I swear- it was like I had never been in a classroom before (and I use to teach-Kindergarten!). 

SO our time to hang out together in preschool came to an end. She gave her teachers hugs and we walked out. Her first classroom. That was a moment. I made her take a picture in front of the school sign and in the middle of it she said, "Okay, that's enough, let's go get my brother". 

Man, talk about an emotional roller coaster. I don't think I can take all this! :)

Tomorrow's post? Her first day. 

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