Tuesday, September 29, 2015

A Boring Post about My School Pick-Up Routine

Just a quick note to let the world know that we are still alive (but if you're a Facebook friend you already know that).  Life with 4 kiddos is going well.  Busy, but well.  The boys are a month into their new preschool program at Jardin International preschool.  They go three days a week from 9am-3pm, which was a longer day than we had imagined for them for their last year of preschool, but it's what is "required" for the Pre-K year at this new (to us) school.  Chloë only did 3 days a week from 8am-12noon for her Pre-K year.  That said, the new schedule does work out pretty well as they don't have to sit in the car and wait in the pick-up line with me on the days that I pick Chloë up at her school.  Her dismissal is 2:20pm and their's, like I said, is 3pm.  It's ALMOST perfect...just a little too long of a gap to be completely perfect.  I pick up Chloë and we usually have 15-20 minutes of "free" time before I get the boys.  Not long enough to do much, but we occasionally run into Target or get gas or some quick errand between the schools.  Or we just sit in the parking lot at the boy's school and talk and she'll have a snack.  It gives me some one-on-one time with Chloë to hear about her day....though she doesn't always like to tell me much or talk about her day so soon after getting out of school...but if I bring her a yummy snack she'll talk more :)  Like I said, we're still working this all out.  Where is Ella, you ask?  Well, so far it has worked out well that I can put her down for a nap at home bit before I leave to start the pick-ups and she'll stay asleep.  She's still in a crib so I don't worry about her getting out...and, in case you were about to call CPS on me), don't forget Myke works at home so he's just across the hall and listens out for her.

So, the pick-up routine is much smoother this year than last.  Also, I only have to do that on Mondays & Wednesdays.  Tuesday & Thursdays Chloë takes a bus with other kids from her school to the local YMCA and partakes in an after-school skate program at their skate park.  Fridays she has early-release day (12:45pm) so that day is different than the others.

I can't tell 100% how much the boys like school.  They will sometimes say they don't want to go, but they have always wanted to be home with mommy instead of going somewhere that I wasn't going to be.  They'll say it once (mainly Eli) but then have no problem getting in the car, getting dropped off, etc.  The entire day is in Spanish for them, so that's a big difference from last year, obviously.  I'm sure that has a lot to do with it.  They have no clue what their teacher saying (well, hopefully now, a month into the program, they know A LITTLE of what their teacher saying!)

The boys have started T-ball with an association called Little Rookies.  So far they seem to enjoy it, which I'm thrilled about, as they are pretty timid and shy with new things like that.  Soccer last Spring was a big FAIL.  Little Rookies has very small ratio of kids to instructor and the guys who work with the kids are great!  At least from what I've seen so far...we're only 2 weeks in.

Chloë starts soccer this Saturday so we'll see how that goes.  Ella has had 3 weeks of a little Mommy and Me Preschool class held at a local children's clothing store.  She loves that she has "her school".  It's very low key and relaxed (almost too much, in my opinion) but she gets to bring an art project home every week and she plays with Play-Doh, has circle time, gets a snack, etc.  So she's a happy camper.  Also, it helps me to slow down and focus on her on the mornings that I have with just her instead of just dragging her around on errands, which is my usual routine.  I'm trying to be better about that with all the kids...but that's a topic for another blog entry and another day.

I just can't believe my BABY is going to be THREE in February!!  I just realized the other day that I've NEVER HAD MY YOUNGEST CHILD BE 2 1/2.  
This is a first.  I want her to stay little forever.  She's sweet and sassy and kind and loving and empathetic and just beautiful all around.  I couldn't have asked for a better 4th child, temperament-wise.  Myke and I count our lucky stars on a regular basis.

Okay, going to close!  Good Night!