Callum's First Day of Pre-K

One thing the rona has taught me is I can feel all the feelings, even conflicting ones, and still make decisions. I'm nervous about the virus and I would consider us more cautious than many around us. I didn't want Connor and Isla going back to school because of so much exposure. But I felt comfortable with Callum going back to preschool. There were many reasons for this, mainly being they had to cut class sizes and the classes at preschool can't co-mingle. Him being exposed to 15 kids felt much different than Connor having 35 kids in his class...which is INSIDE a school building. Callum's class door is outside, so no walking through halls with other people. 

I was excited for Callum to go back to school. I think this whole pandemic has been hardest on him. He doesn't understand why he doesn't get to play with other kids. But, he wasn't excited about going back. He kept saying he wanted to go back to his 3 year old class and not a new class. I was nervous dropping him off on his first day, as he was very quiet and reserved which isn't like him. And recently, he acted like that when I took him to the dentist. He was so nervous that he ended up vomiting all over at the dentist. I was afraid of a replay of that happening at school. THANKFULLY, my fears were unfounded. And by day two, he ran into his class all excited for show and tell. 

Let's talk about what Callum wants to be when he grows up, haha! This kid is full of personality and obviously doesn't want to be put in a box and labeled with what he wants to be when he grows up. He has never once given me a serious answer to this. It will be interesting to see if that eventually changes over time. 

^^ This is a classic Callum pose. He doesn't like to pose serious/smiling and would much rather be silly. 

you can also find me on:

bloglovin // instagram // pinterest 

Callum's "last day" of Preschool

This past Wednesday would have been Callum's last day of preschool. It would have ended with a cheesy promotion ceremony that I would have just eaten up. Then, after the ceremony had ended, there would have been a pizza party for the kids and their families. I would have taken one last photo of Callum with his teachers. And we would have collected his end of year crafts. Alas, none of that happened.

I still remember Callum's last day of school. It was surreal. The news of the virus hit hard and fast and mass panic spread quickly. On his last day of school, five kids attended in his class. People were scared. And I think we had five cases of the virus in our county at that point. I remember speculating with the teachers what would happen with the school closure. I don't think any of us thought it would last until the end of the year. Had I thought it would, I probably would have lingered chatting with those ladies a little longer (I love his teachers!) and would have taken one last photo of him with them. Hindsight.

Honestly, Callum doesn't really realize what he is missing out on. He doesn't even necessarily understand what is going on. He will ask to go places "when people aren't sick anymore". And when I tell him that he will be in a different class at school next year, he insists that he wants to go back to being three and stay in the same class at "playdough school".

Callum loved school and loved being around other kids. He loved playing in the sandbox and singing the songs on the carpet. Sending him to school was such a good thing for him and I really do hope they are able to open again in the fall.

You can also find me on:

bloglovin // instagram // pinterest

School Halloween Parades

Both of the kids schools do Halloween parades and I just love it. It's just one of those childhood things I truly enjoy...as many of the school activities I find just over the top. Callum's preschool started doing a Halloween parade Isla's last year there, so Connor never got to do it until elementary school. But watching preschoolers get all dressed up in their adorable costumes and awkwardly parade around is just the best. Callum ended up ditching his helmet halfway through the parade. The teacher tried putting it back on, but he wasn't having it. Also, Callum's parade was the day before Halloween, which really worked out well for me. He only goes to school two days a week and it was just how it worked out. But otherwise, I would have had to miss one or the other, as I can't be at two schools at the same time. So I am grateful for that happening. 

The older kids elementary school takes Halloween very seriously. All the kids parade around to music, then the choir sings for everyone. We didn't stay for the choir, as Callum was all over the place, obviously feeding off the fun energy in the air, haha. Also, let me show you the nice pictures of Connor, then you can scroll down and see how Connor really felt about me taking his picture! 

^^ Connor really wanted this costume, even though it was a bit too small for him. Why do the precious costumes have to stop at smaller sizes and then only the scary or ridiculous costumes are available in larger sizes?! Oh well. 

^^ What a turkey!!!

Then there's Isla. She has been a witch for the past three years. Her best friend tried convincing her to be something else this year, but she obviously wasn't convinced. I got rid of the costume she wore the past two years, as it was looking rather tore up...and I thought maybe then she would chose to be something else this year. Nope! I guess being a witch is just her thing. If you didn't see the picture of Isla and her black cat on instagram, you can see it here...because it's too cute to miss. Isla also still gets super excited to see us at things, so that is nice for us, haha. 

You can also find me on:

bloglovin // instagram // pinterest 

Callum's Preschool Open House

Just before we left on our trip to Nashville was Callum's preschool open house. As a mother, these are the types of things I eat up. Adorable little crafts, children proud of their artwork, proud of their classrooms, lovers of their teachers. Preschool is just such a sweet, sweet time. And I just love that the big crafts they do are the exact same ones that Connor and Isla did as well. 

The open house itself was rather chaotic with a million families smooshed into one classroom with preschoolers running every direction taking parents on a scavenger hunt of their classroom. But Callum enjoyed himself, and thats what matters. He also enjoyed showing off his obviously amazing artwork. 

^^ I didn't keep much artwork of the kids, but when I was cleaning out a closet the other day, I found both Connor and Isla's jellyfish like this. Now I feel like I should do something with them, since I have all three. I also thought that the preschool better still do this craft when it's Willa's turn!  

In case you wondered just how similar the crafts were with the other kids, totally samsies. Here's the proof - Connor and Isla. The entire building has undergone a renovation since we were last in that class five years ago, but the crafts remain the same! 

You can also find me on:

bloglovin // instagram // pinterest

Callum's First Day of Preschool

It's funny how different things can feel the third time around. I remember being so nervous with Connor. Feeling like I was leaving him with total strangers. After all, I was. Now, it's our third time in the same classroom and it just feels, well, normal.

There was no crying or clinging for Callum on the first day of school. He just ran in and started playing. Later I realized I never really said bye to him and was afraid he would be sad when he realized I was gone. That never happened. The kid was MORE than ready to start school. Of course the first day of school was also show and tell. They reminded us at the preview day and I of course totally forgot. #momfail

Callum was insistent on not only bringing his backpack on the first day of school, but also me packing his lunch. I first just threw a few snacks in his bag, but he got mad until I actually packed him a lunch. But I guess it worked out, as it gave him something to eat once he got home.

^^ Callum destroyed his first day of school craft in the car on the way home, so I guess it's good that I at least took this picture before we left!

Though I'm excited for Callum to be in school and get some socialization, I kind of forgot how busy having an extra drop off and pick up makes the day feel. It just makes things feel so much busier and like there is less downtime. Oh well, such is life. 

You can also find me on:

bloglovin // instagram // pinterest

Isla's Preschool Graduation

This not so little girl graduated from preschool last week. It seems crazy that this journey with Isla is over. It seems only weeks ago that Connor's teacher was encouraging me to start Isla in preschool at a little under 3 years old, rather than waiting. So I went for it. Then we decided to keep her there for pre-k for two years in a row and even chose to have to same amazing teachers both years. I remember Isla's first year of school how she brought the same thing to show and tell almost every week, a stuffed kitty. This girl's love of crafts is amazing. And so is her love of her friends. She has grown and changed so much in the three years she has been at lighthouse. And so have I. Honestly, I know I am having a way harder time saying goodbye than she is. Though she really is bummed about leaving so many of her friends. But about the graduation. 

During the graduation there was a slideshow of the year set to music. Isla asked if she could dance in the isle next to me and I said yes. Then her little friend sitting behind us joined her. We were sitting toward the back and they danced their way to the front. Once they got up there, a bunch of kids joined in. Isla even managed to make her way on to the stage. It was all pretty funny. Then, when it was Isla's turn to graduate and walk across the stage, she stopped and curtsied at her teacher Cindy. This girl, she certainly doesn't lack personality! 

After the graduation was a reception. Isla was pretty hyped up. She wanted to run around with all her friends and wasn't super happy about me making her stop to take pictures. It was a really good night. I lingered around saying goodbye to Isla's teachers. I even made them take a picture with me. It's hard to put into words what they have meant to me over the past three years (they had Connor one year, then Isla for two). I'm really going to miss them.  

^^ Isla and I with her teachers. And there she goes curtsying again! 

^^ Isla with my parents

^^ Isla with Ian's parents

^^ Isla with my brother...which it's kind of fitting that she would make a funny face in a picture with her fun uncle. 

And a little look back at Isla's time at preschool - her first day of preschool (both her and Connor were so little!), my first preschool mother's day tea with her, her first day of pre-k and her first day of pre-k year two.

You can also find me on:

bloglovin // instagram // pinterest 

Last Day of School

^^ She wasn't in the mood for cute smiles...and is now in that phase where she thinks it is oh so funny when she closes her eyes for pictures, so lets just say I felt lucky to get this.

^^ Same shirt first day and last day, just not as white ;)

Last week was both the kids last week of school. Isla ended on Wednesday and Connor on Thursday. A mom in Isla's class actually hosted all the girls in the class for a mani-pedi party after school and then she had graduation that evening, which I think I will talk about later, but imagine Isla starting a dance party in the isles during her graduation...true story.  

Connor's last day of school was met with more sadness than Isla's. I think he is at that age where he just understands it means he doesn't get to see his friends all the time anymore and he won't have the same teachers again. But he had a fun last day of school full of yearbook signings, movie watching and fun award getting...though he was given the "jokester" award and was totally offended by it. Ian and I find it hysterical and ironic that he was offended by it because, lets just say there have been numerous times we have been talked to by his teachers about his jokes coming at the wrong times or going too far. Memories though...stories I can share with his kids later, or use to comfort his wife later when it's his kids acting that way. 

Isla truly said she wanted to be almost everything and that there are just so many things she wants to be that she cannot choose. 

Connor, on the other hand, wants to be a waiter at a diner in town, no less. #lifegoals. The good news is, in a thing he brought home from school on the last day, he said he wants to be a software engineer (I didn't even know he knew what that was!!!) so there is hope that he won't be living with us well into his 30's.

And just like that, the school year is over. Preschool is behind us (cue all the tears). But summer man. No alarm clocks. Pool time. Play dates. Travel. It will be bliss.

You can also find me on:

bloglovin // instagram // pinterest 

Mother's Day Tea Party with Isla

^^ All the moms were given a flower clip to put in their hair before entering the tea. Isla stole my flower at the first opportunity. 

^^ She looks overjoyed singing her mother's day song, haha!

^^ With her friends (from left) Becca, Aubrella, Aubrey, Ally and Isla.

On Friday, I had a last with Isla...cue all the tears. My last mother's day tea party with Isla. I have loved these since Connor started preschool. They are just such a fun and special time with each kid. And Isla has been with these teachers for the past two years, since we decided to skip transitional kindergarten and have her do pre-k again, and we opted for the same teachers the second year. So it is a bit of a tough goodbye. But back to the mother's day tea. It was an under the sea theme. The kids sang a song, then joined us at the tables. They made the most adorable canvas, that is currently perched on our mantle. I love it so much. I think it may be my favorite mother's day craft yet, though I do still have all of them from preschool still displayed around our house (five in total). 

Seating at the tea was assigned, and Isla and I were with the group of girls pictured above and their moms. It was such a fun table. We were laughing about how we were grubbing out on the food and every other table was barely eating anything. It really was a fun group. I know Isla is going to be sad, not having any of these girls at school with her next year. But she is super excited that one of the boys in her class with be at kindergarten with her and she talks about it and tells people all the time. It's really cute. 

Now that I think about it, I really am glad I got this special time with Isla because all our mother's day plans were derailed when not only did Ian get the flu, but so did my poor mom that came into tow for mother's day. Even if we didn't get to go all out celebrating, I am still so thankful for my title as mom. It is probably one of my most coveted titles I have. It means the world to me and the kids that call me it mean more than the world to me.   

You can also find me on:

bloglovin // instagram // pinterest