Little Shepherd Boy

I can't believe it is already February!! Where has this year gone??

I have so many things to catch up on.

So many things have happened the last few months!

Back in December Derek's Preschool class did a Nativity for the opening of their Wednesday morning chapel.

The little ones all looked so cute dressed up as all the characters from that blessed event!

Derek's friend Anika was an Angel, she LOVES dressing up in pretty dresses and was having a blast that morning!

Derek was very excited to be one of the Shepherds!

I think his favorite part was that he got to carry a staff as a prop!

Derek's friend Trenton was a wise man with a crown and everything!

The kids did great up on the stage. Even with the shepherds swinging their staffs up and down. At least they didn't try to hit each other with them during their time on the stage!

They sang a few songs then it was time to head on down to their seats!

Mrs. Williams does a great job with all the little ones!

I did it mom!!

Do I have to give this staff back??

First Field Trip

Derek had his first school field trip a couple weeks ago. He got to ride in the school van with all his other classmates. 

He was SO excited because they were going to one of his favorite places....

HOME DEPOT!!

They got to tour the store and make a special project! They also were given a Home Depot orange apron! How fun!

Derek shared his "flower pot" creation with Mommy and Daddy!!

School Fun

Derek has been having a fun time at school. Here is his name badge to show where he sits each day. His teacher mixes them up, so they are in a new spot everyday!

At Derek's open house he had to show me where the colors were. He showed me which color he wanted to be on! Green of course! To read more about this "stoplight" tool, read this post!

Derek's classroom is full of fun things to play with and learn with! He showed us all the fun toys he likes. He loved the little cash register toy!!

This is where Derek hangs his bag up. We are still working on trying to figure out which spot is his each day but I think he is finally recognizing his name!

Green Light

Derek is learning a lot at preschool! His letters and numbers and even how to write (or trace at this point) his name!! But one of the big things he is learning is to listen, behave and be kind to one another.

At school they use a stop light method for behavior. Good behavior keeps you on the green light. Not so good behavior moves you to the yellow light and really not so good behavior to the red light!!

I will admit that my boy has been at all three colors so far this year!! Last week he had 2 out of 3 "good days" so he was able to pick out of the treasure box at the end of the week! He picked a green bouncy ball and was so excited!

This week he had a not so good day on Monday but today he had a great day and was sent home this little certificate for good manners and behavior!

I try to use these times to really praise his behavior and tell him how happy I am and how proud of him I am. I have been talking with Derek every night before school and every morning of school and other random times about behaving and making Mommy happy by listening and being good. On Monday (the not so good day) when I went to get Derek the first thing he said to me was "Are you happy Mommy?", I should have suspected something was up because of the way he said it. So as we were walking to the car I asked him if he got in trouble today and he said he got put on "red". At least he told me the truth on his own and we had a good talk on the way home about behavior and listening!

I know there will be "red" days and "yellow" days but it makes me so happy on "green" days like today!

First Day of School

Derek had his first day of school ever on Monday! He was so excited to start preschool!

The day before I was trying to decide what to have Derek wear for his first day of school so I asked him what he wanted to wear and he says "hmmm, maybe a swimsuit"! Ha! As you can see he didn't get to wear his swimsuit!

For preschool they wanted them to have a canvas bag instead of a backpack, this bag is the only one we could find! It is a little big for Derek and with all the school supplies he had to take on the first day it was getting a little heavy for him to hold! So he decided to kneel for some of the pictures!

Derek hanging up his "backpack" on the first day!

Daddy helped Derek with his bin for his art supplies! Derek was just taking it all in on that day and I'm not sure he knew exactly what to expect, but he was very excited to have little places in the room that were just for him!

I'm all set Mom! See you later!

I did pretty well, I had a few emotional moments dropping him off for that first day! My little boy is growing up! But Derek loved his class and teacher and I know he will have a great year!

Today I dropped him off for his second day and he kept asking me to take his picture. As he was getting out of the car at the school he says "Mommy, we didn't take any pictures today" then when I dropped him off at his classroom he kept saying Mommy take my picture! So cute, unfortunately Mommy didn't have her camera today!

Off to a great start

Last night was open house at Caleb and Levi's school. We got to go meet in the gymnasium at the school with all the other parents and kids and be introduced to all the teachers and staff. Then the boys got to take us to their classrooms to see their desks and meet their teachers.

Caleb sitting on his desk in his homeroom classroom

Levi with his teacher Mrs. Russell

Levi sitting at his desk in his classroom

After all the classroom fun the boys just had to go on the awesome slide at their school. This pictures doesn't really do it justice. It's actually a super long slide that goes all the way down the side of the hill!

The new school year is off to a great start. The boys are both enjoying their teachers and like their new classrooms. Caleb also started cross country this week and has been coming home everyday with red cheeks and lots of sweat!

Derek keeps asking when he is starting school. Only 5 more days!

School Time!

The boys on their first day of school. They were excited but a little nervous! It's going to be a busy day. Levi has a dentist appointment and gets to leave school for a little bit and both older boys have to go to the doctor for their annual check ups after school and some needed immunizations!





Caleb is in 6th grade this year.
Levi is in 4th grade.
Derek will be in Preschool this year but his school doesn't start for another week and a half!