Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Meet the Teacher

I am getting back on the blog wagon. I have so many things I need to cross off my to-do list and this is certainly not one of them, so I blog between crossing things off. :) I enjoy it for the most part and I am multi-tasking anyway... (eating some pasta for lunch and catching up on Facebook while the pictures load :P ).

Looking back a few weeks and in the process of catching up to real time in blogging...


The kids get to find out which class they are in, go meet their teachers and have a peek into their new room, and drop off their huge bags of school supplies the week before school starts. For kindergarten (or kin-ger-garten as Tate calls it) it is an actual set time when you come in and listen to the teacher explain about all the fun the year will bring and how best to make the year successful. For the others it was just a drop in open house kind of situation. All the kids got great teachers this year and I couldn't be more thrilled for them!


Tate with Mrs. L. She used to be the art teacher a few years back but she is a wonderful K teacher as well. Tate is one lucky little guy to have such a creative and fun teacher.


Never imagined such a change was possible for Tate in such a short period of time. In the last 4 months or so he has gone from a very anxious child to one who faces new challenges with excitement and a only a small, healthy amount of fear. It has been a miracle to watch this little guy! He has been in speech therapy for about a year now and he had lots of challenges to overcome. He is still working on these challenges, but has made such huge strides! He had such a hard time learning in the past that we really thought there was a disability but his goal seems to be proving us wrong once we have made up our minds about what he is capable of. I love that! It will be another year of dramatic growth and pure joy for Tate. I would not have believed he would be so ready for kindergarten even 4 months ago.


Both girls started up dance class again too. They are loving it and are in a couple classes together, which is so much fun for them!



Julian with Ms. A. I think she is a great teacher and I am so excited for him. His teacher last year was not a good fit for him and wasn't very supportive of all he was going through. She could not seem to appreciate all the things he was overcoming and that made it a little hard. I am so optimistic about Ms. A though, because she seems to get him a whole lot better and I think he will thrive academically in a more positive environment this year.


Sophie with Mrs. N. Sophie worked so hard on her reading this past year and over the summer. She is probably nearing grade level in her reading and is so proud of herself for being able to read chapter books like all her peers. I know she will continue to impress us with her hard work and determination. She is able to laugh at her own mistakes, and that serves her so well at school and at home. :)


Lily's teacher is sweet as can be, just like Lily! We are so impressed with Lily's academic abilities. She is quite the thinker and so bright! She has been reading above grade level since mid-year last school year and continues to climb the ladder passing many of her peers. It is hard to believe she spoke so little English only a year ago. She is a much more confident child and students than the little girl we sent to school last year. Do you remember that she cried every day at school? Hard to believe that was the same Lily Grace. This girl is one to watch!


As we walked out of the last classroom we noticed the strange sunshiney day with a little rain mixed in had turned out beautifully. There was a rainbow over the school so we stepped out to get a picture. We decided it was the sign of a great school year to come!


Julian asked me to take this picture on the way to our car. He thought the leaf looked like a heart. What a little sweetie, huh?

8 comments:

Brooke said...

Im so happy for the strides that Tate has made and for the encouraging teacher Julian will have. Your kids seem so well adjusted! All 4 will be in school- whatever will you do with youself?! Good thing you decided to keep blogging ;)

Amy...who wanted 4. said...

Our kids would LOVE your kids.
Any job opportunities in Dallas? lol
Looks like everything is cake over there! So happy for you.
LOVE the rainbow picture, and the heart leaf was prec.
Amy

Shari said...

I'm happy you decided to keep blogging =) I don't know when or how I stumbled upon your blog, but I love to "see" how your family is doing. We adopted our little ones from Russia in '04 and I love to hear other families' stories. Your kids are just precious.

DeanaMarie said...

So happy to hear that the kids have done so well over the summer. I'll bet they worked hard. :) SO glad to hear that Julian has a teacher that "gets him". That is so important. As always, your kids look so adorable! :) I'm glad you decided to keep blogging! I love to glean from your posts especially since we both brought home kids who weren't babies anymore. You are doing such an awesome job!!!

mason's mom said...

do you put gel in Julian and Tate's hair?

Kevin and Krista said...

Brooke, mostly laundry. Ha, ha. ;)

Amy, I know. We would have too much fun together. :) Everything here is so not cake though.

Hi Shari, thanks for saying hello. :)

Deana, I love comparing notes with you. Seems like we have similar parenting styles, tastes, and kids too. Yes, we both know the teacher can make a huge difference. For any kid, obviously but especially for those who have obstacles to overcome and need someone in their corner. :)

Mason's mom, yes. Gel and hairspray. They always have their hair done, just like the girls. :) They love it and don't like to leave the house without it.

The McEacherns said...

So glad you decided to keep blogging! It's great to hear of the kids' progress. I'm sure they'll go even further this year! Blessings to your beautiful family!

mason's mom said...

I was asking about the gel because my son Mason's hair is crazy and I use gel but I cannot get that cute flip in the front that Tate and Julian have. I will try the hairspray.