A Day in Preschool with Brody

A couple of weeks before Thanksgiving, Brody came home and said, "Mom, how come you never come help in my preschool...other Mommies do." UGH, seriously...think there was a little guilty mommy syndrome there??  I initially figured I would just have to take some time off of work one day to make it happen, when I realized the day before Thanksgiving break was a true half day for me...no let the students leave early, but teachers have to stay late kinda thing.  It was also a Wednesday, which is a preschool day for Brody...SCORE!  I finished my work day and took Maddi to meet my dad and Brody for some lunch and then my dad and I swapped kids, so I could take Brody to school and hang out with him for the whole afternoon.  He was so excited to have Mommy at school with him...it was pretty awesome.

Momma and her boy

1.  "Checking in" for the day = writing his name all by himself

so proud!
This was not something he could do before he started school in September 

2.  Wash hands before anything else 

3.  Free Play (with LOTS and LOTS of stations/options)
Again, like at Jack's birthday party, he didn't want to play with friends, just played by himself and wanted me to watch.

4.  Circle Time
This is when they sing songs, talk about the plans for the afternoon, do the calendar.  This particular day was the first day Mrs. McGimpsey started to talk about Christmas and the meaning behind it.  

precious... 

5.  Free Play again, this time with art included
You have no idea how much of this "free art" we end up with each day of school...it's quite a collection. 

melted crayon station...he loves this.

6.  It's Wednesday, so that means time to go to Chapel!

7.  Recess time!

Somehow I missed snack time, but that pretty much sums up a day in the school life of Brody.  So glad I got to experience it with him!

Disney on Ice

Maddi and I were so excited when Maureen asked if we would want to join Maeve & her for Disney on Ice in Everett.  While the long drive for an evening sounded exhausting, the thought only lasted for a second because I knew Maddi and I would have a blast seeing these two Nikonov girls regardless.  We were even able to sneak in a quick bite to eat before the show (after racing up I-5 after Maddi's Nutcracker rehearsal).  Maureen was afraid Maddi would be too old for Disney on Ice, and honestly I think I was too, but I think she genuinely enjoyed it (not just getting to see Maeve, which was initially the only thing I thought she really was excited for).  The show was perfect...not too long, not too short.  I never felt like I was going to fall asleep, which is huge for me...HA!  Maeve on the other hand, had to warm up to the whole thing.  There were definitely some tears in the beginning, but then again, I suppose Fantasia is just a little dark and scary ;)

Afterwards, we grabbed some Starbucks together before it was time for Maddi and I to head back down the road.  Thanks again Nikonov gals...we're always in for ANY reason to hang out with you!

bad picture, but you get the idea...
love these two!

Maeve is not a fan yet...

love the ears, ladies!

Brody's First Preschool Birthday Party

I can't tell you how excited Brody was to receive his very first preschool friend birthday invitation in the mail back in November.  It was a Hot Wheels invitation from his buddy Jack and he was looking forward to the Hot Wheels themed party for days and days until it was time to go!  It was funny to watch him interact (or lack thereof) with his school friends.  As social and outgoing as he is, he was very content to check things out and play with Jack's toys alone while the other boys rough housed and acted like a bunch of crazy 4/5 year olds!

All the boys (minus the girl who is a neighbor, and one boy who went to preschool with Jack last year) go to preschool together.  Ummm...does Brody have the short gene??

painting wooden cars...right up Brody's alley

I think he took the longest out of everyone but that girl you see in the back...so meticulous!

Hot Wheels piñata...Candy Time!

Veteran's Day off with the kids

I had a great day off with the kids (Lilly included)...started the day off by taking my dad out for breakfast at IHOP for Veteran's Day (can't believe I didn't get a picture with him and the kids!).  We are so thankful for and proud of his 22 years of service.

Then off to the Children's Hands on Museum we went.  We were there for hours at yet it still didn't seem long enough to the kids...they love that place.  I've decided the next time we go, it's membership time.  There's something for all three of the kids (Maisie included), which is exciting.

yummy!

Maisie got to play some, but spent a lot of time in here too :)

it was a beautifully sunny day, but COLD!

This was the first time we got to experience their outdoor play space and it was amazing.  The only problem was that it was TOO cold, so we couldn't stay out for too long.  This will be great when the weather starts to get nicer!

Maisie had a blast, which was exciting for me...we get to experience the museum in a whole new way with her <3 td="">