What a difference a year makes!

Last year at this time I was heartbroken, angry and weeping because my "baby" was so miserable on his first day of school. He had a teacher who rarely smiled, who didn't give them a recess and who told him to go to the wrong place at dismissal.

This year I am thrilled, excited and smiling because my "not so baby anymore" was excited to go to school this morning and had a wonderful day with his 2nd grade teacher. She smiles, gave them a fabulous recess, read them her favorite book and gave them high fives or hugs on the way out the door this afternoon.

This is going to be a wonderful year!!!

Meet the Teacher

Thursday we met Jakob's 2nd grade teacher, Ms. Linn. It was a very different experience this year. Yeah!! She greeted us right when we walked in the door and said, "You must be Jakob." Jakob was all smiles. His best friend from 1st grade is in his class and he was waiting for him in the classroom. Ms. Linn talked to Jakob about his summer and about her life growing up in the Air Force. It was wonderful. Jakob and I went to the art room to see Mrs. Z and she was so happy to see us. We even went into Ms. Pavia's classroom to say hello and she saw Jakob and said, "Oh Jakob, it is so nice to see you, how was your summer?" She even gave him a hug. Now, Jakob took it all in stride and hugged her and told her about his summer. I, on the other hand, had to consciously not ask the women who she was and what had she done with that emotionless and uncaring teacher we had last year. WOW! It is going to be a great year!!!

A Week of Fun!!

Monday Jakob and I spent time with the Frego's at Pirate's Cove Water Park. It was a little disappointing after Water Country in Williamsburg, but still a fun day in the sun. The pool was huge and had a small slide and a bucket that dumped out lots of water. We spent several hours swimming and laughing and eating. The perfect summer day.
Tuesday we bought groceries, you have to eat even when you're having fun. We also played outside with friends.
Today we drove to Baltimore and visited Port Discovery Children's Museum. Jakob climbed a huge playground structure that was 3 stories tall. I followed him once and even though the sign said "parents are encouraged to join in" I struggled to climb through some fairly small places and Jakob encouraged me by saying "mommy it's a bigger opening up here". I have chosen to believe it is not my width that slowed me down but my height. They had a great water room where Jakob put himself in a bubble. So cool! There were lots of great activities. After the museum closed we walked down to the harbor and met a friend from Wichita for dinner. I met her when she was 8 and 21 years later we still have so much fun when we get together. Amazing! We made it home by 9:30 and found a wonderful letter in our mailbox. Jakob's teacher for next year is the one we were hoping to get. We were so excited we jumped up and down and called George to share our GREAT news!! Then Jakob fell into bed and was asleep within minutes.
Tomorrow we meet his teacher and attend his last book club meeting. The summer went by so quickly, but we have really enjoyed this last week. Friday is open, but I'm sure we'll find something to fill it.