BACK TO SCHOOL

Well, we are officially back to school, and there are some big FIRSTS for all of us in the O'Hearn household.

First, I came back to a brand new principal and a different classroom and teaching position. BIG changes! For those of you who don't know, I've been a special education teacher in a kindergarten classroom where I team taught with my friend Laurie for the past 10 years.  Recently, our dear principal passed away and CPS also changed policies that they no longer want blended kindergarten classrooms (where special ed students and regular ed students are taught together with 2 teachers). I was not given much of a choice, so now I am the Gen-Ed Pre-K teacher. I'll admit, I do love working with this age group (which is why I have an early childhood degree). But let me tell you, preschool is HARD work! I'm adjusting to all the differences and changes, though. I really like those cute little kids too. =)  If only I could just work 3 days a week and then have 4 days to focus on just being a good mom and wife (and maybe get a little ME time too!).  

The SECOND big change is that my little baby Alice is in preschool!

Yes, she has a dress code! Isn't that crazy?! (But kinda cute too)

She is in the 3-year-old class down the hall from me. It was a rough transition for her. She cried a little bit each day the first week.  It was heartbreaking for me that first week, when I saw her in the hall crying. I was torn, because I was working, but she was my baby. She just kept asking me to hold her for a while, which I couldn't do for very long because I had my students to worry about as well. I, of course, snuck in a few good hugs and kisses, and she was ok thanks to RoseyAnn who she knows and is the aide in her classroom.
And as we close out week 3, I'm happy to say that she loves school now and smiles whenever I see her in the hall.

Just like her brother.

Strike a pose! Little Diva

In the kitchen "baking" up a storm

And the third, and biggest milestone of a change is that our baby boy is off to kindergarten.  How can this be already?! Well, he's certainly ready for it, but I don't know that I am!

As we were waiting in the car before school, he told me he was so nervous (I didn't tell him this, but I was too). But then when we got there, he was his calm and cool self.

 

 Parents were allowed to stay in the class with the kids for the first few minutes, and Jack would look over and whisper to me, "Make sure you give me a big hug, a big kiss, and a regular hug and regular kiss before you leave" (That's what he asks for every time I leave for work or when he goes to bed). So of course, I delivered on those hugs, but when I did, we both had to fight back the tears (and he got a few extras). It was bittersweet.

He was super excited about having his own locker

When I got home from work, I met my mom, Kerry, and Hildy at the park where they were having a picnic. It was such a great way to celebrate the kids' first day of school (Jack, Shane, and Ryan all go to the same school).

I love these women so much! They are my angels who are always watching over my kids for me.

So, it's a farewell to the lazy and fun summer days. The warm (sometimes too warm) weather is sticking around, so our afternoons and weekends will hopefully still be filled with good times outdoors.