First Parent Orientation

Or how we used to call it where I come from: "prima sedinta cu parintii!" :) This fall brought a lot of "firsts" with it, the biggest one being kindergarten. I, probably like any other first-time-first-kid-in-kindergarten parent or mother, have been full of excitement, anxiety, anticipation, and hope. I dilligently got on the classroom website the first day of school, attentively eye-scanned all the information out there, checked every day afterwards for any new information, and I just looked forward to the first parent orientation with the teacher on Thursday night. So I went and I'm so happy to know that Ella has a wonderful teacher. Ms. Brininstool knows her stuff and she will show these kids a great time this their first year of school. The curriculum looks great, lots of hands-on classroom activities, frield trips, magazines, book clubs, technology, all in all, tons of great learning opportunities. It makes me even more excited to know what's in store for this year! Speaking of technology, last night I got to use a smart board for the VERY FIRST TIME in my life!!! And it was pretty cool! The teacher let us play with it recognizing that of course the vast majority in our generation did not get to interact with one of these while going to school or even now, well into our adulthood. (There is talk that they would make these a common-place thing at the office, but I haven't seen any yet.)

I signed up to volunteer in the classroom and for the PTA, as time permits. I'm one of the room reps (or parents, how some call it) and I really look forward to helping in any way I can because I know it'll make it a bit easier on the teacher, kids, and most importantly, I know it makes my sweet bunny happy to know mommy is there and involved, and that she may even get to see her once-in-a-while at school. 

Now on to some pictures as they make the day/blog/book brighter and happier!

These are from the "color homework" Ella had every day of this past week. They wore a designated color every day and their homework was to draw or bring cut-outs with the color of the day. Fun stuff!

She made the white stars (on the white), cherrie-in-a-heart & Jonathan apple (on the red), coconut tree and green flower (on the green), and cat & moon (on the purple.)

And finally, while I was at the parent orientation night, Ella was at ballet with daddy and brought this home:

Yup, that's right-- auditions for the Nutcracker.

They let 5-7 year-olds audition so I asked Ella: "Hey babe, do you want to do it? You could be in a play, on the stage just like the big ballerinas!" After a quick moment of thinking, a bit of a "ummm...", she exploded back and said with a big grin on her face: "On the stage? In the spotlights? Wearing a tutu and a nice costume, make-up and bun???" And then I knew she was in! She wanted to try-out. I told her there's no guarantee she'd make it but it'd worth a try. And I saw a bit of myself in her, that bit that gets into things that sometimes may be (too) hard or signs-up for what seems (too) much, or just says "yes" when the there's a chance to do something challenging but fun!

I guess we'll have to wait and see how it goes, but it'll be fun though just to try-out.

(I love my baby!)