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First Day of School 2013

Posted on September 9, 2013 10:33 am by TheAngelForever

Last year, I brought my “baby” to kindergarten and it was a hard moment for me to get through. This year, the first day of school was even more bittersweet. This is the last time my boys will ever be in the same school together. I love knowing that they are in the same building just in case they need something from their brother.

This morning, the boys were ready for school in record time. TechyDad stayed home with us to go for first morning drop off together. Before heading out, the boys posed for a traditional first day of school photos together. Here are my first and fifth grader before going to school.

NHL was so excited to head back to school. Routines are huge for him and school provides that. He was so positive and trying to perk up his little brother. These are items I will miss when they are not heading in the same direction next year. I will cherish watching them walk to the car together.

I will try to savor the moments of them chatting with each other when walking into the building rather than focus on them bickering.

While I sit in a house that seems too quiet, I have a few simple wishes on this first day of school. I wish for both of my boys to have a wonderful year ahead of them. I wish for NHL and JSL to learn, grow, and be the best that they can while helping others in the process. I wish for no drama and tears in the days ahead. Most importantly, I hope to see smiles and excitement about learning new things about the world around them.

It's Me

Categories:
parenting school

Back to School Monsters Style

Posted on September 4, 2013 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

September means back to school in New York State. My kids still have a few more days at home and we trying to take advantage of the time. When I was thinking about a September calendar shot for this year, I automatically thought about Monsters University. While my kids are not heading off to college, they will be going back to school with new hopes and dreams to learn as much as possible. So to all of the kids and educators out there, I wish you a wonderful year ahead.

Be sure to stop by Focused on the Magic by clicking on the button above to join in the Disney magic this week.

Categories:
Disney school

Goodbye to Summer

Posted on September 2, 2013 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

It seems like only yesterday that the boys were finishing school. The last week of June came and suddenly we had an entire summer ahead of us. Now, I sit here in disbelief that the kids go back to school in a week. I wish we would have more time to go to the park to run in the spray ground that will be closing after Labor Day.

Our relatively care free days are going to be changing. Soon there will be days in school learning, nights with homework, after school activities, and less time for running and playing together. The items pictured below and more will be heading back with the boys to first and fifth grade.

While I wish I could rewind to spend more time with the boys enjoying the moments, I do look forward to seeing all that they will learn in the year ahead.

What will you miss most about the summer and what do your children miss most about school?

Categories:
family school summer

Tuesday Tales – Rufus Goes to School

Posted on August 27, 2013 7:00 am by TheAngelForever

Back to school in our house means more reading, especially for the boys. While we have read over the summer, it was not nearly as focused. As we get ready for going back to school in September, first grader JSL and I have been gearing up on books related to school. Last year, he really latched onto The Kissing Hand to give him comfort when going to a new school and entering Kindergarten. This year, I was looking for books that would give him self confidence and remind him about the amazing things he can do and learn in school. The timing of an email from Sterling Publishing about a new book called Rufus Goes to School was perfect. I immediately asked JSL if he wanted to help me to review it.

While the cute little pig named Rufus was a selling point in the email that I received, the book trailer sealed the deal. JSL wanted could not wait to read the book and kept asking when it would arrive.

As you can see in the video, the illustrations by Valerie Gorbachev are beautiful and really make Rufus and his tale come to life. Author Kim T. Griswell introduces us to Rufus and we watch him problem solve a way to go to school. He is a very determined pig and has to figure out a plan to get Principal Lipid to listen to him. Needless to say, JSL thought that the principal was not being nice to Rufus. Each time he would say he could not go to school, we would cheer on our little hero and wonder what he would think of next.

What impresses me most about this book is the message. Children that read this will see that the small little pig does not give up. He is determined to follow his dream and pursues this in a polite way no matter how others have tried to stop him. This charming picture book will inspire young children heading back to school to keep believing and use their words to be self advocates for what they want. JSL and I highly recommend this book for kids as they go back to school this year. He has already asked me to share it with his teacher and I think we will ask if it can go in for read aloud.

What books do you enjoy reading with your children for back to school? I would love for you to share them below. As always, Tuesday Tales is all about sharing our love of books. Please let me know what you have read recently. Be sure to link up to your book posts in the comments below. Include something you read on your own, with a child, or someone else.

Disclosure: As noted above, I received this book from Sterling Publishing to review. No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.

Categories:
books school Tuesday Tales

The Great 2013 School Supply List

Posted on July 18, 2013 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

It seems like the boys just finished up school and yet I am already focused on securing school supplies for the 2013-2014 academic year. When the boys left school on the last day, they already had their school supply lists tucked away with their report cards. While I could just push the lists to the side, I know right now is the time to find bargains on the items that we need at retailers. As a teacher, and now as a parent, I watch and wait for the items that we need and get them during our travels. Our collection officially started to grow on Independence Day weekend thanks to some nice sales at Target and Staples. Then, the other day, I stumbled upon some crayons on sale at Toys R Us. Since it is a tradition since NHL started school, I always share our lists and am curious what other people need to buy for their children.

This represents some items for both of the boys with a lot of additional items already in our house and some more that need to be bought. So what does our second full year of both boys in school look like for lists? Check out below to see what our classrooms are requiring this year. Past lists can be seen by clicking here.

1st Grade Supply List

Two composition notebooks (black & white)
A book bag or backpack
Pencils (Ticonderoga are great)
Scissors
1 large pink eraser
1 box of crayons (24 or less)
Markers (10 count box)
2 boxes of tissues (to be shared with the class)
5 glue sticks
A small plastic supply box
Three folders with pockets on the bottom
One container of baby wipes (to be shared with the class)
One box of dry erase markers
Paper towels

This list seems pretty standard in my mind. NHL’s list from grade one is here and was in another school and quite similar.

5th Grade Supply List

One pack of 16 colored pencils <— Does anyone know what brand since we can not find these in any searches?
Two packages of loose-leaf composition paper (wide ruled)
Money for the School organizer/assignment book
A pack of dry erase markers
A good handheld sharpener
2 dozen #2 pencils
A small paperback dictionary
1 roll of paper towels
2 large boxes of tissues
1 package of Hi-liters (4)
7 two-pocket folders: Red, Green, Blue, Yellow, Purple, White, Orange, and any color for music
1 package of black or blue pens
1 package of baby wipes
5 black composition notebooks <— Thank you no color coding with these this year!
1 package of 3×5 index cards
Elmer’s or Scotch brand glue sticks
Scissors

The list seems reasonable given what we have had in previous years. As noted, we can not find a 16 pack of colored pencils, white plastic folders do not exist (I do not buy the paper ones so they last with NHL), and I can’t believe my kiddo needs pens this year. *GULP* – reality is that NHL will be in middle school in a year.

So what items are on your school supply lists? Have you found any really great sales yet? Please share below. I really am a school supply geek, I think it’s the teacher in me.