Ode to Teacher Jessica

Words cannot describe how grateful we are for our Teacher Jessica!

Colin switched rooms at the beginning of the year, leaving behind his friends and his beloved Teacher Tina (and Stephanie!). He was in a completely new environment and a little out of his element. Within a few weeks, we were given notice that he was going to have yet another new teacher as his current teacher was leaving the school. Colin had already struggled a bit with all of the changes. I remember him telling me one day that he didn't have a class (or friends) because he felt like he was constantly moving around. Now he was going to have to go through it all again.

Enter Teacher Jessica. How she does it, we will never know. There were days when I couldn't even handle just stepping into the room to pick Colin up. 10 four-year-olds is more than any one person should handle at one time! But she does it. And she does it well!

Colin quickly adjusted to his new teacher and his new friends. He was excited to go to school again. And as a working parent, there isn't anything more that we could ask for! We couldn't have hand-picked a better teacher for Colin at this season of his life. She got him. She understood his quirkiness and, even better, encouraged it. And he began to thrive again because of that.

The end of the school year came too soon! We are sad to leave behind yet again another great teacher. Colin will miss you greatly, Teacher Jessica! Know that your impact will always be fondly remembered.

'There's a car in my shoe...'

Oh, Colin. How do I begin...

Colin was in a hurry to get his shoes on this morning. Thinking nothing of it, I put on his brother's shoes and tied his shoes, grateful that he had taken the steps to at least do that for me. As we pulled out of the driveway and headed to school, I heard him say: 'There's a car in my shoe. A little black car. It's tucked in there so cute'. Exact quote.

Funny, I thought. But Colin says funny things sometimes (or a lot) out of the blue so I didn't think too much into it. Fast forward to school.

I get Salem out of the car, I get Colin out of the car. Wyat's mom is walking by and stops to chat. Colin tells her that he likes her shoes. Then says: 'I have a car in my shoe'. She smiles and walks away. I don't want to know what she was thinking. By this time, I've also noticed that he is walking with somewhat of a limp and may, in fact, have a car in his shoe.

After we drop Salem off to his room, I walk Colin to his room and sit him down to take his shoes off. Sure enough, there was a black MatchBox car tucked into his sock. Resting in the arch of his foot. My son tried to smuggle a car into school today. Kind of ingenious.

I know this is random but I had to write it down. It's one of those little stories that I don't want to forget. Someday, when he's older I'd like to read this with him and laugh. And remember.

And remember how he reaches over in the backseat and asks his brother to 'hold my hand' each day after school.

And how we read Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs and also watched the movie by the same name almost every night for about three weeks straight until we returned the movie to Nana and Pop and the book to the library.

Maybe one day he will grow up to be a weatherman. Or maybe a car smuggler. I'm hoping for the latter.

Teacher Debbie

Of all our guests (no offense to the rest of you!) we were so excited to have Teacher Debbie come to Salem's birthday party. He recently moved up to a new room so she is no longer his teacher but she took care of him from the very first day that he started school. From 12 weeks on, she has tended to him and loved him in our absence. And what a special bond these two have developed!

Throughout the party, Salem wanted only Teacher Debbie. She carried him around until it was time to sit down to eat and every time he opened a gift he would carry it over to her to share it with her. As a parent, it was so awesome to see that he feels so comfortable with her and, more than that, adores her! We have always liked our school and both boys seem to do well but this was much more than we could have asked for! Without a doubt, our boys are well taken care of while we are away at work.

We are so thankful to have teachers that continue to pour into our children's lives. Teacher Debbie has been such a blessing to our family. We were honored to have her as a guest in our home :)

A Birthday Brunch

To celebrate Salem's first year, we decided to throw a Birthday Brunch- because everyone loves breakfast food, right?? Our crazy friends and family arrived EARLY in the morning. We enjoyed belgian waffles, mini quiches, fruit, and cake balls (no pictures of food so I had to leave some details. I know Salem will be dying to know when he is older). Of course, all of my grand ideas didn't quite make the cut but it turned out just right. And I think the little man wouldn't have had it any other way. Happy 1st Birthday, Salem!

Salem::12 Months

Full-time walker

Got promoted to a new room at school (sad day for momma)

Went to Ruby's for his birthday dinner

Partied with friends and family at his Birthday Brunch!

Height: 28.25 inches, 4th percentile

Weight: 20 lb., 28th percentile

Head: 18.5 inches, 76 percentile

Salem::11 Months

This month has BY FAR been the most difficult month to get some close-ups of Salem, hence, the very late post! I will share a few outtakes at the end so that you can see what I was working with. But, without further ado, Salem's 11 Month update:

Was a finalist in a Beautiful Baby Contest but lost. To a girl :)
Now walks from one side of the room to the other without any assistance but still prefers crawling as his primary mode of transportation.
Uses a sippy cup like a pro
Loves his blankies!


NOW for (a few of) the outtakes:

Salem::10 Months

now has four teeth!
loves to walk around holding our fingers
is often mistaken for a girl by strangers - darn those long eyelashes!
had his first (outpatient) surgery experience and it will hopefully be the end of the earache!