Off to School : Weeks 5, 6, 7

I have a bit of catching up to do on school progress. So, here goes:

Week five was our breakthrough week. Look at the smile! Hooray! She took her teachers an apple and gave me a hug and told me goodbye when we got in the classroom. For the first time I felt good about leaving her there.

Week six was back to nervous land and tears. Just a small setback.

Week seven was Halloween dress up and snow day. Lots of fun distractions. We made treats for her class and she loved seeing her friends dressed up. When we walked in the classroom, she looked at me and said, "Bye bye mama. You'll come back?" She gave me a quick hug and went to play with her buddies. Her teacher gave me a really good report that she is participating more and being a little less clingy. I'm so thankful she's breaking out of her little shell.

Thank you for the kind words of encouragement that you've given in your comments. It is nice to know that you, or your children have gone through the same and come out just fine. 

fall crafting

afternoon crafting. harper and i have been crafting away this fall. we have been making spider cards, giant googly eyed spiders and candy stuffed pumpkins for her class tomorrow. it has been a joy to watch her complete the projects and express some creativity.

have you done any fun projects this week?

Off to School: Week Four

A smile. Although, there are red eyes from crying, there is a sweet little smile. She told me on the way in to school, "I be very brave at school, mama." Melted my heart right there and made me so proud of her for trying so hard to have courage.

"I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear."
-Nelson Mandela

gathering

While Harper gathers leaves, pinecones and acorns at the park, I am slowly collecting items for baby boy. I am trying to be very mindful of what we will really need, which is not all that much, really. It is hard to turn down a pair of sweet little gray boots though.

Off to School: Week Three

After speaking with some friends, we decided to approach this week in a different way. I would not bring up school unless she asked about it. My response to her concerns about school was simply this: school is a safe place to be and I will come pick you up when school is over.

As soon as she saw her little lunch box, she became the most upset I have ever seen her. Seriously, I asked myself why are we doing this? I remembered that we are having a baby in a few months and it will be important to establish this routine for Harper before it happens.

The drive to school was long and tearful and by the time we got to her classroom, she was a ball of nerves. I spoke again to her sweet teacher, who informed me that another teacher was coming in to help with a few of the "criers" and that it is important to stick with it for at least four weeks in a row. After that, if things are still the same, we can reconsider.

Her day went better and she is getting used to the routine of the school. Change is hard for this little one. Changes like switching out of the crib, travel, getting rid of her pacifier (still haven't gotten there yet), new shoes (!) are all very hard for her. So, I am trying to remember this as we prepare for the biggest change in her little life when she becomes a big sister.

I'm wondering, what are some things that you did to prepare your child for a new baby? I would love to know.

it's a ....

on friday i had an ultrasound and we got to see our little baby. two little arms and legs, all of the right parts in the right places. we also found out the gender...

it's beginning to feel like fall

we woke up to our first chill of the season. hot chocolate and tea were prepared along with the first fire since last winter. i love getting bundled up on fall mornings and slowly peeling off layers throughout the day as it warms up. don't you just love fall?

*photos from our adventure last week to mt. bierstadt

Off to School : Week Two

Her sweet little expression says it all. Bless her heart. I wish there was a way to calm her anxiety and her fears, but I am feeling pretty helpless at this point. 

Do you have any tips on helping your child with school or separation anxiety? I am all ears!