Stop Growing Up

Declan tells me this evening that he wishes he was in SK instead of JK. Harith and Vedaant are both in SK so he also wants to be SK. I teminded him that Jessica was in JK but he didn't care. Kid needs to slow down and stop growing up so fast.

This morning before getting ready for school he randomly shouts out that Jessica can count to 25. "That's good." I say and then Declan proceeds to count to 30. Was he trying to show off? I don't know but that was weird. Oh and cool, cool he can count to 30. He told Daddy and I that he's going to count to 100 for us tomorrow.

We. Can't. Wait.

Pretty excited about writing his name on the chalk board today. He told me about it and then practiced a little on the white board in his room. Then I check my email and see that his teacher sent out a pic of Declan after practicing his name. My heart is bursting.

Schoolwork

Daddy reported that when he picked Declan up from school today he got to see the kids all yelling goodbye to Declan. Really gives you some peace knowing he's making friends. He came home wearing a Spiderman sticker that Olivia put on his shirt. 

When I dropped him off at school in the morning he pointed out names of his friends: Jessica, Harith and Vedaant.

Every day Declan comes home with different drawings or artwork he's completed. Lots of scribbles, stick men (one of which he said was Iron Man - it had blue on his chest), snakes (and he draws a line for the body, a round circle for the head and another line for the tongue) and paintings of big splotches of his new colors of choice: Orange, Brown and yellow.

During a Buddy Interview (they are paired with an older grade child) we learned that Declan's favourite movie is Star Wars, his favourite book is Spiderman and his favourite restaurant to eat at is the Legoland restaurant. xoxoxoxo 

Kid Perspective

Really love getting a recap on Declan's day at school. 

Even better was when he asked about Terry Fox...

Declan: How many more days until Terry Fox Day?

Me: Two. Tomorrow is Wednesday and then the next day, Thursday is Terry Fox Day. Are you looking forward to it?

Declan: Yup. He had a Robo Leg

Little Sick Muffin

I finally got home from my days away. Got the best hug from Declan when I walked in the door. Great peace of mind that Declan had a great time with Daddy the past four days. Even with a run to the walk-in clinic due to Declan's terrible cough he still had a great, albeit calm time with Daddy. Sitting down watching movies when you're sick really is perfect. 

The Week I'm Missing

Thanks to a work trip and a road trip in the same week I've missed most of Declan's adventures. What I do know is he's loving school still. Every day Daddy picks him up he's hanging out with different kids. On Thursday morning when I walked him to school he could see that Jessica was walking into school a ways ahead of him. He yells out "JESSICA!!" and waves to her. Inside her Dad is helping her with her shoes and bag while asking Declan if he's wearing another cool shirt today. Which he was. He had his Canada shirt on. Declan sure is his own little man. On a FaceTime call this evening he told me that he played with his friends Jessica and Riff. So now there's another friend we know by name.

While I've been away Declan has been a good boy for Daddy (and Maddy in the morning for the walks to school). They boys have a movie date tomorrow and apparently some video game updates for Declan's phone. Glad they're having good times.

Bright Sky

It's true. I don't mind the early morning wake up on a Sunday morning when it's by my 4 1/2 year old and he's running into our room to tell me what's he's seen:

"I looked out my window and I saw the moon and it was big and its glowing!!"

"That's right Monkey, that's why people think the moon is magical."

As he's running away, back to his room: "it's glowing!"

6am Monday morning update: Declan just told me he had a long, scary dream last night. He said he was in the game called destroy balls. There was a giant Robot that was trying to destroy the world. Declan was trying to destroy the man that was inside the robot. He jumped inside and tried to get the man but the man got him and knocked him down. Then I got him because I got up.

Friday

Declan asked me to sit with him so he could tell me about his day.

"Daniel was gone so 'yay!'"

"He wasn't there today?"

"I think he ate too much, or maybe he threw up."

Two things Declan has learned at school:

1) "Daddy my hand is up so I can talk."

2) "Hands on top (places hands on his head) you stop."

2nd Call From School

This time it was because the Muffin Man is sick. In addition to his cold he was running a fever and when I got to the school he was sound asleep on the floor. Kids everywhere playing and he was sound asleep on his side on the carpet. I had to carry him to the car and when we got home he just laid on the chair with a big pillow and watched the Muppets. 

As if that wasn't bad enough I spoke to the Principal when I got to the school and he told me Declan had been having a rough week. Turns out Daniel has been being a bully the entire week. He's been in the office and they've been having "talks" with him to try and curb his behavior. Declan told me later that Daniel was chasing him this morning and kept trying to grab him. This is when I learned that Daniel is also in the Before/After program which means Declan is around this kid all day long. Thankfully Declan doesn't seem too bothered about any of it just yet and still wants to go to school. Really too bad this all starts so early.

Classic

Daddy: How was Daniel today?

Declan: He said sorry to me. I told him not to scratch me ever again.

........

Me: I see you picked out a library book to bring home. That's cool.

Declan: The teacher had to ding the name, then ding the book with the COMPUTER!!!!

(Not sure why he yelled computer but he seemed pretty excited about the process)

First Call Home from School

Finally Declan learned the name of his little friend at school: Jessica. Need to keep my eye out for her. Hope she's cool.

Going through the first Schoolastic book order forms last night and Declan told me about the Kissing Hand story book. He said the teacher read it to them in class. I can't believe we get so much detail when he's recapping the day. He also said they went to the music room. They were not allowed to touch the instruments because their fragile but the lady was singing and she said "Tah tah tee tee tah." Whoa the memories of school that came back to me when he shared that. I guess music class hasn't changed much.

I did get our first call home from the school Monday. Only the fourth day in. Seems the little boy in the cubby beside Declan was sitting in Declan's spot instead of his own. Declan was telling him where he was supposed to be sitting and the other child didn't like that and scratched Declan's back. A good four finger, between the shoulder blades, left a mark, scratch. He cried but he didn't retaliate and he got over it pretty fast. Teachers have to report everything (especially when it leaves a mark) so we got the call. Meant Declan's cubby was moved but even that doesn't seem to bother him. I did ask the teacher "was Declan being bossy?" to which she said no. Interested to see if he has any more to say about it after today.

He HAS to be an Old Soul

The Fruit by the Foot commercial comes on and it's the one where some kid is chewing on one end of the candy and as the camera pulls out you see that an alien, all dressed up in clothing and a wig is chewing on the other end.

Declan laughs.

Looks at me and says "That's funny cuz an alien wouldn't be eating candy."

He's killing me.

The three of us were walking over to the park this afternoon when Declan tells us about how the other day at school he was outside sitting under a tree reading a book with a little girl. 

And this evening we learned that he likes Wilco and The Ramones. 

So We Danced

It was a Daddy-Declan day as I was at work. Seems they had a great time. We gave Declan some pencils, markers, glue, scizzors and a workbook to reward him for a great first week (ok...three days actually) of school. I came home to find the boys sitting at the table drawing together and listening to music.

There were pages and pages of drawings as they'd been at it for a long time. After Declan showed me his pictures Daddy put on some music for us (yes this included The Beatles) so Declan and I could dance.

We're pretty lucky. This kid brings us so much joy.

2nd Day of School

Declan woke up eager to go back to school. I asked if he was going to make some more friends today and he said "I already made friends with two girls." We had a great walk to school together this morning. Declan told me he'd like to have a squirrel, a bunny and a hamster as pets. I told him that he couldn't have a squirrel as a pet because they're wild animals and they are not to be kept inside as pets. Told him maybe when he's big and can handle the responsibility he could have a hamster for a pet. Declan's said "and a bunny." I asked "aren't you worried that Hunter would want to chase the bunny?"

Declan: "I'd get a bunny cage too." 

He told me they're just so cute.

When we arrived at school he didn't hesitate to get right in there to play and he said the day was good. He was sad that I didn't come back later to see him line up outside like I'd done yesterday. I had to explain how that was just a special first day of school thing. He was still disappointed.  He told us that he played Duplo, went outside, drew a flower on a thing you don't take home and he also drew two snakes but he didn't like them so he erased them. Told me he doesn't like snakes because they're all scary. He told me again that he made friends with two girls before changing the store to only one girl. I asked if she was pretty and he said "yeah." I don't know if it's the same girl but he told us a girl drew him a picture of 'space' to be nice. So...she gets him.

Another easy bedtime as Declan fell asleep soon as we said goodnight. Great start to the school year.

First Day of School Ever

The Muffin Man was eager and excited for his first day of school. He'd helped pick out his outfit last night before bed. This morning we looked at what is packed for his lunch and he added a couple snacks. Just before he put on his shoes he took Monkey upstairs and tucked him into bed to wait until he got home. Then he went back up and closed his bedroom door (you know, to keep him extra safe). Backpack on...and we were on our way.

We arrived at the school for 7:30am because Declan is a part of the before/after program. This means he gets to walk right into his classroom when we arrive.

I was able to see where his name tag/bag hook is and he got right into the toys immediately. I did get a hug and kiss but when I was walking out he literally blew me a kiss and was back to the toys. 

[Since I observed one child have a melt down when his Dad left and another try to make a break for it later during lineup I guess I should be pleased it was so easy for him to settle in].

At 8:30am the before care kids went out into the school yard to line up with the other kids arriving to start their first school day. I watched Declan run around a little before he noticed is come back. He ran over and tried to hug me through the fence but soon as he heard the school bell he yelled "school bell!!!" And ran to get in line. Guess he's been paying attention.

That was it. School had officially started and I had to wait the whole day to see how he did.

At 4:15pm Daddy got home, picked me up and we headed straight over to collect Declan from the end of his school day and the after care period. He was happy to see us. He was wearing an "I survived my first day of JK" paper hat he'd made and there was some more artwork in his backpack. He said he had a great day. He played with two girls but couldn't remember their names, he had marker on his hands and face, he used the classroom washroom without trouble, and says the best part of the day was playing with toys.

Pretty proud of my monkey. Hope he enjoys tomorrow as well.

Kid was tired end of the day.

Tomorrows the Big Day

What seemed like it was never going to get here is now mere hours away...

1st day of Junior Kindergarten tomorrow.

Declan is excited, he picked out his outfit, I'm all set to walk him to school and Daddy is looking forward to the pick up and to hear how the day went.

I'm so proud of my little monkey and I hope he isn't dissapointed in what the day brings. He won't be learning about space on the first day I'm sure.

Summer is Over

We spent the late afternoon, early evening at Auntie T and Uncle Scott's house. Declan was getting braver in the pool, he jumped off the stairs, off the deck holding my hands, he was playing in the shallow end independently and swam in the deep end holding me with only one hand. 

Today (Labour Day) I had to work so the boys were home alone. Declan was outside playing with bubbles, drawing with chalk and they took a nice long walk.

Tomorrow is his last day at Kelly's and then Wednesday is his first day of school. 

So excited for the kid. He's ready.

End of the Week

Our last full day at the cottage we had beautiful weather. Declan and I got in some more time loungin in the lake, he ran around with Chelsey, tried some more fishing and ended the day by trying oven made smores. Yes that is correct, Declan wanted to try a smore. He did not care for it but he tried it, no pressure at all. Very proud of him this week. Now in case there was any question as to what happened to my kid he did ask me during dinner last night if I had a favourite painter when I was little. He's kindof precious.

This morning he was sad because we had to leave and he just wanted to keep playing with Chelsey. Now we're back to reality. After getting in a solid afternoon nap Declan and I walked over to his school to read the posted class lists. Declan's teacher is Mrs. Wigood. There are 28 kids in the JK-SK split classroom. We hit up the playground for a half hour before heading back home for dinner and bath. Three more days before he's officially a student. 

Shocked

Today at the cottage was cool and overcast. Not a great swimming day but it was a great day.

1) Visited Haliburton Village and showed Declan the big train engine.

2) Went fishing on the dock. Chelsey caught a nice little fish while Declan was hesitant to hold his own fishing rod. He was worried the fish would pull the rod too hard so he just helped me with the buttons and turning the reel. He was brave enough to touch the fish when Chelsey caught it. He was pretty excited when we caught a mini fish with his rod, two times.

3) And the best moment of the day.... Declan asked me if he could have an apple. I quickly grabbed one and sliced it up on a plate for him. He ate every slice I have him. I was sooo happy but tried to not make a big deal out of it because... you know kids...I didn't want him to stop eating because I was so excited. Now we will need to have apples at home always!