The First Day of School for 2 little GIANTS

Today began a new "normal" for our 2 oldest little GIANTS. Princess little GIANT started Kindergarten while Middle little GIANT and I embarked on home pre-schooling.

Princess little GIANT's first day went great aside from a couple little hiccups and things forgotten. She ate breakfast and watched some cartoons until it was time to get ready. Once she had her outfit picked out to match her new shoes, she got dressed. We went to put the new shoes on and guess what, our little GIANTS feet had grown and they were already too small (surprise, surprise)! So after she got over being super bummed that the shoes we had only bought 4 weeks ago did not fit, we picked out something else to wear. While I chatted on the phone with a girl friend, we continued getting her ready by doing her hair. First we started with a french braid on top, once I was almost finished, she had changed her mind and simply wanted pigtails. Two brown hair ties, done and done, pigtails! I then proceeded to get Middle little GIANT dressed, Baby little GIANT dressed, and saved myself til last. I threw on some clothes, some powder, blush and a hat to cover up the sunburn peeling scalp from the beach trip 2 weeks ago and called it good. Once I said goodbye to my friend we had exactly 10 minutes to get to school before it started. So, after putting on her backpack and grabbing a hug and kiss from dad, we rushed out the door with only my keys and cell phone. While in the car, I felt as if I forgot something and then it hit me, I am officially the worst mom ever, I forgot to feed my child lunch before school!!! To my defense, we usually don't eat lunch until 11:30am, so at 11:00am my brain was not thinking lunch! So, I apologized to her and promised her macaroni and cheese (her favorite!) to be waiting for her as soon as she walked through the door. We pulled up with 5 minutes to spare, took her pic right in front of the grass (her idea), walked to her class and went right to her cubby to put her backpack away. She then gave Middle little GIANT a hug, Baby little GIANT a hug, and me a hug goodbye. We snapped one last picture of her at the table she chose and were out the door as she made it very apparent that she did NOT need me to stay like the other parents.

So Middle little GIANT,  Baby little GIANT and I went home, I remembered to feed them lunch, and then laid Baby little GIANT down for his nap. Once Baby little GIANT was asleep it was time for preschool to start. Middle little GIANT was so excited! I moved the furniture around in their room to make a special preschool spot for him and even made a big bulletin board on the wall. He chose Airplanes for his topic this month. We started off by singing a few songs (where is thumbkin and the abc's) then did the calendar. We talked about what month, date, and day of the week it was. We did a couple worksheets about the square shape, did alphabet flashcards and then same or different flashcards. We counted to 10 and then read a Bible story about The Beginning. We ended pre-school time with a craft where we built a wooden model airplane (and I also cooked Princess little GIANT's mac-n-cheese). While coloring the wood and putting it together we talked about all the different parts of the airplane, what airplanes are used for and what animals are like airplanes. By the time we finished, Baby little GIANT was awake from his nap and it was time to run out the door and pick up Princess little GIANT.

We picked up Princess little GIANT from school and she cam running out saying "Hi Mommy, I made a friend and her name is Elizabeth just like my middle name!" She got in the car and proceeded to tell the boys and I about the rest of her day as we headed home. She scarfed down two bowls of mac-n-cheese and a brownie once we got home and enjoyed entertaining several phone calls from the grandparents and uncle.

The lessons I learned about caring for little GIANTS:
1. Don't buy little GIANTS anything more than a week in advance.
2. Try on little GIANTS outfit the night before so any changes can be made prior to save time and any    argument that may come along with it.
3. Don't talk on the phone while getting little GIANTS ready for school so, they have your undivided attention.
4. Take your wallet and ID while driving little GIANTS around, just so you're prepared and responsible for the possible unexpected stop or pull over by law enforcement.
5. Leave early for little GIANTS to arrive on time with more than 5 minutes to spare so you can teach them good habits for the future.
6. FEED little GIANTS before school, so they can focus on learning and their little GIANT bodies can continue to grow and be healthy!

So aside from the lessons I learned, winning the "Mother Who Starves Her Child Award" and having to drive back to the outlets that are an hour and a half away just to exchange some shoes, I'd say my little GIANTS first day of school was a GIANT success.

**photos to follow, once I figure out how to get them off my cell phone**