On to 1st grade!

How is it possible that Luke has completed his Kindergarten year?!  It all went (too) fast.  We couldn't have asked for a more positive, nurturing first year of elementary school.  We feel so grateful to be a part of the St. Martin's community.

Here he is on his final day of Kindergarten.

And with his amazing teachers:  Mrs. Anderson and Mrs. Lawrence

Mother's Day Moments

Luke's class held a very special afternoon to honor the moms on the Friday before Mother's Day.  Day and I were invited into Luke's class for a special performance, gifts, and treats.

After our special afternoon with Luke, we celebrated Day's birthday!

And to round out Mother's Day weekend, I enjoyed some beautiful weather and a new book ... and some snacks with my sweet girl.

So blessed....

Luke's first Walk-a-Thon

St. Martin's had their annual Walk-a-Thon this week.  Not only did the kids raise money for their school, but the event itself was so much fun for students and parents.

Paw showed up to walk a few laps with Luke,

...and Luke got into the spirit with face paint and colored hair spray.

Luke walked his heart out - nearing 100 laps of the school field, which was one of the most by any Kindergartener.  You can also see how much Luke loved walked with his 4th grade big buddy, Will.

Luke's Homework

He melts my heart

Catching Leprechauns!

Part of Luke's homework this month was to create a leprechaun trap.  He was told to incorporate things that "attract" leprechauns such as:  the color green, rainbows, sparkly things, gold coins, Lucky Charms cereal, and four-leaf clovers.

After we talked about a few different ways that he might trap a leprechaun, we decided upon a design.  I helped only by making suggestions, providing supplies, doing some sketching to provide an outline that he could cut out, and then helping with the glue gun as he put it together.

I think it turned out great, and he was so proud.

The idea is that the leprechaun will be tempted to climb the ladder and will then find the Lucky Charms and see the gold coin dangling over the trap door.  When he jumps to catch the coin, he will fall into the tissue box and be trapped!

School Spirit

Luke is sporting his Bengal pride on orange and black Spirit Day at school.

What were his tiger whiskers now just look more like he was cleaning a chimney ... but you can imagine :)

Kindergarten Field Trip

This week, Luke's class took a trip to Santa Clara University's theatre to see "Miss Nelson Is Missing" and I was able to join them.  The kids seriously think that riding together in a car is perhaps the best part of the trip!

Luke the Kindergartener

Just a quick update on Luke's first few weeks at St. Martin's.

First of all, and most importantly, he seems to absolutely love it.  These first weeks have reconfirmed for Michael and I just how ready Luke was to take on Kindergarten.  He has absolutely risen to the occasion, loves going, and just seems happier than ever.

Outdoor family movie night at St. Martin's - watching The Lorax and having dinner (and wine) under the stars with some of Luke's new friends and their families

Back to School night - having a look at some of Luke's art work from the first few weeks

Luke counting and sorting the cans in our pantry as part of one of his project-based homework assignments

Luke being honored as Kindergarten Student of the Month for September!

First week

Luke loved, loved, LOVED his first full week of Kindergarten.

Such a happy little guy.

Turning in for some sleep after a few early mornings (that none of us are quite used to!).

The Kindergartner

Hard to believe that our baby boy is starting Kindergarten.  We know he's ready.  We know how smart he is.  We know he will do well.  We feel completely confident in the choice of school that we've made for him.  Still, it's hard to believe (and a bit nerve-wracking ... for me!).

I can't say enough good things about St. Martin's.  After touring nearly 25 schools, there really was no question about where we wanted him to go.  From the first morning that I stepped onto the campus, I knew that there was something special about it.  It was joyful.  Kids wanted to be there; loved being there.  It was organized, yet students were engaged in learning, not just sitting in desks listening.  Teachers were nurturing and loving.  They believe in educating the whole child, thus offering Spanish, art, music/band, P.E., technology with specialized teachers.  It had a "feeling" about it, sort of the same way that Mandala (Luke's, and now Mia's, preschool) does.  And so I knew.  We put all of our eggs in the St. Martin's basket and just hoped that we would get lucky.  I can't tell you how relieved and overjoyed I was the day that that letter arrived in the mail to learn that Luke, and someday Mia, would be able to attend there.  I'm telling you, if this is what elementary school is like, I dread the day that we have to apply for high school and college (ugh!).

Our excited Kindergartner on his first day, with his Robot backpack and lunch bag, and sporting his new green shoes that match his uniform

St. Martin's has one class per grade, and Kindergarten has two full time teachers (as well as two aides):  Mrs. Anderson and Mrs. Lawrence. 

Mrs. Anderson taking Luke in on the first day

In front of the school

I'm pleased to report that although slightly teary, I did not cry.  However, that might be due in part to the fact that the scene in front of the kindergarten classroom was like something out of a comedy skit.  Literally, it was like paparazzi with all of the parents trying to get a peek, and then a photo, of their child inside the classroom.  Finally, the teachers came out and asked us all to leave! :)

Luke had a great first day - he loved it!  We are so proud of our big boy and his new endeavor!

Our soon-to-be Kindergartener

I waited to post about this until we were sure ....

Luke has been accepted to Kindergarten at St. Martin of Tours school!

We couldn't be happier or more excited to have found and become a part of such an amazing community of teachers, parents, and students.

The search for the "right" school felt like a full time job over the past 6 months.  I researched online, talked to anyone who was willing, and personally visited 18 campuses throughout the fall.  Yes, I'm crazy.

Apparently, Kindergarten, or elementary school for that matter, isn't what it used to be.  This is serious business!  I narrowed down our pool significantly and then Michael joined me at the open houses of 5 schools.  Of those, we applied to 3, Luke attended assessments at those 3, with very high hopes for St. Martin's.

So, Luke (and Mia for that matter) will be a Bengal for the next 9 years!  That sounds like such a long time right now, but I know that those years will pass more quickly than I would like to admit.

I just feel relieved to have a plan :)

...oh, and those green glasses are going to go so well with his new school uniform.  We've already found a cute, new pair of green sneakers!