One Week Down!

Whew! Our first week of the new school year is over! I always feel like I've been hit by a truck after the first week. We have a new dress code, new bell schedule, and new curriculum this year! That is a lot of new! I secretly thanked God for our storm day yesterday. I think he knew all of the precious students and teachers in Polk county really needed an extra day of rest.

Our biggest news this week is that Ben survived and LOVED his first week of preschool! He has already invited Mrs. Watts and Mrs. Monk to his birthday party, ha! He has been such a joy to pick up from school. He talks our ears off the whole way home, telling us all about his day. I love every minute of it! He got a stamp on the calendar in his folder every day of last week for good behavior. He was pumped about picking something out of the treasure box on Friday! Mrs. Watts told us the sweetest story about Ben on Tuesday. The children are supposed to "lock their treasure boxes" when Mr. Henson does the afternoon announcements. I guess Ben was listening very well because he kept interrupting Mrs. Watts during story time (after announcements). She kept telling him to wait until the story was over but he kept holding his thumb up (that's how they let the teacher know they have a question). When Mrs. Watts finished the story and called on him, she said his voice was shaky because he thought he had to ride a bus home! He heard Mr. Henson mention the bus riders and he was terrified that he would have to get on a bus that he'd never been on! Bless his heart! He has inherited my nerves!  Other than that, he is loving everything about preschool!

I haven't taken many pictures over the last week with my camera, so here is an iPhone dump of photos. Have a great week, everyone!

helping Daddy paint the football field

enjoying his new soccer ball from our sweet neighbor, Mr. Dawes

Friday night lights with Greer!

another sweet 1st day picture

best buds

writing his name on his homework :)

Play-Doh fun while Mama works in her classroom

Ben's 1st Day of Preschool

Today was our sweet boy's first day of preschool. I can't believe this day has finally come. Ben and I did not sleep very well last night...I think he has inherited my nerves. We've tried to be very calm and casual about this new journey, but he always seems to know when big changes are coming. He woke up fairly well this morning, despite the lack of solid sleep. We had lots of snuggle time before getting out of bed to get ready. He ate part of a blueberry waffle and a strawberry Danimals smoothie for breakfast. We got him all dressed and took some cute 1st day pictures. It was surreal packing his backpack and lunch box. I was so nervous about forgetting something. I'm glad it takes 10 minutes to get to Ben's preschool. It gave us a few minutes to chill. I read Ben a story about Grover's first day of school on the way there. We parked and walked him up to the kindergarten drop off hallway. I am so thankful his friend Callie was already there, sitting on a bench. I put Ben on the bench beside her and set his school gear on the ground below him. There were a few kids crying, and Ben was very concerned about them. He gets upset when other children are upset. He never cried, but he wasn't giving a big smile like I wanted. I gave him a hug and kiss on the cheek and told him we would pick him up right after school. I wore my big sunglasses so he couldn't see the tears in my eyes. I made it back to the car before the ugly cry started! I watched the clock all day long. I'm so glad I was at work and had something to keep myself somewhat occupied with. We finally got to pick Ben up around 2:45 and he had the biggest smile on his face! He ran and jumped in my arms and nodded when I asked if he had a good day. Whew! It was so much fun hearing all about his day on the way home. We took him to Frostbite for ice cream. I think that will be a good 1st day of school tradition. Here are some pictures of Ben's first day. He said he wants to go back tomorrow! Yay!

Ben and his BFF, Callie. They were so cute sitting on the bench outside of school this morning.

Ben with his teachers, Mrs. Monk and Mrs. Watts

Ben's 1st school craft

1st day treat at Frostbite!

We took Ben to see Grandma at work. He was being silly and hid in one of the deputy's lockers!

The Last Hoorah!

We went back to the Gaylord Palms on Wednesday for our last hoorah of the summer. We took Michelle with us and had such a good time together. We swam a bit Wednesday afternoon before a storm came in. We got changed and headed down to Wrecker's for dinner. After dinner, we found some ice cream for dessert and explored the hotel. We went back up to the room just in time to put our pjs on and watch the women's beach volleyball gold medal match. We were rooting for Misty and Kerri of course. We are so happy they won! We were all asleep by 10 that night. We woke up Thursday morning and went straight to the pool after breakfast. We stayed there until about 3:00, then went back to the room for showers. We went to the Mall at Millenia next for dinner and some shopping. Ben was so tired that he fell asleep immediately in the car on the way to the mall. I think a 10 minute cat nap was just what he needed. Michelle and I got to shop while Jeremy and Ben rode the escalators. I found some cute new preschool clothes for Ben and Michelle found some things for her nieces. We made it back to the hotel in time to explore a little more before bed time. Ben loved showing Michelle the fish, snakes,turtles and alligators at the hotel. We slept in this morning and made it back to Bartow around lunch time. We gave Michelle lots of hugs before leaving. I'm going to miss her so much. I won't see her again until next summer since she lives in Germany with her husband now. I'm so thankful for this little trip and the time we got to spend with her.

ice cream break!

Frozen Key Lime Pie Popsicle....so yummy!

proof of a fun day

Ben loved sharing a cookie pizza from Mrs. Field's with Michelle

showing Michelle the fish

cute baby gators!

Ben's Preschool Check-Up

I took Ben to Dr. LaRue's office for his preschool physical and check-up this morning. Our appointment was at 11:30 and we were there for almost 4 hours! Ben was such a trooper! Here are Ben's stats at 3 years 10 months old:

• weighs 33 and 1/4 pounds
• blood pressure 92/62
• height 40 and 1/4 inches (was 38 inches at three years old)

Dr. LaRue said his heart and valves sound perfect! His height is around the 75th percentile, so we still think he will be on the taller side. Ben had to get a shot today, too, but did not cry at all! I was so proud of him. We got really bored, so here are some pictures I took with my iPhone today.

poor baby.....so tired of waiting

London Baby!

My best friend from high school and college roommate is heading off to London soon for the 2012 Paralympics. Her mother threw a surprise send-off party at her home in Bartow this evening. We really enjoyed getting to see Michelle and celebrate her hard work and exciting adventure. Her first game will be August 31st vs. China. She flies back to Oklahoma on Sunday for a few last minute training sessions, then will fly to Amsterdam on Friday for some scrimmage games. She will officially be in London on August 26th. We are so proud of you, Michelle! Bring home the Gold!!!

enjoying a cupcake with Mrs. Phillips

Michelle and me

getting some Chloe and Ben lovin'

Michelle and her niece, Chloe

Go Team USA!