JJD Kiddie Parade, Year 2

We decided to do the Jesse James Days Kiddie Parade again this year.  Unfortunately the matching, adorable costumes weren't in full swing like last year (Cat in the Hat and Thing One and Thing Two), but nonetheless, it was still a good time.  This year Ella joined us.  Jack was a pirate (a cranky one), Luke was an owl (thank you Pinterest for the adorable costume idea) and Ella was Tinkerbell.

Mayo IVF Birthday Party

The Reproductive Endocrinology department at Mayo Clinic hosts an annual "birthday party" for kids conceived wit assistance.  As most know, our boys were conceived by IVF.  This was our second time attending the event.  It's a wonderful event planned for the kids.  There was a bounce house, mini-golf, cake and ice cream, a guy making cool balloons and more.  And, it was an opportunity for us to touch base with all of our wonderful doctors and nurses again.  The highlight was getting in touch with Dr. Coddington again.  And, the highlight highlight was the picture he took with my two boys!    

Jack's First Day of Kindergarten!

Today was Jack's first day of kindergarten!  We've been talking about it for months, and he clearly knew it was a big deal.  He's been very excited but a little apprehensive too.  He marched off to school like a champ.  He got on and off the bus with no problems!  Starting tomorrow he'll be doing that alone.

Jack goes to afternoon kindergarten.  His teacher is Mrs. Patterson.  He's at daycare/preschool in the mornings, eats lunch there and then catches the bus from Kari's corner at 12:40 for school which starts at 1:00 pm.

Here are some pictures of his big day!

Morning pictures before going to Kari's:

Meeting Jack at Kari's before the bus.  We saw him on the bus and then drove down to school to see him off the bus and see the send off into the building with all the other parents!

Jack's daycare buddy, Judah.  He's four so he stays at Kari's.  All the rest of the kids were down for naps!

Kari is just as proud as his mommy and daddy!

The BUS STOP:

Arrivingl at Harriet Bishop Elementary School:

Lining up and waiting for all his classmates:

And the final wave (or not so much) before walking in to school with his class!

A major milestone complete!  Congratulations, Jack!

Meet the Teacher--Mrs. Patterson

After building up kindergarten all summer, the time has finally arrived!  Jack went to "Meet the Teacher" yesterday and found out that his kindergarten teacher is going to be Mrs. Patterson!  He got to bring in his school supplies, see his classroom and locker, and talk with Mrs. Patterson.  It was a brief affair, but the first of many "firsts" as he enters school next week.  <MY BABY!>  While I didn't get a picture of Jack with his teacher, I did get a few other pictures of him in his kindergarten classroom. 

Wednesday Jack goes for orientation and Thursday he officially starts school, including his first time riding the school bus ride alone! <EEK!>

 Filling out some paperwork and picking up his homework folder!  (He already has homework!!!)

Wabasha Eagle Center

Jack is in love with birds.  He's had a fascination with them for the last couple of years, ebbing and flowing in intensity. This summer, his love of birds has been at an all-time high!  We've spent a lot of time going on walks to the "Great Blue Heron" pond in our neighborhood and on many trails throughout town looking for new GBH's!

I decided to take the boys on a day trip to Wabasha to the Eagle Center.  There is a daily 11:00 am eagle presentation, so we arrived in time for that.  I thought it would be a short little ditty where they showed an eagle and took some questions.  Boy, was I wrong.  It was a full hour presentation with lots of science and history discussed--a very adult presentation.  We got there just as it was starting, so I brought the stroller in the back.  Jack was very studious and Luke was a disaster.  (Naturally, he's 21 months!)  I kept taking Luke out as to not disturb the presentation.  Jack wanted to stay (and did, sitting on the edge of his seat the whole time as the lady presented)!  I felt kind of bad leaving my 5 year old in there alone, but he did great and learned so much!