Flashback Friday: School Stories

The first week of school brings up a lot of anxious feelings in my little students.

There's that initial worry of making it through the car line on time {which was not helped by this morning's forgotten backpack}. Once you make it over that hurdle, there's focusing on all your teacher's words, staying calm during tests, and trying to navigate a schedule that looks like HTML. Recent discussions about these worries have drummed up many memories for me. Today's post is a Flashback Friday, because I'm about to spin three different tales of my own school-time stress. Gather 'round and cringe, friends:


Story One: College
Let's start with the most recent story {a mere 13 years ago}. I was starting my third year at the University of Central Arkansas and at that point, my minor was Spanish. As my OCD led me to do, I made a dry run before the start of every semester. I needed to know building locations, floor layouts, and the quickest walking paths. I was usually the first person in class and I usually sat on the front row.

On this particular new year, I remember walking into my lower-level Spanish course and planting my backpack beside that coveted center seat. Once the other students filled in around me and the professor took his place, something weird happened. I understood his welcome and directions to speak no English at all, but everything after sounded like a foreign language... literally. I realized this was no cruel trick to ruin my GPA when my name was absent from the class list. I was red as a beet when I raised my hand to own my mistake and slid into a back-row seat next door ten minutes late. Oops.

Side Note: Even though my actual class was much easier, I switched my minor to creative writing that year.

Story Two: High School
I turned 16 in the summer of 2000 and I was fully licensed, ready to roll. My electric blue Mustang was clean as a whistle when I drove toward the first day of my junior year. I parked in the #35 spot on the Hope High School campus and walked in like I owned the place.

Back then the campus was open for lunch, so my best friend and I headed to Dairy Queen. It wasn't far from the school and we knew we could get back in time {my first-day anxiety took McDonald's out of the equation}. After we finished our meals with time to spare, I paused at the stop sign beside our school and cruised on. Notice I said paused? Yes, my friends, I got pulled over for the first time ever... during lunch period... on my first day driving to school... directly in front of campus. I can't recall the shade of red my face wore all afternoon or how many smirking classmates stopped me in the hallway, and I'd really rather not.

Side Note: I only got a verbal warning, but I didn't pull over for a solid minute because I didn't notice the flashing lights.

Story Three: Primary
Let's take it on back to 1992. I was in third grade at the brand-new Hope Primary School, later to be renamed after our 42nd president. I was in Mrs. Hesse's class and I sat on the front row right beside her desk {sensing a theme here?}. One morning she had to step out, and as teachers do, she asked a student to stand up front and take names.

I pulled a book from my backpack {I can only assume Sweet Valley Twins or Baby-Sitters Club} and started reading until I felt eyes. I looked around to find my instinct was right. Everyone was watching me until I turned to the blackboard and saw Jessica in powdery white letters. Rude, right?? My heart sank, my palms puddled up, and I burst into tears. Thankfully many of my allies were in that class with me and rectified the situation when the teacher walked in. Vindication! I don't know why that moment has stuck with me for so long, but there it is, folks.

Side Note: That was not the first time my name made it onto the board. The other times were, however, warranted.


I know these stories aren't super embarrassing, but a lot of the moments that may be deemed mortifying to others {dressing in a kangaroo costume for an entire fifth-grade day or performing a square dance routine at a junior high assembly} were things I chose to do. I think this post has revealed a bit of my character.

Maybe too much?

Did these memories bring up any of your own? If anything, you can share these tales with your kids in the effort of solidarity. Happy Friday, y'all!

The Back-to-School Report

Three kids held three homemade signs in my carport as the thunder rolled and the rain ushered in a new school year.

All three of my kids stood in a row to cheese and shake off the nerves before walking into new classrooms. One kid was less enthused than the other two, as you can clearly see, but there were smiles all around when the day was done. The short story is: preschool was amazing, first grade was amazing, and fifth grade was amazing. I could leave it at that, but it wouldn't be very fun, would it? Read on to learn why these kids had such a wonderful first day:

It's always a little overwhelming to walk into a new situation, but Nathan was ready to see his friends and get started in a routine. This year he has three core teachers, a different activity teacher each day, and a GT class he attends three days a week. This schedule seems beyond elementary to me, but so far he's handling it well. Nathan is pleased to report that fifth grade is awesome so far because:

• His class was allowed to choose desks in homeroom {#anarchy}. Naturally, he sat in a row of friends.
  
• He tells me life is full of responsibility in fifth grade, instead of being lead to classes by teachers.
  
• On that note, he is thrilled that lining up is a thing of the past. No more tripping over the kid in front of you.
  
• He gets to carry his books and backpack from class to class.
  
• All of his core teachers are super nice. So far the language arts teacher is the front-runner.
  
• He's already jumping into the study of big words for vocabulary tests, which have turned out to be a favorite.
  

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In the days leading up to school, Owen kept asking if he could stay in kindergarten. He was certain the older grades would be all work and no play. In spite of all his anxious feelings, he mustered the courage needed to walk through the doors. I met his anxiety throughout my workday, but I exhaled when he climbed into my back seat smiling. He said his first day in first grade was great, and here is why:

• He sits beside Asher in the second row of desks and right in front of Kaylie.
  
• The room is bigger and looks much cooler.
  
• He got to play a game with play dough and didn't have to watch any boring movies.
  
• His teacher has a loud voice, but she is very nice.
  
• He gets to check out AND take home library books.
  
• He gets to see kids who just started kindergarten and that makes him feel big.
  

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This week isn't technically the first for Nora's preschool class, but Monday was their debut in kindergarten prep. Nora was so happy to show me her "homework" - an apple tree they painted to celebrate the beginning of the alphabet. She said her teacher came around and asked her to pick a finger to dip into the red paint, so she informed her she does not like having her nails painted. Once the process was explained, however, she was happy to create the masterpiece now hanging on our fridge. Following are a few more reasons why Nora thinks preschool rocks:

• She gets to eat chicken nuggets and green beans that are better than Dad's {her words}.
  
• She has a cubby with her name on it. And it's pink!
  
• She gets to line up when she goes outside.
  
• One of her best friends has yellow curly hair, just like her.
  
• She sits on a purple square at rug time and they get to dance at school.
  
• She gets to use GLUE and PAPER and "MARKERS BUT I DO NOT MAKE A MESS."
  

You should know I, too, rocked back to school. I remembered the exact placement in the elementary car line needed for an easy transition through both schools. I left no lunchbox unpacked. I even got out of bed on time! I'm sure there will be bumps along the way as fun first-day activities dissolve into actual work, but I know these kids can handle it.

Happy New School Year to all the parents and teachers out there.
I hope you had a fantastic fresh start, and if not... just a few days 'til Friday!

Stay in School

"Give me one reason to stay here... okay, make it ten!"

Yesterday my family made the classroom rounds for our district's open house. This was a day both boys were looking forward to, because Nathan needed to know who was in his homeroom and Owen's fear of the unknown was reaching what's-under-the-bed levels. They were happy to put a face with the name that topped their class lists, but phrases like "homework three times a week" and "we work bell to bell" made them realize there's no turning back. Hate to break it to them, but Monday's still going to come.

I know the kids will settle into their new school experiences once routine kicks in, but I've been steadily convincing them the first ringing bell doesn't signal a prison sentence. If your kids are dreading turning in lazy days for agenda books, maybe the following reasons could help.

Here are the Top Ten Reasons My Kids Should Be PUMPED About School:

1. FRIENDS Nathan has seen a few of his buddies throughout the summer, but he is very eager to get to talk to his friends every single day. Owen is apprehensive about a bigger room with bigger desks, but he can't wait to share a class with two kids from his ball team. These kids get to spend their days with people who are not their mother. This reason alone should get them up with the sun on Monday.
   
   
2. PLAYGROUNDS Owen's favorite part about kindergarten was racing his classmates to be the first on the swings and Nora finally gets to play outside in preschool! Fresh air and freedom!
   
   
3. LUNCH I'm not afraid to admit that many a Lunchable will be packed this year, but when you're eating crackers and meat circles with friends at the lunch box table, they taste even better.
   
   
4. LEARNING Oh right, there's a reason for spending half a day in a classroom. I've been telling Owen that first-grade was the most impressive of Nathan's primary school career. The kid entered that class starting to pick apart words, and left able to read the dictionary. The change at this age is unbelievable. And I will assume fifth-grade math questions will divert to Jonathan.
   
   
5. BE BRAVE Another reason my kids will have an epic first day is because they get a chance to show their strength. Owen will gather his courage to walk down the first-grade hall alone. Nathan will exhale and walk into a cafeteria full of his peers before the bell rings. Nora will tell me goodbye without tears. It's hard, but it can sure boost that self confidence.
   
   
6. PROVE YOURSELF Owen can read. Nathan can rattle off his multiplication facts. Nora can write her name. And now it's time to prove it. I know I'm looking forward to all the light bulbs that are going to click on this year, but more so, I'm looking forward to seeing it all over their faces.
   
   
7. PEP RALLIES And field trips and class plays... anything that gets them out of the classroom and onto a bus, really. They get to go places without parents, and one of these places involves crazy dancing and really loud yelling. What more could a kid need?
   
   
8. RAINY DAYS Although Owen tells me recess was his favorite part of kindergarten, there was a special place in his heart for rainy days. Inside recess meant cramming three classes full of kids the same age into one room to watch a movie and giggle. That sounds way better than watching movies on a couch while your siblings poke you.
   
   
9. TEACHERS The teachers in our schools are awesome, and it seems all three kids hit the jackpot. It's important for kids to have a net of adults who know and truly love them. This school year will give my kids another set of adults they can trust and model their lives after. I think that's a pretty good reason to go.
   
   
10. BE PART OF SOMETHING BIGGER While the five of us have had a great summer together, there is so much more beyond the walls of our home. The sense of community that often comes with the school year is something I envy myself {take me back to fifth-grade!}. Alma mater all together now...

After writing this post, I am excited to go back to school, but I'm not so lucky. It may take a few more rounds of convincing for my kids, but I know they'll be ready for what lies ahead. I can't wait to see them conquer it on their own.

{Although I could do without the inevitable first morning madness.}

Good luck to all the students, teachers, and nervous moms and dads. Remember to set those alarms a few minutes early and take deep breaths in the car line traffic jam. We can do it!

Bauer Boys on Campus

The tuition's a tiny sliver of the usual cost and there are zero book fees.

Homework is never mentioned and you can forget about those 15-page essays. At this college, you are even served free snacks and a daily dance party between classes. Plus... there are only four days required to graduate. Sounds just a bit different from my college days.

The college in question was attended by my sons over the past two weeks. It's Kids' College at the University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana, and it caters to students going into grades 1-6. Just like the version of college we know and love, kids choose their own courses, most of which are centered around science, art, or technology.

Nathan has attended every year it's been available, and he's always chomping at the bit when the course catalog arrives. He has taken the "DigiKidz" course four years in a row and learned everything from movie production to video game coding. As Owen is going into first-grade in the fall, this was his first chance, and he loved it. He didn't know a single kid or teacher going in, and he really wasn't sure what to expect. But after scrambling into the car on the first day, he was proud to tell me "I'm going back tomorrow!" He made glow-in-the-dark slime in the first hour, for crying out loud.

A college employee was also quick to inform me that no holds were barred by my son in the Whip/Nae-Nae competition. As much as Owen learned about the different forms of matter, the rest of the college was schooled on his dance skills. It was a fair trade, I think. Read on for a few more details about Kids' College 2017, straight from the boys:


Why do you like Kids' College?
Nathan: "Because it's fun and you get to meet new people. There were some cool kids there that I would not have ever known because they don't go to my school."
Owen: "I think it's fun because you get to go in classes and do science things. And I liked that we got to be very loud at Kids' College because we can't at school."

What was your favorite class this year?
Nathan: "Engineering 101 because you got to make a lot of fun stuff."
Owen: "Ooey-Gooey Science Lab because I like slimy stuff and getting messy."

What was your favorite project?
Nathan: "We made a marble course in my engineering class out of paper plates, a paper towel roll, and cut-up straws. When I finished it and let my marble roll down it, it didn't fall and went through perfectly. I was shocked that it worked!"
Owen: "In science we got to make Oobleck and that is just a liquid that is a solid. I think we made it with water and corn stuff. And my teacher was very nice and she gave me some to make at home, too."


I am happy to report two kids who are were sad to see this college year end. I love that my kids have opportunities to build on what they learned in school, but in such a different environment. It sure beats sitting on the couch!

Does your local college or school offer any cool summer programs for your kids?
Let me know what they're taking!

Brothers Back to School

A lump rose in my throat as I waited in a car line that felt more like a parking lot.

Yesterday marked the start of school for the Bauer boys and my first afternoon stop was fourth-grade. As my car crawled beside the school, I saw a sea of students. Some seemed much taller and more mature than I expected {I guess sixth grade does that to a kid?}. Then I saw Nathan's wide smile. His hand shot up in the air to alert a teacher to escort him over. As he climbed in the seat behind me and buckled, I let go of the only word I could muster: "So??"

To my utter relief, but not so much surprise, he said: "Elementary school is AMAZING!"

In the few minutes it took to get from his school to Owen's, I learned the chicken sandwich is incredible, there is a different mix of kids in his music class than in homeroom, and changing classes is a million times better than sitting in one room. This conversation was interrupted multiple times by Nora who couldn't fathom not being the center of attention, but I gathered that fourth-grade will be great.

We entered the familiar primary school lot and I noticed a collection of tiny backpack-clad kids. Then mine hopped up. I heard Owen shout "Mama!" as the car line teacher took him by the hand. I braced myself for the kindergarten report and all he gave me was: "I don't like learning."

You win some, you lose some?

The poor guy was almost snoozing by the time we got home. We parked and I asked all of my children to carry their own backpacks. {Yes, Nora, you can carry yours, too. Yes, I know you're a big girl.} Owen walked into the house, and I noticed a grin below his tired brown eyes. He opened his backpack and asked if he could show me something.

He pulled out coloring pages and showed me how he could stay in the lines. He told me about his teacher's behavior system, and said he was good today so he got to move to blue. He said he sat next to his best friends from preschool in the cafeteria, and he was brave enough to ask a teacher to open his Cheez-Its. He watched a movie at recess, and played a fun game in PE. Small snippets of kindergarten poured forth. "I think I did like my first day." Whew.

The rest of our Monday involved dinner, cleaning, baths, and preparation for the next day. Nathan had to give his class schedule to his teacher, so I frowned as I admitted I wasn't sure what specialty class he would attend next. He rolled his eyes and recited the full week to me. He's got this.

Knowing Owen would no longer be walked in by his Daddy, I went over directions to the kindergarten hall. He surprised me by describing landmarks I must have missed, and said he knows to find the Fox in Socks room. He's got this.

We'll hit bumps in the road we won't see coming, but at least my sons started on a good note. They were both willing to go back today, so I'd call that a success.

Happy New School Year, y'all! I hope your kids had a wonderful first day.

Overdrive

I spent yesterday with a handful of patient teachers, talking about peanut allergies, navigating an eight-period class schedule, maneuvering the car line at two different schools, and how my baby will have homework twice a week.

We spent hours registering Nathan and Owen for school, and I left more scatterbrained than prepared.

I was so overwhelmed, I didn't even join the legion of Facebook moms who shared photos of their students in decorated hallways. The Lunchables are already waiting. I know the route to school and the teachers' names {at least Nathan's homeroom}, but the buck stops there. I went to bed with a fresh set of worries.

How will Nathan memorize his schedule? Does he remember how to get to the cafeteria? I don't remember how to get the cafeteria. Will Baby Owen, who I thought just turned two, bring his agenda book home? Will he gather the courage to tell the lunch ladies whether he wants nuggets or a burrito? He's not ready. I have to teach him how to be a real person over the weekend. Why don't I have any social security numbers memorized? Am I terrible parent? I have failed everyone.

I spiraled into oblivion, as you plainly read, and fell asleep before the wine could save me. This morning my brain is still in overdrive, but I'm starting to fit the new puzzle pieces.

Nathan admitted to his teachers he's as nervous as he is eager, and that's okay. He has a schedule to learn to read, new teachers, new classrooms, and a new school. On the bright side, he's familiar with most of his classmates and he found out he was selected for the fourth-grade Gifted and Talented program. Owen took a minute to warm up to his new teacher, but then she introduced him to Martin the guinea pig. He happily smiled for her in front of a sign that read "kindergarten kid" and couldn't contain his enthusiasm when he slid into a desk. As it turns out {and as my husband could have told you before}, it's not them we have to worry about.

I don't share this to give you a sneak peek of my crazy {but, hello, there it is}, I say this because maybe you, too, are feeling blindsided by the adjustments of a new school year. Maybe I'm not the only one whose mind is racing with lists to make and worries to extinguish. Just keep telling yourself the same thing I've been chanting since our whirlwind registration: It's going to be okay.

They're ready, whether we are or not.

On an extremely related note, I'm thankful for the two unopened bottles of wine in my fridge. Have a good weekend, y'all.

Art Show

The best part of wrapping up a school year is the day of the 30-pound backpack.

No, I'm not training Nathan for weight lifting, I just know inside lies all sorts of secrets he's been keeping. I open journal after journal to creative writing pieces, impressive margin doodles, and a page of long division that I probably couldn't do myself. It's fun to see what he's been up to in the privacy of his third-grade classroom and it's amazing to page through his progress. For this kid, however, my favorite thing to pull out of his end-of-year bag is the art portfolio.

Last week the whole third-grade bused to the campus they'll be attending next year, and Nathan was sure to let me know he met the art teacher. I don't know where this talent will take him, but I look forward to the classes that will become available to help hone it. For your Monday entertainment {slash proud mom oversharing}, I thought we'd do a little art show. From the pages of the portfolio...


Superhero Self-Portrait in paint and marker {he has the ability to transform into any animal}:

Rainbow Chameleon in oil pastel:

Mountain Sunset in paint:

Razorback in marker, paint, and color pencil {I assumed this was a coloring piece, but apparently he drew it?}:

Just a couple of doodles he did in his free art class minutes:

Today is Nathan's last day of third grade, and I can't wait to see what works of art he brings home next year. What have you found in your kid's backpack lately?

Owen the Preschool Grad

When the nurse hands you a just-born baby and calls him by name, reality can hit like a brick wall.

This name you and your husband discussed for months were just two words attached to the baby inside. You grinned when you saw his name written on hospital forms and blinked in disbelief when the letters came together over his crib. It was surreal to hear your doctor ask about him and even crazier when you looked into your baby's eyes for the first time and let his name roll off your tongue.

Over the years, hearing my son's name sent chills down my spine with a quick thought of "Who am I to name a person?!" Eventually I grew used to screaming it when I spied a puddle of chocolate milk or an entire roll of toilet paper bobbing in the water. Stringing those letters together had become commonplace. That is, until Owen Bauer was called across the stage at preschool graduation.

In his tiny white cap and gown, the kid I called Owen shyly walked over and listened as his teacher shared his accolades. She told the crowd my son wants to be a police officer when he grows up. She said he was a stickler for the rules who kept his buds in line and would be sure to do the same for whatever community he protects. She also said that although this was his only year of preschool, he's a social butterfly and a great friend. You couldn't exactly tell by the way he hesitated to receive this honor, but he lit up when he donned a dog costume and joined his friends to sing "Who Let the Dogs Out" - yes, it was as glorious as it sounds.

He's a real person. I know I have been a mom for almost nine years, but the idea that I brought a real person into this world still floors me. The fact that someone other than his mom knows how awesome he is and sees the potential he's bringing to kindergarten is astounding. Hearing someone lovingly say his name still gets to me.

After we packed up the dog suit and let Nora take the stage post-program {because, of course}, Owen climbed into the car next to his brother. He told me he was proud of himself for being brave enough to stand in front of a large crowd and let his light shine. He beamed when he got to pick cheese tots for supper, then announced he was ready to start kindergarten the next day...

While he still has a few more days before I send him to primary, I know this kid is ready, thanks to his village. Owen's preschool teacher is one of a kind, full of patience, contagious enthusiasm, and constant protection. This particular teacher is one of the first people who took my bunch in when we made the move south. She took two-year-old Nathan under her wing, and has been loving my kids ever since. I can hear it in her voice when she says their names.

The names I helped choose now hold special meaning for someone else. Who knew?

---

Congratulations to my Baby O for rocking his first graduation garb. I know in just a blink, he'll be a high school senior in a similar getup. Maybe I'll control my blinking in the coming years. Happy Friday, friends, and a special shout out to the Preschool Class of 2016!

Registered & Ready

I feel like I just tucked Owen's birth certificate beside our marriage license and car title.

Now I'm rummaging through the lock box to grab it for kindergarten registration.

That brown-eyed boy will soon be my second kindergarten kid. I hadn't thought about it much until his preschool teacher told me school reps would be dropping in to assess the five-year-olds. As odd as it sounds to put assessment and Owen in the same sentence, I was excited to see where this kid fell on the scale.

After testing, he didn't make it into the car before spilling all the beans. He told me how he grouped bears of the same color and then counted each grouping aloud. He had to identify every letter the teacher touched. He said he wrote his name as perfectly as he could and proudly answered questions about his family. He knew he did a great job and his preschool teacher was quick to back that up. I have no worries about Owen's intelligence as he begins his public school career. My only worry is me.

The feelings that bubble up thinking about first-time kindergartners are old hat, but it's different this time. With Nathan, we were both terrified, but we were both excited. The first day was tough {and probably always will be}, but I was eager to see what classroom life was like. It was a new adventure for both of us and now I'm well-versed in primary school. Since I already know what's going on, do I have to give up my baby boy?

At the moment, however, the baby boy himself is ready to run. He yearns for a bigger playground with tall swings and more friends, and he can't wait to dig into what's waiting in the classroom. I'm not the only one who's had a taste of the primary life. Owen's paid a few visits to Nathan's school and he knows it won't be boring.

The kid in question is currently at my side, waiting to play Minecraft, so I'll let you hear it from the horse's mouth. His eyes lit up when I told him I was writing about getting ready for kindergarten. When asked what he's looking forward to most, he said: "Playing outside and eating French fries in the big lunch room and playing in the cool areas and doing a bunch of math tests. Four plus five is nine, do you know that?"

Owen's name is officially on the paperwork and will be placed on his teacher's roster this summer. I know he has more growing/growing up to do over the next three months, but I know those months will fly by. Soon we'll be school supply shopping and shaking off nerves. The countdown to kindergarten is on!

Is anyone else out there getting a kindergartner registered?
How are you holding up?

Third Grade Day

Nathan gasped the other day when I told him he only had a month left at primary school.

Since the tender age of five, Nathan's been strolling the same halls, eating cheeseburgers in the same cafeteria, and standing in line for the same swings. However, he will soon leave it all behind him. Fourth-grade moves up to elementary school in this town, and Nathan says he's chomping at the bit to get away from his baby days. While I can't exactly tell you what third grade is like for my son, he is willing to enlighten us all. Before he graduates to greener pastures, let's hear from Nathan about his final primary days.

What do you think about when you first walk into the classroom?
I wonder if we will have fun that day and what we are going to be doing.

What do you see first thing in the morning?
I see my teacher's desk and her computer. She usually has a cup of markers and a bunch of papers. I also notice what my friends are doing.

What's the first thing you do when you sit down at your desk?
Read books, whichever ones we want. There's a big basket and we pick out one. I just read a little bit of this book called The Great Kapok Tree. There was this man who found a tree in the middle of the forest with lots of animals living in it. He was going to chop it down, but decided not to because there was so much life in it.

What is your favorite thing about mornings?
We don't have to do that much work. We used to do morning math, like word problems and multiplication, but not anymore. We do have science in the morning and I love learning about animal classifications.

What is your favorite activity to go to and why?
Music because I love learning about music in other countries and seeing instruments from other countries.

What is your favorite thing to eat at lunch?
This is hard! Popcorn chicken with French fries, apple or pear, and the chocolate chip cookies are really good. I get chocolate milk and a water.

What do you see and hear in the cafeteria?
I see ladies at counters, a bunch of people sitting down at the tables, teachers telling people to be quiet, and kids whispering to each other. Me and my friends talk about life, what's going on at home or what happened in the morning.

How would you describe a good day at recess?
I like when it's sunny and we can go out. A good day is when no one wants to swing because I love the swings.

Who do you play with and what do you play?
I play with Gabby a lot and we play hide and seek. My favorite hiding place is under the playground equipment, but she always finds me. She's pretty good at it.

What do you do in your classroom in the afternoons?
We do independent work, like word studies, language sheets, math, and quick reads. Quick reads is where you read with your teacher in the morning and you put a sticky note on where you stopped. In the afternoons we answer questions about what we were able to read. I'm pretty good at that, I usually get really far. One time I got 206 words because I read the entire passage two times. A word study is where we have these words we cut out and then we sort them into categories. The categories would be like E Drop or Second or Third Syllable Stressed.

What is it like to go to the car line?
We pack up at the end of the day and get our things ready to go home. We get in a line by the door and walk out through the office door to go to the benches. I always talk to my friends when I'm waiting. I like when you get there early, but sometimes you're a little late.

What makes a school day great?
When all we have to do is just a few worksheets.

What makes a school day hard?
When the teacher gives us a million things to do.

What will you miss most about third grade?
My best teacher ever! She's been my favorite because she's very nice to me and helps me a lot.

Why are you excited about elementary school?
A lot of people say it's going to be really fun. I hope we get to go to one class and do some work and then go to a different class and do some work.

The After-School "Good"

You've all heard it before.

After a slow move through the car line while adjusting the radio station to meet my two-year-old's needs, I spot him. He's sandwiched between buddies, but isn't talking to them. He has found his mama. We lock eyes, he jumps to his feet, and his arm stretches up. Another successful day of education is shining on his face, and my own smile broadens as the teacher walks him over. He scrambles past his sister, buckles up, and I offer a cheerful "Hi Nathan! How was your day?"

"It was good."

How was recess?
Good.

How was today's chicken patty on bun?
Good.

How was music class?
Good.

How did you do on your spelling test?
Good.

It's a bit anticlimactic, isn't it? This is coming from the kid who can talk about Minecraft for half an hour with no pause for breath. However, hidden among the lukewarm responses my kid utters at 3:15 every weekday afternoon are third-grade tales waiting to be told. As soon as I start asking the right questions {sometimes days later}, I'll learn about things like multiplication tables and the fact that our public school system is still teaching cursive. Owen's preschool answers are similar. Eventually I'll get him to admit that he doesn't mind finger paint or that egg starts with E. All of this learning and growing happens on days that are simply "good." While I don't hold any secret keys to get your kid to talk to you, these questions can get me a step further:

1. What was the funniest thing that happened at school today? This usually gets me playground antics or the unfortunate event that was Nathan stepping in a pile of ants while lining up after lunch.
   
   
2. Who was your favorite person to play with today? This can provide a peek into friendships I know nothing about.
   
   
3. What was the hardest thing you did today? This is when I find out what a math array is and that Nathan aced his comprehension test. This can also lead to stories about skinned knees and forgotten homework.
   
   
4. What stories did you hear today? Both boys are read to {or get time to read} daily, and I am honestly interested. This usually gets me much more than a book title and for Owen, I may get a song and dance, too.
   

These are just a handful of alternatives to "How was your day?" to break through the after-school good. Even the open-ended questions can get shut down, but that's okay. Eight hours of focused attention can wear a kid down, and a brain break can be good. I've learned to try again over dinner, or even just wait for him to come to me. It's so nice to get a peek into the secret world of a third-grader, though. School is an experience of their own, but a sparked curiosity is natural. What car line questions do you have in your arsenal?

First Day for the Bauer Boys

No tears at the Bauer house yesterday {except Nora, who was bummed she didn't get a sign}.

My oldest was sent to third grade and my middle to the daily grind of preschool. Owen actually started his new place last week, but Monday was serious business. He drew a picture of two guys with mo-hawks. Said he may even feel up to bringing his backpack tomorrow. As for his adjustment, I don't think it could have gone any better. I could tell he was working through nerves on Day One, but he came home with a couple of new best friends and a desire to go back. They give him chicken nuggets AND they get to push monster trucks up the slide. Really, what could be better?

The third-grade report was equally good. Nathan takes after me in new situations and was feeling a bit uneasy Sunday night, but he had a new resolve when the alarm clock sounded. He grabbed a cinnamon bun, laced up his new kicks, and marched into the classroom - that is, after he and his daddy sat in the car line for half an hour. {The first few weeks are a JUNGLE around these parts!} I battled the cars in the afternoon. There he sat, right beneath the big number three with a grin on his face. He climbed into the way back, tossed his blue backpack aside, and before I could even ask, he said: "My day was GREAT!"

Highlights included seeing all of his friends at recess, finding out he's second on the teacher's helper list, a lack of homework, and the fact that he gets to go to music classes on Tuesdays. He was sent home with a list of spelling words to start with, and he easily rattled them off one by one. The only drawback was the pizza he was served at lunch, rather than the chicken patty on bun I thought I'd read on the menu. So far, so good, third-grade.

At the top I said there were no tears at the house, but one might have fallen in the Subway drive-through when Owen's teacher tagged me in the photo above. It's hard to believe that this year's first day report includes not one, but TWO Bauers. Thankfully there were two great days, and there were two little boys who woke up ready to go again today.

I hope your First Day went just as smoothly. Hugs to the kindergarten moms, high-fives to the college students, and cheers to the parents who have been counting down all summer!

School Prep

Backpacks and folders aren't the only things we need to get ready for school.

After the small happy dance that comes with the end of I'M BORED days of summer, we have work to do. It's time to kick our parenting skills into gear as school days draw near. Sure, the teachers that work hard all year have a bit more to do to prepare to educate our kids, but there are few changes our family should make this week to prepare for next. Let's jump in.

Bedtime
Probably the biggest change we're implementing this week is an earlier bedtime. I love letting Nathan stay up later during the summer. He'll watch TV, waste hours on Minecraft, and basically just be a kid. I'm okay with that, really. Usually by 9:00 or 9:30 we'd send him on his merry way to the top bunk, but we're scaling it back this week. School can wear a kid out, especially during the first days. Their brains go from zero-to-sixty and they need the energy. We are going to try to get every kid snoring by 8:00. Wish us luck.

Food
For some reason, when school starts I decide to desire to become a domestic goddess. Keyword is desire, y'all. If you know me or have read here for any period of time, you will know I cannot cook. Thankfully, I was blessed with a husband who can. The school year makes me want to organize an after-school snack drawer in the fridge, craft a color-coded meal plan for each weekday, and orchestrate weekly grocery trips complete with section-by-section lists. I'm living in a dream world here, but a girl needs goals, right?

Books
It's time to dial down the screen time around here. The Instant Gratification of the Internet seems to make it a little harder to focus on flipping actual pages in an actual book. Go figure, right? Nathan enjoys a good story, but he has trouble getting into it and I imagine the screens of summer may have something to do with that. Starting this week, I'm going to encourage him to shut it down and open a book. He needs to know that the journey can be more fun when the ending is further away.

Supplies
Aside from the lofty goals listed above, we do actually need the folders and backpacks. This year I let Nathan and his Daddy make the big trip. The list was a bit different. No markers and just one measly box of crayons. The kid even snagged his first package of loose-leaf paper! I'm very excited for third-grade. I feel like this is the year he will hone in on favorite topics, and maybe get a dose of new subjects. Also, Owen had to pull out Nathan's old preschool nap mat. That might be a little depressing. {See last week's post.}

What does your family do to get geared up for back-to-school? Also, what am I missing here??

Grade Two, Day One

Nathan went to second grade yesterday.

There was no wailing or gnashing of teeth {for either one of us}. There was zero hesitation as Nathan got dressed and munched on mini muffins. I reminded him to hand his new teacher the envelope full of lunch money and he double-checked with his dad about which door would get him to the right hall. I could tell he was anxious to see what would happen, but I knew he was telling the truth when he said he wasn't scared. He said he had it under control, and he did. He had a fantastic day and woke up willing to return.

Not too earth-shattering of a first day post, is it? Instead of telling you how I wept for my baby all day {further reading for kindergarten mamas here} or how Nathan came home a mess of tears {further reading for first-grade mamas here}, I'll let him paint you a picture. Here are five of the coolest things I learned about second grade from the car line to the driveway:

There's a poster of a skeleton on the wall, books about the Wild West on the shelf, and a pet turtle named Sheldon. Apparently, second-graders get to learn more than sight words. Nathan assured me that science and social studies were both on the menu, and asked if they'll start doing potions this year. I didn't have the heart to tell him he has to wait a few years before his Hogwarts letter arrives.

There's no bathroom in the classroom, unlike the kindergarten and first-grade days of yesteryear. Get this, you actually have to ask permission to go out into the hallway, and walk down to the boys' bathroom reserved for only the eldest of primary students. Also, sometimes there are people you know from other classes in the bathroom and you get to say hi to them.

In second-grade, not only do you move to another hall, you move to an entirely new playground. The one with the incredibly daunting metal slide. The height draws out your fear, but the feel of metal in August is the stuff of nightmares. However, there is a jungle gym over there that's "much higher" than the one on the "old playground" and Nathan said he quickly made it to the top.

There are assigned chores. Never in my life have I heard Nathan so excited about being asked to do a chore. "Today I got to carry the trash cans out to the janitor when he came by AND then put them back! And even better - tomorrow I get to WATER. THE. PLANTS. at the end of the day." He's going to lose his mind when it's his turn to feed the turtle.

The pizza is just as delicious as he remembered it. Naturally, the school will bust out the best of its lunches on Day One {they wait to introduce the Salisbury steak} and Nathan was happy to leave his new lunch box at home. Square pizza with grey sausage is his favorite. "I even opened my milk carton by myself on the first try!"

I hope all of the little {and big} Arkansas kids had an awesome first day at school. For those who didn't, however, I've been there and will probably be there again. I promise it gets better. For both of you. Happy Tuesday, y'all. And welcome back!

Second-Grade Supplies

My child is going to be in second grade. He doesn't need a Ninja Turtles backpack.

I would tell you this is not going to be a mushy parenting post about growing up, but you and I both know that would be a lie. Look away if you don't want to hear a coming-of-age story about a kid who just turned seven, and I promise those who keep reading that I'll keep it light. Deal?

School starts one week from today, and Nathan will be in the upper echelons of his primary school. A top dog, if you will. Sure, the third-graders will still be the holders of seniority, but those kindergarten babies will look no different than his three-year-old brother. Because the bell will soon ring, we took a trip to Target for one of my favorite days of the year. I get downright giddy about this day. I know some of you feel the same way about pointy, fresh crayons and the smell of cap erasers, but some may not. C'est la vie. Luckily, my kid is into it. He and his Daddy took one side of the school section, I took the other, and we met at the backpacks. I took him to the small ones first, and pointed out an R2D2 bag that lights up and beeps, an Angry Birds bag, and one featuring Lightning McQueen. He denied all three. I even tried a Skylanders one, despite the fact that I don't know what that means. Nothing doing. At that point, I asked him to just find one himself.

Then he pulled one from the hook, slipped it onto his small shoulders, and gave the thumbs up. It was the same size as the others, but no cartoons or licensed characters. Just black and blue camo and skulls.

Granted, I did think it was a cool backpack, but Jonathan smirked when I tried to push the sweet R2D2 bag again. "Nathan, tell her you're a second-grader now and you know what you like."

Let me clarify what bothered me here. I don't care what's on the kid's backpack as long as it's appropriate, it's the idea. It's the idea that I just loaded his tiny puppy backpack with his nap mat and a box of baby wipes and sent him off to preschool. It's the idea that he's realizing he's too old for certain things and he's developing his own preferences. I enjoy this kid so much and I'm thankful the three of us had this day to ourselves. We filled our cart with the supplies he chose, we bought him a fresh pair of kicks {in a size larger, of course}, and we shared polite dinner conversation with our child-person. I loved the one-on-one time, but it was undeniable proof that Baby Bauer #1 is actually doing this growing up thing.

I push him to take care of himself and be more independent. I push him to grow and develop and learn and change. I push him to embrace what he likes and be proud of it. Funny how I grasp at straws when he goes for it. And people. PEOPLE. This is just the second grade. I'm in for a whirlwind over the next decade, aren't I? All I have to say about that is thank goodness for little siblings. I have a tiny puppy backpack tucked away in the boys' closet that will fit Owen just fine when he walks into preschool next year. NEXT YEAR?!

Oh, heavens.

All-Around Academic

I'm going to brag a bit today. If you're not into that, please avert your eyes and go watch TV or something. If you're into first-grade success stories, then stay with me.

I am a very proud mama and I refuse to be ashamed of that. Plus, Nathan's grandparents probably want to read about how cool I think he is, and I know you can't argue with me there. We good? Great.

This dapper fellow is my eldest son, dressed as a stylish fourth-grade teacher for career day during his school's Red Ribbon Week. He was decked out with modified sunglasses, a tucked-in polo, and a grade book full of imaginary students. After a day of learning with the class veterinarian, a well-dressed lawyer, and a nationally-renown soccer star, it was time to go to his parent-teacher conference. We did this in kindergarten and were always given awesome reports, but this report card was a bit different than the check-off lists of days gone by.

As we entered the classroom, the first thing out of his teacher's mouth was, "Nathan you did great! You got straight As!" Three, to be exact {hence the post title}. Conduct, language arts, and math. I was not surprised. I had seen his test and classwork grades over the past nine weeks and I knew he was doing well. There was just something about seeing it printed on a piece of paper next to my baby's name that made my heart skip.

Do any other parents get weird when it comes to their kids' names? It takes a few months for me to adjust to others calling my babies by a name I picked. Then it gets even weirder when I see it in print or scribbled across the top of a homework paper. Naming a person is such a huge job and I sometimes can't believe someone let me do it. Maybe it's just me.

But I digress. Yes, Nathan aced his first report card that actually featured letter grades. He was proud and all, but he was anxious to leave the classroom and head to the book fair. Ahh, the book fair. Doesn't that fill your head with some amazing memories? {I giggled when I saw that kitty posters were still a thing.} Chapter books, picture books, comic books, science books - Nathan was in heaven! He didn't know where to start, but once he got over the initial shock of his library being turned into a store, he found the nonfiction section and stayed there.

We came home with a book about animals, a book about space, and a two-pack from the Magic Tree House series. A pretty good haul for his first report card prize. It's not quite the chunk of change his grandpa gave him, but still good. Who wants to take bets on how long the cash-for-each-A rule holds up? I hear there are seven classes in junior high...

Better start saving now, Gramps! If Nathan continues to do his best, that wallet's going to get hungry. :)

---

Also, in honor of Throwback Thursday, here is a picture of yours truly during the primary school days. Nathan and I were recently rifling through my K/1 box, reading silly stories I concocted and comparing our artistic abilities {I lost}. This little gem just happened to surface. Cute little thing, right?

Have a happy Thursday, y'all!

Kindergarten Complete

With a painless birthday spanking for the summer celebrants and a confetti cupcake baked by yours truly, kindergarten ended last Friday.

You'd think Nathan would be bummed, but the crystal blue swimming pool and the idea of attending summer care with Owen kept the sadness at bay. He was happy to be done, but boy was my kid proud.

Once we unloaded after our last kindergarten pickup, Nathan sat down at the table and unzipped his heavy backpack. He pulled out his crayon box, ready to color all summer long. He then watched my reaction as he handed me his final, refrigerator-ready report card.

An entire year of memories loaded down the gray backpack that slipped on his small shoulders in August. Books of words he had written in journal entries, pictures he drew that were better anything I could dream of doing, and carefully written names in his first-ever yearbook. He was done.

My son finished his first year of formal schooling and he has come out shining on the other side.

I'll admit I was scared when I left him in the classroom last fall. I knew Nathan liked to learn and I knew he was bright, but I was unsure of how he would do in this environment. Could he make new friends? Could he take care of himself? Could he adhere to the responsibilities that come with school?

Turns out, the answer is an emphatic YES.

(If you haven't already grasped the fact that this is a mommy brag post, grasp it and move on if you're not into it. If you are into though, please continue to read about how awesome my kid is. Illustrations included.)

He has learned so much this year. As we were riding home yesterday, he was looking through the National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Insects and Spiders (what??) and read me things like "winged thrips" and "sucking louse" and "reproductive termites" (again, what??).

When he stepped into Mrs. Dodd's classroom, he couldn't read. Maybe he knew small words that made sense phonetically, but this kid is using context clues, word chunks, and sound blends. I may not have known what half of those were until he told me. Here are a few of his journal pages:


Click to enlarge. You won't regret it.
His math skills are pretty impressive, too, from addition and subtraction to three-dimensional shapes to counting to ridiculously high numbers. I cut him off at 250 once for my own sanity.

On the flip side, his inner artist soared this year. I've always known he was good at drawing, but I am now even more anxious to see this talent develop. If his kindergarten portfolio is any indication, he's going to be drawing some awesome stuff by high school.


I think pre-kindergarten Nathan to post-kindergarten Nathan is the biggest change I have seen thus far. He went in a scared little preschooler and came out a responsible, respectful, big kid. He takes care of his brother, he helps me more than a five-year-old should, and he simply loves life. He loves Ninja Turtles on a Saturday morning, backyard adventures, and afternoons with nothing but a pile of Legos and a wild imagination. He loves being a kid. Because he is one. Nathan is a kid.

There's no turning back.

I hope your school year was just as successful and you're ready to say hello to summer. We've already dipped into the pool once this year and if that was any indication, it's going to be one sweet summer. Happy Tuesday, y'all!