Kindergarden

Monday was Aaron's first day of Kindergarden.  We missed orientation so we had no clue where his class was or who his teacher was (they did registration two weeks prior to the first day and orientation was the friday before, very last minute).  Aaron was less than excited.  I think he thought we were going back to Head Start and wasn't having that.  He and Zuri also refused to sleep the night before so they were both very cranky when I took him to class.  It didn't help that he wouldn't be riding the bus this year, we live too close to the school.  Riding the bus was by far one of the best things for him.  I guess when we move, we'll have to get a place far away from school to make him eligible for the bus.

I did good.  I saw a few mommies crying after dropping of their kids, but I managed to keep it together.  Aaron had an okay first few days, the second was hard on the teacher because she wasn't used to Aaron's 'spirit' and actually brought up putting him into pre-K this year because he's not adjusted.  I shot that down, considering he's either at or above the level of the rest of the kids in his class, pre-K would hold him back and make him hate school even more.  Together we decided we'd get some evaluations done and that we'd wait to do anything considering they're going to start a new Kindergarden class because all the current ones have 24-25 students and there's only one teacher.

The first two days were bad because I had no idea how much lunch was (they didn't send the information home until the first day... something that should have been given out at registration), I had no idea when school started and when it ended, I didn't even know how the drop off stuff works.  But I found out lunch is $1.30 (HOLY CRAP!), school was from 8 to 3 and the drop off is a free for all except for kindergarden and pre-k, we're expected to walk our kids in, they're not allowed to go anywhere without an adult (a plan I like).

So, here are a few pictures of Aaron on his first day.  And yes, they do have 'uniforms', royal blue or hunter green polos, jeans only with a 5 pocket maximum, shirts tucked in, belts, and shoes can't be open toed, without a back or a combination of red and black.  Yeah, it's kinda weird.

Aaron on the couch, trying to hide:

Letting me take a full picture after fighting me:

In the car:

In class. Yes, he sucks his thumb and plays with his hair:

Well Hello Dolly!

We're waiting.  Dolly is coming and we're ready for her.  She's only going to be a Cat 1 when she hits the coast of Tx, which isn't bad.  We're at the northern tip of the storm.  I've been asked by a few people if we're evacuating, but since just north of us, about 10 miles north, it's no longer a hurricane warning, it's a tropical storm warning, we're staying right here.  I have moved my car out from under it's customary tree, just in case.  And we have plenty of water, just in case.  A good amount of canned goods, some cash and a car full of gas.  What more could you want?

People aren't even freaking out yet.  I got gas and the lot was empty, even though the station was 10¢ lower than usual.  The grocery store beside my house isn't more crowded than usual and people are going to and from work like it's nothing.

I went to the gym again today.  For some reason, I wasn't feeling well and nearly tossed my Raisin Bran Crunch all over the elliptical, but I managed to hold it down and finish my usual workout, even though it wasn't as 'intense' as it normally is.

We're on the downward slope of Nick's deployment.  Only 6 weeks to go.  He's started making plans over what he wants to do with his two weeks of leave when he returns.  One of our plans was to go to the Mall of America and spend a week or so up there.  Instead of that, we've decided to pay on our truck and get some of it taken care of, and stay in San Antonio on the Riverwalk instead.  Nick was cruising the hotel sites and found one he liked a lot.  He inquired online about military discount and it's the BEST we've ever heard of.  50% off!  He booked it without bothering to ask me because the deal was awesome.  We probably won't get a room overlooking the walk, but who cares?  We're getting the Mariott for the rate of the Motel Six!  We also plan on going to San Marcus to the Outlet mall for our little shopping trip.  Nick has lost about 30lbs and needs new clothes and will also need new shoes.  Might as well get them cheap.

Aaron starts school on the 25th of August.  I don't know how he's going to take it.  He's really good with routine.  You get him on one, and he won't stray from it.  But breaking a new routine in is really hard. I look forward to him going back, he had a lot of fun these last 2 years at HeadStart, but I'm also worried the new teacher won't understand him.  That she'll think he's a 'problem kid' instead of understanding that he needs a little more direction in the beginning but once it's established, he's a really happy kid.  I can see me having to pick him up early a bit in the beginning.  Luckily, we've met with his principal and she understands that though Aaron is no longer 'special needs' (he was discharged from speech therapy at the end of last year), he still might need some social adjusting that other kids developed while he was working on speech.  We'll see I guess.