First Day of School

August 24th was Caleb's first day of preschool.  Boy was he ever excited!  We had gone school shopping, packed all the supplies in his bag, gone to meet the teacher night, laid out his school clothes and even discussed what we were having for breakfast that morning.  We'd gone over whether or not he wanted school lunch or a packed lunch, the specific do's and don't's of schools (including the appropriate and inappropriate places for him to pee, being the farm boy he is) and the schedule for the day.  He and I also had an extensive talk about other people's choice to choose what they believe and that the choices he makes should reflect what both God and his parents would expect from him. After all the preparation, the day he had been waiting for (for what seemed like forever in a four-year-old's eyes) finally arrived! 

Before I get to the adorable pictures that we all know are sure to follow, I would like to address an issue that I've been asked about many, many times: homeschooling.   Because I have a teaching license and we carry our faith of utmost importance to us, we've surprised a few people that we've chosen to send Caleb to a public school.  I know that homeschooling is not something that only Christian families do, but I think that alot of people associate those who homeschool to be the "Bible reading, church going, scripture quoting,  praying, non-cussing, skirt wearing" kind of family category that our family falls into.  We have not totally ruled out homeschooling and may one day, sooner or later, choose to do so.  In fact, I have a homeschooling textbook catalogue laying not six feet from me while I type this.  But after some prayful consideration, we feel that for now Caleb would benefit from being in a preschool setting.  We've claimed the promise that Proverbs 22:6 has given us:  "Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it."  Caleb is surrounded every minute he is at home with his parents' love and guided by Biblical principles of why he should or shouldn't do something.  I have complete faith that what is exemplified and taught at home will forever outweigh what is exemplified and taught by lesser Christ-like behaviour that Caleb will see demonstrated away from us and that the promise just mentioned will be fulfilled.

Now, on to the pictures!




First day of school!  He was disappointed he couldn't wear his school bag to school that morning, but we had left it at the school the evening before with all his school supplies for the teacher to take out and put away.




And Sarah Rose was all dolled up for the ride, too.   At least she forgot about her fuzzy high heels!




Awwww!





Future class clown?  He seems to be quite the entertainer in Sarah Rose's eyes!
I didn't even know he could make this face.



This is their attendance chart.  As the kids arrive, they turn over their card with a picture of an empty next to reveal a nest with an owl in it to show their presence.

Off to a good start... everyone loves play-doh! 
It was a very emotional day for me.  I managed to hold my emotions in check until he told me he loved me as I was leaving.  The tears started rolling as I walked across the parking lot to come home.  It was an early out for the first day of school, which meant I was to leave home at 12:30 to pick him up.  I kept my eye on the clock and as soon as the thirty minute mark was hit, I was out the door and in the car ready to pick my baby up!

 

Sarah Rose was awfully glad to have Caleb home!  I caught them that afternoon together on the couch looking at a magazine :-)