Where has the time gone?

If you saw Noah's picture blog, you know that today was his first day of school. Since his previous school was not going to be in operation past last week, we decided to go ahead and start Montessori school--they have Summer Camp, where they are focusing on Art and Science, both of which we think Noah will really enjoy. Starting in the summer, too, may give him an easing into the program.

Here's the deal: whereas his last school was Monday through Thursday, 9am through 1, Montessori is Monday through FRIDAY, and drop-off is 7:30 - 8:30 (school starts at 8:30, but you can drop your child off beginning at 7:30) and pick-up is 2:30. That's a whole day, and an extra 3 hours per day that I won't have Noah with me.

So....Mommy is dealing with it okay, and so is Daddy. We know that he'll love this new school--new adventure, new friends, new challenges. It's just hard--it's like REAL SCHOOL as far as the days and hours go.

I thought that we would have a few months to adjust; we'd have him in his old school through the Summer, then Montessori in the Fall, but nope. Had to rip that band-aid off quickly.

He did express a little anxiety, and there was a little tearing up and clinging when we got to school, but the people at Montessori are great--they understand that it's hard the first day and they handled Noah beautifully. I've already received a phone and an e-mail update telling me that Noah is just fine, and is enjoying Art. I was able to keep it together while we were there, then cried a little when we left, but I think I did okay. I just didn't want Noah to pick up on any of MY anxiety or my sadness at this new step.

It's just been such a big week--he ended going to school at Springwell (where he'd gone since he was 18 months old); he turned 4; he started a new school with a big-boy school schedule!

A quick note on his 4th Birthday--we had a great time, with lots of family, and we loved having everyone over to share in the food and celebration. The Big Present--the ginormous play set--is supposed to be finished tonight, so we'll be sure to video Noah's reaction to it. It may be dark by the time the workers finish putting it together, so we may have to wait until Wed. to do the big reveal.

He's such a big boy... I started getting a little nostalgic, so here are some pictures that I wanted to share on this big day!



6/5/2006--Just born! I remember when he used to sleep all the time....



6/5/2007--First Birthday!!!! He looks so tiny in that big ol' highchair! Ah, to be able to restrain him at the table again...




6/5/2008--Second Birthday! Check out those crazy curls over his ears!



6/5/2009--I think this is his Third Birthday, but I could be wrong...



6/5/2010--Fourth Birthday! I love his ability to accessorize...



6/7/2010--First Day of School.