Rachel's First Day of Nursery School

Today was another exciting day for the Crist household! Rachel started her 2 year old nursery school at First Baptist. I wasn't quite sure how the day would go, especially since last night at her dance class she gave me a taste of how she might react and it wasn't good.

We've been talking up her first day of school for weeks now, especially the last couple of days. She was excited about going to school but a little disappointed to learn that she won't be taking a school bus. Rachel loves school buses. We count them every morning on our way to mommom's house. We went shopping last week and bought her a Ni Hoa Ki-Lan backpack for her school papers and we even bought new shoes with the birthday gift cards she received! We had a conference with her new teachers last week so that she could get to know them before today. The exciting thing is that Rachel has the same nursery school teacher that Jake had 9 years ago when he went to First Baptist. How special is that? We feel so blessed to have Mrs. Melito again.

Our morning started off well and she even went into her little classroom without hesitation. I was even able to snap a few photos. She sat on Mrs. King's lap and was playing with the other kids and as soon as Dave and I went over to kiss her good-bye, well the sobs came. She cried and screamed so loudly that I heard her all the way out the front door. I was hesitant about leaving, but I knew this would be good for her. I cried all the way back to my office and I cried to my sister and my mother in-law on the phone. I felt like I completely abandoned her. I left her with total strangers and to expect her to feel comfortable and safe is ridiculous. The more I kept playing the scene in my head, I just wanted to run back to the school and snatch her up! They told me they would call if they couldn't calm her down. I was sure the phone was going to ring. I waited 30 minutes and decided to call the school myself. I couldn't stand it anymore! Apparently, she cried for about 20 minutes uncontrollably, but Rachel allowed the teacher to hold and comfort her, which is a great sign. After that, she got up and participated and there was no more tears! Amen! I was so happy and relieved. Believe me, I kept one eye on that clock for the next hour which is when I could leave and pick her up. This week they are only doing an hour and a half vs. the normal two and half hours which will start next week. When Dave and I arrived to pick Rachel up, she was being held by the teacher peeking out the door waiting for us. What a wonderful sight I must say! She was in very happy spirits and so very happy to see us. She didn't seem grief stricken as I thought she may and she even said she wanted to go back. The teacher commented on how intelligent Rachel is and that she spoke very well and was such a well-mannered little girl. Of course I was beaming ear to ear. Rachel is a smart little girl which is one of the reasons I knew nursery school would benefit her in so many ways. I'm so relieved that her day went better than I had anticipated. I'm curious what Thursday will bring. I guess it can go either way. She will know that we are leaving her, but she may end up loving it and not crying a tear. Me, her mother, that may be a different story!

So we are embarking on another journey of Rachel's life and I'm feel utterly blessed to be a part of it. Rachel is such a blessing and I'm so excited to see what my little sponge absorbs in the new chapter of her life.

Jake is embarking on a new journey

in middle school this year! How crazy is that?! My little boy has entered the 6th grade of middle school today and it is a bittersweet time for me. Honestly, it feels like yesterday he was going to nursery school and then kindergarten a couple of years later. Ironically, Rachel had her nursery school orientation today at the same nursery school Jake attended 9 years ago and she will have the same exact teacher Jake had too.

The start of middle school didn't go quite as Jake had planned. Last evening, while at friends for a Labor Day picnic, Jake had an accident playing football. While running, Jake hit a ditch in the ground and fell on his wrist. After about an hour, a bump that formed on his wrist forced us to make a trip to the emergency room. We spent a couple of hours in the ER where they x-rayed and splinted his arm until we were able to see an orthopedic today. Well, the orthopedic confirmed a fracture of Jake's growth plate in his wrist. He will be casted for four weeks which will include the time we are on vacation in Disney later this month. Not quite the way Jake wanted to end the summer or start middle school. He's in good spirits and has a good attitude. The water-proof cast will not hinder most day to day activities like taking a shower, but football is out of the question!

We are so proud of Jake and we hope his middle school years are as great as his elementary years. He has been such a great student and other than the reputation as the class clown, Jake has been complimented for being a well mannered young man. I hope he continues to make wise choices and takes advantage of the education offered to him throughout the rest of his school days. He is so incredibly smart and I know he can do whatever God has planned for him in life.

A Drummer in Training?

Rachel loves playing the drums and Jake loves showing her his moves. If you listen towards the middle of the video, Rachel counts to 10 all by herself! We didn't even know she could do this! We knew she was a smart little girl, but this took us by surprise (you can hear our reaction in the video). Rachel loves anything to do with music and dance. This summer Rachel and I participated in a Mommy and Me Petite Feet Dance class and she absolutely LOVED it. After her first class, she ran out of the dance studio telling everyone "fun fun fun" while dancing for them. She made everyone smile. This video makes us smile! I hope you enjoy it as much as we do. Excuse the mess around her! We are cleaning out closets. LOL!

GUESS WHO GOT THEIR FIRST HAIRCUT???

I know, you are probably thinking, what hair does Rachel have to get cut? But believe it or not, she is getting hair. She doesn't have a lot, but she does have hair. She had quite a bit of stragglies in the back that just looked thin and uneven. We went to Tornambe's in Audubon and Wendy cut her hair. She was such a trouper, thanks to the dum dum that was offered to her. She went to town on that lollipop as Wendy cut her hair. I don't think she even realized she was getting her hair cut. She just sat there sucking away. It was so cute. I'm surprised at the difference that little trim made. Her hair really does look thicker in the back. Now we just need to grow more on top! Afterwards we went to lunch and she announced to the hostess at the restaurant that she got her hair cut! So funny!