{Meet the Teacher // 2nd Grade}

Last Thursday Mason's entourage - Nana, Papa, Uncle T-Ty, Nate and I {aka, best support system ever} headed to Mason's school for Meet the Teacher night. No matter how many times we do this whole 'meet the teacher' gig, I will never get used to it. I end up a ball of nerves and in tears every single time. I can't help it! Time goes by so fast and I can't believe how much my boy is growing. Sometimes by the minute. And I just pray that Mason's teachers are a good fit for him. This boy is so special to me and my prayer is that they see in Mason what I see in him. Underneath the talking 24/7 he's an amazing little guy with a heart as big as Texas. He loves to learn, but hate's paperwork. Anyhow, meet the Teacher 2017 went great and we left feeling good and ready for the year!

{Meet the Teacher // Off to First Grade}

This past Tuesday was meet the teacher night for Mason's school. I don't know if I have mentioned on here yet, but Mason will go to a different school this year. The town he goes to has 5 different schools before they graduate. His last school was Pre-K and Kindergarten only so he's at a bright and shiny new school. This particular school houses first grade through third grade and it's pretty big {and super nice}! Mason will go to school about 15 minutes longer each day this year, but he will get out over a week earlier than last year. I can't tell you how happy that makes me.

Well, if I am being 100% honest I have been worried about this school. We've heard that it's the worst one in the town and that there is a constant turnover in staff. Anytime we would ask someone for a teacher recommendation the answer was always, "Oh wow, I don't even know who is there anymore. They change so much!" Definitely not something a mama wants to hear! I've been trying to keep an open mind so that I can form my own opinion about it. And I have been praying like crazy.

We didn't even put in a teacher recommendation because we simply had no clue. I think our prayers might have been heard and answered because Mason's new teacher seems like a true gem! She called us the night before meet the teacher and I instantly got a good vibe from her. She was as sweet as could be. It made me a little more excited for meet the teacher night...ya know, since I have been in denial this whole time.

Just like last year, Mason had an entourage for meet the teacher! He had mom & dad, Nana & Papa and his Uncle with him. Nana told his new teacher that Mason was their only grand-baby and that they do everything with him, She said she absolutely loved that and that she was a grandma too and totally got it.

When we got to her class she told Mason to pick out any seat that he wanted and to sign his name on the sticky note. He thought it was so cool to be able to pick out his own desk. I'm sure she will re-arrange them at some point, but I know this will make Mason feel so much more comfortable on that first day. Mason's best friend is also in the class and that makes me so happy for them! Mrs. Morgan's class is Dr Seuss themed and is completely adorable.

Just from the 20 or 30 minutes we spent with Mrs. Morgan we all adored her, We are so happy to have been placed in her class and look forward to an amazing year. Once we got to the car I was reading her letter introducing herself and I was in tears. This part just got to me...

I feel that all children are different and require specific attention and affection for them to flourish. I will strive to be that for each of my students; an educator who loves each child that walks in her door and gives each of them not only an education, but a passion to learn.

That puts my mama heart at so much ease. To have a teacher that recognizes that each child is different is a true blessing! So many schools these days want to confirm the kids into little robots. And the fact that she knows kids need affection...oh man! Yes. All the praise hands. Especially my boy. I know that I must kiss him 9437 times a day and tell him that I love him 22019 times a day. And he's the same way. He does the same to me. Now, I know that she's not going to be kissing him or telling him that she loves him, but I know that she will be loving towards him. She's a Grandmother and you can tell how much she loves kids. Such a blessing.

And while we were eating supper we got a text message from Mrs. Morgan saying how happy she was to have met us and that she's excited to have Mason in her class. I just have such a good feeling about this year. I hope my intuition is right.

I asked Mason his thoughts about meet the teacher night:

What did you think about your new teacher? Very great. She's so sweet.
What did you think about your new classroom? Good. It's big. Actually it's little.
Are you happy that your best friend is in the class? Yes ma'am. Very happy.
What about the school? It's big. I'm afraid I will get lost.

I didn't take my big camera to meet the teacher because it was rainy and nasty and because schools usually have the worst lighting. Well, this school just so happens to have bright white lighting, Ugh! So disappointed I only had my point and shoot now.

I can't believe this is our last weekend before school starts! #holdme

{Kindergarten meet the teacher // this is really happening}

So, last night was meet the teacher.

Yep.

This is really happening...whether I am ready or not. 

I have been in a huge funk and denial stage for the last couple of weeks. I just can't believe my sweet little baby is old enough for Kindergarten. A big boy status that comes with a big boy school. I've had to just put it out of my head because if not I would just end up crying and being sad. I am not sure that being in denial was any better, because hello I still have a ton of prepping to do. But, it worked. I was able to enjoy my last days of summer with Mason without being a sad & crying mess.  I mean, all of those what if questions flooded my brain every minute of every day, but I didn't let that outwardly show. 


 

I did have one little breakdown yesterday about 20 minutes before we left. I knew that I needed to let it out before we left {& before I put on my makeup}. Nathan wrapped me up in a hug and that's all it took before the tears were flowing. I told him, "I'm just not ready." {Mason was in the living room watching tv and we were in the bedroom. I wouldn't have broken down in front of him!} I let the tears fall as they needed and then I sucked it up, put on my excited face and got Mason ready.


   

On the way to the school I wrote on my FB "Heading to Kindergarten meet the teacher. Lord hold me." and you know what? He did just that. He carried me through the whole night and he brought me the peace that I so desperately needed. And He had this the whole entire time. His hands have been all over this Kindergarten thing from the very beginning. And I feel just silly for worrying. We were referred a teacher by so many different people. So, we requested her by letter right after our Kindergarten registration. She's the #1 requested Kinder teacher so I wanted to get my request in fast! And then I saw on FB a week or so ago that she was just named "Teacher of the Year!" and my heart so fiercely hoped that Mason would get her. She just felt like the perfect fit for us. We walked into the school last night and found the Kindergarten classroom lists. I didn't search by Mason's name. I looked for Mrs. Hodges and then his name and IT WAS THERE!! Praise the Lord, we got the teacher we requested. And instantly I was feeling so much better. And you know what else? Mason's little best friend since he was one is in his class too. And while that may bring trouble later {two five year old boys that are best friends in the same class is bound to be trouble. I can imagine all the mischief they will get into together} I think it will make the transition so much easier for both of them. And that makes my heart so happy. 

  We found Mason's desk and the mounds of paperwork they wanted us to fill out. I will never understand how they expect a mother that is in this state of mind to fill out that paperwork on that night. And nevermind that it's the same paperwork I filled out at registration. ha. I couldn't concentrate for anything. Anyhow, his teacher came over to meet everyone and tell a bit about herself. We could immediately tell why she was so highly recommended and given the title teacher of the year. She got us {yes even me} excited for the school year! Mason and his best bud mosied around the room looking at things. I eventually {about 25 minutes later} filled out 3 of the papers and brought the rest home so that I could concentrate on them! We took some pictures and were on our way.

    In the hallway we saw the principal {who seems so awesome and so loving with the kids} and we were pre-warned that he was an OU fan so Mason went up to him and told him Boomer Sooner! Score! He's already a principal favorite. The family chatted with him a bit and before we left he said...

"We will take good care of him!" 

That is like Heaven to a mama's ears, I tell you.


  

Mason is super excited about his teacher. And I sense a little crush, too. He keeps saying over and over "I can't believe I have a teacher of the year" and has now declared that when he's bigger he wants to be "A teacher of the year". Not just any teacher, but teacher of the year! And he's uber excited that his best friend is in his class, too. 

All I can say is Thank you Jesus. Thank you. Feeling so grateful right now.

“May the Lord bless you and keep you. May His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May He turn His face towards you and give you peace”.

(Numbers 6:24-26)  

{It's the Little Things - PreK Meet the Teacher night}

Last night was Meet The Teacher night at Mason's school. I wasn't sure how it was going to go. Mason took the Summer off and he wasn't too keen about getting a new teacher when he returned. He absolutely adored his teacher he had in the 3's room and really couldn't fathom being in a different room. A few days ago his Pre-K teacher sent him a letter. It was addressed and written too him. He thought it was neat. He said, "I guess she's not so bad after all"! haha.

Anyhow, fast forward to last night. He invited his Nana and Papa and uncle T-Ty to go with us. They are very much a part of his life and they also pick him up from school on occasion. We pulled up and Mason started getting so excited and jumping up and down! It calmed my Mama heart so much! He couldn't wait to get in.