October School Happenings & Pics

Here is a peak at some of the things Jakob learned about in school this month:

• The class learned about themselves by making a collage about the things they like, finger painted the first letter of their names, and decorated a birthday cake. They learned their names by hunting around the classroom for their own as well as trying to find hidden names in the sand table. They talked about and graphed their birthdays and clapped how old they are- Jakob was one of the kids who knew when their full birthday was.


• When they arrive to school and get settled, they go to the class library area, locate their "magnetic" name and place it on the board under the first letter of their name


• They have been talking about their family members and have looked at some of the family quilt pieces that have been made. They have also talked about homes and the different types of houses around the world.
  

• In art, the kids made a home out of a shoe box and decorated the inside to resemble with their family inside.

The 3 sticks are us...Todd is the only one with "clothes" on

• In dramatic play, they celebrated birthdays- they wrapped presents, baked a cake, and sang "Happy Birthday!"


• At the water table, they fished for letters and numbers; discovered the properties of "goop"; and also learned about sink and float


• For "Science" they learned that there are lungs inside of their bodies and what their function is


• At the science center, the children mixed food coloring and white frosting to experiment with colors


• They learned about Autumn, and even went on a "trip" to the schools nature trail- they observed the leaves changing and found fungus, slugs, and acorns; they have also gone on walks to measure the circumference of different trees- they also clapped how many inches big the tree was


• They also learned more about the seasonal changes (FYI- they do do celebrate holidays)


• At the sand table they planted pretend bulbs and "grew" flowers

My Baby Brudder

"His name is Kaleb Lincoln Schreier SCH!" ~ Jakob

His Pumpkin

Jakob is so amazed by this "COOOL" pumpkin....

September School Happenings

Here is a glimpse of some of the things Jakob has done in school this past month:

• The children learned about nocturnal animals
• In art they cut our raccoon masks and decorated an owl with different types of feathers
• In dramatic play (set up as a forest schoolhouse), they used the rabbit ears and insects they created
• They "wrote" on chalk boards, and created "words" with magnetic letters
• At the water table, they washed food like the raccoons do
• They created their own story in circle time about pumpkins, a witch, and a princess
• At the science and water tables they learned the concept of warm and cold (they also charted which basin was warm or cold)
• On the playground, they practiced different walks

Family Fun Day

Today was family fun day at school. We were there about 1 hour...and was worth the $4 for Jakob. (I will comment no further, only that I hope the PTO uses the money for a good cause...).

Jakob enjoyed the moon bounce and doing a few crafts.

Later in the day we headed to Toys-R-Us to help celebrate Geoffrey's birthday (they had good sales and crafts for the kids). Jakob wanted to meet the guest of honor so bad, he came out before he was supposed to...only for Jakob to brush him off and be mean because he was scared of him (the costume was like 8 feet tall). Nothing Thomas Trains and the new Curious George movie couldn't cure!

Spending down time with Dad- he is off to Indianna for the week for work.....

Jakob Stew

Jakob was looking for leaves out back to put in his "stew"...these were his favorites and wanted pictures of them.

Hmmm....what is brewing in the pot?

His New Obsession

"Curious George...it's coming to the "veeters" this week!!"~ Jakob

A VW Repair

"Daddy, you fixed the BOLTSWAGON!"

Jakob and his pal Blacky

Jakob continues to enjoy school and gets good reports from the teacher. Yesterday, he had the opportunity of bring home "Blacky". Here is the story behind our fury freind as told to Nana:

Each day a child is picked to take home and share one of two classroom pets (they come in their own bag, a tooth brush, paper, crayons/markers, and a jornal), where they do things with the family and it is entered into a journal. Blacky, had his teeth brushed, went to Walmart, colored, ate dinner, and had a book read to him today (I am tired!). Blacky, is also a relative of Chester- a racoon-, the main character in the book the teacher is reading to the class called "The Kissing Hand". Chester leaves clues in the book and around the class and the children are sent on a "hunt".

We are told that he is bothered come snack time, because almost all of the children have milk (you pay the school .30/day for milk of your choice) and we pack "aqua pods (water)" and a juice box for a drink. Guess I will be sending along "milk money".

One other thing has also come up: When the class is doing an activity that Jakob's understands and is doing and they don't necessarily "get", requiring the teachers help, he gets frustrated with the kids.

Finally

With Jakob all ready, we headed to school! As soon as we pulled in our parking space, he was rearing to go! We waited our turn until we could go into class, and then I signed him in- he immediately ran over to his teacher and gave her a big hug. I looked around a bit, hung up his back pack, and put away his “extra” clothes in his cubby hole. He was roaming around the class- wanting to play with the water table (it wasn’t “open” for service yet); he then saw his classmate Logan painting. The aide put a smock on him and he was off! I gave him a kiss and he looked up with sad eyes, but quickly returned to painting.

I waited with the other parents when it was time to pick up Jakob, a couple of them peeping in the windows to see what was going on. Jakob’s class was dismissed last. As the children/parents are lined up to leave, Miss Corso sings to them “Good bye…Jakob….see you soon” and she tells the parent how the child did during the day.

Overall, he had a great day- painting, socializing, playing outside.

The First Day That Wasn't

Yeah, so Jakob's first day wasn't yesterday....I know what I read though- so now we know what we need to do Tuesday!

Left work, fed Jake his lunch and got a little routine going for school. Got there and there were no cars in the designated parking; walked up to the school and into his class...the preschool team was having a session, but his teacher welcomed him in and let him play for a few minutes. Did I feel like a tard. He was so excited to go, he wanted to leave the house at noon! (He woke up this morning and said that was where he wanted to go (he asked what we are doing/going every morning when he wakes up)).

With the program, they are required to bring certain snacks..so he is learning about "healpy (healthy) foods/drinks". He yelled at Todd when he went to drink a soda at dinner last night and said "YOU CAN'T DRINK THAT, IT'S NOT HEALPY FOR YOU!!".

Here are some of the 50 or so pictures I took yesterday:

"Orientationt"

Headed over to the school for orientation today. After wiping our hands (their is a child in the classroom the kids were going to play in that has a food allergy), signing Jakob in and getting him settled in the room to play, Todd and I headed over to the other calssroom. We discussed what he will need to bring everyday, snacks (no junk or sweets- period...no birthday cakes/cupcakes to celebrate), preschool/school policy. It was good- we were there for about an hour.

Headed up to grab some lunch with Nana- I was able to take care of my craving for French Onion Soup and clam strips. After that we wenty over to get him a few more outfits and a backpack (he picked out CARS) at TJ MAXX. Next stop was Price Chopper.

School tomorrow...

Almost there...

Jakob had his physical/shots today to get ready for school on Friday. He did well....even with the shots- Tawnya surprised him with Thomas stickers. He weighs 37 lbs. and is 38 inches tall.

Birthday Boy

4 years old....

Uh, hello?!

This is Jakob's idea of putting his underwear on....

Party Time

Today we celebrated Jakob's 4th birthday party. He enjoyed running around with Maison, Keenan, Shawn, Joseph, and Lucas. The Mebane's, Aileen, Michele, Jorge (SURPRISE!), my parents, Nana, Candi, Great Gram, Kevin, Uncle David H., Aunt Nancy, and the MacFarland's too!

Jakob and Jorge

Todd grilled some yummy marinated chickem, burgers, and dogs; along with that we had some "green stuff" and my Mom's potato salad.

Jakob picked out his own cake

He got some really cool gifts, the two that stand out THE MOST as being his favorite is a duck from Aileen and the sign collage that Candi made for him; he was also excited with the batteries that Brian gave him to go with the Mustang.

After a long day and no nap, both Jakob and Daddy pass out

Meet and Greet: Part 2

For whatever reason, I could not add these two pictures to the "Meet and Greet" entry:

Jake picked out the outfit


Long day

Meet and Greet

Jakob enjoyed running around the playground at school before meeting his teacher Miss Corso.
Jakob went up to his teacher and said, "Hi Miss Corso!"..she said "You must be Jakob S., I have been waiting to meet you!". Once all of the children arrived, we broke off into groups by teacher; we were mixed in with the a.m. class. Jakob had a chance to meet some of the children he will be going to class with. The children gathered onto a blanket where they sang a few songs and were then sent on a treasure hunt to find 2 eggs; once they brought them back to the teacher, she called out each child's name (each egg had a child's name on it..of course, Jakob's was spelled with a "C"). They did a little activity with the ends and then they were told they could open it...it it was a message (below) and a sticker. After the activities, we enjoyed drinks and watermelon (then I was off to work...).

Jakob seemed to be one of the most outgoing children out of the bunch, eager to help and answer the questions. Some of the kids sat quietly and didn't participate. Some were whiny. Some cried.

As we were leaving I over heard one of the mother's talking to the teacher about how her son was going to be going to see a psychiatrist for aggression/behavioral issues (I thought he seemed fine)...HE IS 4 YEARS OLD....

Just a Few Weeks Away

Jakob is excited to attend school, yet a little hesitant lately. He told me yesterday that he doesn't want to go because Baby Kaleb might cry and be sad when he is gone. I reassured him that he will have fun at school and meet new friends and that one day Baby Kaleb will have to go to school.

Tomorrow is our "Meet and Greet" session at GES. We will have an hour to meet Miss Corso and get to know a few of the children that will be in Jakob's class. I feel like I am the one going to school...I am all nervous!

We have a busy 2 weeks coming up for school (Meet and Greet, Orientation, and First Day of School)!

Jakob and his beads from the Woodstock Fair last year

Abomination!

Jakob's new word. He has said it a few times now, the last being yesterday...he yelled it at a boy on the slide at the play park.

(He moves his toes just like Todd does...dont' ask and I can't do it).

It is now clicking that boys and girls are "different". He has already learned that his "winkie" is a penis and the "peanuts" next to it are testicles. Last night as I was dressing he says, "Mom, there's something wrong with your penis." Then comes the discussion again about how girls have vaginas, ect. He then proceeds to say "Well, I have testicles!".

For the past few days he has been lifting his shirt, and sticking his belly out saying "I have a baby growing in my belly and it's name will be Jakob just like me!". It is cute. Then comes the discussion on how only Mommy's have babies...

Went back to Old Navy today to pick up some more of those "boat shoes" for him as he wants so bad th wear the leather ones we bought him for school. He picked out the hat....

This weekend we are possibly going to Chucky Cheese and then to the Children's Museum in Providence.....

Where are we going?

Is the question Jakob loves to ask whenever we start the car up and just want to drive. From today:

Jake: Mom, where we going?
Mom: Why?
Jake: Mom, where are we going?
Mom: Why?
Jake: Mom, don't play stupid!

From the restaurant this morning:
"Dad, just slide the ketchup out like a poop!"

Crazy Jakob

He opened the moon roof in the car and popped his head up and then proceeded to turn on my hazards (as I chatted with my MIL when she dropped him off at my work); also decided he wanted to wear my slides that afternoon...

Mom's shoes










With my traffic cones Nana bought

New Hair

I have always wondered how Jakob's hair would turn out if I used a #1 blade attachment on his hair. Well, I found out..and of course I start right down the middle of the top of his head. It is really short for him- atleast I probably won't have to cut it for 3 months.

He has actually been going through a stage where he is not listening or picking up his toys. I swear, it's the hair cut...he almost looks like one of those bratty little punk kids that I so despise.

June 2006

Mommy and Daddy are proud of me because I continue to do really well with the "potty teaching". If you ask them, they will say that I am all "taught". I have had one accident in the last month or two...and that was only because I took too long getting my shorts off! I love to go to potty in public places, like grocery stores and department stores- Mommy hates this because she KNOWS I REALLY don't have to go...I just like to check out the facilities. She always yells "Don't touch anything!!!".

I keep grabbing Dad's coffee mug and telling Mom "Bye, I will see you tomorrow...I have to go to work!". When she asks where I work, I tell her "Spirol" (that's where she works)...and then she wants to know what I do there, so I tell her "We make toilets and baffrooms" (they really dont...). The other day, she had Nana drop the camera off for their picnic and I tried to go back in through the Engineering doors...she wanted to know where I was going and I said, "I have to go back to work!". She laughed and said "aaahhh, no you don't". I even told her yesterday that "Boy, I had a tough day at work!"...she said "Yeah, me too".

My new obsession is Disney Pixar Cars. I have them all memorized...my favorite is Sally. Daddy got out of work early Friday, so he and I went to the theater to go see it. Of course, I had to go potty like 4 times..and needed to get snacks. For the most part, I did well considering I am not 4 yet. Daddy says he will wait a little while to take me back.

Last weekend we had an outing at the Masonic home where Grampa Schreier lives. It was "Grand Masters Day" and everyone's family was invited. We had a good time- they had a petting zoo, free rides, and crafts for the kids. I was good and had fun. I even got a chance to go in a big fire truck from the Wallingford Fire Dept. After that, we headed over to Ikea where Mom and Dad bought a storage unit to better organize my toys. The place was so big! I didn't know where we were, so I asked mom and she told me "Ikea"...I said "Ice Tea-a?!". She got a good laugh!

I have been laying outside a lot with my friends (neighbors) Morgan and Bella. They are a little older than me. We play tag sometimes, but I don't quite understand how the game works..so I end up calling them names like "dork" and "stupid". Mommy gets upset with me and makes me come in the house for the night...and I CRY.

Mom is supposed to find out in a few weeks what my schedule will be like for school. I keep telling everyone that I am going to school in the fall.

I am still very excited that I am going to be a big brother. I tell the baby something everyday, usually "I wove you baby!" and then I kiss Mommy's belly. Mommy said I can pick the middle name for the baby if it is a girl...I think I like Kayle (kay-lee) because I say it all of the time.

May 2006

I have been trying new foods..pork chops, green beans to name a few.

I went to Jaime's with Mom and Dad to meet them before we went to one of my favorite places...Chicken Wright Farm (Wright's Chicken Farm). I was looking for Jaime and Jacqui came up the stairs..I said, "You're not the REAL Jaime!". Jorge and Edgart came down from Vermont for the weekend so we all went out to dinner. One of my new favorite people: Brian.

Nana went to Colorado and brought me back a cool bag that had all kinds of signs on it.

Grampy was talking about fishing the other day...I asked why I didn't go. I told him that I needed to go next time so I could teach him how to fish!

Pre School

Jakob went for his preschool screening today! Todd was able to get the afternoon off and came with us- it was good, there were only like 5 other Dad's there. The screening went well- I guess (we were not there). We got to the school and signed in- all the kids were given a name tag and were brought to one of the school rooms to play- adults discussed school options (Catholic, public, private). About 20 minutes later, Jake was brought to us and the teacher said he did very well. That was it. We know he will go 4 days a week ( 2 1/2 hrs per day Mon- Thurs), but will not find out his schedule (am or pm) until the end of June. He liked being there and the staff was excellent from what we saw. He did meet a little boy at the beginning- he introduced himself and then held the boys hand...it was so cute!!

After we headed to Mohegan Park to run around and play; we the headed over by the Rose Garden (too bad it wasn't in bloom!!) and walked along the trails. And there, my boy did his "first public urination"! He started peeing standing up yesterday (has had 3 accidents since Sunday...)...what a little big boy!
He asked to see Jaime on Wednesday when Nana dropped him off at work. He asked to go "upstairs" (where all the big cheeses are) and a few of the ladies were like "No, that is where all the bad bald guys are". So, later that night he told me that he would protect me from "the bad bald guys". It was funny.

Well, it is now past supper and Jake is asking to go back to school...that is a good sign.

April 2006

I told Mom the other day when she was behind a car to "speed it up and blow your horn!"- when the person turned onto a side street I said "Finally, we lost them".

I am doing really good on the big person toilet- I wake up dry and very rarely have an accident during the day. I even go on the toilet without my "sponge bob" seat (so I don't fall in!) if I have to. I am a big boy. (Yeah, so I decided just to drop my pull up and for what ever reason, pee on the vanity)

Mommy wasn't feeling good last week after having the flu..so she decided to take a (well, 5...) pregnancy tests..."SHE'S GONNA HAVE A BABY..WOOHOO" is what I said. I am so excited, but Daddy doesn't think I know really what this will entail. I kissed her belly the other night and said "Your baby is in there, I can smell it!".

We found training underwear with signs on it!!!!

Mommy showed me a picture of what they baby looks like. I said, "Oh, I want one of my own. Is it coming today?". I know that the sack that it lives in will keep it safe until it is ready to be born. I know that the "bowla (umbilical) cord" feeds the baby and makes it grow. (He kept looking at my book "A Child is Born" to see the different stages of the baby).

Mom called at lunch and I said to her "Make sure you stop at the stop light and no speeding, you hear me?!".

I have been sick this week with a form of Scarlett Fever and also cold....I told Dr. Cooper all about the new baby. He made me a stop and go sign on the front and back of a tongue dispensor.

I jumped up and down and asked if the baby thought I was funny!!!

With Grammy's bifocals


My cool shades

March 2006

Mommy's work had a Relay for Life activity at the bowling alley in Brooklyn. I ran and ran and ran. I wanted to play, but the balls were too big. Jaime taught me to yell "Show off!!" to Brian. I yelled "You're a winner!" to her every time she got a gutterball. Mommy won a trophy for MOST GUTTER BALLS.

We spent one Saturday this month driving around looking for different road signs to take pictures of (Mommy took most of them in Niantic and Old Lyme). She made me a scrapbook with all of them in it.

Mommy and Daddy decided to trade the pick up truck in for a more "economical" vehicle because they spend a lot of money on gas because of the way Daddy drives (heehee). They bought an 03 Passat WAGON (Mommy swore she would never have a wagon or a van...), but it is really cool- I like the moon roof the best.

Grammy got to spend a week in California with Aunt Elly. Nana watched me just about all week. I had a good time...I think I tired her out though!

We helped Mommy's friend Jacqui move...I ran and ran and ran.

The other night, Daddy did a big stinky (fart) and I told him "You should go to the bathroom!".

February 2006

We had a big snow storm they named Carson (Mommy was upset that it was on the weekend and not during week!!). I got all bundled up..didn't want my "miffins" on though. Daddy shoveled and Mommy and I had a few snow ball "pikes".

Mommy told me that Nacho was going back home to Mexico. I was sad, but still don't really understand what that means. We yell "PHILLY" to each other.

The Mexicans came over for Valentine's Day- it was Nacho's last week. We played race car games and Edgart broke the water cooler.