First Day of New School

As many of you know, I am gearing up for baby #3, and in doing so, we are having to make some major changes.  Well, "major" may be slightly melodramatic, but changes nonetheless! 

Since going part-time at my [wonderful] job almost 2 years ago, I no longer have benefits, and so this time around, I do not get paid for my "maternity leave."  This means that after years of sending the boys to Creme de la Creme daycare/preschool downtown, the boys need to go to a much cheaper preschool/MDO closer to home while I am on leave. 

This transition was much, much easier on the boys than it was for me!  I know and love so many of the caretakers at Creme.  I am comfortable with them and have established a good relationship with them.  Also, Benjamin LOVED his teacher, Mr. Josh, very, very  much!  I was used to Creme taking care of EVERYTHING!  They took care of diapers (for Timothy), they provided a hot lunch (and snacks) every day for both boys (at a cost, of course), etc.  Heck, I didn't even have to haul their backpack every day.  We just took it at the beginning of the week, and picked it up at the end of the week!  :-)  It was perfect, and I loved it.

[Note:  Timothy can only attend MDO 2 days a week (due to his age) so he is still attending Creme, downtown, 2 days a week as well.  This is so I can keep my sanity while adjusting to a new baby!]

So......we signed up Benjamin to attend 4 days of Preschool and Timothy to attend 2 days of MDO at First Presbyterian Church of Kingwood - right around the corner from the house - about 1 mile away.  I have to admit that as many reservations (and yes, even crying breakdowns) as I had in the beginning, it's turning out to be a good fit. 

While I think that academically, they are not near as advanced as Creme is.....I AM seeing a personal growth/maturity in Benjamin that is enjoyable.  He is learning to become more independent and rely on himself more, which is wonderful and will really come in handy when our sweet baby girl arrives in a few weeks!  I am also finding that packing lunches/snacks isn't as bad as I thought it was going to be, and I actually feel like the boys are eating healthier/better!

Below, are just a few pictures of the boys first day at their new school!  I realize I am biased, but I think they are adorable!  :-)  I love their enthusiasm!

Here's a quick pose from my 2 big boys!!!!

(Timothy - 2 1/2 and Benjamin - 4)

Here, I asked them to turn around so that I could get a shot of their new backpacks/lunches.

Here they are headed out the door to the garage!  Such big boys!!!

They stop to "play" in the garage for a second.  I just like the look on Timothy's face!  (He's teasing me with holding the bat up towards Benjamin and making a face -- such a stinker, that one!)