I know, I know - you're thinking "Jack? School? What for - to teach??". No my friends - he's the newest student in "The Twos" class at a new learning Academy (hereto referred to as "The Academy") in our area. And yes you read that right again - he was placed in "The Twos" class even tho he is not yet two. Guess my "genius" assessment wasn't that far off! He'll be attending The Academy three days a week for now. The other two days he'll still be going to his Mima and PopPop's house. I'm sure his teacher will be contacting me by week's end to discuss getting Jack into some advance courses ..AP Coloring ...GT Outdoor Play ...etc. Let's hope all those other kids don't dumb him down before then.
We've been on a couple of tours of the school in the past few weeks and Jack just loved it. The first time we were there he ran from room to room shouting "WOW!" and "Oh MY!" (Vice Principal: Did he just say "Oh my"???). You'd have thought it was Disney World by the way he was reacting. This past Friday I took the day off and Jack and I went into school to meet his teachers and spend about an hour with his class together. During circle time they read the book "Brown Bear" (it was a huge hit) and sang songs. As luck would have it the teacher chose to sing one of Jack's favorite songs of all time - Twinkle Twinkle Little Star! It started out with the teacher singing, and another little boy named "Connor" chiming in. The teacher stopped singing and encouraged Connor to keep singing without her. Connor was all whispering, eyes down on the carpet, hands fiddling with his shoe laces. He got out "Twinkle twinkle little ..." when Jack G stood up and took over. Jack actually got up, turned around to face the class, and proceeded to do a "Twinkle Twinkle" solo complete with hand/arm motions. He was making eye contact to make sure people were watching him and totally working the crowd. The kids and teachers erupted into applause when Jack was finished. It was quite possibly the cutest thing I have ever seen in my life. So, yeah, I'd say he feels pretty comfortable there. I told Jack he totally stole Connor's thunder.
Today is his first full day there on his own. Jack did very well when we dropped him off. There were no tears at all - from Jack OR Mama. Jack politely declined breakfast that his teacher, Miss Shauna offered him (he said "No thank you")and quickly got involved at the coloring table.
Mama: Okay Jack Daddy and I are leaving now. Just like we talked about - we're going to work and you're staying here to have fun with all your new friends okay? We'll pick you up after work, okay?
Jack: (to his teacher) I'm coloring GREEN!!!!
Mama: Here we go, off to work! We love you Jack! Big hug and kiss. I'll miss you.
Jack: GREEN!!!!
Mama: Okay then - bye!
I imagine at some point he'll look around, realize that we really aren't there, and start asking about us. I also imagine that he'll get over it quickly if someone gives him another marker.
Here he is all ready to go. He's saying goodbye to the spice garden in the kitchen. Is it just me or does he look about 15 years old in this picture?
Showing off his super cool backpack.
Standing outside of school upon arrival:
I told Mike he could leave the camera in the car as to not make a complete fool of myself by bringing it inside to take pictures of his classroom, his cubby (he has a cubby!), etc. Now I totally regret it. I'll have to make sure bring it in and make a complete fool of myself when we pick him up this afernoon.
It's 12:30 and I have not called the school ONCE to see how he is doing. And its.KILLING.me. I so don't want to be *that* mom but I am SO going to have to call before the day is through. I think I'll wait an hour before calling. That way I can find out if he ate lunch (yesterday he was on an all-dorito diet and refused to eat anything else.) and if he is taking a nap for them (he's never slept on a cot before). Should be interesting!
