Early Birthday Party

On the first Friday of each month, Gavin's school celebrates all the birthdays for the month. Parents can bring in cupcakes or cookies for the monthly birthday parties during afternoon snack time. Since February 4th was a snow day for us, Gavin's school party was on the 11th. Ms. Rosa, Gavin's teacher, has a soft spot for him. (I used to think that she made every parent feel that way--and I still do--but I'm realizing that Gavin has a special place in her heart.) Ms. Rosa had negotiated with the director to delay Gavin's transition to the 2 year old room until after the birthday party. The snow and ice threw that plan off, as Gavin began transitioning on the 7th, but did get to have his party with Ms. Rosa.

During the snow, I baked cupcakes. Gavin loved them, but boy are they messy. Since I also baked snickerdoodle cookies during our snow vacation, I decided that would be the treat of for Gavin's party. Those older toddlers are party animals. They had cookies and a cheese stick for their afternoon snacks.

Gavin and his friends, clockwise: Gavin, Carlos, Presley, Jackson, Carter, Valerie, and Mama.

Daddy and Gavin look at the fishies on his napkin. And now you can see Presley's face.

Man, this juice is good.

Gavin's birthday party was a nice farewell. Dave and I were happy for the opportunity to visit with Ms. Rosa. I know Gavin is missing her this week as he makes the permanent transition into his new class. During the transition week, I dropped him off in his class with Ms. Rosa. She then took him over to the two year old room, where he spent the mornings.

This week, I had to start dropping him off in the new classroom. On Monday and Tuesday mornings he cried at being dropped off. Wednesday morning there was pouting, but no tears (at least that I know of). The two year old room is more structured than the toddler room. In the two year old room, kids are allowed free play. So they roam from one toy or area to another. In the toddler room, kids have to stay in centers. At drop off, kids have to sit on the rug and play with Legos. They have calistenics each morning--that's what they call it, not me. It cracks me up to think of two year olds doing calistenics. They have circle time. The kids choose centers or are assigned centers; those who bring their listening ears get to first choice at a center. They say the Pledge. Gavin got to hold the flag last week. There is no diaper changing station; instead, diapers are changed in the bathroom, where potty training begins. I'm not quite ready for potty training; Gavin definitely isn't. But with exposure, I'm sure self-awareness will come. He won't move to the next room until he is potty trained. I know Gavin will learn a lot in his new class, and Mama will, too.