First Day of Preschool--this year

Today was Portia's first day of preschool for the year. Since Bianca's been in school for over three weeks now, Portia was definitely ready. All of the children from last year's class are in her class again. I absolutely love this preschool. They'll be focusing a little more on violin this year, learning French, reading mastery (broken into two groups by ability), and all the other good stuff--poetry recitation, singing, etc. Portia's real talent lies in art, so there's painting and drawing as well. We will be carpooling again this year since it's about a 12-minute drive to get to preschool. I know it's a long way to drive, but it's totally worth it to me. I'm a stay-at-home mom; isn't my job to put my kids first? Bianca always jokes that she wished she had gone to a preschool like Portia's when she was younger. Believe me, if it had been around then, I would have sent her to Kinderprep Academy too.

Even though Bianca's well into fifth grade now, it's still new to her as well. She told me last night that her class is learning Hindi (how cool is that?) and they've been really focusing on states and capitals this year. I love the way Mrs. Jensen does spelling (so does Bianca) because they have a test on Monday and the kids only have to test on Friday for the words they mis-spell on Monday. This is the first week Bianca's had any spelling words at all. She is a really great speller, but when you read as much as she does, how can you NOT be? Bianca has also been taking great care of herself this year and this morning I even caught her straightening her hair with the flat-iron--by herself. Orchestra should be starting up in September and Bianca's going to start the double-bass this year in beginner/still playing viola in advanced. I can't wait to get a picture of her playing that big thing! We will be leaving it at school though, as there's no way she can lug the double-bass to and from school.

I'm going to end this post with a funny story I don't want to forget. Bianca teaches Family Home Evening each week (we do it on Sunday evenings because Eric has work meetings late on Monday). Bianca has also played the piano for the opening and closing hymns so that we can all sing. Lately, though, Portia has wanted to do her part. She insists that she get to do an opening "hmmm" as well. It's so funny to hear her say it. Then she goes over and plays a couple notes on the piano and that's it. So worth it just to hear her say, "opening hmmm."