First Day of School

Today was Alex and Ari's first day of nursery school. Technically, it is a transitional program where the first semester (from now until January) is a "Mommy and Me" program where, as the name makes evident, Mommy goes along with Alex and Ari to class (and we'll bring the new baby along too after November!) Starting in January, however, Mommy will drop Alex and Ari off at school and they'll stay there by themselves. Scary thought for Mommy, but after meeting the other kids, parents and teacher today she's very confident that Alex and Ari are going to do just great on their own in a few months.

The class has only seven children, and three of them (Alex, Ari, and their cousin Jonathan) happen to be related! Three of the other kids were in class today (Abbie, Moriah, and Matan) and we'll meet the last member of the class at the next gathering. The kids are all very, very nice and Mommy really liked all of the other mothers, as well. Alex and Ari are the youngest by far- all of the other kids will be two years old by the end of November- but they fit in just perfectly with their new pals. Today in class we had play time, circle time (during which we sang a welcome song), art time (see our first pieces of fridge art below!) and snack time (Rice Crispy cereal). The teacher, Sondra, is wonderful with the kids and is very encouraging when it comes to helping them perform tasks on their own. Alex liked the little bathroom with a sink just his size (he enjoys washing his hands) and Ari decided that her favorite part of the classroom was the easel set up with bright colored paints. Looks like we'll be wearing washable clothes to class this year!

Here are pictures of Alex and Ari in their "first day of school" outfits and playing in the classroom:

And here are Alex and Ari's first official pieces of school "fridge art" (apple halves dipped in paint and used as stamps on paper). And yes, they are hanging proudly on our refrigerator already:

Mommy and Daddy are constantly amazed by how quickly Alex and Ari are growing up. Watching them play with their friends in class reminded Mommy how soon they'll be independent little kids instead of dependent babies/toddlers!

Alex and Ari also feel like they are growing up. They've started wanting to sit at the table for dinner instead of in their high chairs, so Mommy set up their booster seats at the table for dinner time. It seems like the "adult" setting has caused them to eat much better- for the past two nights, they've practically cleaned their plates and ate like little mensches at the table. Here is Ari at the table, taking a quick phone call from one of her many friends (we're still trying to teach her that it just isn't polite to take a cell phone call at the dinner table!):

At this rate, before we know it, they'll be asking for the car keys!