the rules of school

As much as I would like to focus on holiday, since I spent a good deal of time during the summer writing about my big boy begining traditional school this past September, I feel I should touch on what that transition has been like...

{this is all of the work that Tobin has done in class since he started school in September!}

School is wonderful.  Since we live in a small town, there is not a bus and parents are responsible for dropping children off each morning and picking them up in the afternoon.  Although I'm not the biggest fan of being out the door so bright and early each morning, I do love seeing him off to school each day, seeing his teacher, and talking to the parents of the other children in his class.  I am amazed at what he has learned in school and with the number of activities that they are able to include in one day!  His teacher is just amazing and has confirmed my thought that being a teacher for this age group truly is a "calling".  I don't know how she does what she does...but I am so thankful for it! 

However, there are many more components to school than the obvious ones I just mentioned.  For one, the school is public and there is not a school directory, so early on, I hand wrote notes to some of the other children's mamas to try to set up play dates.  Then there are the birthday party rules...you can stalk each parent for their address to mail home an invitation, or invite ALL the boys or girls...or the entire class, and send home the invitations in their folders.  Oh, then there is the birthday school celebration...no sweets please.  Yup, the days of baking cupcakes are over.  We placed an order to Oriental Traders for a "winter time" activity book and pencil to send in as a token gift instead. 

There are PTO meetings and fundraisers.  Parent teacher conferences, special student "VIP weeks", and planned days to come in a be the guest reader.  Even though I am very grateful for the hours my guy is in school, there are still plenty of things to keep us parents buys as well!  And this is all great.  I would gladly trade having some of our neighbors see me in my jammies at drop off once in a while for the level of comfort and involvement that this school has provided us with.  I am pleased.

a.