School Daze

Last year I took a really cute photo of Tyler standing on the front steps, wearing his new backpack and ready for his first day of school. I decided right then that I wanted to make it an annual tradition...that front step, first day of school photo.

I missed it. Not because I didn't have my camera with me that day...but because my mind wasn't on his first day of official Pre-K. It was on where we were going AFTER school that day. Which was here:

Children's Hospital

We had to take Ty in for a follow up visit with the specialist about his kidney. They are still monitoring him, so no new news there. I was so focused on trying to make the visit as nonstressful and fun as possible, I totally forgot the first day of school photo.

Check out the cool exam room:

The bench seat in this one is orangey brown. The last time it was a different room and the seat part and cushion were a dark blue (way prettier). But I love how cumfy they made these rooms. Ty settles right in and makes himself at home. Plus he's got his blankie and favorite stuffed animal, Cow the cow, to comfort him.

The waiting room at this place is amazing too. They have a play house for the kids, a giant fish tank, a giant screen TV tuned into cartoons, kiosks with video games, loads of books...all in this adorable faux park-like setting complete with benches and artificial trees. They sure did a great job of making the whole "scary hospital" vibe go away.



So, no sweat. I could just take a photo of Tyler on the front steps on day 2 of school. Right? Pfft. No, I forgot again. But I did stop in to his old class room and ask his teachers from last year if we could take a photo with them. Ty LOVED his teachers and misses them terribly. They happily agreed and we followed them out into the playground with their new students and I snapped this quick shot (Miss Trina and Miss Jo):

Awww! I just found out that Miss Jo left the school and took another job too. So sad. She was so nice. I haven't mentioned that fact to Tyler. I think it would really upset him if he knew she was gone. He still tells me now and then that he wants to go back to his old room.

So, here we are at the end of week three of school. Finally, I took a front step photo.

He really didn't have that back to school excitement this year since he never really LEFT school. We was still going there every day, they just called it Summer Camp instead. Next year I think I will take him out for a month or two before he starts kindergarten. I think he needs a real summer vacation so that he can really appreciate the excitement of going back to school (and I can get that really cute first day photo).