Christmas Parties and Crafts

Paul and I both went to Matteo's Christmas party at the school.  He did some crafts with Daddy.

Singing Jingle Bells with Mami!

Soooo adorable!  Wish I could take credit, but I didn't make them.

Favorite part - snack time!

I hosted the playgroup's Holiday Party - Matteo and Jayna are buddies.

Hard to believe that all these kiddos are almost 3!

Toddler mayhem as they all dive for a book during our book swap.

Luca was all about the wrapping paper.

Sebastian's VPK Christmas Party.

My little Rudolph!

We made acorn ornaments for the teachers and family this year.  I knew Sebastian would enjoy making them, but I was really surprised that it was Matteo who loved dipping the acorn tops in the glue and placing them on the ornaments.  He was so focused!

Finished product!  The back had a picture of them with their teachers.  Each was was different since I cut out nativity scenes from old Christmas cards.

They both had fun making a special present for Daddy.  Matteo kept eating the kisses though. =)

Four very excited kids ready to make Christmas cookies!!!

 

We went to see a couple really fantastic light displays around town.  This was one of the coolest, homemade decorations we saw!

This street is known as Candy Cane Lane and the entire street participates and they play music through the streets.  The kids loved it.  Well, not Luca because he doesn't like it if it's too dark, but for the most part he did okay.  Hopefully he will enjoy more next year!

Sebastian loved his letter from Santa with his North Pole stamp.

We got a neat chance to celebrate Hanukkah with some close friends.  I love that the boys are learning about Jewish traditions too!

During dinner, both babies decided they needed to eat too of course.

Decorating Hanukkah cookies with Jayna and Bubby.

Homemade donuts!  DELICIOUS!!!!

No, we didn't buy much for the kids....right....  All the piles were laid out and ready for wrapping.  At least it was Dec. 23rd.

First Day of School–VPK and Tiny Two’s

The first day of school came much faster than I ever expected.  I thought the summer would be so long with having a newborn and the boys home all the time, but it flew by.  I now have a Pre-K boy and a Tiny Two’s boy!  Wow!

Picture with Daddy before he left for work!

And with Mami!

Note from Mami for his lunch box.  This was the first time he had lunch at school and he was so excited!

His lunch in his new lunch box.  I LOVE this lunch box for him so far.  It’s the perfect size for a kids lunch, he can open it easily and everything is in one place and one REUSABLE container!  His sandwich goes in the top.

All ready to go!

 

VPK – here comes Sebastian with a shark face!!!

Matteo was pretty excited.  Especially about his lunch box with his snack in it. =)

Outside his classroom, just like last year!

Bye, Mami!  No butterflies here!

Here is last year’s first day of school post if you want to see how much he’s grown!

Matteo’s first day was really just a big play date for the kids and parents to explore the classroom together.  It was a lot of fun!  Matteo walked right in and started playing on his own, so I just sat down at the little table.  He did not come back to look for me for 30 minutes!  He was having a great time.

Since he had so much fun, interacted super well with the teachers and didn’t even look for me I hoped it would be a smooth transition for when I left him the following Monday.  He only goes 2 times a week for 3 hours, but he’s never done anything like this so I was still a little unsure!

Matteo at School

You can see here how thrilled he was!!!

Sebastian’s first day thoughts

Sebastian also had a great first day.  I think he liked the excitement because for the entire week he kept asking if it was the first day of school again.

Kisses from Daddy on his real first day of school.  Still very excited…

Big boy!

I think the uncertainty started as we walked in…

He loves his backpack!

So, it was a rough first drop off.  Even though he was prepped, I think he really thought he was going to get to stay with his big brother at school and that’s when he got upset.  Then he didn’t want to part with his lunch box because he wanted to eat his snack NOW.  I stayed and spied for about an hour and he wasn’t crying but didn’t look happy either. =(  In the end, now about 6 weeks later as I write this, all is good and I think he is really enjoying school.

Matteo’s Thoughts about School

Here’s his account of his first day.  I think he was most excited about the new toy I bought him!

His “good job on the first day of school” treat.

We are off and running on a new school year!

Sebastian’s Pre-K3 Graduation

 

The last week of May, Sebastian had a little end of year program.  It was adorable and I’m so glad I was able to go!

Luca slept in the sling throughout the whole program.  They processed in singing “This little light of mine” and then sang a bunch more adorable songs.

VIDEO – Click here if the video does not appear below.

We love how he practically knocks out his classmates next to him during this rendition of the “Itsy bitsy spider.”

Sebastian’s End of Year Program

On his way out, he smiled and waved at me!  =)

So excited to get his own photo album of school memories from his teachers.

VIDEO – Click here if you don’t see the video below.

Sebastian’s Diploma

My proud pre-school graduate!

          

On the left is Sebastian after his last day of school and on the right is his first day of school.  He looks much bigger!