Meet the Teachers…backtracking a bit

So, the school year is well under way around here.
Both girls are adjusting to their new schools, new schedules and new teachers.
And both seem quite pleased so far.
Before it loses all sense of timeliness,
here's a little post for posterity's sake
about their "Meet the Teacher" events.
UP, our new elementary school,
bends over backwards to welcome its kindergarteners.
The transition from preschool to real, true, all day elementary school is
a big one and an exciting one,
and the school really pulls out all the bells and whistles
to make its newest students feel welcome.
First up was a Popsicle in the Park event
planned by yours truly and two of my girlfriends.
Every kindergartener is invited to the park to find out who their teacher is
and who their new classmates are.
Like the name suggests, there are also hundreds of popsicles to enjoy.
Good thing, since it was no less than 103 degrees that particular evening.
The kiddos also posed with their Class of 2027 sign
and filled out "time capsules".
From there on out, the next few days were a flurry of activity.

Next up was "Meet the Teacher".
As a family, we got to go to the school, see Lexi's new classroom,
introduce her to her teacher and (the highlight) decorate her sweet new locker.
We actually met Miss Smith earlier in the year and share a close mutual friend,
so we were pretty excited to find out Lexi had been assigned to her class.
She's young, vibrant, passionate, fun - yet strict (and clearly super cute),
it's a wonderful fit for our girl.
And, as you can tell, locker decorating for the kindergarten set is no joke
these days. The Container Store had an entire section to choose from!

With her soccer buddy, Molly and her new friend, Ella

Then, to give all the kinder girls one last chance to catch up with old friends
and meet new friends,
there was a luau party held over the weekend.
The girls really enjoyed the super water slide, popcorn, water balloons
and splashing around before the official first day of school.
What a wonderful memory, captured in this photo.

As for Ryleigh, she was very excited to meet her teacher, Miss Clarissa.
We had to stop by the preschool earlier in the week,
and she went right into her classroom and invited Lexi to join her at the table.
She was excited to explore all around the room and get her bearings.
Maybe that's why "Meet the Teacher" went so smoothly.
She raced right in, greeting Miss Clarissa with a big hug.
She got busy playing while I attended the parent's meeting down the hall.
In true fashion, Ryleigh was still smiling when I collected her an hour later.
She has adjusted wonderfully to her three day week,
and has already stayed late for lunch bunch one day.
Miss Clarissa has been with the preschool for well over a decade,
and all my friends who have had her through the years describe her as
gentle, warm and loving, with a fierce loyalty to her students.
Here's to a wonderful first year of preschool!