All Things Sebastian

Thursday, October 14, 2010

No Tears!

This past Tuesday was officially Sebastian's first day of school without tears and now I can proudly say that he didn't cry today and thus, we can mark this as being his first week without tears! Let's hope we've reached the turning point!

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

"Home Fun"

Sebastian came home on Tuesday with his first homework assignment. Sure it is referred to as "Home Fun" as opposed to homework, but don't be fooled, it's homework. For any other kid, I'm sure it would be fun but for Seb, who is not enjoying school, attempting to engage him in completing this assignment was not an easy task in itself.

In the end, he was only 1 out of approx. 5 kids who actually completed the "Home Fun"!

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

1st Day of School

Well Seb's now been in school for approx. 1 hour!

Our morning started off well. We got up at our normal time around 7:30 a.m. and after having a quick shower Seb got dressed for school (and luckily still wanted to wear the clothes he had helped pick out last night), had breakfast and off we went! He had wanted to take the bus but I explained that we would be taking him today as it was his first day. Thinking that perhaps next Tuesday we may try the bus.

So we drove Seb to school and we decided to park on a side street near the school so that we could walk a bit with him. Coincidentally we parked immediately across the street from another child that Seb has played with a couple of times this past summer, which was nice as they then walked to school together. Once at school the children were lined up in 3 rows in the Kinderyard a.k.a. "the cage" where they waited for their teachers to come to bring them inside.

This was the most difficult part because the kids just stood there in line for about 10 minutes waiting. Seb's backpack was getting heavy and he started to state that he didn't want to go. Sure enough by the time his teacher came to bring her group into class he was in tears. I was doing pretty good myself up until that point. Although I know he's in very capable hands it is horrible having to put on a smile and tell your kid they'll be fine when all you want to do is jump the fence, give them a huge hug and tell them they don't have to go if they don't want to! But alas, I did not. Jamie and I reassured him he'd be fine and walked away as Mrs. Yo, his teacher, brought him into the school. Chances are he stopped crying as soon as he walked into the classroom.... (or at least, that's what I'm telling myself!).

Update: At the end of the day when Sebastian came out the doors with his class he looked uncertain of himself but as soon as he saw me he broke out into a big grin and his teacher released him into my care. He didn't have much to say about school except that it was fun and he talked about some of the kids he played with today. When we came home he ate the remainder of his lunch (he had only ate some crackers, cucumber and strawberries at school!) and had some birthday cake in celebration of surviving his first day of school. So far we have not heard any negative comments about his day and he appears to be in good spirits. Hoping Thursday goes just as smoothly!

Monday, September 20, 2010

A night of firsts

Tonight is the first time I have ever had to pack Sebastian's backpack and prepare his lunch for school!! Can't believe that he's actually going to be starting junior kindergarten tomorrow!

Last week we went to Sebastian's new school (and when I say new, I mean new..it was just built) for an hour and met his teacher, who is wonderful, and starting tomorrow he'll be at school every other day full-day with alternate Fridays. He's supposed to be taking the bus but for now I'm okay with driving him. Our plan is to park near the school but far enough so that we can walk to get some exercise.

Anyways, I have no idea where the last 4 years have gone but what I do know is that come tomorrow morning Jamie & I will be driving our lil' guy to school. I've already forewarned him I may cry, but not to worry as I they will be tears of joy and pride for being the mother of such a wonderful boy. I also told him I will put a special note in his pocket so that if he gets worried or lonely throughout the day he can look at the paper and see all the hearts I've drawn to remind him how much his mommy and daddy love him and that we are thinking of him.

I know he'll be a superstar tomorrow.... As for me, I'm really going to miss him but I know that starting school is a rite of passage and Seb is definitely ready for it!

Whose Child Is This?

"Whose child is this?" I asked one day
Seeing a little one out at play.
"Mine", said the parent with a tender smile"
Mine to keep a little while.
To bathe his hands and comb his hair,
To tell him what he is to wear,
To prepare him that he may always be good,
And each day do the things he should".

"Whose child is this?" I asked again,
As the door opened and someone came in.
"Mine", said the teacher with the same tender smile.
"Mine, to keep just for a little while.
To teach him how to be gentle and kind,
To train and direct his dear little mind,
To help him live by every rule,
And get the best he can from school".

"Whose child is this?" I asked once more,
Just as the little one entered the door.
"Ours", said the parent and the teacher as they smiled.
And each took the hand of the little child.
"Ours to love and train together.
Ours this blessed task forever."

-Author Unknown-

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Happy 4th Birthday Sebastian!!

I can't believe that it was 4 years ago today that Sebastian came into our lives! It's amazing how quickly the last 4 years have flown by and it's also amazing to think that in just 2 days our little guy is going to be going to kindergarten!! But of course, that's a whole other post!!

Anyways, we had a low key day celebrating all things Sebastian. Grandma and Grandpa, Nonee and Papa, and Aunt Becky and Uncle Dan all helped us celebrate the day. We have one more birthday celebration to go when we celebrate his birthday along with his Great Grandad (who's birthday falls on the date that was supposed to be Seb's due date!).

Overall it was a nice day spent with family and it's so nice having so many people in Sebastian's life who love him so unconditionally! Thank you!

Nana

Eleanor Doris Whitehouse
Friday December 3, 1926 - Monday September 13, 2010

On Monday September 13, 2010 the world lost a beautiful and wonderful lady, Sebastian's Great-Nana - Queen Eleanor.

We are so appreciative that he was able to experience 4 wonderful years with her and words cannot do any justice to explain the emptiness her passing has left in our lives.

We started referring to Nana as Queen Eleanor one day as Sebastian, Jamie & I were visiting her at home. Aunt Judy pushed Nana on Grandad's walker through the kitchen en route to the bathroom and as she passed us by we told Sebastian to wave to Queen Eleanor. Nana, hearing us, gave Sebastian the "Queen wave' and she continued to do so up until her last night with us.

In fact, it was 1 week ago today almost to the exact time that Nana gave us her last Queenly wave. As we held her tight for those extra few seconds saying good-bye and telling her how much we loved her, we turned around one more time as we were leaving the room to see her beautiful face. There was Nana lying in her bed giving us her Queenly wave.

Sleep well Queen Eleanor, you will always be in our thoughts, our hearts and in our dreams. We love you and miss you more than words can say.