First Day of 4K

Today was Ava's first day of 4K at preschool.  It is so hard to believe that this time next year she will be in kindergarten.  We are so excited that this year Ava's teacher also taught our two nieces so we have known her for a while now and she is the best!  At the class orientation a few nights ago, I couldn't wait to come home and tell Ava about all the fun stuff she will be doing this year.  I spent yesterday getting things ready for today.  I began filling out her preschool book.  I found this book at HappiNames and I really like its simplicity.  There are places to write in all the pertinent information and places for pictures.  They have them for each grade level.  

Ava helped me make a first day treat for her teachers.  I found this idea on The Shindig Parties To Go website, http://amandaparkerandfamily.blogspot.com/2011/08/tutorial-teacher-pencil-vase.html, and thought it was adorable!  Ava helped me by handing me the pencils as I hot glued them.  Then I made chocolate covered Oreos to stick into the pencil vase.  The cookies would have looked much better had I had a cookie mold, but the one I ordered from SpinningLeaf did not get here in time.  Oh well, you do what you can.  Her teachers loved their little "happy".

Last night, it was time to start packing lunches again.  It is important to me to try to pack a nutritious lunch for Ava.  I think bento boxes are a great way to do this.  I got this bento kit from Laptop Lunches and we both love it!  It enables the food to be presented in a colorful way and also helps me think outside the box as far as nutrition goes.  Now I admit, this is not the healthiest bento I could have packed.  However, we just got back from vacation and have not yet gone grocery shopping and we don't have much in the way of food at the house right now.  Again, you do what you can. 

I make a point to include a note in Ava's lunch.  That can get monotonous because she can't read much yet but I knew she would be able to read this simple note.

Ava's teachers told us at orientation that the kids would be bringing home flash cards throughout the year to work with at home.  I found this cute little box in the clearance section at Hobby Lobby for $3.  It is the perfect size to keep the flashcards in so this will be Ava's flashcard box.  I do so love a bargain!

It also came with matching dividers so we can have her alphabetize her cards.

Ava woke up really well this morning which is kind of unusual.  Like Kevin and myself, she is not a morning person.  She was really excited about school though and hopped right out of bed.  Kevin is in town right now so we were both able to take her this morning.  Here she is getting ready to go in her classroom.  I found this cute little printable by Sugar Tots Designs at http://www.iheartnaptime.net/2011/08/updated-back-to-school-printables-k-12.html.  Just printed it out and stuck it on card stock and added a pencil for her to hold it.

Time to go in the classroom and start the school day!  Here is Ava with her teachers.

They are wonderful and Ava had a great day!  We figured she would because she loves school but it was still nice to pick her up and see the big smile on her face.  We are looking forward to a great school year!