Flora Goes to School

Flora started school this week. She was hesitant but excited to see Simba (class Guinea Pig) and happy to wear her "new" backpack (Princess Disney thoughtfully handed down by Ava).


Flora has her dear friends Ryan and Hailey at Good Shepherd. These kids have "watched from the sidelines" always looking forward to getting their hands on those classroom toys. For the last two years, their sisters raved about Jan, brought home amazing art projects and told stories of outside playground fun. It is finally their turn.


I don't know if it is a "honeymoon period" but all the kiddos were so attentive and well behaved. Circle went on without a hitch.

Everyone got a chance to hold and pet Simba. He is the sweetest little guy and Flora just adores him.

Flora was not eager to attend school the next day so Jan allowed us to bring snack for the class (in attempt to take our mind off the transition). Flora insisted on salami, cheese and cracker with grape juice (Katie Nemer's standby snack from last year) and a special snack for Simba (carrot sticks). Nonetheless, there were lots of tears at drop off.

After 2 weeks, we are pleased to report that Flora no longer cries. We had a little talk and I discovered that the crying appeared to be more of a habit/routine than an actual expression of displeasure. So, that morning, I suggested that we spend $1.00 of her $5.00 birthday bill (Thank you Great Grandma Helen) at the Dollar Store after school just as I walked her in the door. Flora was so excited. We told Debbie and poof...habit broken...no tears since and she runs in the door (sometimes forgetting to give Eric a kiss and a hug...which he does not tolerate). Eric loves to drop Flora off in the morning...they leave early, grab a "half small cool hot cocoa" from the coffee hut and she sits on his lap, sips her drink and pretends to drive in the parking lot. "Flora one-on-one" is so very delightful.