Jess in the City: School days!

The summer is now officially over and school has begun! I felt like the first week of school really snuck up on us. It seemed like we were finally catching a groove with a summer routine, and then all of the sudden it was the first day of school!

Noah is now in 1st grade and attends our neighborhood public school just across the street from our building. He had a really successful kindergarten year and has been looking forward to going back. He has several of the same friends in his new class, so he was excited to see some familiar faces on the first day. I think the change of teacher has been a little hard on him though. He loved his K teacher and still sees her all of the time, so I think the first few weeks have been difficult adjusting to his new teacher. He seems to be really picking up his math skills though, which is exciting to see. He has never really loved math and is a much better reader, but I think his new teacher has gotten him excited about math, which is great. The lazy days of summer are long gone and I think he's finally adjusting to the new routine (as we all have had to!)

Gabriel started preschool at the Y this school year. He went from 2 days a week last year to 5 days a week this year for 2 1/2 hours a day. I was really worried about his transition to everyday school, but it's actually been going surprisingly well. I think the consistency of it has actually helped him adjust more quickly and now he's even excited to go everyday, which is shocking to me given the many protests he had last year! I've started to swap pick-up/drop-off with his little classmate, Cole's mom, which has really eased up on the running around that is so crazy with 2 kids in school (oh yes, and a new baby to tote!).

City living brings it's various challenges in all aspects of life, but one I deal with daily is the fact that I AM the transportation for my children. We don't have a car which means we walk (and carry/push babies and sometimes drag toddlers). So much of my day is constantly figuring out the best mode of transportation and what we bring for our various activities. Do we bring a stroller? Which stroller (this is usually determined by if we're taking the bus/subway or if there are a lot of stairs enroute)? Do I carry the baby in the Ergo? If so, do I bring the big diaper bag? Do I pack a lighter bag? Do we bring scooters? Etc., etc., etc. But, after about 3 weeks of school, I think we finally have our weekly routine down pretty well. Now it's just figuring out how Eden's sleeping/eating schedule fits into all of it. Poor 3rd babies! Luckily she's proven to be a pretty flexible little girl, mostly out of necessity, but I'll take it!