Willa’s Preschool Program

If you’ve been within a hundred yards of Willa Kate over the last month, you’ve been invited to her preschool program. That girl has been recruiting hard for an audience, and now we can see why!  She even lobbied so well that I even let Harper skip school to support her sister.  That girl is gonna be a heck of a salesperson.  

This year finishes our sixth year at Cave Spring Baptist Preschool. Bless them. Six years of Fertittas. I congratulated them on a two year break before our little guy pops on to the preschool scene. 

This year has been my least involved, most forgetful year (when was I supposed to make Play Doh?  Can I make it in the hospital sink?), but we were met with nothing but grace. Mrs. Caldwell loved our Willa and our family so well. She hugged me tightly at the Christmas program, where I sat in tears after a scare that morning with Brother, sure we’d be losing him soon. In the same fellowship hall, we both hugged again remembering that day four months before, wishing I could go back and tell that devastated mama that she would be at the spring program, holding the hand of her oldest while smiling at her five-year-old and pushing around a stroller with everything but a crib for her precious, perfect boy. God is so good. 

I don’t have pretty pictures from the day.  I think some parents may have camped out the night before to save all the seats for their 47 extended family members coming so space was limited, and I wanted to hide Dex a bit to keep him out of the crowd. So my iPhone pics from 50 yards away may not be the best. Sorry, Wills. But, I promise, we are just as proud!  Kasey and Mimi rounded out the WKF Fan Club, and she was so glad to have them there.

 After the program, we didn’t do the picnic at the church pavilion afterward (5 person family + 3 hours sleep= 0 desire to pack a picnic lunch). Instead, we went over the Macados for a celebratory graduation lunch. While we were eating, I bragged to her about what Mrs. Caldwell share with me about her. She’s the class leader— the first to try something new, the first to follow directions. She’s obedient and is kind to her classmates. Even though I wondered where that girl goes at home 😆, I told her how proud I am of her working hard and being kind. Work hard and be nice to people. That about sums it up!

Hello, Preschool!

It has been a hard three weeks for wanna-be-big-girl Willa Kate.  School started for Harper in August, and Wills knows she is starting "school" at Cave Spring Baptist this year, and she is super pumped, but unfortunately for her, the preschool never begins before mid-September. 

I don't know if it was the three extra weeks of having sissy at school (and her being at the house without a little playmate all week) or because she went to the "Summer Camp" at Cave Spring over the summer, but my usually cautious girl was ready to dive right in. 

She took right to Mrs. Collins and surprised a few of the other parents with how brave she was being.  That's usually not WK's style, but she's been tagging along to Harper's preschool for her whole life, so she's just beyond thrilled to have it be her school.  And once CSB meets the sweet, polite, compliant Fertitta child (after three years of getting to know my wild Harper), I think they're going to be pretty excited to have her.  :)

I'm so proud to be your mommy, sweet girl, and I know you will make me even prouder this year at school. 

Harper's Prayer

My sweet Big Girl is learning a lot at preschool and church.  I can't thank them enough for the ways they pour into my Harper Mae.  Because of a prayer (song) she has learned at Cave Spring Baptist Preschool over the last three years, she now volunteers to pray at nearly all of our meals.  Here's a little snippet of one I caught on video.

Harper's Preschool Program

Right now I should be:

A) studying for my new product training test for work

B) finishing my Christmas shopping

C) putting away the laundry that has sat on my living room ottoman for a week

D) all of the above

Despite the fact that the correct answer is in fact "D," here I am, posting about Harper's Christmas Program at her preschool. Because I'm her mama. And I'm proud of her. And that's what proud mamas do.

Last night we had a chance to go to Samantha and Sydney's Christmas program at church, and Harper told us that she was excited we were coming to her program. She said, "I'm going to sing the loudest of everybody. And your mind is gonna be blown."  Bahahahaha. At least she gave us fair warning this time. The last two programs our mind has just been blown unexpectedly. Cheering for us from the stage, lifting her dress... All kinds of mind-blowing, so this time I had been hopeful it would only be from the loud singing.

 

waving to her adoring fans

Harper was also super excited when I told her that MiMi and Poppy were coming to her program.  She said, "I love it when my family that's not my family comes!"  I think that was her way of describing extended family.  :)  Sue is keeping Alston for Corrie and Jeremy during the day, but made arrangements for Grandmother to watch him so that she and Dave could sneak over to Harper's program.  I know it meant so much to Hootie Girl.  And though Kasey was technically off for the morning since Sam took the morning of her program off, but she was so sweet and still wanted to come support Harper.  Or maybe she just didn't want to miss the hilarity of Harper on stage.

Apparently the fourth time is a charm because Harper did blow our minds.  She did such a great job in her fourth program at Cave Spring Baptist Preschool.  She followed directions, sang loudly, and kept her dress down the entire time.  She waved at us all so proudly, and I hope she could feel all the pride bursting out of me, welling up in my eyes.  Sweet Harper Mae is so much of the joy in my world.  She always has been, always will be.

 

  

F is for Frog

One day I'll learn not to bet against this girl.

Tomorrow is Letter "F" day for show & tell at Harper's school. I convinced her to take a picture of her Family, but she really wanted to take a frog. I casually told her if she caught one, she could take it (knowing we were in for the night since it was already dark). I had to run out to my car in the driveway, and she asked if she could watch me from the porch. As I walked back up the side walk, I hear "hey mom, you wanna see sumpin'?" And there she is, holding a giant frog she caught in the flower bed.

I'm sorry in advance, Mrs. Didas!

 
 

Fall Picnic

 

It was "Fall Picnic" day at Harper's preschool.  In other words, instead of the kiddos eating their normal lunch at school today, the parents came and ate with them at the shelter by the playground.  I loved being able to pop in to eat with these cuties!