lilod, Love it!! Would you explain a little more in detail about the packages they are each carrying? Were you able to get these pics out with you when you came to America or got them some other way?

As one who adopted a large, untrained dog I applaud you for doing the right thing with respect to training. Had we adopted Rex as a puppy we'd have been "in class" too. The window of opportunity with puppies is fleeting and to capitalize on it is wise, indeed! For us, it's been a struggle. A "jumbo" dog with a puppy's need to play is too often mistaken for a rogue, out of control, intact dog. Keep it up! Obedience work is the best way to socialize your dog. (what a face for ice cream!).

I hope all the students, parents, teachers and spouces have a great year.

I taught kindergarten for 22 years and the first day of school was as unnerving for the teachers as it was for the kids! Well, maybe not as bad but I could never sleep the night before. If anyone has a child who is anxious about leaving Mommy - a great story to read with them is The Kissing Hand. I think the author is Audrey Penn - at least Penn is the last name. After I retired, I would go back to do the Parent Breakfast (timed right after school started so that it would get the parents out of the classroom) and I would always read it to the parents. Tissues would always be passed around as grown men cried! Then we would do the Tooty Ta, an embarrasing song with motions, to lightened things up. Now I am having to sit at home as my 3 year old Grandson goes off to Preschool for the first time on Friday. I would love to tag along to see how it goes but I won't interfer with DIL and DS's moment. He has never had to go to daycare or a sitters other than his Oma (DIL's mom) and Nana's (me).DIL has taken him to playgroups, kindermusic, gymnastics etc so he has been under someone else's directions but mom has always been in sight. Will see how it goes. Just as bad was taking our son off to college. DH didn't talk to me 2/3rds of the way back. Each time I would try to say something, he would raise his hand as if to say "STOP." The first words out of his mouth when he could compose himself were, "It will never be the same!" He was right.