A few things that I learned after 3 kids

1. kids in pre-k and kindergarden spend a lot of time sitting on the ground sitting indian-style (criss cross applesauce)...so i started only buying skorts, or putting shorts underneath their skirts. This info was learned after kenzie said the boys were looking at her panties.

2. save yourself hundereds of dollars a year shopping garage sales, goodwill and consignment stores for used kids clothes and toys. There are tons of nice stuff out there for super cheap and kids clothes don't resell for very much. I got Mikayla a bunch of Gap clothes, .50 cents for shirts, 2.00 for a super nice jacket at a garage sale a few weeks ago. Only worn thru one kid. My other new thing is to buy the kids Christmas toys at garage sales, then I don't feel so bad WHEN (not if) they don't use them very much. I just bought buddy a big matchbox toy set for only $5 that originally cost $90.

3. the teachers at school tend to keep the rooms really warm during the winter, so wearing a sweater and or turtleneck is useless and always shed within the first hour of class. What works better is a heavy coat and a long sleeve shirt underneath. During the summer the rooms also tend to be cold, so send a hoodie for them to wear. ASK your kids how the rooms feel obviously each school may be different.

4. giving strongwilled kids a clear choice (2) "do you want to do this or that?" works better than commanding them to do something, this gives them a sense of empowerment, instead of making them feel controlled. Zach gets to choose which potty he gets to go in, not if he gets to go.

5. CROCS ROCK (but feet get real dirty from them, and they probably are not so great for feet)

6. Avoid buttons on pants/shorts for 3,4,5 yr olds. Why do they put buttons on 3,4, and 5 year old pants? It is really hard/impossible for their little fingers to undo them when they are frantically (since they tend to wait till the last minute to go) trying to go potty.