First Day of the Rest of Their Lives

Oh what a great day!

The first day of school!

I have to tell you....my feelings were hurt when we told Mallory that she had to pick one of us to take her to her first day and she picked iKeith.  I've devoted my life to her every waking moment and when she picks her favorite.

It wasn't me.

Actually, I think if she'd had a real choice she would have picked Aunt Bobbi. But she's not here.

iKeith took lost of pictures and video but there is one picture that has me laughing so hard.

The Stink Eye.

This little girl was getting too close for comfort.

In the end, she was very happy and said she couldn't wait to go back.  YAY!

Alex also had a good day even though I was worried sick about being away from him all day.  I was really concerned about lunch for some reason.  He is undecided on going back.  HA!  I told him he doesn't have a choice.

Now the question is....what do I do now?

On Cloud Nine

I'm feeling so blessed today.

School starts tomorrow and we just finished two nights of Kindergarten Orientation.  Alex wasn't terribly excited to go back to school until he walked into his new classroom and sat at his desk.  We set his school supplies down, he introduced himself to his seat mate and waved us away.

Keith and I attended a meeting in the gym, sitting with friends.  Ironically, Keith and Dan sat and giggled like two 6 year old boys and Margaret and I had to keep giving them the evil eye.  We skipped the parking lot tour....we're pros this year!

I put my name on several volunteer sign up sheets.  I'm excited that I have more time to spend in the classroom....helping out.  More time.

What am I going to do with all of this time?  You can bet I've got a list going....that's how I roll.

I returned to Alex's classroom to find him in the front row singing and dancing with the rest of the class.   You could see the confidence on his face!  He fell right back into the routine and he's excited for school to start.  I couldn't be more pleased!

Last night, we left Mallory in her new classroom and I was afraid she was going to cry.  She's been so excited the last few days!  She couldn't wait to see her desk for the first time and seek out two friends that she'd hadn't met yet.  But then the moment arrived and she looked scared.

We forced ourselves to walk away.

We skipped the meeting in the gym.  I told Keith the night before if he found Mallory's teacher and got her permission NOT to attend again, we'd go to dinner.  Based on how quickly he completed this task....I'm guessing he really didn't want to sit through that again. HA!

We returned from dinner to find the happiest little girl I've ever seen sporting a sticker on her shirt for being the first student to find all of the items in the classroom.  As we stood on the playground, enjoying cookies and lemonade, the principal and new assistant principal came by to tell us how amazing little Mallory was in class.  Ninety minutes and they already knew her name!

That's my girl!

Keith and I are mentoring four new families this year.   It has been such a great experience!  Imagine getting to share your love for your school with new people and answering their questions and helping them through a fearful experience!  Now I know how Mormon Missionaries feel.

You're going to love it.  This school is going to change your life!  

What I Learned In Kindergarten

1. Not Everyone Will Want To Be Your Friend.

I thought I was getting 19 new friends at the beginning of the school year.  I was friendly, learned everyone's names and which kid they belonged with.  After a few months, people that clicked....gravitated to each other and others didn't. Also, not every child will want to be your kids friend for the same reasons.  It's okay!  Be advised that if you report to the teacher that your kid is being written on with a dry erase marker and picked on in class that the child's mother will stop talking to you and liking anything you have to say on Facebook.

2. Some People Will Be Your Friend For The Wrong Reason.

Not to sound like an episode of The Bachelor, but if someone is feeding you information about your teacher that is negative and keeps calling you under the guise of being friends.  They have an agenda.  I didn't realize this until it was too late.

3. Standing Up for What You Believe is Right...Is Always a Good Idea.

Even if it means some people (see #2) won't like you or talk to you anymore.  Don't be afraid to speak up if someone is being wronged.  Your opinion is so very important and the administration appreciates it.

4. PTA is Awesome!

If you are a parent that likes to be in the middle of the action and you have any skills, join PTA!  Being a part of a group that has good intentions is a wonderful feeling. Side note: Have your husband join too...you never know when you'll need to vote on something important.

5. Volunteering in the Classroom is Fun!

I was nervous at first and fretted over my outfits because I wanted the teacher to like me but it was all fine.  Watching your kid interact with his friends in class and soaking up information like a sponge is a joy to behold.  Also, teachers LOVE volunteers.  Unless of course, you just want to sit in the back of the room taking notes.  This is strongly discouraged!

6. Having Cocktails with Fellow Kinder Moms is Therapy.

Get together with each other.  At the park with the kids, at PTA, at a bar after the kids are in bed.  You are all in this together and when it's over you'll be as tight as people that have been in a war or jail together.

7.  The Teacher Doesn't Want to be Your BFF.

This was a tough one for me.  But....she's busy with 20 or more children and she has friends of her own and a family and doesn't have time for a new BFF.  It's okay.

8. Field Day is The Best Day of The Year!

At the continuation ceremony for both half day classes.....many of the kids said that Field Day was their favorite part of Kindergarten.  It made me soooo happy because I was the coordinator!  I'm so thrilled that I contributed to their school year and they were happy.

9.  Kindergarten is Expensive.

I tracked our expenses on a spreadsheet and we spent $700.  Between school supplies, yearbooks, school pictures, field trips, teacher gifts, scholastic book orders, PTA dues and the Science fair....it all adds up!

10.  Sometimes You Need A Do Over.

Kindergarten is not what it used to be.  There are no naps or snacks and your kid will work HARD! The problem is that they are still starting kids at 5 years old but the curriculum has advanced.  If your child was not fully ready, this is the perfect time to start again.  It's a proven fact that 6 year old (boys) do better in Kindergarten.  We decided we'd rather re-start the school process so that Alex could fully master all he needs to know to continue on, rather than struggle for the rest of his school career.  It was a hard choice to make, and we're sad that he won't be with his friends but it was the right thing to do for him.

 

End of Year School Gifts

CLICK HERE to see this years Teacher Gift!

I knew that I wanted to put together something for my son's teacher for the end of the school year.  As you recall, our original teacher is very ill and was unable to continue teaching the class.  In April, this lovely teacher took over and has done an amazing job!

My original idea was a summer basket.  I was going to put a number of things (beach towel, sunglasses, insulated drink cup) into a straw handbag......and then I saw the paper plate caddy at Target and I knew that I could use it to hold some fun items!

The only drawback to this gift.  It was a little heavy and my kid asked that I pick something lighter next year!

End of Year Classmate Gift

Alex is not going to 1st grade with his class next year, so I wanted him to be able to give his classmates something to remember him by.  It was a huge hit!  As a side note: going to 4 Target stores to find 19 beach balls in the dollar spot took my mind off the fact that my little boy is going to repeat Kindergarten next year.

Thank you to Tami Wilson Blog for the idea and free printable!

Stay tuned for a post titled: What I Learned in Kindergarten!

Field Day, The Kindergarten Way

It's been six and a half years since I have held a paying job.

Before I got pregnant with Alex, I worked for a collection agency that did medical collections.  I was a customer service rep and worked as a liaison between the hospitals and my collectors.  I loved tracking down information and delegating.  I was also really good at being bossy.

Nine weeks ago, I volunteered to be the Kindergarten Field Day Coordinator.

I had a fantastic team of six ladies helping me and we pulled off a great event!  Several teachers and the principal told me that it was the best and most organized field day they have ever had. Parents keep coming up to my husband and telling him how much their kid enjoyed it!

Even though....I was stressed out and had nightmares about popsicles.....I loved it!

The planning, the meetings and setting everything up.   I was in my element!  I had so much fun that I agreed to do it again next year.

I hired my brother in law Robert to walk around and take pictures.  He did an amazing job!

Our Assistant Principal was the emcee and I rewarded him with a popsicle! 

Time Is On My Side

I'm in a hurry to get things done

Oh I rush and rush until life's no fun

All I really gotta do is live and die

But I'm in a hurry and don't know why

Can't be late, I leave in plenty of time

Shakin hands with the clock

I can't stop

I'm on a roll and I'm ready to rock

This has been my theme song...forever.

I have a checklist in my head that must be completed and it needs to be done now.

But why?

The subject of time has been on my mind constantly this week.

At first it was regret, time wasted on a year of Kindergarten that has to be re-done.  Time that I lost sending him to school everyday when he could have been home with me.  On Thursday, I was ready to pull him out of school for the year and say f**k it.  But there are only 20 days of actual school left and we have fun things coming up. Like Field Day....I'm the coordinator.

On Saturday night, I was deep in thought and writing in Alex's journal.  I was trying to explain our choice in a way that he'd understand when he reads it someday; when he's an adult.  I wanted him to know how much we wanted the best for him.

And then it hit me like a ton of bricks!

By having him go to Kindergarten again, I'm giving all of us the gift of time.

Another year to learn and grow. 
Another year with him at my table, on my couch....under my roof. 
Another year to be a family before he heads off into the world and starts his own life.  
Another year to be WITH him.

I was so worried about what he'd be missing out on....that I forgot about everything we'd be gaining.

A year.

How To Win The Science Fair

Five weeks ago, there was a school assembly about The Science Fair. My son came home so excited and pumped up that in a moment of duress, iKeith we agreed that he could enter.

I found out later that he just really wanted a T-shirt.  That would have been nice to know $75 ago.....

While on vacation, we discovered that he had a high interest in meteor craters which was convenient because we were visiting the Meteor Crater Museum on our trip.  We learned so much there and purchased some items for his display.

Somehow.....I was in charge of the display board, I was told it was because I am the creative one.  I read the rules 15 times because I didn't want to screw this up and it said that Kindergarteners can have lots of help from their parents.  They can purchase stuff, help them research stuff, purchase stuff, drive them around, buy them ice cream and print out their information on the computer.

What they don't tell you is that IF YOU WANT TO WIN, your child has to hand write everything.  Even if it takes them 5 weeks and their hand falls off.

My husband would also like you to know that my odd sense of humor could have been an issue.  But in my defense.....he agreed to the title and dismissed my other one which was....

Don't Be A Hater.....Come See My Crater!

Alex worked very hard on his project.  He built a meteor launcher out of legos and launched two size balls into flour to demonstrate his finding that larger meteors create larger craters.  

His project was the most played with and interactive project of the 13 Kindergarten Projects.  He also received handwritten feedback from two judges where most kids only had one.

And....the Principal's husband came to school on Friday to meet Alex and have him show off his project.  He only came to see Alex. 

We were flying high!  Our board was the prettiest (because I made it) and it was the tallest....because SIZE MATTERS.  Duh.  Alex was nervous all afternoon.  We kept him busy with his Grandpa and Aunt Bobbi who were  visiting.  

Did I mention it was also his 6th Birthday and Keith and I had volunteered in his classroom all morning?  

It was a very good day!

That evening.......was the open house and award ceremony.  I think these pictures of Mallory explain our emotions perfectly.

He didn't win.  

We are so proud of him and he can't wait to enter again next year.

He wants to build a volcano. 

Lord help me!