Preschool Pick Up

So many people have asked how Caroline’s first day of fall preschool went and wonder how it compared to the Meet the Teacher day.

Let me say this…

She did not win the Miss Congeniality Award.

Drop off went smoothly with not even a backwards look at me.

I peeked into the room after putting her things in her cubby to find her sitting at the table working with one of the teachers.

Super.

I went on with my day, even managing to go to the noon swim practice.

At 1:55 I showed up at her classroom door to see her playing with some My Little Ponies.

The teacher said, “Caroline, your mom is here.”

Caroline glanced up and saw me.

She stood up, screwed up her face in a mean face, stiffened her arms by her side, and didn’t move.

I smiled at her and said, “Caroline, it’s time to go.”

Thankfully, she walked over to me, still  holding the pony in her hand.

“It’s time to go so we need to leave the pony at school. You can come back tomorrow and play with it.”

Here is when she started to cry mumbling something about taking the pony home.

I reiterated that the pony needed to stay at school but she would be able to play with it again tomorrow.

One of the teachers leaned her head out of the door and said, “She can take it home with her.”

?????

WTF? Are you kidding me lady? We do NOT need to start the precedent of taking home toys everyday from school and let me tell you, one time in Caroline’s mind would mean being able to bring them home everyday.Plus, I have a dog who would likely eat every toy thus making preschool cost $8,000 when factoring in toy replacement fees.

I looked up at her, smiled, and said, “No, we need to leave the toys at school.”

“Caroline, it’s time to go home, I want you to leave the pony.”

“Noooooo.”

“I’m taking the pony out of your hand now, you can play with it tomorrow at school.”

I took the pony.

“I WASN’T FINISHED WITH THAT!      I STILL WANT THAT!” she screamed and I mean SCREAMED.

And with that, I grabbed her stuff and walked out the door while she continued to scream, “I WANT TO STAY. I DON’T WANT TO GO HOME.”

If pick up goes the same today, I am fully expecting a surprise visit from Child Protective Services at my door.

Remember when last year’s teacher described her as, “a pistol? ”

I can only imagine the adjectives being thrown around the break room now.

First Day of School 2012 – 2013

Today we walked the boys to school for their first day.

It’s a big year around here because it will be the last year of elementary school for Alex.

Next year it’s off to the big middle school – but let’s not even talk about that yet.

Our morning started off with pancakes with either a 5 – 5th grade – or a 1 – 1st grade – cut out of the middle – a tradition now in it’s second year.

While one child was super excited for school to start, one child was not.

While one child was super excited to bring requested teacher items to school, one child was not – “But she’s already going to have twenty boxes of tissues, why do I have to bring another?” – The response of, “They were on her teacher wish list,” did nothing to appease him.

While one child was happy to wear his old tennis shoes which fit, one child insisted he had to have new tennis shoes even though his current pair fit.

While one child let his parents bring him to class and walk into the room with him, one child insisted 5th graders walk themselves.

Oh boy, times are a changin’ around here.

Should be an interesting year.

Have a great first day to all of my teacher friends out there!

Back

We just got back last night from Indiana where I was attending my little brother’s law school graduation.

Yep. Little brother’s LAW SCHOOL graduation.

Pretty impressive I know.

Ryan was 6 when I went to college so this accomplishment is all the more impressive to me considering I still think of him as being in elementary school.

But alas, he’s not 6 anymore.

Instead, he can consult with us on wills and trusts, oh and wildlife law too (apparently he thought that would be helpful).

We’re so proud of you Ryan!

Yeehaw!

Howdy folks!

Living in Texas lends itself to many “dressing western” days at school.

Seeing as I don’t particularly embrace boots and hats we often struggle to come up with an appropriate costume on those days. The boys have never been concerned, often refusing to even wear jeans on those days. Caroline, on the other hand, enjoys her school dress up days so I decided to do my best to outfit her appropriately.

An old dress up hat plus a ribbon was the first part of the ensemble.

Next I made her a skirt using the circle skirt tutorial from MADE.

Caroline and I wandered around the fabric store looking for some appropriate fabric. She refused the horse pattern (thank goodness!) and decided on this flower pattern.

To make this skirt, you have to make a quick pattern and then use it to cut out a circle of fabric. From there you adhere the elastic. Sewing on the elastic was the most difficult part for me though it won’t deter me from making another skirt.

The final piece of her outfit was a $3 shirt from a consignment shop.

Caroline is currently loving the book, Cindy Ellen, which is Cinderella with a western twist. She took this book to school to share saying, “I’m a cowgirl like Cindy Ellen.”

And no, she is not wearing boots.

It was 85 degrees that day and boots are not looked upon kindly on the playground.

Plus, this Louisiana momma can only do so much to encourage a Texas style.

The Kissy Girl

There is a kissy girl in kindergarten.

Normally I wouldn’t care.

But my son is in kindergarten, so I do.

My sweet innocent loving boy is in kindergarten WITH A KISSY GIRL!

The other day he came home saying, “Bambi kissed me on the lips.”

No her name is not really Bambi but I think it fits her nicely.

What do you mean Bambi kissed you on the lips?

“I was playing at recess and she walked up and kissed me.”

Do not let him see the steam rising from your head. Keep it together. Do not walk over to the school right now.

We then had a discussion about telling the teacher if something like this happens…and then I ran as fast as I could to my computer. My email was calm and clear, “Not sure if this really happened but wanted to make you aware of what my son is saying.”

About two hours later I took my children to the grocery store. As we walked passed the deli counter my son said, “That’s her.”

“What?”

“That’s Bambi over there.”

Cue my wide eyed glare and robotic head turn.

Cue the western music.

There’s going to be a showdown in the middle of Kroger.

“That’s her?”

“Yes.”

“Did she really kiss you on the lips?”

“Yes.”

“I’m going to ask you for the last time, did she really kiss you on the lips? Because I’m going to walk over there and speak to her mommy and you better be telling me the truth.”

“Yes, she did.”

I slowly turned around and envisioned my near future. I’m going to be the crazy mom on the playground from now on. My son has probably made up this lie and now I’m going to look like a freak confronting someone who is holding 2 pounds of ham.

“Excuse me. Hi. I am Andrew’s mom and he told me something which I’m not really sure is true or not. He said Bambi kissed him on the lips on the playground.”

She turned to Bambi, “Did you kiss him on the lips?”

“No.”

Liar. You little liar. You kissed my son, you two bit tramp!

“You better tell me the truth. Did you kiss him?”

“No.”

“We will talk about this when we get home.”

“Like I said, I don’t know if it’s true or not.”

I felt awful the rest of the day and questioned my choice of approaching the mom. But I quickly felt vindicated when I received an email from his teacher the following day.

Apparently, “the kissing incident,” did happen. Andrew didn’t tell the teacher on duty because it wasn’t his teacher. It was corroborated by others. Andrew and Bambi have been informed that they need to stay away from each other and there should be no touching of any kind.

I can see the school playground from my house but have decided to wait on the purchase of high powered binoculars.

I may change my mind though since I will have more time on my hands.

My husband is now in charge of all grocery shopping.

You never know who I might see, and more importantly, what I might say.

 

Disguise

Andrew, who’s six,  came home with some additional homework this week.

His assignment was to provide Tom the Turkey with a disguise so that he wouldn’t be cooked on Thanksgiving Day.

Andrew turned his turkey into an elf complete with a toy train in his left wing.

Turkey In Disguise

The next day I was eager to hear all about the other students’ turkeys.

Andrew explained, “There was a Yoda, a Harry Potter, and a cow.

Jane made a cow. She took a paper bag and covered her turkey with it and pasted a cow head on it.

It looks like a kid made it.”

Apparently, art at five and half is just childish while art at six qualifies you to work at the Guggenheim.

Drop Off Dance

I just dropped my daughter off at preschool for her first day of school this year.

Excitedly I jumped into the car, turned off Mary Poppins, and switched the radio on.

I started dancing in my car immediately when this song came on.

While I may not have a girl friend who recently cheated on me and I don’t have a Zach Galifianakis tattoo, I think you can still understand that I was excited. And so were a lot of other mommies based on their smiles and the extra skip in their step.

Five whole hours to myself today. That hasn’t happened since mid May.

Now don’t get me wrong, I love my kids but the freedom is fabulous. Just imagine taking a shower without someone talking to you constantly, going to the bathroom without an audience, or running an errand without having to stop at the toy section.

Of the 168 hours in a week, I’m with my daughter for 158. So I was ready for a little break.

I danced all the way to the library return box, the post office, and then home.

Don’t tell me I don’t know how to party. NO LATE FEES BRO! That is awesome.

How will I spend my five hours?

Maybe a little Bravo TV, read another chapter in my book, cruise the internet…whatever it is I will be singing this song.

Update: Fifteen minutes after I got home the pest control guy called and said he was coming in two hours. So what did I do? I cleaned for two hours. But I made sure to clean with a little skip in my step too.


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The First Week

The first week of school is coming to a close and it’s been a good one.

Or so I thought.

Apparently, my kindergartener is learning from an Iron Fist.

For the first three days of school all was well. Stories of coloring, watching movies (weather of 107 dictates indoor recess), and chorus after chorus of “We’re Going On a Bear Hunt” could be heard in our house.

But then Thursday arrived and different tales started coming home from school.

“Rosie wouldn’t sit criss cross applesauce so Ms. Torboni took two minutes of her recess away.”

My response was,  “What? She’ll miss the opening credits. Outrageous!…I mean Rosie should have listened to Ms. Torboni.”

Strict but reasonable. Good for Ms. Torboni. She’s setting some behavior standards.

Andrew seemed to forget Rosie as he moved on to Jane.

“Jane was playing with her silly bands so Ms. Torboni took them away.”

Strict but reasonable. I agree. Toys from home should be left at home.

“And then Ms. Torboni put them in the treasure box.”

This is when it got a little disturbing on both ends.

“And anyone can buy those silly band from Ms. Torboni for six tickets.”

Strict but cruel?

“Jane was crying.”

I’m sure she was. Surely he has this wrong. The teacher can’t possibly be selling Jane’s items from home.

Andrew’s eyes then lit up as he said with a huge smile, “And I’m going to earn six tickets and get those silly bands for me to keep.”

Super.

Here’s hoping the life skill compassion is studied  next week.

Or else we might have mutiny on our hands in room 5.   

Primary Carnage

Andrew went to chapel every Friday at school. One Friday he asked me to attend since chapel would be in the garden. I arrived right on time, located Andrew, and spread my blanket directly behind his class.

Chapel began with a prayer, some songs, and a little scripture reading.

The music teacher, who also doubles as the chapel teacher, began a mini sermon.

Loving God’s creatures and treating them with kindness appeared to be the main message she was trying to convey.

She supported her message by discussing ladybugs and how they are beneficial to gardens. Each of the three teachers then received a clear bucket which contained hundreds of ladybugs.

The children were ecstatic.

They clamored around the teachers trying to obtain a ladybug. Each class walked over to their specific garden and released the ladybugs. The children came back to the chapel area eagerly since they were promised another animal.

Next up, the discussion of earthworms and their valuable contributions to the garden.

Again, the teachers each received a bucket. When the buckets were opened, a few teachers gasped. With obvious displeasure their eyes pleaded with the music teacher, “Must we touch these creatures?”

Once I peeked into the bucket I was never happier to be the parent and not the teacher. The worms were enormous. Definitely larger than your average garden worm.

The idea with the earthworms was the same as the ladybugs. Release them into the garden so they will nourish the soil.

Initially, Andrew declined an earthworm but with a little coaxing from me agreed to hold one.

He giggled with delight as the earthworm moved on his hand. It was lovely to see him enjoying this experience.

Our picture perfect moment ended with a blood curdling scream from a little girl in front of us. She was distraught because someone had stepped on her worm. Other kids rose quickly to look. The quick movement resulted in additional worms being dropped and stepped on. This, in turn, lead to more upset children who also began crying.

The teachers tried to calm the students with soft and gentle voices, “Please don’t move. We’re going to release our earthworms in the garden soon.” This did little to rectify the situation.

Eventually, the teachers managed to ensure every student had a worm to release.

I was glad when chapel was finally over.

Fast forward one week to “Come Plant Your Own Plant Day” in the garden.

Andrew’s class returned to the garden for the first time since chapel. Each student held a flower or herb which they were going to plant.

As Andrew and his friends began digging, they discovered dead ladybugs everywhere. Hundreds of lifeless ladybugs lay on the ground. Apparently, releasing hundreds of ladybugs onto the same plot of soil is not the best idea.

I must say the sermon was a success. The students were quite kind and compassionate while discussing the ladybug annihilation.

Not sure if you can tell but the ladybug carnage is above. I refrained from photographing the earthworm debacle.