First Day of School 2013

Kevin and I were at WalMart (on a protein shake mission) and I told him I need to find another small ice block for lunches.  "The two we have aren't enough?"  Yeah I forgot we had three kids in school too.

Patrick- 4th grade

He was really nervous but his best little friend, Erin is in his class and he's already made lots of new friends.  Including 39 other Raven friends  in his classroom (seriously 40 kids in a class, I bow down to these teachers).  He started cross country yesterday (begrudgingly) and really liked it.  He turns 9 on Monday and he told me last night that he is really going to enjoy 4th grade.  Hooray! 


Keith- 1st grade

Keith wears his worry in such a different way than his brother.   He was definitely a little nervous but  there is nothing like knowing your brother is there with you.  Keith has been full of energy when he gets home.  I thought he would want a nap, shows what I know!  Everything in first grade is VERY exciting.

Lauren- Preschool

This one has been ready.  Before we took her to school yesterday she was already proclaiming that she likes it.  I'm sure she's making an impression. I still find it hard to believe that she spends the day away from me.  It is so weird.

ACK!

Look at my face!

I'm not ready.  The kids have clothes, the boys' hair has been trimmed, the school supplies were purchased and organized weeks ago.... but I'M NOT READY.  I continue to refer to the first day of school as something that will happen at some point in the (distant?) future. 

Big changes for us this year (dig hole, stick head in).  Patrick is an upper grader, Keith is at school all day, and Lauren jets off to the preparatory academy (aka Preschool).  Don't let summer end yet!

We had an amazing summer, including our first family trip since Hawaii four years ago.  We spent a week at the beach and it was so much fun.  Can we go back?

Today when I thought about Lauren eating lunch out of her coveted lunch box without me there, I had flurries in my belly.  When Keith came in for yet another reassuring hug, my heart skipped.  When Patrick worried about the new year, I teared up. 

People keep reminding me that with Lauren at school, I have time.  Well, I don't really know what that means or what to do about that.  It isn't real.

I pray that my children will be lead by the ways of our God and not by the ways of this world.  I pray that they grow and learn and achieve to their full potential.  I pray that there will always be trials to make them better and stronger (I force myself to pray that most days).  I pray that Kevin and I will be strong role models for grace, love, compassion, leadership, integrity, and humor.  And I pray that whatever this new year brings that we grow in our love for one another and our family bond tightens against the icky stuff in this world. 

OK NOW I'M READY!

Bragging Rights

I think awards ceremonies at school are weird.  I can't tell you why but it is just weird.  Maybe because some of the awards are a little sketchy.  Like perfect attendance, they should just call it, "You Send Your Kid To School Sick" award.  Because the year Patrick won it, that's what I should have gotten an award for, convincing my sick kid that a little hot chocolate could cure anything.   And why am I always in the dark about the 3 (reading, math, and writing) grade level awards.  Should I know that my kid didn't meet one or any of these BEFORE the awards are handed out?  Does everyone else know and I'm just missing the memo every semester?

Kevin is reading a book called Not Everyone Gets A Trophy about Generation Y, not my kids generation or my generation but still a relevant concept.  Almost every kid in the room got some kind of certificate or ribbon or whatever.  That's cool but there are some top kids (not necessarily mine) that work their little butts off and deserve big trophies.  Super smarties who not only show up to school but work really really hard, and they get lumped in with everyone else.  Also, they get grades and no one talks about the kids with straight A's (still not necessarily my kid).  And that's what's weird about our academic awards.  The majority of the kids are performing at grade level, so the majority of the kids get an award (the same award).  It is kind of a mediocrity award if you think about it.  You are proficient!  Here's your certificate, I can't think of any other reason you should try harder because that's good enough!  Good luck, that certificate should get you into the college of your choice.

Yep.  That's it.  You helped me figure it out.  Maybe it is just in the primary grades and things will shift next year but we are perpetuating this culture of cheering on every effort, even when we should be pushing our kids to do better.  I'm nuts.... I know it.  This is a post about Patrick and I am ranting about the school.  But if you think about how competitive college entrance and employment are and will be in 10 years you will be a little nuts too.  Patrick wants to go to Hillman or CSU Monterey Bay.  I told him that he should go to the imaginary school and I would write an imaginary tuition check.  WINNER.

HERE I COME HARVARD!  I GOT MY CERTIFICATES!

So he got some awards.  Yay!  He really does work extra hard in Math so DOUBLE YAY.  Notice the writing award is missing.  Turns out he's too creative for the district writing standards.  He free writes, goes off-topic, and makes jokes...... hmmmm..... no comment. 

He set a big reading goal for the first semester: 200 Accelerated Reader points.  He met it and exceeded it (3rd grade students need 20 points for an award).  He got pizza (top 4 third grade readers), donuts (25 points?), and tomorrow lunch at Carl's Jr. with the principal (top 2 primary and top 2 upper grade readers).  As much as I disliked (and continue to dislike) AR this is an area that he really loves and the rewards aren't even just the junk food.  His new reading level jumped up a full grade level (and a half?  I can't remember, I'm horrible with numbers) to just above a seventh grade level.  This is a direct result of the time he invests in reading (in the car, late at night, in the bathroom, at the table, every waking moment).



My friend (who is also a teacher at my kids' fantastic school) posted this on Pinterest and it is so true.   He's absorbed in a new series and already has almost 50 points for the second semester goal.  He's really a great kid, I love his heart and his mind.


 I am going for the Vacuum Master Award this semester, I'll let you know how it goes.

Homework Confessions

Welcome to the fourth week of school.  For my third grader (who was brought to tears on a regular basis by second grade homework), it is a breeze.  Time consuming (30 minutes plus math facts plus reading), but he hearts his binder and works independently 98% of the time. 

For my Kindergartener, the 10 (pshaw) minutes of homework is like nothing that can be described in the English language.  I've worked in his class so I know he isn't at the bottom but somewhere in the middle lurks my boy.  He knows all of his phonics, recognizes letters and numbers, and can add simple numbers.  His motors skills are ATROCIOUS (he can't hold a pencil, he can't cut with scissors, he can't write his name....the kindergarten way).   I know that he's a boy and these skills will come and all that but it is still crazy intense.  And I know that I am a crazy intense mom.  His 10 minutes (again PSHAW!) of homework this week: Writing the numbers 1-2-3 five times, Writing the sight words (is-I-See) five times, Naming the five senses, Reviewing the three letters he wasn't able to identify or create the correct sound for, Writing his name the kindergarten way (because he writes in ALL CAPS).  Last week it was about the same.  AND. IT. WAS. PAINFUL. 

Here's the thing, I push my kids pretty hard and turn 10 minutes of homework into 40 minutes of homework BUT by the end of last week Keith was writing his name correctly.  HUGE.  I was just about ready to give up and back off and find another hobby.  And then he conquered it.   He really is a rockstar (with a healthy pre-paid therapy account, thanks to me).  He even got the Character Counts award for responsibility and a lollipop to go along with it because candy also counts.

And then there is LoLos.  Most days she is content to park herself at (or on) the table with her brother and scribble in her notebook.  Some days, she is in need of the newly minted time-out (lauren style).

In my world there isn't anything that is harder than watching my children struggle.  I want it to be easy!  It isn't.  It is easy for Patrick right now but I know that I will have my own (count to ten and breathe) moments with him.  I hate that I can't just feed them the knowledge, skills, and everything they need like I feed them dinner.  But the struggle makes their success so much sweeter.  Keith's development in four short weeks has been AMAZING.  Patrick's level of focus and responsibility has improved so much.  I am lucky to have these kids and I hope that I am doing enough things right to make up for my mistakes.

First Day of School. YAY!

These are mine.  Patrick 3rd grade, Keith Kinder (pm), Lauren Mommy School

Patrick woke up asking for one more day of summer.  He's ready, he's just looking for a few more hours to read and play Legos.  We got up and moving without a hitch.  I'm glad I made them all start adjusting to the school schedule last week!

Patrick and Mrs. Campbell

I love the first day of school.  This was the most confident Patrick has ever been (even though he was still nervous).

My tears started at approximately 8:45 am.  I don't know why... tradition.  School starts and I cry.   Then Keith decided to test my patience between 11:00 am and 11:30 am.  The good news is I was ready to drop him off at Kindergarten at 11:45!  No problem.

He would have been happy to be there all day.

Keith and Mrs. Bletscher

This is the moment he has been waiting for!  He had a great day and loves Mrs. Bletscher.  He's so lucky that he already knows a few of the boys in his class.  The best part of the day was Mrs. Bletscher using him as the example for the discipline policy.  All I heard was then I got a red card and then I got a purple card.  My heart dropped.  He was of course the perfectly behaved child (ALL GREEN!).

The best part of Patrick's day was learning about his binder/planner.  Good times, he is clearly my kid.  He told me that when he grows up he's going to have a big desk with lots of binders. 

AM Mommy School Day 2.  These two are 2 peas.

Kindergarten Readiness and Final Jeopardy

Why the heck do I have a blog if I can't brag about my kids?!?!

First of all, Patrick got Final Jeopardy this week.  Not on the celebrity show.  Not the college show.  Not the kids show.  For real Final Jeopardy that only 1 of 3 contestants got correct...  See if you know the answer/ question (It's at the end of this post)

A 2005 study reported that this animal named for an island has, pound-for-pound, the most powerful bite of any mammal

Second, Keith is very aware of numbers.  We play a complicated game of Slug Bug (without the violence) that includes double points, minus points, and restarts.  He keeps a running score all day.  The other day he was sitting at the counter randomly counting.  I wasn't paying attention to the numbers but he seemed to be repeating numbers.  Eventually, he declared, "Someone doesn't know how to count!"  I thought he was talking about one of his friends.  Turns out he was reading the numbers on the coffee maker 2-4-6-8-10-12 I get the biggest kick out of this kid.  I am so very excited that he is starting Kindergarten in 11 weeks.  I will miss him but I am happy for him because he is so incredibly excited about it.

And Lauren!  Well she is studying for the SATs and making her way through Tolstoy (audio of course, she can't read).  She says "Mama," for everything but seems to know how to run a household.  And next week she wants to start violin lessons. 

So, how much did you win in Final Jeopardy?  I didn't......



Tasmanian Devil

First Days of School

Both boys successfully completed their first days of school.  Both boys described their new teachers as "nice."  Both boys are trying to sneak Legos, late movies and other summer activities into the school schedule.  Both boys made new friends on their first days.  Both boys forgot their new friends' names. Lauren misses her boys.

Monday: Patrick's First Day of Second Grade

All ready to go!

Mrs. Boris and Patrick: So lucky to have a familiar face!

Ready to Learn!

 Keith's First Day of "Big Kid Preschool"

I've got this Mom.  No big deal.

 And.... I didn't even cry.

Teacher Requests

Patrick has made his official request for his second grade teacher.  I don't think this lady is employed by Clovis Unified though.   Glitter... Lots of Glitter!

p.s. I'M READY!!!!!!!!!

Say what!?!?

I just don't think I'm ready..... But then again.... Maybe I am.

Creative Writing

I have been known to craft a story or two when asked to put pen to paper.  In Elementary School my tales mostly involved Ricky Schroeder, Punk Rockers and my besties.  In High School, I didn't write as much but one tale stands out for me.  We were doing some kind of (lame) state writing test.  There was some lame prompt about disappointing your parents.  So I did what I usually did, I made up a story.  It was an elaborate tale about crashing my father's beloved sports car, "his fifth child."  ALL LIES. 

I received a perfect score on the essay and thought nothing of it.  That is until my teacher decided to use it as an example for all of her English classes thus exposing my penchant for lying and uncontrollable addiction to run-on sentences to 33% of the Freshman class.  And that brings us to present day....  Mini-me.

Patrick and Mama Lou- December 2010

Several weeks ago I was reading one of Patrick's writing assignments.  The prompt was: I like the cold weather because.....   He wrote about hot chocolate and blankets and then went on and on about watching TV in his room.  How great it is that he can cuddle under the blankets and watch his very own TV.  Um, liar?  yes.  I asked him about it and may or may not have encouraged the creativity (even at the expense of my own embarrassment).  He continues to make up bits and pieces and sometimes complete stories for his schoolwork.  The week before Thanksgiving he wrote that one of his chores was raking leaves.  Yeah right. 

Now he has expanded to his own freestanding tales, featuring those around him.  So I present to you the untitled, unpublished, unedited edited (I left the run-on sentences for dramatic effect), unfinished first draft by Patrick.

A long time ago there was a village in the middle of the village there was a castle in the castle there was sum doors.  In one door two knights were standing beside two chairs in the chairs sitting was a keen and queen the king's name was King Keith the queen's name was Queen Lauren the two knights name was Knight Jack the other knight's name was Knight Patrick the next door had a princess and prince the prince's name was Prince Kevin and princess's name was Princess Lindsay the hunt dog's name was....

More to come, I'm sure.

Two first days, one blog post

Here's Patrick, bright and early on his first day of the First Grade.  "King of Cool" 

The remanants of the first day of school breakfast. 

A big boy with a messenger bag.  Helpful hint: make sure your kid can open and close his bag before the first day of school.  We eventually figured it out but it wasn't pretty.  He was happy that he could still take his new bag.  I was happy that the bag was actually closed.

We came to school bearing bags of "suggested" classroom supplies.  I was happy to secure all of the items on the list.  The hitch?  The teacher didn't need all of the items on the list, including the glue that we made a special trip for GRRRR.  reverse process.

Patrick had a good first day (and second day).  He kept describing it as REALLY long.  We're working out our scheduling and routine, soon it will be smooth sailing. 


Keith has been.... behaviorally challenged the past few days.  I attribute it to his growing anticipation and anxiety about starting school.  He wanted to start on Monday with Patrick but he had to wait (impatiently).  Finally, the day arrived.  He picked out his own outfit, it happened to be the same shirt he picked to wear  to church....hmmm.  We've been having the it's preschool, not church conversation for months now.  As much as he wants to start school, he is clearly nervous about the big leap.

But he rallied and was perfectly happy.

And back to his old self within minutes.

I tried to tell his teachers that he isn't anything like Patrick.  They had to really see it to believe it. 

After one day they are charmed and convinced. We'll see what tomorrow brings.  I will say this, he had MUCH better behavior tonight than the past four days.  I even let him play with modeling clay, scissors and the garden hose. Three things he is usually not allowed to touch!  Here's to the corner...and turning it.

Oh, one more thing.  Keith was so excited that he got to play with Play-Dough at school.  I heard Patrick tell him, "You're lucky Keith, I didn't get to play with play-dough.  I had to do work all day."  Right work, in between the puppet shows, recess, and visits to the treasure box room with the Nintendo DS.  First grade is tough (and long)!

Almost......

It smells like summer vacation.  Except for the fact that Patrick was dressed for February this morning, complete with a beanie and gloves!  Last week we completed our final Kindergarten homework.  I think I'm going to miss Kindergarten. 

Between now and the end there is a lot to do, including a full week of festivities for the last week of school.  And Patrick is anxiously awaiting his final book order for the year.  We have a lots of reading planned for this summer. 

Let's Save Some Babies

This morning on the way to school there was an accident about midway between school and our house (we really should walk, it isn't that far.  unless you factor in Keith and high heels, then it is 17 miles).  Clovis PD was out there blocking the street and the tow trucks were loading the cars on flatbeds (more than a fender bender).  Patrick commented: "I hope there weren't any zero-year olds in those cars!"  Always concerned about the babies.

THE FOLLOWING IS AN OPEN LETTER TO THE MOMMIES IN MY HOOD

Dear Crazy-Driving Mama,
I am writing this because I don't know you but I am sure that I like you.  This note is a warning, more than likely a FINAL warning.  You see, my darling husband is at the end of his rope.  You have blown passed him doing 50 mph in residential areas.  You have allowed your small children to not only sit in the front seat but sit in the front seat without a seat belt.  You routinely speed passed stop signs as if they're suggestions and not requirements.  You seem to believe that your SUV has some kind of special powers that will generally keep you from plowing over innocent children no matter how horrible your driving.

So much can happen in the short commute between our houses and school, as my boys and I witnessed this morning.  I cannot promise that the next time you illegally pass my husband (utlizing the sidewalk as your passing lane) that he won't follow you to school and/or your house, write you a ticket, confiscate your vehicle, repeal your parental rights for the balance of the week and arrest you.  YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!! SLOW IT DOWN LADIES!!!!

And you may think that my husband is a jerk but he is the jerk that is saving our babies.  What's your excuse?

Love,
Mama Lou

Halloween Round-up

I already told you how I feel about Halloween so I won't say it again.  I will say this, Halloween is a lot of work and seems to extend for weeks before the actual trick or treating happens.  Okay, so I had fun this year.  Halloween in Kindergarten is fun, whatever, this too shall pass....

Field Trip to the Pumpkin Patch
The pumpkin patch was a lot of fun.  Patrick loved the hayride and riding the bus with his buddies.

Best Buddies

Dimitri, Patrick and David

Patrick's class.  I love these kids.  I get to spend time with them on Fridays and they are really fun.

 

When you are Keith, any excuse to dress up will do.  

We love pumpkins!  Keith is kissing his pumpkin.

The completed products.  Patrick's has ears.  Keith's has three eyes.  Kevin's is the little one.  We had fun.   The boys proudly designed their own faces. 

The Halloween Crew (in part).  I love this picture because Keith is either  trying to pull off Jack's mask or he's just harassing his cousin.  Either way.  Funny 

Keith was a spider because that's what Patrick was when he was two (he declared that next year he will either be Harry Potter or a Spider).  In the chaos of getting four kids ready to go and Keith being Keith, his hat with his sparkly spider eyes got left behind.  He did however manage to make sure he had gloves (because Jack's Batman costume had gloves), Patrick's baseball gloves.  He happily told anyone who would listen about his gloves, "I got goves, Pat-pat beisbol goves."  Patrick was a ninja with a small arsenal.  He was very into it, look at his face.  Hilarious.

And finally, the little ones.  Keith, Ava and Ryder with their lollipops (aka Popsicles).  Keith told me that he had fun hiding under the table with Ryder eating candy.  "I hide from you."

If you are looking for Keith, he is probably hiding in the corner trying to squirrel away his candy stash.

As for me, I am glad that it isn't October anymore.  And unlike last year I am totally skipping the Thanksgiving holiday for Christmas decorating.   The cards are ordered and the fun can begin the minute we get 23 boxes of Christmas joy out of storage.  Merry Christmas!