Back to school preparations (or lack thereof)

David and Mary go back to school on Tuesday.  I'd put off all back to school preparations until after our trip to Door County.  So I'd like to say that I've been rushing around this week buying new clothes, sharpening pencils, and organizing school supplies.  But mostly I've just been a lazy bum about it.

Normally, I would carefully work on choosing a back-to-school outfit with them.  But David is a boy.  He will be perfectly happy wearing one of his two thousand Star Wars shirts.  Besides, he refuses to wear any shirt without "something big" on the front, so, really, I'm not going to bother trying to wrestle him into a nice preppy shirt.  (I gave up last year.)  And he can wear a pair of his many old, faded shorts.  These are all the same shorts he's been wearing since he was four.  That's how skinny he is.  (People, please please make me get rid of his shorts!  I'm sure they'll still fit around the waist next summer too, but another summer with them would be just wrong.)  Anyway...Star Wars T-shirt, faded shorts.  Check. David's all set.

Mary, on the other hand, would love nothing more than to go school clothes shopping.  But that girl can just wear one of her new summer outfits.  We had to go mid-summer shopping for Mary.  This was our first summer out of the toddler section, and I made a few mistakes at the beginning of the summer.  For one, I completely underestimated the shortness of the shorts in the girls section.  So all summer Mary's underpants have been hanging out the bottom of her shorts.  Frankly, I was too sick to care, and, besides, she's only four (and it's not like we managed to get out of the house much).  But come August, it occurred to me she was going to have NOTHING to wear during those first few warm, summery weeks back at school--unless she was going to be showing off her bum cheeks to the whole school.  So I basically bought her a whole new summer wardrobe, one that keeps her bare cheeks and panties out of sight.  As long as the weather stays warm, she'll have plenty to wear.  So no new school clothes.

As far as school supplies go...I've been just as lazy.  I am normally super uptight about buying EXACTLY what is on the supply list, driving around town to five different stores in search of the teacher's preferred brand or size.  But this time I decided I was making one trip to our nearby Target, and it would just have to do.  When I arrived, I realized the major flaw in my plan.  I should have made my one trip to Target six weeks ago.  Everything was picked over and out of stock.  (Why is it not reasonable to expect to be able to do your school supply shopping the week before school?)  But I took a deep breath, recommitted myself to making it work, and got to work with my favorite shopping companion, Mary.  Trudging back and forth between the back to school area and the office supplies, we managed to cobble together a near-complete list.  So the markers are the wrong color, the erasers the wrong brand, the pencils crappy, and the glue sticks too small...I don't care!  This is a monumental achievement for the OCD/Type-A/perfectionist/people-pleaser person in me!  Yeah, David's teacher might be a little annoyed.  But any therapist would be extremely proud.

As far as Mary's school supplies...nada.  It aligned perfectly with my laziness.  (Though we did have to write a big fat supply check to her school.  Ouch.  But, honestly, less painful than buying the supplies yourself.)  We did, however, have to buy her a lunchbox since she will be going full day.  Which was no small matter.  Her school aims for waste-free lunches. We're definitely zip-lock bag/juice box/paper napkin folks in this house.  But I can be a team player.  So we had to find a kid-friendly, dishwasher-safe (my requirement!!) bento-type system and a lunch box it would fit in, all in pretty colors of course.  Definitely more work than one trip to Target.

The last step before starting school (except for a couple of important-ish things I'll take care of this weekend) was visiting their classrooms.  Yesterday morning we stopped by Mary's school for a tour of the new building.  It's beautiful!!  I was feeling a little grouchy during the 25 minutes it took to get there (ugh), but the new location is lovely and the building is wonderful.  We checked out the whole school, but the best part was seeing Mary's classroom.  It's big and bright with a gorgeous view of a Wisconsin prairie.  Anna, Mary's teacher, happened to be there working in the room, and as soon as she saw Mary she immediately ran to her and scooped her up.  Anna loves Mary so much.  I almost started crying when I saw how safe and loved Mary felt in Anna's arms.  Needless to say, Mary loves Anna so much too.

Mary is going to have a great year.  She's been going to a Montessori school for the past two years with the same teacher and same kids.  She was in what's called the Children's House, which is for 3-6 year olds, and it's really meant to be a three year experience.  The first two years the child attends every morning.  And the 3rd year is the capstone experience.  It's called Extended Day, and it's the Montessori equivalent of Kindergarten.  After the younger two-thirds of the class leaves each day, the older children stay for the afternoon.  They are a small, intimate group, of about 7-12.  They spend the afternoon refining reading, writing, and math skills; cooking; taking nature walks; sewing; listening to chapter books; working on projects.  They also learn how to be leaders and how to help the younger kids.  

It's an experience we realized we want Mary to have.  It will be a change, her being gone all day.  And I have no doubt the transition will be bumpy--she will be so tired after school!  But she is ready.  It doesn't feel like sending her off to kindergarten though.  She will be with a teacher who has already loved her for two years.  She will be with good friends.  Though the building is new, the classroom feels comfortable and she's already  familiar with the materials and methods and routines.  It's a relief not to be sending her into the unknown.

I'm excited to send David off to school too, for him.  We visited his classroom last night and dropped off his school supplies.  He got a WONDERFUL teacher! (David had a brand new teacher last year, and, while I have the deepest sympathy for new teachers, I was ready for David to have someone more experienced this time around.)   I have heard she's the best, and, since she was one of the science fair judges last year, I got to know her a little, and I can see why she's so beloved.  As soon as we walked in the door, she recognized him (her classroom was across from his last year) and gave him a big hug.  My heart melted--he's an affectionate kid, and I felt like he was going to be in good hands.  

Also, David is in the same class as his best friend Bailey.  Again!  That's three years in a row!   I know a few other BFFs that have been in classes together for years at his school.  I just don't think it's a coincidence.  I think the principal and teachers make an effort to keep good friends together.  In fact, David has a number of other good friends in his class too.  Hooray!  If it's a good, healthy friendship, why not allow the kids to foster it and be happy at school?  That is so different from how I grew up--they always made a concerted effort to use class assignments as a way to break up groups of friends.  (Why???  Looking back, it seems so cruel and pointless.  Obviously you need to separate kids who are truly disruptive or in some kind of dysfunctional relationship, but if it's a normal happy friendship, why try to break it up?)  Apparently, David's school is keeping up with the latest research.  Just another thing I really like about his school:  They encourage friendship, instead of fearing it. (For example, you don't see things in the classrooms like having the seating chart be "shy girl," "rowdy boy, "shy girl.")

So, now that I have rambled enough, I am coming around to my point.  I think this is going to be a very good school year for my kids.  I know there will be bumps along the way, but overall I expect it be a positive experience with lots of learning, growth, and friends.  That is why it is hard for me to be sad about David and Mary going back to school.  I really will miss them, but they have greater things waiting for them.  

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By the way, next year, when they're both at a new school in a new state I'm sure I will be a WRECK!!  Oh, it's going to be so hard.  I'm saving all of my tears for then.

By the way again, we have no idea what Mary will do next year.  She'll be quite young for first grade--her birthday's not until October--but it's hard to imagine her going to kindergarten next year, especially if it's only half day where we move.  I love Montessori, but not the tuition. So who knows.  We try not to play up the "you're going to kindergarten this year" thing, in case she does go to regular public school kindergarten next year.  But most of her friends are starting kindergarten this year, so we do tell her she's doing kindergarten too but it's called Extended Day at her school.  And that she might do regular K next year but maybe first grade but really we don't know so just have fun this year and we love you a lot.  She takes it all in stride.  (Probably the only thing she takes in stride.)

Last day of K

David with adorable gal pal Whitney at the Kindergarten Farewell Family Picnic:

Yesterday was the last day of kindergarten.  David declared it to be "The Worst Day Ever!"  (To be fair, David declares most days to be "The Worst Day Ever!" At least when things aren't going his way.)

We attended the Family Farewell Picnic (which was in the gymnasium due to inclement weather). It was kind of a sad affair. The kindergartners all seemed somewhat sad and forlorn. Most of all, they seem confused. Everyone (i.e. the grown-ups) kept asking weren't they excited about summer vacation slash finishing kindergarten slash being first-graders.  The kindergartners responded with blank stares.

 Um, no.  No, they weren't excited about summer vacation slash finishing kindergarten slash being first-graders.  They're not dumb.  They know a good deal when they see it--fun, friends, and fabulous teachers everyday? Why were these crazy grown-ups celebrating the end of a good thing? The kids seemed more in the mood for a funeral than a picnic.

These kids are young.  They're not jaded about school.  They love to learn. Why would they be excited about NOT coming to school?  I think this is one reason I have been totally infatuated with kindergartners this year. To them, school is cool!  Somehow I doubt we have many more (if any) last days of school when David cries instead of celebrates about summer vacation.

Friends have assured me that there is life after kindergarten.  I sure hope they're right.

Because that life starts Monday.

David's birthday fun!

David had a very fun birthday.

David's birthday fun began at school, where his class sang happy birthday to him and crowned him king for the day.  His birthday also coincided with Field Day and the Second-to-Last-Day-of-School.

At snack time he shared some cookies that we had made.  

I love how orderly the children line up after retrieving their milk.  They are waiting for Mrs. Q to set up their snack table.

David's class enjoyed the chocolate chocolate chip cookies we made.  (Can you spot the birthday boy?)

After snack time, David and his pal Bailey delivered cookies to other teachers around the school. (David was especially excited to give one to the principal--he has a crush on her.  Ssh.)

Instead of having a birthday party on the weekend before or after the official day, David suggested inviting one friend over after school to do something special on his birthday.  David's first idea was the Lego Discovery Center, but seeing how that is in Chicago, we settled on miniature golfing here in Madison instead.  David chose Bailey, and we arranged for Bailey to come home with us after school for some celebrating.

(Phew!!  What a relief this year! I almost didn't know what to do with myself without a party to plan. I'm a little sad we didn't have a chance to have all of David's friends over. But that's what play dates are for, right? I think David is realizing that quality time with one good friend is often much more fun than the chaos of a big group.)

David wanted to open his presents right away.

And what should make my kid's ears turn red and his veins pop out in pure shock and happiness?!

 Really, do you see those blood vessels?  I thought one was going to burst and we were going to have to rush him to the hospital.  

This is what brought my child to verge of death by happiness.

Yes, a Nintendo DS. He had good reason to be shocked. For years he has heard me stomp around the house declaring he wasn't going to get a DS until he was 25 and so he shouldn't dare entertain the thought of having one.  Anytime he so much as murmured "DS" under his breath, I ranted and raved and ordered him to banish the thought from his head.  So, yes, no wonder he almost went into cardiac arrest.  (Sometimes dads are persuasive and moms chill out.)

After the opening of presents, there were plenty of Lego sets to build.

And Ninjas to spin.

(David may have received a DS, but I believe this birthday will go down in history as the birthday of Ninjago.)

Next on the agenda was cake and ice cream.

When I asked David about his birthday cake, he told me to surprise him. That's a lot of pressure! It was a (very!) busy week, and my creativity completely failed me. But the cake was a hit!  I learned an important lesson about birthday cakes: When in doubt, plop a couple of cool toys into some thick chocolate frosting, and you're good to go.

Re-energized by our nutritious afternoon snack of cake and ice cream, we headed out for some miniature golfing.  The kids had a great time!

Last but not least, David chose good old Culver's for dinner.  (Unfortunately, I have no better picture than this  from Culver's.)

See?  I told you it was a super fun birthday!

Kindergarten

The last day of school is Friday.

Never before have I wanted to freeze time.  Until now.

I have loved having a kindergartener.  I loved watching my kindergartener grow, becoming more confident, skilled, and independent.  And I have loved the structure and excitement kindergarten has brought to our home.

I spent five years worrying about kindergarten.  It never occurred to me that there would be life after the Big K.  At least I can rest assured that David got a great start. We say we moved to Wisconsin for school.  But I don't mean Greg's schooling alone.  I pretty much think David was destined to be in Mrs. Q's class.

I snatched all of the pictures of David from Mrs. Q's website.  Continue to see five million pictures of David in his kindergarten element.  Click below.

David's field trip

Here are pictures of David's kindergarten field trip to the zoo.

Notice anyone missing?  Like, perhaps, DAVID?  And his class?

Yesterday was the big, exciting kindergarten field trip to the zoo.  I resisted the urge to chaperon. (I did chaperon this one though.) David was a little disappointed--how I love that he loves to be with me!--but when I pointed out that he wouldn't be able to be in the same group as his bff (since his mom had volunteered) had I gone, he was much consoled.

I did, however, promise to meet him and his classmates for lunch.  My plan was to pick Mary up at school and go straight to the zoo to enjoy a picnic lunch together.  Mary was thrilled by the prospect.

But I failed in two important regards.  I forgot the paper with Mrs.Q's cell phone number on it, so I had no way to find out where they were at the appointed lunchtime.  I also forgot sunscreen, which meant Mary's Snow White shoulders limited us to just minutes in the sun.

It was also a million degrees.  (Really, it was a record setting day.  High 90s and humid.  What is this, Texas?)  There were also a million kindergartners there.  (Really, I do believe every K class in the entire Madison area was there yesterday.  The zoo was...a zoo!)

David's class wasn't where I had imagined they would be.  I soon realized they had probably left the zoo and walked to a nearby city park.  With the sun beating down on us and nap time quickly encroaching, I knew we couldn't wander around until we found them.  So I convinced Mary to sit in the shade with me and each lunch without her brother.  She was heartbroken. I tried to make her happy with a ride on the carousel and a visit to the reptile house, but it was only a temporary salve.  Mommy had failed.

I was hoping David wouldn't notice that I hadn't made it.  But he did.  He told me he had been sad at lunch when I didn't come.  It broke my heart.

I hate failing my kids.  Not like when I refuse to buy them a toy, or kick them off the computer, or send them to their rooms for time-out.  But, like yesterday, when I fail to meet reasonable expectations and leave them disappointed.  How it hurts to be the cause of their disappointment.

Yeah, yeah, I know it's not a big deal.  I fail my kids a millions times over.  It's not like it's a big news flash.  But I want to be a perfect mom.  Not for me.  For them.  But I suspect my failures are harder on me than them.  At least I hope so.

The silver lining:  It was fun to spend an hour or so at the zoo with just Mary. Lately, I have especially enjoyed spending one-on-one time with each of my children. I love each of them so much, and they each make great companions.  I love their personalities--the only problem being that their personalities don't mesh together so well.  Maybe family time is overrated.  I think I'd like some more one-one-one outings with my kids.

One final Mother's Day post

Last post until Memorial Day!

First, I just want to say how much I love this awesome mom (and awesome friend), even though I will never (ever!) eat her cupcakes.

Now, to the matter at hand.  David brought home the perfect Mother's Day gift.  Perfect!  Want to see it?

Let me show you the picture, and then we'll get to the really good stuff.

I love the details.  (If David has learned one thing in kindergarten, it's that it's all about DETAILS.  Come on, you current and former English teachers.  How many times have you scribbled--in purple or green ink because red is deemed emotionally scarring--More details!!!!! ?  Well, they start early in this school district, and David is catching on.)

The light David drew is a perfect hybrid of the light in our dining room and the light in our kitchen.  The couch is square, like ours, and, though it's hard to see, he got the color pretty darn close.  He remembered the throw pillows and the rug.  He also pointed out to me that he drew my favorite shirt.  I'm not exactly what shirt he drew.  But I do always have on layers--sweaters or hoodies or jackets.  And it looks like he's going for some kind of  layered effect.  And hair pulled back, of course.  Love it!

Now, on to my favorite part.  The rough draft.  (Self-proclaimed fan of the writing process here.)  Isn't it beautiful?  Look how organized it is.  I am swooning.

Do you know what you're seeing??

It's a paragraph.  A perfect paragraph!

Look.  It has a topic sentence.  (A very sweet topic sentence, at that.)

Three supporting sentences.

And a concluding sentence.

Beautiful!

A topic sentence, three supporting sentences, and a closing sentence.  It brings tears to my eyes!  (My son gave me a topic sentence for Mother's Day!)  I am swooning again.  There could be no better gift in the world than this beautiful, perfect paragraph.

What makes it even better is the amount of work that it took for David.  Handwriting does not come easily for him.  He must work at every letter.  What patience and persistence this must have taken him.

Look at these letters.  See how hard he is working to make the "I" and the "l" and the "k" go all the way from sky to ground?  And the others only halfway?  He even wrote a silly D'Nelian "k."

Look at the word "best."  He got the "e" and the "s" just right--and those are tricky letters.

What effort!


Want to see my favorite word?  It's "watch."

He sounded it out perfectly: W-O-CH.  (If only it weren't for our silly often-un-phonetic language.)  I also see that he at first capitalized it because he had moved to a new line, but then he realized that just because it was a new line didn't mean it was a new sentence.  So he fixed the "w" and made it lower-case.  Isn't it grand?

This David's favorite part.  His name.

Apparently writing your name super small is super cool.

I am so, so proud of my son!  The graphite on that paper means so much to me.  All the effort and hard work and learning and progress it represents.  I love my kid.  I think he is the best darned boy in the universe.  (It's only logical--I am the best mom, you know.)

And I look forward to many more topic sentences.

Happy May

Yesterday was May Day.

Were I an undergraduate at Washington College, I would have gone to class naked.  Except that it was Sunday, so there were no classes.  Bummer.  Fortunately, I am not an undergraduate at Washington College, nor have I ever been.  I was once, however, a graduate student there.  Luck shined down on me those two years, and I never had class on May Day.

So now you what I think about on May Day each year.

This year I was also thinking about how here in Madison May looks like March.  Small buds, some daffodils, just green grass. Doesn't that seem like March to you?  I wonder when May will look like May.  (I am now understanding why, when we came house-hunting here at the beginning of June, everyone looked so...pasty.)  At least I understand spring in Wisconsin now--it tries your patience and breaks your heart.

May Day was cold, but the sun was shining.  And I felt so uplifted by the thoughts and testimonies that were shared at church yesterday.  I am still feeling the afterglow today.

In other May Day news...

A dead Bin Laden wasn't a bad way to end the day.  Greg wisely recommended that I talk to David about it before he went to school this morning.  So I did.  Wise Dad.  Not surprisingly, it was the talk of the school.  Mrs. Q even gathered her little kindergartners together to explain what all the excitement was.  (I asked David what she had said, and he responded, "She said the exact same thing you did, Mom."  Phew!  That means I did a good job explaining it my five-year-old.)  It is odd to me to remember talking to my little seventh graders about Osama Bin Laden...and then think when his death finally came I would have a son in school with his own teacher to talk to him about Bin Laden.

And now for an announcement.

May has brought the need for a blogging hiatus.  Summertime is around the corner, and I want to be prepared.  By prepared, I mean that I want to be available for my children.  I have a hard time focusing on my kids--being really present with them--when I feel a lengthy to-list nagging at me.  This summer my to-do list is going to be the bare minimum--just enough to keep them clothed and fed and out of complete squalor.  Leaving me, I hope, happily engaged in playing chauffeur for play dates and swim lessons, in playing police officer when it comes to enforcing screen time limits, and playing teacher as we prepare our kindergartner for FIRST GRADE!  I will blog this summer--how else will I maintain my sanity?  But I know in my bones that I need to walk away for a month, to tie up all those loose ends that are choking me.  So I can look forward to a happy summer.

What will you miss?

Some of this...

yard work...

and some of that...

bike rides...

But that pretty much sums up my hopes and dreams for May.

I do plan on taking a time out from my time out on Mother's Day.  Expect pictures of my kids with flowers for me, as well as a report on their adorable performance at church.  Maybe I'll throw in a few other pictures of my kids (for my mom--it will be Mother's Day, you know).  Speaking of Mother's Day, last year I enjoyed a Mother's Day Tea at David and Mary's preschool.  It was lovely.  But not as lovely as the one Cyndie went to this year.

I will be back here at the end of the month to report on the World's Largest Brat Fest.  (Gotta love Madison!)


Bye-bye.

Until Brat Fest!