mommypalooza™ ~ a daily dose of mommy mayhem.

Last Day of Kindergarten. Well, Sort Of.

Today was Nathan's last full-day (and last uniform-wearing day) of  Kindergarten! Actually since today was school spirit day, I guess that would mean yesterday was his last uniform day.  Anyway, I just had to snap a picture of him to see how much he's grown and changed, since it seems like just last week that I was snapping up pics of his first day of Kindergarten!

He's grown personally, academically, physically, and spiritually this past school year and I sometimes can't believe it!  I mean, in all honesty, he was WAY ahead of the game going into Kindergarten that I didn't think there would be much growth on his part but oh, my how he has learned so much!  He's even that much further ahead now!  I will have to work hard to keep him challenged this summer. But, I am looking forward to it.

In just a few days, I will officially be the mother of a first-grader.  I see the days and years just slipping right through my fingers, as I am sure many of you do with your children and it just makes me want to both smile and cry at the same time.  I can remember back when I was pregnant with Nathan and people always told me, "enjoy this time-- it goes so fast" or something of that nature.  And, now I truly understand and appreciate what they meant.

Here's to an awesome summer! ♥  

Sweet Kindergarten Words.

The other day at dinner we somehow got onto the topic of Nathan moving on to first grade.  After talking a little bit about what things might be different and what might be the same, he very matter-of-factly looked over at me and said,

"Mom, I don't want to go to first grade!"

I then, of course, asked him why not. And he then replied,

"Because I want to stay with Mrs. M_____ forever and I want to see her everyday!"

It was the sweetest thing and I could feel my eyes water up inside.  I know that he has been so, so fortunate to have such a great kindergarten experience and it is largely due to his loving, warm, and gentle-spirited teacher.  From the moment I sat through her new parent meeting I knew that I could go through that school drop-off line each morning and not have a single worry about sending my baby off to "big-boy school". 

This school year has been full of learning experiences, new doors opening, and great changes that I am so thankful for.  I can hardly believe there is just one week left of school!  And, while I am certainly looking forward to summer, closing the books on the school year will be bittersweet.  I am just praying and hoping everyday that each year will just get better and better.  Mostly, though, I am proud that my sweet Nathan truly appreciates his teachers and recognizes how meaningful they are in his life.  ♥  

Mother/Son Baseball Game

Last night Nathan & I attended a Royals game as the school's annual Mother & Son event.  It was the first time we've been to the K without the whole family but he and I still managed to have fun!

 
I brought in a GIANT bag of Twizzlers which seemed to be a hit and of course refused no reasonable request for concessions!  Nathan had popcorn, pink lemonade, cotton candy, and even a taste of my funnel cake. 

 
Although he spent most of the time making the rounds (he's a social as I am) talking to being goofy with his classmates and friends, I quite enjoyed talking to a few pals of my own and other Kindergarten moms.

 

I was really thinking he'd want to leave halfway into the game but no such luck.  He wanted to stay right up until the last firework was set off (it was fireworks Friday) and then while walking out of the stadium he asked if I was sure they didn't have some other sort of fun event like running the bases.  We did that last year but last night's game was a late one!  I laughingly told him that since it was nearly 11 p.m. that running the bases was out of the question.

We walked to our car with one of his classmates and his mom, who were parked near us and proceeded to make the trek back home.  Nathan fell asleep before we even made our way out of the parking lot! 

The weather held out and made for a beautiful evening for a ball game.  I'm so glad we went!  ♥  

Giddy.

I'm all giddy with excitement today.  Nathan announced to us a couple of weeks ago that his Kindergarten class would soon have their first field trip.  After waiting patiently for info to be sent home in his backpack regarding the details of the field trip, something FINALLY came late last week!

I am one of those moms who wants to attend and volunteer for EVERYTHING possible related to my kids' school...especially my first Kindergartner!  I remember as a kid, my mom being the one always present at my class parties, field trips, track and field days, assemblies, and so on.  Fast-forward to me becoming a mom six years ago and when I thought about the school days I knew I'd always be an involved parent - probably to the point of annoying the teachers.

Late last week it was announced that only a certain number of parents would probably be selected (at random) to chaperone the class field trip and that if we were interested in doing so, to let the teacher know.  I sent her an email AND a note in Nathan's backpack.  See, I told you - annoying.

Well, today Nathan walked in from school to tell me he had a great day and that I WOULD BE ONE OF THE PARENTS accompanying them on the upcoming field trip!  We both started jumping up and down and for a moment there, I was totally acting my shoe size and not my age!

So, I am counting down the days till we get to go to Kaleidoscope, as we've not ever been there and I know it's one of the best hands-on activity places in Kansas City.

I'm curious - what sort of things do you find yourself getting giddy over when it comes to your kids?  ♥

Spelling Bee.

Nathan's school spelling bee was this afternoon and it was such a fun experience.  For the past few days we have been practicing words but have emphasized to him that the main objective is to have fun.  Try your best, yes, but have fun always!  I'm happy to report he did both.

 
The spelling bee was made up of Kindergarteners through Fourth graders.  We figured he'd be getting age appropriate words but we were wrong!  They intermixed the words.  Kindergarteners got words like "practice"!  Yikes!  In the end, Nathan was stumped by "earth", spelling it without the "r".  I could tell he was rushing because I know he's read the word "earth" at least a hundred times!  He owns so many planet and solar system books and earth is practically his favorite topic!

When he spelled his word incorrectly he just went back to his seat seemingly not too shaken up about it.  It was one of my most proudest moments of him. 

The winner was a fourth grader named Jacob (fantastic name!) who hung in for about 8 rounds!  This was such a wonderful experience for Nathan to be a part of and we've already begun talking about next year!  ♥

 

 

Like Mother, Like Son.

Nathan came home today from school and informed us that he'd won a spelling bee in his class.  And, he was even more excited that because of his win, he would be competing in the school spelling bee on Friday.  I nearly jumped into the ceiling with excitement! 

You see, I am a fourth grade spelling champ myself and I get a rush just thinking about competing in a spelling bee!  They are so. MUCH. FUN!  I received an email from his teacher confirming all the deets and she also suggested we practice several words with him over the next few days (little does she know we started doing that the moment he told us what would happen on Friday!). 

Nathan told us that it came down to him and one of his female classmates (a total doll!) and that they both got hung up on the word square but that she then had the opportunity to beat him by spelling her next word correctly.  When she didn't, Nathan was declared the winner!  I am so freakin' proud I could burst!

I know that he's only in Kindergarten and quite frankly, I really just want him to have fun with the spelling bee.  But, part of me (the very competitive part) is secretly hoping he takes it all the way to the finish line.  If not, no biggie....after all, I was in FOURTH grade when I did it but who's keeping track?

I'm such a proud mama! ♥

Project 365 - Day Thirteen:: Why, yes, I've got that!

 
These are a glimpse into our bookshelves that house the boxes I use to save and store ALL of the kids' papers and projects they've EVER brought home.  Nathan has 4 boxes - one from 3 year old preschool, 4 year old preschool, Pre-K and now his Kindergarten box.  I think he will need at least two boxes for Kinder.  This is Will's first box. I just can't bring myself to throw any of their creations away - even a scribbly paper! 

I know that there are several methods out there for keeping and organizing your kids' school papers, including throwing most (or all) of it away.  I just can't do it.  My little obsession with keeping everything, however, has finally paid off.  This evening on the way back from group violin lessons Nathan asked me if I saved any of his work that he brings home.  I cautiously said, "yes...why?" (not sure where this was going!).  He then asked me if I remembered his little apple book he made earlier in the Fall.   Again, I told him I did remember that.  He told me that he wanted to get it out and read it again.  I was so thrilled!  I know I've got that book in his Kindergarten box! 

I happily told him that I of course had it and that I save EVERYTHING he brings home.  I also told him that he has three other boxes from preschool with stuff.  He was stunned!  He then asked me if I would please promise to save everything from his school until he gets to college.  Then, I was the one who was stunned!  I told him that I would try but we would just have to see how it all plays out.

So for now, I'll be fetching that apple book he wants to see.  This totally validates my hoarding of their school stuff - for now. ♥

My kids are driving me MAD!

For the second day in a row and about the 10th time since school started just a little over a month ago, Nathan (Kindergartener) has gotten reprimanded for talking too much.  I am sure my mom will read this and get a chuckle, as I too remember being known for my blabbermouth.  But, I don't think it started the second week in Kindergarten!

UGH! I am just so frustrated with the whole situation!  We've punished him, given him consequences, and had many, many heart-to-hearts with him but are obviously not getting through.  I know that it always happens during times of the day when the class is working on things like certain letters, shapes, etc., which is probably boring for him.  But we've reiterated time and time again that he should still remain quiet and following the rules even if the teacher is discussing something he already knows. 

Today he was caught at two separate times of the day talking too much to other classmates at inappropriate times.  When I picked him up from school today and learned of what had happened (yet again) I was fuming.  I fumed the entire ride to his violin lesson, all the while glaring at him through my rearview mirror.

And then there's wonderful William, my three year-old.  As I am making my way through the door after taking Nathan to violin this afternoon (while carrying an arm-full of stuff) I see him run over to the bathroom and not five seconds later yell out, "I had an accident!".  Not my idea of a relaxing evening - cleaning up my bathroom rugs and floor.  Plus, what's really irritating is the fact that it was something that could have been avoided if he would freakin' listen to me when I say GO POTTY!!! 

But, he was too busy playing sidewalk chalk.

Why do kids think they can hold their pee longer than is realistic?  Seriously.  As if I didn't get enough accomplished today that I needed to.  Sheesh.  ♥

Officially a Kindergartener.

Today marked the first official day of Kindergarten - uniforms and all.  Of course there was no way I could resist the urge to take pictures - AGAIN!  But, good thing I have a pretty photogenic and cooperative boy!

Nathan began the day with mini-bagels slathered with strawberry cream cheese and OJ for breakfast.  He was pretty proud of himself for being able to do his own belt and tuck his shirt in all by himself too.  I almost lost it when I saw him all dressed and ready to go in his uniform. 

Will and I went to drop him off at his classroom and stayed for a few more photo opps, morning prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance.  I was hesitant about leaving of course, but didn't want to be the last parent left lingering in the hallway.

We got to the car and as I read the poem from the teacher that she'd given to all the parents, I felt completely comforted.  And then - I lost it.  Of course the pregnancy hormones don't help the situation AT. ALL.  Then Will catches me bawling and HE starts crying!  I of course kept reassuring him that I wasn't sad and that I was crying because I was happy.  That didn't help so much.  It was obvious he missed his brother too.  He just kept saying "Nathan's going to be lost!".
 
Finally we got back home and I began counting down the hours till it was time for pickup.  ♥

Kindergarten Hour.

Today was Nathan's first day hour of Kindergarten.  Despite the early morning hour, he was rather easy to wake up, much to my surprise.  We took the traditional pictures of him and of course, our ever-popular back-to-school interview. 

Kindergarten interview from Candy Tai on Vimeo.

School was only for an hour this morning - mostly just to acquaint the kids with their new school and surroundings and the parents with each other.  We hung out in the library and talked most of the time while the kids spent about half an hour in the class with their new teacher and classmates.  We mothers also spent most of the time hovered over the 'sign-up table' volunteering for library duty, class parties, and more.

Then it was off to the classroom to meet with the teacher and go over what she has planned for the year while the kids went on a tour of the school.  I am so unbelievably thrilled with Nathan's teacher!  I had heard LOTS of great things about her before and now I know why.  She had a few of the moms (including me) in tears at times when she spoke about her passion for our kids and teaching and how much it means to her.  Talk about putting my mind at ease! My tears were certainly tears of pride and joy because I have no reservations about her being the perfect teacher for Nathan.  ♥