It was an interesting and relatively uneventful first week of school for all of us. Andy realized today, after five days of being at school, that he was in the wrong Language Arts class. We received a letter in the spring saying that he would be in Advance Language Arts and today it finally clicked, based on what was being taught and other students that were in the class, that Andy was not in the correct one. We probably could have figured it out last week if we had looked more carefully at his schedule, but I (stupidly) assumed that they know what they are doing and put him in the correct classes and didn't even check his schedule. Apparently he didn't check it very carefully either. His teacher said she would look into it and verify his MAP scores. His MAP scores from last spring were the highest his elementary school English teacher had ever seen so I don't think it's going to be an issue. Other than that, he's adjusting and seems to like middle school.
Sarah is doing fantastic. She loves school, she loves her teacher, everything is good. She did say the following to me yesterday: "Mommy, there's a lot of boys in my class this year, and they're those manly, manly boys who think that they're so awesome and everybody falls in love with them. But I'm not going to!". She really isn't interested in boys at all yet, at least not in a romantic way, but it will be interesting to see how the year progresses. We've already talked a lot about "mean girls" and "drama" and how it would be a good idea to stay away from both. We'll see how that goes.
Amanda has had the most roller coaster week of all three kids. She didn't want to go to Kindergarten but she absolutely loves her teacher but she gets mad at the other kids because they don't behave and listen and she thinks that they think she's bossy for telling them to shape up. This afternoon she was so sad that tomorrow was Saturday and there was no school, but a few hours later she said she hated Kindergarten. So I don't know exactly what to tell you about her, other than she's happy when I drop her off and happy when I pick her up and tells me a ton about her day so I think she's doing just fine.
As for me, I think I'm going to like having everybody gone all day, but it's a little weird. I haven't had that much free time this week, I've been running errands and taking care of things, but I wonder if I'm always going to be that busy and then I wonder more if I really care. I think it's an adjustment for all of us, a new normal, but sooner or later it's all we're going to know and it's all going to be fine. If not, you'll hear about it!
Friday, August 14, 2015
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
First Day of School Part II
Today was the first day of school for Sarah and Amanda. Amanda was pretty excited about Kindergarten a while ago, but lately not so much. Regardless, they were up early. By 7a Sarah was already in the shower. We decided fourth grade was the year that she was going to shower every day. Not that she smells, but that the day that she consistently will is coming sooner than later so I thought it would be good for her to get in the habit of showering in preparation for school. Both girls were dressed and just messing with their hair by 7:30a. Nice.
We took some pictures before we left for school and then we were on our way. The placement of their lines (they wait outside until the bell rings unless it is less than 30 degrees or it is raining) worked out pretty well because we have to walk past Sarah's class to get to Amanda's. So we dropped her with her class and teacher and then headed up the the Kindergarten classroom. At this point Amanda was not so happy and as I gave her one last hug before she went into her room she started to cry and had to wipe her tears as she walked away from me. I felt a little sorry for her but knew she was going to have a great day.
I wasn't sad at all today because I have been waiting for this day for a very long time. The day when all three of my kids are in school full day. But then I read an article that changed my mood. I realized that I've been so worried about Andy and his first day of middle school and how he's growing up so quickly and Amanda and how little she still is (or thinks she is) and how she would rather be home with me, that I kind of haven't been thinking about Sarah. Sarah, who got up this morning without an alarm and took a shower and got dressed and brushed her hair and only asked me for help when she was deciding what shoes to wear. She did it all on her own. Somewhere while I was busy worrying about the other two she matured and stepped up and took care of herself. Wow. And how funny that it coincides with National Middle Child Day, a totally made up holiday but whatever it was all over my newsfeed, which she thought was pretty cool when I mentioned it to her.
I picked up the girls after school and they couldn't wait to tell me about their days. They both loved their teachers and really enjoyed school, which I knew they would. Amanda had so much to talk about I couldn't get her to stop. One of the benefits of having a girl, because boys don't tell you much.
At dinner tonight I asked Amanda if she was going to cry again. She said yes. I asked her when it was going to stop. She replied, "when I get to middle school". This should be a very interesting year!
We took some pictures before we left for school and then we were on our way. The placement of their lines (they wait outside until the bell rings unless it is less than 30 degrees or it is raining) worked out pretty well because we have to walk past Sarah's class to get to Amanda's. So we dropped her with her class and teacher and then headed up the the Kindergarten classroom. At this point Amanda was not so happy and as I gave her one last hug before she went into her room she started to cry and had to wipe her tears as she walked away from me. I felt a little sorry for her but knew she was going to have a great day.
I wasn't sad at all today because I have been waiting for this day for a very long time. The day when all three of my kids are in school full day. But then I read an article that changed my mood. I realized that I've been so worried about Andy and his first day of middle school and how he's growing up so quickly and Amanda and how little she still is (or thinks she is) and how she would rather be home with me, that I kind of haven't been thinking about Sarah. Sarah, who got up this morning without an alarm and took a shower and got dressed and brushed her hair and only asked me for help when she was deciding what shoes to wear. She did it all on her own. Somewhere while I was busy worrying about the other two she matured and stepped up and took care of herself. Wow. And how funny that it coincides with National Middle Child Day, a totally made up holiday but whatever it was all over my newsfeed, which she thought was pretty cool when I mentioned it to her.
I picked up the girls after school and they couldn't wait to tell me about their days. They both loved their teachers and really enjoyed school, which I knew they would. Amanda had so much to talk about I couldn't get her to stop. One of the benefits of having a girl, because boys don't tell you much.
At dinner tonight I asked Amanda if she was going to cry again. She said yes. I asked her when it was going to stop. She replied, "when I get to middle school". This should be a very interesting year!
Tuesday, August 11, 2015
Anglophiles
When Andy was little we, I mean he, used to watch this adorable show on Disney Jr. called Charlie and Lola. I have no idea if it's even on the air anymore, but it was a show about a brother and sister and how the mature older brother dealt with the craziness of his little sister. The characters are British, which makes the show even cuter because it's two little British kids talking to each other about the craziest thing.
We've had a Charlie and Lola book for a while, but Amanda just recently started to enjoy reading it before bed. I forgot how much I loved their little stories so I bought about four more of the books, which both girls also enjoyed. I'm not exactly sure how, but one day I started reading them in a British accent which the girls thought was hilarious. It made me kind of sad that they had never seen the show because while I was reading I could hear little Lola and Charlie's voices. Of course the books have more book titles on the inside cover and we also discovered there are DVDs. So, for Amanda's birthday we got her the complete first and second season DVD set of Charlie and Lola. The girls love watching it and I like it too because Charlie is oh so patient to his little sister's craziness and it is fun to see how he handles everything.
Unfortunately, the girls love them a little too much. They have taken to speaking in horrible British accents, not just repeating lines from the DVDs but also saying everything. This evening it was my turn to drive car pool to Andy's football practice. We had to leave the house around 4:40 to pick the other boys up and get them to their 5:30 practice on time. The crazy Colorado football post will be saved for another day. Then he had a two-hour practice and then I had to drive them all home. Usually I wouldn't wait at the practice field for the entire practice but tonight the weather was horrible and it could have rained with lightening at any time so we stuck around in case practice ended early. I had to listen to the girls speak in those completely incorrect accents for three and a half hours. Nonstop. By the time we got home I was done.
Needless to say they went straight to bed when we arrived and we did not read any Charlie and Lola books this evening.
We've had a Charlie and Lola book for a while, but Amanda just recently started to enjoy reading it before bed. I forgot how much I loved their little stories so I bought about four more of the books, which both girls also enjoyed. I'm not exactly sure how, but one day I started reading them in a British accent which the girls thought was hilarious. It made me kind of sad that they had never seen the show because while I was reading I could hear little Lola and Charlie's voices. Of course the books have more book titles on the inside cover and we also discovered there are DVDs. So, for Amanda's birthday we got her the complete first and second season DVD set of Charlie and Lola. The girls love watching it and I like it too because Charlie is oh so patient to his little sister's craziness and it is fun to see how he handles everything.
Unfortunately, the girls love them a little too much. They have taken to speaking in horrible British accents, not just repeating lines from the DVDs but also saying everything. This evening it was my turn to drive car pool to Andy's football practice. We had to leave the house around 4:40 to pick the other boys up and get them to their 5:30 practice on time. The crazy Colorado football post will be saved for another day. Then he had a two-hour practice and then I had to drive them all home. Usually I wouldn't wait at the practice field for the entire practice but tonight the weather was horrible and it could have rained with lightening at any time so we stuck around in case practice ended early. I had to listen to the girls speak in those completely incorrect accents for three and a half hours. Nonstop. By the time we got home I was done.
Needless to say they went straight to bed when we arrived and we did not read any Charlie and Lola books this evening.
Monday, August 10, 2015
First Day of School
Yesterday was the last day of summer, which means that today was the first day of school. Well, for some anyway. Andy and I started our dance of getting up at 6a, this year I moved it back to 6:10a, and him ignoring me while he eats breakfast and plays on his iPad and I make his lunch and do whatever else. Last year I just played on my iPad too, this year I'm going to actually try to engage him in conversation and leave my iPad alone until he leaves for the bus. Then I'll have about 15-30 minutes before the girls come down and my day really begins.
So Andy was off for school by 7a and then the girls needed to get haircuts and go to school for picture day and teacher evaluations. I love that they do pictures when I am right there to "help" the photographer and they don't mess up their nice clothes on the playground. So much easier. Sarah met her new teacher (she is only 24, I could totally be her mom) who is super nice and helped take care of her first day worries and Amanda is back to not being so sure about Kindergarten. I can't hold her back another year (or can I - but I won't) so she's just going to have to figure it out.
I think Andy had a little rougher day than he expected. He's not in the same math class with the two guys he drove over with last year and "it's hard to make friends". Yes, buddy, that's the story of our last three years here. But he is going to do fine, just a long, tiring day.
I am mandated by life to take a going back to school picture, so here it is. April from New Jersey asked if he actually went to school with his hair like that and maybe was still working on it, but what you see is what you get. Keep in mind, he's only 12 and he's not quite that worried about his looks just yet. He basically told me that you can go to school with just showered wet hair and nobody cares, but you can't go to school with bed head. As far as he sees it those are the two choices. Man, if everybody viewed the world the same way he does life would be so much simpler.
So Andy was off for school by 7a and then the girls needed to get haircuts and go to school for picture day and teacher evaluations. I love that they do pictures when I am right there to "help" the photographer and they don't mess up their nice clothes on the playground. So much easier. Sarah met her new teacher (she is only 24, I could totally be her mom) who is super nice and helped take care of her first day worries and Amanda is back to not being so sure about Kindergarten. I can't hold her back another year (or can I - but I won't) so she's just going to have to figure it out.
I think Andy had a little rougher day than he expected. He's not in the same math class with the two guys he drove over with last year and "it's hard to make friends". Yes, buddy, that's the story of our last three years here. But he is going to do fine, just a long, tiring day.
I am mandated by life to take a going back to school picture, so here it is. April from New Jersey asked if he actually went to school with his hair like that and maybe was still working on it, but what you see is what you get. Keep in mind, he's only 12 and he's not quite that worried about his looks just yet. He basically told me that you can go to school with just showered wet hair and nobody cares, but you can't go to school with bed head. As far as he sees it those are the two choices. Man, if everybody viewed the world the same way he does life would be so much simpler.
Sunday, August 9, 2015
Happy Birthday Amanda!
Today was Amanda's 6th birthday. Holy cow! It's hard to believe she's been around for six years but even harder to remember what our lives were like without her. She drives me crazy, but she is also the most snuggly mama's girl I've ever known. This family would never be the same without her.
In celebration of her big day and because it is next to impossible to throw a summer birthday party, the whole family went to Water World today in her honor. The girls and I went about a week ago for a Girl Scout event, but Charlie and Andy had never been. We rode huge rides in big, family-sized inner tubes and we all had a blast. We're hoping to have a real party for her in about a month (after she makes some friends at school), but if not I think she would still say her birthday was a success.
Happy Birthday baby girl!
In celebration of her big day and because it is next to impossible to throw a summer birthday party, the whole family went to Water World today in her honor. The girls and I went about a week ago for a Girl Scout event, but Charlie and Andy had never been. We rode huge rides in big, family-sized inner tubes and we all had a blast. We're hoping to have a real party for her in about a month (after she makes some friends at school), but if not I think she would still say her birthday was a success.
Happy Birthday baby girl!
The Last Day of Summer
Friday was the last day of summer. Okay, technically today was the last day of summer. Well, if you want to really get technical, September 20 (or so) is the last day of summer, but not in the kid-parent-teacher calendar. Andy goes back tomorrow. The girls have teacher assessments tomorrow and go back Wednesday. We will finally be back on a schedule, the kids will be gone all day, ahh.
I hate to do recaps, but I haven't been on here in over six weeks. If and when the kids and I go back and read this blog, they are going to wonder what the heck we did this summer. It's mostly the usually stuff, family and friends and camps and such, but what exactly happened this year?
This was the summer where:
1. Sarah went to Girl Scout day camp with Julia and they were the first two girls in the troop to earn a badge as Juniors.
2. Andy did his second year at CCO (sleep away camp in Winter Park) and the girls and I had a great adventure of spending the night in a hotel and then playing on the mountain (alpine slide, the maze, bungee jumping) before picking him up.
3. We went to Chicago and saw Aunt Kathy's new addition, went to Shedd Aquarium, spent some time with Jack during his last summer before college and left right before they got a new puppy!
4. Continued on to Aunt Nanci's for the first Fourth of July party at her new house. The kids met Jason and Jack (we have yet to meet Joey), and we even got to spent the weekend with Tudor.
5. Spent the last leg of our trip in New Jersey where April was eight months pregnant and a total trouper. Charlie came on the entire trip which was a big plus and fun for everyone.
6. Sarah went to horseback riding camp and may have finally, by the last day, gotten over the fear of getting thrown of a horse so many months ago. She was a different person by the end of the week.
7. Tried out a new house in Destin because we outgrew the old one and we really liked it. We realized as the kids get older that the trip morphs a little bit each year - we are excited and nervous to find out exactly what that means.
8. Sarah and I went to a Parent/Daughter Girl Scout weekend, camping in tents and everything. It was way over scheduled and a little much for her but we survived.
9. Andy went to Michigan to visit my parents all by himself. They went to movies, the zoo, and just hung out ignoring each other a little bit as well.
I wish I had written more in depth about all of these things, but I didn't. I wish I could tell you that I was so busy making memories that I didn't have time to write, but that really wasn't the case. I hope I can get back on track and start writing more because I know at least my parents love to read what the kids are up to and I know several of my friends do too. I don't really have any excuses now that I have three kids in school all day long, hopefully I can stick with it.
I hate to do recaps, but I haven't been on here in over six weeks. If and when the kids and I go back and read this blog, they are going to wonder what the heck we did this summer. It's mostly the usually stuff, family and friends and camps and such, but what exactly happened this year?
This was the summer where:
1. Sarah went to Girl Scout day camp with Julia and they were the first two girls in the troop to earn a badge as Juniors.
2. Andy did his second year at CCO (sleep away camp in Winter Park) and the girls and I had a great adventure of spending the night in a hotel and then playing on the mountain (alpine slide, the maze, bungee jumping) before picking him up.
3. We went to Chicago and saw Aunt Kathy's new addition, went to Shedd Aquarium, spent some time with Jack during his last summer before college and left right before they got a new puppy!
4. Continued on to Aunt Nanci's for the first Fourth of July party at her new house. The kids met Jason and Jack (we have yet to meet Joey), and we even got to spent the weekend with Tudor.
5. Spent the last leg of our trip in New Jersey where April was eight months pregnant and a total trouper. Charlie came on the entire trip which was a big plus and fun for everyone.
6. Sarah went to horseback riding camp and may have finally, by the last day, gotten over the fear of getting thrown of a horse so many months ago. She was a different person by the end of the week.
7. Tried out a new house in Destin because we outgrew the old one and we really liked it. We realized as the kids get older that the trip morphs a little bit each year - we are excited and nervous to find out exactly what that means.
8. Sarah and I went to a Parent/Daughter Girl Scout weekend, camping in tents and everything. It was way over scheduled and a little much for her but we survived.
9. Andy went to Michigan to visit my parents all by himself. They went to movies, the zoo, and just hung out ignoring each other a little bit as well.
I wish I had written more in depth about all of these things, but I didn't. I wish I could tell you that I was so busy making memories that I didn't have time to write, but that really wasn't the case. I hope I can get back on track and start writing more because I know at least my parents love to read what the kids are up to and I know several of my friends do too. I don't really have any excuses now that I have three kids in school all day long, hopefully I can stick with it.
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