First day of 5th Grade

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First days pic - at long last

It has taken a while, but here it is.  If I keep messing with it, I'll never get it posted.  I'm going to have to adjust my template next year or she's going to grow out the top of it. Last year I tried to change the fingers format from showing her age to showing her grade, but Bob took this year's picture and didn't get that memo.   

Fisher Comes home

After a long day of planes, trains (airport monorail) and automobiles, Fisher finally made it home about 8pm last night. He love being outdoors and romping around with his toys. He's just as cute in 'person' as he is in these pictures. He's so busy and wiggly, I'm having a hard time getting pictures of him and Parker together.  He is half Australian shepherd, half standard poodle....but seems very "aussie" to me.




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better pics

Here are some better pictures.  More commentary tomorrow.  

First day, quick pic

Saturday Fishing

So the day after the busy friday was Saturday, the neighborhood kids fishing tournament.  Bob had his annual ill-timed golf tournament, so I got to do the fishing gig solo.  It was our first year to participate, and I wasn't sure what to expect.  Parker isn't much of a fisherman, but since a lot of the other neighborhood kids were doing it, she wanted to be a part of things. 

This is someone's back yard.  Really.  Now I know why their house cost $100k more than ours. 

There was NOTHING biting this year.  Every year prior to the tournament, they tag a bass with a certain tag, and if you catch him, you get $100.  If he isn't caught that day, the offer still stands for the rest of the year.   Parker was a little disappointed that she didn't catch a fish, but was very relieved that she didn't catch a turtle. 

After a while, she and her friend lost interest and played on a neighbor's swings. 

They give out trophies for the biggest fish, the youngest angler, etc.  Since there were so few fish caught, one kid got most of the awards.  Parker wasn't eligible for a trophy, but she won the drawing!  She got a new fishing pole and a tackle box.  She promptly came home and dumped out all the tackle and filled it with her little toy animals. 

Later that same evening.....she wanted to go back out and try for the $100 fish again. 

We didn't catch anything on our second try that day, but Parker got in lots more practice casting.  There are much worse ways to entertain a child than sitting on a dock on a pretty spring evening.

First pet

(ack!  I meant to post this before we went skiing.  I guess I goofed up scheduling it after the tooth-losing.  Right now we have a new square tank for him, but it sure does get cloudy fast. How often does the cloudiness usually happen?  I thought Betas were low maintenance.  Hmph. )

Another first.
Meet our new family member, Crystal (far left, in the vase).  He's a point of purchase Beta Fish that we got at the Science Store at Parker's school. Actually, Parker is still deciding on his name-  she's between Petunia, Crystal and Freddy.  She really wants a girl name, but the fancy Betas are boys, so we might just give him a girl name and try not to say it too loudly around him.
Up until now, I had been against any pets.  My motto was "nothing that sheds or poops" except sometimes I changed that last word. I had hoped to start Parker out caring for something more low stakes...like sea monkeys or sourdough starter, but he was too cute and I just couldn't resist.  
When we told Bob what kind he was (Beta), he said "shouldn't we wait for the final release?"  haha, computer geek humor.

Breaking news

Parker has finally lost her first tooth!  It has been very loose since before Christmas.  For the last couple weeks at nearly every meal, she'd forget about it and bite into her food and chomp her tooth and scream and have to spit out her bite.  Fun times. 
This morning when her alarm when off, she sat up and felt that it was basically hanging out of her mouth and cried "I can't go to school like this!!"...she was OVER IT.  So she grabbed it and turned it one way, then the other and it came out. I'm sure she was basically unteachable at school today, she was so excited.
So tonight the tooth fairy comes.  Luckily I'm going up to school right now, so I'll have a chance to see what the going rate is these days for a first tooth. 

Wiggly tooth

Not the cutest picture, but I was anxious to post it.  Parker has her first loose tooth.  It's not totally loose on it's own accord...she somehow bit her finger and that loosened it, but I'm assuming it will eventually come out.  She's a little freaked out about it, and so am I.

Parker is a first grader!

I'm a little sore from doing handsprings and clicking my heels in the air, but I'll try to write a little something.  

Drop off went well....when we got there, most of the class were there already (translation:  we were running a little late), so Parker seemed a little shell shocked, but she found her seat and the place to put her backpack, and that was it. 

Here are the traditional pictures.  I think next year I'm going to change the tradition and post the pictures on the SECOND day of school.  Usually on the first day, by the time I get everything edited and put together just so, half my day is gone, and I'm way behind on all the things I had planned for the day:  hearing myself think, completing a task without interruption, and a lot of other NOTHING. 

I did my best to line things up and scale them the same, but it's still not quite a 1:1 comparison because she doesn't always stand the same distance away from the door.  Also this year, we've added the hip out/slouch pose. Remember, you can click on the pictures to see them larger in their own window.

I feel like I should have made her dress up more, but this is her uniform right now:  denim shorts and tshirt with a cat or dog on the front.  As soon as I let her, we'll change that to tshirts and jeans.  I sort of wish she'd want to get more dressed up, but it's hard to complain about only buying $5 tshirts.  You can also see how much my standards have dropped when you look at her footwear.  It doesn't show, but I did at least give her a fresh coat of polish on her toenails.

Parker's First Fish

I can't remember if I posted this or not, or if this is even Parker's actual first fish....seems like I remember her catching one last year. Anyway, about a month ago we were in Granbury, and Parker caught a fish. This is her uncle Jeremy with her in the picture. The funny part is that she was pretty medium about fishing, but Bob got her to do it....and the minute she put her line in the water, she got a bite. *check* Done with fishing.

Thanksgiving Program

A couple weeks ago all the kindergartners at Parker's school did a Thanksgiving program. They all dressed in costumes (used year to year, thank goodness, so I didn't have to make anything) and sang several songs. Parker was an Indian woman, and she was very happy to have her hair in 2 braids, which made her feel very authentic.

They stood on risers and sang a number of songs. Parker is the third one in on the bottom left. It was very organized and all the kids were very attentive, especially considering how excited they all were.

In addition, they had some artwork displayed in the foyer and Parker was proud to show hers off.

Random pics from the week

For the first time in several days, I have a few minutes to blog. Bob found me a work (CAD) project for the next couple weeks, so most of my computer time has been spent doing that. My non computer time has been spent managing an overtired kid. Parker continues to be super needy and cranky in the afternoons on some days. I'm looking for ways to squeeze in more sleep time. I'm also having a neighborhood 6th grader come over twice a week to amuse Parker while I work and help me prep for the evening and next day by picking out pajamas and her school outfit. She's generally pretty happy as long as she's busy and/or the center of attention.

She has a lot of fun with 'her' camera. It's our old digital that works pretty well occasionally.

Today she completed a project she's been thinking about for a while....a painted box. She's been asking me for a box for a while, a PLAIN box to paint. Today she couldn't stand it any longer so I found her a box and she spent her time after school painting it. I have no idea what it's for....possibly a home for a stuffed animal. It's so fun to watch her so engrossed in things like painting and taking (and reviewing) pictures.

The big thing last week was the pep rally and football game. If you can believe it, those thing are actually on the average kindergartner's radar. (talk about indoctrination...) I was able to get out of taking Parker to the football game by taking her to the pep rally. Not that she has any interest in watching football, she just knows it's a big deal and 'everyone' goes. She enjoyed the pep rally and said her favorite part was the cheerleaders, which surprised me...I thought she'd like the drill team the best. ..I think we'll probably continue to go to them...wait, is there another one in 2 days? Maybe every other one. I've ordered a school shirt for her, and we're anxiously awaiting its arrival. She's VERY into her school colors of Red! Black! and White! (also a cheer)

Our (Bob's and my) big deal last week was our 20k race. It started and ended at the arboretum and went around White Rock lake and through the adjacent neighborhoods. It was a very pretty course and the rain had finally ended so we had clear skies and mild temps.
Bob did really well....7th in his age group, 27th over all. He had a sub-7min/mile pace. I was #62 in my AG, and #837 OA. It was WAY more crowded when I finished than when Bob did, haha. Luckily New Belgium was a sponsor, so he had beer to enjoy while waited for me to finish. Our friends Allie, Todd, Holly and that ran it too and it was fun hanging out with them afterward....although I think this was the 'before' picture.
(is it lame to post a proof of a picture? If so, I guess I'm lame)

Kindergarten - First day - last part

So we all loaded up and headed off for the big drop off. There were tons of parents...we had to park 'off road' in a field.





So we go in and Parker's teacher shows her where to hang her backpack and where to put her lunch box. This will be her routine every day I guess.

She was the only one at her table that had arrived, and I was a little worried about that....her being willing to sit alone while everyone else trickled in, but she was fine. We gave her hugs and kisses. And then more hugs and kisses and she sort of gave us a look like "ok, that's enough. Get out of here before I cry". So we did one more hug and kiss and hit the road.

At the appointed time, I went and picked her up in the carpool loop. She seemed a little drained, but said she liked it and had a good day. She was very hungry and had a granola bar, sun chips and 2 things of peaches. I need to figure out a filling snack that won't spoil her dinner. Maybe we'll try popcorn tomorrow. Hopefully her calorie management will even out soon.

When we got home she learned her best friend had ridden the bus home and she had a huge meltdown. Might have just been a bit of a stress release, but she is VERY anxious to ride the bus. All the kids here ride the bus to and from school....and I intend to let her, just not the FIRST DAY. It's a very sore subject. Parker's friend did ride the bus TO SCHOOL her first day...got right on the bus with her sister and her parents couldn't convince her otherwise. They had to get in the car and follow the bus to school so they could walk her in and do their traditional pictures!

She's also very interested in 'cafeteria food' and what it is and how you get it. Right now she's taking her lunch, but I can see letting her get cafeteria food once a week or so. None of it looks all that healthy to me....but I guess I can replace my junk for their junk once a week.

So it was a lot of buildup...but you only have one first day of Kindergarten, and I think we soaked it up and got the most out of it.

Kindergarten - First Day - part 2

Parker's first day of Kindergarten FINALLY arrived. Aside from a few minutes of hysteria when she was overtired over the weekend, she is really ready to get started. She had a good breakfast and got dressed in the outfit she picked out. We loaded up her lunch and her backpack and went out front for the customary picture.

She wasn't complaining about her shoes....but she didn't like the way her socks looked, and she was walking like a duck. I think they might be a little big. We we did a shoe change.

I've been hesitant to let her wear her 'running shoes' since she can't tie them....but then we figured out that we could double knot them and they'd be fine. Duh. She doesn't take them off, so it doesn't matter that she can't untie them w/out help either.

Take two. The official photo:

At Meet the Teacher, Parker's teacher read us The Kissing Hand - a story about a little raccoon's first day of school. His mother kisses the palm of his hand and tells him that if he misses her during the day, to just press this palm against his cheek, and it would be like a kiss from her. The teacher requested that we do this with our kids before school. Parker really enjoyed the idea of kisses from us on her palms. She'd get extras and put her arms around herself for hugs.

The rest on part 3

Kindergarten - 1st day - part 1

You might have to click on the picture to see it larger...as it grows, the size it uploads shrinks. Next year I'll have to start a new row I guess.
Parker has grown a TON since last year, hasn't she? She's possibly even taller than she seems in the pictures....she was leaning against the door.
All went well today. No tears or drama....and Parker handled it well too, haha. I'll post a blow by blow report tomorrow when I have more time. I used my extra free time today to enjoy menu planning and a trip to the grocery store without help or company. Tomorrow is Target and Costco! Whoohoo.

The day before

'Twas the night before Kindergarten and all through the house...
a small creature was stirring
and tossing and turning
and giggling and talking
and asking questions
and full of energy when she should be sleeping.

I realize that doesn't rhyme. Maybe Holly will whip up a rhyming diddy and post it in the comments.
Parker is super excited about the big day tomorrow. Yesterday around bedtime she was VERY anxious.....I made the mistake of bringing it up during story reading and she totally fell apart. Today she had a bit of a stomach ache and some reflux troubles, most likely from not eating....which I relate to anxiety about school starting, but maybe it was just a fluke.

We have our outfit all picked out and road tested (she can snap the snaps on the pants, and the shoes have velcro....we are still a few days away from being able to tie shoelaces). It's not the one in the photo below, that one was one that I did when we had a little 'fashion show' earlier in the week. I had her put on several outfit combination so she could see what can go together and I'm going to print them out so she'll have a little 'look book' of her outfits.
Yes really.
I'm trying to avoid the situation where she has only 2 things she'll wear.

After my last post, I got the following comment about our clothing battles:
"Do not make Parker dress like everyone else..."
but you don't understand, it's not ME making her dress this way. She has completed a detailed analysis of what 'big girls' (i.e. older girls....3rd-6th graders) wear, and she has determined that it is:

1. hair in low ponytail (not high, must be low)
2. jeans
3. tshirts
4. flip flops

This is a fine uniform except it's hard to find (non-babyish) shirts to fit her and it will be too hot for jeans for a while, and she can't wear flip flops to school.

At least the hair part will be easy.

Tune in tomorrow afternoon for the first day pictures and the day's recap!

(ps, I've removed the black nail polish, she has a sensible pink on there now)

Getting ready for school / Meet The Teacher

School starts on Monday! Parker is very excited, but also very anxious about it. Although we've been doing little things to get ready for the big day....we're still not nearly ready.

I've put a big calendar on the fridge and we put apple stickers on important school days, ballet stickers on ballet days, etc. She marks off the days and it helps us count down to special events.

We got a new backpack and new lunchbox, in her new favorite color, blue. Also notice the pj pants and tank top...her new favorite pajama combination. She has 2 pairs of these and wants to wear them ALL THE TIME.

Tonight was Meet The Teacher. Bob came home early from work to attend. Parker changed clothes 3 times before she came up with the right outfit. I'm still super stressed about what she's going to wear to school. She wants to wear jeans 24/7 (when she's not wearing pj pants), but it will be way too hot for jeans to start with, so I have no idea what type of bottom she's going to wear. She has many pairs of capri pants....but I'd have to tranquilize her to get her in them I think.

Her teacher is nice, Parker likes her, and she has many years of experience with 4 and 5 year olds. When we first got there, they took the kids on a tour of the school and the parents met with the teacher. She went over some of the basic info and the parents went around the room and introduced themselves and said if this was their first kindergartener, or last, or whatever. 2 moms got weepy (not me!). There are 3 other parents from our neighborhood....but they all have boys. Parker returned from the tour looking pretty shaken. The teacher had everyone do a dance, but Parker just stood there sort of frozen. She'll snap out of it, but it might take her a few days (weeks?). At her table are 2 boys and another girl. The other little girl was sobbing the entire time and was glued to her mom...not good. There are more girls in the class than boys, and many of the girls have gender-neutral names like Parker does. Hopefully she'll find a buddy quickly.

Part of the evening's events was for the kids to put away their schools supplies. Instead of running around buying everything, you could order supplies from the PTA back a few months ago. I COULD HAVE SWORN I DID THIS. But apparently not. Our package of supplies wasn't there, and I can't find the canceled check...so even if i did order them, I haven't been charged for them, so I'm moving on and hitting Target first thing tomorrow to get what I can. It looks pretty standard, and a lot of it is communal stuff, and then we'll pop in and drop it off tomorrow afternoon. Not even the first day and I've already dropped the ball, created chaos, and put us behind the 8 ball. Not a good way to start things, but hopefully it will all work out. It will all work out, right?