Breaking Wardrobe News

This weekend, Parker's string of wearing jeans every single day (even in August) finally ended! Now, she's into wearing skirts with footless tights. It's the tights that she's really in to. I love how she totally changes course overnight. Luckily we have some tights from last year still in the package from when she started refusing to wear them last year.

Before the newfound tights really took hold, she had a few meltdowns because she wanted to wear just tights and a top. Her hobby is thinking up the most inappropriate things to wear and then asking to wear that every day. If I would let her, she would wear this every day:

A leopard print camisole, jeans, boots and a choker necklace (not pictured). And no, I didn't buy her a choker necklace, she made it herself out of a ring from a pair of of cut up tights...which was meant to be a soft ponytail holder.

The next most common request is a tank top and shorts, even in 40 degree weather. She wore this shopping on saturday. I was pleased that she put on a sweater w/out much of a fight, and chose normal shorts instead of bike shorts. Bike shorts are another daily fight. And I keep trying to phase out this tank top, but it keep being resurrected.

And the latest: A non-spaghetti strap tank top (so it doesn't violate school dress code), a sweater to make me happy, footless tights, a skirt she's had since august and is wearing for the first time, socks and boots.

Oh, and a *high* ponytail. I'm happy about the high ponytail because it's so cute, but it's way more work (for me), since it has to be redone constantly.
I think I'm about ready for summertime, and she can just wear her swimsuit 24/7 again.

More Halloween weekend

I'm still catching up from the last few weeks that have been so crazy busy. I forgot to mention on Halloween weekend that I also participated in the neighborhood garage sale and then Bob and I both ran a half marathon on Nov. 1st.
During the race, Parker's Grandma and Grandpa stayed with her, which was wonderful. I feel much more relaxed leaving her with family for an extended period of time versus a sitter.

Here's a picture my mom took, and an email she sent me after their stay:

Parker opened her art drawer this morning. Lo and behold, there were four mini candy bars in there. She appears to be a "everything in its place"person. So the mystery was who put the candy bars in there. (Turns out Carla was rat-holing a few pieces, in case they gave out all they had.)Parker was going to write a note and daddy was prepared for her to write one word "why" and a question mark and he was prepared to help her spell"why". Here is what she came up with all on her own, I swear. "Why did you put candy in my art drawer?". Daddy even asked her if she knew how to make a question mark -- no problem, no assistance required nor requested.

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.

Halloween weekend

We had a VERY busy weekend. Instead of dealing with the giant piles of clutter that is my house, I'm going to post the Halloween pictures since I know a few folks are anxious to see them.

It seemed like Halloween went on FOREVER this year. We got 2 good weeks out of it at least. Last weekend we attended a carnival, both in costume. Parker is a bumble bee, thank goodness. I was STUNNED that she didn't want to be Hannah Montana.....which was lucky, since they boy next door went as Hannah. My costume is courtesy of Bob's mom, she made the little sheer bolero top and the hat of course. It was a big hit during trick or treating...none of the other parents usually dress up.

The neighbors put out a blow up haunted house. they also have a fog machine which worked so well that it actually fogged up the neighborhood quite a bit, especially around the lake and made things really sort of spooky.

Our whole cul de sac goes together in one big mass to trick or treat (9 kids) to start out, and then they generally splinter off in to separate groups w/ a similar pace. Generally, the dads take the kids to TOT and the moms stay home and hand out candy. But this year, UT was playing so Bob stayed home to cheer them on, and I went out with Parker with the normal dad group....I was the only parent in full costume of course. Parker hung in there for about half a mile and then said "I'm ready to go home" and that was it. I was shocked, because last year she was out for hours it seemed.

She got home and dumped out her loot....lots of good quality candy this year. She ate a couple pieces and then was ready for bed. She was asleep before 9pm!

Pumpkin Carving

This year we got to the pumpkin carving a little late, so we had to do it indoors. Bob did the honors this year, and made Parker do some of the icky part of pulling out the seeds.

Helping with the cutting out.....

Final product

Student of the week

Another busy week around here. The highlight of last week was that Parker was Student of the Week. There is one student per class, per grade selected. She got a certificate during a little assembly they have on some fridays...sort of like a pep rally. She's proud of it, but not exactly sure what she did to earn it. I bought her a couple new hair bows in school colors at the PTA table, and she was probably more excited about receiving those than the award.

She continues to keep herself busy with arts and crafts. She's also big in to 'reuse and recycle'. Here, she's making a bracelet by taping strips of colored paper around the rubber band that comes around broccoli. It carried over into dinner as you can see. Prior to that she was tracing around cookie cutters, coloring and cutting out the shapes and taping them around the house to decorate.

The long days continue to be an issue. It is a common occurrence for her to get mad or frustrated about something and stomp off and go lay down...and fall asleep. It's nice to have the little break from the tantrum, and it's tempting to let her sleep, but too much of a nap and she can't get to sleep at night, further compounding the problem. On this day she snuggled up in a pile of warm towels fresh from the dryer, waiting to be folded. I can't blame her though...I've always wanted to do that too.

Angel trumpet, book report

Check out the blooms on my angel trumpet. By looking at the plant, you can tell it's been totally neglected all summer, but it' still loaded down with flowers. Maybe it knew I was wondering if it was worth lugging into the garage for the winter or not. Yes Mother, I'll save you some seeds.

Not a ton to report from Parker. We have escaped the N1H1 so far...even though 3 more classmates have gotten it.
I scanned in some of her school work. This was done at one of their centers...they listen to a recorded book, and then do a 'book report'.

(the book was The Roly Poly Spider and she like the story because "he got stuk in the pip" (stuck in the pipe).

Now that my work project is over, I'm going up to school about once a week to run copies or help monitor science lab or whatever little task the teacher needs. I was there yesterday, and as I was dropping off my copies to the teacher and saying goodbye to Parker, I noticed that her face seemed really warm...and flushed. Assuming the worst (flu!) I took her down to the nurse to take her temperature. Normal. It wasn't until I got home that I realized that she probably wasn't feverish....she was blushing because her mom was interrupting her class!

Long overdue update

We've had a jam packed schedule the past few weeks, which is why the blog had been so quiet. I did a project for Bob's company that turned out to be WAY more time consuming an involved that I realized it would be. Apparently when you tell a construction company that you'll have something to them at a certain time....they hold you to it. I've basically worked full time for the last month. But happily..hopefully...I'm DONE (knock on wood that they don't call me tomorrow for changes).

The trouble with working is that I don't really have child care in the afternoons. They have a after school program at Parker's school, but she's already so fried just from normal school, I'd rather have her at home. I had a 6th grader from down the street come over a couple days a week to amuse Parker while I worked, and the rest of the time she had to amuse herself.....not usually her strong suit. She did pretty well though...lots of coloring and dreaming up crafts. Lots of time on the computer and probably more tv than I'd like. Here's how we spent our time this past Monday, a holiday:

And making Shrinkey Dinks....

When she's not coloring, cutting or complaining, Parker is reading. All her sentences start with "how do you spell....." or "I can spell...." . She continues to pick out words on signs and packages and I expect her to be a very independent reader very soon. She even wrote a book a couple weekends ago. I need to remember to scan it and post it. Stay tuned.

quick post

Here's a quick pic of Parker reading to hold you over until I have time for a longer post. Parker is continuing to soak up school like a sponge. It's like there's not enough information out there for her to absorb.
Also notice her new favorite wardrobe item: boots. In this pic, she has them paired with shorts.

Emerging reader

Parker is soaking up Kindergarten like a sponge. They spend the first half of the day focusing on reading and writing, and she is becoming a great reader. Her new parlor trick to to pick up a book and start reading it....she still can only do simple words and has to do lots of sounding out, but she's very confident and is really enjoying knowing what signs and labels and words around her say. Her favorite thing is to read words, usually dialog, that have exclamation marks.
The days of spelling things out in front of her are fading. The other day at dinner I told Bob, "someone in Garland with Swine Flu D-I-E-D." and Parker said "SOMEONE DIED?" She said she figured it out by using the first and last letter sounds, and context clues.

Speaking of Swine Flu, or actually, the flu formerly know as Swine, we are bracing for it. There were hundreds of absences at the middle school last week, and at our doctor's visit (a followup on her reflux stomach issues) there were several kids being carried in and out by their parents, obviously quite sick. And if the flu doesn't get us, the school nurse said that lice is being passed around too. Flu sounds like less work.

The outcome of Parker's doc visit was that she's going to continue to take Prevacid for a while until she is totally symptom free, and then we'll try to ween her off. I'm not crazy about the idea of her being on medince long term, but the ped says that it's very safe and much prefered over having an inflmaed esophagus for long periods of time. We are also going to do a blood test for Celiac disease and something else just to cover all the bases. I hope the HIPAA police don't come after me for posting that. If anyone has any opinions on any of that, feel free to share them.

I'm expecting a super busy week, but I'll try to at least scan some artwork or something so my sister doesn't have to resort to watching zoo cams because there is nothing new on the blog.

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)

Random Pictures - week review

Has it been a week already? The 4 day week last week really threw me off. We had a pretty boring week, not much new to report. Here are some blurbs on what Parker did in school this week from the teacher's weekly email:

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Academic Focuses

Math

Ask your child what the word “attribute” means. We have been discussing the different attributes of our button collection and of our parquetry blocks.

We our still enjoying exploring the many different manipulatives we will be using this year.

Writers Workshop

Stories are popping up in journals, we are learning to really think about real things that happen to us, and put our thoughts on paper as illustrations and words. We thought it was pretty special when Mrs. Foster took time to come read in our journals!

Science: Magnets

We took magnets outside to see if we could find anything that would be attracted to a magnet (I was reminded by the students it meant it had iron in it). The biggest thrill was when our magnets stuck to the school bus! Children were busy recording the results.

Language/Arts

We are busy practicing becoming independent readers using a great resource called “The Daily Five”. This takes lots of practice and we are building stamina (ask your child the meaning of this new vocabulary word) so we can read longer each day by ourselves. They are very proud of their accomplishments this week and so am I!

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Parker really struggled with being tired this week...which means lots of whining and crying and unreasonable arguments. She was especially grumpy and mad at me on Thursday so she got a post it out to 'journal' about her bad day. She started out by drawing a house....OUR house. Luckily she calmed down before she added a picture of me sending her to her room. When she calmed down a bit, she started adding lots of other parts, and told me she was doing "el-ab-or-ation. Adding details!" Nice to know she's absorbing what they're doing in school.

Random picture: getting a haircut last weekend at Bob's parent's house courtesy of Gigi. It was just a trim, but I had her do the bangs just short enough that they'll pull out of her ponytail after a little while and make the pretty curls around her face. She hasn't seemed to notice...as long as it's all pulled back ("not poofy!") in the morning when she looks in the mirror, she's happy.

Here's a better picture of the volunteer angel trumpet/moon flower.

We've had a ton of rain the past few days. It's very welcome, but I'm getting a little tired of it. A fun thing we did today when we were stuck inside was to watch the preying mantis that lives on the gardenia. He's been there most of the summer, and he's getting bigger and bigger. He was sitting there today in the rain enjoying his front row seat to the hummingbird wars. I have 2 feeders and 4 hummingbirds and they fuss and fight and zoom around ALL DAY LONG. If everyone would just relax and take turns, they wouldn't need to consume so many calories. If i would move the feeders farther apart, it would be harder for 1 bird to try to guard both feeders, but what would be the fun in that (for me)?

Garden update

Here's a quick garden update. It's so hard to update the garden progress....by the time I get the pictures taken, uploaded and the post written, we've eaten the stuff in the pictures, and something new has started growing.

This isn't in the garden, but in one of the new flower beds. It's one of last year's angel trumpets....or maybe it's a moon flower. It popped up on it's own....I guess the seeds found their way across the yard last year. The stems are a super pretty dark purple, and the flowers are light purple on the inside, dark on the outside. It's a very striking plant.

Fall yellow squash (from seed) is starting to produce. It's 3 times that big now....I'm picking it tomorrow.

The Japanese eggplant is still hanging in there, along with the beautiful giant zinnias. We ate the eggplant on tuesday in a pasta-veggie stir fry.

The cucumbers are still totally insane. It covers my entire bamboo teepee. Next year I need to plant a LESS PROLIFIC cucumber. I bet I have 5 out there that will be ready tomorrow, and no end in site. Would a bush-type plant be a better choice for next year I wonder? My bush canteloupes did not do well, so I'm hesitant to try it.

I also noticed 3 tiny (golf ball sized) pumpkins today....no pictures yet. The plant is supposed to be 'compact', but we'll see. I'm pretty sure I'll have fall tomatoes and string beans, possibly kale, maybe jalapeno and doubtfully zucchini. why can I never grow zucchini? Oh, and about 100 poblano peppers, all ready for harvest at the same time.

Family Portrait Drawing, 2nd week review

The 2nd week of school went pretty much like the first week with a few more bumps. We had 1 major morning meltdown over clothing (nothing felt right) and one horrendous evening of one meltdown after another because of being overtired (I think).
Parker had her first 'cafeteria food' this week and that went smoothly. Considering she's accustomed to just unpacking a lunch, going through a line and picking everything out is a big deal, but she insisted she could do it and I guess she did. She chose a corn dog, cantaloupe and black beans.

Here's a family picture she drew the 2nd day of school. Bob's smile is concealed by his beard.

In case you are wondering, this is how our school district is approaching the Obama speech issue that everyone is losing their minds over:

From the Office of the Superintendent

The President of the United States will conduct a live web cast on Tuesday, September 8. The Department of Education has billed this as a “Back to School” Speech and the department website has provided some activities that a teacher could choose to do with his/her students. Many of the activities seem appropriate for a lesson in civics. However, the will not participate in the live web cast on Tuesday September 8 for the following reasons:

· District teachers have done collaborative planning in advance and the notice we received on this speech is inadequate for us to incorporate it into meaningful

lessons

· Since the speech is live, we are unable to receive a copy of the text in advance which handicaps a teacher to prepare a meaningful lesson

· It would be rare that the same resource would be equally appropriate for a Kindergarten student and a senior in high school. Since we do not have details on the content, we do not have the information to determine the grade level and/or subject matter to which it is best aligned

· If we access as a web cast, we do not have sufficient bandwidth to get a clean audio and video program. We actually learned this last November when our volleyball team state playoff game was web cast during school

· At this time of the school year, I am unwilling to allow any activity that may have little benefit, but could serve as a distraction to the core mission of the school. Whether the President’s words to our students have a political tone or not, this address has already become politicized and could serve as a distraction in our schools.

Therefore, we will not web cast the speech on Tuesday, but we will download it and review it to determine if it does have any valuable instructional benefit. In the event that we choose to use any of the speech at any level K-12, parents will receive advance notice and your son/daughters will be able to choose an alternate assignment and opt out of the speech.
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In other news, I'm sad to report, it appears we are ballet school dropouts. Remember the meltdown evening I mentioned earlier? That was the day we were supposed to go to ballet. She told me in hysterical sobs that she didn't want to go to ballet anymore, that it was too hard and too soon after getting home from school and that she'd prefer to just do her own 'homeschool' practice. So we stayed home. Not the usual way I'd handle something like that, but...you've heard the phrase "you can lead a horse to water...."? Well and even more impossible task is putting a bawling 5 year old into lycra tights. We're going to give it another week just to make sure, but I think her mind is made up. It didn't seem hard, but it is right after school and I can totally understand why she'd just want to stay home after a long day of school. She used to love to put on her ballet stuff and dance around, so hopefully she'll keep that up.

Shoe Tying and first week review

We made it through the first week of school. It was the easiest week I've had in a LOOOOONG time. During preschool, the first week back was a big adjustment....Parker would come home and flop on the couch and need lots of down time. And it didn't change all that much as the school year went along. For some reason, now, she energized and ready for more action when she gets home. She needs a big snack, but is ready to play with friends immediately....unlike last year when she needed a good hour to recover.

We had a huge breakthrough this weekend in shoe tying. She LOVES her running shoes and has been very frustrated that she can't tie them....and she's very easily frustrated when trying to learn. Apparently, I have not been letting her watch enough tv...because that's how she put it all together. She was watching Little Bill (a Bill Cosby creation) and they showed Little Bill learning to tie his shoes. Bob said Parker came running into the room and said "I wanna try something" and got it on her first try, including remembering the rhyme.
The audio is low, so here's what she's saying:

One little loop,
what do you do?
Wrap it around,
then pull it through.
Now you have a bow
and you tied your shoe!


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