Last night the girls had the annual open house at their school for families to come and see their child's classroom. We went first to Kylie's classroom since this was her first time getting to show us around her room plus she seemed to be much more excited about it since this was the first time she got to go as a student, not just a sister.
She was all excited about being able to show us her seat at the table she sits at and most of all she was most excited about showing us the home living center in her room. It is her favorite center to go play at during center time. For the longest time she kept calling it "Homeland" which in this area is a grocery store. At her seat she had a card which she wrote by herself her name, and it also had with it two kisses sitting waiting for Jerrod and I when we came. She gave us the card then handed Mackenzie one kiss and she ate the other. We took her stack of papers left for us to take home and then went all around the room seeing her great paper on the Great Work bulletin board then went to all the activity centers. She even showed us how to do the tornado bottles to make it look like a tornado. She showed us her "job" chart with the daily things that are done in the classroom and each child has one assigned to them each day. Yesterday Kylie was the electrician.
Mackenzie's classroom was the highlight for Kylie. It was the first time Kylie had been down the first
grade hallway and the first time she had seen Mackenzie's classroom and talked to her teacher. Mackenzie showed us her desk and the book about colors they made in class. We also got a packet of papers from her teacher about their classroom rules, class schedule and so on and so on. Mackenzie's favorite thing to show us was the giving apple tree the class made on the whiteboard during class today. Their giving apple tree is items that the class will use during the year that families can donate to the classroom. We looked through all the apples and the one Mackenzie was most wanting to help with was the bean bag. The reading area of the classroom they keep beanbags in and its time for a new one in the classroom. Mackenzie looked at us and let us know that she wants to give her beanbag and donate it to the classroom since she never uses it and Gabryle and Kylie fight over it. We talked about it and Mackenzie took this morning to school her bean bag, and gave it to the classroom. I love how she is so big into donating items she doesn't use to school or the Salvation Army.
Also why we were there we talked to the table set up for Girl Scouts. Mackenzie has been wanting to join for a while and we talked about it and have decided to let her sign up and be a girl scout. I think it will be great for her. The rest of the year will be busy with the two of them but all in all I think it will be a great school year.
Till next time!
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Chicken Parmesan Potatoes
Last night we tried a new recipe in our house, chicken Parmesan potatoes. Jerrod found the recipe on the Betty Crocker website a few weeks ago so we decided to try it. I'm glad we did. The kids enjoyed it and Jerrod and I thought it was pretty good also. the next time we make it, we are going to tweak it a little and maybe try some broccoli or other vegetable with it instead of green beans. Not everyone in our house likes green beans, but surprisingly, they didn't have that much of a green bean taste in this recipe. I didn't use the full bag like it says to, but its still really good. We used the chicken it called for instead of Turkey.
A plus with this recipe, is if you do know a child who's school does Box Tops for Education, the Betty Crocker Au Gratin potatoes have a box top on the box! The school the girls go too collects them and the girls love to be able to turn them when when we have enough to send in. Last year Mackenzie turned in almost $10.00 dollars worth, which is almost 100 box tops. Each one costs $0.10.
Hope you enjoy the recipe like we did if you try it!
Till Next Time!!!
CHICKEN PARMESAN POTATOES
2 1/4 cups hot water
2/3 cup milk
1 bag (12 oz) Green Giant® Valley Fresh Steamers™ frozen cut green beans
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
A plus with this recipe, is if you do know a child who's school does Box Tops for Education, the Betty Crocker Au Gratin potatoes have a box top on the box! The school the girls go too collects them and the girls love to be able to turn them when when we have enough to send in. Last year Mackenzie turned in almost $10.00 dollars worth, which is almost 100 box tops. Each one costs $0.10.
Hope you enjoy the recipe like we did if you try it!
Till Next Time!!!
CHICKEN PARMESAN POTATOES
1 box (4.7 ounces) Betty Crocker® au gratin potatoes
3 cups cut-up cooked chicken or turkey (1 pound) 2 1/4 cups hot water
2/3 cup milk
1 bag (12 oz) Green Giant® Valley Fresh Steamers™ frozen cut green beans
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Heat Potatoes, Sauce Mix and remaining ingredients except cheese to boiling in 10-inch skillet over high heat, stirring
- Reduce heat; cover and simmer about 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until potatoes are tender.
- Stir in cheese. Let stand 5 minutes
Friday, August 26, 2011
Pink Day!
As part of the review her teachers sent home a note with a list of the days the past two weeks letting parents know what color the would be working on for the day, so the students could coordinate their clothes with the color of the day. Kylie has been all for this for the most part. She was not happy about red day since she didn't have a shirt that fit her just like she likes her clothes to fit, and she was not all for the day they wore brown. (I convinced her that her skirt which is a tan color would work for brown and it had some pink on it so she eventually decided it would work. Red day we ended up wearing a black shirt that had different colored stripes on it with some of the stripes being red).
The week could not come fast enough for Friday, today to get here for her. She has known all week that Friday is the day she gets to wear pink! Since Monday she has had her mind set on her pink ballerina shirt she bought before school started along with a cute skirt and her tennis shoes that have pink all over them also. Her skirt has a few pink patches so of course it goes along with the pink theme. She is also excited since the girls wear pink, boys were asked to wear black today. Her shirt and skirt and shoes all have black on them also, so she is wearing both colors.
It will be interesting to see how her day went today when I pick her up in a little while. I know I will hear all about it, especially with her learning how to make the color pink.
Till next time!
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Bye-Bye Binkie!!
Gabryle no longer has his binkies!!! YES! That is a big accomplishment for him since he was so attached to them.
Yesterday in the early afternoon Gabryle handed me his binkie and fussed a little. I looked at it and noticed that it was shredded in parts and was about to fall apart. I cut the end off of it and handed it back to him. Jerrod has had a few customers say that to get their children off of the binkie they would slowly cut the end back further and further till there was nothing left on the binkie, so I snipped the end off. I handed it back to him and Gabryle just looked at it like I was crazy for handing him a binkie that was missing part of it. He stuck his finger in the opening and waved it around at me and fused a little then threw it across the living and dining room. (this boy has a good throwing arm!)
We then went and picked the girls up and Gabryle went without his binkie. When we got back home from getting the girls at school he started to fuss a little after picking up his binkie, so I told him to either get his binkie and deal with it or throw it away. Next thing I know he runs to the bathroom and throws away the binkie in the trash can. That meant to me we would no longer use the binkie since that was the second one in a week he has thrown away.
The big question would be how would he do at bedtime? When it was time to go to bed I put the girls to bed, Gabryle ran in and gave them multiple kisses then went and jumped up in his bed with no crying or fits. He got up a few times to give the girls more kisses and would go lay back down once I came to get him out of the girls room. The last time he laid down he set his head down on the remote control he had in his bed and cried a little. I stepped out of the room and a few minutes later he was quiet and asleep with no binkie!!!!!! I was thrilled he actually did it!
Around midnight however he woke up and was up for the rest of the night it seemed. He cried for a while and I couldn't calm him down in his bed so he came and laid with me and Jerrod for a little bit. It helped until he started pointing to his room. I took him back and he was quiet for a little bit then he started crying again. This went on a few times till I finally just sat up with him in the living room. Jerrod sat with us for a little bit then went to bed since he has to work today. Finally around four I laid down on the couch and Gabryle came cuddling up next to me and was out by 4:30 AM. I got up, put him to bed and he was down till this morning when I got the girls up for school at 6:45.
During his time being awake in the middle of the night he fussed a little pointing at the bathroom. Jerrod and I looked for one of his old binkies and handed it to him after Jerrod found it and he just threw it across to the coffee table. At one point he pulled a wipe out and cleaned it off but then set it back down. Once he stuck it in his mouth but quickly pulled it out and threw it. He ultimately never wanted the binkie apparently. IT stayed within eye sight of him but he never put it back in his mouth and kept it.
As of right now I have no clue where it ended up last night. All I do know is he has gone almost 24 hours with no binkie and is doing fairly well without it. No more will be bought in this household. Hopefully he will do better tonight in the middle of the night and actually sleep. I'll give it a few more days with no binkie and then we will start with potty training.
Till Next Time!
Yesterday in the early afternoon Gabryle handed me his binkie and fussed a little. I looked at it and noticed that it was shredded in parts and was about to fall apart. I cut the end off of it and handed it back to him. Jerrod has had a few customers say that to get their children off of the binkie they would slowly cut the end back further and further till there was nothing left on the binkie, so I snipped the end off. I handed it back to him and Gabryle just looked at it like I was crazy for handing him a binkie that was missing part of it. He stuck his finger in the opening and waved it around at me and fused a little then threw it across the living and dining room. (this boy has a good throwing arm!)
We then went and picked the girls up and Gabryle went without his binkie. When we got back home from getting the girls at school he started to fuss a little after picking up his binkie, so I told him to either get his binkie and deal with it or throw it away. Next thing I know he runs to the bathroom and throws away the binkie in the trash can. That meant to me we would no longer use the binkie since that was the second one in a week he has thrown away.
The big question would be how would he do at bedtime? When it was time to go to bed I put the girls to bed, Gabryle ran in and gave them multiple kisses then went and jumped up in his bed with no crying or fits. He got up a few times to give the girls more kisses and would go lay back down once I came to get him out of the girls room. The last time he laid down he set his head down on the remote control he had in his bed and cried a little. I stepped out of the room and a few minutes later he was quiet and asleep with no binkie!!!!!! I was thrilled he actually did it!
Around midnight however he woke up and was up for the rest of the night it seemed. He cried for a while and I couldn't calm him down in his bed so he came and laid with me and Jerrod for a little bit. It helped until he started pointing to his room. I took him back and he was quiet for a little bit then he started crying again. This went on a few times till I finally just sat up with him in the living room. Jerrod sat with us for a little bit then went to bed since he has to work today. Finally around four I laid down on the couch and Gabryle came cuddling up next to me and was out by 4:30 AM. I got up, put him to bed and he was down till this morning when I got the girls up for school at 6:45.
During his time being awake in the middle of the night he fussed a little pointing at the bathroom. Jerrod and I looked for one of his old binkies and handed it to him after Jerrod found it and he just threw it across to the coffee table. At one point he pulled a wipe out and cleaned it off but then set it back down. Once he stuck it in his mouth but quickly pulled it out and threw it. He ultimately never wanted the binkie apparently. IT stayed within eye sight of him but he never put it back in his mouth and kept it.
As of right now I have no clue where it ended up last night. All I do know is he has gone almost 24 hours with no binkie and is doing fairly well without it. No more will be bought in this household. Hopefully he will do better tonight in the middle of the night and actually sleep. I'll give it a few more days with no binkie and then we will start with potty training.
Till Next Time!
Monday, August 22, 2011
New Things!
For a few months now Mackenzie has been on me and Jerrod about starting to learn new sports. We're all for it. We are thrilled she loves being so active in sports and that she enjoys it because she finds it fun, not because we want her to play. She was the one who came to us at the end of pre-k wanting to play t-ball when she found the note in her folder about it. We signed her up and she played and absolutely loved it! Then again of course she played at the end of kindergarten, which was this past summer. She was even better playing this year than she was the previous, and was way more into it. she played her hardest at all her games and made sure to practice well at all her practices.
Her next sport she plans on playing is golf. Not exactly where that came from since we don't play golf, but hey, she seems dedicated to wanting to learn how to play. We found a decent set of clubs for a very decent price over the weekend and we are going to start letting her learn how to play golf. Luckily Jerrod has played some while in high school, so at least one of us knows how to play. The closest I have come is playing putt-putt with family and friends growing up which most likely doesn't come close.
We shall see how the golf learning goes. She has also mentioned she wants to start doing track and field sports when she gets big enough, which would be great. She loves running and is pretty fast. At least with all the sports she should have a chance of college scholarships when she is old enough to go to college if she sticks with all the sports she is playing or will play. (and hopefully she will really get into the fine arts also, as in Band, Vocal or even art!!) I'll make sure to keep updated on her golf learning experience.
Till Next Time!
Her next sport she plans on playing is golf. Not exactly where that came from since we don't play golf, but hey, she seems dedicated to wanting to learn how to play. We found a decent set of clubs for a very decent price over the weekend and we are going to start letting her learn how to play golf. Luckily Jerrod has played some while in high school, so at least one of us knows how to play. The closest I have come is playing putt-putt with family and friends growing up which most likely doesn't come close.
We shall see how the golf learning goes. She has also mentioned she wants to start doing track and field sports when she gets big enough, which would be great. She loves running and is pretty fast. At least with all the sports she should have a chance of college scholarships when she is old enough to go to college if she sticks with all the sports she is playing or will play. (and hopefully she will really get into the fine arts also, as in Band, Vocal or even art!!) I'll make sure to keep updated on her golf learning experience.
Till Next Time!
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Security Blanket
When I was little I had a yellow knitted blanket that I used to keep with me when I slept and around the house. I think I took it everywhere also I went but not for sure on that. I believe it was made by my Mom. It was my security blanket. It was my favorite thing. A lot of kids have different "security blankets" so to say, and that is no different for Kylie.
Kylie has a pink monkey. I bought her monkey when she was a few days old at a local store here in town, and she has kept it with her ever since. She takes it to the store when we let her, takes in on trips, sleeps with it, watches TV with it, and if we let her she would probably take it to school with her. Little does she know, that the original monkey that she loves and cherishes, is actually Monkey #2. About two years ago we lost pink monkey and have no idea where we lost her, so the search for a replacement was on. The company no longer makes Monkey so we had to resort to the Internet to find a new one and finally found one and had one ordered and shipped. She was hesitant at first if it was Monkey, but after a little bit she decided it was her monkey, and Mommy just gave it a really really good bath.
This monkey you can tell is loved. One ear is chewed off, thanks to a dog, the thread that makes her mouth is slowly coming out, and it looks like she has a tongue.Her tail from Kylie chewing on it has a few small holes in it towards the end, and it is very worn. She gets a "bath" once a week and Kylie will brush her "hair" regularly with one of her barbie hairbrushes. She still keeps Monkey with her a lot at home, and sometimes out at other places when we go somewhere, but not to much when we are out of the house. We don't want to loose monkey again, due to the rising prices of it (last time I looked its up to $65. to buy a new one).
We thought for her starting to school it would be a problem not having her monkey with her during school hours, but surprisingly it has been very easy for her to leave monkey at home every morning. She makes sure she leaves Monkey on her bed "sleeping" and then when she gets home she goes and gets it after we check her school folder. She usually plays with it the rest of the afternoon.
Kenzie really didn't have a "security" object and still doesn't. She does have a stuffed doggie that is named "busy busy" that Jerrod bought for her that she wants with her when she doesn't feel well or had a bad day, or keeps with her when there are storms. Besides that she doesn't really keep Busy Busy with her. (Busy was one of the first words she said and she ended up naming the animal Busy Busy.)
Gabryle has a Mario doll he sleeps with every night and at most nap times. He loves Mario. He also at bedtime has to make sure his brown blanket is in his bed to cover up with. Besides that he is good also. At least with him not having a certain thing to be with him at all times for the moment makes it a little easier making sure that we only have that one security object that Kylie needs.
Till Next Time.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Lunch Explanations
As the girls and I were sitting waiting to get out of the school parking lot today, they started telling me about their lunch they were served today. It's funny having both of them try to explain it. One will tell me one version of lunch then the other will tell it different, but both ultimately in the end explain the same lunch.
Today Kylie started telling me about lunch as this has become one of her favorite parts of the day. This is her explanation: "they had banana cake that they called banana bread, and a green salad with tomato's. They also had these orange things that I don't know what they were. There were beans with a sauce that was runny and then chips with some chili and cheese on them. And I had chocolate milk AGAIN!"
Then Kenzie started talking. "It was banana bread with a salad and one of my friends is allergic to tomatoes, so he didn't eat them. We also had oranges that tasted different and some spiced beans and Frito chili pie. That's the only time you have chips like that at school Kylie. You only have them in Frito chili pie. Everyone has milk every day."
ultimately the beans ended up being chili beans, and the oranges being mandarin oranges. My favorite explanation of the lunch served at school from Kylie has been from two days ago. We were standing in the foyer waiting for the first grade to be dismissed and Kylie looked at me and said, "Mom we had hamburgers, and the cooker people forgot to put the hamburger in it and put a chicken nugget in it instead! It was awesome!" Ultimately they were having chicken sandwiches but she didn't realise it.
Who knew that little picky eater Kylie would love lunch at school as much as she does.
Till next time!
Today Kylie started telling me about lunch as this has become one of her favorite parts of the day. This is her explanation: "they had banana cake that they called banana bread, and a green salad with tomato's. They also had these orange things that I don't know what they were. There were beans with a sauce that was runny and then chips with some chili and cheese on them. And I had chocolate milk AGAIN!"
Then Kenzie started talking. "It was banana bread with a salad and one of my friends is allergic to tomatoes, so he didn't eat them. We also had oranges that tasted different and some spiced beans and Frito chili pie. That's the only time you have chips like that at school Kylie. You only have them in Frito chili pie. Everyone has milk every day."
ultimately the beans ended up being chili beans, and the oranges being mandarin oranges. My favorite explanation of the lunch served at school from Kylie has been from two days ago. We were standing in the foyer waiting for the first grade to be dismissed and Kylie looked at me and said, "Mom we had hamburgers, and the cooker people forgot to put the hamburger in it and put a chicken nugget in it instead! It was awesome!" Ultimately they were having chicken sandwiches but she didn't realise it.
Who knew that little picky eater Kylie would love lunch at school as much as she does.
Till next time!
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Quiet Days
Since the girls are in school during the days till three and Jerrod works days, its usually just Gabryle and I during the day at home. Gabryle is so easy going I usually don't have to help him find things to do during the day. The only time I really have to help do anything is when its lunch time, he needs a drink or can't get some toy down from a spot he can't reach.
Most of the time, Gabryle eats breakfast with the girls in the morning before they leave for school. That way when they leave he is all through and he is ready to go! He usually watches a couple of his cartoons on PBS in the morning, or we stick a Thomas and Friends on netflix and he is occupied for a while. If he gets bored with that he goes and plays in his room. He'll sit in his floor and play with trucks and cars or get his brobie dancing toy and play with it. Sometimes he will go and find Kylie's barbies or Kenzies DS and play with them. (how sad is it that a 22 month old boy can figure out how to play a DS)
I get a lot done during the day around the house that needs to get done while the girls are in school. Since Gabryle can keep himself busy with things. Some things he helps me with, like straightening the living room, getting the laundry sorted in the kids bathroom to wash and making sure the trash is picked up in the bathroom. His favorite thing to do though is help vacuum. He will unravel the cord for me to plug in and then when I tell him he turns the vacuum on then sometimes helps me push it. Other times he loves to just run up to the vacuum and giggle at it and let it "attack" his toes and then runs off laughing.
There are a few days though that Gabryle and I just kind of lounge around the house and have fun all day till we need to get the girls. I honestly think that is his favorite part of the day considering when I say its time to get the girls he is at the door in a heartbeat waiting for me to get my purse and stuff. I think he likes having Mom all to himself for most of the day. I can tell though that he does like being able to play with all the toys in the house by himself not having to share for a while.
Till Next Time!
Most of the time, Gabryle eats breakfast with the girls in the morning before they leave for school. That way when they leave he is all through and he is ready to go! He usually watches a couple of his cartoons on PBS in the morning, or we stick a Thomas and Friends on netflix and he is occupied for a while. If he gets bored with that he goes and plays in his room. He'll sit in his floor and play with trucks and cars or get his brobie dancing toy and play with it. Sometimes he will go and find Kylie's barbies or Kenzies DS and play with them. (how sad is it that a 22 month old boy can figure out how to play a DS)
I get a lot done during the day around the house that needs to get done while the girls are in school. Since Gabryle can keep himself busy with things. Some things he helps me with, like straightening the living room, getting the laundry sorted in the kids bathroom to wash and making sure the trash is picked up in the bathroom. His favorite thing to do though is help vacuum. He will unravel the cord for me to plug in and then when I tell him he turns the vacuum on then sometimes helps me push it. Other times he loves to just run up to the vacuum and giggle at it and let it "attack" his toes and then runs off laughing.
There are a few days though that Gabryle and I just kind of lounge around the house and have fun all day till we need to get the girls. I honestly think that is his favorite part of the day considering when I say its time to get the girls he is at the door in a heartbeat waiting for me to get my purse and stuff. I think he likes having Mom all to himself for most of the day. I can tell though that he does like being able to play with all the toys in the house by himself not having to share for a while.
Till Next Time!
Monday, August 15, 2011
Welcome Back Routine!
Being the beginning of the school year it sometimes gets a little hectic in the mornings around here. This year is no different besides now getting two kids ready and off for school. I am not big on making the kids follow a certain routine every day so I've never done that. The only thing regular we did do was nap time when they were little but I don't make Gabryle take a nap every day at the same time anymore. I watch and see when he needs it then lay him down. The only thing for sure that I do every day for sure though, is make sure we have homework done right when we get home from school before the afternoon cartoons begin on PBS.
Waking up at 630 to get both girls up, dressed, feed and off to school has actually been pretty easy around here. The girls are usually awake when I walk in to make sure they are up and they are either just getting out of bed or already getting dressed. Jerrod takes them to school while Gabryle and I stay at home, and then Gabryle and I pick them up. When we get home I have two folders to go through, Kylie's I do first since hers is pretty much just looking at the new sticker she has earned for being good or doing good on something in class and any notes sent home from the PIA (Parents In Action) or notes about upcoming school events. Mackenzie's is the one that will take the longest this year. Along with the notes from the school office they send every child, we will have homework. Today is day three of school and she already has homework.
She started with her reader which she did great on and then we did her sight word list. She did pretty well with that one with a few times needing help on a word. As she finished up I looked at the sheet her teacher sent home and it has the next four weeks worth of homework listed on it. Monday through Thursday she will for sure have at least a reader coming home for me to listen to her read, and sign the paper, then she will also have her sight word list brought home. In about six weeks she will begin her spelling homework.
I don't think it will take Mackenzie long to get used to the new routine of having homework everyday, especially if she finds it as easy as she did today. She did get a little mixed up in her words on the sight word list, but from watching her it looked like she kept looking at the next word more than the word she was on. Hopefully when she gets her glasses at the end of the week that will help her see the words much better and we can go from there! She does great at her reading which I am thrilled about. She loves to read and I bet when she gets even better at reading she will start reading more at home than she does now!
Till Next Time!
Waking up at 630 to get both girls up, dressed, feed and off to school has actually been pretty easy around here. The girls are usually awake when I walk in to make sure they are up and they are either just getting out of bed or already getting dressed. Jerrod takes them to school while Gabryle and I stay at home, and then Gabryle and I pick them up. When we get home I have two folders to go through, Kylie's I do first since hers is pretty much just looking at the new sticker she has earned for being good or doing good on something in class and any notes sent home from the PIA (Parents In Action) or notes about upcoming school events. Mackenzie's is the one that will take the longest this year. Along with the notes from the school office they send every child, we will have homework. Today is day three of school and she already has homework.
She started with her reader which she did great on and then we did her sight word list. She did pretty well with that one with a few times needing help on a word. As she finished up I looked at the sheet her teacher sent home and it has the next four weeks worth of homework listed on it. Monday through Thursday she will for sure have at least a reader coming home for me to listen to her read, and sign the paper, then she will also have her sight word list brought home. In about six weeks she will begin her spelling homework.
I don't think it will take Mackenzie long to get used to the new routine of having homework everyday, especially if she finds it as easy as she did today. She did get a little mixed up in her words on the sight word list, but from watching her it looked like she kept looking at the next word more than the word she was on. Hopefully when she gets her glasses at the end of the week that will help her see the words much better and we can go from there! She does great at her reading which I am thrilled about. She loves to read and I bet when she gets even better at reading she will start reading more at home than she does now!
Till Next Time!
Thursday, August 11, 2011
First Day of School
Well, we got through the first day of school! Both of the girls said they had a good day, and both seem pretty pooped this evening. Both the girls were up before 6:30 this morning. Kylie came running in cause she could not button the buttons on her shirt. Mackenzie was already getting dressed and just had her shoes left to get on. I feed them breakfast and then got myself ready.
We got to the school at eight and it was already a mad house with all the parents helping their children find their classroom and teachers helping people find their rooms. Jerrod took Mackenzie down to her classroom and helped her get her stuff into her room and Gabryle and I took Kylie to her classroom. We walked in and she was all excited. We found her name on the table with her play-doh and necklace the teachers bought for the kids and she started unpacking her bag. I helped her get stuff ready and by the time we had her stuff all ready to go, Jerrod was down. We sat with her for a second and before we knew it she was telling us "bye" so we took the cue and left. She was set. I was afraid she would fuss a little when we left but she didn't. :)Picking up the girls today was even more of a madhouse! People not sure of the pick up procedures were blocking entrances to the parking lot, people exiting out the entrances and of course all the parents walking to pick their kids up across the street from the empty field the school owns. We waited in line and I finally just got out and walked to pick the girls up at their pickup door. I picked Kylie up first who had just started to cry because she thought we were not coming to get her. Poor thing! She and I then walked to the other door and picked up Mackenzie who had just gotten to the entrance area. By the time we got back to the car where Jerrod and Gabryle were, they had not moved one bit! We got in the car buckled up and the stories about the days events started!
Kylie said she had a great day! She got to play with play-doh, have lunch, had snack time, rest time, center time and two story times! Her favorite part was playing outside on the playground before it started raining. She made one friend today and her name is Madeline. They had hamburgers for lunch and crackers with juice for a snack in the afternoon. She had Music as her special class for the day and since it was raining for the majority of the school day, they were allowed to watch a movie during recess time. All in all she says school was fun and had a good time and is excited about going back tomorrow. Her only concern was she still hasn't seen the crayons yet. The used markers today in class, but no crayons.
Mackenzie said her day was great. She knew a lot of the kids in her class, and three of the other kids were in her class last year. She did lots of papers today, did a scavenger hunt and had art as her special class. She has her own desk and she is excited since she gets to keep her crayons, eraser, pencils and things like that in a box in her desk, along with other things that her teacher will give her once they start using them. They got to do exercises in her room since they couldn't go out for recess, and she had hamburgers for lunch also. (one of her favorite school lunches I might add)
All in all they had a good first day of school. Mackenzie even had her eye check up today, and in a week or so have a pair of glasses. She will use them just to read and when she uses the computer during class and at home, and watching TV. Once we get more into the routine of getting up and everything I'll update on the girls progress of school.
Till Next Time!
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Learning some sign language....sort of
The past few weeks, the kids have watched a TV series on PBS called Signing time. It's a simple education show, that involves teaching kids American Sign Language. It has Rachel, the Mom, teaching sign language, with the help of her daughter Leah, who is deaf, and nephew Alex who can hear. She goes through a series of signs throughout the thirty minute program, each episode based on different sets of signs, ex: school, home, family etc. etc. etc. Gabryle has lately really gotten into the show and the past few days has started using some of the signs he has been watching. One sign particularly Gabryle has been using more than others. I will admit I don't spend the entire thirty minutes watching the show with the kids, and I now have found myself really wishing I had. I know I have picked up some of the sign language, but not as much as the kids.
We were in Wal-Mart tonight and Gabryle started showing us the sign he keeps on using the past few days. He holds his right hand out flat, palm up and then uses his left hand with his pointer finger, tapping his right hand. As far as I can tell, looking online at different websites, he is either signing Dance or Jump. He loves to dance, so if that what he is signing that doesn't surprise me. He loves to dance. We asked Kylie what she thinks it is since she has picked up the most from the show, and she believes he is also signing dance (she told us that before I started to even look up what the sign he is doing means).
I'll still try to find more images of sign language signs to see if I can figure something else out, but from now on I believe I will start watching Signing time with a lot more attention than I previously have. If any of you have a suggestion as to what Gabryle is signing, I'm more than happy to know! The sign language he is learning will be a great asset to him later on. It will be great he knows how to sign, and it is especially helpful since he doesn't know all the words he needs too, to be able to express what he is wanting or needing from us.
It's also great for the girls to, too learn how to do sign language. Kylie so far has picked up the most out of all three of the kids. If you give her something to learn, she soaks it up like a sponge. It will be interesting if she uses the sign language at school also. If I figure out what Gabryle has been signing I'll make sure and put it up here that I finally actually figured out what he is telling us.
Till Next time!!
Monday, August 8, 2011
Parent Orientation
Well, Jerrod and I attended the girls parent orientation at school earlier this evening. We had Kylies first, which was pretty much a review from when Mackenzie was in pre-k. Kylie has the same teacher that Mackenzie had, which we are thrilled about. She is a great teacher, who has been teaching for nearly 20 years, and her teachers aide is a sweet lady who has been doing her job for about 10 years. They both fell in love with Mackenzie, and are excited about having Kylie this year. (They are in a run for their money this year with Kylie!!) Not much changed with the pre-k, except for now they are not allowed to ride the bus. We had hoped they had not changed that cause we had hoped they would be able to ride the bus, but not this year.
Kylie will have homework once a week and of course her family homework project once a month. She will have pe twice a week, then art, music and guidance once a week. These are their "special" classes. They have different centers in her class which the kids learn different things. There is a science center, math center, writing center, reading center and home living center. Kylie will love the home living since it has a kitchen and dolls and things like that.
Mackenzie's teacher seems to be a very energetic teacher that really cares about her students. She has been teaching for 17 years now and has kids of her own. She seems to love talking, which will match Kenzie's personality very well since she loves talking also. Kenzie was also glad to hear that one of the girls that was on her tball team with her over the summer is in her class again this year, and one of the other little boys from her kindergarten class that she is real close with. This year she will start with spelling, phonics, reading and math. They will go through 5 different reading books during the school year. Tonight we were sent home with a folder of booklets for us to help with the kids when they have homework.
Homework will be daily this year. Her reading textbook will be sent home every day and then of course the spelling word list and anything else that needs sent home to work on. Her teacher is also starting a new part of her class called "Mystery Reader". When possible she will have a parent, or family member come to the classroom, unannounced to all the students and read to the class. Before the reader comes in she will read a paper with a few bits of information about the reader and see if the class can try and guess who will be coming into the class.
This school year will be busy, but I'm sure we will all enjoy it. I'll help with one class party per girl, and whatever field trips I can help with. Kylie will only have one this year, and it will be at the end of the year. I'm not sure yet how many Mackenzie will take this year, but I'm sure whatever they will be, it will be enjoyable for her. I know the girls are looking forward to Thursday getting here and it can't get here fast enough. I'll for sure make another post Thursday evening on how the girls first day of school went.
Till Next Time!!
Kylie will have homework once a week and of course her family homework project once a month. She will have pe twice a week, then art, music and guidance once a week. These are their "special" classes. They have different centers in her class which the kids learn different things. There is a science center, math center, writing center, reading center and home living center. Kylie will love the home living since it has a kitchen and dolls and things like that.
Mackenzie's teacher seems to be a very energetic teacher that really cares about her students. She has been teaching for 17 years now and has kids of her own. She seems to love talking, which will match Kenzie's personality very well since she loves talking also. Kenzie was also glad to hear that one of the girls that was on her tball team with her over the summer is in her class again this year, and one of the other little boys from her kindergarten class that she is real close with. This year she will start with spelling, phonics, reading and math. They will go through 5 different reading books during the school year. Tonight we were sent home with a folder of booklets for us to help with the kids when they have homework.
Homework will be daily this year. Her reading textbook will be sent home every day and then of course the spelling word list and anything else that needs sent home to work on. Her teacher is also starting a new part of her class called "Mystery Reader". When possible she will have a parent, or family member come to the classroom, unannounced to all the students and read to the class. Before the reader comes in she will read a paper with a few bits of information about the reader and see if the class can try and guess who will be coming into the class.
This school year will be busy, but I'm sure we will all enjoy it. I'll help with one class party per girl, and whatever field trips I can help with. Kylie will only have one this year, and it will be at the end of the year. I'm not sure yet how many Mackenzie will take this year, but I'm sure whatever they will be, it will be enjoyable for her. I know the girls are looking forward to Thursday getting here and it can't get here fast enough. I'll for sure make another post Thursday evening on how the girls first day of school went.
Till Next Time!!
Friday, August 5, 2011
back to school nerves
Kylie however has started to get a little bit nervous about the start of school. I think a lot of it is because Mackenzie has told her so much of what she needs to do and not do and how to do things. Jerrod and I are hoping she gets the same teacher that Mackenzie had in pre-k, but I am sure who ever she gets will be great. I've made sure to let Kylie know that she will enjoy school, and that she will have to get used to her routine with her class, but once she is used to going after a few days she will love it.
The one thing she is most excited about is that she got to get a new Barbie backpack and soon she will be able to buy beef jerky's and smencils (pencils made out of recycled paper that are scented. Heavily scented!) at school in the office like Mackenzie. Sometimes I think she is more excited than she is letting us see that she gets to start school. Even if she isn't and she is still nervous, I think she will do great. She loves to learn, loves playing with other kids, and all around will be a good student. She might be shy the first few days but I know she will make many friends, just as Mackenzie has (who is little Miss. Popular at school. Even with the teachers!)
Till next time!
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Almost there!
Today was enrollment day for the girls at school! It was convenient this year with them putting all of one family together in one file to fill out this year, and I think made the process go fairly smoothly. Took us all but an hour and a half. could have been worse I guess.
We got there at noon so Kylie and I could do her check with the speech pathologist. Kylie walked in and the pathologist was telling Kylie what we would and she would check her hearing and if needed send us to the doctor to have her ears looked at. First thing out of Kylie's mouth "I already got my stitches out, i don't need to go back to the doctor." I laughed at her for saying that. (for those who don't know she fell and hit her head back in April and had to have 7 stitches put in her forehead just above her left eyebrow.)
She went through the process handing things that she was supposed to hand over, repeat things she needed to repeat and doing the hearing test (which we eventually convinced her that the headphones although they looked weird, are like Mommy's in her i-pod.) She passed of course, and I never doubted she would not pass. Kylie can explain some things and talk better than some adults I've met. She can also talk your ear off if she wants to!
After we were done we drove on around to the activity building for the school system and went in and started the enrollment process with getting our "family packet" and getting the forms filled out. We then started in the line to make it down for verification we live in the school district and to find out what bus we would be on if we use the bus. (that is still a deciding factor due to not knowing if Kylie can ride yet or not) We turned in our paper work, went ahead and got the girls their school field trip shirts, turned in current shot records and then went through the cashier line to pay for the school supply fees, t-shirts and lunch money.
all in all I can say that it was much better than getting Kenzie enrolled last year in the school. The process was a lot simpler it seemed today and that was with a gym full of parents and students, ranging from pre-k through 12 grade. Mackenzie got to see a lot of her friends from last year, and some of her favorite teachers. Now all we will do is wait and see what teachers the girls get, go to parent orientation next week on Tuesday then start school Thursday of next week!! This has been a quick summer it seems, but I'm ready for the girls to be in school.
Till next time!!
We got there at noon so Kylie and I could do her check with the speech pathologist. Kylie walked in and the pathologist was telling Kylie what we would and she would check her hearing and if needed send us to the doctor to have her ears looked at. First thing out of Kylie's mouth "I already got my stitches out, i don't need to go back to the doctor." I laughed at her for saying that. (for those who don't know she fell and hit her head back in April and had to have 7 stitches put in her forehead just above her left eyebrow.)
She went through the process handing things that she was supposed to hand over, repeat things she needed to repeat and doing the hearing test (which we eventually convinced her that the headphones although they looked weird, are like Mommy's in her i-pod.) She passed of course, and I never doubted she would not pass. Kylie can explain some things and talk better than some adults I've met. She can also talk your ear off if she wants to!
After we were done we drove on around to the activity building for the school system and went in and started the enrollment process with getting our "family packet" and getting the forms filled out. We then started in the line to make it down for verification we live in the school district and to find out what bus we would be on if we use the bus. (that is still a deciding factor due to not knowing if Kylie can ride yet or not) We turned in our paper work, went ahead and got the girls their school field trip shirts, turned in current shot records and then went through the cashier line to pay for the school supply fees, t-shirts and lunch money.
all in all I can say that it was much better than getting Kenzie enrolled last year in the school. The process was a lot simpler it seemed today and that was with a gym full of parents and students, ranging from pre-k through 12 grade. Mackenzie got to see a lot of her friends from last year, and some of her favorite teachers. Now all we will do is wait and see what teachers the girls get, go to parent orientation next week on Tuesday then start school Thursday of next week!! This has been a quick summer it seems, but I'm ready for the girls to be in school.
Till next time!!
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