Girl Talk

Tonight after reading to Izzy we just sat and had some good old fashion girl talk. It started by her telling me that a friend of a neighbor was mean to her on the bus. I asked what he said and she didn't want to tell me. I could tell she was uncomfortable so I asked her if he told her something mean? I explained that is what boys do when they like a girl :) It ended up that she was scratching just above her lip and he said she was picking her nose. My immature advice to her was to say, "This isn't picking my nose...THIS is picking my nose (while putting her finger far up her nose!).

We also talked about various kids in her class and who is "good" and "bad" and why we think some of the "bad" kids behave the way they do. I know a couple of the "bad" kids have less than ideal situations at home and told Izzy I thought some of that might contribute to their behavior. We then talked about ways to be a better friend. It was such a fascinating conversation to have with my 7 year old.

Not all of the conversation was serious though. We discussed a friend from last year who has "dated" two of the boys in her current class. Izzy even used the words "broke up" and "ex-boyfriend" in the same sentence! My daughter, who I thought was somewhat naive, has been crushing on a boy named Ty (Uncle Wes got to meet him when he came to lunch at Izzy's school on his last visit) and tonight she told me that he really likes her too! I asked her how she knew and she said, "Because today he told me that I smelled like an old sock!" Yup...that means he likes you alright cause in first grade you just don't openly tell someone such nonsense - heck a friend might find out!

I think I am going to start putting Izzy to bed even earlier than her 7:00 bedtime just so we can spend a few minutes each night catching up on the day's gossip!

Izzy's Last Day of Kindergarten

I had every intention (and had even begun writing) an "ode to Kindergarten" for Izzy. It was going to be complete with first/last day photos to note the difference in both height and facial features. I wrote super sappy stuff about her start of K in Greensboro, and the end of K in Charleston. I wrote about how much more I loved her Greensboro experience...as well as all the differences between the two schools. I even started to interview her as to what she liked most/least about her K year in general.



When I asked her what she would miss most her answer was "EVERYTHING!"



At this point in the interview I decided to delete what I had pre-typed for this post and just stop. I needed to stop comparing schools and teachers and really just focus on the now. I have a very happy 6 year old who is loving school. When she started school my wish for her was that she would love to learn, and she does. In fact, she loves it so much that she cried when I picked her up on that last day.

A couple days before school ended the class had a pizza party and awards were given.





the assistant teacher


the "teacher" teacher




me and my boy :)




I realize that Izzy will know no different than the experience she is given. While I may want her to be in a smaller school that is not the reality here. The schools are awesome academically and for that I need to be thankful. The schools are top rated in the state, and while it is not the school experience that I had, it is the school experience Izzy will have. ...and she is LOVING it!


(we celebrated with ice cream at Menchies after the last day of school)

Class "Pet"

Fuzzy came home from school with Izzy last night.

He had a very busy afternoon/evening while staying with us. Immediately after picking Izzy up from school we went to meet some friends at their pool. We put Fuzzy in his sunglasses and propped him up to play the role of lifeguard.

After a quick trip home to shower, we headed to school for the art festival. Here is Izzy standing in front of her artwork (above her head).



This is Izzy posing with her eel outside her classroom.



From the art show we decided to get some ice-cream at Jack's.



Then it was home and to bed.

At school this morning Izzy had to read what she wrote about her outings with Fuzzy. Apparently she was the first kid to bring pictures to accompany her synopsis and for this she got to do the school news show at the end of the day! She did this once before when she took in the "chapter book" she wrote - this is a huge deal for the students selected each day because it is shown in all the classrooms.

I just wish there was some way for me to have been notified about it. I would love to see how Izzy acts while being interviewed by the principal. Does she answer the questions when asked? or does she do her shy smile and just stare at the person? Hmmmm, guess I'll never know.

Him and Her

Today was a good day.

I am going to focus on the good, and not mention the "bad" (at least not tonight) that brought about this good. The "bad" is going to get an entire entry devoted to it soon enough.

Two kids. Two great days today.

Drew had his FIRST playdate since we moved. After school today we met up with two boys from his class at a local playground for them to play for a couple hours. I showed up armed with silly string, new giant bouncy ball, and snacks galore! We were there to play and form some friendships (even if that meant I had to buy/bribe those kids)!

I won't say that the 2 hour gathering wasn't without tears - Drew did get kicked by one little boy, and then that same little boy announced "I DON'T LIKE DREW!" when his mom asked him what was wrong with him? BUT Drew had fun and is already talking about the next time we are going to play together.

Moving onto Miss Izzy...

That girl is on a role! She is in a really good place right now, and making her parents extra proud! She is stepping out of her comfort zone and blossoming into quite an amazing little person.

She was given a scrapbook for her birthday, and decided to write a story with it.



Last night she finished up the 2nd chapter of her book (how cute is it that she wrote a chapter book) and then announced she wanted to take it to school to read to her class. Oh my ... I certainly didn't want to crush her spirit but I was so nervous because she truly wrote the entire book on her own. I think she only asked me to help her with the spelling of words on the cover? And to see how she spells words at age 6 is both amazing/comical at the same time. I knew the teacher would be very encouraging, but I was worried about the other students. Kids can be cruel and about 80% of the words in her book weren't spelled with vowels :)

Here's a sneak peak...

This page says: Bugs are nature


This says: Chapter 2 Where we live


We live on a planet called Earth


The beach is in Charleston (I like to see how she spelled Charleston - the page before this one said "we live in Charleston").


...getting to the good part...

When I picked Izzy up from school today the teacher informed me that Izzy was on the "news show" at the end of the school day. I immediately asked why and the teacher told me Izzy would explain. Once in the car I asked for all the details. Apparently Izzy was selected to be on the school news at the end of the day. This is a big honor because although the news show runs everyday, it is only a few minutes and there are 1200+ students to select from.

Izzy told me that she went to "you know that little room in the back of the library with all the plastic stuff" (no, but sure?) and sat on a couch. She then had a microphone attached to her shirt and then the principle came in to interview her. How cool is that? I asked her if she answered him (she can get QUITE shy and hard to hear/understand and that is if she actually speaks) and she assured me that she did. Go Izzy! She is certainly coming into her own and I am loving the little lady that she is becoming!

This page made me smile the most - it was the last page in her book and do you know what it says?



We love where we live.

I'd say she is adjusting just fine.

Now Drew, he's another story for another day.

Kindness Owl Award

I mentioned earlier that the only thing I was really "concerned" with on Izzy's kindergarten report card was how she is doing socially. I want her to have respect for others, good manners, follow directions, listen, be kind to others, and show empathy. I could not have been more proud (Pete too...so much so that he put it on facebook) when the day after report cards came home Izzy told me she had gotten a "kindness owl award". I asked what it was for, and if she knew why she received it? She did.

Izzy has a boy in her class named Timothy. I believe Timothy struggles a bit academically because Izzy has mentioned a couple times that "Mr. Jim" will come into class to help him with his schoolwork. Unfortunately Timothy's dad recently passed away. From the stories Izzy tells, Timothy is having a tough time in school. He often gets his "turtle" moved (form of reward/punishment type system) and recently even wet his pants. Last Wednesday the children were given the option to pick what center they would be participating in that day. Izzy picked a center with her best friend Brianna, and Timothy picked "small blocks". When no one else picked to be in centers with him, he became upset and started to cry (something Izzy told me he is doing alot of lately). Well sweet Izzy raised her hand and asked her teacher if it would be okay for her to switch centers and work with Timothy. sniff, sniff, tear, tear for proud moment pause :)

How great is that? When Izzy told me this story I smiled so big and told her how proud I was of her! I told her these are the things that make her daddy and I so happy, and I thought I could feel my heart getting bigger cause I loved her so darn much at that moment! ...she knew I was proud cause everytime she looked at me the rest of the day I would just smile real big at her.

Those are the actions/moments that remind me through all the bad stuff, and as rotten as I think I am as a mom somedays, I (and Pete) must be doing something right! ...cause it can't all be just her, can it?

Izzy's Report Card

Izzy brought home her first report card from her "new school". I am embarrassed to admit that I didn't really read it, at first. I checked the "key" and saw that the highest score one could receive was a "c" for "consistently demonstrated" (her work meets grade level expectations) When I saw that everything was marked "c" I did a quick search for the section on social development and moved on. I've said it before, that in kindergarten my biggest concern is not the academics, but the socialization. I saw that she respects authority and the property of others, follows class rules/procedures, demonstrates self-discipline and responsibility, and most importantly cooperates with others. Perfect. I was happy.

It was as I was reading the note from her teacher that Izzy approached me and wanted me to tell her what her report card said. I told her about the socialization and how proud that makes me (her daddy too) and then began to look at the other stuff she was scored on. Reading, Communication, Writing, ...and then I see Algebra and Geometry! Now I am sure this is code for shapes and counting apples, but really? How ridiculous does that sound?

So her teacher wrote: Wow! I am so impressed with the transition Izzy has made into the classroom! She is a SUPER STAR! The happiness she shows us everyday is contagious. Izzy is growing as a reader & writer every week. She loves to share her creative ideas and the illustrations that accompany. She has no problem standing before her class & talking! Izzy has easily mastered all math objectives for the 9 weeks, as well! She is a careful worker. Let's keep an eye on letter & number reversals. Great job Izzy!!

The next part of her report card was a "Writing Assessment". Izzy had to draw 3 pictures and write 3 corresponding sentences on the steps to making a good sandwich. She drew her pictures and wrote:

1. I Tak Ot the Bred. (I take out the bread)
2. I Pot on the Trke. (I put on the turkey)
3. I Pot it on the Plat. (I put it on the plate)

Pete and I couldn't be happier with the progress she has made and although we still have some days with tears they are farther and fewer between!

Random Stuff

The post just below this one made reference to Izzy and her first crush. I mentioned how after Drew's game she snaked over towards the field he was playing on. I forgot that I snapped this picture. I wonder what a body language expert would gather from this?



Look what Drew made at school...why did I never make these at home?


See how happy he looks wearing them?

And look who wore these same ears two years ago when she had the same teachers! Holy cuteness! How cute is Izzy in all her baby chub (she was still 3.5 when this was taken vs. Drew just turning 4)...and look at her pleated skirt and knee socks!


Today Drew and I went to school to have lunch with Izzy. I have been a couple of times before, but had never taken Drew. I wasn't sure if he was "allowed" or if he would behave? Turns out he is most welcome and is very good when told the rules of the lunchroom. I see many more lunch dates in our future.



And just for the record, Drew and Izzy still sleep together...but only on the weekends. Now that Izzy has started school, I wake her at 6:15. A good day doesn't have Drew up before 7:15. So, on the nights during the week when Pete is gone, both kids "camp out" on their air mattresses in my room. I have one mattress on each side of my bed. Then on the weekends they get to sleep together in the guest room. Until Pete started travelling I was not a fan of kids in our bedroom. Well, Izzy soon became my bed buddy...and once Drew smarted up to our plan, he wanted in too. Since all three of us don't sleep well in the bed (the kids move around a lot!), I put them on the floor. I actually really like having all of us in the same room. Weird, huh?

Here they are a couple weekends ago


And while they may share the bed, they both insist on separate blankets. They don't even sleep under the comforter on the bed, nor use their own comforters. Somehow each one has adopted a random blanket from the house and insists on using it every night they sleep together. Yup...love those two wackos!

Purple Day

*Please note that all the following pictures were taken with my new camera on the auto setting. What the heck? They SUCK! Any advice/input/suggestions would be greatly appreciated. ...and don't tell me to read the manual cause I will eventually get around to doing that. I am looking for a quick fix if there is one?

So, as you have probably figured out by the title, it was purple day. ...wearing her most fancy purple top - a gift from one of her most favorite people!


Today was day 2 of Izzy riding the bus home, but my first opportunity to take some pictures. We walked to the bus stop (me, Drew and Chloe) and found a mini party! The house the kids get dropped at is a house of 4 boys. Drew was in heaven with a garage full of scooters, green machines, and boy toys. They also have a 9 week old yellow lab puppy that Chloe got to play with. But the biggest treat was when Kristin (her daughter Laci is in Izzy class) rolled up in this!


Kristin ended up taking all the kids for rides and I am pretty sure if we weren't moving this might be our next purchase. So fun!

Here comes the bus...






Mom Brag coming up...
I tend to get the most dirt on Izzy's day as I tuck her into bed. Last night she was telling me about her day and mentioned that the neighbor of a girl in her class got the "Listener of the Day Award". Since this was the first I had heard of this award I asked her to tell me about it. From what I gather at the end of the day the teacher is able to give you a ticket if you have had a great day - basically following all rules all day. These tickets then get placed in a box and the principle randomly draws a ticket the following day and announces the "Listener of the Day" over the loudspeaker. So yesterday was the first day from what Izzy can remember. She then told me that she was one of three kids in her class that got a ticket! I told her how very proud I was and that she will get to eat off the special plate. She didn't quite get why I thought this was such a big deal, but I assured her that anytime a teacher recognizes good behavior is a HUGE deal and one that we want to know about and celebrate! I am reminded daily of what an awesome kid Izzy is and couldn't be more proud!

Oh, and for grandparents, aunts, uncles, or anyone...there is a mailbox outside of Izzy's classroom. Each day that mailman delivers mail and Izzy's teacher reads it to the students. The kids LOVE to get mail. I plan to write a letter to Izzy once a week, but if anyone else wants to send Izzy a letter just email it to me and I will pass it along to the teacher. She would LOVE to hear from everyone!

Izzy Reads to Her Class...then gets sick

Izzy's day started out with incredible excitement - for today she was going to read to her class! I still couldn't believe that the baby/toddler who wanted nothing to do with anyone other than her mommy was willing to sit in front of her entire class and read a book. When the teacher suggested she read to the class (after Izzy proudly told her she could read) she couldn't have been more excited.

She selected "Dick and Jane: Work" to read. ...and read it she did! I guess even Drew's teacher listened to her read it. She happened to be walking down the hall and popped in when she heard what "sounded like Izzy reading to the class". How fun.

I was able to talk to Izzy's teacher at the end of the day because I had to go into her class to drop something off. When I went in to pick up the kids, Izzy told me her belly hurt. The teacher said that the kids just had snack and then were out running all over the playground so maybe that was it. I thought different, but wanted to hear about how her reading went.

I guess Izzy did a FANTASTIC job reading. I love her teachers because they are so caring and so very encouraging! They made a huge deal out of her reading and I guess she was just beaming the entire time she read. She would read the pages and then hold up the picture for the class to see. The other children sat in awe and gave her "claps and snaps" when she was done. I had tears in my eyes as the teacher said lots of great things about what a neat kid she is. ...I couldn't help but feel extra special when she also said it is a reflection of great parenting. Claps and snaps to us!

So...not more than 2 min. after getting home Izzy tossed her cookies. Thankfully she hit all hardwood floor. Immediately after she threw up she begged for food. I gave her a few crackers and then an hour later when I could take no more of the begging I let her have a jelly sandwich ...and then another half. This entire time she was running all over with Drew and acting as if she was fine - so much so that I thought maybe she did simply run too hard on the playground and chug too much water after eating snack?

I called a couple moms of other kids in her class who have had this flu (Izzy is 10/16) and they both said she would act fine then go downhill. Sure enough, two hours later she puked again and then crashed on the couch.

I gotta give the girl credit because she is a fabulous sick kid. She hits the bucket, tries to keep her hair back, and just rolls with it. She doesn't get this trait from me because I hate to throw up.

The hardest part of my day was explaining to Drew that he could not sleep with Izzy tonight. He is in the guest bed and Izzy is in my bed. ...which is where I am headed now.

Muffins for Moms

Today was Muffins for Moms at Izzy's school. Pete was able to stay home with Drew which was nice. Drew gets so much attention, cause he's cute and all, when I take him into the school with me, that it was nice to be "just us girls" for a change.

Us girls even wore matching dresses for this extra special day ;)



When I came downstairs wearing my dress, Izzy noticed her dress in my hand and shuttered. She told me, "I'm not cold Momma. I am just super excited!" The girl woke up telling me she was super excited cause it was "Muffins for Moms" day at school. She even came out of her room one minute earlier then I typically allow. She didn't even wake up this early for Christmas.



Izzy and I typcially don't wear matching ensembles. I have no problem matching the kids, but I find it kind of silly for me to match a 4 year old. However, when Izzy spotted these dresses next to one another in Old Navy, I knew by the look in her eyes these were a must have ;)

Much like Doughnuts for Dads, there was a question and answer session the kids had done prior to today. Each child also colored a picture of their mom and then based on the picture and answers we were to guess which mom it was.

Here are Izzy's answers:
1. My mom's name is: Momma (she clearly knows my name so I don't know why she said this?)

2. My mom has "blue" eyes and "blonde" hair.

3. My mom is "10" years old. (again, she knows my actual age).

4. My mom likes to: go to the gym (she really only sees me go like once every two weeks since I typically go at 5:30 am)

5. My mom is prettiest when: she wears her hair in a ponytail (guess that is how she mostly sees me)

6. My mom is funniest when: she wakes me in the morning (maybe I just look funny)

7. I like it best when she cooks: eggs

8. I don't like it when she cooks: nothing

9. My mom likes me to help her: with baking

10: My mom is very smart and she knows all about: everything :)

The program concluded with the kids singing us a song. I will see if I can get Izzy to sing it for me so I can share it with you.

Happy Mother's Day to all my mommy friends! I hope you have a wonderful wonderful weekend.

At School With Izzy

Do you ever wonder what you would do if you were invisible? One thing I would LOVE to do is watch Izzy in action at school. Since I am not invisible, nor are there any one way mirrors to view her classroom through, I did the next best thing and volunteered to help with her Halloween party.

Pete was super sweet and offered to take a half day off and keep Drew so that I could focus on Izzy's class. Izzy was super excited I was going to help out in her class and talked about it all week leading up until Friday.

The plan was for me to take Izzy and all our party supplies to school and then for Pete and Drew to meet us there for her Halloween parade. Here is Drew waiting for the parade to begin.
I was afraid he would meltdown when he realized he wasn't in costume and all the other kids were. However, I think he was so mesmorized by all the costumes that he forgot he wasn't dressed up.



Since I was one of the helper moms for the party, Izzy got to be one of two leaders for her class. The other co-leader was Sarah...her very best school friend. Here she is leading her class in the parade.



I love Izzy's expression in this picture. She reminds me of a teenager who is tired of her mom telling her to smile for the camera. I wish I didn't have to erase the faces of the other girls, but I haven't talked to the parents about putting them on the blog, because the other girls are smiling. Only Izzy is rolling her eyes at me...


After the parade, Pete took Drew home and I went up to Izzy's class. First up was circle time. Izzy and Sarah got to sit in the leader chair. Usually only one child is leader each day, this is based on who brings snack, but I think the girls really got a kick out of being co-class leaders.



Circle time starts with the morning prayer. Then each girl got to go look out the window and report back on the weather. After the appropriate weather pieces were displayed on the board, the girls dressed the frog based on their weather report.



Next they moved onto the calendar. They said the month and date and then got to do "31" (the date was Oct. 31) somethings. Izzy choose for the class to clap 31 times. I think her teachers were happy she didn't choose jumping!



After circle time it was time or me to lead the crafts that I brought. I didn't take any pictures because I was very busy! Izzy came over to talk to me for a minute, but then went about playing with her friends. As much as I loved helping do crafts, I loved observing her out of the corner of my eye. I had anticipated her acting differently and sticking by my side, but I was wrong. I think she carried on as if it was any other day. She giggled, ran around, made up stories, giggled some more, smiled big, and had fun playing at school. I LOVED watching her.

I brought two crafts for each child to do and worked with the kids two at a time. I ordered the crafts from Oriental Trading Co. and bought what I thought would be child friendly. Was I wrong! I had to do quite a bit of prep work to get them ready for the kids to do them at school. Note to self...don't start drinking prior to using a glue gun and trying to thread elastic through narrow wooden beads. I had the kids make a pumpkin paddle ball game and a flashing pumpkin necklace they could wear trick or treating.

Before I knew it my crafts were done and it was time for me to leave. I could have stayed for the last hour, but like most moms would, I decided to run a couple errands sans kids :)