Pumpkin Party!

Today was a busy day in our household. Middle Dude had a 'pirate party' because 'parties' are not allowed in schools, so they were kicking off their study of maps. I was unable to attend as I was in the kindergarten helping out with the pumpkin party.

The kindergarteners have been learning about pumpkins (the life cycle for example). Last week, we went to the local 'Roots Garden" to see how pumpkins grow (no field trip money to go to a big pumpkin patch anymore) and see seeds in action. Each group got to pick a pumpkin and this week, they measured them, weighed them and counted all of the seeds!

Today was all about fun. They decorated cookies (they had to 'buy' their decorations ie. m and ms or skittles with ten cents that they were allotted). The frosting and sprinkles were free (bargain basement, you know). The station I was in charge of they were making Pumpkin Potpourri: one scoop popcorn, two pumpkin candies, three candy corns, four raisins, five cheese crackers and six Cheetos (can you tell that I did this many, many times?). I had to dust off my 'teacher skills' and manage with another mom six kindergarteners. The final station was making pumpkin eyeglasses with the teacher. They also went over to the other kindergartener room and made pumpkin lanterns and listened to a story.

This picture was taken at the end of the party with little dude eating his Pumpkin Potpourri and cookie. It was a very fun (but a little exhausting) morning! I am definitely not in the teaching groove and need a little more practice....I did run into Oldest and his BFF...his BFF kept saying, 'it's Miss Katie, it's Miss Katie"...Oldest was just looking at me. Then, I asked, "are you two where you should be?" They then scurried upstairs....

Great job, Writing!

Today my youngest came home with his usual "I Can Read" folder and his planner. I was putting back his things when I saw a red letter home and a coupon for a McDonald's ice cream cone. Puzzled, I looked further...He got to sign the school's "Success Book" for "great job writing". I was totally excited. He is on an IEP for writing/fine motor skills, so this is huge! He said to me today (before I found this note from the principal) that he doesn't enjoy writing because it's hard. It is hard for him. I am so happy for him.

My boys, the heartbreakers

I keep forgetting to blog.....the first day of school, my Youngest son comes home from school and he said to me, "Mom, I have a girlfriend". I asked him what her name was and he said, "I don't know". He has since learned her name. Her name is Susannah. Of course, he also has another girlfriend named Summer (Summer was the original not known named girlfriend). We saw Susannah who is really cute at the Baller Blast on Friday night and he went over and said 'hi' to her (they were in the same line for a train). He said she was wearing a 'pretty dress" at the carnival.

My middle son has girls who also like him. Last year, he had a girl call him to ask him who his teacher was. The girls in his class, typically, get along really well with him.

My oldest son also has girls after him. For his birthday last year, he invited a couple of his special needs friends (boys) and then he invited two typical girls (no typical boys, just two typical girls--Samantha and Ariel). At the school carnival, after dinner, he saw one of the girls and actually went over to her and said 'hi' to her. He did say 'hi' to a typical boy, Ben, in line, but he actually had to cross over the room and say 'hi' to Samantha.

All I can say is "oy".

New Jersey

My Oldest is learning about states and state capitals. This week, he is focusing on the North Eastern region. He seems to be 'clicking' with some sort of 'understanding' of the states and capitals. For today's worksheet, he kept answering "New Jersey". I haven't figured out why. I think he just can read it easily and has it memorized, but it's funny. I figure he'll be heading to the Jersey Shore to hang out with The Situation and Snooki. I figure he'll start telling me "GTL" (gym, tanning, laundry) pretty soon. Yes, I had to actually google that because I don't watch the show.

Coat Found and Other Thoughts

Well, I found the coat....it was at school all along. This is not uncommon of my Youngest. He seems to forget things. We call him our little Dory (from "Finding Nemo").

This morning, he was so funny...he asked me (as usual) what I dreamed about. I replied (as usual), "you and your brothers". Today, he said to me, "You should dream about pigs and stuff". Where the pigs and stuff is coming from, I am still not sure. I didn't know he liked pigs. I thought of him more of an "Ice Age" kind of guy.

Last night, Middle Dude had the "Scouter's Olympics" at the pack meeting. He got to shoot a marshmallow with a crossbow-marshmallow gun, shoot hoops, do the long jump, did sit ups/push ups and the bean bag toss. I don't have any pictures because he didn't really want any taken.

Lost Coat

We are now three days into the school year and so far, knock on wood, it's going well. Yesterday was Youngest's first 'full day" (which is really an early release day) of school (the district is doing this alternate Wednesday-which is really an early release day thing) to help save money. He came home really tired. I don't blame him. Getting used to school starting is hard for me (and I am a grown up). I have been falling asleep at 9 p.m.. I cancelled their swim lessons yesterday because, frankly, they are too tired.

Today, my Youngest got off of the bus without his coat. I have been trying to track it down since. He seems to not be able to remember where he left it. Could it be outside? Could it be inside? On the bus? Who knows. I am trying to find it.

More Pictures from the First Day of School 2010

Because you can never have enough First Day of School pictures....the First one is the boys outside of our house, the second is Youngest waving (although, I don't think you can tell) while sitting next to Middle Dude and the third picture is waiting at the bus stop (Youngest is on the far right, then moving left, is Middle Dude and then Oldest is on the left....the two young ones are waiting for their bus and the Oldest and I have to go back to the house to catch his little bus).