It's Yo Yo Week at Kelton's school. No, seriously. It is. Last week the school held a character building assembly and the guy told all sorts of engaging stories using yo yos. It was fantastic! The assembly itself was free providing that the school agrees to sell yo yos for 5 days following the assembly.
Easy enough! So, for the past few days I have been getting the kids up and out early to be at the school to set up and sell yo yos. I had no idea how many yo yos a person could sell in a day....or three. We have been on warp speed for the hour we are selling and it's crazy! There are usually three adults selling and three 5th graders doing string adjustments and putting names on yo yos. It is just nutty how busy we are.
I'm pretty sure we are all burning as many calories as if we were taking some metabolism increasing product like atro-phex. I kid you not! The first day we sold about $500 worth of yo yos and yesterday and today we hit $700 for each day. We are almost sold out of the 230 yo yos they sent and will have a new shipment waiting for us in the morning.
It is unreal. But - just like with book fair week, it's been fun to have so much activity to kick start my day. I'm not all that sad that the school year is coming to an end (not until June 18th though). I'm feeling the need for a PTO break.
We still have a final PTO meeting and field day to navigate and then we should have some down time. You know - until the backyard planning sessions begin for the 2009-2010 school year. :)
Showing posts with label law school. Show all posts
Showing posts with label law school. Show all posts
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Visitors and The Party
Sunday early afternoon my sister, brother-in-law, niece, great niece and great nephew arrived in town to attend the graduation party. We were all excited to see them and couldn't wait. Infact, we were so excited that when they called and said they were ready to come over we all waited in the front yard.
We had a couple of hours before the party so the grown ups hung out in the backyard and the kids played in the yard and in their rooms. It was great!
Before we knew it was time to head off to the party. Let me just say it was SO. MUCH. FUN! I think this was the first time in years that I just relaxed and had fun...and yes all you non-believing friends of mine, had a few drinks. :)
Let's just say that by the end of the party both Dakota and I were in need of a designated driver. Or perhaps you could have gotten a double baby jogger stroller and dumped us both in it. (Just kidding!) My niece drove the kids and I home and Dakota's sister and brother-in-law brought her home a while later. She stayed to have "grown up time" with her sisters and mom and I came back with the kids and my family to just hang out...and sober up.
We ended up having a BBQ and was just finishing up when Dakota arrived home. It had been a great day.
Monday arrived and it was time to say good-bye to my family. We went over to their hotel and spend an hour chatting while the kids played and then the time was really there. We sent them on their way - very sad that the weekend festivities had come to an end.
It's the type of weekend that both Dakota and I could use many more of. Time to cut loose and not be ultra-responsible. We're have four long years of being ultra-responsible and weighed down by the stresses and a couple days of freedom from that were amazingly well deserved - and appreciated.
What a huge moment in time.
We had a couple of hours before the party so the grown ups hung out in the backyard and the kids played in the yard and in their rooms. It was great!
Before we knew it was time to head off to the party. Let me just say it was SO. MUCH. FUN! I think this was the first time in years that I just relaxed and had fun...and yes all you non-believing friends of mine, had a few drinks. :)
Let's just say that by the end of the party both Dakota and I were in need of a designated driver. Or perhaps you could have gotten a double baby jogger stroller and dumped us both in it. (Just kidding!) My niece drove the kids and I home and Dakota's sister and brother-in-law brought her home a while later. She stayed to have "grown up time" with her sisters and mom and I came back with the kids and my family to just hang out...and sober up.
We ended up having a BBQ and was just finishing up when Dakota arrived home. It had been a great day.
Monday arrived and it was time to say good-bye to my family. We went over to their hotel and spend an hour chatting while the kids played and then the time was really there. We sent them on their way - very sad that the weekend festivities had come to an end.
It's the type of weekend that both Dakota and I could use many more of. Time to cut loose and not be ultra-responsible. We're have four long years of being ultra-responsible and weighed down by the stresses and a couple days of freedom from that were amazingly well deserved - and appreciated.
What a huge moment in time.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
A Weekend to Remember
What a fantastic weekend!! As you have all seen in the previous post, this weekend has been one of milestones and memories. Dakota, after 4 long and difficult years, received her Juris Doctorate degree from Lewis and Clark School of Law. Impressive by any standard but even more so if you take into account that she did it with two young children (and me) to balance as well as a full time job. In the 4 years, as we all do, our family faced tremendous difficulties, a few that threatened to topple us. We both lost a parent and were faced with levels of grief we'd never experienced. We lost three of our furry companions. Our children grew from three years to seven years and from six months to four years.
So much took place in those four years. So very much. We have come through it changed. For the better, but definitely changed.
And Saturday morning we really began the celebration! We were dressed up and on the road by 8:30. Dakota needed to be on campus for a 9:30 class photo. Since we would have had to follow within an hour, I packed "survival" bags for the kids and I and we all went together. We arrived and got a great parking spot. Dakota put on her regalia and we snapped a few photos of her and the kids. Then we walked her to the fence and said our goodbyes and good lucks. On the way back to the car the kids and I looked into the stadium and was amazed to see that there were lots of people already in the stands. Uh oh. This wasn't part of my carefully constructed plan! I had planned to hook them up with a DVD for about 90 minutes, get their tummies full and then change them into their good clothes. I figured sitting for 45 minutes in the stands before the 2 hour ceremony would be long enough. But....with places in the covered area fewer than the non-covered area, I know we had to shift gears.
The kids agreed that we should get ready and go find seats (we also needed to reserve seats for Dakota's mom and step-dad). I changed Kaylen into her fancy sundress first and then helped Kelton finish getting his good clothes on. I grabbed the picnic blankets I had in the car (Kelton was the only one smart enough to have grabbed a jacket on his way out of the house. Even though the sun was shinning, and it would get warm later, it was COLD!) and the two bags of snacks and activities and we walked over to the stadium.
We found seats and then we set about settling in for the almost two hour wait before the two hour ceremony. Yes, my friends, you read that right. I was expecting my children to sit still, and behave, on bleacher seats for FOUR hours.
And did you catch the part about the two blankets? And the cold? Let me just add that I had a sundress on as well. And the kids were not into sharing their blankets. Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!! I was certainly wishing that I had something that would keep me warm - heck, even vinyl corsets would have been welcome at that point. Vinyl traps body heat which would have been oh so nice.
The kids were so, so good. Kelton stayed busy with his DS and Kaylen and I just watched things/people and chatted. And we placed bets with each other on when Grandma and Grandpa would arrive.
The seats started to really fill up by 10 and finally at 10:30 I spotted Dakota's mom across the field. We made contact by phone and they headed over to where we were. The kids were so happy to see them - and I was happy for more adults to help entertain. :)
11:00 brought the sounds of music and way off in the distance, the sights of graduates walking could be seen. I don't have many photos of that because well....I couldn't see through the tears in my eyes. :)
The ceremony was really long. Kaylen, at many intervals (when she wasn't requesting snacks....I think she ate the entire time) would say "I'm sooooooooo booooooored!" Finally, at one point, I looked at her and said "Me, too!" Let's just say that the speakers were less than captivating. We were all beyond ready when at long last we were at the actual "graduating" part. The five of us all eagerly waited until Dakota's row stood and walked to the line and then, with tears in my eyes and the kids standing on the bleachers yelling we watched as Dakota's name was called and she climbed the stairs to receive her diploma. What a moment in time!
Kelton scrambled into my lap and said "We did it, Mom! We really did it!" It's a phrase I know he has heard us saying to each other the past couple weeks but it he couldn't have made a more true statement if he tried.
We did it.
We made it.
We graduated.
Our last name starts with a "D" so we had a ways to go before the actually walking was completed and the kids were bouncing off the walls. They knew that after the ceremony came THEIR ceremony. The children of the graduates attended a special ceremony, complete with diploma and gift, to thank them for their years of sacrifice. For all the times they had to hear "I can't today. I have class (or I have to study).". For all the nights they didn't have their law student parent there to help them brush their teeth or tuck them into bed. For all the hundreds of missed moments.
But it had to wait a while longer. After they finished handing out diplomas there was *more* people on the program. I wanted to poke my eyes out. It was already 1:30 (it should have ended at 1 and remember: my kids had been sitting there since 9:15). Finally it was time for the Dean to give his "charge" to the class. He walked to the podium and said " I crafted and re-crafted my talk but what I think is best is if I just skip it and let you get back to your families who are eager to see you. I imagine I will get the biggest applause for that." And he did.
We found Dakota and we all walked across campus to the Children's Ceremony. Oh the excitement! I don't have any photos since the entire family is called up, but it was really nice. Dakota took the podium and thanked the kids, me and her mom and step dad for all our support. Then the kids received their diplomas and gifts and then a family photo was taken of us (it will be sent later).
We watched the other families have their turn and then...just like that....it was over. Graduation, for everyone, was complete.
We took a few photos outside and then said our goodbyes to Dakota's mom and step-dad and we headed back down to the law school to return the cap, gown and hood. On our way back to the car we made a note: we'd been there for 7 hours. What a day!
Dakota did it!
We all did it!
Wow.
So much took place in those four years. So very much. We have come through it changed. For the better, but definitely changed.
And Saturday morning we really began the celebration! We were dressed up and on the road by 8:30. Dakota needed to be on campus for a 9:30 class photo. Since we would have had to follow within an hour, I packed "survival" bags for the kids and I and we all went together. We arrived and got a great parking spot. Dakota put on her regalia and we snapped a few photos of her and the kids. Then we walked her to the fence and said our goodbyes and good lucks. On the way back to the car the kids and I looked into the stadium and was amazed to see that there were lots of people already in the stands. Uh oh. This wasn't part of my carefully constructed plan! I had planned to hook them up with a DVD for about 90 minutes, get their tummies full and then change them into their good clothes. I figured sitting for 45 minutes in the stands before the 2 hour ceremony would be long enough. But....with places in the covered area fewer than the non-covered area, I know we had to shift gears.
The kids agreed that we should get ready and go find seats (we also needed to reserve seats for Dakota's mom and step-dad). I changed Kaylen into her fancy sundress first and then helped Kelton finish getting his good clothes on. I grabbed the picnic blankets I had in the car (Kelton was the only one smart enough to have grabbed a jacket on his way out of the house. Even though the sun was shinning, and it would get warm later, it was COLD!) and the two bags of snacks and activities and we walked over to the stadium.
We found seats and then we set about settling in for the almost two hour wait before the two hour ceremony. Yes, my friends, you read that right. I was expecting my children to sit still, and behave, on bleacher seats for FOUR hours.
And did you catch the part about the two blankets? And the cold? Let me just add that I had a sundress on as well. And the kids were not into sharing their blankets. Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!! I was certainly wishing that I had something that would keep me warm - heck, even vinyl corsets would have been welcome at that point. Vinyl traps body heat which would have been oh so nice.
The kids were so, so good. Kelton stayed busy with his DS and Kaylen and I just watched things/people and chatted. And we placed bets with each other on when Grandma and Grandpa would arrive.
The seats started to really fill up by 10 and finally at 10:30 I spotted Dakota's mom across the field. We made contact by phone and they headed over to where we were. The kids were so happy to see them - and I was happy for more adults to help entertain. :)
11:00 brought the sounds of music and way off in the distance, the sights of graduates walking could be seen. I don't have many photos of that because well....I couldn't see through the tears in my eyes. :)
The ceremony was really long. Kaylen, at many intervals (when she wasn't requesting snacks....I think she ate the entire time) would say "I'm sooooooooo booooooored!" Finally, at one point, I looked at her and said "Me, too!" Let's just say that the speakers were less than captivating. We were all beyond ready when at long last we were at the actual "graduating" part. The five of us all eagerly waited until Dakota's row stood and walked to the line and then, with tears in my eyes and the kids standing on the bleachers yelling we watched as Dakota's name was called and she climbed the stairs to receive her diploma. What a moment in time!
Kelton scrambled into my lap and said "We did it, Mom! We really did it!" It's a phrase I know he has heard us saying to each other the past couple weeks but it he couldn't have made a more true statement if he tried.
We did it.
We made it.
We graduated.
Our last name starts with a "D" so we had a ways to go before the actually walking was completed and the kids were bouncing off the walls. They knew that after the ceremony came THEIR ceremony. The children of the graduates attended a special ceremony, complete with diploma and gift, to thank them for their years of sacrifice. For all the times they had to hear "I can't today. I have class (or I have to study).". For all the nights they didn't have their law student parent there to help them brush their teeth or tuck them into bed. For all the hundreds of missed moments.
But it had to wait a while longer. After they finished handing out diplomas there was *more* people on the program. I wanted to poke my eyes out. It was already 1:30 (it should have ended at 1 and remember: my kids had been sitting there since 9:15). Finally it was time for the Dean to give his "charge" to the class. He walked to the podium and said " I crafted and re-crafted my talk but what I think is best is if I just skip it and let you get back to your families who are eager to see you. I imagine I will get the biggest applause for that." And he did.
We found Dakota and we all walked across campus to the Children's Ceremony. Oh the excitement! I don't have any photos since the entire family is called up, but it was really nice. Dakota took the podium and thanked the kids, me and her mom and step dad for all our support. Then the kids received their diplomas and gifts and then a family photo was taken of us (it will be sent later).
We watched the other families have their turn and then...just like that....it was over. Graduation, for everyone, was complete.
We took a few photos outside and then said our goodbyes to Dakota's mom and step-dad and we headed back down to the law school to return the cap, gown and hood. On our way back to the car we made a note: we'd been there for 7 hours. What a day!
Dakota did it!
We all did it!
Wow.
Monday, April 27, 2009
SHE DID IT!!
WAHOO!!!!!! She did it! Dakota is done with law school classes FOREVER!! Well - the class part...she still has finals but by next weekend she will no longer be a law school student. She will be a Law School Graduate. A Juris Doctor. (And for fun, I think I'll call her Doctor Dakota. :) :) : ) )
Holy cow. We're here.
We're really, really here.
Excellent job, Dakota. Well done, indeed!!
I am so very proud of you.
Holy cow. We're here.
We're really, really here.
Excellent job, Dakota. Well done, indeed!!
I am so very proud of you.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
The End if Officially In Sight!
As it does, time marched us forward - sometimes pushed up forward as we, as a family unit, kicked and screamed.
Four years ago these last days seemed like an eternity away but - as time does, it moved by minute by minute, day by day and month by month and now we are *here* sitting in this place very near the end. We can see the light and it is not a just a train barreling down on us. It is really and truly the light at the end of the tunnel.
Today marks the very last time that Dakota will be sitting in classes at law school. The last time. Wow. She has three finals to get through and then it's done. DONE. No more being a law student instead she will have those much desired initials J.D. (Juris Doctor) behind her name. I am very, very proud of her.
There was a crystal clear message that the end is really and truly coming at rocket speed: Friday afternoon a rather large and VERY heavy box was delivered by UPS. It contains the many study guides and books she will need for the BarBri classes to prepare to take the Bar at the end of July.
The Bar. The test to end all tests when it comes to law school.
And this is Dakota holding one of those very large books (and notice - it's legal sized....which is a strange size for a book to be):
And this is how she is really feeling about it. :)
But wow. We're here. It's been a long, long, long road with bumps along the way too many to mention but we are here. Kaylen, back then was a mere 6 months old who rarely slept and drove me to the brink of sanity and she is now a strong, capable and amazing 4 year old. Kelton, a wild child at 3, is now a terrific and incredible 7 year old. We have all grown and changed and yet - we are still standing. We have moved through growing pains that have run deep and have been incredibly painful and yet - we are still standing. That, in and of itself, has been no small feat as many others who went into law school standing with someone are no longer standing together. We have faced all that law school is - both from the inside where Dakota has been, and the outside where I have been - and we are still standing!
We have so much to be proud of as a family. And this family is oh so very proud of itself and of our star member: Dakota.
Great job, honey!! Really, really great job!!
Four years ago these last days seemed like an eternity away but - as time does, it moved by minute by minute, day by day and month by month and now we are *here* sitting in this place very near the end. We can see the light and it is not a just a train barreling down on us. It is really and truly the light at the end of the tunnel.
Today marks the very last time that Dakota will be sitting in classes at law school. The last time. Wow. She has three finals to get through and then it's done. DONE. No more being a law student instead she will have those much desired initials J.D. (Juris Doctor) behind her name. I am very, very proud of her.
There was a crystal clear message that the end is really and truly coming at rocket speed: Friday afternoon a rather large and VERY heavy box was delivered by UPS. It contains the many study guides and books she will need for the BarBri classes to prepare to take the Bar at the end of July.
The Bar. The test to end all tests when it comes to law school.
And this is Dakota holding one of those very large books (and notice - it's legal sized....which is a strange size for a book to be):
And this is how she is really feeling about it. :)
But wow. We're here. It's been a long, long, long road with bumps along the way too many to mention but we are here. Kaylen, back then was a mere 6 months old who rarely slept and drove me to the brink of sanity and she is now a strong, capable and amazing 4 year old. Kelton, a wild child at 3, is now a terrific and incredible 7 year old. We have all grown and changed and yet - we are still standing. We have moved through growing pains that have run deep and have been incredibly painful and yet - we are still standing. That, in and of itself, has been no small feat as many others who went into law school standing with someone are no longer standing together. We have faced all that law school is - both from the inside where Dakota has been, and the outside where I have been - and we are still standing!
We have so much to be proud of as a family. And this family is oh so very proud of itself and of our star member: Dakota.
Great job, honey!! Really, really great job!!
Saturday, August 09, 2008
School Supplies
We went shopping for Kelton's "Back To School" supplies this afternoon. Wow - where those aisles crazy! Parents and kids alike grabbing supplies and checking off lists. Kids asking each other "What school do you go to?" and "What grade are you in?" Parents asking "Do you know where there might be more #2 pencils?" and "Where did you find the hand sanitizer?" It was crazy making and yet - fun. Kelton was asking if he could have everything under the sun (No, honey. It's not on the list.). I did splurge and buy a couple packages of glue sticks, crayons, Elmer's glue and washable markers for the house... how could I not when most of the things were $0.22!
I get the whole "baby wipes, hand sanitizer and Kleenex" thing but Ziploc Bags in the quart size? Why? What could they possibly do with that many Ziploc bags? I guess I should be grateful they aren't asking us to purchase diet pills or anything else completely nutty for the back to school crowd. :)
After getting the school supplies we bought Kelton a new pair of school shoes. You could have knocked me over with a feather when I discovered he would need a size 1. Really? We're in the boys to men sizes already? Didn't he just start wearing size 13? Two more sizes to go and he and I will be able to share shoes. (!!!!!)
Kelton decided against a new backpack. He has a good quality one from the latter part of last year (his Spider Man cheap-o backpack only last about half the year before the zipper gave out) and he is happy to use that one again. I was very proud of him for that decision because I had thought he would want a character one. Plus it saved about $20 so that's really good. :)
Back to School time. Hard to believe it will be here in three short weeks for my little First Grader.
I get the whole "baby wipes, hand sanitizer and Kleenex" thing but Ziploc Bags in the quart size? Why? What could they possibly do with that many Ziploc bags? I guess I should be grateful they aren't asking us to purchase diet pills or anything else completely nutty for the back to school crowd. :)
After getting the school supplies we bought Kelton a new pair of school shoes. You could have knocked me over with a feather when I discovered he would need a size 1. Really? We're in the boys to men sizes already? Didn't he just start wearing size 13? Two more sizes to go and he and I will be able to share shoes. (!!!!!)
Kelton decided against a new backpack. He has a good quality one from the latter part of last year (his Spider Man cheap-o backpack only last about half the year before the zipper gave out) and he is happy to use that one again. I was very proud of him for that decision because I had thought he would want a character one. Plus it saved about $20 so that's really good. :)
Back to School time. Hard to believe it will be here in three short weeks for my little First Grader.
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Almost Summer!
Can you sense it? Summer is coming. Here is how I know;
Dakota has her last final of the semester tonight!!!
WAHOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!
It's a "take home" (or in her case "take back to the office") 24 hour test. If you have a moment today/tonight, please send good thoughts her way because this is a ginormous work-load class with oodles and oodles of material. She has been studying for days for it and now it's time for her to shine! So please, think good thoughts for her, will you? Thanks!
(And PS...after she turns in her final tomorrow afternoon she will officially be in her fourth and FINAL year of law school! YIPPIE!!! Great job, honey! Really, really great job!)
Dakota has her last final of the semester tonight!!!
WAHOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!
It's a "take home" (or in her case "take back to the office") 24 hour test. If you have a moment today/tonight, please send good thoughts her way because this is a ginormous work-load class with oodles and oodles of material. She has been studying for days for it and now it's time for her to shine! So please, think good thoughts for her, will you? Thanks!
(And PS...after she turns in her final tomorrow afternoon she will officially be in her fourth and FINAL year of law school! YIPPIE!!! Great job, honey! Really, really great job!)
Friday, August 31, 2007
The Open House
Last night was Kelton's school's Open House and it actually mostly sucked. The teacher was flat with ZERO personality. There will be 23 kids in his class, apparently with NO teachers helper. Though honestly I guess I don't know that since we were given NO information. I don't know, as a parent who has a child entering the school system for the first time I had expected information. Maybe a "Hello and welcome to your kindergarten class room! I'm Mrs. FlubbityFlew and we are going to have so much fun together. We're going to do lots of fun art projects, we'll learn some new songs, play some fun instruments, learn to read AND write! Now when you arrive on Tuesday morning I'll be standing right outside the door. You will hang your jackets and backpacks right there on those hooks and then I'll show you to your seat. Once all the kids are here, our fun will start! Does anyone have any questions?"
I mean seriously - how hard would that have been????????????
I walked away from the open house knowing only one thing for certain: I'm even more uncertain about this whole school stuff and I think Tuesday is going to be even more difficult than I ever expected. Honestly, after the day camp experience, I was totally prepared to love this part. Kelton and I both know what to expect and we were ready. I can't speak for him, but I am no longer ready to turn my baby over to someone.
There are no toys or any warm and fuzzy feeling in the room. It's bleak and ...........sad. No bright colors. No happy bulletin boards. No colorful banners on the wall or a banner of the alphabet strung across the blackboard. No comfortable "circle time" area. No colorful bins for the supplies to go into. The room looked like it was ready to be turned into a storage room. It is NOT what I expected.
Feeling like throwing up, Dakota and I took the kids and wandered around the school. We found the library. It's ok - not great but ok. We stayed there until I had my wits about me again (all the while not letting on to Kelton that both moms were upset and trying to sort it all out).
Kelton and I met someone and he told her he was starting school. She asked what teacher so we told her. She said "Oh you are going to have so much fun in her class!" Kelton said "Yeah - I am." and walked away. I turned back and said "Have you had a child in her class?" She said no but that she was a regular volunteer at the school. I just looked at her - imploring her with my eyes for more information. She gave it to me. She said "You know - when I first met her I thought she was a very mean person but once she gets to know you she is really a warm, kind and loving person. She is really amazing with the kids. Honest, she is." I thanked her for the information and returned to share it with Dakota.
We returned to the room but the line to meet the teacher was super long and it was about a trillion degrees in there. We went outside again and Kelton decided to buy a school flag. Of course Kaylen needed one, too. Kelton was ok with stuff but he wanted to go home because things were a bit overwhelming. I just wanted to run home and lock my kids safely in the house forever. Dakota wanted to be sure we stayed to introduce ourselves to let her know that Kelton has two moms.
We ended up doing it Dakota's way. Dakota introduced us and Kelton interjected "I have two moms. Two moms. No dad. Just two moms." Matter of fact, that boy is. The teacher said "That's great! I bet lots of people wish they had two moms." so hopefully things will be fine in that area. She seemed completely uncomfortable with talking with all the people and meeting all the kids. I had warning bells going off everywhere! Mostly not in the teachers direction - more in the direction of the way the room was (not) set up and the general feelings I was picking up. Was this the right place for my son? More and more I wished I had been able to go to the open house in May but we were still in Seattle (it was the week between my mom dying and the funeral) and completely unable to attend.
We took the kids to the playground because Kelton wanted to see it. Dakota and I were talking out of earshot of the kids and she said "I want to go talk with someone about this." I told her I'd stay with the kids and off she went.
Dakota went and talked with the principal and basically said "Ok - after seeing the school and meeting the teacher I'm just wondering if you can ease my fears and convince me this is the right place for my son." (Gotta love that blunt and to the point personality sometimes! :) )
She said that the teacher takes a bit of time to warm up but that she is a great teacher and she believes in her 100%. She asked us to give it a week and if we weren't happy then we could have him changed to the other class (which we know nothing about since we didn't meet that teacher though she seemed nice in the hall and wore brightly colored clothes and her room seemed warmer. There are two AM classes and one PM.).
We also learned that they do art ONE time a week. That's it...and only if time allows (I will clearly be supplementing that every day since my son has always been, and will probably always be, all about art). Music once a week too as well as PE once a week. The school, as all schools in this district, are academically focused so there is no toy time or play time. I can not begin to tell you how much I HATE that. He is FIVE years old.
We talked with Kelton on the way home and asked (in our excited "isn't this great" voices) what he thought. He was excited though, as he put it, the teacher's hair kind of freaks him out. It's long and in braids. All things considering, that was easy enough to talk about. Mostly though - he does seem excited. Dakota and I talked about whether we just have higher expectations of what a classroom would look and feel like because we have the experience whereas Kelton has no expectations and doesn't know that a classroom should be bright and happy.
After we got home Dakota called up our old neighbor. (We had seen her at the school and chatted briefly before we were allowed into the school. her son is going into the 3rd grade there.) She offered to call a teacher friend of hers at the school and get information for us. She and Dakota talked and it sounds like it will be ok. The teacher assured our old neighbor that she would have no problem putting her own child into Kelton's teacher's class (and did with her first and plans to again with her youngest daughter). Kelton's teacher does has ADHD and is a bit disorganized but has good control over the class and is great with the kids. (Yeah, that is probably going beyond the bounds of info to share but still....this woman is taking care of, and teaching, OUR child and I want all information I can get to be sure this is a good place for him.)
I guess we have no real choice...just plunge ahead and see where it takes us.
The upshot though is Kelton seems very excited. I guess that should be what we watch. So - we'll see how the first week goes and re-evaluate from there. But I can totally see why people move into different neighborhoods to get their kids into different schools. I guess after his day camp teacher experience I was expecting another Ms. Emily and a bubbly personality... a bit of "Hi and welcome to ..." talk. There was nothing like that. Just people mingling in the room, filling out a form and then waiting in line to shake hands with the teacher. Maybe my expectations were too high. I really expected to hear what the year would hold and how their days would look. I don't think that would have been asking too much though. *sigh*
I'm suddenly NOT thrilled. *sigh*
Here are some photos of our time at the school.
I mean seriously - how hard would that have been????????????
I walked away from the open house knowing only one thing for certain: I'm even more uncertain about this whole school stuff and I think Tuesday is going to be even more difficult than I ever expected. Honestly, after the day camp experience, I was totally prepared to love this part. Kelton and I both know what to expect and we were ready. I can't speak for him, but I am no longer ready to turn my baby over to someone.
There are no toys or any warm and fuzzy feeling in the room. It's bleak and ...........sad. No bright colors. No happy bulletin boards. No colorful banners on the wall or a banner of the alphabet strung across the blackboard. No comfortable "circle time" area. No colorful bins for the supplies to go into. The room looked like it was ready to be turned into a storage room. It is NOT what I expected.
Feeling like throwing up, Dakota and I took the kids and wandered around the school. We found the library. It's ok - not great but ok. We stayed there until I had my wits about me again (all the while not letting on to Kelton that both moms were upset and trying to sort it all out).
Kelton and I met someone and he told her he was starting school. She asked what teacher so we told her. She said "Oh you are going to have so much fun in her class!" Kelton said "Yeah - I am." and walked away. I turned back and said "Have you had a child in her class?" She said no but that she was a regular volunteer at the school. I just looked at her - imploring her with my eyes for more information. She gave it to me. She said "You know - when I first met her I thought she was a very mean person but once she gets to know you she is really a warm, kind and loving person. She is really amazing with the kids. Honest, she is." I thanked her for the information and returned to share it with Dakota.
We returned to the room but the line to meet the teacher was super long and it was about a trillion degrees in there. We went outside again and Kelton decided to buy a school flag. Of course Kaylen needed one, too. Kelton was ok with stuff but he wanted to go home because things were a bit overwhelming. I just wanted to run home and lock my kids safely in the house forever. Dakota wanted to be sure we stayed to introduce ourselves to let her know that Kelton has two moms.
We ended up doing it Dakota's way. Dakota introduced us and Kelton interjected "I have two moms. Two moms. No dad. Just two moms." Matter of fact, that boy is. The teacher said "That's great! I bet lots of people wish they had two moms." so hopefully things will be fine in that area. She seemed completely uncomfortable with talking with all the people and meeting all the kids. I had warning bells going off everywhere! Mostly not in the teachers direction - more in the direction of the way the room was (not) set up and the general feelings I was picking up. Was this the right place for my son? More and more I wished I had been able to go to the open house in May but we were still in Seattle (it was the week between my mom dying and the funeral) and completely unable to attend.
We took the kids to the playground because Kelton wanted to see it. Dakota and I were talking out of earshot of the kids and she said "I want to go talk with someone about this." I told her I'd stay with the kids and off she went.
Dakota went and talked with the principal and basically said "Ok - after seeing the school and meeting the teacher I'm just wondering if you can ease my fears and convince me this is the right place for my son." (Gotta love that blunt and to the point personality sometimes! :) )
She said that the teacher takes a bit of time to warm up but that she is a great teacher and she believes in her 100%. She asked us to give it a week and if we weren't happy then we could have him changed to the other class (which we know nothing about since we didn't meet that teacher though she seemed nice in the hall and wore brightly colored clothes and her room seemed warmer. There are two AM classes and one PM.).
We also learned that they do art ONE time a week. That's it...and only if time allows (I will clearly be supplementing that every day since my son has always been, and will probably always be, all about art). Music once a week too as well as PE once a week. The school, as all schools in this district, are academically focused so there is no toy time or play time. I can not begin to tell you how much I HATE that. He is FIVE years old.
We talked with Kelton on the way home and asked (in our excited "isn't this great" voices) what he thought. He was excited though, as he put it, the teacher's hair kind of freaks him out. It's long and in braids. All things considering, that was easy enough to talk about. Mostly though - he does seem excited. Dakota and I talked about whether we just have higher expectations of what a classroom would look and feel like because we have the experience whereas Kelton has no expectations and doesn't know that a classroom should be bright and happy.
After we got home Dakota called up our old neighbor. (We had seen her at the school and chatted briefly before we were allowed into the school. her son is going into the 3rd grade there.) She offered to call a teacher friend of hers at the school and get information for us. She and Dakota talked and it sounds like it will be ok. The teacher assured our old neighbor that she would have no problem putting her own child into Kelton's teacher's class (and did with her first and plans to again with her youngest daughter). Kelton's teacher does has ADHD and is a bit disorganized but has good control over the class and is great with the kids. (Yeah, that is probably going beyond the bounds of info to share but still....this woman is taking care of, and teaching, OUR child and I want all information I can get to be sure this is a good place for him.)
I guess we have no real choice...just plunge ahead and see where it takes us.
The upshot though is Kelton seems very excited. I guess that should be what we watch. So - we'll see how the first week goes and re-evaluate from there. But I can totally see why people move into different neighborhoods to get their kids into different schools. I guess after his day camp teacher experience I was expecting another Ms. Emily and a bubbly personality... a bit of "Hi and welcome to ..." talk. There was nothing like that. Just people mingling in the room, filling out a form and then waiting in line to shake hands with the teacher. Maybe my expectations were too high. I really expected to hear what the year would hold and how their days would look. I don't think that would have been asking too much though. *sigh*
I'm suddenly NOT thrilled. *sigh*
Here are some photos of our time at the school.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Welcome to Autumn!
It's August 27th but autumn has arrived. The signs are all over my house. There are bright red and orange leaves across the fireplace mantle and the china hutch. There are autumn (fake) flowers in vases and scarecrow (or hair-crows, as Kelton has always called them) here and there. Yes - autumn has arrived. I've had to crush their dreams though of putting up the halloween decorations. I'm just not ready to go that far into autumn!
Dakota started school today. This semester she has a morning class three days a week in addition to her evening class load. Two late nights (not arriving home until 10) and three early nights (home around 8:30 two nights and around 5pm on one night). The kids will have to adjust to not seeing their other mom five days out of each week for the next 16 weeks. Ugh. The stress from today is palpable from all of us. I know we will adjust within a week or two (and once all the fall schedules are in place with school for Kelton, etc.) but the kids are both having a hard time today and keep asking when mom will be home. I feel for them - I know it's a hard change on *me* so I can only imagine how hard it is for them. For these kids, the sun sets and rises on Dakota - a very mutual feeling.
Two years down. Two years to go. We're at the half-way point. Amazing.
Kelton was upset last night that mom starting school would mean the end of fun for us so after I assured him that we would be ok and that we were used to mom not being home during the day we focused on making a plan for today. He wanted to go to the mall to look around and play. So - we were there when the doors opened and spent about two hours just roaming around. We hit the play area, Starbucks, wandered through the pet store, rode some of the rides, walked all over the mall and just soaked in everything.
Things fell apart again after getting home and I just have to keep reminding myself that they will adjust. Without day camp (which he is missing a lot) and now with Dakota being gone he is feeling lonely. I feel bad for him (and I admit that I'm feeling lonely already, too) but I know that he will adjust. We all will.
Autumn has definitely arrived for us.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
A Big Week for Kelton
It's been a big week for my boy. School supply lists were available on Saturday so we went school supply shopping. It was fun to pick out all his stuff (even though it's not really "his stuff" everything goes into big containers and is basically "communal" which I go back and forth on having an issue with but - it is what it is.) There is something so intoxicating about school supplies - Dakota feels it, I feel it and I'm proud to say, my kids feel it. :) New crayons and paints and scissors. Pencils, pens and erasers. Fun!
He ended up with a Spider Man backpack (which is no surprise to me) and Transformer tennis shoes. I am still going to get him a new pair of Crocs since really those are his main footwear. I found really great ones that I am going to save up for. I think they will make him (and me) happy. They are Crocs with Mickey shaped holes. I think they are so incredibly fun.
And as a PSA (public service announcement) let me share with all of you parents of not-yet-school-aged-kids that the back to school rows are a gold mine of art supplies. Elmers glue for $0.20 a bottle, Crayola 24 count crayons for $0.20 a box. Paints, papers, scissors, binders, etc all cheaper than you will find them the entire rest of the year. Since Kelton was one year old Dakota and I have hit the back to school sales and restocked every art supply known to man. It just makes sense so check out those rows and if you see things your little one (or you) will use during the year, or you think you may use during the year, - stock up! Just a handy mommy tip for you. :)
Kelton's day camp is going really well. He woke me up at 6:05AM asking if it was time to go yet. I took that as a very good sign. He learned a couple new games yesterday so the kids and I spent a few hours in the yard playing - it was really fun. Today he came home with a silly song that Kaylen and I picked up right away and have been singing ever since. So, so much fun!
He had a project to do at home this week for sharing time on Friday. He was to make a poster of his favorite pet (oh which one to choose?) and then tell his group all about the pet at sharing time. He picked Jordan, our dalmatian. I took some pictures of him with Jordy yesterday and then this afternoon we took a trip to the craft store to buy poster board and various scrap book supplies (I'm sure it surprises no one who knows me in real life that the "due at the end of the week" project is done by the second day. *grin*). Except for wanting help with gluing the pictures onto the board, he did it all himself (well - I helped him spell Jordan's name but he handled getting the stickers and putting them on the board). He was so darn cute sitting at the table working on his "homework". Kaylen, of course, had to get into it too so at the store I bought her some duck related stickers and pink cat ribbon (she loves all things duck and pink). Their projects are so cute. :)
He ended up with a Spider Man backpack (which is no surprise to me) and Transformer tennis shoes. I am still going to get him a new pair of Crocs since really those are his main footwear. I found really great ones that I am going to save up for. I think they will make him (and me) happy. They are Crocs with Mickey shaped holes. I think they are so incredibly fun.
And as a PSA (public service announcement) let me share with all of you parents of not-yet-school-aged-kids that the back to school rows are a gold mine of art supplies. Elmers glue for $0.20 a bottle, Crayola 24 count crayons for $0.20 a box. Paints, papers, scissors, binders, etc all cheaper than you will find them the entire rest of the year. Since Kelton was one year old Dakota and I have hit the back to school sales and restocked every art supply known to man. It just makes sense so check out those rows and if you see things your little one (or you) will use during the year, or you think you may use during the year, - stock up! Just a handy mommy tip for you. :)
Kelton's day camp is going really well. He woke me up at 6:05AM asking if it was time to go yet. I took that as a very good sign. He learned a couple new games yesterday so the kids and I spent a few hours in the yard playing - it was really fun. Today he came home with a silly song that Kaylen and I picked up right away and have been singing ever since. So, so much fun!
He had a project to do at home this week for sharing time on Friday. He was to make a poster of his favorite pet (oh which one to choose?) and then tell his group all about the pet at sharing time. He picked Jordan, our dalmatian. I took some pictures of him with Jordy yesterday and then this afternoon we took a trip to the craft store to buy poster board and various scrap book supplies (I'm sure it surprises no one who knows me in real life that the "due at the end of the week" project is done by the second day. *grin*). Except for wanting help with gluing the pictures onto the board, he did it all himself (well - I helped him spell Jordan's name but he handled getting the stickers and putting them on the board). He was so darn cute sitting at the table working on his "homework". Kaylen, of course, had to get into it too so at the store I bought her some duck related stickers and pink cat ribbon (she loves all things duck and pink). Their projects are so cute. :)
Friday, July 13, 2007
Student Loans
Dakota's loan papers for school are due in any day now. I have to admit, they always give me butterflies in my tummy when I see that envelope in the mailbox. I know what it means.....another semester is looming ahead and with it, more money on the every growing loan balance.
It won't be long before the calls begin again about student loan consolidation. I'm not a huge fan of trying to do finacial type things over the phone so I know we will be working with an on-line company. For me, on-line stuff is so much easier and gives me time to read, digest, make sure I have all my questions answered and then complete an on-line application. If I'm not mistaken though, you have to wait until you are finished with school to consolidate but since we are a mere (!) two years from that point, I guess it's time to start doing some research. Clearly there are huge benefits to consolidating - smaller monthly payments, locked in interest rate, working with one financial institution instead of several, etc.. Everyone knows that consolidation loans save you money so it's a good bet that we'll be doing it when the time comes since we will be owing an amount equivalent to the national debt. Though I am grateful for Dakota receiving student loans because without them, she would certainly not be attending law school. Let's face it, without student loans, many of us would never have an undergrad or a graduate degree. Student loans are great to have available, no doubt about it.
Has anyone else consolidated their student loans? Care to share your experience?
Dakota's loan papers for school are due in any day now. I have to admit, they always give me butterflies in my tummy when I see that envelope in the mailbox. I know what it means.....another semester is looming ahead and with it, more money on the every growing loan balance.
It won't be long before the calls begin again about student loan consolidation. I'm not a huge fan of trying to do finacial type things over the phone so I know we will be working with an on-line company. For me, on-line stuff is so much easier and gives me time to read, digest, make sure I have all my questions answered and then complete an on-line application. If I'm not mistaken though, you have to wait until you are finished with school to consolidate but since we are a mere (!) two years from that point, I guess it's time to start doing some research. Clearly there are huge benefits to consolidating - smaller monthly payments, locked in interest rate, working with one financial institution instead of several, etc.. Everyone knows that consolidation loans save you money so it's a good bet that we'll be doing it when the time comes since we will be owing an amount equivalent to the national debt. Though I am grateful for Dakota receiving student loans because without them, she would certainly not be attending law school. Let's face it, without student loans, many of us would never have an undergrad or a graduate degree. Student loans are great to have available, no doubt about it.
Has anyone else consolidated their student loans? Care to share your experience?
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