Math Night Video

This is my 5th attempt. Blogger's video isn't working right for me tonight.

Math Night

Logan's elementary school has a Math Night every other month or so. The kids do little crafts to help them learn about math concepts. This was our first time going and Logan loved it. I have to say it was pretty cute. The Kindergarten and 1st graders performed a song for us (and later the 3rd, 4th graders- no 5th graders showed) all about shapes.  

♪"Shapes, shapes, geometric shapes..." ♫

Logan's completely at ease on stage and had a huge smile both going up there and coming back off stage.

Afterwards we made our way to the cafeteria for some crafts. They made a string abacus, some bean baggie addition/subtraction thingy and made pictures using shapes they traced. I played with his abacus while he did the rest of the crafts. It's kind of soothing moving the beads one by one.

Kayla, Logan and Rebecca about to start their abacuses.

Logan, Rebecca and Austin

Life in general

It's just been the same old, same old around here for the most part. I don't even have anything to blog about anymore it seems. Here's a recap of us:


Logan's doing well in 1st grade. He's made all 105-107% on his spelling tests with included extra credit sentence. Math is easy for him so far and seems to be a strong suit. He's very popular with his classmates and I'm told he's a peacemaker.


Ian's also doing well. His teachers have nothing but praise for his behavior in school (why can't he be like that at home?). He loves school and can't wait to get there in the A.M. He's having fun and making friends. We did have a broken bone scare a week or so ago. He climbed up on Logan's new bike and fell upon getting off of it. He was complaining about his arm so I kept him home from school the next morning and took him to the ped's office. They sent him to a diagnostic's center for xrays and after spending a while there it came back that everything was fine. Phew.


Bella is 18mo now and growing so fast. She's gone from my little peanut into a chunky monkey who loves to climb on the couch and chair and is always into something. She's very curious and can be quite outgoing when she wants to- at least to women. She gets very shy around guys. Good girl! :) She loves to play peekaboo and to run and *hide* from you. She's a Daddy's girl and thinks that running to him when I say bedtime may actually save her. Too cute. She's talking quite a bit and even signing thanks to a video she loves. I love watching her grow and learn. She's very smart and amazes me some days.


Dh is still plugging away at work and hoping to win the lotto one day. That would solve so many problems. I think we're responsible enough that we'd be okay and wouldn't be bankrupt in a year. Ahh dreams. His side computer work has slowed down so much so if you know anyone looking for a PC to be custom built or needs repairs, let me know!



I'm doing the mom thang shuttling the boys back and forth to their schools at different hours of the day. Fun times. I'll be so glad when the weather cools off and I can actually turn the car off while waiting so I can save some money on gas! I've got a fun weekend planned this week. Me and my besties are taking off for a night on the beach. We've got a suite courtesy of one of their dh's all reserved and waiting for us. I plan on eating some yummy seafood, maybe having a drink and just hanging out and having fun. The weather is supposed to be beautiful thanks to a cold front moving through and I'm sooo looking forward to it. I'll take lots of pics hopefully to share next week!

♫ ♪ It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year! ♫ ♪

School is in! My big boy went off to 1st grade this morning and my little man went off to VPK (Voluntary Pre-K). Getting up early this morning wasn't as hard as I thought but maybe that's because I was tossing and turning all night. You'd think I was the one going to school this morning and getting all anxious.

Ian was ready to go at 7:30am. He told Logan I was dropping him off first which would be impossible since his school starts an hour later so I had to disappoint him in that. We did head out around that time though to take Logan to school. I really hate back to school traffic. It backs up due to the new light they installed at the end of the last school year. Then you add in allll the parents walking their kids in for the first day that won't usually walk them and it's a madhouse. Thankfully it will calm down in the next few days. We ended up parking at the recreation center across the street and walked over. Logan walked right into his class, found a seat at a table of all boys (the other table was all girls!) and was right at home.






A little while later it was time to take Ian to school. He walked in and started playing. He was a bit shy at first with his teachers but he did what they asked. He had no issues with me leaving him there either. :( My little boy is growing up! At pick up time he got a good report and I was able to squeeze a few tidbits about his day out of him.






We picked up Logan after that (told you I'd be spending a lot of time in/out of the car!) and he had a good day as well. He attempted to tell me about some of his day but Bella wouldn't let him get a word in. She was singing in the back seat. LOL

So our first day is done. We're going to go out to eat tonight to celebrate and have some family time and we'll be back to the grind first thing in the morning.

Open House- Take 2

Logan's Open House was last night. It was short and sweet. We met his new teacher who seems very nice and talked to her a bit. Logan knows four of the kids from kindergarten so he already has some friends to begin the new year. After picking up MY homework (all the paperwork and forms) from the teacher we stopped by his Kindergarten teacher's new room to say Hi and see how her summer went. She was happy with who he got for 1st grade and said it would be who she would pick for her own children so I'm happy about that.

I can't believe he's off to 1st grade!

He and his buddy Jaden.

School's Out!

Kindergarten is officially over for Logan. It's bittersweet but my big guy is off to 1st grade in the fall. He had a blast in Mrs. Coleman's class and learned a lot. He came home every week with something new or some *big* word that I'd forgotten all about (like onomatopoeia). He got straight Honor Roll report cards this year and 4 Citizenship ribbons this year as well.

I went to his class the last day of school to take some photos of him and his friends together one last time. Unfortunately it seemed like half the class was absent.

Kindergarteners are so funny! It was all about the *rabbit ears* when taking a photo!

Honor Roll

Logan got his first report card today with actual *grades* on it (the 1st 9 weeks were blank) and he made honor roll along with getting a Citizenship award and he got a pencil (he brings home more pencils that we'll ever be able to use LOL) for having no tardies. His report card showed he was above grade level for math, reading and writing and he got excellents for everything else. Yay Logan!

Just my luck

Why is it that everyday I get to school early so I can park up front and inevitably a big ass truck/SUV will park -this- close to me so I can't open Logan's door and buckle him in? Really? The other day I had to climb in my door, lean over Bella's seat in the middle and struggle to get Logan buckled. Ugh.

Finally have answers

After testing a couple of times and meeting with the counselor and school psychologist I finally had the meeting this morning about Logan getting into the Gifted program at school. And he is in. He scored well enough and has the recommendation from his teacher for it. He'll be pulled from class for 30min a day to work one on one with the gifted teacher and with other students as well. Right now their focus is on science but they'll also be working with him on math since that's where he excels the most. He'll also get a chance to do some work from home on the computer thru a certain website. I think he'll really enjoy this. He does well one on one and is always so eager to learn so I'm excited for him. It only took us half a school year to get here but at least it's done.

Woohoo!

Back to school! Logan was very excited to get back to school this morning. He saw his buddy Jack and they both ran to each other and gave huge hugs (they don't know that won't be *cool* in a few years). Jack was bouncing up and down he was so excited. They both went straight to the teacher to say Good Morning and give her their Christmas gifts to her (she was absent the last day of school). Logan couldn't even wait for her to open his so he opened it for her and took it all out. Aye yi yi. I'm so glad he loves school. I'm glad break is over for now too but it sure as heck doesn't make it any easier for me to get up in the morning!

Murphy's Law

When you say there's nothing going on, something inevitably will happen. About 12:30am or so Bella woke up screaming. Totally unlike her so I got up to go comfort her and she was burning up. Dh grabbed some Motrin for her and I nursed her. Put her back down and only 30min later if that she was up again. Dh got up and went to sit in the recliner with her hoping they could both get some sleep. A bit later, I don't know how long since I fell back asleep, I hear her screaming again. So I got her from dh, checked her temp (100.7 or so) and tried nursing her again while he went back to sleep. She finally fell asleep again (I dozed off as well) and when I put her down, she stayed down until about 7am. She's still running a fever but otherwise she seems okay- just tired. Why won't this damn germ go away?! I'm exhausted and I know dh is even worse. He only got a few hours of sleep last night. He even contemplated calling in this morning but went in anyway.

On a good note, Logan was honored with an Gold Medal Award today for high achievement in reading. One student from each class was honored for either reading, math, science or writing. I'm a proud Mama!! They get an actual medal with their school name engraved on the back and when they get back to their classrooms they will be given a certificate as well. Ian was very good thru the 45min or so presentation and even though Bella isn't feeling well, she didn't make a peep. I'll say it again, I love wearing her. It keeps her so calm and I think she loves being that close to me. She eventually fell asleep right on my chest.

And the pictures (someone remind me to bring my SLR next time!!)

These are his classmates with our Principal, Mr Shields.

Sweet Boy

Ian was crying this morning because Logan had some candy corn in his chair pouch (hangs on back to hold his stuff) at school. He cried all the way down the hallway that he wanted candy corn. I don't have any and we didn't get any for Halloween plus I told him he could have a piece of candy after lunch. (FTR, Logan wasn't eating the candy, he just showed it to me.) So anyway, I see this little boy walking with his hands over his ears like Ian's crying was bothering him. He seems like one of those kids that's just a loner. I've seen him a few times this year. We walked past him and were almost to the office when he stops us and asks Ian if he wants his Speed Racer car to make him feel better. How sweet is that? I'd say his parents are doing a good job with him.

A Mish Mash of Stuff & Random Thoughts

Footed Pj's and potty trained 3yr olds do not go together. Ian woke me up at 2:30 in the morning the other night because he couldn't get his pj's back on. When he took them off, the arms became inside out. So I had to get out of bed to help him. And why is it they always wake ME up? Dh is closer to the door!

And speaking of it, why do they always come and ask me to do something or get them something while I'm nursing Bella and can't get up when dh is in the room (usually the kitchen) with them already!

Our school crossing guard is too high strung. She yells at parents all the time for parking in the wrong spots (which I agree with- it could be dangerous) and the kids who are patrols. I swear she must have high blood pressure. Her jokes just aren't funny anymore either. How many times is she going to ask us if we're taking Bella for show and tell?

If you are going to advertise online for a company, learn to spell! Now I don't know if this person actually works for the company or he/she is just a really enthusiastic customer but there's just no excuse. There, their, and they're are NOT interchangeable! Unfortunately those weren't the only errors.

The Woot Off which began yesterday has sucked. I missed the only toys they had and nothing else has been worth it. I think there have only been like 5 items all day today. I did however score some BabyLegs for Bella pretty cheap on Babysteals.com. With all her cute little dresses and winter coming, they'll help keep her warm.

On the way to tumbling tonight Logan spotted a sign that said something about "closed from sun up to sun down". I asked him where he saw it, like on a fence, tree, etc. He said it was where all the rips were. Huh? I said what do you mean rips? He said "rips R.I.P.s". Ohh! It dawned on me then. He must have seen the sign at the cemetery we were next to! I had a good laugh over that one!

Stupid server on Woot. They had the BOC (bag of crap= essentially a surprise box of stuff you get really cheap. Could be good, could be crap) earlier and I got into the page twice only for the server to crash again. Grrr. I wanted some good crap! ;)

The weather actually looks like fall weather today. It's overcast and I swear you can just smell fall in the air. When we got out of tumbling tonight there was a cool breeze blowing too. Ahhh. A cold front is supposed to move thru this weekend and if Sunday is as good as predicted, we WILL be headed to Disney! We're going to the zoo Monday too. I'm going to take advantage of the weather while I can!

Okay, I think that's it for now. Told you it was a lot of random stuff!

Class Picture

So the friend who got in touch with me was able to get our class pictures from her parents. Wow! I totally recognize my Kindergarten teacher and a few of the kids. I wonder if anyone became famous. Check out the clothes we wore! These are so funny to look back on. Can you spot me? I am not the one with the glasses. I either didn't get them yet or wasn't wearing them.

kindergarten

1st grade


2nd grade

Wild!

I find this absolutely crazy. I just logged onto my MySpace acct and saw a message in my inbox. I thought it was from a friend I had written to last week. Nope, it was from a schoolmate from my Maryland elementary school (Pine Grove) that remembered me and was wondering if I was the same person. How wild is that? I moved away from MD to FL around 1982/3-ish I guess. She didn't just remember my first name (which is NOT a common name), she actually remembered my maiden name too. Now, since I'm so horrible at names, I'm trying to figure out which classmate she was. I can only think of two at the moment. I wrote her back though so we'll see. I never thought I was very memorable. Still don't. LOL Maybe it was my oh so lovely glasses. Or my sparkly personality. ;) Totally kidding. Well, almost.

I checked out her profile, or the little bit I can see since it's private, and she now lives in FL. Very cool! I almost recognize her picture too. Isn't the web fascinating? It is for me! I love finding old friends again!

Talk about timing

We just walked in the door from getting Logan from school and it's now pouring outside! When we pulled in the neighborhood it started sprinkling, when I opened my door to get Ian and Bella out (Logan can get out on his own now- though harnessed) it was sprinkling harder. I get everyone in the house and not 2 minutes later the heavens open up. That's good timing! I feel for the kids and parents walking home though!

Need some help

By tomorrow night no less (just the ideas, not the costume). Logan needs a homemade costume for one of these words:

dog, hog, fog, log, jog, etc.
snake, bake, cake, make, lake, etc.
dad, mad, bad, pad, sad, etc.

It can not be a Halloween costume. Nothing gross or inappropriate. It must clearly have the word somewhere on the costume. My first idea was to take a chef hat we have and add an apron and that could be for "bake" but after reading the rules again I feel like it needs to be more homemade/crafty. Keep in mind, I do not sew.

What about dressing him in all blue and adding paper fish for "lake"? Not sure how to attach them though.

Dress in blue and tape cotton balls or spider webbing for "fog"?

Anyone have one of those huge birthday hats with the candle on top we could borrow? I could dress him in bright colors for "cake".

Any other ideas?

Goofy gov't program

I applied at the beginning of the year for free/reduced lunches for Logan at school. It's now been 6 weeks and I have never heard anything. No letters, no email. I just called to see what was going on and he is eligible for reduced price (actually free since the county picks up the $0.40 cost) but they don't send out that info unless you're denied. Okay then. How was I supposed to know that? It wasn't on the paperwork. I don't see it on the website. Ugh. He always brings lunch anyway and hasn't asked about buying but I wanted to know just in case.

Meeting on Monday!

I got a letter today from school to have a conference with the gifted teacher, guidance counselor and teacher(s) on Monday. Not sure if it's a "he's in" conference and what we can expect now or a "he's not in" and the reasons why. I'm nervous and anxious to find out!

Apparently the hold up was the applications for free/reduced lunches. What? Yea, I said that too. Those who qualify for lunches can actually score lower on the test and get in since "they" think those kids may not have parental involvement, access to computers, etc. The lunch program was behind on applications. I asked his teacher this morning about the application since we did turn one in and what other students were doing if they hadn't been approved yet. They've been eating those plain cheese sandwiches and white milk for the past month. I feel horrible for those kids! She said many times, they don't even eat it. It's not the kids' fault the county is behind in it's job!

What the hell.....

Was I thinking? It's the end of hot-as-Hades August and I *walked* to go get Logan this afternoon pushing the double stroller. It's not a leisurely 5 minute walk- it's 1 mile. Not only is it hot as HELL but I had to push that stroller UP a few hills. O.M.G. I stunk by the time I got to school and even poor Bella was sweating. She had cute little sweat dots all over her little nose. I didn't bring any water so we were dying of thirst. (I just checked the weather and it's 95 degrees out!!!!!!! Somebody slap me.)

Halfway home, Logan was whining and crying because he had gnats flying around his face and he kept slapping himself. Then I heard from him, "I can't walk one. more. step." Oh the drama! We walk much longer at Disney but this isn't as much fun! Let me tell you, walking into our air conditioned house never felt so good. We all took a cool shower (it's so hot out that our water isn't even cold) when we got in. Logan has tumbling tonight and I know we'll both sweat it out again but I couldn't go there smelling like that. Yuck!!

Needless to say, unless something drastic happens, we won't be walking to school again until it cools off. And I mean, it better be in the 70s or below or REALLY low humidity.