Monday, November 21, 2011

Kindergarten Parade (and my random thoughts)

Halloween day was jammed pack with pumpkin pancakes, parties, parades, and a lot of fun!
Honestly, this year, I think was the longest Halloween Holiday of my life.
Must be due to it being on a Monday or something?
Felt like we partied Thursday thru Monday...
we did.
Lulu was so excited for her parade.
We had good intentions of waking up early and getting her to the big school one at 9 am.
I woke up at 8:57, so that got nixed real quick.
Luckily, she was all ready and Minnied out for her class parade around noonish.
Such a more realistic time for me these days.



 The Rockstar and Gigi LOVE walking Lu to school every day with me.
They were especially excited to be able to stay a while with her too.

 SO fun seeing all the chiclets dressed up.
Lulu is lucky to go to school with such darling friends!
 Mrs. K. Seriously the BEST teacher in the world!!
Or at least a tie with my mom in law and Miss Kindra! :)

Then it was time to Part-ay!
I didn't stay, but Lulu told me it was quite the event!
I'm sure due to all the sugar.
Augh! Me and this holiday have such a love hate thing going on!

And...
I feel like I need to write a quick update about kindergarten.
Confession, It has rocked my world! Like really. rocked it.
I've been shocked at how much they need to know, and swearing (yes language too) that I never had to do this kind of work when I was so little.
Well, last week at Parent Teacher Conference, Miss K validated my feelings.
Apparently, (as of this year) Kindergarten is the new 2nd grade.
She said that in her 20 years of teaching, the kids have never been expected to do and know so much.
Government has stepped in and wants us to be up to par with other countries like Japan and China.
Freak. I don't need my kids hunched over books, cramming their heads full...atleast not at 5.
Whatever happened to creativity, playing, singing, dancing, and being a kid!!??
(I know. I should run for pres :))
I always start freaking out a little and wondering if I should homeschool for a bit.
(don't laugh. i don't think i will.)
It just rubs me wrong.
The funny thing is that I (who had no problem with school) stress and get bothered about it, when Sonny  (who sort of struggled) thinks it's Fantastic that schools are pushing kids to do better and better.
Ha! I think he just says that because he stays awake at night stressing about what will happen to his children if I decide to homeschool. :)
Anyways, enough of the tangent.
Lulu is staying put. She LOVES kindergarten. I am so GRATEFUL that she has Mrs. K who is beautiful with children and really knows how to build them up.
I guess I will take it year by year, kid by kid, and prayer by prayer.
Hopefully, my kids will have many more fantastic teachers who try their hardest (despite all the politics)
to bring fun and creativity back in to the classrooms.

Okay. I'm done.
for now.

Oh wait, I am adding this 2 hours after this post, but thought that it probably should be documented
that Lulu is on grade level or above grade level in all areas.
Also, Mrs K. wrote on her report card.
I love working with "Lulu." She has the wonderful combination of intelligence and social skills that make her a favorite with her peers. Lulu is emerging as a reader. She has almost passed off all of her sounds and is beginning to decode simple cvc words.

Yes, that is my daughter.
We are so proud.
And if you have a child in the same class as Lu and are reading this,
please don't tell me your report said the same thing. :)

And I have no clue what cvc words mean.
But that is because in my day we just let Japan and China take the lead.

Happy Education!!
sorry, it's just fun to put happy something after every post.
no?

Dinner in a Pumpkin.

October 30th.
Every year, the sunday before the the big spooky day, we invite a family over for our Dinner in a Pumpkin dinner.
(recipe:: Have your hubby gut a nice round pumpkin, let your munchkins make their mark, cook some stroganoff + brown rice, mix together, scoop into pumpkin, place top back on pumpkin, Bake on cookie sheet for an hour and a half at 375. Eat stroganoff dinner and peel off the pumpkin squash, butter and S&P to your heart's desire. Enjoy! :))
 I have a picture just like this from last year. The Rockstar always seems to struggle waiting his turn.
 This year, Gigi joined in too.

 Ha! Such mood swings with this one!





 captured by Lu.
 Bake time!


 This year we invited a favorite family of ours...the Skowernek's.
(sorry Nicole, I'm not sure I'll ever learn to spell your name right.)
 The kids were pretty enamored for the first 20 minutes with Jason's ipad.
I don't blame em, the thing is pretty sweet. 

 Me and Nicole.
What would I do without this adopted sister of mine!? Such a great girl.

 And Here is the finished product. I know the picture is horrible and it doesn't look too appetizing, but I swear it's good. Though this year I did learn that Sonny doesn't love eating the pumpkin "squash" Ha! 6 years into it, and I just now learn this. Good Grief! Why did I think he loved it?? I usually make pumpkin soup every year the week after with the leftovers...not sure about keeping up with that now that I learn he gags it down. :)



 Bri and Lu being sillies.
 Jason and Nicole joining in.
 Nicole and I got deep in conversation + giggles while the boys cleaned up.
The two of us can talk for hours.
and we did. :)


 Thank you Skowerneks for joining us this year!

Love this tradition! Seriously, I hope you try it.
Such a fun thing to look forward to.
And if you find any secrets to martha stewart it up a little bit, let me know.
Ha! Who am I kidding? I probably won't change a thing. :)

Oh, And for the record, the pumpkin squash is delicious.
and nutritious. :)

Happiest Traditions!!

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Costumes

It's tradition for the munchkins to coordinate their costumes every year.
I know that this may not always be the case, but so far I hear no complaints.
In fact, they LOVE collaborating ideas on what theme they want to go for each year.
This year, Lulu decided on Minnie Mouse (helped that we got the costume from friends. thanks parkers!)
The Rockstar was not feeling Mickey. He kept saying he wanted to be a "pirate."
Mmmmmhhhhhh.
Captain Jack?
Yes!
Add Dumbo to the mix and our Disneyland theme was born!




 I have to say that this was definitely a favorite year for me as far as costumes go.
Each character just fit my chickie's personality perfectly.




Lulu's primary teacher (LOVE sister Marin!! and Dana!!) stopped me when she saw Lulu dressed up
as Minnie to tell me that there could not be a better fit for Lu than positively sweet Minnie Mouse.
I could not agree more.

Can't wait for next year.
There is already a debate between the Grinch and witches + ghosts.
Ha! I'm sure it will change about 12 times.
I'm pulling for the Grinch.
Wouldn't Gigi make the CUTEST Cindy Lou Who!??

Happy Halloween!!

A Carnival in the Hood.

 Us mamas in the neighborhood decided to put on a Halloween Carnival this year.
We each were in charge of a task/booth.
It was so much fun putting together and we had such a good turnout! Yay!
The kiddos enjoyed treats, donut eating, cupcake walks, fishing for prizes, face painting, 
pumpkin bowling, and potato sack races. 




































 I smell a tradition!

Gosh. I Love where we live.