School's Out for the Summer!

Last Saturday afternoon we attended the Annual Milford Picnic. It was a warm day and the kids got nice and sweaty but they had fun (80's here is nothing like the 80's in Arizona thanks to humidity). They pretty much spent most of the Picnic in the Bounce House and doing the Bouncy Obstacle Course, their idea of heaven. They also got to ride on a pony (even Benny got brave and rode on one), run in a race (in which Steven tied as a winner), sit in a Police Car and eat free hot dogs (I may or may not have eaten 3 of these). No pictures taken, but good times for the kids.

This Wednesday we went to Steven's Kindergarten Celebration. All the Kindergarten classes sang some songs (titles included "The Vowel Song" "Apples & Bananas" and  "I live in Michigan") and we were SO impressed that for once, Steven was singing and not just chewing on his hands! After the songs Steven got to come sit with us and watch a slideshow of pictures from the year.Lucy stayed happy throughout the Celebration but you'll see by the pictures that Ben was a pretty big grump at times during it:

After the slideshow we went to his classroom where we got to see work he has done throughout the semester. It seems like he had a pretty good semester with Mrs. Hornyak:

And now, believe it or not, school is over and I can officially call Steven a first grader! I am impressed with his growth as a reader and it never gets old to hear him give answers to simple addition and subtraction facts. He is such a fun loving guy, with a huge imagination and a huge amount of energy (he LOVED being a part of the mileage club at his school). I am proud of my boy!

And lastly for this week (a long boring self indulgent story), yesterday I was feeling kind of down after a play date at the park with some ladies in the Ward. I was having a hard time relating to them and it made me miss my Arizona friends! So after feeling properly sorry for myself I said a prayer in hopes of feeling better. Not too much later I was outside with the kids when my neighbor came outside with her kids and I had such a good conversation with her. I felt so much better and I realized that I can make good friends here in Michigan, I really can! It helped chase away some of the homesickness. 

Later that night, I had scheduled to do an Endowment Session with the sister I visit teach. As we were driving there I found out she hadn't been to the temple for over a year. Her husband didn't go and that had made it hard for her. That made me feel extra good! I helped someone get back to the temple! It helped me feel like there are reasons I am here in Michigan. Really, it's the little things sometimes that can help us feel so much better :)

The Ghost Returns

Last night I was dead asleep when an eerie sound awoke me. Tyler's phone? I wasn't sure so I whacked Tyler a few times until he was also awake (aren't I sweet) and then questioned him about the sound. We opened our door and the sound got louder, it was coming from downstairs and it sounded like classical music. Tyler found the source easily, it was Stevens I Pod  which was attached to Tyler's speakers. The song it was playing, "I See Dead People in Boats" from Pirates of the Caribbean. Creepy? Yes, of all songs to randomly turn on in the middle of the night it had to be that one! I blame our resident ghost.

On a less creepy note... Tyler's still having a tough time with school. But he's having good luck in the job department so we're hoping he graduates! One job possibility is in Chandler and another is in Michigan. Personally the Michigan one terrifies me but it would be an adventure if it pans out.

Also this week, I had a conference with Steven's teacher and it was all good news. He is doing well academically and his behavior is typically good (if only I could say all the time good but he is 5 and he is a Hatch ;) ) Anyways, it is so good to have him loving school and doing so well!

An update on Lucy: she can walk a handful of steps before falling on her bum, she says mama (usually when she is in desperate need of my attention), she is climbing on EVERYTHING (but especially chairs and this week she discovered the boys ladder on their bunk bed), she claps, waves her arms or just throws her food when she's done eating and she also has been growing a tooth which has made her very cranky.

Here are some fun pictures, most taken when I took the kids on walk at the temple this week:

Teddy Bears, Writing & Productiveness

This week Steven had his Teddy Bear Parade at school. For Steven's float I borrowed a small red wagon from my parent's and then gave him some random things to decorate it with. He had a pirate skull paper plate in the front, a frog on one side, a heart monster on another... And then he "artfully" tore some streamers and taped them in random places. When done, he picked out the tiniest bear you could imagine and plopped it in on top of a pillow. There were some parents---note, parents not kids--- that went all out on their floats. One was a replica of a bus, I swear. I was impressed with the parent's talent. But I still loved Steven's float the most.

Anyways, it was fun to watch Steven pull his little wagon with the sun shining in his eyes and his bear flopped over in the corner of his wagon. Kindergartners are cute :)

Also this week, Steven decided he loves to write-- a huge change from his attitude towards writing this summer. One night he started copying words from an ABC book & did not want to go to bed because he "needed to finish his work!" I left him on the floor of his room copying words in the glow of the hallway light. I'm not sure what time he finally gave up but he did make it to the letter 'L'. Below if a picture of him holding all the words he wrote--- too bad you can't see the words but that page is literally filled with them.

Right now he is making a story- having me write the words on a white board and then copying them down in his book. Here are some excerpts: " The guy put the treasure in his house and then ran away" "The guy eats popcorn, has candy and washes his hands twice."The man's cup got knocked over and sprayed water in the air." 

And because I know my children are going to want to know this stuff when they read this in the future, I have been super productive this week (see isn't that an exciting fact ;) ) It is only mid-September and I already have all costumes planned and purchased. Steven will be Calvin (red striped shirt & black shorts & shoes), Lucy will be Hobbes (adorable tiger costume) & Ben will be Frankenstein (Steven's old costume). Also this week, I have purchased Lucy's birthday gifts and a Christmas present (used play kitchen in great shape & super cheap). I am so ridiculously on top of things which although, I think that makes me awesome, Tyler thinks that is embarrassing. Whatever ;) !

First Day

Yesterday we spent Steven's last day of summer with Oliver & Rebecca at a splash pad that is near their home. All the kids had a blast! Then later we went back to Rebecca's house to officially celebrate Oliver's first birthday. It was fun to watch Oliver totally destroy his birthday cake and the boys had way too much fun playing with balloons. Afterwards we rented "Wreck it Ralph" and snuggled together on the couch. It was a perfect end to summer.

This morning,  Steven was up (on his own) at 6:30- me, I was up much earlier. School is going to kick my butt in gear- no more lazy, sleeping in until 7 for me. For breakfast, Steven requested cereal and donuts. Now that they only get cereal once a week it has become a much desired luxury :) 

After a father's blessing and getting everyone else ready it was time to walk to school but first--- photos! Mine are not nearly as cute as all the ones I'm seeing on Facebook- lighting is bad, not close up enough & no cute chalkboard with the grade he is in- but still they show off Steven's new favorite color & his attitude perfectly...

Today was less sunny than normal but a bit humid so we still got a bit sweaty on our 20 minute walk to school. When we got there Steven was grouchy with me and didn't want to take pictures in front of the school....so we didn't. Then he stood in his line looking nervous until he saw his best buddy, Colin. As soon as he saw Colin he was off having fun on the playground. But when the bell rang it was time for them to part ways and he seemed nervous again. 

Upon entering the classroom he had no qualms finding a seat and once in it he set to work coloring and again his nerves seemed to pass. So much so that he posed for this silly picture- such a Hatch! And so much so that when the teacher said it was time for parents to go, he told me to go so he could get to work.  

The walk home was rough--- for me & my emotionalness and for Ben & his emotionalness. It's a long walk for my lazy 3 year old apparently. I think the walk will be good to get both Ben & me more active.

Once home it was SO weird. Our house was so quiet- no brother to fight with or run around and giggle with. No need to constant entertain, Ben quite likes playing alone. Lucy even took a 2.5 hour morning nap as though to celebrate the quietness. And when she woke up she further celebrated by pigging out her first PB&J sandwich. This baby of mine refuses to eat baby food now and only wants to make a mess of the real stuff. So fun ;)

I wish I could say my day continued on smoothly but Ben did not wake up a happy camper from his nap. And unfortunately I couldn't try to get him to sleep some more because we had to pick up Steven from school. This time we drove and parked but it wasn't quite close enough for Ben. And he cried, not a whimper but more like a wail, the entire time we waited for Steven. And the entire time we walked back to the car. And the entire way home. So there was no fun greeting for Steven, no chance to check in with the teacher and I was completely ostracized by annoyed parents (who I couldn't blame in the least). Ok and for those few kind parents who tried to cheer  Ben up, they were only rewarded with louder wailing and they would quickly regret their attempts. So awful. And to top it off Steven refused to say bye to his teacher because the sun was making his hair hot....Parenthood is so fantastic.

On the Other Side

6 years ago I embarked on my teaching journey. I was young, pregnant, overwhelmed, and unsure of myself as a teacher. I spent weeks getting my classroom together, days in meetings and before I knew it was time to meet the parents & my kids. My nerves were through the roof, I had no idea what I was going to say to these people who were about to entrust me with their children for 7 hours a day, 5 days a week- that's a huge chunk of the week people. And then the parents arrived and I attempted to feign confidence as I spoke to them. Tried to act like I had done this a million times. But I was young and new and it showed. And when one parent found out just how new I was they began to rant. They did not like first year teachers and were not pleased about their child being in my class. And I was so hurt because I had to start somewhere and I judged those parent's for the way they treated me.

And now fast forward 6 years. That baby that was in my tummy is now starting Kindergarten. And it's embarrassing to admit but I was nervous to be on the other side, to be meeting the person who would be with my child 7 hours a day, 5 hours a week. The person my child might accidentally call mom when beckoning them over for help tying a shoe lace. The person that will comfort my child when he cries over an owie or hurt feelings. The person who will determine if my child is really sick or just wanting a break from class time. The person who will discipline my child when he talks out of turn or says a potty word (believe me, it's bound to happen). 

And when I met his teacher, I saw the newness in her eyes. Standing behind a desk at the front door, unsure of what she was supposed to be doing, unsure of where to put supplies some parents had brought but sure that she was not going to leave that spot of comfort. Handing out scavenger hunts that didn't include pictures but words that only parents could read. Not trying to extend conversations with parents but just trying to explain papers and look professional. Trying to look like she knew what she was doing but she was young and she was new. And I wanted to cry out, "Not a first year teacher!" I was not pleased. I had been there. I had struggled through that first year constantly gasping for air and feeling like I had no idea what I was doing. And I had ruined 21 students... Hadn't I?

But I hadn't. It was a tough year but my students progressed and learned. And I still remember how one mom had told me that I was exactly the teacher her child needed that year. Me! A first year teacher! So now it's time to stop judging and put my confidence in this teacher. It's been awhile since I have worn my teacher hat and that's ok. I get the mom hat now and it's pretty fabulous. And this mom is determined to be a helpful, non yellow dot parent. And who knows, maybe she will be just what my child needs.

Complaints

I tend to be to wordy when I complain so I will make a few abbreviated complaints- and then I will try to let go and be more positive!

1) My boss is frustrating me because she's giving me grief about paying me $100/month for rent, insurance, supplies. She just wants to pay for insurance and supplies and doesn't seem to think that using my house for her tutoring company warrants rent (Rebekka also tutors out of my home). She also wants to tell me exactly what to buy with the money (like a rug & a divider for the room, neither I feel necessary).

2) I just registered Steven for full day Kindergarten next year and that makes me sad because if I am still on this tutoring schedule I will never see my Steven. But I don't want him to behind academically and he doesn't learn well from me.

3) I cut off a sliver of my thumb this week with a kitchen knife and it was hard to go through most of the week without being able to use one of my thumbs normally.

4) I wish Lucy would just nurse normally again and not constantly be screaming at me when I try to feed her. It stresses me out!

And the complaints are done so I will end with a sweet story:

We had just dropped Steven off at preschool & Ben asked me why Steven had to go to preschool. I told him he needed to go there to learn (about "Sponge Bob" right!?). Ben replied, "But he's my friend and I NEED him!" Obviously I won't be the only one missing Steven next year!