So they will be Taught

Back in May, I was so excited to have Caden done with school.  The thought of not having to be anywhere at any certain time was so heavenly.  Being 'free'...no schedules, no extra-curricular activities....just plain ol' summer fun. 

Well, we did have alot of fun this summer.  So much that I really neglected this blog!  But I also learned something.  Not only do my kids thrive on structure and routine...SO DO I!  I am one who works well under pressure (I am a great procrastinator) and some of my best work comes out of having a deadline.  So since we never had to be anywhere, there was no 'deadlines'...and I didn't get much done except have a good time with my kids.  Sometimes being 'free' isn't as 'freeing' as you may think!

As the past week came closer I was aching to have the kids back in school. (So ironic, eh)  We need the structure.  I feel more productive....and the kids couldn't be more excited!

School came extra early for Sydney.  She has a late September birthday so she missed the cut-off of Sept 1st.  to be in public schools.  I enrolled her in a charter school near my house in their half day kindergarten!  I am not sure I will have her go into 1st grade next year, but wanted her to have the best opportunity regardless.  So at the end of the year we will see what we think, and most likely transfer her to Caden's school.  Since this was a Charter school...they started on July 28th!

(She asked EVERY SINGLE DAY when school started just so she could wear THIS outfit!)

Luckily another friend from the neighborhood is in class with her, and we get to carpool.  Sydney has loved getting to know Kamdyn.

Two whole weeks later...Caden finally started school!  It was really odd to have him home, and Sydney gone for those two weeks. 

 

(Mom!  The sun hurts my eyes!)

He is so proud to be in 1st grade, and I am really excited for his new teacher.  Last year he had 3 other kids from our ward in his class, but this time he is by himself.  It will be good for him to be able to make some new friends.

A new year brings new things!  We also added another family to our carpool so instead of me driving every other day...we take weeks!  So when it is my turn, I drive the entire week...but then have 2 weeks off!!!  I am last in the rotation so it has been strange not having to worry about that! 

The other 'new' thing is only having ONE kid at home...atleast for half the day!  Sydney doesn't get home until noon!  I am hoping to be able to utilize my time better, and catch up on some of those projects that I have been meaning to do! 

All in all I am so thankful for people that take the time to teach my children.  I am always in awe of those in homeschool...just not my cup of tea!  I am glad that my kids can trust another adult, and build relationships that will help them.  In someways it is sad to realize that my kids are growing up so fast.  Yet at the same time it makes me so happy to watch them learn new things...even if I wasn't the one who taught them. 

Here is to a year of fun and excitement!

And So It Begins...

My Dearest Caden,

Only two short months ago, you began a journey. This journey will consume the majority of your childhood, and at times you will love it. Other times you will be counting down the days for it to be over.

Part of me wondered how I would feel the day I dropped you off for the first time. Was I going to be one of those Mom's with tears streaming down my face because you were leaving me for the day? I have to say there was a bit of sadness, but no tears. For me, it is so great to watch you grow. Yes, I know it means that sooner than later you will be leaving me for good, but there is so much joy that can be found knowing that you are thriving. It has taken a bit of time getting used to you being gone for so long, but you are having so much fun.

I loved being there that first day before the bell rang. You had got yourself all ready early that morning. You had picked out a Spiderman backpack, and Spiderman Lunch bag...so naturally you wanted to wear your Spiderman shirt (you even tried to get Spiderman shoes, but I am a mean mom, and didn't like them...so I made you pick different ones, sorry). The shirt was a little small, but I didn't want to ruin your excitement, so I just went with it.
When we arrived at the school you ran to the playground, and played while I watched. I couldn't believe that you were actually going to be a Kindergartener! Soon, it was time to line up to go inside for class. I wondered if we were going to have a repeat of last year. I know you are one of the oldest in the class, but I didn't want you to feel like you totally stood out. It was nice to see that alot of the boys had caught up! I am sure you will always be one of the tallest in your class, but atleast you don't tower over everyone anymore. Before I knew it you guys were heading inside. I stood and watched as you walked away...never looking back. My heart had little tugs halfway throughout the day when I usually was picking you up at your old school...yet you still had a few more hours left before I would see you again.
It is strange knowing that for the next 12 years someone else will be part of your life more than I am. I just hope you know that I am thinking about you every hour of the day. There are times I wish I could just set up a camera in your classroom...just so I could peek in on you. You are a wonderful boy. So full of life. I am thankful that I am your mother, and will be by your side throughout this journey of learning.

Oh...By the way...School makes you really tired :o)

I Can Breathe!

The month of September brought a whirlwind of events. Many things happened that got me so overwhelmed and preoccupied that I didn't seem to be able to find much time to blog.

The program that I put Caden in for school this year was going great...and then on Labor Day his teacher went into labor and had her baby 4 weeks earlier. That is where my nightmare began. To help explain what happened, here is the copy of the letter that I gave to Caden's teacher when I pulled him from his class yesterday. (Yes, it is harsh, but I can't begin to explain how frustrated I was with the situation.)

I have tried to figure out how to put all of my thoughts into words, but it has been pretty hard. As you know, having Ms. ***** leave so suddenly put us all in shock. We all thought it was great that Ms. ***** (the principal) was able to find a replacement so soon. The first few days were a little hectic...which was to be expected. I thought it would be a short time for things to settle into place, and a routine to be set.

I have to say that I have been disappointed at what this past month has brought us. I am not sure what Ms. ***** (the principal) has told you, but there are many of the parents that are extremely unhappy with what is going on. Many of us leave school frustrated because of the lack of communication. I feel like I have no idea what is actually being taught in the classroom. When I was there to volunteer, and along with others who have been there also, I was disappointed to see no real formal instructions to our children. From our observations it feels as if they are in daycare for 3 hours.

I understand that alot of learning is involved during free play, but I feel that our children need and deserve a more structured environment. I feel that they need more teacher involvement, and more hands on instruction (especially when it comes to writing their letters and numbers). I had to spend almost 2 hours with Caden on his homework last week because he had no idea how to write his numbers. This is something I feel should be taught in the classroom. The homework should be review...not a task that makes my son feel so frustrated because he was not shown how to do it in the first place.

I have been disappointed that there is yet to have been a curriculum packet provided when it has been a whole month since your arrival. I would have thought that one was already made for your other school. (She teaches a YLK class in the mornings at another campus)

Honestly, I have been so frustrated with this whole situation that I am pulling my child out of your class. I feel like he has learned virtually nothing this month, and has actually digressed in areas. I am not alone in this feeling. I actually was fortunate enough to be able to get Caden enrolled in another YLK program and today will be his last day. I know if the other parents had options at least 12 of your students would be going to other schools. Unfortunately, the district has its rules and despite the fact that the majority of the parents would like a replacement, we have been told it isn't possible. Personally, I feel like you should resign from your position. I have recommended to the other parents involved that they go on a rotation to be in your classroom every day in order to make sure the children are getting the education and attention that they deserve.

I am sorry to have to leave under these circumstances, but I had no
choice. I wish you the best in your career.

It appears that she is making some changes, and things may be getting better...but I couldn't sit around and wait for her to get her act together. I feel kinda silly because I did get so obsessed with the whole thing, but for whatever reason I couldn't let it go.

I can't begin to explain how refreshing it was to meet Caden's new teacher on Thursday. I got more information from her in 10 minutes than I have gotten all month from his previous teacher. I walked out of the meeting feeling like I could breathe again!!!

Pre-K Christmas Party

Today was Caden's last day of pre-school before the new year. They had their Christmas Party, and all the parents were invited. In the past, Caden has had a really hard time adjusting to all the different people there. This time I tried something a little different. I made sure that Sydney was watched by a friend (Thanks Melanie!) and then we arrived there early. I thought that maybe he wouldn't have as much of a hard time if he was able to adjust to each arrival rather than all at once. It proved to help a little bit. Caden was still a little bit clingy, but was much more ready to participate. Hopefully over time, he will get better at it.

They did alot of fun things today. The first thing they got to do was decorate sugar cones into Christmas trees. It was a really fun craft. We plastered the cone with green frosting, and then Caden went to town decorating it will all different sorts of candy. He was really proud of the final creation.

They also got to make reindeer food for Santa's reindeer. It has been fun this year because Caden is really getting into the concept. He is excited to sprinke it onto our lawn so that they reindeer can eat it when they get to our house. He is sure they will be "so hungry."

Their next activity was a gift exchange. Everyone brought a small gift to give to someone in the class. Caden had gone with me to pick out a gift, but he didn't quite get the concept. He was so excited when we wrapped it last night, and made sure that we brought it to class. I had explained to him that he would be giving it to one of his friends in class....that is the part he didn't quite understand. His teacher tried to play a game where everyone was supposed to pass it to the person next to them while she played some music. As soon as the music stopped the present you had in your hands was the one they got to open. It was hilarious to watch. Caden wouldn't let go of his, and some of the others wouldn't either. One of the kids started opening every gift that was passed to him. In the end they threw all their gifts to the center and then they each picked a different one. That is when Caden lost it. He thought he was getting the one that we had bought together, and didn't want to have anything to do with the "new" gift. I guess in time he will understand the importance of giving rather than recieving.

Towards the end of class they had a special visit from Santa. It was pretty funny to see how excited the kids got. The costume was lacking, but the kids still ate it up. They each got a picture with Santa, and a treat from him too. Caden loves Santa, but is still afraid to approach him by himself. So I took him up there, and he was able to get his treat.

The best part for me was when they gave us our "parent" gift. This isn't the best picture, and it is impossible to get a picture that captures the whole thing. Obviously...it is an ornament. They had put Caden's hand in white paint and then had him grab the ball. Caden then decorated each finger to be a snowman. It is the cutest thing ever. It made his hand look soooo tiny, and I will cherish it forever. It also had a little poem attached to it that read

These aren't just five snowmen,
As anyone can see.
I made them with my hand
Which is a part of me.
Now each year when you trim the tree
You'll look back and recall
Christmas of 2007
When my hand was just this small!

We really had a fun time together. I love this boy more than words can express. This week he has been a pill, but in the end he just melts my heart away!

R-E-D

Caden learned this at preschool the other day, and I just had to tape it.

The song is from "Sing and Read Colors" by Frog Street Press.

Caden goes to school...er Pre-school!

After a slew of events we ended up putting Caden into preschool at our local school. I was a little nervous, yet excited for Caden to go to a “real” school. Last week was his first few days of class.

I tried to get a few shots of Caden on his first day. Caden, true to form, did not want to have anything to do with it. Hopefully one day I will have pictures of him smiling on the first day of school! He really did have a good time, and was happy to be there despite what it appears in the pictures.

After a couple of days of going he informed me that he wasn’t going to school. He went on to tell me that it was “PRE-SCHOOL” not “SCHOOL, MOM!” It is funny to hear his stories each day when I pick him up. He always wants to walk to school, and we have done it a few times, but it is too dang hot here! I can't wait until it cools down!

He has had a few "incidents" at school that have made me chuckle. The other day "Miss Tiffany" had to take him out of the class for a few minutes because he started crying when Mrs. Johnston wanted them to do something. Yes, my child is strong willed, and he likes to think that everything he does has to be his idea. He got over it, and was able to have fun that day. He has to figure out that he can't always control the world!

Then yesterday he refused to stand and say the pledge! What a silly kid! He really is a good boy, but he has quite the stubborn streak in him! When he gets older I know his strong will can be a good thing, but man, it drives me crazy sometimes!

Can you believe his birthday is tomorrow!?! He will be 4! He really isn’t my baby anymore! Excuse me while I go shed a tear!