Parent/Teacher conference #1

I don’t really share this hear to brag or share too much information, it’s just I don’t have many places to record things that I want to remember. So here I go.

Trey & I met with Thomas’ teacher this morning to get his report card and find out how he is doing in kindergarten. Turns out, he’s doing okay. He knows more than he is supposed to know (which frankly, I don’t think is all that hard (considering what they think he should know by now)…sadly.) His handwriting is improving; as is the effort he is giving to making more detailed drawings and staying in the line when coloring. Those things all relate to his fine motor skills, which still are a bit of a work in progress – but he is doing so much better. He is making an obvious effort to improve in these areas and it’s so cute to see him trying so hard to do these things right. He gets so impressed with himself when he does (and I do too!).

As for his reading, he is doing exceptionally well. Of the 22 students in her class, she decided to test three of them using a 1st grade assessment test (the DRA test) to gauge their reading level. Thomas was one of those three. She started him out at Level 8 (which apparently is the level of a mid-year 1st grader) and he scored a 97%. She then tested him at Level 10 and he scored a 99% (he missed one word…I think that was the one where he said “white” instead of “with” or something like that). The only problem with testing is that it bored him. He asked his teacher when she asked him to read the second book if he could go have his center time if he read it. She decided not to test him further after he finished that one (she said she will revisit it at a later date). But even so, he did better on the second (harder) book than the first. The only issue with his reading is that is sometimes just reading the words and he’s not comprehending what he is reading. We are going to keep working with him on the reading, but also throw in the element of reading comprehension (at home).

His main area of needed improvement is his lack of focus. This is absolutely no surprise to us; and unfortunately it may have been worsened recently by a new medication he is taking to deal with his allergies and mild asthma (his teacher let us know that it seemed to get a little worse after he started the med…and then it got REALLY bad when he had to use his albuterol inhaler daily for almost a week. That medicine makes him SO hyper.). The teacher said that we’ll just continue to monitor it (and try to help him improve!).

Let me preface my next statement by saying I frequently get annoyed when I hear a parent say, “My child is not being challenged at school!” But I think a bit of Thomas’ problems with lack of focus are that the work is easy for him (at this point) and he’d rather play than “waste his time” (from his perspective) doing something he finds so trivial. I mean, for example, in the first nine weeks, they have been working to “learn” how to recognize all of the letters and numbers. I’m pretty sure Thomas had this all figured out by the time he was 18 months old – he learned them in the bathtub! The teacher said they are working on writing the numbers 11-20 right now. Thomas can write his numbers to 100 (at least) now. Anyway, I know he’s not the only child who is repeating a lot of these things right now, and I also know that it’s good for him in some ways to “learn” it again.

But I do hope that as he moves into things that he is learning for the first time, he will have an easier time focusing (because he will want to gain the new knowledge). Only time will tell.

Anyway, the teacher said she’d be more concerned if he lacked focus AND had a hard time doing the actual work. But she said, “he is very bright” (her words, not mine) and he CAN do the work…he would just rather do something else. It’s basically the same stuff his 4s teacher told us last year.

Mrs. C also said Thomas is a sweet and kind child who has many friends in his class. She said he plays with many different children (which is good) and doesn’t just always stick around the same ones. And apparently he really loves to spend time with the sand table center.

All in all, it was a good conference and a great report card. I think he got the top mark (it’s not an A) in everything except for the one about staying focused (that one got a “needs improvement”). I’m eager to see how he’ll do over the next nine weeks.

Second time for Day One in the 3s

Today was Parker’s first day in his 3s class. He will be going three mornings a week. Even though he ended up LOVING his 2s class and looked forward to going and cried on the days Thomas was in school and he wasn’t, it’s been a bit harder to psyche him up for the 3s.

This summer he attended two 3-day (morning) weeks at his school for camp sessions. I don’t know why (well, I have my guesses but I won’t put that on the blog), but he HATED it. He cried most of the time he was there and begged not to go back. This was so very unlike Parker and the experience we had come to know with him and school. Part of it was that he didn’t have any familiar faces in his class, but he just hated it. The only day he remotely liked was the last day, and he went around the whole morning telling everyone he encountered that it was his last day.

When Thomas started school last week, the anxiety started to set in for Parker. He kept saying how he didn’t want to go to school and despite the fact that I kept reassuring him that he didn’t have to go last week (and that when he did return to school he’d have a wonderful teacher and lots of his friends with him), he still was not happy. SEVERAL nights over the past week, he has woken up in the middle of the night and cried out “I don’t want to go to school!” Last night was no exception.

So this morning was tough. Though I should say, he went to his school open house on Saturday and loved the classroom and the teachers and spent most of the day yesterday saying “YEAH SCHOOL! I love school! School is so much fun!” But this morning, he no longer shared these beliefs.

By the time it was time to head out the door, he was starting to let me know that he really didn’t want to go. He wasn’t crying, but he was pouting and not cooperating at all. I asked him to take a picture for me on the steps and this is what I got – “Smile bookbag!”

Where was Parker? Hiding in the garage, refusing to even touch his bookbag and nametag.

When we reached his school, the pouting quickly changed to anger and then a complete meltdown. You can’t tell so much here, but he’s bawling in this picture.

It was super hard to even get him out of the carseat because he fought me with every ounce of his 40 pounds. He cried the whole way inside and even though I pointed out his friends when he arrived at his classroom, he was undeterred in his tears. Quickly I realized I needed to go and the assistant teacher stepped in and offered to take him. I agreed that was best and she took him…but he quickly took a fistful of my hair in each hand. I had to pry each finger away, all the while he is screaming and crying in my ear. And just when I thought I got away, he reached out and latched on to another handful of hair. Note to self: put hair in a bun for next drop-off.

Less than three hours later I returned for pick-up. I was quickly assured by someone in the front office that he quickly calmed down and had a great day. When he came out he looked happy and calm. When he saw me, he was thrilled and jumped into my arms, but he assured me that he had a great day (even though “I cried just a little bit.”). His teacher told me he cried for about two minutes and then was perfectly happy the rest of the morning.

He even gladly agreed to pose for a picture as we were leaving. Silly boy.

When we got home, he graciously agreed to accompany his bookbag for a few “first day” photos on the steps.

“I’m a 3-year old in the 3s!”

Parker, I am glad your day improved and I hope you have a wonderful year in the 3s. I know you will have so much fun!

As for me, it’s a lot easier the second time around. Then again, I suppose if I let myself think more about the fact that this is the LAST time I will have a little boy in the 3s, it might make me a bit misty-eyed. My boys are growing up way too fast!

Halloween Carnival (times two)

Today the boys both enjoyed the Halloween carnival and individual class parties at their school.  Many thanks to Trey for coming and helping since I was going to have a really hard time being in two places at once and I didn't want either child being neglected!  They have been looking forward to today all week and were very excited to go to school.

Thomas got to wear his costume and Parker (and all twos) wore his class t-shirt.  He didn't seem to mind that he couldn't wear his costume, thankfully.


Trey came and took Parker to his carnival and I joined them after dropping off cupcakes in Thomas' class.


Parker enjoyed all of the games, but mostly wanted to play with all of his prizes!


He made some of the games a little bit easier for himself.  He had more success throwing the bean bags from one inch away, not four feet.  :)


He had success throwing the velcro ghost...




He didn't end up keeping this prize, but I'm glad I got a picture of it.  Too funny!


I think he settled on a magnifying glass from the treasure chest of prizes...


Then the kids headed to the playground until it was time for their party.  There was swingin'...


Drivin'...


And lots of playing until it was time to line up and go inside...


After two years of watching from the sidelines at Thomas' class parties, I think Parker was most happy to finally have his turn to sit at the table!


Then it was time for me to leave Parker with his classmates and head over to join Thomas' party...already in progress with a fun scavenger hunt.


I actually had to bypass watching that fun and help set up for the party.  The parents had gathered together quite a feast!


Thomas was hot from being outside (nearly 90 degrees on October 28 is just wrong, wrong, wrong!), so he wouldn't look at me or eat much...but here's the best I could get of his party...


Here's Thomas at the carnival with two of his best buds...


Thomas was happy with his eyewear prize (perhaps not quite as cute as Parker's find)...


He intently looked for a whistle in the treasure box.  Just what we need around the house...another whistle.


Then it was on to more games...


I suppose I should have told him to go to the devil side...


Back in the classroom, he tried on his buddy's astronaut helmet...


And posed for a picture with "Princess Jasmine."  This is a friend who was in his gymnastics class last year and he frequently talked about her.  He was so happy when he found out she'd be in his class this year!  :)


Most of the children left early for the day with their parents, but some either stay the whole day, or like Thomas, stay for longer than usual on Thursdays (Thomas hs his "Ready Hands" (occupational therapy in a fun atmosphere) class and stays for lunch and a little extra playing).  So we got them to change into something more comfortable and one of the other moms ("Jasmine's" mom)  read the children an interactive (dancing) story.  They were hanging on her every word.  Too cute.


And then I left and went to pick up Parker (who was at that point, one of only two children left in his class (everyone else left early with a parent).  He didn't seem to mind.  He had a fun day.

Speaking of fun, I snapped a quick pic of the measuring tape in Thomas' class.  It shows how tall he was on the first day of school (and the same of his classmates).  His teacher wrote down two "Thomas M."'s, but I am sure that one is actually our Thomas.  As such, he's tied with two other children as the second tallest in his class (the tallest is a little girl!).  Anyway, thought that was cute.

First day of school for Parker!

Today was Parker's first official day of "school"!


He will be going two mornings a week and as I mentioned in a previous post, he has the same teacher(s) that Thomas had for his 2s class. I'm very happy about that.

Parker was a bit nervous about school this morning, but his big brother kept trying to assure him that he was going to have fun.


He was, however, excited about using his bookbag. I think he was so happy because now he has one like his big brother!




As I said, he was a bit skeptical about school and told me more than once that he didn't want to go. But he didn't start crying as soon as he saw his teachers (as he did at the school's open house on Saturday!). I walked him in and we checked everything out together. I tried introducing him to a few of his new friends, and when he started getting a little fussy, I decided it was time to go. He cried and wailed, but I quickly left.

When I returned, he was full of joy to see me. That moment is something I must capture on video because it makes me so happy to see him so thrilled to see me. I know it won't be long before he doesn't want to leave school, just like Thomas! His teacher told me that he had a great day. Apparently every time he started to get a bit upset, the teachers reminded him that I would give him a lollipop if he was good and didn't cry (and it worked!).

We'll see how things continue, but I think his first day was a success!

First day of school!

Today Thomas started the first day of his 4s class. He's at the same school where he has been for the past two years, and he was quite excited about starting his four-day 4s class.

Parker, on the other hand, is apparently pretending he is only one, so he doesn't have to go to school (tomorrow). :)

This picture looks about right...Thomas can't contain his excitement and Parker...well, not so much.


Thomas loves school. I think he likes the "playing" part better than the learning part, but hopefully he will learn this year that school is really more for education, not recreation (and he'll be okay with that). Don't get me wrong, he loves learning new things, but what he really loves is playtime. He is, after all, four years old.

This year there are nearly 20 children in his class. I was a bit alarmed at the large class size, but his teacher seems great and I've heard nothing but glowing reviews.

As for his friends, he was a bit sad to know that one of his best friends would not be in his class this year. Last year he and two other boys were the Three Musketeers of their class. They didn't do anything without the other two. Even though one of the boys is not in his class, the first thing Thomas told me about class was that he saw H (the third of the musketeers) on the playground. He was so happy about that.

I hope that Thomas enjoys school this year and learns all he needs to know to prepare him for kindergarten. I also hope and pray that his love for school will wear off on his brother. This summer, Thomas went to camp for three separate weeks (at his school). Parker went one week for two mornings and another week for three mornings. The last of the five days he cried the entire morning. I'm not overly hopeful about his first day tomorrow, but I hope he surprises me. His teacher was Thomas' 2s teacher.

Of course I think back to Thomas' first day of his 2s class. He cried and screamed with many other children. And today, he ran into his class and I had to go over to him and ask him to tell me goodbye. The boy loves school.

Oh, and interesting fact... In his 2s class, he was one of two Thomases (Thomas M and our T). Then last year he was again one of two Thomases (Thomas W - his best bud). Well, this year, all three Thomases are in this same class!

First school experience

Thomas is at his school every morning this week for camp. His two best buddies are there so he is happy as can be. He runs into his class every morning and never even takes a moment to tell me goodbye. On Monday it was so sweet to see how the other boys were so excited to see him. I remember when Thomas was in his 2s class and some of the other children had obviously bonded, but I didn't feel like Thomas had made any strong friendships. No big deal, he was only two! But last year in his 3s class, he became best, best buddies with two other boys. They were the three musketeers of their class. Everytime they had a class project that asked a question about friends/classmates, each boy ALWAYS answered with the names of the other two. One of his buddies is not actually in his class this week, but they still get enough playtime on the playground and group activities, so they are just thrilled to see each other again.

But that's not the "first" experience I mentioned in the title. Parker will start in his 2s class next month and will go two mornings a week (Thomas will be going four mornings a week...and one of his two buddies will be in his class). To get him ready, I signed him up for a couple "camp" weeks this summer at his school. This week I signed him up for two mornings and this morning was the first. I didn't know what to expect. He always says he wants to go to school and he frequently wanted to stay in Thomas' class last year. BUT, I don't think he wants to do any of this without me or his brother. We can't even get him to stay in the church nursery anymore (unless Thomas stays with him). He just screams bloody murder until the nursery workers relent and send us a page to come get him.

I talked it up to him for a few days and told him how much fun he was going to have. Then this morning after we took Thomas to his class, I told Parker it was time to go to his. He quickly realized I was going to leave and he was not interested. I tried to reassure him, but he just latched on as tightly as he could manage. He wrapped his arms around my neck and his legs around my middle. He was like a little monkey. Then I peeled him off me and handed him to his teacher. He looked at me with a face that nearly brought me to tears and screamed like his world was ending. I didn't get a picture of it, but he looked a bit like this child (only older and not being held by a former president!)















I rushed out the room and listened to him wailing as I walked down the hall. I decided to sit and wait and it was not fun for me or anyone else walking down the hall.

He quieted for a moment and then started up again. The director came out of the office because she had been watching me (and listening). She thought he had stopped, but quickly realized he had not. She told me she'd go check and see if it was possible he wasn't going to be able to stay. I must have waited 10 minutes, but finally she came out and gave me the good news that he had calmed down. Whew. And then I had two hours to myself! :) No, :-D.

When I came to his class for pick-up, he was playing quietly with some other children at a table. As soon as he saw me, his face lit up with a big smile and he rushed over to me. I asked him if he had fun and he said, "Mommy, I want to go home now." We'll see how Thursday goes!

When I picked up Thomas he told me something about how he and his class walked by Parker's room and his teachers told him to tiptoe and be quiet so Parker wouldn't see him. I guess the word was on the streets of his school that Parker was on the edge. Ha ha.

At least we picked a week with ice cream as a theme. Yesterday Thomas and his class made ice cream from scratch. And today the boys enjoyed a visit from the ice cream truck. Parker said he got a red popscicle and Thomas inexplicably got an ice cream sandwich (he hates chocolate, so he said he didn't eat it), even though he told me he had many other interesting choices. I bet that's what his buddies got so he wanted to do the same!

Oh, speaking of firsts, today I signed Thomas up to play soccer in the fall. I can't wait and he really cannot wait. I had to ask him about it to make sure he was interested, and now he asks me about 22 times a day if he gets to play tomorrow. And when I tell him "no," that it's weeks away, he gets very upset. Oh boy. I hope it's all he expects it will be!

The sweetest thing

I'm trying to get over the fact that I did something really dumb today. I borrowed my mother's new digital SLR camera to give it a test at Thomas' class picnic today. It was the end-of-the-year event for ALL of the 3s classes (and many siblings like Parker tagged along). I took pictures as the children played on the playground. Pictures of Parker, pictures of Thomas, pictures of Thomas and his best buddies. I snapped away as the kids had a sack race and other games out on the field. I kept capturing the moment when the class had lunch and then the teachers handed out their "diplomas" during circle time. And I was still happily clicking away when the boys checked out Spray Play (the big fountains of play). I must have taken about 100 pictures. Or so I thought.

A few times I noticed when I turned it on, the camera said something like "no card" for just a moment, but it seemed to be taking pictures just fine. But I never took time to review what I had. Then as I was sitting at Spray Play, reveling in the beautiful moment I had just captured on film, I realized my goof. I left the memory card in my computer the night before. The "no card" notice was accurate. And "no card" meant "no pictures." I felt like a dolt. And worse, I missed some wonderful pictures.

So in an effort to drown my sorrows, I keep thinking back on my happiest moment of the day. I even made Thomas recreate the moment a little bit. :)

Spray Play is basically a large sprinkler and water fountain for kids to run around and enjoy. It has a padded floor, and about ten jets of water (that come on and off on a timer) around a semi-circle with a large constantly spraying fountain in the middle. The jets on the outside are about eight feet or so apart and they come on for about 20 seconds, starting small and going pretty high before turning off for about a minute.

Here's one just as it starts to spray out:


And when it gets to its highest/strongest point:


Thomas loves to pick one streaming jet and sit on it and wait for the water to spout out. Parker, however, is not so keen on sprinklers or spraying fountains.

Parker finally worked up the courage and walked over to the puddles around the edge (while the streaming jets were off).  He was having a lot of fun.  Then the water came on, hit him in the face and he freaked out.  I was three jets away (I'd have to walk through all of them to get to him).  He moved away from the jet, crying and wailing, and moved in between two of them (Thomas was sitting on the one the next over).  I didn't think Thomas noticed him, so I was about to go rescue him when Thomas looked back and saw him.  He jumped up and rushed over to Parker, and hugged him in such a way that was saying, "I will protect you."  I think he even had one of his hands cupped behind Parker's head.  It was something like this:



(of course in the re-enactment, Parker is smiling.  It wasn't that way at Spray Play!  There, he just buried his head in Thomas' chest.)

Then as soon as the water turned off, he lovingly took Parker by the arm and led him back over to me.  It was the absolute sweetest thing in the world.  My heart melted and tears came to my eyes.  I was so proud of Thomas for looking out for his little brother...particularly without even being asked!  Parker went back a few minutes later and the scene repeated itself again.  Then Parker decided he wasn't going back.  :)

Even though there are times that being a parent of two boys makes me tired to my very core, it is moments like that that make me so happy that we have our two boys, two years apart.  These boys may fight sometimes, but they also love each other with a love that is so sweet and unique to brothers.


I pray that they always love each other...and have each other's back.


And I hope Thomas can forgive his dunce of a mother for missing proper documentation of his special day!