Alas…wrinkles and worry

My latest struggle with kindergarten has fostered the arrival of new lines and wrinkles on my otherwise youthful appearance. While clearly naive, I never thought my kids would have problems in school. They have never had problems before, so what is different about kindergarten? In reflecting on the last few weeks, I realize that there is so much more to parenting then just parents and children. The simplicity of what I can remember as ‘the good ole days’ of communication between parents and caregivers has reached a new level of throwing verbal punches and defensiveness. I guess I was not ready for the first, “And what IS happening at home?” As a response to something that happened at school. And “This has got to stop!” After a scribble on paper. As a parent of a 6 year old, the expectations I have of my daughter are that she try her very hardest in school, that she learn from her mistakes and move forward as an individual. The old adage that ,”kids will be kids” should not be used as an excuse for behavior, but as a reminder to adults that kids are not miniature adults but young individuals. Throwing stickers at them for good behavior may work at 6 but it is not going to teach them life skills. This too shall pass, right! I have to continue to remind myself of this.

 

Motherhood: At a Glance

I have experienced some recent tests to my ego as a mother. It has put me in my place and has allowed me countless hours of reflection and perseveration.

Kelsey (my little angel) has been getting in trouble at school. I was able to pass it off as kindergarten transition for a while, but realized sometime after the second humiliating call home from school that something needed to be done. So we scheduled a doctor’s appointment to have a check-up and ensure all the physiological avenues were addressed. The appointment was last week…

The nurse asked me what kind of referrals we needed and I answered with a definitive, “I don’t know.” The nurses statement, “Well, I don’t know what you expect from us if you don’t know what you need,” put me back in my place once again. Gone are the days when a doctor’s visit has to include a specific purpose (getting a referral), I just wanted to run the behaviors past a person who has known Kelsey since she was born, her doctor. The doctor came in and was much more understanding, and indicated that there was nothing to worry about at this point.

I left with a sense that Kelsey was cured. I don’t know why? However, in a frenzy of uncontrolled energy she hit a boy at Sunday School this weekend. We realize there are no quick answers as parents, just a lot of gut-checks.

 

Letter to my personal editor “Me”

Did you have to barricade yourself in your room Friday night when the she-law came to town?

All she did was attack your parenting for the um-teenth time (getting the kids to clean up their own messes) and suggest that her lovely son should continue to rough-house with your dog until he reached the point of attack dog after you politely requested him to stop.

On Saturday did you have to bite her head off while riding in your car with her?

She was only attacking your parenting for a second time during the weekend for allowing her, I mean, your child to wear her shoes on wrong feet… comparing the situation to a third grader in a class that she was a substitute for and wearing his flipflops on the wrong feet because his parents obviously don’t pay much attention to him either.

On Sunday did you really feel that it was necessary to avoid her completely and skip brunch?

After all, she paid and only makes judgemental statements because she loves you and feels obliged to provide personal attacks in the most lovingly of grandparental ways.

Really…you take things too personally!

 

Olympic Memories

In these days of competition and record making by swimmers and track and field stars, it has been fun to stay up late and catch all of the races (all the best ones seems to be on tv after 10pm).

One of my memories will be not on tv but in picking Kelsey up from school. This week her school held the A+ Olympics. Apparently they held events such as lego building, relay races in the hallway, the puzzle event and there were others. The kids were split up into teams; the green team, the pink team, blue team and red team. Kelsey’s team was the green team and apparently the green team and pink team were quite competitive with 6-7 medals each. It was one of the highlights of the summer for Kelsey as she walked up to me when I arrived with 7 medals around her neck explaining that she WON the Olympics!

 

De-li-cious

This was so funny, I just could not help but post it to remember how sweet it was.

I was on the way to the athletic club, with Kylie, when we were discussing her day at daycare.

Kylie: We had a really good lunch today.

Me: Oh really, what was it?

Kylie: We had Mac and Cheese and I finished it…all gone!

Me: Good job.

Kylie: And guess what else…

Me: What?

Kylie: We had sprinkle cookies and they were DE-li-cious!

Me: (laughing rather hysterically) WOW! That is so cool.

 

Ready, Set, Learn!

We have gotten the list of school supplies and are prepared to bring them on the orientation night. And..let’s not forget about the skechers

All that I heard from Kelsey at the shoe store was how great skechers are. She is an advertisers dream…”Mommy, they will help me jump higher, and run faster, these shoes are GREAT!”

Kylie was also unconvinced of the superiority…
Kesley said: “Kylie you should get some Skechers too, they are the best, don’t you want to run fast like me?”
Kylie: “No, Kelsey. I want the princess light-up shoes.”

So we left with a pair of Skechers and the Princess light-up shoes.

 

Chuga-Chuga

So it is already August, which means summer is almost over and school begins soon. I am eager to purchase school supplies with Kelsey and smell her first #2 pencil get sharpened, get her some new shoes (she has requested Skechers). Her first of many years to come of requests to have something, “like her friends”. I am excited for her, because I remember the excitement of the first day of school, getting to know new friends and seeing old friends. Hopefully all will go well!

On another front…my car is having issues…major issues. I think it might be possessed! First I began hearing dying cow moans coming from the fan, then space alien shrieks from the fan, my coolant system had some issues which is now repaired, my check engine light is on (they say it needs a new oxygen sensor), my timing belt was replaced, it dies out after I first start it in the morning, and now the radio seems to be shorting out. Either someone is tampering with it, the aliens are trying an experiment on me to see what will drive me insane, or it is possessed with a spiteful car repair ghost that has some issues that need to be sorted out. I prefer to blame the fictitious before considering that my car is a lemon!

 

Color Me Happy

I have mentioned in public and private settings, once or twice, of the fear that my youngest isn’t picking up on things-such as colors.

As a parent, there are so many things to fear; looking both ways before crossing the street, germs and megagerms infecting your children, and setting your child or children up for happiness and intelligence. It is the latter that has taken much of my attention with Kylie. She is a funny and happy kid; she can crack a joke about nothing and make everyone in the room laugh (she is 3 years old by the way). She has had many colds and fevers this winter that have drained my energy and I am sure hers too. A few weeks ago, I was reading “Brown Bear” to her. As children do, she was reciting the story, but was leaving off the color of the animal. I did not think much of it, until the end of the story where there is a picture of all of the animals and a cue to recite all of them. Again, she skipped the colors. It was no biggy at first until I began to run the scene through my head, she is young and will start school young with an August birthday. It all comes down to; I want her to succeed. I vigorously began working with her on colors, but she did not seem to be getting it so I have left it alone for the last few weeks.

Two days ago I was picking her up from day care and the daycare lady said, “Kylie put your mittons on, its cold today.” Kylie replied, “No”, as many 3 years olds respond. Again the daycare person said, “Kylie, with all of the colds you have had you need to wear your … by the way what color are they…your mittons.” My heart sank, I responded quietly, “You know, she does not know her colors.” Daycare person responded in a smug way, “YES she does, she has been putting on a big act for you.” I sighed, “Ok” Daycare lady said, “Kylie before you leave what color are your mittons, before you get your Valentine balloon you need to tell us.” Kylie said, “Purple.” And then she laughed. Daycare person said, “Kylie come on.” “Purple!” she said again (the actual color is green). The daycare lady said, “Ok, no balloon for Kylie.” Then she said, “No! They are green!”

I just have to continually repeat this to myself, “this too shall pass.”

 

Signs of Advent Neglect

Last year I tried, and bought a cheap Advent Calendar with cheap chocolates. The only problem was that I realized two weeks into December that we had been forgetting to open the nasty little things.

This year I gave it a brief thought, and then decided we would skip the Advent disaster of last year.

However, friends, family and others have reminded me of the importance of this occasion. A very good friend actually sent my girls an Advent Calendar in the mail the other day. With a note saying, “I remember the memories of having an Advent Calendar to open everyday as a kid. Enjoy!” My mother bought the girls Advent houses, as well.

It appears that despite my attempts to avoid the Advent Calendar scenerio for my kids, I have been reminded of the special memories and the importance of having traditions and special things to share with each other. I suppose next year I will have to put a little more effort into it.

 

Post birthday wrap-up

Kelsey’s official birthday was yesterday, although we had her party with her friends in October. Her celebration yesterday included a party at daycare while receiving the Ken and Barbie Rapunzle set. Kelsey loved it, but Kylie enjoyed it alittle bit more repeating over and over again, “Rapunzle is really beautiful, isn’t she mommie. And Kenny, where is my Kenny doll.” Rapunzle’s hair is extraordinarily long; just like the story goes. Her crown does not come off of her head and has a handle that acts as a lever to hold the platinum blond hair off of the floor. While I don’t care for Barbie and all of the small pieces she comes with, Kylie can’t seem to get enough.

While Kylie was enjoying Barbie and ‘Kenny’, Kelsey enjoyed her store-bought clown cake and movie rental Ratatouille. She enjoyed the movie and popcorn and appreciated a later than normal bedtime. At 5 years old, Kelsey is full of questions and curiosity about everything. Her favorite time of day is in the morning; she seems to have an abundance of spunk during the am. She has a zest for meeting new people and enjoys sharing details with them about her and her sister. She is quite a talker and is not only aware of it, but is proud of it. She has a keen ability to be gentle and understanding with her sister and others who need some extra attention. It is hard to believe that she is 5 years old already, but I am excited to continue to learn with her and share in her zest for life.