Rockin' Robin

The only teaching experiences I have had are the five years I taught high school English when I was fresh out of college. I was twenty-two years old when I started, and taught a bunch of 15 to 17 year old teenagers remedial reading and then freshmen, sophomore, and junior English.

Teaching was supposed to be a brief stopping point on my way to law school. But then I met Danny, he changed my life path, and I have been living a baby crazy whirlwind of a life ever since.

I have never had the opportunity to teach young kids. I thought they would be so active and crazy and unpredictable. Elementary school teachers have my utmost respect and admiration. These teachers are teaching huge classes of every kind of child. They have smart kids, loud kids, sad kids, slow kids, tired kids, smelly kids. They put up with parents, administrators, and government mandates. They change lives by smiling and loving and believing in every child.

Kindergarten teachers, however, are in a class of their own. They take children who are only recently potty trained, who still yearn for their mommies, and change them into little scholars. A kindergarten teacher is charged with the duty of introducing children to a love of learning, a lifetime of curiosity.

Finding the right kinder teacher for your little 5 year old is critical. Little E was lucky enough to get the most incredible kinder teacher ever put on this earth. She is beyond what I would have ever expected of one teacher, especially with the task she has been handed. Twenty-eight little pairs of eyes watch her every move and yearn to hear her speak their name in praise. She has created the most amazing family environment in her classroom. These kids really feel like they belong somewhere, and more importantly, belong to each other.

Anyway, I'll get off my soapbox, and get on with it. I like teachers, all right?!!

Today was E's school's Spring Festival. You might be wondering, what is a Spring Festival? Well, let me tell you! It is an awesome excuse to get all the kids out on the blacktop in coordinating outfits (this year it was a 50's theme, so it was all about bobby socks, black skirts, and high ponytails for the girls) and show off their choreographed dance. I love love love that the teachers put the effort into these shows for the parents. It totally made my day today to see E all decked out and shakin' her money maker.

Let me set this up a little:

The kids saunter on out to their places to the Jackson Five. They even groove as they get to their spots, it's awesome!

Next, they bop around to Rockin' Robin, while the parents ooh, ahh, laugh, and cry. Or maybe that was just me crying, I couldn't help it! It was beyond adorable, ok?!

Then they play a 50's tune for the kids to exit the scene.

It's great, check it out:




E's little partner didn't have a chance. E takes dancing and performing VERY seriously, and that poor little guy wasn't going to keep up with her no matter how good he was. I asked her before hand about her partner and she said, "He is nice, but he dances so slow!!!" Dancing with the Stars, here we come....

Our little 50's angel.

Best buddies.

High pony tails definitely need to come back! DARLING.

A "Second" First Day of School

Cubby started her first year of pre-school last September. She was the most eager, excited, gung-ho little three-year-old on that first day last fall. She had good reason to be so thrilled. She was going to attend not any old ordinary pre-school. She was part of an elite squad of pre-school students lucky enough to attend Mrs. Green's Kiddie Pre-School.

Mrs. Green taught E her first and second years of pre-school. The first year was tense and kind of tough for her since E was only two when she started, and she was (and is) an extreme home-body and mama's girl (which I have NO problem with, and am not ashamed to say so). Mrs. Green was the most gentle, kind, sweet, loving, patient, wonderful, nurturing soul in the whole entire world to little E that year. No one could have done what she did for my little girl. She loved her and accepted her, and by mid-year or so, E had blossomed into a much more independent girl. E's second year of pre-school was an entirely different and much more fun experience for all. E looked forward to going, became involved and animated in class, and longed for Mrs. Green on the non-school days.

So you get the point that Mrs. Green is loved in our house. That's why Cubby was so excited to go to pre-school this year.

Last year, when I would drop E off at school, Cubby would whine about the fact that she was forced to go home with boring old me, and why oh why couldn't she stay with Mrs. Green? A couple of times I caught her hiding out behind a bucket of toys, I'm sure hoping I would just forget about her and go on about my wonderful day without my two year old in tow. Then I would have to drag her out kicking and screaming, and endure the stares of all the jealous moms. Yeah, I know so many moms yearn for my situation with all these kids. They don't have to say it, I can sense these things.

So this year, Cubby has had a wonderful time with her class at Mrs. Green's. She loved every minute of her day, and would report back her most memorable moments. From the most horrendous, "Somebody threw sand!" to the sweet, "I love Sophia," to the bizarre, "I don't really want to eat snails," I heard it all, and I knew she was in the exact right place.

First day of pre-school.

September 2009.

What an adorable little school girl!

Here she is in class that first day. Work that playdough, sister!

I love this picture. Let me translate her facial expression: "Mom, I'm trying to work with playdough here, make friends, and enjoy myself. I am also living my dream of being a student in Mrs. Green's class. Can you please take your camera and leave so I can have a little fun?!"

Pre-school has been great all fall and winter. But Mrs. Green had to have surgery on her knee this February, and the surgery ended up revealing some complications. So long story short, she has been forced to take an eight month break from her pre-school teacher duties. The bending over, climbing stairs, and crouching down were a bit too much, and she needs lots of rest. Needless to say, she was devastated, and so were her students.

Here she is at her last pre-school get together of the winter, the Valentine's Day party.

Cubby is pretty thrilled about seeing Mrs. Green again....and the cupcake is apparently delicious!

After a few weeks at home, and the boredom and whining set in, I hoped and prayed for a place for Cubby to go for some socialization. The praying worked! Cubby got in to a two day per week class at our local Catholic school, and today was her first day!

Cubby is SO excited. The new dress helps. That's actually why E is crying.

E is all about being a princess, so she insists every morning on wearing a dress. Because princesses only wear dresses. I mean, have you ever seen Sleeping Beauty in a pair of jeans? I didn't think so. E wanted to wear a dress today, but she wore that same dress yesterday, so she had to brave it out and wear a skirt. "But princesses never wear skirts, mommy!" she declared. I had to remind her about Snow White's, Cinderella's, and Ariel's skirts (ok, Ariel's is a tail, but I was desperate at this point). She didn't go for it, so here's the best shot I could get of the sisters.....this one will go down in history.

Cubby is ready to meet her new teacher and new friends. You go girl!!! Hey, that's a sweet mini-van in the background.

It was a great day. Cubby made a new friend, created a cool craft pig, learned about the letter "u" (for umbrella bird), and declared love for her new teacher. Life is good. And thank God for answered prayer!

Star of the Month

Remember four days ago when I was worrying about what to do with E about kindergarten? Well, maybe I don't need to worry SO much. Today she received the Academic Star of the Month award for her achievements in reading and writing. She has been so excited and thrilled about this award, that I thought I'd share a few pictures from the ceremony.

Cubby is enjoying a little slide time on the big kids' playground. Due to this picture, she would be chastised by Emma for breaking the rules. "Little kids are NOT supposed to play on the big kid playground!!!"

Farmer Dan and Cubby enjoy a little sun and some delicious chocolate milk.

The whole group of grandparents turned up, including Grandma S.

Grandpa J showed up as well, wait a second, why is he giving me the ol' stink eye? Just kidding, the sun's in his eyes.



Showing up fashionably late, the next set of grandparents, cruising in with the principal.

Ok, let's get this party started.

Again with the stink eye!

Just kidding, he's cool like that. Superintendents can really let loose at their grandkid's awards ceremonies.

And here she goes, up to get her award. I knew the pink fringed suede boots were a fashion must today of all days.

Way to go E!

E's posse.


Yeah!! We are so proud of you!


She's definitely a star!




There's nothing funnier or sweeter than two grown men attempting to have a serious conversation while holding a bunch of shiny mylar balloons and a couple bunches of pink roses. I've got some great men in my life.