Kindergarten

Kindergarten registration has been super difficult this year.  We got a letter two weeks ago letting us know that Brennon would attend a 20 minute assessment session on the first day of school for the rest of the kids.  We went to the assessment and then waited to hear which teacher he would get- we knew we would be AM because of our neighborhood boundary.  They had asked if we would be interested in an All Day class if they were able to swing it.  I said YES!!!  As it turns out, there were less Kindergarten registrations at White Bluffs so they were forced to take on a Preschool class from another school in one of our PM slots, so it took away the opportunity to have Full Day.  I was super sad.  However, I was SUPER happy to hear that he got the teacher I wanted.  We liked Mrs. W last year enough, but had heard from EVERYONE that Mrs. L is the kind of Kindergarten teacher that everyone imagines and dreams of.  We got her!!  We also were super excited to hear that a friend from the neighborhood was in his same class.  The only dark spot in the whole thing was that Evelyn (my Bestie Jamie's daughter) was placed in the PM session.  This came a quite a shock since we'd been told that our neighborhood is always an AM session placement.

Fast-forward to yesterday- Orientation.  We heard that over 67% of the Kindergarteners live in PM placement neighborhoods.  The Principal was saying that nothing was set in stone and that if anyone would like to make a change, they needed to fill out of form there.  I was happy with AM and his teacher, so I just went to his class, signed up for a bunch of volunteer stuff, listened to Mrs. L's schpeel and talked with the other mom in our neighborhood, Emily.  I was so happy with our arrangement!  As soon as I got in the car, I called Jamie.  It was my impression that they were actually having a hard time filling the AM slots, so I told her to call and try to get into AM.  She did and was told to just come to the PM Orientation and fill out a form then.  She later told me that the Principal was offering people a cup of coffee if they would change to AM.  Jamie said that only 5 people filled out a form, I was sure she was going to get in to AM.  How cool would that be?  We would be able to help each other carpool, have the kids in at the same time, be able to have play dates with only our littlies.  It was going to be awesome.

Fast-forward to 7:00PM last night- The unexpected phone call.  As the Principal began Thanking those that had come to Orientations, that had willing changed from PM to AM I wondered why he was calling me.  I just figured that maybe they made one big recording and sent it out to all of the Kindergarteners.  Nope...for some reason I was moved to a PM class.  I was shocked.  And then I was ticked!  I instantly called Jamie to see if she had heard from the school.  Yep...she was moved to the AM session.  What.The.Heck?  Why would they offer a cup of coffee, practically begging on their knees for PM to switch to AM and then switch someone that was PERFECTLY HAPPY in AM to PM?  I tried to call...nothing.  I wrote and email to Brennon's teacher...

Mrs. L,

 

My name is Stephanie Dirks.  My son, Brennon, was placed in your AM Kindergarten class this last Thursday.  We attended your orientation this morning as well.  It was my impression that with 67% of the kids living in PM boundaries, they were having a hard time filling spots in the AM sessions.  I even heard that Mr. Mancinelli was offering people in PM sessions a cup of coffee if they would change to AM.  I had a friend that was placed in PM to begin with (even though our neighborhood is an AM placement) that willingly changed from PM to AM to be with us and one other friend in the neighborhood in the AM session.  I was HAPPY in the AM class.  However, I just got a call saying that Brennon was moved to the PM class.  Why?  I didn't fill out a sheet today saying I wanted a change at all.  We live in AM boundaries, they were offering incentives to change from PM to AM, so why do I have to change?  It worked out to our advantage to be AM, we wanted AM, we got AM and then got a call last minute that we were changed.  Is there an explanation for this?  I will go wherever I need to, I know that this has been a hard few days for you, but I am kind of bothered that this decision was made without my choice.  If I would have been given PM to begin with, I would have actually filled out a paper to change to AM (even though I don't care for that cup of coffee, lol.)  As it is, I don't really want to change to PM unless there is a good explanation.  Could you let me know why this has been made?  He was looking forward to being in his best friend, Connor E's class!  Thank you so much!!  Again, I will change to PM if it really is needed, I don't want to be a bother, I just want to know why this has been pushed on us at this last minute without a reason.

 

Steph

 

Her response was...

 

Hi, Steph!

I am so sorry this has been such a difficult start for you and Brennon. Your frustration is understandable, and we appreciate the flexibility you have already shown concerning many changes.

Placement this year has been complicated and I am sorry to say that due to many factors, there were additional changes made by our administration that were necessary. You will need to talk with our principal, Mr. Mancinelli, or Mary Greene, our counselor. Our assistant administrator, Michelle Ladow, may also be able to give you more answers on Tuesday, when we return. I do trust that significant time and thought were given to making these decisions while considering factors such as work schedules, child care, transportation, balancing classes, and more. I hope that you will be able to get the answers you seek and am sorry I cannot provide more information. 

Let me know how things go.  Have a good weekend, and I will see you Tuesday!

Karen =)

 

I had originally wanted PM!  It would give Tyson time in the morning to play with a sibling, then we'd have lunch, take Brennon to school and come back for naptime.  With this, there would be a lot less time for Tyson to miss his best friends.  But after seeing the ease of the AM schedule and having my two friends in AM, I know it will just be so much easier to be put back into AM.  I don't like confrontation, I don't like to be a bother, so it will be hard for me to go on Tuesday and ask for him to be changed back.  I just want an explanation!  Why has this happened?  Why did I get changed when I am in an AM boundary, when I had AM, when they were begging to change people to AM?!  WHY????? 

 

My other question...why did they wait so long to get this organized?  I find out on Friday at 7:00PM that on Tuesday Brennon will not get on the bus first thing in the morning with the girls, he will be moved to after lunch.  Maybe they should have done this process two weeks ago to help them get things ready earlier.  That way they don't have an irate mom that plans to show up at 7:30AM to fight to get her child changed!!  One that will be so ticked, so worried, so emotional that she might just bust up bawling the second she gets there.  Maybe I should just let it be!  We'll see what this weekend brings, what decision I'll make.  No matter what, I just want an explanation!  Why do emotions run so high when children are involved?

Goose

We have been playing Duck, Duck, Goose with our kids for a few FHE activities recently.  It was Randy's idea the first time, and Tyson and Brennon's idea the other times.  Last night Randy had a meeting at 7:00, but called us out for a quick game at 6:40 before he had to leave.  Tyson was SUPER excited!  After a few runs around the circle, Tyson decided that he needed to be chosen next. 

 

"Caden, when you touch my head, say "GOOSE!" 

 

  At one point we all wanted to choose Tyson.  It was so much fun watching our kids' sweet excitement.  And their minds' working.  Randy thought it would be funny to say Duck as if he was actually saying Goose; fast, as if he was getting ready to run.  Each time, Tyson would start to stand, realize he'd said Duck, grin, and sit down.  Randy did this three times in a row before he actually said Goose.  Tyson's face would show deep concentration and understanding each time.  I love watching kid's minds at work. 

Love my kiddos!!

 

Word to the wise...Don't wear sandals in this game if you even want to win!  My feet were killing me after our short game.

One of those days

Shelby came down asking if I'd clean her glasses while she brushed her hair.  I was asking her if she'd gone through the hygiene list for the day.  As we were checking off the list, and I was cleaning her glasses in my hand, I remembered that she hadn't been wearing her glasses daily for a few days.  I told her that she needed to be vigilant about wearing them, that they helped her see better, that it was good for her eyes, and proceeded to ask her where he glasses were and told her to go put them on.  She looked at me with the funniest quizzical look and said, "Mom, they're in your hand!"  They were, I just got carried away on my soap box lecturing:)  It's going to be one of those days!

Peddle Boat Fun

August 20th

What we thought was Sacajawea State Park:)

 We have been having such a good time exploring our new state, our new town, and our new peddle boat.  We have been doing so much more outside of the home as a family.  I love it!  On Tuesday, Randy was preparing to go out of town for Sales Training when he suddenly put everything down and declared we were going to a new place with our boat.  We packed up in a hurry (is there any other way with Randy?) and headed to a place we'd seen when going to Hood Park.  I thought it was Sacajewea, but that was a sign for the street just before this place.  So, we have no idea what to call this place.  For now, it's our own little resort.  NO ONE was there.  Just us, the lake, and a million fish jumping all over.  It was pretty magical!

 I wish I could get more stills of Caden and Keilie.  They are always the first to jump in and paddle away.  I'll miss it when the babies can go further than my immediate reach.  There will be a lot less pictures I'm afraid!

 Caught my man jumping into the deep end.

 I tried to capture a picture of me with family in the background.  I kind of suck at self-portraits.  I just don't have the arms length to span out that far.  The kids joked about my "bugsy" sunglasses.  Hey, they were $2.00 at Goodwill.  I'm not complainin'!

 I had to get one of my fam in the boat. 

 Keilie's face says it all.  She was SO sick of pictures by the time Randy got his sunglasses.  Come on, I have to document these times, the least you could do is pretend that you like it!

 While they were out on their "drive" I was able to sit in the silence and enjoy the beauty.  I LOVE living so close to so much water.  It really is quite beautiful here!!

I know we'll be back for more at this nameless place.  I wonder where our boat will take us next time!

Pretty Princess Dance Camp 2013

August 5th-9th

Kreutz's home

Pretty Princess Dance Camp

 Caitlin Kreutz sent around an invitation for all 5-8 year old girls to attend a week-long camp to play, do crafts, and learn a simple dance routine.  All with the theme of Disney Princess's.  It was JUST what Shelby needed!

 She came home many times excited to show us "manners" she'd learned while at camp.  "You hold your pinkie like this when you drink from a tea cup."  "A Princess always says 'Please' and 'Thank You!'"  I knew she was having the time of her life!!

 There was one day that she didn't tell me she was supposed to show up in a dress.  It just so happened that she couldn't find her sandals, so ended up wearing Tysons.  She came away telling me that she "felt ridiculous!"  And so it begins!

 

 Shelby has been in gymnastics since we got to Richland.  I wanted them to all have something that they could release their energies and emotions, and that was what she chose.  I really wanted her to get into a dance class, but she said she wanted to tumble.  After this class she wants to dance.  It's a good thing that Caitlin is opening a studio in September.  Shelby is going for sure!

  The dance was put to the song "When will my life begin?" from Tangled.  At one point in the song, they grabbed at their hair, "brushed" it while singing along, "And then I'll brush, and brush, and brush, and brush my hair..." At that point, I really did miss her golden curtain of hair.  Then I remembered that she combs her hair all by herself these days without crying and I'm back to loving her cut again!

I caught this at the wrong moment, but after their performance each girl curtsied.  Shelby went one stop further and blew a kiss to the crowd.  And just like that I knew she would be a performer.  She has more confidence than I do, felt no fear at being in front of others, and LOVED every minute.  There were cheers all around for the "little girl in the front blowing kisses!"  She was getting pretty good at tumbling, but I think she'll enjoy dance so much more!

Bikes

August 9th

I came home from Visiting Teaching to find Randy out playing with the kids.  We had recently purchased a few bikes from Goodwill.  Shelby needed a new tire after a blow-out front tire on her hand-me-down bike.  It was cheaper to buy an entire bike from Goodwill than it was to buy a tire from Walmart.  While there, we found a new bike for Brennon.  Love those $20.00 finds!

 They were showing off their new found skills- riding without feet:)

 Shelby learned to ride a bike without training wheels this year.  We were hoping Brennon would follow suit.  Nope!  He's too nervous.  We kind of expected that from him.  Maybe next year.  Or when Tyson learns.  Or maybe after Tyson learns.  Who knows?!

 Tyson is a fearless little boy!  He will do anything, try anything, eat anything.  He just goes with the flow and tries all things dangerous and fun.  Here he is showing us that he can ride his bike without sitting on the seat!

 Caden and Keilie were getting more daring that I would have liked.  This was definitely a "Dad" activity!

 No hands?! I put an end to it after that!  I know I am such a mean Mom, but come on, I don't want a concussed son because he wanted to prove to his Dad that he could do something cool!

 I think the cutest thing of the whole morning was when Tyson decided to ride his bike in the gutter.  All of my kids have loved when their bike stayed stationary while they peddled their fastest.  This was that much funner when water splashed up his back.  He did this for a good 20 minutes.  I don't think I will ever understand boys!  Especially when they prefer wet clothes! Yuck!!

Again, I just love this house.  Since we live on a loop with only one entrance/exit, I feel it is much safer to let them ride their bikes in the street.  The only people that actually drive on this road are mainly those that live here.  We all drive slow, we all look out for kids, and we all understand that at some point a child may make a mistake and ride out in front of us.  We are forgiving.  And vigilant in our watch of kids.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE it here!!!!!

Braces

 Timeline of Caden's Braces!!

October 22, 2012

December 11, 2012

  August 21, 2013 

 Dr. Parkinson does this for every patient that gets their braces off.  The entire staff gathers in the hallway and celebrates the accomplishment.  While we were waiting for him to emerge, we were all talking about the day we got our braces off.  One woman said it was on her top 10 best days of her life.  I would say top 20 for me.  They asked if I had been give a fanfare.  Nope!  And all at once I felt jipped, but happy that my kids would get one.

 I wish these two pictures could be morphed.  I love the smiles of the staff on the top one, but LOVE the smile of Caden in the bottom!  Doesn't he look so handsome?!  And grown up!  I got a little teary watching him come toward me.  I sure love this boy!

 They have each braces-free patient sign a ceiling tile that they place throughout the office.

 Since Caden is a natural small writer, I told him to go big.  This was BIG for him.

 Ta-Da!  Braces free!  Wish the blinds hadn't been drawn like that, I hate the shadows on this beautiful smile!

 December 11, 2012- August 21, 2013

253 Days

36 Weeks and 1 Day

8 months 1 Week and 3 Days 

The very next day he went to 7th grade registration where he got his Yearbook photo- sans braces, how cool is that?!  We were able to find his locker, tour the class route that will be his for the next year, and see Mackenzie, the girl he thinks is cute.  All the while I caught him running his top lip over his slimy teeth.  I remember those first few days well:) 

Congratulations, Caden!

Teams

We have been able to have Grandpa Kimber (Grandpa-Great) since Tuesday afternoon.  The kids LOVE Grandpa!!  He is 83, but still chases them around.  He can't make it up the stairs as fast as they can, so they know to scamper up them as soon as they can.  He usually chases them as long as he can, rests up for a bit, and then starts all over again.  I love how he asks me "How'm I doin'?"  He love them just as much as they love him!  This morning was no different from any other morning.  The moment they see that he's awake... the chase begins.  After a few minutes, Ty stopped running, turned to Grandpa and said, "Grandpa, I'm tired.  I want to be on your team now."  He tired before Grandpa- Great!  It is such a blessing to have him in our home.  He is still so fun to have around.  I see him slowing down more and more each time we get to have him, but he still gets down on the ground and plays with my kids.  I love my Grandpa Kimber!!!

Next

I love the words that kids use sometimes.  Tyson doesn't use it as much, but at one point he used "Amn't" all the time.

Me: "Tyson, you are so cute."
Tyson: "No I amn't."

It was super cute.  The word we're in love with that both he and Brennon use is "Next."  They use it all.the.time!

Brennon (crying): "Mom!  I was riding my bike.  Next, I fell!"
Tyson: "I was eating my dinner.  Next I ate it all gone!"
Tyson: "We made a mess in our room.  Next we cleaned it all up."

There are probably 150 million-bazillion that I could write, they use it that much.  We are in love.  Kids say the cutest things!

The Elite

Since Keilie was doing so much tutoring when we first got here, she didn't have enough time to do much else.  Her day was early tutoring classes at school, regular school, straight to Sylvan Learning Center, home for dinner and homework and then bed.  She had such a full schedule to try and get her caught up to her own grade level.  She was a champion, not once complaining about her lot in life.  She didn't even argue when everyone else had a sport and she didn't.  So, when the summer came, we made it all about Keilie.  She wanted swim and tennis lessons.  The city of Richland had both so I went to sign her up.  However, they have a certain day and time that they sign up each session of swimming.  You have to get a log-in and password from them personally and then do the rest online.  The first three times I was out of town, so it was only a month ago that she was actually able to get in.  I was on exactly at 8:00am and got her all signed up.  I went back on, just seven minutes later, to see if I could possibly consider getting one of the other kids into a class and noticed that three of the classes were sold out!  In SEVEN minutes!  I was floored.  I amped up my game this last session to make sure that she got into her correct class.  She had advanced to the higher class and couldn't be happier.  What kind of mother would I be if she didn't get into a class because they went so fast and I was sleeping?!  So, Friday I got everything set up to refresh the page at exactly 8:00.  The second it changed, I refreshed, clicked the correct class and got it done.  I immediately printed the page and then refreshed the page to see how well I'd done.  This time in TWO minutes the class was full.  TWO MINUTES!!  Keilie is part of an Elite group of Beginner 2 swimmers in Richland Washington that swim from 9:55-10:25!  As with most things in a new move and town, I've learned what to do better next year.  I have a game plan now.  Next year, we're going to rock this town!!

Countertops

I saw an idea on Pinterest HERE that I knew I eventually wanted to do.  We've recently started a new budget that allows us a "want" budget that we get to spend each month that is totally unaccounted for.  I knew this was what I wanted to do this month.

 These first few pictures were taken during one of the inspections.  I like to go into the house and measure, take pictures, and start placing my own things.  I usually have most of my house planned out before we move in.  It makes it easy to organize and easy to unpack when I have a map of where everything goes.

 I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE before and after pictures!!

 Had to include this one of my babes.  I can't believe how much they've grown in just a few short months of being in this house!!

 These were taken in March after I'd gotten everything unpacked, cleaned, organized, and decorated.

 We'd already gotten a new microwave, dishwasher, fridge, and handles/pulls.  The only other things I wanted was a new sink (this one is only 6 inches deep and can look full with only breakfast dishes) a new faucet, and a new oven.  It was only after I saw the post I indicated above that I wanted to do anything with my countertops.

 So August 1st I pulled the money allotted for my "want" and got busy.  Randy gave a little kick-back, but finally said he'd help.  It was kind of funny how he took over:)  I was just glad he wanted to help at all!

 It was SUPER easy.  I LOVE it.  It's not exactly as I would have liked, but for the house we are in, the way they looked before, and the imperfections it hides from neglect from the previous renters, it is PERFECT!!!

 We started with a primer tinted Cream.  It went on really fast and dried within an hour.  Next we used a Sea Foam and used Chocolate Brown, Warm Beige, Black, and Buttermilk in secession.  We'd finish one and immediately start on the next color.  Randy wanted it mostly black, so we went back after Buttermilk and added more.  He comments now that he would have liked even more.  We probably should have tinted the primer black. We let this dry overnight because we'd forgotten a brush to apply the Poly acrylic.  Don't use Polyurethane, this will dry yellow.  We ended up putting on 5 coats, which was the entire small can.

I love the depth it adds to my small, cheap, but totally loved kitchen.  Next month will add a tile backsplash.  Randy doesn't understand why I want to put my money into fixing this house up.  He just doesn't realize how much I LOVE this house, how much I want to stay in this house, how much I want to push-back when he asks to move us yet again.  I know I'm stuck to two other houses.  I know that we live on a postage stamp size lot, I know it's a tiny 1600 sq. ft. home, but SERIOUSLY...this is my absolute favorite house we've ever owned!!:)