Preschool Update

So we are one week into preschool, and I am pleasantly surprised. I gave myself one week, if I didn't start to like the school I was going to start looking for another option.

There are still many things that I don't like:
-the fact that they told the children during a fire drill to pay attention, and run out of the classroom or you will get burned
-insisting children walk themselves to class, no parents are allowed to walk their children to their classroom
-C's teacher's demeanour, I want the bubbly fun excited teacher and she is SO not that!
-the silly rules that are in place that make no sense at all
lunches consist of a sandwich and only one other item
snacks have to be in their own sack, and placed on a shelf
no cupcakes for birthdays
no talking in the halls
must sit at seat entire time in classroom

But, besides all the rules, CC has already started to learn so much.

Things CC has learned in one week:
the entire pledge of allegiance (has been exposed to it the last year)
some of the Christian and Bible prayer, and the Texas allegiance
all of her vowels and what sound they make, plus two examples
how to count to 59, could count to 30 before
Jesus Loves Me
PUFF the Magic Dragon
She passed her first bible activity reciting "In the begining God made the Heaven and Earth."
has come very close to writing her name and it being legibile
AND all the insane daily rules she needs to follow.

So one week down, and she's still there. Let's pray the second week goes just as well.

CC says:

I think it's so funny that Camden has become obsessed with protein shakes and bars. She calls them "daddy's muscle shakes." We were at the YMCA splash park while Mark was finishing a workout at the gym. When Mark got there he was eating a protein bar, and like always Camden asked if she could have a bite. Usually Mark says no, that they are daddy's so he can get big strong muscles. But this time he let her have a bite. She took the tinniest bite, but had the biggest grin! She turns to me and asks, "Mommy does this mean my muscles are going to get big?"

Happy Birthday Princess

Our little princess on her birth--day

Right before Camden's first birthday

Camden's second birthday

CC's third birthdayHer fourth birthday, on her way to school.

CC's first day of Prek -4s

It's hard to believe that it has been one year since she started Pre-school at St. Pats. Camden is attending Northwest Christian School, in San Antonio. I was a little hesitant about the school for many reasons.

1. the long day Monday- Friday 8:20 to 2:50.

2. the high teacher ratio

3. how strict it is

4. the fact that they tell me how to raise my OWN child

5.how much they enforce sell sufficientcy

6. how unpleasant everyone seemed

7. all the rules!

.. just to name a few.

BUT there were things that I did really like:

1. the discipline, we do want CC to be really well behaved

2. the amount of academics, it is by no means a childcare facility

3. art class, music class, PE, Spanish class, Chapel, and religion class, very well rounded

With all my hesitation aside, CC had a great time. She loved her Sea World Themed classroom, and she said her teacher was really nice. (Which I was somewhat worried about!) They are very structured, and it seems like CC adjusted well. One the second day she already knew what she was suppose to be doing! Come in, hang up backpack, take out snack and put it on the ledge, make sure your lunch box is inside your backpack, take homework folder and put in file, get pencil box, find your seat and start morning activity. Seems like a lot, but she picked it up fast. She had a great time at music class and couldn't wait to start using the musical instruments.

They have a clip system; green is good, yellow means no playground time, and red means trip to Mrs. Beavers office. She was of course! green, but had already seen two boys get yellow. (the first day... they don't mess around!!)

The first day was minimum schedule, so it will be interesting to see how she deals with all day. But, I have to admit I am pleasantly surprised.

Carter's first dose of steroids

For the last few day we have been trying to figure out this unusual rash on Carter’s left thigh. We thought maybe he got bite by chiggers, but it didn’t seem to bother him. The rash showed up on Friday, and kept getting worse. So yes, we have been in Texas for almost three days exactly, and we have already made our first trip to the urgent care. We’re not exactly sure, but the doctor seems to think he’s having a severe reaction to one of his immunizations. She guesses measles. We won’t know for sure until he’s four and has to get it again. He’s such a trooper ! It hasn’t slowed him down yet. He’s still trying to climb the stair, and hide in the cabinets. 5 days of steroids, and the irritations and inflammation should go away.

Peace y'all

Everything is packed, well for the most part, the movers are one their way, and we are pretty much ready. The movers will be here Wednesday at 6AM!! Hoping to finish up with last minute things and get a good nights rest. Plan to be on the road at 5AM Thursday morning, and shooting for Las Crucas. Its a good 10. 5 hours drive time, but we think we can do it. After a few stops we should be there somewhere around dark. We plan to be back up Friday morning at 5AM, with an estimated arrival time in San Antonio somewhere around dark. Two kids, two stressed out adults, two days, 1350 miles, and endless memories. There are thunderstorms the whole first day, so wish us well and pray for good weather. Can't wait to get to SA and post some pictures of the trip. Should be memorable to say the least!!

Moving Hell

We are in moving hell. Anything that could go wrong has gone wrong. Why is moving so stressful and unpredictable?

Flashback Friday

As our move to Texas gets closer and closer, I'm starting to miss Kansas City more than ever. This is from August 2007. Camden and Me at Deanna Rose, in KC.

20 things I love

Alright, like Melissa, I did ten of each. It's too late and 20 would take way too many brain cells.

CAMDEN
1. i love that she is so obsessed with princesses her world is one big fairytale.
2. i love that when we are watching the dancing show she gets her dress up shoes and princess dress and wants to dance with her daddy.
3. i love that she thinks dolly is a real baby, and she takes such good care of her.
4. i love that she calls Carterher "peanut" and her "sweetie pie." I also love that she sees random babies in the store and calls them "little sweeties."
5. i love how funny and smart she is.
6. i love that when she has nothing to say she pauses and says, "mommy... i love you."
7. i love that when we go random places, kids club, doctors offices, she always starts a conversation with kids, "what's you're name?"
8. i love her imagination.
9. i love how girly she is.
10. i love how much she likes to help.

CARTER
1. i love his big brown eyes, and how they remind me of his daddy
2. i love how he pretend to tickle himself.
3. i love the sounds he makes when he first sees CC, almost like a monster noise.
4. i love that he will eat literally anything but cottage cheese.
5. i love that he is such a sweetheart. he is always kissing or snuggling someone.
6. i love how sensitive he is.
7. i love that when he gets in trouble he has the biggest pouty lip i have even seen.
8. i love his babble. he wants to talk so bad, and be big like his CC.
9. i love how easy he makes my life, and how he is the perfect addiction to our family.
10. i love how every time i open a door he tries to sneak out. might sound dangerous, but its super cute. he get's this expression like he just did something so bad, but got away with it.

Well Baby Check Ups

Well... the wells went alright. Both good and bad. Let's start with Carter. Carter is growing perfectly. He is 31 inches (80th percent) and 23.5 pounds (60t h percent). The doctor estimated he will be between 5 feet 11 inches and 6 feet 3 inches. Hmmm... kind of a big gap but hey its early. His eyes, ears and throat look perfect. We were concerned his pink eye is coming back, yuck, and Dr. Robbins gave us drops just in case. Any concerns with Carter's legs and hamstrings have been eliminated. He said he looks great, and sure likes to move! He is still very impressed at how strong Carter is, oh Daddy would be so proud! He got four shots, and was sent on his way until 18 months.

Now for CC. CC had to have her four year well early so she could get her physical for Pre-school. She is now a whopping 35 pounds (55 percent) and 39 3/4 inches (60 percent). Dr. Robbins guessed she would be between 5 feet 6 inches to 5 feet 8 inches, which I would be very surprised if she was anything above 5 feet 4 inches. But we will have to see. Her eyes, ears and throat looked good. Her development is above average, and Dr. Robbins said, after he learned all about Texas, where we were moving, why we were moving and what preschool she was going to. He said her vocabulary is amazing, and her speech is perfectly clear. And now to the not so exciting news. Because she was technically there for her four year check up she had to have a vision and hearing screening. The hearing was first, and after we figured out she couldn't hear out of her left ear because of her hair, passed with flying colors. And then vision. I have never seen a little one take a vision test that early. I have had my fair share of them in my life, but it was fun to see them take it so early. (The office we used just passed vision and hearing as a requirement for well babies for four.) Well it was fun, until CC started missing them all. She could only see the top two rows, putting her at 20/80 in her left eye and 20/50 in her right. Although she did know T, H, V and O, she still didn't pass. Dr. Robbins referred us to an eye doctor and said we should look into it. He said because her vision is different in both eyes, it could mean trouble. He mentioned lazy eye and corrective glasses... both of which I don't like. However coming from Mark and my family it is not a surprise she is having troubles. I was just hoping she would have been a little older. So once we get to Texas, I am going to have her preschool re-test her and go from there.

So all in all a good trip, could have been better, but not bad. CC is super excited she thinks she is getting Barbie glasses just like Payton!!