The Kindergarten Zoo

About a month ago Connor brought home a permission slip to allow him to participate in a music program at school.  His first school program!  Of course I signed it (and then told Jeremy about it).  After a week passed, I asked if they were practicing for the program.  He said yes, but couldn't remember what songs they were singing.  Not a good sign.  About a week and a half ago, I found a half sheet of paper in his backpack with dialogue on it.  There were five lines total, and Connor's name was assigned to two of them.  I asked if he had a speaking part in the program.  His response?  "Um, yeah."  Every morning and afternoon since then, we've been quizzing him on his lines.  Not only did he have his lines memorized, but also had the other 3 lines memorized.  And of course when we were practicing, if we didn't say the other lines correct, he would immediately let us know.  The program was last night, and I must say Connor did a FABULOUS job.  I recorded his lines as best I could on the camera, but when we played it back, the sound didn't come through well at all.  In fact, when Connor watched the playback, he said, "How can you say I was good?  You can't even hear me!"  But trust me, he did just fine.

In case you can't hear them, it went like this:

     Madeleine:  Hello, Denver Zoo.  May I help you?
     Connor:     Our zebra is missing!  Can you help us?
     Madeleine:  Let me see.

Then the entire class broke into song, singing The Zoo Song . . .

The Zoo Song was followed by a delightful dancing number that involved three of Connor's friends - Cooper, Ian and Carter.  Yes, the Chicken Dance.

Ian was hysterical to watch.  He had moves!  Something about Ian reminds me of Connor's cousin, Kenner.  I can't quite put my finger on it, but he does.  After the dance, Connor headed back to the microphone.

     Aodhan:  I have a dog and a cat.  Would that work?
     Connor:  Thanks, but I need to find my zebra.

The class then sang The Old Gray Cat  and Bingo.  Not only was Cooper lucky enough to dance on stage, but he also got to hold up the G during Bingo.

When the kindergarteners were done, the first graders took the stage, then the second graders, and then the third graders.  All the classes kept to the zoo theme, including trying to find the missing zebra.  I'm still not sure what that was all about.  The first, second, and third graders all came together for the final number.  Throughout the performances, Riley was a trooper, especially considering he had croup and a fever.  But once again, the iPod came to the rescue.  Plus, he just wanted to be held and cuddled, so wasn't up to running around and causing trouble.

One of the highlights of the evening for Connor was that Grandma and Grandpa were able to come to the performance.  Luckily, they got there early and nabbed some decent seats.  By the time we arrived (and yes, we were even early) it was standing room only.  As the principal mentioned, it was a good thing the fire marshall didn't show up.

Young Love

Tonight I was sitting in the office working on our taxes.  Connor came in and asked for a blank sheet of paper.  I handed him one and he walked out.  A few minutes later, he came back and asked how to spell the word "because."  I wrote it down on a piece of paper for him, and again he walked out of the room.  Another minute went by, and in he came again, this time asking how to spell the word "beautiful."  Again, I wrote the word on a piece of paper.  My curiosity had definitely peaked by this point.  Before I could get up to find out what he was doing, he came back in to ask for an envelope.  I finally asked him what he was doing.  He left briefly and returned with a note for his best friend, Rita.  He said he wanted to mail it to her so she would remember that he loves her.  I let him put the stamp on the envelope.

Like Father, Like Son

Gone are the days when I get to spend some time to myself on a random holiday.  Due to President's Day, school was closed for Connor and Riley's daycare was closed.  Even Jeremy was off.  It was a good day to run errands.  After breakfast, the boys got dressed and ready to go.  After coming downstairs for a minute, Connor disappeared.  When he reappeared, he was wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses, just like Daddy.  Of course once Riley saw Connor do it, he went running upstairs to get his cap and sunglasses.  My darling boys.

 

Kung Fu Fighting

Connor was invited to a "boys only" birthday party for his friend, Carter.  Before the party though, we got together with his best friend Rita to see Gnomeo & Juliet, followed by lunch at McDonald's.  When I set out his clothes for the day, I guess I was thinking more about the "date" rather than the party.  The party was at a martial arts studio.  Not really the place for jeans and a sweater.  Since Riley had to tag along, I set him down with my iPod to watch Despicable Me.  It kept him occupied for the duration of the party.

Once all the boys arrived, the instructor took them all into the cage and taught them some of the basics.  What I liked most about it was how he stressed discipline and respect.

 

When it was time to cut the cake, all the boys thought it was pretty cool when the instructor brought out a samurai sword and helped Carter slice it up.

 

As each boy arrived at the party, they signed their name on a block of wood that said "Happy 6th Birthday Carter."  The grand finale to the party was when the instructor taught Carter how to kick the block of wood, and ended up breaking it in half.

 

After breaking the wood, the instructor brought out a prize wheel and let each boy spin the wheel to win a prize.  Connor won a free birthday party.  Unfortunately, with his birthday only a month away, we already have his party planned.  Bummer!

Eating Out

Whenever Jeremy or I discuss where we want to go when eating out, Connor suggests The Olive Garden.  Since he's such a picky eater, it's surprising he would even mention it, let alone suggest it over and over again.  His wish was finally granted.  My parents invited the family for dinner at The Olive Garden tonight.  Unfortunately, Jeremy was working at the range so couldn't make it.  When I told Connor where we were going, he was thrilled.  We met the rest of the family there and were seated at a table in the back corner.  Someone must have given them a head's up about our family. 

 

While Mara walked around smiling and being a cutie patootie, Riley was a stinker and kept coming up with ways to "escape" from the table.  Before we even arrived, Connor announced he would be sitting next to Aunt Tin.  It didn't surprise me because he usually does.  However, I later learned he wanted to sit next to her so he could play games on her phone.

 

I don't know what they slipped in his chicken parmesan,  but even Grandpa was being silly.  Sheesh.  You can't take us anywhere!

Party Time!

Connor has had a few parties at school since August. I had yet to attend one, so I finally took some time off work so I could go to his Valentine's Day party. I wasn't sure what to expect, but when I arrived, I walked into chaos. Kids were everywhere, parents were standing around, and I was at a loss as to what I was supposed to do.  To the unsuspecting parent of a kindergartener (thus, no prior experience), it was an overwhelming introduction to the "class party."  I don't remember my elementary class having parties like this.  As I was standing in the doorway looking like a deer in headlights, Connor spotted me and came to my rescue.  He wanted to introduce me to a couple of his friends, and showed me where he sat.  His friend Cooper came over and they goofed around while I chatted with Cooper's mom.
 

Based on emails I've received over the past few months, I had come to the conclusion that the "Homeroom Mom" (I'm still not sure if she volunteered or if she was "voted" in) is a bit of an overachiever.  This party was no exception.  When I think of a class party, I think of a couple of cookies or cupcakes.  But no.  Not only were there two different types of cookies AND cupcakes, there was a veggie tray, fruit bowl, CapriSuns, bottles of water, and TEN PIZZAS!  At 3:00 in the afternoon.  Seriously!  Anyone who knows Connor knows he skipped everything except the cookies and cupcakes.  He may have grabbed a strawberry or two, but if he did, I missed it.

 

After stuffing their faces with all the treats, Homeroom Mom brought in two crafts for the kids to do.  There was only time to do one - a homemade foam picture frame.  While they were finishing up their craft, I walked around the room to look at some of the various projects that were hanging on the wall.  That's when I saw it . . . the infamous STOPLIGHT CALENDAR.

 

The stoplight calendar is the topic of conversation every weekday when Connor comes home.  Obviously he aims for green every day.  Green means he behaved, listened, etc. ALL DAY.  If his calendar is marked yellow, it's usually because he wasn't following directions or was goofing off with a friend.  The kids get one warning and move their clip to yellow.  If they are a repeat offender, they have to move it to red.  Based on stories Connor has shared, it didn't surprise me in the least to see Taye's clip was on red.  I'm beginning to think it must be superglued there.  I was very happy to see that Connor's clip was still on green at the time of the party.

If anything, this party was a learning experience for me.  At least I now have an idea of what to expect.  They only have one party left this school year . . . the last day of school.  Then it's on to first grade.  (Already?!)  I'll definitely be taking time off for that one.

Double Date

It couldn't have worked out better if I had intentionally planned it myself.  Aunt Tin called Thursday night to ask if she could take the boys to Mischa's play at school.  Of course I said yes.  As I thought about it, it occurred to me that Jeremy and I could seize the moment and celebrate Valentine's Day.  He was going to be working the rest of the weekend, so we wouldn't be able to do it any other time.  It was perfect!  So this morning Aunt Tin came by to pick up the boys and whisked them off to Red Robin for lunch with Grandma, followed by the play.  As usual, the boys were beside themselves with excitement for their "date" and insisted on looking handsome.  Part of that process consisted of Connor having to comb his own hair, by himself, no help.  I guess he has to learn sometime.   

After they left, Jeremy and I headed north to Southlands for lunch and a movie, making a pit stop on the way to see my good friend, Daphna, show off her new look and beaming smile in a fashion show.  We ended up lunching at PF Chang's, then headed to the theater to see The Eagle.  Aunt Tin had some plans for later in the evening, so the boys went home with Grandma and Grandpa to play for a bit until our movie was over.  All in all, I think both dates were a hit.

Natural Curiosity

If I have to run an errand, it goes a lot smoother if I only have one of the boys along for the ride.  Otherwise, they irritate each other and egg each other on, which in turn torments me.  With that said, the presence of both boys is not required to drive me crazy.  They are both equally capable of driving me crazy on their own.  Yesterday was no different.  I left work in time to meet Connor's bus at home.  He surprised me by offering to help me shovel the driveway and turned out to be a great help.  After shoveling, we had to leave to pick up Riley, but I wanted to stop off at Walmart first to get a few items.  Connor made it known that he was not too thrilled with having to run the errand with me.  Once we stepped foot in the store, it seems he was doing everything possible to make sure I would never ask him to run an errand with me again.  His hands were everywhere, touching anything and everything he could.  I asked him repeatedly to stop touching, and even asked that he put his hands in his pockets and leave them there.  Blatantly ignoring my requests, I finally turned to him and asked him WHY he had to keep touching everything.  He responded, "Well . . . I have a natural curiosity."  I couldn't help but burst out laughing.