school | The Angel Forever

Category Archives school

First ever spelling test = success

Posted on September 26, 2009 8:46 pm by TheAngelForever

Dear NHL,

Daddy and I are sorry that we got caught up in everything that happened to JSL yesterday. We hope that you know how proud we are of you. You had an amazing week in first grade. You had real homework for the first time Monday to Thursday nights. Every day you were so sweet about coming right into the house, finishing it up quick and then reading to us later in the night. Thanks to the summer reading program, you have already read over 80 books toward your 100 for the school year. Not too shabby since you have not been back to school for a month!

In addition to all of this, you had your first ever spelling word list. Each day you did a little something to get ready. You were so proud of your work. This year you color carefully, write slow and steady. . . you have come so far my big kid! The best part of everything was how confident you were about it when you went into school on Friday. You knew the ten words and three bonus ones as well. I hope this means that you will not develop test anxiety.

When we got back from the ER I went right to your folder from school. I immediately saw your paper with the "Spelling Test" label on it. Not only did you get all of the regular words correct, you also had +2 for two bonus words. Today I asked you to take a photo with your paper since I wanted to record this special day.

Keep up the great work kiddo. . . we know you can do it and are so proud of you!

Love,

Mommy

__________________________________________________________

If you want to participate in Dear Kid Saturday, head on over to Cutest Kid Ever by clicking on the button below.

Categories:
Dear Kid Saturday milestone nhl photos school

Head + concrete = trip to ER

Posted on September 26, 2009 4:09 pm by TheAngelForever

Dear JSL,

Yesterday afternoon was filled with a lot of crying, panic and rushing about. We were having a great day. We spent time with Nana and Papa. After a while we went to BJ’s to do some shopping. You slept while we shopped. Then you woke up in time to have some potato chips for lunch. Soon it was time to head to school to pick up your big brother. I was excited to hear how he did on his first ever spelling test. You were still pretty tired, but I could not take the stroller out of the trunk.

NHL came out of school and we were walking back to my car. Another teacher stopped us to ask a question. You and NHL were right next to me, my back was turned ever so slightly. Then I heard a sound that haunted me in my sleep. It was a horrifying THUD and it echoed like nothing I have ever heard before. There was a pause, time seemed to stop. . . and then I heard you scream. My heart sank as I quickly realized that terrible noise was your forehead making a B-line for the cement.

NHL’s kindergarten teacher saw the entire thing. You just slipped on your own feet and went down hard. I knew we had to go into the building. I rushed right into the nurses office. When we arrived in there you were screaming even louder. I moved your hair back and saw blood and started to freak. I imagined the worse. You never passed out, but were quite woozy. All I can say is thank goodness the nurse was right there. The nurse kept an ice pack on your head and kept you focused and listening to her. Meanwhile I called Nana and Papa to come quick. Then I put a call in for the doctor and called Daddy to meet us at the ER.

When Nana and Papa arrived we quickly moved out of the school to the car and went to the ER. I had to stop myself from recalling the past visits there, but it was not easy. After what seemed like forever they took us back and two doctors looked at you. By the time I took the first photo in the ER the swelling had gone down a little. The second is when we were finally back home.

After a while they said that you seemed fine. They did not think that you had a concussion, but we were to keep a close eye on you. We went back home and you ate a little dinner and some chocolate seemed to make you a happy little guy. Then it was time for bed. You fell asleep quickly, but were fussy several times during the night. No doubt you had nightmares of what had happened like I did.

I hope that the rest of the weekend goes more smoothly. I am not sure we can handle much more excitement. As it is, Daddy and I are seriously starting to think about buying you full hockey goalie gear to protect you.

Love,

Mommy

__________________________________________________________

If you want to participate in Dear Kid Saturday, head on over to Cutest Kid Ever by clicking on the button below.

Categories:
bad news Dear Kid Saturday doctor jsl ouchie pain photos school

Mystery of The Smiths – solved

Posted on September 13, 2009 7:54 pm by TheAngelForever

At the end of last year, NHL begged me to let him take the bus to and from school. We are not a busing district, but live far enough away that they will provide transportation. Against my better judgment we allowed NHL to try this out. Over the summer, they denied us busing since we are 1.42, not 1.5 miles from the school. After review from the supervisor, it was determined that we would qualify. We told him that we would take NHL to school and only use the bus after school.

A few weeks before NHL started school, he started to have nightmares. He would wake up in a panic and say he did not want to take the bus. When we asked why he said "because of The Smiths." The Smiths? We tried to figure out what he was talking about. We asked other parents and children at school what this could be and nobody had a clue. School started last week and NHL still refused to take the bus. He insisted he did not want to because of The Smiths. . . so the mystery continued. We opted to pick our battles and not push the bus issue.

On Thursday, when I went to pick NHL up from school I had to go back into the building with NHL to use the bathroom before we went on an errand. As we walked to the bathroom, the office made an announcement on the PA system. NHL stuck his head back out and yelled at me "See Mommy, The Smiths – that’s why I won’t take the bus!"

My wheels started to turn. I had heard the announcement, but nothing was said about any Smiths. Then the light bulb went off and I had to control my hysterical laughter. Are you ready to hear what the announcement was?

"All 2nd grade walkers may be DISMISSED!"

In the garbled unclear PA voice my son heard "The Smiths" and thought that dismissed was something scary and did not want to take the bus because of it.

When we high tailed it back outside to JL and JSL, I was proud to announce to JL that the mystery of The Smiths has been solved. I told him the story and we both stood there laughing. Of course, once we calmed down we explained to poor NHL why we were laughing and what dismissed means. He smiled, laughed with us and felt much better about things.

Of course, he still does not want to take the bus and I am not going to push it now if he is doing well adjusting to life in the first grade.

So, do you have any kid talk funnies to share with me from recently? Would love to get a good laugh.

Categories:
kid talk laughs nhl school

Off to first grade

Posted on September 8, 2009 10:40 am by TheAngelForever

This morning NHL officially started first grade. He was up at 5:30 thanks to being anxious about the start of school. I tried to explain to him that even when I was a teacher, I got nervous on the first day of school. We talked with him about things and soon it was time to head out the door. Everyone brought NHL to school today. Once we were all dressed and ready we went out the door. Here is NHL all ready for first grade.

Heading toward the car NHL mentioned that he was really scared. JL went to walk and talk with him some as they got into the car.

Once we arrived over by school and parked everyone got out of the car. This is when NHL decided that it would be best to walk super slow. He also requested a trip back to Disney World on the slow trek in. We eventually got him to walk faster along with Daddy and JSL.

When we got into school NHL really held onto my hand. The noise level, all of the excitement, the new place to meet for first graders and all of the kids/parents/teachers was a little overwhelming. I can not say I blame him. I caught myself trying to stop tears a few times.

Soon after this, NHL’s teacher came over to say hello and introduce herself to all of us. I took a minute to let her know that NHL would not be taking the bus that afternoon. At that point the district had never sent us bus information, so I had to make a call. NHL was a little more at ease at this point. When his teacher called all of the children to line up NHL followed along into the line.

We watched and waited as the class slowly walked out and toward their classroom. Poor JSL started to sulk at this point as he saw his big brother leave.

Here is to hoping for a great day and year in the first grade. We all hope that this year and new teacher will be just what everyone, especially NHL, needs.

So how was your back to school so far?

Categories:
jl jsl milestone nhl photos school

Last days before first grade

Posted on September 5, 2009 9:07 pm by TheAngelForever

Dear NHL,

It is still hard for me to believe that you will be heading to first grade on Tuesday. I know that you are nervous about school since things were rocky at the end of kindergarten. This will be a fresh new year, with many new friends and only one teacher. It should be exciting getting to know everyone and learning new things. Always know that Daddy and I are in your corner cheering you on. We will stand behind you and make sure that you are taken care of at school and treated fairly.

This summer has been wonderful. I have watched you play with your brother, read to everyone, do math books for fun, and spend time with your new favorite – the Nintendo Wii. We have also spent a lot of time going to Lowes and Home Depot to build fun new things. Seeing your hands create something new and then use it has been extremely rewarding.

I hope we see the sparkle in your eyes as you discover all that is out there in the world. You love learning and we hope it stays that way for the rest of your life.