Quinn's 2nd frog died on Friday. We came home quickly before a birthday party and he ran out of his room crying and devastated. I had to console him for a good 10-15 minutes. It was a bit unlike him, but tragedy a 2nd time got the best of him. He is now frog-less and says he wants a fish. I told James we are in deep trouble when someone we know dies. In this case though, his sadness was abated by a trip to the aquarium (and a free one to boot while Keely was at a friend's birthday party!).
Keely had some kind of malaise this weekend. She may have ate too much junk food at aforementioned birthday party, then came home to have a root beer float. Or she may have had some sort of stomach bug. Whatever the cause, she threw up about 9 PM then went to bed. Luckily it was the only vomiting. I tend to think it was a stomach bug because she barely ate on Saturday and didn't want to play her soccer game because of the tummy ache. It's the time of year when the kids are all newly exposed to each other's germs...Quinn also came down with a cold.
We attended the Church's Annual Fall Festival on Sunday (yes, it would be much nicer if it was actually in the Fall Season!). The weather was actually cooler than in years past but I still managed to get a nice sunburn. We intended to go to church then spend the afternoon there with our good friends, the Martins but we didn't know church had been pushed up by an hour due to the festival. So we dropped our envelope in the basket on the altar, said a prayer and headed to the fun stuff immediately. We spent almost 4 hours there and were all exhausted (well, maybe not the kids but I know I was pooped). The kids got wristbands to ride all afternoon and spun themselves dizzy (and in some cases, green) on the Scrambler, Tea Cups and Swings. I can't believe they can spin so much, I get dizzy just watching them ride. Some games were played, cheap prizes selected and we all had some lunch including beers for the adults.
Keely got 11 stickers on her conduct card, earning her a treat at the end of her first 2 weeks of first grade. Quinn finished out the week better in EDP. Onto the 3rd week of school we go :)
August 30, 2010
August 25, 2010
A Little Bump in the Road
I've been looking forward to this year of the kids' school for some time...probably since Quinn entered Kindergarten. It represents a milestone in our lives, they are both now in school for the full day. As a working mom, this is pretty big. The childcare costs of day care are high. And when Keely was in Kindergarten, we were paying the same tuition as we are now even though she's in school 7 hours instead of 3 (don't ask me why). On top of that cost, I was also paying for about 6 hours of extended day care for her. So now that she's in school full time, I only pay about 2-3 hours of day care after school each day (and a little more on Fridays). So obviously I am happy to reach this milestone, or should I say our bank account is happy to reach it.
The kids have mostly liked EDP (the extended day care program). It's reasonably priced, they provide snacks, they keep the kids entertained, but also do their homework most days. We've definitely had our issues though. The kids know they are not in school while they are there...so they tend to goof off. And while they are technically not in school, they are on school property and thus must generally behave within school rules. Staff members have different perspectives on this though and we have those who are "tougher" than others.
Why am I telling you all of this? Well, this year has not been so smooth and I am beginning to question how much I really "value" this program. We definitely had our troubles with Keely there last year, now she has been fine - happy to only being there ~2 hours a day. This time it's Quinn. Last week he was getting picked on by an older child in 8th grade. It only happened one day and then seemed to stop. Then yesterday, I get a call about 4 PM from the EDP Director saying Quinn had to be picked up immediately due to inappropriate behavior at snack. He took some carrots and was dancing them around in his private area. Another boy was caught doing it and then he told the teacher Quinn was doing it too and they both had to go see the Principal who ordered that they be picked up. Both James and I talked to Quinn about this behavior, he understands that it is not appropriate and that he should pick his friends better to not be dragged into this type of situation. He gets caught up with entertaining other kids, and obviously sometimes not in the right kind of way. I think he's struggling a bit to fit in with the other kids who go to EDP. There aren't a lot of kids his age, mostly younger and older. So some days he's happy and others he is not.
So what's a working mom to do? I have no choice at this point but to use the program. Well, I guess I do have a choice to have them sent somewhere else but the logistics of that are just so mind boggling. I am lucky right now to work from home one day a week, but there are still 4 other days to think about. The best, and only, thing we can do right now is take it one day at a time and keep fingers crossed that the talking with Quinn helped and we won't have issues. I hate being afraid to see the "Blessed Sacrament" number pop up on my phone and not wanting to make eye contact with the Staff because I'm afraid my child did something bad that day. Such is life as a parent I suppose.
Other than that, school itself is going great -- for both kids. Quinn loves 3rd grade and is so excited to be working with numbers in the 10,000s. They are quickly moving to 6 digits too and he can't wait! Keely loves 1st grade. She was nervous about the length of the day but said it felt "like one hour Mama!". She says they get so much work done, and talked about Math being "so exciting". I love the enthusiasm of these ages. They are really little sponges and it's a joy to watch the learning that takes place so rapidly. My hopes for a good school year are most definitely off to a good start, despite little bumps in the road!
The kids have mostly liked EDP (the extended day care program). It's reasonably priced, they provide snacks, they keep the kids entertained, but also do their homework most days. We've definitely had our issues though. The kids know they are not in school while they are there...so they tend to goof off. And while they are technically not in school, they are on school property and thus must generally behave within school rules. Staff members have different perspectives on this though and we have those who are "tougher" than others.
Why am I telling you all of this? Well, this year has not been so smooth and I am beginning to question how much I really "value" this program. We definitely had our troubles with Keely there last year, now she has been fine - happy to only being there ~2 hours a day. This time it's Quinn. Last week he was getting picked on by an older child in 8th grade. It only happened one day and then seemed to stop. Then yesterday, I get a call about 4 PM from the EDP Director saying Quinn had to be picked up immediately due to inappropriate behavior at snack. He took some carrots and was dancing them around in his private area. Another boy was caught doing it and then he told the teacher Quinn was doing it too and they both had to go see the Principal who ordered that they be picked up. Both James and I talked to Quinn about this behavior, he understands that it is not appropriate and that he should pick his friends better to not be dragged into this type of situation. He gets caught up with entertaining other kids, and obviously sometimes not in the right kind of way. I think he's struggling a bit to fit in with the other kids who go to EDP. There aren't a lot of kids his age, mostly younger and older. So some days he's happy and others he is not.
So what's a working mom to do? I have no choice at this point but to use the program. Well, I guess I do have a choice to have them sent somewhere else but the logistics of that are just so mind boggling. I am lucky right now to work from home one day a week, but there are still 4 other days to think about. The best, and only, thing we can do right now is take it one day at a time and keep fingers crossed that the talking with Quinn helped and we won't have issues. I hate being afraid to see the "Blessed Sacrament" number pop up on my phone and not wanting to make eye contact with the Staff because I'm afraid my child did something bad that day. Such is life as a parent I suppose.
Other than that, school itself is going great -- for both kids. Quinn loves 3rd grade and is so excited to be working with numbers in the 10,000s. They are quickly moving to 6 digits too and he can't wait! Keely loves 1st grade. She was nervous about the length of the day but said it felt "like one hour Mama!". She says they get so much work done, and talked about Math being "so exciting". I love the enthusiasm of these ages. They are really little sponges and it's a joy to watch the learning that takes place so rapidly. My hopes for a good school year are most definitely off to a good start, despite little bumps in the road!
August 17, 2010
First Day Report
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The kids started school yesterday, Keely entering 1st grade and Quinn 3rd. I guess you could say I went back to school too. I started my second year as HSA Vice President.We had the Newcomers' BBQ on Sunday night when we arrived back from Vegas. It was a whirlwind as I expected. The President was working her full time job so I was pretty much in charge. After a bit of confusion at the beginning, we managed to pull it together thanks to a great group of volunteers and it went really well. It was also well attended since we have over 40 new families at the school this year! I met several families that night, as well as a few more yesterday morning at Coffee & Donuts (which I normally cannot attend because I have to go to work, but could this year -- can I mention again that I LOVE working from home on Mondays?!?!). I just love meeting new people and sharing commonalities...and there seem to be lots this year. I've met three people from New Jersey in the last 2 days! Small world and nice to have some more Jersey folks out here in Utah :)
But back to the kids. We were all set to go...school supplies bought and labeled, backpacks packed, uniforms washed and ready to wear. Keely was beyond herself with excitement for her first day of "real" school. While she has 1/2 days all this week, next week she will be in school for the full day of 7 hours. She gets a real desk and has all the full fledged school supplies (and work) that come with being a 1st grader. Eating in the lunchroom and recess are her highlights, things she has never gotten to do at this school. Her first day was awesome. She loved it. She did say though that recess was her favorite part of the day :)
Quinn was not as excited about the return to school. He thought summer was too short. For him, it's the same stuff but different year. He knows the work to come, and he is anticipating a more strict year with Mrs. A in 3rd grade. Don't get me wrong, he likes school and he's glad to be there. But he likes summer more :) I know there's a point when kids don't "love" school, and maybe we're there. We'll see. He did have a great first day as well. He liked seeing all his friends and getting back to playing soccer at recess. The work hasn't really begun yet...no homework this first week and only an easy spelling list with 14 words.
And here we go, another year has begun. Soccer begins this week as well and both kids have games on Saturday!
August 16, 2010
The Last Hurrah
We returned last night from 4 nights in Las Vegas...sort of like the last big trip before school begins, or the end of summer. We ended up getting a later start due to some car trouble (yeah, just a new transmission for the Envoy that we just paid off a few months ago...not good) on Wednesday and didn't get to the hotel until almost 11 PM. We spent the days lazily by the pool(s) and the nights wandering the Strip. I have no pictures to show (I know, boring) but in no particular order, here's what we were up to these past few days.
-Watched the Sirens of TI show.
-Ate dinner at Margaritaville...and was again told by Keely that she wants to be the girl who slides down the volcano and into the large pitcher of "margaritas" :)
-Ate dinner at Nine Fine Irishmen in New York, New York...James and I had drinks there when we celebrated our 5 year wedding anniversary in Vegas but this is the first time we sampled the food and it was yummy!
-Watched the Mirage Volcano erupt twice.
-Went down the slides at the Flamingo pool umpteen times.
-Walked many miles, or so it seemed.
-Spent an ungodly amount of money on M&Ms at the 4 level store near MGM Grand.
-Rode in a limo (the kids' first time) on an otherwise waste of time 'Member Update' from our timeshare.
-Watched the rainstorm in The Miracle Mile Desert Shops at Planet Hollywood.
We figured out that this was our 5th or 6th time in Vegas since we first ventured there in 2004. The kids have been with us each time except the first. People are constantly surprised when we tell them we take our kids to Vegas. We don't gamble, we don't go to shows...but there is so much free stuff to take advantage of in 'Sin City'.
Oh and one last thing...while walking down the Strip, you are constantly being offered cards for girls, girls, girls. We call them 'Flicker Cards' and mostly they end up all over the street when people take them and discard immediately. They don't offer them to you once they see you have children. But anyways, Keely is riding on James' shoulders and she says, "Daddy, you don't need a call girl. You have Mommy." :)
-Watched the Sirens of TI show.
-Ate dinner at Margaritaville...and was again told by Keely that she wants to be the girl who slides down the volcano and into the large pitcher of "margaritas" :)
-Ate dinner at Nine Fine Irishmen in New York, New York...James and I had drinks there when we celebrated our 5 year wedding anniversary in Vegas but this is the first time we sampled the food and it was yummy!
-Watched the Mirage Volcano erupt twice.
-Went down the slides at the Flamingo pool umpteen times.
-Walked many miles, or so it seemed.
-Spent an ungodly amount of money on M&Ms at the 4 level store near MGM Grand.
-Rode in a limo (the kids' first time) on an otherwise waste of time 'Member Update' from our timeshare.
-Watched the rainstorm in The Miracle Mile Desert Shops at Planet Hollywood.
We figured out that this was our 5th or 6th time in Vegas since we first ventured there in 2004. The kids have been with us each time except the first. People are constantly surprised when we tell them we take our kids to Vegas. We don't gamble, we don't go to shows...but there is so much free stuff to take advantage of in 'Sin City'.
Oh and one last thing...while walking down the Strip, you are constantly being offered cards for girls, girls, girls. We call them 'Flicker Cards' and mostly they end up all over the street when people take them and discard immediately. They don't offer them to you once they see you have children. But anyways, Keely is riding on James' shoulders and she says, "Daddy, you don't need a call girl. You have Mommy." :)
August 3, 2010
Winding Down...
It feels like the kids just got out of school for summer break. I could literally tell that the summer would fly by, could feel it disappearing before my very eyes. I know that sounds like a broken record but it is true.
Just as I suspected, here we are less than 2 weeks from the start of school. Now I know that's not the end of summer considering how early we begin the school year. But it's the end of some things that are characteristic of summer. Late bedtimes, relaxed mornings, no homework, etc. It will mean getting back to the "normal" routine...not a bad thing at all.
We have been preparing for school already. We have purchased all of the required supplies off the lists. There is still much to be done though. Uniforms, school shoes, a haircut for Mr. Quinn (who has refused to cut his hair since May!). And it all has to be done before next Wednesday when we jaunt off to Las Vegas for a few days of R&R, one last fling before the whirlwind of school begins.
Just as I suspected, here we are less than 2 weeks from the start of school. Now I know that's not the end of summer considering how early we begin the school year. But it's the end of some things that are characteristic of summer. Late bedtimes, relaxed mornings, no homework, etc. It will mean getting back to the "normal" routine...not a bad thing at all.
We have been preparing for school already. We have purchased all of the required supplies off the lists. There is still much to be done though. Uniforms, school shoes, a haircut for Mr. Quinn (who has refused to cut his hair since May!). And it all has to be done before next Wednesday when we jaunt off to Las Vegas for a few days of R&R, one last fling before the whirlwind of school begins.
July 29, 2010
All She Wants for Christmas...
is her two front teeth. Well perhaps she won't be able to say that come Christmas, but for now she is missing two front teeth. Keely lost her second tooth this weekend. This one had been loose when the first fell out and she hasn't been as persistent with it. But it had gotten quite loose and we kept telling her to pull it out. She gave some half hearted attempts and then we decided to try and shoot it out. Yes, you read that right. They do it on America's Funniest Home Videos so we thought it would work :) We tried to tie floss around it but it kept coming off. We tried string. It either came off before we could shoot the arrow (we chose the Nerf big bad bow) or when we shot the arrow it didn't pull the tooth out with the string. But after a few attempts, the tooth was now even more wiggly. So James took matters in his own hands...wrapped a tissue around the tooth and yanked it out without much effort.
It only bled a little, it was ready to come out. So now she's toothless on the middle bottom. She says it feels "weird" to have a big gaping hole but I think she is getting used to it. I didn't take a specific tooth picture but you can see her cheesy grin in this one from Sunday's hike (hint: double click on the picture and it will get bigger so you can see it better).
July 28, 2010
Summer Hiking
The weather has been hot down here in the Valley so we've headed up into Little Cottonwood Canyon the past two Sundays. The temperatures drop by 10-20 degrees and the wild flowers are in bloom so it's a great way to relieve the summer heat.
The first hike was a bit random. We headed up into the canyon but it was way crowded. We just kept driving up and up until we got to the highest point, Alta. We parked and right in front of the car was a trail head. Quinn said let's do that one and so we did, really not knowing anything about it. It ended up being a pretty strenuous hike, totaling 4.2 miles round trip! And the kids did it...not without complaint (we obviously haven't hiked enough this year)...but without being carried. Well that pertains to Keely not to Quinn as he hasn't been carried in years. We climbed over 1500' in those 2.1 miles up to the Twin Lakes Pass. And I am glad we persisted because the view from the top was fantastic. But it was hard...my glutes were in pain for days. I am being lazy with the pictures so here is a slideshow of all the pictures on this hike. We dubbed it "The Minty Mine Hike" because we passed a couple of old abandoned mines and there was so much mint growing along the trail...it smelled great!
This past Sunday we again headed up into the canyon to Snowbird this time. We took the chairlift up to the top of the mountain and hiked around. I have no idea how long but it was a bit more than we expected. After we were done we took the lift back down and walked a bit of the Barrier Free trail. We probably hiked about two miles (wild guess).
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