Septemeber 2008

She Must Use Magic

Kati Oliver — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 03:08:34 GMT

I have reason to believe Carson's Kindergarten teacher has magical powers and uses them to produce desirable behaviors from 5 year olds. Let me explain:

Exhibit A: Carson brought this home today as a reward for good behavior. Anyone who has spent any amount of time with the child knows he's never quiet for a minute. He is a constant string of chatter, singing and random noise making everywhere he goes (including the bathroom). Really in the company of 22 other 5 year olds he is as "quiet as a mouse?"

Exhibit B: What in the world did she do to get him to take his time and actually put some effort into his work? I was one of his preschool teachers for 2 years and he was always doing 2 swipes with the crayon and calling it good just to be the first one to finish.

Exhibit C: What a picture without the color green? Up until now I've ONLY seen him use a green crayon to color everything on the page. And again please take note that it actually looks like his best effort here!

I don't know how she does it. . . but I hope she writes a book soon because I could sure use some tips at home!

Complaint Department

Kati Oliver — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 23:40:04 GMT

Last week (September 9th to be exact) Spencer and I were in Fred Meyer looking for a lunch bag for Carson. We were directed by an employee to the seasonal department where the last of the school supplies were. While there I noticed that behind the back to school aisle was the Halloween/ fall aisle and then a Christmas aisle! CHRISTMAS! IN SEPTEMBER! Is it just me or does that make you nauseas as well? How am I ever supposed to teach my children the joys of dressing up and gorging themselves on candy for the night? Or to be thankful and gorge themselves on turkey and pumpkin pie with the ever looming Santa with his giant sack-o-toys? Once Carson catches sight of jolly old St. Nick in the store he'll think it must be coming soon and then the "I want" list will begin! Are stores really hurting that bad for business that they need to start now? Well I won't be buying a single item until at least the day after Thanksgiving and that is a promise!

Eventful

Kati Oliver — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 21:38:23 GMT

There is no other way to describe life around here recently other than. . .eventful. Here's what we've been doing the last 10 days. First, all of our summer activities including swim lessons, music class and T-ball all came to an end two weeks ago. I'm really glad we kept a busy schedule even during the summer because really it seemed to go by way too fast!

The last weekend in August I made a quick (48 hours) trip to CA for my Grandpa Doll's 80th birthday party. To see him surrounded by such an amazing extended family and lifelong friends was a tribute to him and the life he's led. As a bonus my niece Avery was born (Tim & Britt's little girl) while I was there in CA. So glad Brittany could plan it that way for us!

The morning after I flew home (Labor Day) Nick ran in the Jock 'n Jill half marathon in Woodinville. He finished in 1 hr. 50 min which is an excellent time, and the boys and I enjoyed watching him race although watching people puke as they crossed the finished line was a bit much for pregnant state of being.

We've spent this last week taking Carson in to meet his new teacher and for Kindergarten assessments as well starting soccer practice, PTA and co-op preschool preparations. Saturday was Carson's first game and it was nothing short of entertaining. He's still not 100% sure what to do but he just keeps running and kicking and grinning the entire time.

Nick and I left straight from the soccer game Saturday morning and headed to Huskies stadium to watch the BYU football game. It's been a long time since I've screamed and cheered that loud for that long. BYU has a knack for making games just a little too exciting at the end but we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves (thanks Grandpa Steve for taking the boys)! Our seats really were that close to the field too!

45 minutes before church started on Sunday the entire plumbing on our house decided to clog and we were on limited use of toilets and sinks and no use of showers, dishwasher, washing machine etc. Nick tried a few "band-aid" techniques to get us through until Monday morning in attempt to avoid the after hour emergency plumbing fees. Thank goodness for Roto-Rooter who came within an hour of us calling this morning and took care of the whole problem.

And finally today I sent my little boy off into the world of public schooling. I could go on and on about how sad it is to see him grown up but really he was SO ready to go and had no apprehensions at all. I am constantly amazed at his self confidence and ability to approach any new situation with ease and excitement. He cut the apron strings all by himself and asked me not to hold his hand or take anymore pictures of him at school (the one above is only one he let me take). He's going to a great school with an amazing teacher and 5 primary friends and 3 soccer friends in his class. After dropping him off Spencer and I then went to his first day of preschool. . . and now I'm ready for a nap.