A Kindergarten Story

Clown Swing.
Scooters down the hill.
Water Table.
Block area.
Orange and Green buttons.
My Strawberry Shortcake Shirt.

These are a few "Snap shots in my mind"  of my Kindergarten years.  One snap shot I remember vividly for some reason is drawing in pudding.  We were given a plate of pudding and we were supposed to be creative and finger paint in it and for some reason...I was not feeling very creative and drew the # 27 and spent the rest of the time sneaking a lick of pudding while the teacher was not looking.  I remember later that day overhearing the teachers being very disappointed that I had drawn a # and not a picture.  Then my 5 year old self felt bad.

So a couple of days ago...Xander and I were playing in pudding and I decided to do a "Make Up"  from my uncreative Kindergarten experience.

I titled it,  "My Kindergarten Teacher"  HA HA!

The Little Boy

"Take a picture of me Mom"

These are the words out of the little Man, who has learned to finally ride a trike. So maybe in a couple of months he can ride that bike he won.

He has opinions about what he wears and the CU hat is one of his favorites as of late....Despite the fact it is still 80 degrees outside.

He is loving Preschool and his Preschool projects, which he likes me to take pictures of.

He is becoming such a little Man, who is excited for his little sister to come. If it is indeed a little sister. For some reason my Dad still thinks it might be a boy! HA! that would be funny!

Broomfield Optimist Clown Contest

14 years old.
I told my Mom and Dad that I was going to dress up as a clown
and win a bike.

I am sure they thought I was a little old, but being the supportive parents they are,
agreed to take me to the contest.

I don't recall how I heard or new about winning a bike.
My parents never dressed me up as a child and took me
to the 8am contest in Midway Park for Broomfield Days.

But at 14, I was going to enter. So I dressed up and I looked good
REAL GOOD!

I was sure to win.
I was A Lot taller then the mostly 6-10 year old clowns that stood around me. But my eye was on the prize. A new bike and I would fit on it. Who cares that I was 4-8 years senior then the rest of the contestants.

When the judges made the announcement of who was the winner and
a six year old jumped for joy.....

My dreams of new bike were shattered.
I knew somehow someday I would get even with this contest
that I should have won, had I been 4 years younger.

Flash Forward 20 years later.
We are in Broomfield.
Have not attended Broomfield days in 12 years
But then I remember the CONTEST!

My son, a much smaller, cuter clown is going to enter.
And with a Toddlers and Tiara's parent like attitude
I dragged my kid to the park at
8am, dressed like a clown
to win a bike.

I made Jeremy paint his face.
And we were off.
Xander was happy for about 5 minutes at the park and then started saying,
"I want to go home"
So in true parent coach fashion, I said,
"Don't you want to win a bike"
"No, I want to go home"
"I will buy you a new train"
That kept him quiet for another 10 minutes before he started saying it again, and again.
I ignored him and really hoped the contest would get going, so the judges could see my cute, happy clown.

"I want to go home"
My Love and Logic parenting kicked in, as I started to feel guilty that I was forcing my child to do this contest so I could live vicariously through him.

So I said, "Xander, you don't have to do the contest but Mama wants to watch the other kids, then we will go home"

This kept him quiet for another 10 minutes until finally the contest got going at 8:45am when the contest was supposed to start at 8am. His age group was up first, so I said
"Xander, the other kids are going up on that stage, do you want to go?"

"Yes!"
Music to my ears!
He went right up there with Dad and hearing his name announced was music to his ears because he started dancing and gave the crowd of parents and judges a good chuckle.

That is my boy!
We were a shu in for the first prize.
And he did it. He won. The bike for his age group was his,
and the 14 year old clown in me who was in that same place
20 years ago
Smiled!

Xander Goes to Preschool

I signed Xander up for Pre-School!
Here he is with his very first
Assignment!

So far so good. The First day that I attended with him he was a bit of a crazy kid. This is what I posted on Face Book.

Xander's first Day of Preschool. Went as follows. Cried during the singing of the "Wheels on the Bus" Said "I don't want to sing this song". Ripped up the puzzle Mat on the floor. Kicked a little girl during story time and shot her with his finger gun. "Bam, Bam, Bam" and threw sand at a little boy on the playground.
And I thought I was raising a sweet little boy with "Love and Logic" I can't stop crying today.

Here are some comments I received

• Tiffany Downs Brown Were you the teacher? Are you doing joy school? If so, he probably doesn't like sharing you.

  September 1 at 9:52pm via mobile ·
• 

  Jannet Downs He just misses grandma

  September 2 at 1:00am ·
• 

  Hannah Brown McKay When I was in preschool I told the teacher that she was stupid and I stuck my foot in the popcorn bowl...I also threw a rock at a girl and told another girl I was going to rip her earrings out....I turned out alright...ha ha ha

  September 2 at 11:18am · · 1 person
• 

  Nichole Johnson Thanks Hannah! I feel a lot better now! No Tiffany, I was not the Teacher. I am sending him to a little Church Preschool down the road and they had Parents come the first day. I asked him, later on...Xander why did you cry during Wheels on the Bus and he said, "I wanted to play with the toys". I said why did you throw sand at the little boy and he said, "I did not like his Cowboy boots" Oh well. I guess we will just see how it goes :)

Well I am happy to report that going by himself without me watching is probably the best thing for him. I am trying not to be an over protective Mother that corrects every little thing the little guy does. But sometimes I do.

He has been put in "Time Out" a couple of times. But I really hope this is a good experience for him. He seems to enjoy going and is happy when I pick him up. So I hope things continue to get better.

Camping with the Firestone Families

For the past two summers we have gone camping with some families from Firestone. It is a lot of fun! They are really cute with Xander "The older kids" and it is a laid back time.

I did not get any pictures of us out on the lake in the
Canoe that we rented. Xander LOVED it! But going camping at 7 months pregnant was a pretty good accomplishment so I am proud that at least I got a few pictures of us hiking. I am also sad that I did not get any pictures of any one else. But hiking was the only time I remembered my Camera and they all were way ahead of the little Prego and went down and played in the river.

We went up to Grand Lake Area which is where we went Back Packing Last Year.

It is one of our favorite spots so we were glad to get up there again.

I can't wait until next year!
Last weekend in August is when we go!
I will have two little ones to enjoy the mountains with.