Happy Halloween!

The force was with us this year! Nathan immersed the boys into Star Wars. I've stood firm and not allowed them to watch the movies yet. But, it is a relentless pursuit to make me change my mind. Maddie refused Princess Lea and opted for a Native American.

It was a busy day of classroom Halloween parties. The kindergartners were thrilled to see us and so good! We had story time, freeze dance, snack and then four stations of crafts and games. They loved it! 

I wore my purple hair and hat. And the kids were just not sure if it was real or what. There was a lot of talk about a magic wand and special hair on Halloween. Of course, I'd conveniently forgotten my magic wand at home. I loved their confusion and innocence. Four days later, the kids are still coming up to me wondering about my hair! 

Now the 3rd graders, on the other hand, hardly gave me a glance. Maddie's in a class with 14 boys! It's, to say the least, intense. I feel for the teacher. We had one craft and an outdoor scavenger hunt for bones. Enthusiasm just not the unbridled joy of the five/six year olds. Sniff. (Can you believe the snow on the ground?)

Party time continued at the Woolberts for chili and fun before trick or treating. It was a fantastic way to end the day. Bijan and Theo were both Darth Vader, Maddie and Avery were Native Americans. And Maddie steeled herself to walk through the haunted house (the one where the man in the gorilla suit chased her down the street when she was in kindergarten). She was so proud to make it this year! We spent time trick or treating on their side of Beacon before getting a police escort across Beacon (by chance) to our side. The kids were thrilled - lights, sirens, the whole shebang!

Theo wasn't pleased that Gabriel put his arm around Davis. He said, "That's not his brother."

The candy tally

The Sanders' Pumps

(Maddie, Theo, Erin, Gabriel and Nathan)

Can you see the "code" in Nathan's pumpkin? 

Hint: There is an E, M, T and G

Hmmm, does he look like me? 

Happy Halloween!

(I was quite exhausted on November 1!)

Brings Tears to My Eyes

My sweet Theo performing a song he wrote - both the words and the music.

Success!

With grapes in cheeks, acting like a chipmunk

To say Gabriel has had a challenging time adjusting to preschool is an understatement. The tears, the monkey hold on me, the hands entwined in my hair, the teacher peeling him off of me as he sobs and I turn my back and leave the classroom. Not. Fun. In fact, quite awful.

I was very impressed with his ability to articulate what he was feeling. We refer to it as 3 year old cussing. As we'd walk up to the red doors, he'd say under his breath: "Stupid school, I hate this. Poop" And yes, I realize a three year old with command of the words stupid and hate says quite a bit, I can only say he is the third and try as I might, those words come out of certain childrens' mouths (poop is popular no matter the birth order)

I had a bit of solace when I'd pick him up and he would be happily playing on the playground (though he always spotted my car and by the time I walked up the hill, he'd be waiting at the gate for me). He'd even admit that he had fun. But, on his days off, he behaved like a perfect angel and often said how he just wants to be with me - sigh.

I realized that he had developed a habit at drop off of tensing up and getting upset. The reports from the teachers and friends said that he's engaged and happy during school.  So last week at coffee with some old friends from Bowen, Denise, who is always quite creative and positive in her solutions suggested bribery. But, in a positive way mixed with role playing. And by golly, it worked. Maddie and I role played and discussed how a smooth drop off would go over the weekend. I mentioned that there might be a special treat if he transitioned to school seamlessly. And voila, he staunchly marched into class not looking back (brave boy). I picked him up and he was so proud of his success. He said, "I didn't cwry, Mama." We jumped up and down, and he slyly grinned and said, "I get a tweat." I told him to chose ice cream, donuts or cookies and he chose donuts. I thought he'd want a large frosted sprinkled one but he decided he wanted the little balls. So I ordered four munchkins and we sat at the bar stools to celebrate. He popped one out of the bag and offered me one as well. We did cheers with our munchkins and enjoyed Gabriel's victory.