Thoughts on Pre-K, Public School Style

So we've made it through our first week of pre-k. Bean Dip loves it. He is happy to get ready in the morning, happy to see me at the end of the day, and happier over all. Also more cooperative and more talkative (if that's even possible). He likes his teachers, and so far he has at least one friend, a girl. He whispered her name in my ear to tell me. He has also been begging to ride the bus. I'm not sure if I'm ready for that. I tell him we'll think about it.

And how have I been dealing with it? Pretty good. The schedule isn't as rough as I thought. He starts late, so we don't have to have rushed mornings. The day goes by quickly with all the outings G and I have been doing.

And Baby G? She has definitely been missing her brother, but I think she likes having me all to herself. And she and BD make up for lost time once he gets home. They usually start off by fighting, then it turns into playing. And no one has been asking to watch TV.

I think we are all benefiting from having a set schedule.

But I do have one problem with the school. I found out (from the teacher) that BD's class doesn't have recess everyday. If they don't go outside, they still do gym or some other physical activity, like dancing. But I'm so upset. Kids need time time to run and be free, and to be outside. Doesn't the school system know that the sun is good for the brain? And here's the other thing: In the six hours Bean Dip is at school, he gets breakfast, lunch and a snack. To me this is a no brainer. Hello! We have a childhood obesity epidemic in this country, Tennessee is one of the fattest states, and this is what we are doing at school? Stuff them full of food and then don't give them recess? I guess this is why we are No. 1 on this list.

Are You Ready for Some Football?

Our second major sporting event on Saturday was attending the preseason NFL game of the Titans against the Bears. Earlier in the week, I'd heard MWR was giving away free tickets, so Baby G and I went to stand in line to get six tickets. Rich and his friend, Toby, joined us for the game.

Let me tell you, I am falling in love with Nashville. We went down early, and walked downtown to eat before the game. We ended up at this place called Paradise Park on Broadway. Nothing fancy, but delicious burgers, cheap beer and great music. I guess Broadway is the main "strip." It was packed with people, there was live music inside every bar, and everyone was in a great mood. Next time, I'm wearing my cowboy boots. And so is G.

It was a long walk to the stadium, but we followed the crowds and took the pedestrian bridge across the Cumberland to LP Field. We had beautiful views of the riverfront and the stadium.

The game itself was great fun too. I had a hard time following the game (I kept losing the ball in the crowd). We were also way up in the nosebleed seats. The kids loved it -- they even got into doing the wave and cheering and booing. I think Bean Dip actually followed the game a bit.



We left during the last five minutes. The Titans won by one. We had the long walk back over the river and up the strip. We ended up carrying the kids most of the way. The streets were still packed, and everyone was still having a good time. I can't wait to get down there without kids, and join in on the fun.

The drive home really isn't bad at all. We are really only 40 minutes from downtown, and it's all highway. I think we will be spending lots of time down there.

The Surprise Grasshopper

We had two major sporting events to attend on Saturday. One was Bean Dip's very first soccer game. We weren't sure how it was going to play out, because BD had spent the last couple of practices sitting on the sidelines and refusing to play. However, once the game started, he played his heart out. The other moms were surprised that he actually kind of knew what he was doing, and was actually pretty good. He was one of the fastest runners, and scored a goal. He and a girl on his team (our "ringer," she's a foot taller than everyone and is turning five next month) even had a couple plays between them, with BD passing her the ball to score.


It was wonderful to see him out playing, instead of crying and refusing to play. The game was a lot of fun (and very frustrating at times) to watch. There were a couple of kids who picked up the ball, others had to be reminded which goal to run towards, and others reminded they were playing soccer. The parents were pretty good, not too much yelling at the kids. The game ended up in a tie, not that anyone was really keeping score.

Friday

Lost Without a Camera

My trusty Canon Powershot Elph is officially dead. Well, I guess there is still hope, but I'll have to find a place to take it to be worked on (any suggestions???). I love this camera. I've had it four years, and it's taken beautiful pictures. Then Win went and threw it on the ground.

Well. Not really. He really just dropped it while trying to take a picture of us making G's birthday cake. But it landed on the extracted lens, and my camera really didn't like that. It worked for a little while, but now the lens won't come out at all.

Luckily, we still have Win's camera that I sent him to him in Afghanistan. And even luckier, I knew right where the charger and USB cord were. So at least I still have some sort of camera, even though it is nothing like my beloved Elph.

Nashville

So on Saturday, after Baby G woke us up super early, we packed up and headed down for Nashville. We went straight downtown and visited the Tennessee State Museum. It's free, and it's really nice. Also huge. They had some stuff for the kids to play with, and lots of great displays about the state's history. I'm kind of excited about learning about the Civil War here. Of course, it's hard to really enjoy a museum when you have kids running in opposite directions, but since it's free, I'm sure we'll be back.

Then we headed down to the river, to check out the scene. I guess there are two main streets where all the action is; we ended up on 2nd Street, one up from the river. We ate lunch at the Wildhorse Saloon. There was live music -- Les Richardson -- and line dancing. It was pretty entertaining, and the pulled pork BBQ sandwich was amazing, I could have eaten three of them. It looked like it would be really fun to spend the evening wandering from bar to bar, listening to music. But without kids.

We headed to our hotel after that. We were staying at the Drury Inn out by the airport. Collins worked at the Drury, and she had booked it, so that's where we all stayed. First time for us, and we were pleasantly surprised. They had a military discount, and you got three free drinks and food for happy hour in the lobby. Pretty awesome. So after we swam and rested, we sat in the lobby having our drinks, and the kids ate popcorn.

The "young" people -- Rich, Jessica, Collins and Mike -- headed for downtown, and we headed for dinner with Mom and Dad. I found this place right up the road called Ellendale's. The selling point for us was live music and local, organic food, mostly from their own garden.

It was a little fancier than we all realized, but we sat outside in the garden and had the patio to ourselves. It was one of the best meals I've had in a really long time. We started with a cheese and fruit plate, which was unbelievable. Aged cheddar, blue cheese, goat cheese, Brie, it was all amazing. Then I got the prime rib for my main course, and oh my gosh. First of all, it was this giant slab of beef, cooked perfectly and is making my mouth water just thinking about it. It came with homegrown vegetables and a baked potato, and a horseradish sauce and au jus. I ate as much as I could and shared the rest. We all decided to get dessert, and I shared my raspberry sorbet with the kids. Oh gosh, it was simply amazing. Overall, it was a fantastic way to spend the evening, and I'm going to recommend it to everyone.

We swam in the morning and then headed home. Mom and Dad and Mike headed straight back to Illinois. We spent the afternoon doing absolutely nothing. We were all so exhausted.

If you are interested, here are some websites:
Tennessee State Museum
Wildhorse Saloon
Drury Inn
Ellendale's

First Day of Preschool

Today was Bean Dip's first day of preschool. He was so excited. In the morning when we were getting ready, he said, "Mama, thank you for signing me up for school." We were actually early to school and had to wait.

It was actually a surprise that he started. He was already registered to start at a different school in September, but on Thursday night I got a call from the Pre-K teacher at the public school, saying she had a spot open for BD. I had done the open registration back in July for the public school, but didn't really expect to get a spot. So over the weekend I emailed back and forth with the teacher, and on Monday BD and I went in to register and meet his new teacher. Win was off so Baby G stayed home with him, even though BD wanted her to come.

The teacher is really nice, and so is the classroom. I'm excited because it's at the school BD will attend Kindergarten and up, so he will be comfortable there. And it's almost full day, every day. It seems like a lot, but I think for BD, he needs it. This summer had been a little rough on him, because of the move, and not knowing people, and not having a set schedule. And he was always asking when he could go to school.

So he was registered and set to start today, so we headed out to do a little shopping. We found a Transformers backpack, and a Star Wars thermos to go with his Star Wars lunchbox. We also found a Transformers shirt to wear the first day. Then we went to the mall to find some fast new running shoes. First was a bathroom break, and BD fell over laughing at the kid-sized toilet in the family bathroom. Then he said he was hungry, and chose Chinese food for lunch. He giggled all the way through lunch, and cleared the plate we shared. Then it was off to find shoes. Four stores later we finally found ones he liked and in his size. He wore them out of the store and was so happy. Soccer practice was that night, and he ran super fast in his new shoes, and played the whole time.

Baby G and I picked him from school, and he talked non stop on the way home. He said school was awesome. He also brought home this month's family project -- they traced him on a large sheet of paper and we have to decorate it and bring it in. I guess that will be this weekend's project.

So now the busy time has begun. School everyday and soccer three times a week. It feels good.

The Party

Baby G's birthday party ended up being quite the event. We didn't do anything big during the day. Win was off work, and he made pancakes -- her favorite -- for breakfast. I made sure she had a long nap, and we did a little slip'n'sliding and cake baking.


The party started when the guests arrived. First came Collins, she came down for the weekend to see us. Then came my parents and Mike, and then Alex Sardine (Bean Dip's nickname for him) and Rich and Jessica showed up. I made spaghetti and meatballs and salad, and we all crowded around the kitchen table. Then it was time for a quick bath and then presents.

I have to say, G was as entertained with the tissue paper as the presents. Every opening started with her wrapping a piece around her head. BD "helped" her unwrap, but it was a little rough for him. He did get two presents of his own, and by the end he'd calmed down and was happy to play with all the new toys.


It was quite the Dora birthday. She got several Dora dolls, a Dora packpack from us, and a talking backpack from Mike that she just loved. For several minutes she just sat there in awe, pressing the button and sighing in happiness. We also got her a pair of cowboy boots, which she has been wearing nonstop.


We all headed outside for a little while, while Mike helped BD fly his new airplane. Then it was cake time. I made a chocolate cake from scratch, and homemade icing. It was delicious but the icing was so sweet. G quite enjoyed her vanilla ice cream.


I let the kids stay up late, and they played happily until they crashed. But they were up first thing in the morning, BD coming in at 6:30 a.m. asking if he could go wake up Mike. I told him no way, and he did give us 30 more minutes of sleep. The G was up, and she woke everyone up by immediately playing with her talking backpack.

Two

Happy second birthday to my beautiful, goofy baby girl. Lots of fun planned for today and this weekend.

First Came the Ticks, Then Came the Chiggers

So my epic fail for the camping trip was not using bug spray. My excuse is that there was not a single mosquito, something I still can't believe. And also, when we started our hike, I thought it was going to be a short little walk. So ...

We got home, cleaned up, and I discovered a regular-sized tick on me. Got rid of it. Then I noticed something on my foot. Little black dots that didn't come off. Oh yeah, they were ticks too, seed ticks. My poor foot was covered. So of course, I freaked out a bit. Win checked himself, and he had him too. I put the kids back in the bath, then did an all over search on them as well. Luckily, they only had a few, and seem to have escaped without a single reaction.

And then, the chiggers. I don't have them as bad as Win. They are the worst things ever! My tick bites are all still itchy, and both Win and I look like we have chicken pox. We are practically bathing in Calamine lotion, and using hydro cortisone cream as body lotion.

So. Lesson learned. Always use bug spray when out in nature, especially when you are walking in the woods. I'm so thankful the kids avoided it.

First Family Camping Trip, Day 2

Sunday morning Baby G was the first one up. She actually woke me up by flinging Bean Dip's soggy overnight Pull-Up on my face and laughing. I gave her some toys, and she played quietly while I slept in for a bit.

Breakfast was little cereal boxes, milk and powdered donuts. I figured out the camp stove, and made a Mocha pot of Illy espresso coffee. Bean Dip was the last one up, tumbling out of the tent and ready for more camping.



Win and BD wanted to go fishing, so we headed out on the trail we thought went to the picnic area. Instead, it led through the prairie grass (where we saw a little buck), and into the woods. We hiked down the bluff and along the lake for ages, but never got close enough to the water to fish. Eventually, we rested at a little spot where the boys threw their lines in without any luck. After a little rest and a snack we headed back. Baby G had given up pretty quickly, and we had to carry her most of the way out and all of the way back. And of course I didn't bring the backpack. But Bean Dip was a trooper, he walked the entire way, happy up until the almost the end, and talking the entire time. When we got back to the tent we realized we'd been gone more than two hours, walking for most of it.


We had leftover hot dogs and pasta salad for lunch, then packed up and headed home. Both Bean Dip and Baby G were quite literally covered head to toe in dirt. BD kept begging to stay another night. It was wonderful to get out in nature, and get out of town, even for just one night.

First Family Camping Trip, Day 1

So this past weekend, we went on our first camping trip as a family. I grew up camping (the first time when I was less than a year old), and Win, of course, has done his fair share of "camping," as well. Win and I also camped a fair amount before we got married, but not since Italy or the kids.

We decided to go just for one night, as a trial run. We chose Lake Malone State Park in Kentucky, recommended to us by our neighbor. The weather for Saturday called for 50 percent chance of storms, so up until that morning we were still undecided. While we debated, we went to Wal-Mart to get a few needed things -- a one-burner camp stove, water jug, bug spray, food. Our food plan was simple -- hot dogs and brats, pasta salad I'd make before we left, marshmallows, some snacks, and then cereal, donuts and coffee for breakfast.

We finally made the decision to chance the rain and go. We packed up pretty quickly for us, left after lunch, and had a beautiful drive through the Kentucky countryside. We saw tobacco fields and tobacco being harvested -- still by hand.


The campground was really nice, and almost completely empty. There was a huge playground in the center, where Win took the kids to play after dinner. We set up our tent, a gift from my parents seven years ago, never opened. It took a few tries but we figured it out. The kids got a kick out of it, each one taking a turn lying down on their sleeping bags. We went for a swim after to cool off -- we had to drive to the beach, which is a definite downside to the campground. But the lake is beautiful, and the water felt great.


We headed back to start up the fire and get dinner started. The minute they were out of the truck, Bean Dip and Baby G proceeded to play in the dirt, getting completely covered in it. I did my best to clean them off before bed, but man, they were a mess. When it got dark, we roasted marshmallows, then G said she was ready for bed. I ended up lying in the tent with her for a long time while she settled down to sleep. I listened to Bean Dip and Win talk about guy stuff, zombies, scary stuff, etc. BD had a second dinner, played with the lantern, then finally informed Win he was tired and was going to bed.


They both slept straight through the night, not at all uncomfortable sleeping on the ground in a tent. I woke up at 3 a.m. when the thunder started, but luckily it all blew past, and we just had a few drops of rain.

Pre-K Soccer

Tonight was Bean Dip's first soccer practice. We all went, were 10 minutes early, and we drove up to an overflowing parking lot with droves of kids with shin guards and balls leading the way for their parents dragging younger siblings, strollers, chairs, and cameras. We headed for the group of the youngest looking players, and finally found his coach and teammates.

Practice started with a talk from the coach, then some attempts at dribbling the ball. As Win described it, it was like watching someone "herd cats." Some kids tried to carry the ball, another just sat down on the field, and several tried to make a break for their parents. Then an official came over and told our coach that we were on the wrong field, so everyone packed up and trekked over to the correct field to resume practice.


Things went better after that. It was pretty entertaining to watch Bean Dip from afar. He was pretty good with the ball, but pretty exuberant with showing off his moves (spin kicks, heel kicks, etc.) He and another kid did pretty well passing back and forth, sometimes actually kicking it to each other. Other times BD would haul off and blast the ball past the kid, and if he was paying attention, he'd walk slowly to get it and kick it back to BD. Other times the ball would sail by while he wasn't looking, and it'd be several minutes before he kicked it back to BD. Meanwhile, Bean Dip would just stand there looking at his hands.

And on the sidelines, the parents watched and tried to keep the little ones happy. Baby G was not the only one to make a break for the field, but at least she was laughing when she was caught. A little boy her age threw a full on tantrum when his mom caught him. I always like to hear other exasperated mothers dealing with the same things I do, and hear them yelling at their kids.

After a few drills, the coach called them in for a talk, and then they all crowded around the water cooler. The parents voted, and the team name is the Grasshoppers. Next we'll get jerseys, and next week the games start.

Slip'n'Slide Summer

Nine dollars at Wal-Mart equals one happy kid.

That Time has Come ...

... I am officially a soccer mom.

Practice starts Monday.

On Top of the World

A New Hobby?

My mom came to visit last week, and we did some sewing. I have one of my grandmother's sewing machines, but I've never used it. This pretty much sums up my first attempt at a cloth napkin:


I have new respect for Nana and my mom, and all my sewing friends. It is way harder than it looks! I had no idea. It's like learning to drive all over again. I finished my napkin, and also made myself a pin cushion. Then I turned it over to my mom, who made a little pillow for each of the kids. Then she left. I've attempted one more napkin, but it's pretty sad looking. I guess I just need to keep practicing, and maybe everyone I know will be getting cloth napkins for Christmas.

What's Making Me Happy: Trails

Today we discovered the Clarksville Greenway. It is a walking trail that runs through the center of Clarksville. I dug out the jogging stroller, and we met Jessica, my sister-in-law, for a morning walk.

I was really happy with it. Clarksville is so strange -- it's so spread out. If you look at a map, it looks like the Greenway runs right through the heart of Clarksville. I guess it does, but it is straight through the wooded area. We did the two-mile walk, and it was very easy. It was shaded almost the entire way, and it ran along the back of subdivisons on one side, and woods and cornfields on the other. It was great to get out in nature, even if the walkway is paved.

There were a few other people on it, lots of runners, a few bikers and a few families. There are benches along the way, bathrooms at the trail head, and water fountains. I will definitely be back, and perhaps bring Bean Dip's bike so he can ride.

It was also great to see Jessica and catch up with her. And of course, Bean Dip and Baby G were excited to see their aunt.

Another Blog Post

I'm writing on all our other blogs this week ...

Check out this one: Vicenza Girls Getaway.

Traveling with Tikes is Back

Michelle is planning a family vacation and is bringing back our traveling with kids advice blog.

Check it out: Traveling with Tikes.