Recently, Quigs and I were talking about my lack of knowledge with current top 40 music. When she asked what I listen to, I said older stuff. Well, let's see if this proves it.
1. Put your iPod or whatever music player you have on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS!
4. Tag 5 friends who might enjoy doing this as well as the person you got this from. Let them know they've been tagged.
IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY? Wonder by Natalie Merchant
WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY? I Write the Songs by Barry Manilow
WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL? Sweetheart by Mariah Carey
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE? What About Love by Heart
WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?You Can't Always Get What You Want by The Rolling Stones
WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU? Mr. Bassman (And Piano Girl) by Laurie Berkner
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN? Waterloo by ABBA
WHAT IS 2+2? The Longest Time by Billy Joel
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND? The Song That Jane Likes by Dave Matthews Band
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE? Hasta Manana by ABBA
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY? Stay or Leave by Dave Matthews Band
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP? Unwell by Matchbox 20
WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE? Recently by Dave Matthews Band
WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU? Answer Me, My Love by Joni Mitchell
WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING? Old Dirt Hill by Dave Matthews Band
WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL? They Do, They Don't by Jack Johnson
WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST? Melissa by Dave Matthews Band
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET? We Belong by Pat Benatar
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS? Keep On by The Brady Bunch
WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN? Mouse In My Toolbox by Laurie Berkner
HOW WILL YOU DIE? Afternoon Delight by Starland Vocal Band
WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET? Head to Toe by Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam
WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH? Daydream Believer by The Monkees
WHAT MAKES YOU CRY? Cherish by Madonna
WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED? Bootylicious by Destiny's Child
WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST? The Best of What's Around by Dave Matthews Band
DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU? Sad Songs by Elton John
IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE? Every Rose Has It's Thorn by Poison
WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW? American Girl by Tom Petty
WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS? Don't Drink The Water by Dave Matthews Band
5 People I Tag:
HarleyQuinny
Lavender Lemonade
Looseyfur
Fearless Freak
IzzyMom
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Spotted Dick
This past spring, I was shopping in Meijer and found myself in the aisle with foods from around the world. I stopped short when something caught my eye: Spotted Dick in a can. I took a picture and sent it to a few people who I knew would laugh like 6th graders over it (like I did).
I bought the can because, really, how could I not? I got text messages that day from those select people who thought I had found the picture on the internet. They were surprised to find out that this actually did exist and that I bought it.
A few weeks ago, my parents were at my house and I remembered that I still had the can of Spotted Dick in the pantry. My dad told me that in England, "dick" also means pudding. Before I realized what he was doing, he started preparing the "pudding."
I bought the can because, really, how could I not? I got text messages that day from those select people who thought I had found the picture on the internet. They were surprised to find out that this actually did exist and that I bought it.
A few weeks ago, my parents were at my house and I remembered that I still had the can of Spotted Dick in the pantry. My dad told me that in England, "dick" also means pudding. Before I realized what he was doing, he started preparing the "pudding."
Surprisingly, it was really good. It was sorta like a bread pudding with raisins in it. It could have used some sort of sauce with it, but that didn't stop me or my family from taking more than a few bites.
Maybe next time I'm at the store, I'll look for some more dick in the aisle. I wonder how many flavors of dick are out there? Who knew Mejer sold such good dick? I could go on and on...LOL!
Thursday, November 6, 2008
There's a party in my tummy!
I love this song. I can't get it out of my head, and I even bought Ella a shirt to encourage the fun!
It's all random
I haven't been much in the mood for blogging these days. I don't know why. But I figured since it's been a while, I should put something on here. So this is just some random stuff that's been going on.
Yesterday I bought two newspapers with huge front page headlines announcing Obama won the election. I was at the kitchen table reading them while Ella was eating her lunch. She started asking me who the man was in the picture so I explained that he was our new president and that he would be our leader. Surprisingly she seemed to get it. I showed her a picture of the U.S. and told her that he was going to be the leader of our country and she just kept saying his name over and over. At first it was "Rock Obama," but after a few times sounding it out, she had it right.
She had show-and-tell today, and she said she wanted to take a picture of Barack to school. They had to bring something starting with the letter "B" and she said that since his name started with that letter that she wanted to take him to school. I convinced her that he was a very busy man and that she could take his picture. She repeatedly told me that she wanted to see him and asked why he couldn't come to our house. "Can I see him one day, Momma?" she asked. "One day?" I smiled at her and said, "One day, baby. Maybe one day you can see him."
When I took her to school this morning, we washed her hands, and I gave her kisses goodbye. I told her to go play and she said, "I have to tell Miss Jennifer about Barack Obama." So she walked up to her teacher and said, "Barack Obama!" I think Miss Jennifer was a little taken back by it, and she answered "He won the election, didn't he? Did you vote for him?" Ella of course said yes. I just hope her show-and-tell doesn't go badly. I mean seriously, how many of those 4 & 5 year-olds will understand what my kid does? Probably only a few. Oh well. She is happy with it!
Over the weekend, my family came down to visit. I don't see them as much these days as I did when I was planning the wedding, so it's nice to get together. I got to give my niece Aubry her first haircut. She will be 4 years old on December 2nd and she hasn't had a haircut until this point - she was a bald baby. She did really good until I was about 1/2 way done and then she started to get nervous. It was just a trim, but her mom was scraping all the hair into a baggie - it was a big deal for her. She was only a little bit emotional. Nothing like when I gave Ella her major haircut in May.
Yesterday I bought two newspapers with huge front page headlines announcing Obama won the election. I was at the kitchen table reading them while Ella was eating her lunch. She started asking me who the man was in the picture so I explained that he was our new president and that he would be our leader. Surprisingly she seemed to get it. I showed her a picture of the U.S. and told her that he was going to be the leader of our country and she just kept saying his name over and over. At first it was "Rock Obama," but after a few times sounding it out, she had it right.
She had show-and-tell today, and she said she wanted to take a picture of Barack to school. They had to bring something starting with the letter "B" and she said that since his name started with that letter that she wanted to take him to school. I convinced her that he was a very busy man and that she could take his picture. She repeatedly told me that she wanted to see him and asked why he couldn't come to our house. "Can I see him one day, Momma?" she asked. "One day?" I smiled at her and said, "One day, baby. Maybe one day you can see him."
When I took her to school this morning, we washed her hands, and I gave her kisses goodbye. I told her to go play and she said, "I have to tell Miss Jennifer about Barack Obama." So she walked up to her teacher and said, "Barack Obama!" I think Miss Jennifer was a little taken back by it, and she answered "He won the election, didn't he? Did you vote for him?" Ella of course said yes. I just hope her show-and-tell doesn't go badly. I mean seriously, how many of those 4 & 5 year-olds will understand what my kid does? Probably only a few. Oh well. She is happy with it!
Last night I was in the garage with Brady and the kids were playing nicely inside the house. I didn't hear any screaming so I assumed all was well. After 15 minutes, I came back inside, and I didn't see Grayson. I walked to my bedroom and the door was closed. I assumed that Grayson had just shut himself in the bedroom. Oh no. He had somehow opened the door to our bathroom and was standing in the middle of the floor with a string of wet toilet paper hanging out of his mouth and a giant pool of water on the floor. He was laughing and having a good time of course. I couldn't believe the amount of water on the floor and when I looked in the toilet, all the water was gone and there was a wad of toilet paper in it. He had taken a toy cup for bath time and scooped out all of the water from the toilet. I don't know if he was trying to put the water in the tub, but it certainly didn't make it there. It took 4 huge bath towels to clean up the floor and Grayson was so mad when I stripped off his wet clothes and put him in his crib while I cleaned things up. That's my kid. And I love him.
These are some pictures that Ella has done at school.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Trick-or-Treat!
On Thursday, Ella had her Halloween party at preschool. She got to wear her monkey costume and trick-or-treat in a parade through the school. She had a lot of fun.
This is a picture of her and Sam, who she talks about all the time.
"Trick or Treat!"
For Halloween, Brady took Ella around the neighborhood. Here, she's posing with the jack-o-lanterns that Brady carved.
Grayson stayed home with me to hand out candy. He didn't want to wear his costume, and was content eating crackers and watching cartoons.
This is a picture of her and Sam, who she talks about all the time.
"Trick or Treat!"
For Halloween, Brady took Ella around the neighborhood. Here, she's posing with the jack-o-lanterns that Brady carved.
Grayson stayed home with me to hand out candy. He didn't want to wear his costume, and was content eating crackers and watching cartoons.
Since we only had 2 pumpkins this year, I told Brady that he had to carve one nice and one scary. If he had his way, they'd both be scary. Ella picked out the evil queen.
For the past few years, we've had tons of kids ring our doorbell for candy on Halloween. Last year I made 140 goodie bags, and I ran out of bags causing me to open another 5 lb. bag and hand out pieces of candy. This year, I made 200 bags. I had 52 left over. Why do I make the bags, you ask? Because I want to know how many kids we get. I was just really surprised at how few trick-or-treaters there were. The weather was great, so I expected the doorbell to ring non-stop. Our trick-or-treat started at 5:30, and our doorbell didn't ring for the first time until 6:03. I don't get it. When the weather is cold and rainy, we get more kids than when it's 65 degrees and sunny? Makes no sense. Oh well. Anyone need some candy?
For the past few years, we've had tons of kids ring our doorbell for candy on Halloween. Last year I made 140 goodie bags, and I ran out of bags causing me to open another 5 lb. bag and hand out pieces of candy. This year, I made 200 bags. I had 52 left over. Why do I make the bags, you ask? Because I want to know how many kids we get. I was just really surprised at how few trick-or-treaters there were. The weather was great, so I expected the doorbell to ring non-stop. Our trick-or-treat started at 5:30, and our doorbell didn't ring for the first time until 6:03. I don't get it. When the weather is cold and rainy, we get more kids than when it's 65 degrees and sunny? Makes no sense. Oh well. Anyone need some candy?
Thursday, October 23, 2008
What's wrong with my clothes?
When I got pregnant with Ella, I packed away all my "skinny" clothes. By "skinny" I mean size 14. I had spent all of college in 16-18s and after my leg surgery, I'd even been into size 20. So when I was able to buy a size 14 jean from Old Navy, I was on Cloud 9. How funny that I was the thinnest I'd ever been right before I got pregnant. I was so happy with what I call my "woman body." I had sexy curves that I didn't hide. I was the most comfortable with myself that I had ever been in my life.
After Ella's was born, I brought out some of the clothes thinking I'd be able to wear them soon. Oh how wrong I was. It's been 5 years since I've been able to wear those clothes.
In an attempt to make more room in my house, I decided to part ways with my hot, sexy clothes from days gone by. If I am ever that small again, I deserve a brand new wardrobe. I am keeping some of my jeans though....for some reason, I just can't get rid of them.
I decided to take my best stuff to Karen's Kloset, a consignment shop in Champaign. I had never tried to sell anything there before, and I thought it would be easy. Just drop off my clothes and get a check in a few months.
Yesterday, after Ella's doctor appointment, I stopped by KK with about a dozen items. As soon as I walked in the door I felt uncomfortable. The staff, although nice, had a certain....vibe(?) to them that made me uncomfortable.
As I was filling out the necessary forms and reading over their policies (they are going to charge me $5 to pick up the items that don't sell? WTF?) the woman behind the counter was checking over my clothes.
She finished and when I looked over, she had put most of them back in the bag. She said, "Ok. You have 4 items here that I think will sell nicely for you." As she continues her rambling, telling me exactly what I just read, I am angrily wondering what is wrong with my other clothes. The 2 black GAP sweaters I brought in are in great condition. That Eddie Bauer sweater doesn't have a stain on it.
Inside, I'm fuming. How dare this woman not take my clothes! This is a resale shop! Those clothes cost a lot of money! She tells me that in the future, "we ask that when you bring in items, to please have them freshly laundered, pressed, and on hangers." I look around, and all the items in this shop are on black hangers. What are they going to do with the hangers I put them on? And all my clothes were clean and wrinkle-free....I'm not going to bring in clothes smelling like moth-balls.
I should have asked her what the deal was, but I didn't. Seriously, the place made me really uncomfortable, and I just wanted to get out of there. I know I won't be going back except to get whatever money I might make...minus that $5 fee.
Harley Q suggested I try Plato's Closet or EBay. I've never been to PC, and I've never sold anything on the Internet. If any of my friends would like to take these clothes off my hands, I am happy to hand them over. Just let me know.
After Ella's was born, I brought out some of the clothes thinking I'd be able to wear them soon. Oh how wrong I was. It's been 5 years since I've been able to wear those clothes.
In an attempt to make more room in my house, I decided to part ways with my hot, sexy clothes from days gone by. If I am ever that small again, I deserve a brand new wardrobe. I am keeping some of my jeans though....for some reason, I just can't get rid of them.
I decided to take my best stuff to Karen's Kloset, a consignment shop in Champaign. I had never tried to sell anything there before, and I thought it would be easy. Just drop off my clothes and get a check in a few months.
Yesterday, after Ella's doctor appointment, I stopped by KK with about a dozen items. As soon as I walked in the door I felt uncomfortable. The staff, although nice, had a certain....vibe(?) to them that made me uncomfortable.
As I was filling out the necessary forms and reading over their policies (they are going to charge me $5 to pick up the items that don't sell? WTF?) the woman behind the counter was checking over my clothes.
She finished and when I looked over, she had put most of them back in the bag. She said, "Ok. You have 4 items here that I think will sell nicely for you." As she continues her rambling, telling me exactly what I just read, I am angrily wondering what is wrong with my other clothes. The 2 black GAP sweaters I brought in are in great condition. That Eddie Bauer sweater doesn't have a stain on it.
Inside, I'm fuming. How dare this woman not take my clothes! This is a resale shop! Those clothes cost a lot of money! She tells me that in the future, "we ask that when you bring in items, to please have them freshly laundered, pressed, and on hangers." I look around, and all the items in this shop are on black hangers. What are they going to do with the hangers I put them on? And all my clothes were clean and wrinkle-free....I'm not going to bring in clothes smelling like moth-balls.
I should have asked her what the deal was, but I didn't. Seriously, the place made me really uncomfortable, and I just wanted to get out of there. I know I won't be going back except to get whatever money I might make...minus that $5 fee.
Harley Q suggested I try Plato's Closet or EBay. I've never been to PC, and I've never sold anything on the Internet. If any of my friends would like to take these clothes off my hands, I am happy to hand them over. Just let me know.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
What a great day!
The weather on Saturday was great! Brady was able to mow the grass and we set up the playhouse Ella got for her birthday. For the first time in what seemed forever, the bugs were almost non-existent, and we were finally able to play outside. I put all chores aside and spent the entire day outside with the kids. Here's some pictures.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Thursday, October 9, 2008
WTF is this?
Everyone is talking about how bad the bugs are this year. Monday I was attacked by Pirate bugs. Those tiny bitches still have me scratching my skin raw.
One particular bug that gives me the heebee-geebees is this one. I took this picture in my garage.
I have no idea what it is, but it has overrun our town. We get them every fall, but they seem to be worse this year. I won't take the kids outside to play or even for a walk. As you walk down the sidewalk, they sense you coming, and then swarm. Seriously...they swarm into the air.
I have heard people say that these bugs don't bite humans, that they eat mosquitoes. I don't know about that. What I do know is that they are creepy, and they are all over our front porch. All I can hope for (like Freak) is a frost.
On a funny note, Ella calls them mosquito spiders. If they had a web, she'd be right.
The Backyardigans Live!
Last night, I took Ella to see The Backyardigans Tale of The Mighty Knights. I had kept it a secret from her until we got in the car on our way to the Assembly Hall. She was so very excited, and I think I was too. 
We had really good seats. Section A, Row 7, seats 8 & 9. I could have gotten us the "prime" seats for more money, but after sitting down, I realized that we were in a great spot. I thought that (based on commercials for the show) that the kids would get to sing and dance in front of the stage, which was the only reason I had even wanted to be on the floor. Come to find out, they could only do that prior to the show and at intermission. So that extra money I could've spent would have been a waste. The show was far from sold out, but there were enough children there screaming to give an average person a headache. Of course, one of the loudest ones sat right behind me...go figure!
At first, I thought the show looked a little cheap. Then I had to step back and think about it. They travel this thing all over the country, only staying at each venue about 2 days. The set obviously has to be easy to put up and take down. Also, these kids didn't notice. They were so excited to see the characters, that the set could have been made of duct tape and paper bags and they still would have had fun.
Ella did really great. She interacted with the show and was standing in front of her chair marching to Dragon Mountain and singing along with the Grabbing Goblin. She got excited when the Flighty Fairy used her magic wand to send bubbles out into the audience. She held up her cardboard shield (given to her at the entrance) and shouted, "We're knights, that's right!" with all the other kids.
On the way home she held her magic light-up wand that I bought for her, and was asleep before we got out of Urbana. When we got home, I put her into her bed and she woke for a moment and said, "Backyardigans, Live!" and closed her eyes.
I don't know if the show was worth the $35 per ticket, but we had a really good Mommy/Daughter evening out. So maybe it was priceless?
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Celebrating Ella's birthday at Curtis Orchard
We went to Curtis Orchard yesterday to celebrate Ella's birthday with some of our friends from C.A.R.E. We were minus a few due to the outbreak of illness in the area; somehow we managed to avoid it and I'm thankful!
One thing we didn't avoid was the horrible infestation of these tiny black biting bugs. According to Harley Quinn, they are called pirate bugs. They were everywhere! On our clothes, in our hair. The kids didn't really seem to notice, but they were running around so I think the bugs couldn't catch them! But all of us moms were constantly swatting them away, or killing the ones that had just bitten us.
Although the bugs put a damper on the afternoon, we still had a nice time seeing our friends.
Pictures from Ella's 4th birthday.
Auntie Caroline helps the kids with their treasure chest craft.
Grayson plays peek-a-boo.
The cake.
Ahoy!
No one be getting this here treasure!
Ella sneaks a lick of frosting!
Happy birthday to you!
Ella, Grayson, Aubry, and Lucian
Ella's 4th birthday celebration
We celebrated Ella's 4th birthday over the weekend at my parent's house. It was a nice party. I think my only real complaint is that we had too many people cancel after they said they'd be there. Some people had valid excuses. My grandparents went to North Carolina to be with my Aunt Martha because she had brain surgery on Thursday. Our friend Art's father passed away on Tuesday, and they had family in town for the services. As far as I'm concerned, all the other family and friends' excuses were lame. I had planned the party around a certain amount of people. I planned food, cake, goodie bags, crafts, balloons, and everything in between for all these people, and then they cancel at the last minute. I should know better. This happens all the time. I think I even blogged about it before.
I now have TONS of cake left over. Tons! Ella had asked for a "pirate-dinosaur-mermaid-ocean" party. Of course I had to give her what she wanted - it was her big day. I made this HUGE cake. It was a pirate ship on an ocean sailing to a desert island with a treasure that was guarded by dinosaurs and pirate ghosts. Oh, and there were mermaids in the ocean guarding the island. The cake was great. It wasn't my best, but it was cool. It was also big enough to feed a small army. So if anyone is in the mood for cake, just let me know. I've cut it up, and I'll be freezing it today.
Ella had a good time. It just so happens that the street my parents live on had their annual block party on the same day we chose for Ella's party. There was all kinds of games going on; kids were riding their bikes all over the place; snacks were set up on tables in the street.
Ella loved her cake and all of her gifts. She got to play with her cousin & best friend, Aubry. She got to ride her new bike up and down a safe street. She helped Uncle Troy paint rocks gold for her treasure chest. She really did have a good birthday. And I know that she didn't miss any of the people who didn't attend. Next year, we'll be having her party at our house. She'll have friends from playgroup and school at it, and I'm sure my immediate family will also be there, and I know she'll have another great birthday party.
I now have TONS of cake left over. Tons! Ella had asked for a "pirate-dinosaur-mermaid-ocean" party. Of course I had to give her what she wanted - it was her big day. I made this HUGE cake. It was a pirate ship on an ocean sailing to a desert island with a treasure that was guarded by dinosaurs and pirate ghosts. Oh, and there were mermaids in the ocean guarding the island. The cake was great. It wasn't my best, but it was cool. It was also big enough to feed a small army. So if anyone is in the mood for cake, just let me know. I've cut it up, and I'll be freezing it today.
Ella had a good time. It just so happens that the street my parents live on had their annual block party on the same day we chose for Ella's party. There was all kinds of games going on; kids were riding their bikes all over the place; snacks were set up on tables in the street.
Ella loved her cake and all of her gifts. She got to play with her cousin & best friend, Aubry. She got to ride her new bike up and down a safe street. She helped Uncle Troy paint rocks gold for her treasure chest. She really did have a good birthday. And I know that she didn't miss any of the people who didn't attend. Next year, we'll be having her party at our house. She'll have friends from playgroup and school at it, and I'm sure my immediate family will also be there, and I know she'll have another great birthday party.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Ella jokes
Brady gave Ella a rubber chicken about a month ago. She LOVES it. Sometimes it snuggles her to sleep. I don't know - my kid is weird.
Today she came into the kitchen and said:
"Mom! Why did the rubber chicken cross the road?"
"I don't know. Why did the rubber chicken cross the road, Ella?"
"To get to the rubber side!"
I laughed out loud. My almost-four-year-old is telling funny jokes. It is just another sign that she's getting bigger and smarter everyday, and that someday soon she'll not be my baby girl anymore. That all makes me sad. But seriously? "The rubber side?" Funny!
Today she came into the kitchen and said:
"Mom! Why did the rubber chicken cross the road?"
"I don't know. Why did the rubber chicken cross the road, Ella?"
"To get to the rubber side!"
I laughed out loud. My almost-four-year-old is telling funny jokes. It is just another sign that she's getting bigger and smarter everyday, and that someday soon she'll not be my baby girl anymore. That all makes me sad. But seriously? "The rubber side?" Funny!
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Ella's first day of preschool.
On Tuesday, September 2, 2008, Ella started preschool. It was a very big deal in our house.
Her and I had gone to Prince of Peace Community Early Learning Center the Thursday prior to get her paperwork and take a quick tour. She didn't want to leave. "I want to stay and learn!" she said over and over again. I thought it was so cute that she wanted to stay and learn, not stay and play.
We went shopping that weekend for a new outfit for the first day of school. She picked out a cute jumper and I found socks to match.
We got up very early that Tuesday. Brady had stayed home that morning from work so he could go with us to her new school. It became a family event - everyone to the preschool for Ella's big day!
She was so excited when we arrived. She wasn't nervous or scared at all! After we signed her in and took her to her classroom, she washed her hands, gave us hugs and kisses, and just walked away to start playing with her new friends. Wow. She didn't linger or hold onto my leg like I thought she might. She just walked away like it was no big deal.
And it has been that way for the last 3 weeks. Every Tuesday and Thursday I sign her into school around 8:30. We go to her classroom - The Purple Cat room - where she washes her hands, gives me hugs & kisses, and then just walks away.
I'm glad she is enjoying preschool so much. She has learned "Criss-cross applesauce" and has been a "Lights off/on" helper. She has learned a few new songs, and made some new friends. I'm so happy that she gets to learn and play somewhere other than our house.
I didn't put her into preschool expecting it to be a big learning experience for her in the sense that she'll be more "book" smart when she leaves. I put her into preschool so she could gain socialization experience. And POPCELC was not the preschool I expected my kids to go to. I did not want them going to any sort of religious school. However, I didn't have any other option.
Well, that's not true. I could have tried to put her into the preschool through the school district, but she never would have been accepted; she's too smart. I didn't realize that because it's a free program, they take the kids that need the most help first. Ella would have tested above their standards. My other option was to have driven Ella to C-U a few times a week, wasting time and gas just to keep her out of the religious hoopla of Prince of Peace. But I think that at this age, the Bible is just stories, and she'll be in kindergarten soon enough.
I also think that her being in preschool will be good for me too. I'll get to meet people in my town. People who obviously have a child the same age as Ella. She'll be invited to birthday parties and hopefully play dates as the year goes on, which of course means that I'll get to interact with other parents - adult conversation is always a good thing for me.
So although this preschool was not my first choice, I think it was a good one. Ella's liking it. I'm liking it. I know it's only been a few weeks, so I won't count my chickens....but I've got a good feeling about the whole thing!
Here's a few pictures from Ella's first day of school:
Her and I had gone to Prince of Peace Community Early Learning Center the Thursday prior to get her paperwork and take a quick tour. She didn't want to leave. "I want to stay and learn!" she said over and over again. I thought it was so cute that she wanted to stay and learn, not stay and play.
We went shopping that weekend for a new outfit for the first day of school. She picked out a cute jumper and I found socks to match.
We got up very early that Tuesday. Brady had stayed home that morning from work so he could go with us to her new school. It became a family event - everyone to the preschool for Ella's big day!
She was so excited when we arrived. She wasn't nervous or scared at all! After we signed her in and took her to her classroom, she washed her hands, gave us hugs and kisses, and just walked away to start playing with her new friends. Wow. She didn't linger or hold onto my leg like I thought she might. She just walked away like it was no big deal.
And it has been that way for the last 3 weeks. Every Tuesday and Thursday I sign her into school around 8:30. We go to her classroom - The Purple Cat room - where she washes her hands, gives me hugs & kisses, and then just walks away.
I'm glad she is enjoying preschool so much. She has learned "Criss-cross applesauce" and has been a "Lights off/on" helper. She has learned a few new songs, and made some new friends. I'm so happy that she gets to learn and play somewhere other than our house.
I didn't put her into preschool expecting it to be a big learning experience for her in the sense that she'll be more "book" smart when she leaves. I put her into preschool so she could gain socialization experience. And POPCELC was not the preschool I expected my kids to go to. I did not want them going to any sort of religious school. However, I didn't have any other option.
Well, that's not true. I could have tried to put her into the preschool through the school district, but she never would have been accepted; she's too smart. I didn't realize that because it's a free program, they take the kids that need the most help first. Ella would have tested above their standards. My other option was to have driven Ella to C-U a few times a week, wasting time and gas just to keep her out of the religious hoopla of Prince of Peace. But I think that at this age, the Bible is just stories, and she'll be in kindergarten soon enough.
I also think that her being in preschool will be good for me too. I'll get to meet people in my town. People who obviously have a child the same age as Ella. She'll be invited to birthday parties and hopefully play dates as the year goes on, which of course means that I'll get to interact with other parents - adult conversation is always a good thing for me.
So although this preschool was not my first choice, I think it was a good one. Ella's liking it. I'm liking it. I know it's only been a few weeks, so I won't count my chickens....but I've got a good feeling about the whole thing!
Here's a few pictures from Ella's first day of school:
Ella & Daddy
Her teachers - Miss Jennifer and Miss Regina
Mommy & Ella after school
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