I think I can, I think I can.

I think I can, I think I can. These are words that I have asked Rosie to repeat after me countless times. Words I use to encourage her frequently when she is feeling unsure but today it was me chanting those words like a Tibetan Monk.

My tiny little baby my great big 6yr old, graduated from kindergarten and I had to keep telling myself I could get through it with out crying. As luck would have it it was so unbelievably disorganised that I was more frustrated than upset. I think the people in this part of the world just might be the deafest bunch of arsehats anywhere. The principal set the ground rules, which although odd, made sense to her, and therefore needed to be followed. One of the said rules was, PLEASE STAY IN YOUR SEAT. There will be plenty of opportunities to take photos after the ceremony.

As soon as she started talking parents stood up and blocked everyone behind them. WTH? THe man behind me yelled sit down so loud...but everyone is deaf here. When Rosie crossed the stage to receive her diploma (which turned out to be a blank piece of paper tied with a red ribbon) I missed her because someones fat head was in my way. I had actually walked to the back, to the very last row at this point and was standing against the wall. Parents were everywhere, blocking the aisles, pushing forward, it was chaotic and really really annoying. Next time I attend any function at this school I am wearing some seriously high platform shoes.

After it was all over and done with, the teachers took their respective classes back onto the stage for a class picture. i was holding the teachers phone and she was asking me for it but I couldn't get near enough to her to hand it over. It was mad. I finally pushed through and then couldn't get back far enough to get photos. People, be nice. I really do have to stop being so polite and start acting like an animal.

Alas, all was not lost because due to the pandemonium my eyes stayed dry. woo hoo. I did manage to get some photos of Rosie at the end of the event and they turned out just fine. She had a great time and is now heading off to 1st grade next year.
CannotbelieveIjustsaidthat.

the processional

Oh, you have already graduated...I must have missed.

Giving a "Wildcat" cheer

With her class heading back to the classroom. I am going to miss her teacher a whole lot.

Congratulations to my Kindergarten graduate.

Heaven help me....next week Lily graduates from Elementary school and prepares for Middle school. Xanax......Wine......don't mind if I do.

Another award

By now you all know how I feel about this frivolous, foolish awards that are dished out by our school district so I will leave the commentary to a minimum and just post the picture.

I have no words

That fact is she was lucky enough to not get sick therefore she didn't have to miss school and got perfect attendance. She doesn't need a bloody award, it's her job. She doesn't need a fanfare for doing her job!

I nearly giggled

When I picked Rosie up from school today she couldn't wait to tell me about something in her backpack. She started to unzip as we were walking to the car so I asked her to wait as it seemed like a really bad idea. It turned out that she had bought a huge amount of her work home for me to see and sign and couldn't wait to see it herself as she was interested to see her grades.

We sat together at the desk going through the papers page by page and she was so happy to point to the E's and S's and then we got to a page and the grade was a U and she went quiet. The next thing I know she is crying. She was so upset that she got a bad grade. I told her that it didn't matter and that out of 60+ papers she got one lousy grade but she was crushed. It was so hard not to laugh. I'm sure I couldn't have cared less about my grades when I was 5, actually I don't think we got graded at 5.

After we finished looking I read her the teachers note which only compounded her short comings, in her eyes. As far as I am concerned she is doing OK. She really does need to slow down and work a whole lot tidier and after reading this from her teacher I think she will. She thinks the sun rises and sets on her teacher so if the note said, Rose needs to come to school with her knickers on her head, I believe she actually might.

Her homework tonight was done with near perfection! Her and Lily are truly as different as chalk and cheese.

I guess it's a fish. 

more work

A much needed suggestion. I bet she does this from now on. She hates to disappoint anyone.

Her moment to shine

This morning Rosie left the house really excited and so looking forward to the day ahead so I was very surprised when about 20 minutes later when I received a call from the school receptionist. She said that Rosie was very upset and crying because she had left something at home and promptly put Rose on the phone. A very quiet little voice at the end of the phone told me that she had forgotten Gypsy. As I turned around in the kitchen I saw him laying on the floor under her chair. Gypsy is a little dog that she squirrels away in her back pack every single day. She never takes him out but he gives her a sense of security and there he was in the kitchen with me.

I told her I would bring him with me when I went to her award ceremony if that was OK with her. I told her she would be fine and not to worry he would be there later. I was surprised that she was so upset even though I really shouldn't have been. I was shocked to find that having Gypsy with her each day offers her so much comfort even though he never sees the light of day. Gypsy has the same magicial powers that bunny has for Lily, not that Lily will admit to that anymore but not a night goes by that she doesn't still sleep with "the bun" and it's a beautiful thing.

When I got to school I walked up to her and handed him over, she grabbed him and buried him out of sight and then told me that having him with her is like having me there too and it makes everything OK. She said she got so scared when she realised she didn't have anyone and Lily had already gone to her class.

Gypsy saved the day and it was on with the show, the student of the month award ceremony. Little Miss sassy Bloomers was all that and then some. Hah, she was all smiles once again and proudly walked up to the assistant principal to receive her certificate.

the show must go on.

All the kindergarten kidlets that received awards this morning with the assistant principal Mr. Robinson.

Happy girl again

This made me laugh. The ceremony got a little long winded and apparently someone else thought so too. Hmmm, how rude!

I had to return to the school 2 hours later for a meeting about Lily and when I walked in the office Sumi, the receptionist was so concerned about Rosie. When I explained what had happened she just smiled.Sumi has such a soft spot for both of my girls and is a sweet heart. She decided to ring me, Rosie didn't ask her too. She said Rosie was actually shaking so before she sent her off to her class she gave her a drink of water. Sheesh, she'll be heading to the office all the time now. My girls really do have a fabulous group of people in their school and this year it has just been kicked back up a few notches.

Studious little child

Hah, this kidlet is wasting no time racking up the accolades in the classroom. Rosie's teacher asked if I would mind waiting for a moment today so that she could have a quick word with me. Rosie and I stepped aside and waited for the rest of the kiddies to leave and then Ms. Valle called us over.

Rosie has been chosen as Student of the Month with the character value of, Responsibility. Aww, how cute is that. Rosie doesn't have a clue what it all means but she is quite proud anyhow.

Mummy look, I have this flashy piece of paper and it's all good stuff.

I even got a prize for winning this paper, pretty cool don't you think?

She was sent off to the Treasure Box in her classroom to pick out a prize, she chose a kazoo. At the end of the month she will get an award during an assembly. Good job kidlet.

Rosies Pre-K Graduation

Here is a sight seen very infrequently around here. Rosie wearing a dress.

She was so excited to get all dressed up today as it was her graduation from Pre-K. The theme was, Dress to Impress and rather than caps and gowns  the kids got to wear fancy schmancy clothes. Sadly it was 90+ degrees here today and the ceremony was on a covered patio and  not inside in the A/C so the kiddies were really hot and uncomfortable. I decided to dress Ro in a pretty cotton dress and not an actual formal style dress, thank goodness. The girls in the heavy dresses, looked beautiful but they were so hot. Do you see the sandals....do you, do you?

The stage is set

The kiddies are in place Somebody looks mortified
 
Wow, I love this happy little girl
She sang so loud and sooooo proud
 and she danced all the moves too
 Daddy and Rosie next to her Rosie project Daddy and Rosie
 Good grief could it actually be a photo of me and Rosie? Why yes it is.

She did such a great job today. I didn't even bother trying to video any of it. I wanted to watch her dance and sing. She has been working so hard learning the songs and all the movements. She has grown so much this year and it is amazing. She has loved her year in Pre-K with Mrs. Katz and Ms. Castillo. We have loved watching her learn and grow too. Congratulations Rosie...you are marching into Kindergarten now. Gulp.

Mothers Day came early

Rosies class celebrated Mothers day today. Over the last couple of weeks she has been bursting into song and then suddenly realising what she was singing and stopping mid-word. Since I knew Mothers day was just around the corner I didn't question her as I didn't want to put her on the spot as I was quite sure they were told that, Mum's the word.

Today all was revealed when they gave a little performance. It's so hilarious to watch how all the kids act differently on stage. Rosie does better than most would expect from her and then gives a few mandatory (for her) tears and then resumes her singing. One little boy was in his own world and was hilarious, he's the one standing next to Rose. I'm sure if Rosie had seen what he was up to there would have been no way she would have been able to cry cos he was hilarious, a total nutcase.

All the Mums were presented with handmade gifts and cards and treated to a lovely lunch. It was a beautiful morning and the kiddies were so very very proud of themselves.

Each year at this age the teachers give the kidlets a question and answer sheet to fill out. This is a highlight for me. Here is a sample of Rosies:

My Mom likes to buy                              Some food, shoes and blouses
My Mom likes to wear                            dresses
My Moms favorite food is                      Chinese
My Mom would never give away           Her photos of me and Lily
My Mom likes to cook                            noodles







Happy girl

Singing her heart out

Rosie singing the Happy Song

In this Video she gets all choked up. Afterwards I asked her why she started to cry and she said, because I love you so, so much. Need I tell you who cried then? No, I didn't think so.

 
Albert just kills me, his expressions are priceless.

Perfect attendance

Rosie received an award for perfect attendance today. She didn't receive a beautiful inscribed book or a fabulous award but she did receive a pencil. Considering you are meant to go to school everyday I think a pencil is more than enough of an award.

I didn't go to the presentation. Oh puhlease, I go to the important ones. I had an early work appointment so daddy went alone. Child will survive and won't be any more emotionally scarred than having a parent like me has already scarred her.

Daddio sent me the video at work and I have to say I was shocked to see her bebopping up on stage like she owned the joint. She's getting quite nervy in her old age. Could it be that she might turn out like her sister? One can hope that some of Lil's joie de vivre will rub off on her.

 

The little boy talking to Rosie in this picture is S. S is captivated by Ro and sits next to her in class. From the second she arrives he is all about her. Thankfully he is a sweet little guy but if I hear his name once a day I hear it a thousand times.

Bringing home the big bucks

When Rosie was dismissed from school today her teacher asked if I could wait for a minute or two as she needed to give me something. Once all the kiddies had been picked up her teacher handed me Rosie's artwork that was displayed at the County Youth Fair along with a ribbon that she won. Rosie was so proud. Mrs. K then handed me a cheque that was made out to Rose in the amount of $4. I have no idea what the $4 is actually for, if it is for getting first place or just for participating, the teacher didn't know either. Either way kidlet is a happy little camper.
Ro and her Batik banner

Her fancy schmancy awards

Her cheque.

Egg Hunt

Rosie had an Easter party and egg hunt at school today. Her teacher asked a few of us if we would be able to help out. I'm sure lots of exciting and wonderful things happened but it was all just a huge whir of kids and excitement with a couple of 100 plastic eggs thrown in for good measure. I didn't get one photo of the egg hunt, not one. It rained this morning so the kids weren't able to have the hunt on the playing field it had to be done in the outside corridors instead so it was a little cramped but nothing dreadful. Rosie was at the back of the line as we left the classroom so she was one of the last kids to see the eggs. She was a little bewildered by it all because by the time she got to where the kids were all the eggs were gone. What she couldn't see was all the eggs ahead of the crowd. I made my way to the front so I could get some pictures but stopped to help a little boy get an egg that he had dropped under the fence. He then ran towards another one and was yelled at and I do mean yelled at by another mothers who said, "that's hers, she saw it first, give it back". I was dumbfounded. The ground was awash with eggs, they were everywhere and as this little boy went to pick one up this Mother was claiming it for her child. I think I must have stood in the same spot aghast for a good 10 seconds before regaining my composure and looking for Rosie who had finally seen the eggs and was picking one up. Rosie ended up with 6 eggs in her basket, the child of the greedy old bag had a bucketful and the little boy who was admonished probably had 9 or 10. I found the whole experience thoroughly disheartening. Why is it necessary to have more more more? The kids had empty baskets to begin with so even if they only got one egg they were better off than when they started. Once we returned to the classroom I sat with Rosie whilst she ate her snack and then concocted an excuse and left.

Happy little girl with her eggs

Lining up to go back in the classroom

Sweet little girl

Enjoying the Peep off the top of her cupcake

Making sure she eats it all

My mission now is to really make my children understand that they don't need MORE and that the world is not all about them and what they have. wish me luck.

Artist

For some odd reason blogger is not co-operating to day and it is placing the photos below the Link Within so you will have to scroll down to see them.

A few days before we left, Rosie's teacher sent home a note stating that a piece of Rosie's art was being displayed at the Dade County Youth Fair. We knew we were going to have to go and see it.

I asked Rosie what it was and she told me it was, 3 little pigs. Off we went into the Exhibitor Hall and searched through 1,000's of drawings looking for the 3 little pigs. An attendant came up over and asked what we were looking for and as I turned to tell her I noticed even more "stuff" hanging from the ceiling. As I was talking to her I kept looking up and there, high above my head, was Rosie's Batik banner. There were no pigs at all she got that part completely wrong.

Repeat, repeat, repeat w/ a side of controversy

Today was Rosie's turn to receive an award at school. Last month both girls received Student of the Month, Lily received Honor Roll and Perfect Attendance and this was Rosie's turn for the Perfect Attendance Award. Since Rosie isn't graded yet by the standard system this is the only other award that she can receive.

The Assistant Principal was the M.C. and she really got the little ones involved. She started by asking if anyone knew why we were here today. A little boy near the back said he did and jumped up and ran to the mic' where he announced very loudly, "I don't know". Hilarious. Ditto the exact same results with boy number 2. She asked one more time and I saw this really tiny little girl make her way to the front. I absolutely couldn't believe my eyes, it was Rosie. My shy, meek, scaredy cat of a kid was making her way to the microphone. I didn't have time to grab the video cos I was picking my chin up off of the floor. With a very loud and clear voice she said, "we are here today because, I don't know either". She made everyone giggle and I was really proud of her. She did know why she was there and when I questioned her later she said she forgot!

The ceremony commenced once everyone stopped laughing.

Waiting for the assembly to start

Checking Mummy is looking at her
Her best George W impression. (her award is upside down)
With her teacher and the other kidlets from her class.


Now for what I am sure will be a controversial commentary.

I think these awards that they give to the kids for things like perfect attendance and grades are rubbish. We live in such a self centred society where everything is about, me, me, me. Kids are meant to go to school EVERY DAY. They are meant to get good grades, whether they are A B or C students. The grades shouldn't make them superior. Lily knows what her best is and as along as she gives it 100% that's acceptable.

Surely by rewarding kids for every little thing that they do will only make this a more egocentric society. When these kids get a job in the real world they are going to be really namby pamby and require a pat on the back every 2 minutes. For God's sake, we have to work. It's a job, we have to perform and other than the chance of promotion and outstanding service or performance we shouldn't need a pat on the back and an atta' boy every five minutes. Life is tough and it's not about to get easier for our kids as they enter the world. We need to stop molly coddling them and make 'em Man Up a bit.

I spend a lot of time building my girls up but not to the point where they won't be able to get through a day without constant praise. I also bring them back down to reality. It's my job as their Mum.

I think the character value awards are a good idea. Reward a child for something special that they displayed but for being at school every single day? Frankly I find that to be Bullsh*t. They are meant to be at school every single day, it's their job!

Someone just shoot me now.

As most of you know I am a bit of a clean freak and a germaphobe. One of my all time fears is bugs in my house or on the kids. Yesterday Lily came out of school wagging a paper in her hand. It was the dreaded letter:

Dear Parents or Guardians.

There has been a case of head lice in your childs class. Blah blah blah.

Oh dear God, I nearly threw up. Lily told me that she was inspected and is clear of them. I threw the kids in the car and raced home and leapt onto the computer to see what I could find out. There was loads of information and there are even services that come to your house and get rid of them not only from your head but also your mattresses, carpets, pillows, stuffed toys, sofas, etc etc. I bookmarked one such company just in case.

Just as the kids were asking for snacks I threw them back in the car and headed out to buy shampoo that contained either tea tree oil, coconut or rosemary as head lice do not like the smell off any of those. Once we returned home I inspected both kids heads for the 90th time. I'm surprised by this point that their little scalps weren't bleeding from all my probing. I tried umpteen different hair doos on them to see which would keep their hair up and stay that way the longest.

This morning I sent them out the door with their hair slicked into place with gel.......I read that that keeps them at bay also.

One of the little girls in Lily's class that had them has been very mean to Lily on many occasions but with her typical compassion she said she felt so badly for her as she was crying and one teacher wasn't very nice to her and the kids were making fun of her. It was handled very poorly by the administration. She even said that when she comes back to school she will make an effort to be extra nice to her but I wasn't to worry she wouldn't let their heads touch! LOL

I knew we were beating the odds. Lily has been going to school for 6+ years and so far so good. Hopefully neither one will get them cos if they do I might just go off of the deep end.

I did finally give them snacks.

Double header

About a month ago I posted about Lily finding a wallet at school and handing it in. She received the Student of the Month award for integrity for doing so. Since December was a short school month the awards were given today in a ceremony that combined December and January. January's character value is, kindness. Rosie received Student of the Month this month for displaying kindness.

This morning I took two little girls to school who were all excited as they were both receiving awards on the same stage at the same time. Rosie couldn't wait to actually see her sister in school. It seems that their paths rarely cross during the day even though they are at the same place.

Rosie, of course, displayed her usual anxiety about having to be somewhere different than the rest of her classmates and worried about who would take her back to her classroom so when I dropped her off we talked to her teacher and quelled her fears.

As Jacob and I entered the patio area we immediately spotted Rosie sitting in the front row and walked up and gave her a kiss. She was beaming as she told us how she could see Lily from her seat. We then made our way towards Lily who was also all smiles and she too told us she had seen her sister. Cute little girls.

Rosie's class was the first up on stage and to my disappointment once she was done the teacher whisked them back to their class so I was not able to get a photo of both of my girls together, holding their awards.

One happy girl with her friend Saywer. Lily and a classmate. They called all of 4th grade but didn't call Lil's name so she mouthed, what happened, did they forget me? Her award was from a speciality teacher so she wasn't called until all the grade levels were accounted for. I was beginning to think she had been forgotten.
Waiting for her award.
Aww, isn't she sweet?

A typical Lily move. Nothing but a blur. She flew up on that stage like a speed racer!For so long this award eluded her and now she has won it twice since August. She looks so pleased.
Yepper, she is proud.


It makes these parents proud to see the values of kindness and integrity in our girls.