A little of this and a little of that

Our family attended a birthday party at the Bug Lady Academy.  Let me just say it was quite an experience.  Super fun for the kids and definitely an adventure for the adults!

If you are looking for a birthday site that is well run, entertaining for guests of all ages, and worth the money I would check her out.

The kids started with a free exploration of some cute and some not so cute animals, like guinea pigs, worms, spiders, and cockroaches.

Then the Bug Lady gave a presentation in which the kids got to learn about many different animals and were able to touch many of them. Corbin loved it and Chris and I thought it was interesting as well.

She always had a rule that she would not force an animal on a child who didn’t want it, however that rule did not apply to adults.  There was a mom there terrified of bugs so she was having a field day with her. 

I knew that I needed to play it strong and really, the insects and animals she brought by didn’t bother me.  The hairless huge rat was not so pleasant and when the tail whipped my head and his little claws were on my lap I just closed my eyes, but I stayed calm and didn’t say anything.  I knew that if I played it “cool” she wouldn’t have a reason to “pick on” me.

But, she must have sensed that she had an animal for me that would make my skin crawl.

As she was talking at the end of her presentation she said she needed one more volunteer.  I was super relieved because this was the end, I was going to get out of being picked! 

Nope, she looked right at me and pointed…ahhh, rats!

So I went up there, closed my eyes, and when I turned around my literal nightmare animal was in front of me and I probably jumped 3 feet in the air and back away from the nasty reptile she held onto.

Oh my goodness, it was terrifying.  I unfortunately, have now earned a place in one of her best reaction people that she remembers. Super, I’m so happy about that

 

After recovering from that experience we headed off to a good old fashion hay rack ride.  We did a fall scavenger hunt, had food, a hayride, s’mores by the camp fire and good times with church friends.  It was a great way to kick off the fall season.

(Oh and I noticed that we somehow always had Aubrey in the picture with Corbin.  Those two were inseparable that night, so she just joined our family for most activities!)

Corbin had a extra special treat when Grandpa and Grandma were in town and we headed to the zoo.  It was nice weather and it had been awhile since we’d been, so it was a fun trip!

(Best Hippo view we’ve ever had!  The hippo was sleeping with his nose pressed against the window to keep him up.  It was hilarious to watch as he slowly slipped down in his sleep.  Super cool!)

Finally, last week Corbin had a lunch date with Daddy.  They ate together and then Corbin got to draw and the super cool clear board.  Daddy and he left their mark.

It’s Moving…

Time is moving fast around here!  It’s almost October and we did a bunch of fun stuff in September that got no post or photos but it has been a fun few weeks.

Since Corbin is in school all day we tried having a play date after classes for the first time.  Jaycee, his friend from birth (literally) goes to a different church and school so they don’t see each other often.  On Friday we picked her up they played, had supper, went to the park, and ice cream before drop off.  It made for a very full day, but so much fun for Corbin!

Corbin went to his first school birthday party at an indoor trampoline park.  It was our first experience at this place and it was pretty cool.  I kind of wanted to take off my shoes and start jumping myself.

At church Corbin also attended his first King’s Kids Activity Time.  Once a month the kids have activities that they do outside of church or Wednesday night.  This one was Sunday afternoon and they created tie dye rocks, acted out the bible story about the wise and foolish man building their houses, and played cross the river.  He had a great time!

Chris and I have started leading a Sunday School Class (and by Chris and I that really means I lead it and he is my support).  We also serve breakfast every week and this Sunday we had a waffle bar. 

I’m slightly obsessed with “bars” right now.  In the past few months we’ve hosted a waffle bar, pasta bar, taco bar, and a potato bar.  It’s such a fun way to get guests involved and have fun with food. 

Our family is finally settling into a routine for school, soccer, church, and outside activities, but it’s still taking me time to get used to the pace at which the weeks seems to be flying by.

Goodbye September…hello October!

Muffins with Mommies

Today, I had the great privilege of spending an hour with Corbin in his classroom doing activities for muffins with mommies.

I have taught several years and have done different events like these for parents and the students so it was super exciting for me to be on the other side of this event.

It is way more fun, less stressful, and super easier to be the parent and not the teacher

His teacher did an amazing job and the it was a super successful time together.  We had different stations that we rotated through; we drew a picture, did some M&M math, created a bracelet, and ate muffins while reading books.

This little guy and I had a great morning together!

Except I was told that I could not smother him with kisses at school…guess he’s not so little anymore;)

Award and Soccer

So we are trucking along with school and all of the other activities that seem to fill a week up fast.

Corbin got chosen as the Wheatland Warrior of the week!  He was so excited and of course we are super proud of him.  His teacher said:

“Corbin is a super student!  He tries his best every day and he’s a great helper to me and his classmates!”

 

The first soccer game of the season was on Saturday.  We’ve already had two practices which is new for us.  Before games and practices were together.  Now we practice on a separate night. 

We’ve also noticed that in this different age group all of the boys are more aggressive.  So, we have seen more packs of kids all running for the ball. As a result of the mass of humanity going after the same ball lots of people fall.  It seemed like at every turn at least 2 players were on the ground or headed to the sidelines in tears because of a slight “injury”. 

Oh my, soccer will be interesting this season.

School Time Confessionals -- Lunch and Pictures

I dislike packing a lunch, but with Corbin’s celiac disease it just makes it a much better option than trying to navigate school lunches.

I never know what to pack for lunches.  This kid loves meat…bologna, summer sausage, little smokies, and pepperonis round out his favorites.  So I pack those with healthy sides like fruit, veggies, pretzels, yogurt, etc.

I had no idea what other people would be packing.  This school has parents that I feel could fall very far on the wagon of crazy healthy eating with creative food art served daily in the kids lunch boxes. I figured that once they spied the real bologna, fat filled pepperonis, and beef smokies in his lunch bag judgment would abound. 

Did other kids bring their lunch bursting with green salads, turkey burgers, veggie pepperonis, and only organic all natural items?!?!?

For the last few weeks I’ve been trying to gather intel on what others are bringing in their lunches.  And of course, having a boy, he’s oblivious to everything but his own food.

However, just this week I had a break in the case.  Corbin was chit chatting about his lunch time and mentioned that someone had skittles!  And then he said that a chip fell on the ground from someone else!  Yes, this is sounding great…sugary bites of candy and greasy potato chips can be found in the lunch boxes around you, yes! 

I’m sure there are lunch boxes bursting with God’s garden of fruits and vegetables but it made me feel better knowing that the meats I’m sending Corbin are no worse than Skittles and chips.

I figure that I fall within the eyebrow raise zone but not the drop your jaw disbelief zone if they were judging my kid’s meal.

School Confession –- Lunch is hard. 

But somewhat equally as frustrating and hard is picture day.

Here’s Corbin dressed and ready for picture day.  Somehow this picture does not inspire much confidence that the bazillion dollars I shelled out for pictures is going to be well worth it. 

And this my friends is the frustrating and hard part…times have changed.  You now have to pay for pictures BEFORE they actually take them and BEFORE you actually get to see them.  It’s like playing the picture lottery…will I win, will I won’t…my prior and limited experience about the lottery tells me that I’ll probably lose.

School Confession – Picture Day is a money pit.

How Many More Weeks To Go?

So, our household survived the first week of kindergarten. I’m not sure how, but we did.

Let’s start by saying the amount of homework I have been given as a parent of a kindergartener was obnoxiously large. Chris and I had to write a letter to the teacher talking about Corbin. We helped Corbin create an “All About Me” t-shirt. We created a family page to go into a class book that will then travel home to each classmate’s family so we can get to know each other. And finally, I have been scrambling, shopping, and scavenging around to find two week’s worth of specific colors for 10 straight days of colored-themed clothing which starts this week. (A pink shirt in his size was a challenge!)

Don’t get me wrong, it’s all great stuff, I just wasn’t expecting that much in a week. It was exhausting!

Unfortunately, despite all my careful reading, highlighting, and note-taking, Corbin came home on Friday telling us about how other kids brought things for show and tell…umm, oops! He also explained how each student brought their show and tell in a red bag.

Hmm, I read, I highlighted, and I took notes over every piece of material they gave us and I did not see a red bag. I double-checked, and once I was sure I decided to send my first e-mail to Corbin’s teacher.

Don’t worry, it all came up roses for me. :)  I had not missed anything. Apparently, a red bag had dropped on the floor and the teacher did not know whose it was. Take a guess…yup, it was Corbin’s bag. We’ll try for show and tell this Friday.

Finally, the car pick up line. I never understood it when mothers would Instagram their stack of magazines or their kids watching a movie with the hashtag “waiting or school pick up”. But now I get it. I have to be there at least 25 minutes early to even be remotely near the school and towards the front of the line! It’s crazy!

Then, once I do get up in front of the school to pick up my child it’s like an army drill of how fast he can get in and buckled up before nasty looks are thrown your way….it’s scary!

Chris and I actually changed Corbin’s car seat to a booster because it was taking too long in line. We also had “drills” this weekend to see how fast he could get in and out of the car. This is serious business people! I had no idea.

If this is kindergarten then what will the rest of the years hold for us? I’m not ready. Will I survive? Who knew elementary school could be so stressful….and I’m a teacher!!

Being a parent of a student is definitely a different perspective than being a teacher.

New School Year New Theme

Welcome to Camp Read Smore!

This year my library is centered around the idea of going to camp.  My walls are decorated in a forest theme with trees and animals.  I want my student to come in everyday to the library ready to explore the books and have an adventure!

 

Big shout out to my husband, mother-in-law Lisa, and my sister-in-law Kati, who helped me decorate this year.

Camp Read Smore is open to campers soon…I can’t wait!