Jumping Jacks At The Splash Pad

I finally did it...finally joined a Mom's Club/Group. It's the Jumping Jacks of Joliet & Plainfield. I went to my first meet-up last week for a walk at the local forest preserve and today we ventured to the Bolingbrook Splash Pad. What I like about this group...lots of different activities to choose from throughout the week, most activities are free, it's fairly small (about 20 moms), there are always at least 2-5 activities throughout the week to attend, there are no requirements (i.e. must attend weekly, or must host monthly, etc.), and the best part...the moms! They seem very laid back and easy going, which is something I love.

Here are pictures of Rowena enjoying her morning at the Splash Pad. After this we went shopping to get free stuff for which I had coupons, then I was thinking of picking up some food, as I was starving, but decided to save money and go home to eat. Rowe fell asleep while "shopping" and transfered to the car and then to her bed without waking up at all.

Some of the other events for the week...a fitness walk tonight, Lapsit at the library on Thursday, playdate at the mall on Friday, and the Riverwalk. Next week there are several things already planned as well...playdate at one of the homes, a Family Community Day of Play, and a Book Club. So far I've met about 4 of the Moms and really like them!

First Day of School 2010

Delaney and Katie had their first day of school today. Milestones for each...Delaney going all day long and bringing a lunch and Katie off to Kindergarten!

I was so excited to pack a lunch for Delaney today. She had gatorade (orange), fruit-by-the-foot, strawberry yogurt, and ham/turkey/cheese sammie. All in her Yoshi lunchbox with a special note from her Mommy. She came home with 3/4 gatorade, note, spoon, and 1/2 sammie left. Rowe had no idea that she'd have several hours with just Mommy--to run errands and go to our first Meet-Up with the Mom's Group I joined over the weekend. She enjoyed honeycomb cereal and a toaster strudel for breakfast.

Katie also enjoyed both cereal and a toaster strudel for her breakfast before her first day of school.

Delaney was fine with just a toaster strudel.

A picture every parent should take...FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL for KINDERGARTEN

Delaney and Kate...all ready for the first day of the 2010-2011 school year.

The bus stop gang: Julia (4th grade), Riley (5th grade), Spencer (2nd grade), Delaney (1st grade), and Katie (Kindergarten).

<---Katie and I kinda matched...and I swear it was not on purpose!


Rowena loves to make her funny faces--->

WooHoo! The bus is here! Everyone lined up, all ready to go. Katie actually screamed in delight!
Getting on the bus...

After the girls got on the bus, Rowena and I went to Michaels and then to the local public library where we met up with three other moms and four other kids to go on a fitness walk at the forest preserve. I had a great time and am glad to have met more moms in the area. We came back to wait for Kate to get off the bus...while waiting (forever, I might add) we enjoyed a popsicle and hanging outside with Daddy.

Katie was excited to get off the bus! She looked a little lost a first, but saw Rowe and I in the street to greet her and was very excited. Keep in mind...she was on the bus for 50 minutes!!!

Katie told us she had gym and Mr. Dean allowed her to participate despite her very beautiful shoes! I forgot to look to see what day she had gym. They played a fun game in gym where they had to glue their legs together (pretend, of course) and jump. And, they played a "freeze" game in class where they would walk around and then "freeze" when Mrs. Woodin would ring the bell.
Delaney, Spencer, and Julia ran off the bus around 4pm, very happy to be home, while their greeters screamed and yelled: Katie, Gwen, and Rowena. When the kids got home, they all announced they didn't have homework, so they hung outside together for a while and had popsicles.

Delaney then told us about her day. She had music today, which she loved. And she said with SUCH enthusiasm: "I love Mrs. Lindner, she is so nice." She ate her whole morning snack-which was string cheese and craisins, and 1/2 of her water bottle was empty. She is happy with those in her class, sat with a 4th grader named Paige on the bus, and had the coolest lunch box at school.

I'm so glad they had a great first day! Now...onto a great year!

Kindergarten Round-Up

Last night, at 6pm, Katie and I headed over to her new school. The night is set up for the parents and children to meet the teacher and see the classroom, as well as get some information and drop off school supplies.

After dinner, Katie and I were off to begin her new adventure. I swear her backpack seems bigger than she is!

Outside her classroom. Teacher: Mrs. Woodin. And, she knows some kids from her preschool too, which is nice. One girl, Claire, has been with her since their first day at Kids' Connection (I believe there's a picture of them together from KC's graduation).

A little welcome gift bag...with a pencil, bookmark, some candy, and button that says: "I belong to Mrs. Woodin."

Katie and Claire coloring.

We checked out her cubby and dropped off her school supplies. I also signed up to help with classroom parties (as much as I will be able to), and got a packet full of info that I'm just starting to read (I feel bad--today Katie had gym, but did not have on her proper gym shoes...Oops!). Since grad school is over, I think I will try to help out Katie's teacher with getting activities ready at home--something I am sad to say I did not do last year.

It was a bit overwhelming last night...so many children, even more parents, some siblings, and no air conditioning. I'm not sure how Kate processed all of it, but she was ready to go home by 6:30, but said she is very excited to go to school there, despite the disappointment in lack of toys!

Meet-and-Greet...Delaney's in First Grade

Monday, August 23rd from about 11-12, Grand Prairie had their Meet-and-Greet for parents, students, and teachers. It's a short slotted time that allows the parents to meet the teacher, and vice-versa, as well as give students a chance to meet their teacher and check out who is in their class. We were also given the opportunity to organize supplies and realize what we forgot, if anything.

Delaney will be in school ALL DAY now--taking a lunch, in first grade, lots of learning, and having homework! Her teacher is Mrs. Lindner and she seems very nice and appropriately energetic (not overwhelming or blaise). We followed the directions and put certain supplies in her desk and the rest in her cubbie.

Delaney wasn't super stoked about having to leave yesterday, as she was enjoying some video game playing time...but, as soon as she put on her backpack, she was ready to go! She has been on cloud nine since! She's very happy that several past classmates are with her again, including Justin, Christopher (the one she's going to be marry from Kindergarten), Alexis, Kristin, and Emily. The first two mentioned she was been with since her first day of preschool!

Outside her new classroom
She has her very own desk...

To Be Crafty...and Old

We were at my parents yesterday to go swimming and stayed for dinner and dessert...very tasty, I might add. Anyway, Delaney and I were in the den and she was looking at all of Grammie's craft supplies (anyone who knows my mom knows she is extremely talented when it comes to crafts, sewing, crocheting, etc.). And this is our conversation:

Delaney: "I really wish I could be your mom."
Me: "Really. And why is that?"
Delaney: "Because then I could do all of this really cool stuff!"
Me: "Yeah, she can do a lot, can't she?"
Delaney: "Yeah." Pause. "But then I'd be REALLY old."
Me: "Well, maybe Grammie can teach you how to do some of this stuff."
Delaney: "Yeah, and then I can do it without being so old."

Ah, how honest they are...

Henderson-Ruch Slumber Party

Last night we hosted our first ever SLUMBER PARTY! We invited the neighbors over to spend the night and have dinner. Everyone had a great time, there was no fighting, and it was a lot of fun. We made homemade pizza, played video games, watched movies, played in the basement, had sherbert, and ended the night with a movie and popcorn.

The party started around 5pm last night...kids began playing video games AND watching a movie at the same time. Talk about multi-taskers!!!

Pizza time...all the kids helped put the cheese on the pizza......and enjoyed eating the shredded cheese, as well.

PIZZA MAKING! Step 1: Make the dough; Step 2: Spread the sauce; Step 3: Put on the toppings. In the case for the kids---cheese only, please.

Peter, Curt, Dawn, and I had spicy sausage, tomatoes, and 1/2 green olives. They turned out to be pretty tasty, and cheaper and more fun than just ordering 'za.

Kids liked the pizza and ate it pretty quick. I wish I would have video taped their conversation--HILARIOUS! Filled with bad jokes and all. Precious

After dinner, the kids played for about an hour, and then we called them up for Sherbert...on cones. They were so giggly and silly!

Then it was on to video games...AGAIN!

Around 8:30, Gwen headed home and Rowe went up to bed. I was impressed at how well the under-5/non-Kindergarten-Fifth graders did in leaving the party. Rowena kissed everyone at the party "ni-night" and headed off to bed while the remaining four got ready for popcorn and a movie. They finished watching Pokemon before starting Return of the Jedi.

After Pokemon, they decided to have a "tickle and giggle" fight. They couldn't stop laughing

Then they all got in their pj's and started Jedi while finishing their popcorn. About 20 minutes into the movie, we paused it for everyone to brush their teeth.Everyone was passed out by 10:30 or 11 or so. I was desperate to get to bed, but didn't want to miss this shot.

Around 7am, Rowena was up, and her and I headed downstairs. She was so excited to see everyone was still there, and proceeded to wake them by stabbing them with a light saber, and then gave everyone their sippys.

Kids were quick to get up and start video games again, while Rowe enjoyed some Blue's Clues.

Dawn and Gwen arrived around 8 with donuts (and coffee). The party continued until about 10:30, when we had everyone get dressed and go outside.I think everyone really enjoyed themselves. I had a craft project ready, but the kids were having too much fun and we didn't have a ton of time for it...so maybe next time. I'd like to make this a tradition...the week before school--a slumber party for the neighborhood kids for those Kindergarten-Fifth Grade.