Christmas is coming...

For the very first time ever, or at last in a very long time, I am ready for Christmas. The only things I/we have to do is mail two boxes to family in California and go visit Santa. That, I am dreading. All the waiting in line for 2-4 minutes top, with Santa. Oye. We are hoping to do it Monday, the 21st. Antonio will be out of school and hopefully most parents will be working still. I hope. We can't skip it because he's made a wish list, just tonight mind you, that he said he will give to Santa. So stay tuned for that Santa pic.

I am done Christmas shopping, except for a couple stocking stuffers and everything is wrapped except for Antonio's gifts. But there isn't many to wrap, thankfully. We try to keep it to, or as closely as possible, to a 4 gift rule. Something he wants, something he needs, something he reads, and something he wears. This year we have pretty much stuck to that, although he is getting two books. Also, Santa brings him his "big" gift; the gift that costs the most and that he really wants. So technically he is getting two wants as well. Regardless, we try to keep it simple and happily he is a simple kid. Last year he gave us maybe 2 or 3 things he wanted. After opening all his gifts from us, Santa, and family out of state Christmas morning, he proclaimed something to the point of, "I got everything I wanted!" and while gesturing to everything else, "and I didn't even want any of that." Ha! That kid. Lets hope he always stays that simple.

I digress.

Thanks to being at home now, I have been able to shop online and go out to get what I need easier. Now that all that is done, I feel like I can really relax and enjoy the rest of the season. No feeling like I have to go out this weekend and fight the crowds; its great! I've even baked Christmas cookies and handed them out to the recipients. Thats great and all but now that we've eaten all the rest we have none for Santa so we are having to make a small store bought batch for Santa next weekend. This weekend we watched The Polar Express on Friday and then Elf on Saturday night which got me extra excited! Antonio was glued to the tv watching The Polar Express. It was the first time watching it this season. We only watch it in December which makes it even more special.

Antonio took his teacher her Christmas gift last Wednesday and will attempt to give his bus driver her gift this week. He tends to have substitute bus drivers often lately, and just in the mornings which is weird. Since in the afternoons it's his normal bus driver. Again, I digress. So as soon as we see his regular driver, we'll give her, her frangos. He's so excited to do so.

Speaking of gifting.

We had a buy one get one book fair at Antonio's school last week and the Friday prior, the teachers had the opportunity to take their class through it as a preview so they could make a "wish list" and tell their parents what they wanted. Well, Antonio's teacher took his class through and she saw how genuinely excited each student was. She knew that about 75% of the class either couldn't afford a new book or the parents didn't seem involved enough to then care enough to get a new book for the kids. It broke her heart to think about that since she saw how happy and excited they were about the books. So Antonio's teacher, Mrs. Gilmore, went home that night, talked to her husband and decided to purchase a new book (well two, since it was a BOGO sale) for each student that they had written on their wish lists. Over a $100 out of her own pocket! I am still thoroughly impressed. I know teachers spend a lot of their own time and money on their students/classroom throughout the year but in my opinion, this is above an beyond. She said that she could've bought gift certificates for each student to buy new books in the next book order but knew those would get thrown out, forgotten about or the parents wouldn't care enough to put forth the effort to use them. So sad for those kids. So she just bought them.

Amazing.

I've had my doubts, well "doubts" is the wrong word; more like concern's about Mrs. Gilmore. She's a little gruff and negative, on the kids; they are just 1st graders. Not always showing a positive, patient attitude in class and seems to get annoyed fairly easy. Basically she seems like the kind of teacher I would be; which is why I could never be a teacher. Ha. But I've seen once or twice now, some sweet brief moments she has had with a student before she goes back to the normal Mrs. Gilmore. ;) Now this book buying? I'm impressed. She is a great teacher, don't get me wrong, and Antonio loves school and her so I suppose that is all that matters. And maybe she's like wine, she'll get better as the year goes one. In the mean time, I'm going to keep trying to shower her with little gifts to sweeten her up. Ha!

Christmas is in 11 days, are you ready? I know we are! Antonio seems a little more excited with gifts under the tree too. He has two separate Christmas count downs which helps with the, "Is it Christmas yet" question. He knows exactly how many days are left. And whats even more exciting is that my sister in law comes to visit for a few days starting the 1st of January so the fun will continue!

Antonio watching the train go through the "gift" tunnel! 

PTSA here I come!

So I did it.

I joined the PTSA and yes, my life hasn't been the same. It's in a good way though, in fact, it's given me a sense of purpose since quitting Mutual. Don't get me wrong, being at home has been amazing but, joining the PTSA gives me that adult interaction so many SAHM's don't get, yet so badly crave.

Last year it was such a whirlwind with Antonio being in Kinder and only half day. I felt like I knew nothing about what was going on at school and he certainly wasn't telling me anything. In fact, I remember one time as we were getting out of the car at daycare he said, "I'm so excited I get to buy something today at the school store". Yeah, I had completely forgotten but luckily it was Alberts day off so he took some money to him. There were so many times I just had no idea what was going on. Sure they sent paperwork home but that at times, was to much.

So this year, now that I am a SAHM, I decided things would be different. My friend Tanya and I went to the first PTSA meeting and whoa, that was kind of a whirl wind too. Her and I both came up with so many suggestions (after the meeting of course) on so many things but had no answers or even ideas of how to do them. I decided to volunteer that same week to help and learn more. Happily it was much calmer and a bit more "welcoming".

The rest, as they say, is history. Here I am going in weekly, 2-3 times a week, helping and actually liking it. Its fun for both Antonio and I to randomly see each other. He gets as excited as I do when we see each other. I know that won't last so I am enjoying it while it does! :) One thing I have learned is that the PTSA does SO much more than I ever realized. It almost leaves me wondering what the school actually does, besides teach my kid, which is huge I realize. HA. I am getting encouraged to become the secretary for the PTSA for next year and I am not sure I want that much responsibility but we will see. Two of the gals, who do most of the work right now, will be gone next year as their kids will go to middle school so I worry what will happen next year. I am beginning to get emotionally guilted in to the role but nothing official yet. We'll see what happens! I did however, become officially official with my very own "permanent" badge. No more paper volunteer stickers for me; I'm movin' on up! Woot, woot! ;)

Knowing now, how much the PTSA funds and how much money the Box Tops and fundraisers raise for them I am pushing for both of these. So here is my favor (plea) to you;

Box Tops. They are so easy and are probably on products you already buy. Look for this image (see below) on products from cereal, kleenex boxes, pillsbury, Betty Crocker, Ziplock products and so many more. If you see them, I'd love it if you cu, or rip, them out and sent them to me. If you don't have my address already, I'll give it to you! We get .10 for every box top. It's not much but it does add up.

Little Box Top humor and so true! :)

Fundraiser. Antonio's Fall fundraiser has begun and it ends next Wednesday the 21st. There is lots of great stuff to choose from like candy, holiday decor, gift wrap, kid and pet stuff, bakeware and so much more. If you are local, Otis Spunkmeyer cookies are also included in it! And who doesn't need box of "ready to bake" cookies in the freezer for the kids, surprise guests or just for fun?! If you follow the link, https://www.cherrydale.com/go_shopping.php?refid=293416, it will take you to Antonio's online ordering page for those of you who are not local. Anything you buy gets shipped directly to you, which is so convenient for everyone! I know a lot of you have kids who have their own fundraisers but wanted to put this out there, just in case. For those of with kids in school, contact your schools PTA/PTSA and find out if there's a way you can help/support them and the school. 

Antonio, myself and the PTSA, would greatly appreciate anything you you can do to support us and his school. The more money we get from these things means the more field trips, after school activities and supplies we can offer the kids! 

Meanwhile, Antonio is still loving school and has decided on being Darth Vader for Halloween! He specifically asked to get a Darth Vader costume. No, he has not seen any of the Star Wars movies, nor does he really know who he is except that he is in Star Wars. Ha! Here's a sneak peek! It even breathes heavily! If I can just get him to say "Luke, I am your Faaatha...." Right now he doesn't believe me that Darth Vader says that because that is "silly".  

Review and update.

I know, I know.

It's been WAY to long (November 2014!) since my last post. I've found myself combining Antonio news in with my While the Doodlebug Sleeps blog and I apologize.

To very briefly recap since then. Antonio finished Kindergarten with flying colors and I was so glad we decided to send him "early". He did great and his teacher didn't think he would have any trouble in 1st grade! A few weeks after school got out Ms Rosemary closed which was a little tramatic for all of us. Rosemary had been a HUGE influence in Antonio's (and our) life. She taught him so much and loved him as her own. She was a blessing in his life, and ours. She happily recommended another place to send him, so checked it out. At the time, we knew he probably wouldn't be there past Fall since at the time we knew I would eventually be staying home full time. Antonio was happy there but it lacked so much that Rosemary had and gave. I was disappointed, but knew she had big shoes to fill after Rosemary so I went with it. Sure enough, as of August 28th he wouldn't need to go anymore! Yay!

Antonio had his 6th (!!) birthday and requested it be Lego themed. He was able to invite 4 friends from school and per his request, Lucas, his friend from swim. His cousins also came. Unfortunately he only had 2 of the 4 from school come. I had games planned in case it needed structure but it turned out that the balloons Nelly and Eva blew up the night before were the hit of the party! They played with those pretty much the whole party! Yay! We did play musical chairs once, which some liked and well, some did not. The whole losing thing is still hard to swallow. :(  Immediately following his friends party we had a family party. At the time, I wondered if I was crazy to do it that way but decided it was perfect. He had a blast and I'd like to think the party was a success too!

 Lego party!

Friends and their masks!

Blowing out his candles at his family party!

We went on two short family trips this summer. One to Ocean Shores and one to go camping. Both were a blast. They are so different from each other there isn't really a way to say one was better than the other. First we went to Kayak Point for camping, which is so close yet it still feels like a "trip"! Every single time we have camped it rains, at least some and this year was no different. It hadn't rained in literately a month or more and yet the morning we left it started to rain as we were packing up, and hard. We put Antonio in the car and we pretty much threw stuff in the car and left. There was a burn ban and were didn't think we would be able to have a campfire but when we pulled in the campsite we saw and smelled campfires. I asked the park ranger and sure enough we could! Hooray, s'mores after all! Antonio was so glad as were we. Besides the rain, it was perfect weather, really warm during the day but not to hot! The campsite sits up on the hill a bit from the water so during the day we walk down to the beach. We spend a lot of time watching all the boats go in and out at the boat launch and searching for little crabs and other sea life. We had gotten a new, bigger, tent for Christmas last year and got to use it. It was great! Perfect size for us and we could even stand up in it! 

 Family pic! 

Antonio and I on the trail to the beach.

A couple weeks after camping we went to Ocean Shores! Again, perfect weather. The beach can be tricky with weather, usually it's sunny but cool. We were lucky though, it was warm enough to wear shorts on the beach and the wind wasn't to bad or cold! This time we drove on the beach with our car which was fun, no hauling all our stuff down a path. I think Albert also really enjoyed driving on the beach! ;) We stayed two nights and like usual we wished we had one more night. I've always loved the beach, there is something so calming about. It works out great, Albert does his run on the beach, Antonio builds sandcastles, then the two of them play in the waves and I just take it all in. Wake up, eat breakfast, spend ALL day at the beach, eat dinner, swim in the pool then got to bed. Best days ever! A lot people do other things at Ocean Shores, and maybe as Antonio gets older we will too but for now, its perfect this way!

Love this little family of mine!

Those couple weeks before school started and I wasn't working, Antonio and I got ready for school to start again. We checked out books at the library about 1st grade and got back into doing "homework". He was nervous but ready. I was worried about the lack of nap time/quiet time, which he got every day at daycare. He may not have napped everyday there but he got quiet time and in 1st grade there wouldn't be any or even the option. I was worried that that first week would be awful for him. Thankfully I was wrong.

First day of school!

It's been a week and a half into the school year and he hasn't shown any sign of being extra tired or worn out. It's weird, but I'll take it! He is loving school except for the fact he does "to much math". Unfortunately, none of his friends from last year are in his class this year. In fact, only 1 from his class last year are in it! I thought the odds were in his favor for at least a couple. Oh well, just more of a chance to make more friends. He does say he's sees his friends Brody and Diego at recess sometimes, but not very often. :(  A girl from Ms Rosemary's is in Kindergarten this year (she's also 6 and has a summer birthday but her parents kept her back a year before starting school) and apparently she lives close to us because she rides the same bus. Antonio is relatively excited about that. She seemed like a nice girl but a talker so I have the feeling the conversations are very one sided! ;) Regardless, another "friend" who he sees on the bus and occasionally on the playground. This year his teacher is Mrs. Gilmore. She, unlike Mrs. Rusher, has a ton of experience; she's been a teacher at Sunnyside for 37 years!! So she knows what she's doing, how things work, what 1st grades are all about; and her communication skills are already an improvement from last year's experience! I'm guessing this is more like how it should be. I start volunteering in his class Wednesday and hopefully then I can get a better feel of how things are going.

Hopefully I can update here more often since I will have more free time to do so. No promises, but I'll try! :)

School part 2.

Antonio still loves school and is doing great! I've had the chance to volunteer in his class 3 times and it was so great to be able to see what (and how) he is learning everything. And to see and meet his friends and watch him interact with them.

Diego, his very best buddy and who he sits next to, is such a sweet boy and so smart. He's a well behaved kid too! The first time I saw him, the first thing he said to me was, "Antonio is my best friend" and he proceeded to tell me about when Antonio fell at recess and how he (Diego) came over to Antonio to see if he was "crying and ok." He said when he saw he wasn't ok (he fell on his face and scraped up his chin, nose and forehead) he ran and got the recess lady. Such a sweet kid Diego is.

I was so afraid Antonio would get "lost" or taken advantage of in school. He is young for a kindergartener and tends to be pretty quiet and reserved. But he is right in the mix with everyone else in his class. He has even told Mrs.Rusher a couple times when someone didn't treat him the right way. I was so proud of him. Another great thing about volunteering is that I have gotten see where is in class as far as academics and he is definitely right in the middle. I wasn't to worried about that when sending him early (5 instead of waiting until next year). There are a few kids higher than him but definitely some lower too. Everyone thinks their kid is smart and so it was a nice reassurance for me.

He still loves the bus and insists on riding it to and from school when I volunteer! :) He is starting to read and I am so proud of him. Every week he gets new books to bring home and read and he gets so excited about it. He is also learning math and oh my gosh, everything is counting and adding. He's constantly quizzing me. "Mama, 6+3=9, right?", or "Mama, 8+2=10, right?". As some of you know, I am terrible at math. I already have to stop and think when he asks me most of the time! Ugh, its only kindergarten; I am in trouble! Thankfully he is loving school and I completely credit his teacher. She has helped him learn to love school and learning! Mrs. Rusher is so great with the kids. She gets so much in, in the short amount of time she has with them without them getting them overwhelmed; it's impressive.