Gearing Up for School

Well, it's almost time for Xander to get on the school bus and spend another year hating school. LOL! I keep trying to remind him of the fun things about school, and how this year they're supposed to be hatching chicken eggs in second grade. But the only thing he can get excited about are his supplies. He has a new, totally cool and pocket-rific backpack. Yesterday, Joe picked up his school supplies from the school. (It's a new program they started, where a company fills the boxes with supplies specific to each grade level. We paid in June, they arrived this week.)

Xander was very excited to see what was in his box, which actually wasn't very much. Lots of two pocket folders, pre-sharpened pencils, a composition notebook, some erasers and glue sticks, and a pack of colored pencils.

There was also a sheet of labels with Xander's name and the school address on them. Joe labeled everything except the individual pencils and the erasers. Xander was wondering why there weren't any crayons. I told him maybe they don't use crayons in second grade.

So now everything is in the box, waiting for the first day of school. And Xander keeps finding new things he "hates" about school. This is going to be a long weekend, LOL!

I Survived Adirondack Animal Land!

I'm happy to report that I survived Xander's 1st grade field trip to Adirondack Animal Land. Yay! I almost didn't surive the drive up, though, because we carpooled and I had to sit in the back where I got nice and carsick. Bleh. But the weather was perfect - warm but overcast.

Joe and I had three kids between us - Xander, Emily and Robert. They were pretty well behaved, though Joe did make them sit a couple of times for running. One of the first things we did when we arrived was going into the petting area where all the goats were. Some of the little baby ones were just so cute!

One of the funniest things all day was Robert at the parrot cage. "These are my favorite! I know everything about them!" he said. So I asked him to share some info with us. His reply? "Well, I can't remember any of it." Too funny! Then it was on to the safari - we all sat in a trailer pulled behind a tractor, through an enclosure where the camels and rheas and pot-bellied pigs ran free. The place to sit was the back (we were closer to the front) because the camels would follow behind waiting for some food and stick their heads into the trailer. Xander's teacher was up and out of her seat at one point, trying to get away from them!

We ate lunch in the picnic area, and our little group was very good about sharing food with each other. Then all the kids played for a while on a wooden pirate ship with slides and things on it. Actually, that was all most of the kids wanted to do with the whole day - there were two or three play areas like that scattered around. Plus a little western town (remnants from the long-gone Carson City perhaps?) that everyone was running around in.

Joe had fun feeding the giraffes - he spent a lot of money on the special crackers. A lot of the kids were squealing whenever that long tongue would come at them, including Xander. It was pretty funny!

The strangest part of the day was me running into my old high school chum Aimee, who was there with her daughter's school group. Honestly, she lives like fifteen minutes away from me and we never see each other. Except at Adirondack Animal Land, of all places!

We finished up the day in the gift shop, where the three kids in my group all bought the same thing: plastic bow and arrow set (a hot seller than day!), a memo pad, and a souvenir penny. I got myself a plastic cup, and Joe invested in both the souvenir penny and a penny passport to keep that and all future ones in. (Spending 50 cents on a penny? That's all Joe!)

Then it was back to the school at 3:30pm. I can't wait to see what kind of field trips Xander (and Joe and I!) will be taking next year!

Field Trip Day

I am somewhere on this map today, with 30 crazed first graders and a bunch of furry animals. Pictures and my tale of survival (LOL!) to follow on Monday!

Reader's Theater

Last night was Reader's Theater at school. Both first grade classes divided into four groups to read four stories - The Three Little Pigs, Why Bear Has A Stumpy Tail, Three Billy Goats Gruff, and the Little Red Hen. The kids were all dressed up and looking cute!

Xander was in the third group, and he was reading the part of Big Billy Goat Gruff. He was pretty nervous but he did a great job and everyone was able to hear his lines. My little star! (See the new video at the bottom of the page.)

Afterwards there were refreshments in the cafeteria. Xander loaded up on brownies and cupcakes, and visited with his friend Ava. On the ride home, Xander read me the entire story, making sure he pointed out which lines were his as he went through it.

Not sure what second grade has in store, but I know that the third grade puts on a little play every year. I can't wait for that! I hope last night's performance gave Xander a boost of confidence for any future performances.

1st Grade Portrait

We got Xander's school portraits back yesterday. What a handsome devil!! Of course, I had to call the photography company because they shorted us our 8x10, but that will hopefully be coming soon. So, for your entertainment, I give you Xander's 1st Grade portrait:

And for extra fun, look how much he's changed since Kindergarten:

Pumpkin Patch Field Trip

The first field trip of first grade took place yesterday. Joe and I joined 31 first graders on the school bus and drove out to Central Bridge to go to the Pumpkin Patch. (Never again riding the bus, by the way. Now I remember why I always hated it!) Joe and I were assigned three little boys, plus our own little offspring. We were able to keep them in line pretty good!

We did lots of fun pumpkin patch activities. We had a ride on the hay wagon, the kids got to see some farm animals and crawl through a hay bale tunnel, and there were some cute pumpkin displays. Plus each kid got to pick their own little pumpkin, a gourd, and an ear of Indian corn. Joe snuck in an extra ear for himself, too, because he found a really big one.

We all had lunch in the barn, in close proximity to the apple cider donuts (we bought a dozen to bring home), and only lost one student the whole day - Joe joined the search party and found her pretty quickly, having some fun playing by herself.

I'm glad to have the opportunity to go on these field trips with Xander! Even though I was completely exhausted by the time I got home, it was worth it.

Homework...the Fun Begins!

First grade has brought with it homework. Every Friday Xander will bring home a worksheet of some sort that he needs to complete for Monday. This week it was a math worksheet about patterns. All he had to do was continue the pattern and color in the right squares.

After the first row or so, he pooped out. "I want to watch tv." "My stomache hurts." Seriously?? If Xander is crying about coloring in squares for homework, I shudder to think what we're going to have to deal with when he starts the real hard stuff.

When all was said and done, we got through the homework and with a minimum of mistakes. Little does my boy know that this is just the tip of the homework iceberg!!

Open House - 1st Grade

Well, we had Xander's Open House at school on Tuesday night. I always like having a chance to go in and get some pictures, and this year we saw more of the school because Xander wanted to show us everything. That kid sure knows his way around! And older kids and random staff kept saying hi to him. Too funny!

Here he is with his teacher, Ms. C. She'll be leaving soon because the regular teacher will be back from maternity leave. But I really like Ms. C because she's a scrapbooker, so she understands about my need for photos. And she sends lots of nice notes home.

This is Xander at his desk. This year he has the kind with the cubby underneath for his supplies. He has a pencil box full of crayons, markers and pencils in there. And a journal that he's written some things in, and drawn some pictures in. On top you can see part of the monument he made out of food boxes for their lesson on US Government. It's a monument to me, because I help him. (His words!) Awww!

And here's Xander by the weather chart. He's been the assigned weather man this week, so he gets to record the day's weather. I asked him yesterday if he put clouds on because it was so cloudy. He said no, it wasn't cloudy - it was overcast. Too funny!

It was a nice visit. I enjoy seeing him so at ease there, he didn't get lost or turned around at all. And I'm so thankful I don't attend school there, because the flight of stairs between the elementary and high school portions of the building are endless!

Xander's Field Trip

Xander had his first field trip yesterday, down at the Power Authority. Joe and I volunteered to be chaperones, along with about six other parents and grandparents. It was fun but so crazy!

We walked around the wetlands first, all the kids looking for frogs and tadpoles. We also saw some little fish and dragonflies. Xander held my hand part of the way around, before he got distracted.

The PA also has a big barn full of learning stations. Lots about electricity and energy, plus the obligatory dead animal display. The kids loved being in there because they could touch everything. They liked the tour of Lansing Manor - a historical home - much less because they weren't allowed to touch ANYTHING! That's the only time when Joe had to use the big voice, and not even for our own kid.

We had a picnic lunch outside, then the kids raced around on the big lawn to work off some energy. Xander didn't do too much running because he's still got a big of a cough, especially when he exerts himself too much. After the kids watched a movie about electricity and electrical safety, Joe and I headed home.

Xander's last day is Monday, then he'll be done for the summer. Not sure I'm ready for that!!

Kindergarten Graduation

I was expecting to post some very cute pictures from Kindergarten graduation here today, maybe even some video. I was really, really looking forward to attending their little ceremony, seeing Xander in a cap and getting his certificate.

Alas, it was not to be. While the other kids were graduating, I was sitting in the doctor's office with Xander (for 2.5 hours!!). Turns out he has bronchitis. The night before he'd thrown up - a lot! - and was running a high fever. I cried my eyes out that night because I knew we'd be missing graduation.

Xander is at home today, recuperating. He slept all night last night and his fever is gone, so hopefully he's on the mend. Tomorrow he'll be back at school in time for his field trip. Well, I hope so anyway! And since I didn't want to leave you without a picture, here's one of Xander passed out on the couch last night.

Big First for Xander!

Yesterday we had a big moment in the Bruno house. (At least it was for me, men aren't as sensitive to these kinds of things!) Xander brought home the phone number of a classmate and asked to have a playdate at her house. Yup, it's a girl!

This may not seem like a big deal, but given all the trouble we've had this year with Xander's behavior I think it's very exciting that someone from his class wants to hang with him after school. The sessions with the school counselor are really working! (Thanks, Dawn!)

I talked to the girl's mom and we set up a Saturday playdate for Xander and Drea. Then Xander surprised me by talking to Drea for an additional twenty minutes on the phone. He never talks to anyone that long! He asked questions about her siblings, her house, her toys. Then he asked me if he could have a sleepover. I told him we'd try the playdate first, LOL! And yes, I took a picture of him talking on the phone, which he was doing in the privacy of his own room.

Now we just have to wait and see how he does on Saturday. Don't worry, I'll post an update on that here on Monday!

Parent-Teacher Conference

Joe and I had our second conference with Xander's teacher today. Xander wasn't so thrilled, since he had to hang out in the gym with a bunch of teachers and aides. The school counselor joined us, and I have to say the news was good!

Academically, Xander is exactly where he's supposed to be. His writing is coming right along, and his teacher says he's showing a steady interest in science. On a recent test of word sounds and following directions, he scored 106 out of 119. That's my boy!

Socially, Xander has really improved over the last few weeks. He's been playing more with the other kids, and with the counselor's help he's been using his words instead of pushing. She's been role-playing with him, so that when situations come up he already knows what to do.

A new student just started in Xander's class this month, and Xander's teacher said that he's just taken charge. He helps the new kid get around the school, helps him out in the classroom...he's really made the new student feel welcome.

So it was a great report! Xander's teacher says that he should have no problem sliding on into first grade next year. Yay!

After School Special

I was home sick the other day, and so had the opportunity to take some pictures from my upstairs window. Joe is the one who gets Xander off the bus every day, and I'm the one who gets him on in the morning.

What do these guys talk about on the long walk down the driveway? I know sometimes Joe says they have a race to see who can get back to the house the quickest. There was no racing this day, just two guys taking their time.

When Joe gets Xander back to the house, there's snack time followed by either tv time or play time. Sometimes they play wrestling on the Xbox. Sometimes they play with Xander's toys. Once the weather warms up, they'll probably spend some time outside. I'm glad that Joe and Xander have this time together every day. A little male bonding is a good thing!

Loch Ness Monster

As soon as I got home yesterday, Xander was waiting for me with news of a research project that I would be involved in. See, his class started a unit on dinosaurs this week. And his Blockbuster movie-of-the-week is Scooby-Doo and the Loch Ness Monster. Apparently, Xander and his teacher had a bit of a disagreement about whether or not Nessie is a dinosaur.

This led to lots of picture drawing. Xander drew countless Loch Ness monster scenarios, some involving unfortunate boaters. And he was so excited when I got out two books that had pictures of the Loch Ness monster in them. I had to copy one of the pages for him, and he took that, his pictures, and the other book to school today to show his teacher.

It was so much fun seeing him so involved in his little research project! He did most of the writing on his pictures, too - sitting there sounding everything out. So cute! I can't wait to go home today and find out what his teacher thought!

Xander's First Report Card

On Friday Xander brought home his first report card of the year. I'm happy - and proud! - to say that he got high marks mostly across the board. He's right at the top of things in Language and Literacy (just like his Mom!), and doing well in Math, Science & Technology.

Xander's Learning Behaviors are good - his teacher thinks he has a good attention span, which is shocking! No surprisingly, he got excellent marks for Art. Once we get into Group Participation, though, things downslide a bit. Here is the note his teacher added:

"Xander is excelling academically in Kindergarten. He understands the concepts we are learning and adds to the class conversation with things he knows. I expect Xander to sail into first grade with no problem.

His behavior issues have been a problem at different times througout the year. Xander likes to have things his way and often becomes negative about the activity we are doing if he doesn't get his way. We are continuing to work on this. When he does things well, he is very pleased with himself."

Yeah, behavior has been an issue with Xander at school. He fights, he says mean things, he ignores the rules. We've tried incentive charts, both home and at school, and the taking away of privileges. Basically it boils down to Xander being Xander, so all we can do is keep trying to get him to be the nice boy I know he can be.

If anyone has advice on that, I'd sure take it!

Now That's More Like It!

Xander's teacher sent another note home yesterday, but this one was soooo much better than the last one! Check it out:

Xander - Art Prodigy!

Okay, so maybe he's not a prodigy. But check out this picture he brought home from school today! Didn't he do a great job drawing Santa and Rudolph? I was so amazed, I had to scrap it last night.

Also, yesterday was Decade Day at school for Spirit Week. Xander was a greaser, and this was his fierce do-you-want-to-rumble pose. Awesome! You can't see it, but he had a pack of gum rolled up in his sleeve. The plastic chain was his idea. What a kid!

Xander - School Boy Genius!

Okay, so I'm probably pretty biased about my son's intelligence. But I tell you, he continues to amaze me! Only three months into Kindergarten, and he's already reading a little, sounding out words, and writing sentences. Check out this scrapbook layout I did to commemorate Xander's first sentence written at home. He wrote that on his own, completely unprompted, and with zero help from me. Wow!

In other school news, it's Spirit Week at Xander's school this week. Monday he got to wear his pajamas, and yesterday was Dress Like A Teacher day. The bow tie is Joe's and I think it totally makes the whole look! At Xander's request we also gelled his hair. Very spiffy.

And then the following conversation took place:

Mommy - If you were a teacher, what would you teach?

Xander - I would teach people to be kind to other people.

Geez. Did your heart just melt? Mine sure did! That boy, you just never know what he's going to say next!

Parent-Teacher Conference Day

Today was Parent-Teacher Conferences at Xander's school. I was prepared for the worst, after the following conversation:

Me: "Xander, what do you think your teacher will tell me when I meet with her?"

Xander: "Probably that I put soap in Jacob's hair."

Not very confidence-inspiring, to be sure! But it went great. Xander's teacher says that he's doing great academically. He's really nailing the english language arts, and doing pretty good in math too. I got to see the first sentence he wrote: I like Mom. Awww!

The behavioral issues are minimal - the usual not sitting still, wanting to do his own thing at times. Xander's teacher thinks he's a great kid. (I agree!)

******

As an added bonus - cause I'm feeling generous! - here is a picture of Xander from yesterday. He woke up complaining and crying that the sun was hurting his eyes, so I gave him a pair of Joe's sunglasses. Well, he instantly became Scott Summers aka Cyclops from the X-Men. Even picked out his clothes to match colors. This is his Scott Summers pose.

Xander's First Assembly

Xander had a Veteran's Day assembly at school today. Eli was kind enough to pick me up and take me, since Joe was working and had the car. I didn't want to miss Xander's first assembly, since he would be singing.

It was long, but I cried through almost the whole thing. (I swear I have early-onset menopause!) There was a speaker who had served in the Vietnam War, the story behind the playing of Taps, and an explanation of what each fold of the flag means when it gets folded into a triangle. The elementary classes sang two patriotic songs accompanied by the high school band. It was really, really nice.