Pictures

These are a few pics from Russell's first day of 2nd grade. Rachel didn't have school that day, but she packed her lunch and backpack just the same.

Rachel’s Week

No one disagrees, Rachel needs to be kept busy. She is at the age where she is truly interested in doing stuff. So, I started researching some classes and things for her in Vegas. One thing, private preschool is super expensive in Vegas. And the places that aren't – like a co-op or thru the city, fill up instantly. So, I decided to get her in preschool at the YMCA that is close by. Tracey's son, Jaime, goes there and they like it. It is reasonable, but only 2 hours, 2 mornings per week. It isn't ideal (the times make it hard for drop offs in the morning with Russ's schedule), but hopefully she'll be at the co-op next year. She has only been a couple of days, had no issues with the drop off and seemed to have a great time. It will do for now.

So, 4 hours per week, we've got school, but as I said before, Rachel needs to be busy!!! We tried out a dance class, which Rachel wasn't too keen on and at $40 per month, I wasn't going to pay that just so Rachel could stand there or be held by the instructor. I discovered that the City of North Las Vegas has all kinds of rec programs and they are really reasonable. Rachel is currently booked Monday – Saturday!!! Mondays we have a pee wee soccer class and that is so terrific. The coach is a mom who has coached her daughter's team for years, she is excellent with the kids and there is a real lesson in every session. I couldn't be more impressed. (And since it looks like I am coaching Russ's soccer team, I am going to start taking notes on her drills. More on Russ's soccer later.) Tu/ TH is preschool, Wednesday is gymnastics at the rec center. Again, another excellent class, tons of equipment and Rachel loves every second of class. Fridays we have 'creative ballet' which is more of a creative movement class. Gemma is her teacher and she is a free spirited kinda gal. But, I have to say, she is wonderful with the girls. She can captivate them with stories and then they dance the story, or like last week, they used instruments and danced their names. The structure is real loosy goosy, but they are always moving and groovin' and isn't that the real point? Saturdays we have ballet and tap. This class was sort of an unknown and we are trying it this session, but not sure if we'll sign up again. It is very structured and a lot of waiting in line. Which 3 year olds in tutus aren't too good at doing.

There you have it, Rachel is busy and loving it. I really am thankful to have a rec center so close that we can take advantage of all these fun things to do! I have met a couple of other moms too. One is an AF spouse who has a 1st grader who is going thru the same making friends at recess problems that Russ is having at a different school. So, it has been nice to have some other moms to chat with and learn from too!

Rachel has been an incredible big sister lately and lots of fun. Just want to write a few things she has been up to, so I can remember them later..

In the van, Russ usually sits next to Row (in the middle seat) and helps out/entertains him in the car. Now with Russ at school, Rachel is the only one back there in the other side seat. She'll stretch in her seat and peer over at Rowan and say things like "It's okay, Rachel's here. You don't need Russell, Rachel's here"

She loves to tickle Rowan and talk to him while she's doing it. She says things appropriately too. It is so funny to hear her repeat things I say to Row and I don't even think she is listening.

Rowan will be in his bouncy jumper/exersaucer thing and she line up across the room from him and say "I'm gonna get you, I'm coming to get you" Then she'll run across the room and stop in front of him and say "Gotcha!" and she'll tickle him and something like that. Rowan doesn't like that at all…. Just kidding!

If he is crying in his crib, she'll go right in and step up on the side rail and hang her arms in and give him his bink, talk to him, give him a toy and tell him that "Mom's coming, just a minute"

She'll sit with him on the floor and tickle him and say things like "Oh, you're such a cute baby! Who's a cute baby?"

Lately she's been my shopping pal. We grocery shop together, have been doing some clothing shopping and she's just so much fun. I remember when Russ was almost 4 and he started getting really fun too. I think 4 was my favorite age with Russ and looks like it will be with Rachel too. Just a great age.

What a Week… Russell’s Story

Well, time to blog about the first day of school and all the excitement surrounding that….

Most of you probably have heard about the chaotic first day for Russ at his new school. But, in case you haven't or you want more detail, here ya go! Russell's school has 2 starts times: Group A starts at like 8:37am and Group B at 9:42. Russ is in group B and that means he is released later than group A kids. So, 2 start times, 2 release times – can you imagine? And in all the classes, there are both A & B kids. So, it isn't like certain teachers start later than others, they all have students at 8:37 and go until the late release time of 3:53pm. Personally that isn't what I'd like as a teacher, but I don't work there so who cares what I think!

    

Russell was so nervous the first day of school. He's the new kid at a new school, who can blame him? We were nervous for him and all day I was watching the clock, waiting to go get him. Then at about 3pm I get a phone call from local number and it is a female voice asking if I was Russell's mom. Russ shouldn't be out of school until almost 4pm, so immediately I am panicking in my head? Did I screw up the time? What is going on??? Well, what happened is that he got released with the A group of kids and was walking towards where have parked at his school, he didn't see me and kept walking looking for me. He gets about a block away and these girls from the close by middle school find him. He was crying since he couldn't find me. They whip out a cell, ask Russ his number and call me asap. (Yea for middle school students and their cell phones!!!). I had originally thought it was parent that called, but later found out it was a teen. So, they offered to walk him to back to school and I sped over to school – furious. By then I had realized I didn't screw up any times, they did. I get in the office, no one has any clue about Russell being released early, where is he? Well, it turns out his class was on the hunt for him and met him out front and the girls let him go with his teacher, so he never made it to the office. They confirm he is indeed in class. I am so mad I am crying, in the office, with Rachel and Rowan. When the principal finds out what happened, her jaw just drops, like what??? So, the kids and I go down to get Russ out of class and bring him home. His teacher was embarrassed and very apologetic. After seeing how the kids get released at that school, I could see how Russ could get mixed up and think school was over. So, it was a crazy afternoon. What ifs play nasty tricks with your mind. It is over, I know Russ won't be 'lost' again and that is what is most important.

Okay, that was Monday. Tuesday was a great day all was well. Weds. – ugh he gets in the car and just starts crying. He has no recess buddies. They have about 15 minutes after lunch for recess. He's never had that before with like 150 kids. That situation totally overwhelms him and he couldn't find anyone to play with, he had asked some boy from his class to play, but he was playing with someone else and we think Russ got embarrassed and left before they could ask him to play (still not sure about that). Anyway, it was so sad – he said things like "All the 2^nd graders have their best friends by now and I am just the new kid" and the he said "Maybe if I wear my camouflage clothes like the other boys they will see that I like what they like". And then that night he was playing in the house and knocked out his front tooth. It was bloody. And by the way, the tooth fairy isn't afraid of bloody teeth that have been cleaned!!!

Thursday was better, he still played by himself at recess. And Friday was good, we think he played alone, but he had gotten fun Friday prizes in class, so he was thrilled about that! I wrote a note to his teacher and asked about recess and let her know our concerns when he went back to class on Tuesday.

So, here we are at Tuesday (day after Labor Day). On Monday night, Adam and Russ were playing soccer, barefoot, in the back yard. Russ jams his toes into Adam's foot. Mucho grande pain, swelling, etc. Tuesday not any better, looking worse actually, ugh. So, after many phone calls to and from the base hospital it was decided that he needed xrays. Then a day later (no broken bones) it was decided that he would need to see the podiatrist as Russ was still not walking right. He's fine and all is well. A funny about the podiatrist was asking him his pain level on a scale of 1 – 10 and Russ, without missing a beat, said that his pain level when it happened was 200. The doctor laughed and said no one had ever told him that before and said he was going to make sure he'd write that in his chart.

Okay… time to get this posted and write another about Rachel (ballet, gymnastics, preschool – activity galore!) and of course, all the fun and not fun things about Rowan.