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Ohhh, we had the best time on Miss P's 5th birthday! Her actual birthday was the second day of kindergarten, so it was a bit of a blur, but we decorated the breakfast table with balloons and made waffles, my mom took her out to lunch and shopping,
and we ended the day with gift opening and playing. So all in all, a special day.
The main event - her Pinkalicious party - was last Saturday. Read about some of the planning here and here. I fretted a bit last week about our guest list, and made a bunch of modifications, and it turned out awesome! It was the first birthday party she really, really enjoyed I think. I had a bit of an epiphany about her as well.
P really likes structured activities and is kind of a different kid in those situations. I've gotten letters in the past from parents about their kindergarten student that have told me how much their child is more comfortable in structured 'tell me what to do' situations, as opposed to free play. I was always a bit mystified by that. Don't all kids want free range time? But that is the sort of girl P is too. When I've volunteered in Sunday School and preschool, P is always raising her hand, and is quite involved. Her kindergarten teacher told me that she is behaving the same way now. However, at recess, when everyone just runs out and starts playing, she kind of hangs back, looks around, and is quiet and tentative. I so want her to be more bold, outgoing, and leader-like. Yet, I know we have to accept our kids in their full package. I know she'll eventually warm up and become more comfortable. (I hope. I think we are going to have to have some major monkey bar lessons.) Anyway, I think the reason why she liked the cooking party so much was its structure. Something was being taught. Someone was structuring the activity. In that environment, I had to shush her a few times (during the story reading) because she was so animated. I saw a few kids at times look slightly bored, which I felt a little bad about, but then remembered that the 'Pump it Up' type parties aren't really P's speed either, but we always go and are enthusiastic.
P's favorite part of the party was the karaoke. She loves to sing! So do I - her dad and I did a little spontaneous duet which garnered some applause.
Final words on P turning 5 -- we had her five year old well check-up a few weeks before, and I have to say, I felt so proud! P is very healthy inside and out and is right where she should be. I can't help but feel like I am a big part of that!
She did it! Miss P made it through her first day of kindergarten. Her preschool was nice, but very minus the bells and whistles, so we've been excited for this new adventure.
I had a very 'working mother' experience. The three of us got ready together at home in the morning, and then E took P out for a special 'first day doughnut,' while I headed into school alone. I had to miss taking her into her classroom and witnessing those first few minutes, as I had my student teacher to connect with and my students arriving. 
Strangely though, I didn't really mind. I already am so familiar with her classroom, and kind of could close my eyes and imagine the general experience. Besides, P and I share so many special experiences, it was nice to see E have a chance to take the lead and make his own memory with her. Being together at the same school, I know we'll have a lot of time together. 
When Kindergarten dismissed at 10:10 (!), E and P came to tell me everything in my classroom, then walked back across the playground to get this shot in front of her room.
Tomorrow is another big day - P's 5th birthday! We have decorated the dining room with balloons and a banner as a breakfast surprise. My mom is picking her up from school and taking her to lunch and shopping for a new outfit. After I pick her up, we'll go home to open presents, play, and have her request - a spaghetti dinner. In lieu of Ed or I making a cake for her, she requested a 'Kara's cupcake,' so that will be our dessert. Saturday is her big birthday party and I hope it goes well! We are having it at a kids' cooking school, which I thought would be simpler on me, but as I have less control, I am now worrying about what might go wrong!
ACR says, "Look, I'm one years old!"
We drove straight from there back to our neighborhood and attended the fifth birthday of our good friend's son, B. He had a pirate theme, and as usual, the fam went all out. Below is the fantastic cupcake spread his mom made.
There was a pirate map to decorate, a story, and then a hunt for treasure. It is so nice to have a party with just a handful of kids!
The birthday boy!
Miss P was excited about her shark cupcake. He was made out of a twinkie!
The pirate crew!
The dads in the 'Pirates of the Carribean' bounce house.
Dads hamming it up in the 'Dramatic Play' pirate ship.
Our favorite pirate!
Aarrggh!
So reality is starting to hit that I am working full-time! This is scary, as even as a part-timer, I was a workaholic. In my last few years (as part-time), I basically got in early, worked, picked up P in the late afternoon, with just enough time to go home and start the dinner dance. Then, a little playtime, bath, and bedtime routine. Then, after P was in bed, I often pulled out more work. After that, it was making lunches and preparing/packing up for the next day until I collapsed with 30 minutes to an hour before sleep (on a good day). That was Mon, Tues, Wed. Is every day going to be like that now for me??? Back then, I at least had Thursday and Friday (and the weekend!) to recover. I would love to make a pact with myself that I will leave by 4:00 every day. Or that I'll stay late just one day a week, and then I won't bring work home.
In other news, I am excited to attend two birthday parties tomorrow. One for my niece who is turning one. Woo hoo! It is a Luau-themed party. The other for a good friend's son turning five. His party is a pirate theme. I love birthday parties!!! Miss P's is next weekend. (Back to ranting. I have some negative relatives. Sadly my niece keeps telling Miss P, "my mom doesn't want me to go to your birthday party." Nice.)
Anyway, I have one thing going for me routine-wise. Two of my girlfriends and I are doing weekly jogs at the Campbell track. So I've got that going on tomorrow, and then the b-day parties. Sunday, I will be going into my classroom to finish up in the morning (school starts Monday!), and then I think we'll do something special with Paige to round out the last day before school.
I think my big theme this school year will be to strive to keep connected with Miss P and E, throughout the stress that our new schedules will demand. And continue to be the hands on parent I've always been. And to stay sane!
In Paige's half-done baby book, there is a spread called 'The many faces of Paige.' In it, 4 month old Paige is shown yawning, giggling, looking peaceful, screaming, etc. I suppose the above could be sort of her updated version.
In case you can't tell, the second one is a self-portrait from her car seat.
Today was my first contracted day of the 2009-10 school year! And my first day as a full-time teacher in 5 years. I've been in and out for the past week, but now they've got me! It's already been crazy with changes and issues. I wish I could say more!
I will have a student teacher from Stanford this Fall, and am also thinking of starting a blog for the classroom. I considered making it private, but then I thought some parents might have trouble accepting invites, and I assume they would then have to get a google account to log on? So now I'm thinking I will send home a questionnaire to each family to determine who is OK with me including their child's picture and/or first name on the blog. Thought it would be fun for families to see pics of their kids along with a story about what they were doing/learning. (And pretty easy for me). If no one is OK with pictures, I can at least share anecdotes that I might not have a chance to share in conversation.
Monday and Tuesday, Miss P palled around with E and I in our classrooms, and we tried to make it pleasurable. She had her final dance class and we had a couple of quick playdates. I really see a lot value in Ballet, for its focus on coordination and balance. Unfortunately, P says she isn't interested in continuing (although she seems to really enjoy the class while she is doing it). Fortunately, she would like to resume swimming lessons. (We like that, because swim lessons are at the 'Y' and mom can get two guaranteed workouts a week!) P enjoyed today at Grandma's where she feasted on 'pull-aparts' (a breakfast sweet) and McDonald's for lunch along with her cousin. She will have more of the same tomorrow, and then will be in the company of our good friends on Friday. With two working parents, I always feel relieved to have just one to shlepp around (I mean that in the most loving way possible.)
OK, back to work for me!
P and I both love to shop, and finding just the right gift is one of our favorite things to do. We have some birthdays coming up so I went to my 'gift shelf' and pulled down all the gifts that I've been buying and stowing to take stock. While I did that, Miss P decided to design birthday cards.
Here is the front of the card. It just includes the recipient's name with pink and purple swirls around it.
Her signature on the back. Do you like the backwards, "Paige Love," This was all totally independent of help.
This is most of what I had on the gift shelf. Note: if I know you read the blog, I did not include your child's gift! I always have our friends, nieces, nephews, etc., upcoming birthdays in the back of my mind, and when I see something for them (especially if on sale) - I buy it - and onto the gift shelf it goes.
I picked these up at the $1 aisle at Target. Paired with a gift card, this could be a cute teacher 'welcome to the new school year' gift.
Let's make this fun - I tag:
1) One Fabulous Mom
2) Biscuits are Never Boring
3)Happy Homemaker
4) Clemsongirl and the Coach
5) Preppy 101
Share a photo of your gift shelf or closet, latest gift you bought, or your wrapping supply favorites.
