After vowing never again to take my girls shoe shopping alone, I in fact did just that, and survived! I had to run to Target this morning for a few things and then my plan was to head over to Olympia for cleats (never made it) and then Famous Footwear.
Instead, we found ourselves browsing the shoe aisle at Target and the girls not only found things they liked, but things that fit. So instead of paying $30-$40 per pair of shoes, I spent $15 -$20. Each girl got a pair of sneakers and dress shoes for school. Which I hope pass the requirements because while black or brown, they have purple and pink in them. And Einey picked out skate shoes for sneakers. I may have to go get her another pair of sneakers for gym, but we'll see what they say first.
Showing posts with label School Days. Show all posts
Showing posts with label School Days. Show all posts
Friday, August 14, 2009
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Out of balance
Time seems like it's flying by. And no, it's not because I'm having fun.
Lately, it seems like the days are a swirl of school drop-offs and pick ups, housework, and homework. Normal everyday activities but for some reason, I feel overwhelmed and out of control. I wake up to find that I don't have pieces to their lunches (bread one day, juice another) which ends up with me just sending in lunch money. Library books, set out the night before are left forgotten on shelves. Homework lays forgotten until the morning it's due (Moe's but only because she only gets it once a week). School uniform pieces cannot be found. This week, we even forgot to put our garbage out.
And the battles. Oh my god, how and I going to survive their teenage years???!!! There's battles over who should clean the playroom and when. Bedrooms are a mess. I get them to clean it and next thing I know, it's a pig sty. Einey has to be the worst! At seven, her counter is a mass of pixos, Lego's, pens, pieces or papers and hair accessories. The floors have piles of clothes (which probably explains WHY we can't find uniform pieces), hair accessories, more Lego's, shoes (despite my pleas of leaving the damn things downstairs) and Webkinz. We'll go through and I'll help her put the stuff away and the next day, looks like a bomb went off in there. And she's so forgetful. I hate that she, with the most responsibility, also needs constant reminders. She's the oldest, yet the only one I have to worry about whether or not she's going to remember to bring her hat, mittens, lunchbox, homework, backpack home form school.
Einey and Moe just have toys all over. And clothes. I swear, if I have to pick up more clean clothes I may start tossing them out. They change their minds a million times each day. Or they try to wear dresses and skirts when its 15 degrees out. The toys, I expect out. And for awhile, they were doing great picking them up. Lately, not so great.
It seems, though that we've had a hard time adjusting to our normal routine after the school winter break. We slept late. The kids would wake up and go downstairs to play quietly, allowing me extra time in the morning to rest. They played well and put things away. So far, school has been irregular. Their first week back had delays and days off due to weather. And half days that were pre-scheduled. This week, so far, has been normal. But the kids, they're still tired. Mornings are filled with tears and outbursts ("I forgot my library book," "I hate pep squad," "I hate second grade," and "I don't want to go to school"). And trying to get them focused in the mornings have left me drained.
And to top it all off, yesterday I got hit with a nasty virus (I say virus, because it almost the same as what Husband had a few days earlier). I was volunteering in the classroom and suddenly, I had a migraine (and being my first migraine, it sucked.) and it also made me very nauseated. Husband, told me to lay down and let me sleep (with little interruptions) for four hours! Then when i finally ate something last night, I spent the rest of the night in the bathroom. It hit suddenly, but when I woke up this morning, I was fine. I'm tired and achy, but no where near what I felt yesterday.
I'm hoping that we can get back into the swing of a routine soon! Everything just feels so off.
Lately, it seems like the days are a swirl of school drop-offs and pick ups, housework, and homework. Normal everyday activities but for some reason, I feel overwhelmed and out of control. I wake up to find that I don't have pieces to their lunches (bread one day, juice another) which ends up with me just sending in lunch money. Library books, set out the night before are left forgotten on shelves. Homework lays forgotten until the morning it's due (Moe's but only because she only gets it once a week). School uniform pieces cannot be found. This week, we even forgot to put our garbage out.
And the battles. Oh my god, how and I going to survive their teenage years???!!! There's battles over who should clean the playroom and when. Bedrooms are a mess. I get them to clean it and next thing I know, it's a pig sty. Einey has to be the worst! At seven, her counter is a mass of pixos, Lego's, pens, pieces or papers and hair accessories. The floors have piles of clothes (which probably explains WHY we can't find uniform pieces), hair accessories, more Lego's, shoes (despite my pleas of leaving the damn things downstairs) and Webkinz. We'll go through and I'll help her put the stuff away and the next day, looks like a bomb went off in there. And she's so forgetful. I hate that she, with the most responsibility, also needs constant reminders. She's the oldest, yet the only one I have to worry about whether or not she's going to remember to bring her hat, mittens, lunchbox, homework, backpack home form school.
Einey and Moe just have toys all over. And clothes. I swear, if I have to pick up more clean clothes I may start tossing them out. They change their minds a million times each day. Or they try to wear dresses and skirts when its 15 degrees out. The toys, I expect out. And for awhile, they were doing great picking them up. Lately, not so great.
It seems, though that we've had a hard time adjusting to our normal routine after the school winter break. We slept late. The kids would wake up and go downstairs to play quietly, allowing me extra time in the morning to rest. They played well and put things away. So far, school has been irregular. Their first week back had delays and days off due to weather. And half days that were pre-scheduled. This week, so far, has been normal. But the kids, they're still tired. Mornings are filled with tears and outbursts ("I forgot my library book," "I hate pep squad," "I hate second grade," and "I don't want to go to school"). And trying to get them focused in the mornings have left me drained.
And to top it all off, yesterday I got hit with a nasty virus (I say virus, because it almost the same as what Husband had a few days earlier). I was volunteering in the classroom and suddenly, I had a migraine (and being my first migraine, it sucked.) and it also made me very nauseated. Husband, told me to lay down and let me sleep (with little interruptions) for four hours! Then when i finally ate something last night, I spent the rest of the night in the bathroom. It hit suddenly, but when I woke up this morning, I was fine. I'm tired and achy, but no where near what I felt yesterday.
I'm hoping that we can get back into the swing of a routine soon! Everything just feels so off.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
First week recap...
The girls started school Wednesday. They also started soccer.
As far as school goes, they awoke that morning and were dressed and ready to leave well in advance of school time. Usually we're running out the door at the last minute. Einey really likes her teacher and her class. She doesn't have any new kids in her class this year and the number of kids dropped to just over a dozen kids - which is a nice little number. She misses some of the kids who were in her class last year though. Meenie really likes kindergarten. She got a little more kids in her class than Einey does. She has been busy learning the ropes at school - lunches, how to buy ice cream and of course, playing with her sister and her friends at recess. Hopefully as the year progresses and she makes her own friends, she'll become a little more independent. She's also been busy making new friends. Moe was sad the first day of school. She doesn't start until this week, so she was sad to be without her sisters. She enjoyed going out to lunch with just Mommy and Daddy the first day. She also enjoyed going into her classroom and meeting her teacher Friday. Her only comment when we left was "but I didn't make any friends".
I also had a friend from Texas comment about the girls first day of school outfits "Jackets and sweaters in August?!" Um yeah. It was cool in the mornings so they were needed. It's actually been cool for awhile now, but I here it's supposed to warm up by the end of the week. One can only hope.
I mentioned soccer started the same day as school. So of course, the girls were exhausted that night. Einey did good, but complained alot she was tired and gave me some lip. Her coach (new for her this year as they separate the girls and boys at her age) was really fantastic with her, even with her being a tad mouthy. Meenie did great. She loves soccer and has the same coach she's had for a few seasons. Moe started on Thursday, with coach mom, or soccer mom as her sisters called me. All I can say was when all the kids were following directions, anyone want to guess who was hanging from the goals or throwing a temper tantrum? Yup. The coaches kid. Moe. To bad I couldn't put her on a different team :P . Seriously though, once we got into it, she got better. She and the rest of her teammates did really well for their first time. I think it's going to be alot of fun this season.
Anyway, thats about it.
Speaking of it being cool. I had to run to Wal-Mart to get some last minute school supplies (I got one thing wrong and just got Moe's list yesterday) and you know what they had near the registers? Ice melt. In August. I do believe that beats FOM's find of Halloween Attire in August. Of course, come December, it will be sold out.
As far as school goes, they awoke that morning and were dressed and ready to leave well in advance of school time. Usually we're running out the door at the last minute. Einey really likes her teacher and her class. She doesn't have any new kids in her class this year and the number of kids dropped to just over a dozen kids - which is a nice little number. She misses some of the kids who were in her class last year though. Meenie really likes kindergarten. She got a little more kids in her class than Einey does. She has been busy learning the ropes at school - lunches, how to buy ice cream and of course, playing with her sister and her friends at recess. Hopefully as the year progresses and she makes her own friends, she'll become a little more independent. She's also been busy making new friends. Moe was sad the first day of school. She doesn't start until this week, so she was sad to be without her sisters. She enjoyed going out to lunch with just Mommy and Daddy the first day. She also enjoyed going into her classroom and meeting her teacher Friday. Her only comment when we left was "but I didn't make any friends".
I also had a friend from Texas comment about the girls first day of school outfits "Jackets and sweaters in August?!" Um yeah. It was cool in the mornings so they were needed. It's actually been cool for awhile now, but I here it's supposed to warm up by the end of the week. One can only hope.
I mentioned soccer started the same day as school. So of course, the girls were exhausted that night. Einey did good, but complained alot she was tired and gave me some lip. Her coach (new for her this year as they separate the girls and boys at her age) was really fantastic with her, even with her being a tad mouthy. Meenie did great. She loves soccer and has the same coach she's had for a few seasons. Moe started on Thursday, with coach mom, or soccer mom as her sisters called me. All I can say was when all the kids were following directions, anyone want to guess who was hanging from the goals or throwing a temper tantrum? Yup. The coaches kid. Moe. To bad I couldn't put her on a different team :P . Seriously though, once we got into it, she got better. She and the rest of her teammates did really well for their first time. I think it's going to be alot of fun this season.
Anyway, thats about it.
******************************************************
Speaking of it being cool. I had to run to Wal-Mart to get some last minute school supplies (I got one thing wrong and just got Moe's list yesterday) and you know what they had near the registers? Ice melt. In August. I do believe that beats FOM's find of Halloween Attire in August. Of course, come December, it will be sold out.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Two weeks...
Two weeks. Fourteen days. That's the first day of school. I'd like to say that I'm looking forward to it, and in a way, I am, but... In reality, the girls have overall, been great this summer. And they've been home a long time - since the beginning of June. And I thought they would get on my nerves alot, but that's only happened a few times. Husband starts vacation tomorrow, and he's off until they go back to school. So hopefully we'll get some things finished. Things we couldn't do the month of July when the girls were sick. And hopefully, now that it's stopped raining (been 2 weeks) we can get out more.
So, while I think the kids are missing their friends, I've realized how much I like our laize-faire lifestyle. No plans, wake up when you want, and do what you want days. Hitting the beach or staying in your pj's all day. It's been fun, with out needing a clock to answer to - and half the time, I haven't even realized what day it was! I know it will be a huge transition to get used to being up, fed and out the door by 8:15 every morning.
Plus, this is my first year with no kids. Well, no kids three mornings a week. While I love spending time with Moe, I think she needs to be around other kids and other adults. I think she (and I) am ready (see Binky, I can do it!). Next year, I'll be on the search for a job. Or going back to school. It all depends on what Husband's work situation is like at that time and whether he's working or in school (finally!!!).
So back to what I haven't done. I haven't ordered any new uniforms. Most of the stuff I need is winter gear, so I should be able to squeak by on ordering until September at least. Except, she wants the new jumper. The new jumper is ugly. Real ugly. I haven't gotten Meenie or Moe any new school clothes yet. I'm sort of waiting until Target opens in October. That and they are just going to be wearing shorts the first few weeks anyway. I did make them some new skirts and dresses (before I broke my sewing machine - need to get it fixed as Moe's first day of school outfit is not done) since I hate trying to find one's that I think are an acceptable length without spending an arm and a leg on them.
I did order Moe's backpack and lunch box and Meenies lunch box. Einey and Meenie are reusing their old backpacks/lunch box. Meenie got a new lunch box this year as she cannot seem to remember that if you open a juice box, throw it away!
I have brought everything on their back to school lists. Well almost everything...
Here's what we needed to supply.
Second Grade:
Kindergarten:
Preschool:
I haven't gotten that list yet, but if I remember correctly, it's only a few items.
Next weekend, we have our annual back to school party planned. But I'm not sure what I'm doing for games this time, I know I want to do something with books. So, I still need to order a ton of books. Books for preschoolers, kindergarteners, first, second and fourth graders, as well as a few for younger siblings. I pretty much know what I am buying, but could use some advice for the fourth graders. Anyone? Last year I did a school supply scavenger hunt and it was fun, I just wanted something different this year.
Anyway, 14 more days...
So, while I think the kids are missing their friends, I've realized how much I like our laize-faire lifestyle. No plans, wake up when you want, and do what you want days. Hitting the beach or staying in your pj's all day. It's been fun, with out needing a clock to answer to - and half the time, I haven't even realized what day it was! I know it will be a huge transition to get used to being up, fed and out the door by 8:15 every morning.
Plus, this is my first year with no kids. Well, no kids three mornings a week. While I love spending time with Moe, I think she needs to be around other kids and other adults. I think she (and I) am ready (see Binky, I can do it!). Next year, I'll be on the search for a job. Or going back to school. It all depends on what Husband's work situation is like at that time and whether he's working or in school (finally!!!).
So back to what I haven't done. I haven't ordered any new uniforms. Most of the stuff I need is winter gear, so I should be able to squeak by on ordering until September at least. Except, she wants the new jumper. The new jumper is ugly. Real ugly. I haven't gotten Meenie or Moe any new school clothes yet. I'm sort of waiting until Target opens in October. That and they are just going to be wearing shorts the first few weeks anyway. I did make them some new skirts and dresses (before I broke my sewing machine - need to get it fixed as Moe's first day of school outfit is not done) since I hate trying to find one's that I think are an acceptable length without spending an arm and a leg on them.
I did order Moe's backpack and lunch box and Meenies lunch box. Einey and Meenie are reusing their old backpacks/lunch box. Meenie got a new lunch box this year as she cannot seem to remember that if you open a juice box, throw it away!
I have brought everything on their back to school lists. Well almost everything...
Here's what we needed to supply.
Second Grade:
- 5 No. 2 Pencils Please Sharpen (need to pull some out of the pencil box here)
- 3 Black Erasable Pens
- 2 Red Pens
- 1 Large Eraser
- 1 Pair of Scissors
- 3 Glue Sticks
- 1 Box of 24 Crayons
- 1 Box of 8 Washable Markers
- 2 Thin Blue Whiteboard markers (were a pain in the ass to find)
- 2 Marbled Journal Notebooks (not marbled but still composition notebooks)
- 1 Plastic Shoe Box to hold Supplies
- 5 Folders with Pockets (5? Yikes!)
- 1 Box of Zip-Lock Quart Size Bags
- 1 Box of Tissues
- 1 Container of Disinfecting Wipes
- 1 Hand Held Pencil Sharpener
Kindergarten:
- Backpack
- 1 Pocket Folder with name clearly visible on front
- 1 pair blunt Fiskars scissors
- Art Shirt (Need to buy a new shirt with intent of it getting destroyed!)
- Box of 16 Crayola Crayons
- Box of Kleenex
- 1 Set Wide Washable Markers
- 1 Set of Watercolor paints and brush
- $10 for items for Oriental Trading
- 1 Pencil
- 1 Sponge
- 2 (4 oz) White Elmers Glue
- 1 Container of Disinfecting Wipes
- 4 Glue Sticks
- 12x12 top loading scrapbook
- 3 boxes of clear adhesive dots (packed 300 or more)
- $10 for scrap booking supplies
- Nap Mat if she's going to nap (she's not)
Preschool:
I haven't gotten that list yet, but if I remember correctly, it's only a few items.
Next weekend, we have our annual back to school party planned. But I'm not sure what I'm doing for games this time, I know I want to do something with books. So, I still need to order a ton of books. Books for preschoolers, kindergarteners, first, second and fourth graders, as well as a few for younger siblings. I pretty much know what I am buying, but could use some advice for the fourth graders. Anyone? Last year I did a school supply scavenger hunt and it was fun, I just wanted something different this year.
Anyway, 14 more days...
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
It's Been Awhile....
Hey down there, miss me? I know, it's been awhile since I've been down to visit. Please don't be mad. It's just , well, I've never really enjoyed our time spent together. Don't look at me like that. Yeah I know. Well I've got some news, I'll be down to visit more often now. Yeah you see, Einey has these nice dress shirts. And well, you know, the wrinkles don't come out themselves. And thats where you come in.
I've never been the best ironer. In fact I hate it. H - A - T - E. Hate. It. Maybe it's because I've never really learned the proper way to iron. I sort of BS my way through it. And really, there are just some wrinkles I can't get out. Plus I seem to add some. I only use it if I have to. Days when we have somewhere important to be. Days where we need to wear something besides t-shirts and jeans.
Now that daughter has to wear a uniform, I'm going to have to get better acquainted with my iron. It's a good thing she wears a jumper over most of the shirt so you can't really see if I miss a spot. And the arms. Oh the arms. How do I fit the teenie- tiny arms over the big end of the iron board? I tried tonight, I really did. And I think I did alright. But I didn't touch the sleeves. They are puffy sleeves and well, have lots of pleats. And they're small. Oh so small.
Maybe in the next 8-12 years I'll finally come to master it. Or I'll get smart and find all wrinkle free gear.
I've never been the best ironer. In fact I hate it. H - A - T - E. Hate. It. Maybe it's because I've never really learned the proper way to iron. I sort of BS my way through it. And really, there are just some wrinkles I can't get out. Plus I seem to add some. I only use it if I have to. Days when we have somewhere important to be. Days where we need to wear something besides t-shirts and jeans.
Now that daughter has to wear a uniform, I'm going to have to get better acquainted with my iron. It's a good thing she wears a jumper over most of the shirt so you can't really see if I miss a spot. And the arms. Oh the arms. How do I fit the teenie- tiny arms over the big end of the iron board? I tried tonight, I really did. And I think I did alright. But I didn't touch the sleeves. They are puffy sleeves and well, have lots of pleats. And they're small. Oh so small.
Maybe in the next 8-12 years I'll finally come to master it. Or I'll get smart and find all wrinkle free gear.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Back to School
I can hardly believe it's time to go back to school already. Last June, I dreaded summer break. It seemed like whenever the three of them were home at the same time, they were always arguing. So I dreaded the almost three months of them being together every day. But I was wrong. They played well together all summer long. Sure, they had their moments, but they were few and far between.
Today we ran around doing some last minute things - haircuts, new soccer cleats (because I naively assumed that their feet wouldn't grow a shoe size and a half over the summer), and grabbing some lunch money for the week.
Yesterday we threw a end of summer - back to school BBQ with a few friends from school. It was nice. Everyone brought a dish, the kids played and the parents talked. I think it was the first time Husband actually got to sit down with other parents. We littered the back yard with school supplies and sent the kids on a scavenger hunt - which they loved! The weather cooperated. We were so worried with the reports of rain and thunderstorms, but in the end, aside fro ma few sprinkles right at the beginning, it was gorgeous. We couldn't have asked for a better day!
We are still waiting on two more things before I can declare us ready for school.
We need the backpack from L.L Bean to arrive for Meenie. Note the time next to the delivery date? I hope not!
We are still waiting on the short sleeve shirts for the formal uniform. The one's I ordered back in March. Only to pull out of the closet last week and realize that the collar is wrong. A call to customer service and not only did they allow me to return them for a full refund, they would send me the news one's right away. But then. They only had L and XL. For Einey - my XS first grader. And of course, this was the ONE time I didn't have a list of items I needed to order from ON. But wait, I can pick them up at a store near by. Oh wait, the closest store that has them in stock is Billerica? Um where is that? Luck was in my favor though as I was able to call the store and not only did they have the four shirts I needed in the color and size I needed, but they let me place my order over the phone. Hopefully I'll be lucky and will receive my order before school starts. If not, she can always wear the "summer" uniform. There is always that option.
I love the fact that they will being wearing uniforms (well the oldest one at least) as it means I don't have to spend hours with them deciding what to wear. They have a choice - navy shorts and a white polo (pants for winter) or a jumper and button down shirt and then gym uniform on Wednesdays.
As for the kids, are they ready? Meenie can't wait. It will be her first foray away from us for any amount of time. She's very excited and hates that she has to wait an extra week. Einey on the other hand is not as excited. She welcomed kindergarten last year with open arms. This year, she is afraid of work. She's afraid that first grade will be all work and no play.
We have one more full day home together before Einey starts school on Wednesday. Meenie starts the following Wednesday for three consecutive 1/2 days. So it will just be Moe and I. Uncharted territory. And I look forward to spending some quality time with her.
Today we ran around doing some last minute things - haircuts, new soccer cleats (because I naively assumed that their feet wouldn't grow a shoe size and a half over the summer), and grabbing some lunch money for the week.
Yesterday we threw a end of summer - back to school BBQ with a few friends from school. It was nice. Everyone brought a dish, the kids played and the parents talked. I think it was the first time Husband actually got to sit down with other parents. We littered the back yard with school supplies and sent the kids on a scavenger hunt - which they loved! The weather cooperated. We were so worried with the reports of rain and thunderstorms, but in the end, aside fro ma few sprinkles right at the beginning, it was gorgeous. We couldn't have asked for a better day!
We are still waiting on two more things before I can declare us ready for school.
We need the backpack from L.L Bean to arrive for Meenie. Note the time next to the delivery date? I hope not!
We are still waiting on the short sleeve shirts for the formal uniform. The one's I ordered back in March. Only to pull out of the closet last week and realize that the collar is wrong. A call to customer service and not only did they allow me to return them for a full refund, they would send me the news one's right away. But then. They only had L and XL. For Einey - my XS first grader. And of course, this was the ONE time I didn't have a list of items I needed to order from ON. But wait, I can pick them up at a store near by. Oh wait, the closest store that has them in stock is Billerica? Um where is that? Luck was in my favor though as I was able to call the store and not only did they have the four shirts I needed in the color and size I needed, but they let me place my order over the phone. Hopefully I'll be lucky and will receive my order before school starts. If not, she can always wear the "summer" uniform. There is always that option.
I love the fact that they will being wearing uniforms (well the oldest one at least) as it means I don't have to spend hours with them deciding what to wear. They have a choice - navy shorts and a white polo (pants for winter) or a jumper and button down shirt and then gym uniform on Wednesdays.
As for the kids, are they ready? Meenie can't wait. It will be her first foray away from us for any amount of time. She's very excited and hates that she has to wait an extra week. Einey on the other hand is not as excited. She welcomed kindergarten last year with open arms. This year, she is afraid of work. She's afraid that first grade will be all work and no play.
We have one more full day home together before Einey starts school on Wednesday. Meenie starts the following Wednesday for three consecutive 1/2 days. So it will just be Moe and I. Uncharted territory. And I look forward to spending some quality time with her.
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