A few action shots another parent took on Saturday!

#bestdadever

Because the Pope's visit has most of Philadelphia on lockdown (literally - roads are closed and entire neighborhoods are fenced off!), both Scott and my workplaces are closed today and Monday.  Since he rarely takes a school day off, I arranged for the kids to make the most of it!

First, he walked Emma to school, which I normally don't have time to do because I have to take Toby straight to school after and then head to work.  She wanted to ride her bike, so they both rode and I met them there with the car!

After Emma went in, we put the bikes in the car and took Toby to school.

Ahead of time I contacted both their teachers and asked if Scott could be a guest reader on either day, since he would never normally be able.  They were both happy to accommodate him!

Today was Emma's turn, and we didn't tell her!  Scott heard the teacher building the excitement in the room before he came in, and as you can imagine, Emma was super excited to see him.

He brought the two books she had selected for me to read when I come in (I'm so sneaky!), but Scott being Scott he also took some props!

For the second book he puts on a tie.  The kids were confused - but the book was about getting dressed up for a wedding!

I didn't take the pictures.  Apparently when the props came out, the teacher started taking some!  So I asked her to send them to me!

Apparently one boy said "I wish he was my dad!"  I'm sure it won't hurt Emma socially to have the best dad ever!!  And I'm sure Emma will be talking about this for weeks.  

Scott's scheduled to read for Toby's Class on Monday!

Shop til you drop

With autumn knocking on the door, it seemed like I should get Emma some clothes for the new season.  Apparently her school is very warm in the winter, so I don't have to get her too many sweaters, but certainly she can't wear shorts and tank tops all winter!

I think this process gets harder every autumn.  Emma turns 8 in a few weeks, and the 7/8 clothes are too tight, but as this picture shows, manufacturers seem to think all 8 year olds are about 50% taller than Emma is

The next size up is 10/12 - they don't care about 9 year olds!  But those sweatpants were as long as Emma from shoulder to toe!  I know what you're thinking - just take them up, right?  Wrong!  The crotch is about 12" from waistband.  Since Emma finds it uncomfortable to wear things on her waist, she wear them on her hips.  And that's only leggings or sweatpants.  She has never been able to find trousers or jeans she liked.

In the past few years she's gone from wearing leggings daily to not liking the feel around her ankles.  Frustrated, I told her today that she would have to get over it because she can't wear a dress for gym, even with tights!  We established that she is fine with capris, so I agreed to cut the bottoms off the leggings!  

And so she bought some interesting leggings!

Shirts are slightly easier, as I just look for a tunic fit with 3/4 sleeves!

We had some fun though too!

Such a gift!

So we were notified that Emma is eligible for the elementary enrichment program, after her final gifted assessment.  I wasn't really sure what that means, so I looked it up on the school website...

All 2^nd through 4^th grade S.E.E.K. students are learning about a topic of their own choosing.  Each student is responsible for finding at least three resources, writing facts, creating a Power Point or Prezi presentation and a visual aid.  All projects will be presented to their classmates the first week in March.  This is an exciting time for all the S.E.E.K. students!

The second graders are learning how to research.  They learn about the different tools available to them to complete non-fiction research.  These include online encyclopedias and dictionaries, Destiny (the library's catalog) and Brainpop. 

Students will choose individual topics about which they must find at least fifteen new and interesting facts.  They will then create a Power Point presentation and a visual aid.  There is enough time built into our schedule to allow all work to be completed in class.

So, that sounds intense and a lot of work - I hope it's all done in class, because Emma is not a fan of homework even normally!!  I can only imagine what topic she might pick!

Cool rider

The other day we saw a little boy from down the street riding his bike on two wheels.  He is younger than Toby and we realized that we need to get on the ball with getting his training wheels off his bike!  He goes very fast and shows no fear, so it's only our lack of time that has restricted him. 

The very next day, Scott's dad sent us this video!! 




Of course when Scott got home, he immediately had to take it up a level with a ramp!  (eye roll!)


As for Emma, she is still very nervous on her bike, even with training wheels, but she also spends a lot less time on a bike than Toby, so I'm giving her grace for that!  Hopefully competitiveness will kick in!

Toby had his first soccer game today.  Scott is the head coach, and there are 17 boys on the team!  With 10 teams in the division (all kindergarten or first grade), that's a lot of kids, but one of the boys on our team is also in Toby's class!  And he is a super star!  The two of them worked well as a team, with Toby setting Will up for at least one goal. I'm just glad Toby enjoyed it and has a new friend for school!

Sad sack

Today was Toby's first solo day at school.

He would not smile at all.  I barely got him to look at the camera!!

He went in with one of the teachers that was greeting the kids just fine.  No backward glance, just a slight wave as he was lead away.

Because we didn't have to wait to go in, like last year, it was easier for me.  Hopefully him too!

From last Wednesday!

Emma met her new teacher today and saw her classroom and classmates.  She was a tiny bit nervous beforehand but was soon very comfortable and realized she knew many of the kids already.  That makes me feel better - less chance of teasing, and before I even got to work two of the girls moms had  sent me facebook friend requests! 

I don't know how it was 30 years ago, but here and now, it seems like many kids friendships are forged through relationships between parents.  Kids see each other at sports, the playground or play dates.  Of course nowhere does it say that you have to participate, however, I feel that to not make efforts to help emma have good friends (not mere acquaintances) I may be letting her down!  

The same goes for Toby - this isn't just a Moebius thing, though of course girls are much more complicated socially, so it's kind of easy with Toby.  Not to mention that Emma is at the lazy teenager stage a little ahead of her active running around peers!  She refuses aimless activity, team sports etc!

Anyway, her teacher was very nice, and later I got a text from Kim (Scott's baby sister, well, 19yo sister) saying that she had that teacher in second grade AND she is the reason she's always wanted to be a teacher!  Doesn't that bode well?!

We stopped by the nurse and I filled her in on how she might be needed on a regular basis (eye drops, teeth wiping after lunch, constipation!).  She was very sweet and patient so that's good.  How reassuring to have a full time nurse in the school, right down the hall from the classroom.

I understand better why summer break is so long here.  At 9:30am Emma's classroom was 82f!  There is no air conditioning in these older schools, and it's just too hot.  Unfortunately the weather is not constrained by school schedules and it looks like a heatwave next week!

First Days

Tuesday was Emma's first day of second grade.  We found out who her teacher was last week and stopped in to meet her.  We chatted a bit but I didn't really get the opportunity to share any of my practical concerns for Emma this year. 

I was planning to wait until they were a few  days in before reaching out to her, but Monday night I couldn't sleep due to anxiety.  So I penned an email (can you pen and email?!), apologising for bugging her on the first day of school, but explaining that it would be helpful if Emma could use a cup at the water fountain and that if someone could please help her wipe her teeth and mouth if needed.

I was able to sleep after that - better to be the pesky parent than let my girl struggle at school.  As it turned out I got an email from her on Tuesday afternoon assuring me that I was not a bother and to reach out anytime.  She even gave all the class cups for the water fountain, which was perfect!

Emma was excited for her first day, and let me take some pictures!

So cute, but Toby had to be "persuaded" to let her touch him for a picture!

We headed off to school and as we rounded the corner she took off!

When I went to pick her up at 3:30pm there was some confusion about which door I was supposed to meet her at, but she was safe hanging out with the principal until we figured it out!  I asked her how it went and she was very happy, except for the heat.  It was 91°F on Tuesday, 94°F today!  And the school has no air conditioning.  It is hot in there, and Emma is very fussy about drinking only ice cold water!  Thankfully I sent a thermos of ice water with her, and she refilled it at the fountain.  Hopefully autumn will arrive soon and they will be more comfortable.

In other news, the girl she was most excited about having in her class again had a new haircut.  Apparently emma told her she liked it, but didn't think it suited her - too boyish and assured her it would grow back.  😳. She has certainly inherited my bluntness, so we'll see what happens there!

The same girl though, told Emma today that she has a cute smile, and Emma promptly decided that she does not want to change it now, "you know, with surgery!"  As great as that is, I can't help but assume the reverse will be true with a direct insult.  We shall see.

As for Toby... He had his kindergarten orientation. 

 I went to school with him and stayed as he and half his class met the teacher, checked out the room and got comfortable in the new environment. 

He was really shy and quiet until Brendan, his buddy from pre-school arrived, and is in the same class.  

By chance they are even locker buddies, sharing a locker.

He is still unsure about the whole thing, but I arranged to work from home the rest of this week so that when he and the whole class go in together in Thursday I will be able to pick him up, Friday too.

Since Toby got AM (kindergarten is either 9-11:30am or 1-3:30pm), I get to take both kids to school every day.  I'm so thankful that I also get to pick Em up, and from next year, Toby too.  While staying home would be pleasant, I like being able to combine work and being home when the kids are.  It is literally the best of both worlds and I am very thankful.

Wonderful Day

With summer drawing to a close (3 days until school!) we wanted to squeeze in yet more fun and memories for the kids.  At the last minute, we decided to hit the road Saturday morning for Dutch Wonderland, a family theme park in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  The home of the Amish community, and about 75 minute drive, Lancaster is very rural, but DW has been there for years.

It wasn't cheap (unless comparing it to Disney!), but we were there for 7 good hours and we all had a great time.  Our schedules are so spread out that we rarely get time alone just the four of us, but it's great with the kids right now, still friends and excited by every new thing!

We actually bumped into really good friends there, and Melissa took this picture for us.  It cracks me up, mainly Toby!

The kids love these things!!

We did some rides...

We actually got Toby on the log flume.  He really was forced into it, but he handled it well!!

I took Em on the big roller coaster - Toby would never!!

Scott got a little shooting in!

We saw this place (I have an Uncle Andy, so this was cool to me!)

Another family selfie - see Scott and Em in the chair lift behind us?!

Em and I went on this ride and I nearly threw up.  My head is still off after several hours!

For some reason I agreed to go on one of those swinging boat things at the end of the day - well, it's a good thing I had not just eaten!!

Emma wanted to meet the DW Princess!

 

And I finally got to use the minivan for its ideal purpose - car picnic!!

You aren't allowed to take food in to the park, so we ate our packed lunch (aren't you proud Mum?!) in the car.  It was crazy hot so we sat in the car in cool air conditioning!!

They have some awesome animatronic dinosaurs

I let each kid pick a toy from the gift shop.  Em couldn't find anything in price range and was going to buy junk.  I persuaded her to wait, saying if let her buy something worthwhile at a shop tomorrow.  She agreed, and was glad she did when we found this dress at Cracker Barrel (where we went for dinner), for $20!

A little over budget, but I know she'll use it a lot!

Got home at 10pm, tired and my knee is sore, but memories made!

Emma had her palate expander glued in place today before we knew it.

 

No pain, and she was talking very well almost immediately.  She'll still need some practice but I'm very encouraged.

If the day ended there it would've been great.  We got home before 10:30, but I then had to take Toby to get three vaccinations.  At his check up in August he got the MMR and I deferred the other 3 he was due.

We got there and a nurse I didn't know showed us to a room.  We waited and she came back quite a while later (enough time to thoroughly flick through People magazine) with another nurse and three shots.

Toby got two in one leg and one in the other.  We waited then to get a print of the vaccine record, and the nurse came back and asked us to go into another room.

She explained that she had not mixed the varicella vaccine with the water, and had only given him water in one shot.  So she has to give him a forth!  He took it very well!

On the way out, she handed me three pieces of paper, with details about vaccines. When I realize that one of the papers was about to MMR, I inquired as to whether or not they had just given him MMR today. Soon established that she had, I was livid.

They showed us back to the room, to wait while they informed the doctor about what happened. I don't sure is a really great guy, we go to them because of that, even though it's quite far from our house. When he came in he knew immediately how I was going to be feeling, and was very apologetic. I was so angry. I hate vaccinations, and the MMR is the worst.

He assured me that Toby would be "just fine", and that the nurse would be sent home and not return to the office.  It did little to soothe my fears and I'll be watching Toby like a hawk.

I know "they" say there's no link between autism and vaccinations.  They also said smoking was no health risk at first.

I wish I had thought to always check what nurses are injecting into my kids.  I will from now on.

If you can, say a prayer for Emma today.  She's getting phase two of her orthodontics today, the palate expander.

It will look just like this

Twice a week we will turn the thing in the middle and it will slowly push her palate out.  She has a high arch palate (higher than normal, but thankfully not cleft), and this will also bring that down.  Her prominent buck teeth will have room to move back into alignment (with the fixed braces that come next), and will hopefully correct her overbite.

She's nervous.  And we don't know how much her speech or eating will be affected.

So, prayers if you've got 'em!