Sunday, October 17, 2004
PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IN SCHOOL OFFERS GREAT REWARDS
Tuesday, October 12
This week I enjoyed the pleasure of being a "guest reader" in Hunter's kindergarten class. Thanks to Miss Melody and a very supportive husband, I've managed to do a little volunteering up at the school in Hunter's class. This week I read three Halloween books to the kids and had a wonderful time. They are all so cute and they have so much to share and they think you are so cool--no matter what. This whole Kindergarten thing has been wonderful--I can't believe I ever worried about letting Hunter go. His teacher said Hunter is doing great and that he has gotten much better following directions and keeping the rules. Mark and I can't believe how well he behaves in Primary now--he sits still, raises his hand when he has something to say and he sings all the songs. He still struggles at home, but he is getting better every day and I feel so grateful to Mrs. B for all the things she has done with Hunter that we as parents haven't been able to do ourselves. I'm already looking forward to the next time I get to go and read. I'm planning on taking the 5 little ghosts story and I know they are going to love it (thanks, Mom!)
The school also allows parents to come and eat lunch with their children and I think that is the greatest thing. It is so much fun to sit with Hunter in the lunchroom and watch him interact with all of his little buddies and talk with the little kids and help them open their applesauce and milk cartons. Hunter gets so excited on the days that I get to eat with him and he loves showing me where to buy milk and telling me all the rules of the school and correcting me when I do something wrong. I almost know all of the kids in his class by name and they all know who I am. It's all so much fun.
MOTHER OF 5 YEAR OLD DIABETIC FINALLY GETS A GOOD REPORT CARD
Wednesday, October 13
Yup, it's that time of year again--the dreaded Diabetes clinic and the "mommy report card." Without looking at Hunter's numbers I would probably tell you that I had pretty good control over his diabetes. But, after Mark printed out his Glucose log and all the "highs" were highlighted by bright yellow I lost any and all of the confidence I had in myself. So, my stomach was in knots the entire way up to Yale and through the first 15 minutes of his appointment. Then, Hunter asked if his A1C test was done and Katie showed him the numbers. Mark saw them next. I was sort of hiding in the corner, dreading the results and the disappointment that would follow with the nurse. But, to my surprise Mark smiled and told me I'd better come take a look. And what to my wondering eyes should appear but a 6.6 (normal A1C is 6)! We've hovered around an 8 for the past 4 years and the lowest we've ever gotten was a 7.2. I couldn't believe it! A 6.6--that's an A on my report card. That's like going from a C to an A. It was a wonderful feeling. We're finally getting it! It probably helps that I'm keeping tighter control because he's at school all day and I don't want the nurse freaking out because his sugar is too high. But I think the glucometer that attatches to his pump also helps, as well as the new infusion sets. Whatever it is, I can't describe what a wonderful relief it is to get such a good grade after so many failed attempts.
KINDERGARTEN CELEBRATES FALL WITH FIELD TRIP TO BISHOP'S ORCHARD
Thursday, October 14
2 hours on a schoolbus, 45 minutes on a chilly hayride, 60-5 year olds and a bunch of apples--that's Hunter's field trip to Bishop's Orchard in a nutshell. The kids had a blast and even the adults learned something new. On the way home I taught the kindergartners how to make Semi's honk and through Bridgeport we managed to get several tractor-trailors to honk at us. It helps to be eye-level with the truck drivers and have 30 kids all doing the same thing. How could they not honk? When we returned to the school I got to stay and eat lunch with Hunter one more time and help Mrs. B send off the short day kids. I think we've finally made a little connection and I'm starting to feel a lot more comfortable with her. I really like her and the way she handles the children and the classroom--she's a great teacher.
 
THE DANGER OF PET-SITTING
Thursday, October 14
We are pet-sitting Kathy's cat this week while she's in Utah. The kids seem to have a love-hate relationship with Sib and I'm afraid by the time Kathy gets back he will have used up most of his 9 lives. Denver especially seems to have it out for the poor cat. Anytime the cat runs by Denver he tries to kick him. The other day the cat was hiding under a blanket by the couch. When Denver caught on, he immediately climbed onto the couch and started jumping off, trying to smash Sib. Then, when Sib stuck his head out, Denver ran over and stomped on his head. The boys love to team up and try and catch Sib in the pet carrier and then, once they have him, they carry him around the house, pausing every once in awhile to watch him. Last night, Sib was trying desperately to sleep with Noah. Noah did not want the cat in his bed so I had to keep moving Sib elsewhere. After 3 or 4 attempts at trying to sleep with Noah I had to lock the cat in the bathroom for the rest of the night. Poor Sib. But then again, he's getting lots of loving and what cat doesn't like being chased and played with constantly? It sure beats sitting alone in an empty apartment all day.
A FUN FALL PROJECT FOR YOUR LITTLE ONES
Friday, October 15
With the Fall foliage in full season, a craft that involves the fallen leaves is a welcome one. Kathy and I came up with this one and it is simple enough that even Denver was able to participate. All you need is a couple of Fall leaves, some cardstock, a spongebrush and some Mod Podge. As soon as the leaves start falling off the trees, I love to take the kids on "leaf walks" and collect some of the pretty leaves to dry. It only takes a couple of days for them to dry out and I just press them between pages in our giant Bible and Book of Mormon. As soon as they are dry they'll be paper thin and perfect for this project. All you do is fold the cardstock in half to make a card. You can make it smaller if you'd like, for mailing purposes. Then position one or two (or more) leaves on the card. It's easiest if you secure them with double sided tape but if you have bigger kids you can probably get away without the tape. Then, let the kids paint over the front of the entire card with Mod Podge. For super fancy cards, once the painting is done but before the glue is dry, let the kids sprinkle glitter over the card. When the Mod Podge is dry the card is glossy and the leaves are preserved beautifully to send to a friend. We spent the afternoon making these cards and decorating sugar cookies for a friend that was sick. The kids enjoyed the project and were so excited to share them with their friends. Give it a try. I made a bunch of my own one night when the kids were in bed and can't wait to send them out myself.
  
PUMPKIN PICKING, HAYMAZE, DONUTS: FALL FUN FOR EVERYONE
Saturday, October 16
Today we went to Benedicts Farm to pick pumpkins and play in the haymaze. The kids love playing there and burning some of their energy climbing over hay bales and crawling through tunnels. Melanie met us there with her little bundle (Jorjito) and we all had fun watching the kids throw hay at each other and climb and jump and play. Noah picked out his pumpkins first and was excited to show us that he could carry them all by himself. Hunter picked out a tall skinny one and Mark picked out his traditional ugly one which he'll turn into a scary jack-o-lantern in a couple of weeks. We visited the "petting zoo" (which isn't really a petting zoo) and saw the pigs and chickens and peacocks. Mark saved Hunter's pumpkin which rolled off the wagon and into the fish pond and Noah and Denver tossed a couple of rocks into the lake. Then we headed off to Toys-R-Us for their "buy 1 get 1 free" game sale and then stopped by Krispy Kreme for some donuts. It was a great way to spend a chilly Saturday afternoon.
   
 
BUSY DAD STILL FINDS TIME FOR FAMILY AND CHURCH
Sunday, October 17
I have to take a few minutes to praise Mark for all the hard work he does for his family. He's working ever so hard on his SOX report and it seems like the audit is always hanging over his head. But you'd never guess it by the way he treats his family. He let me sleep in this morning and did all of the dishes for the entire weekend. He made dinner for the kids last night and let me watch "Trading Spaces" last night even though he really wanted to watch a movie. Today he made me Belgian Waffles and even found time to attend Stake Choir Practice. He seems excited to participate even though he will only be able to perform on one of the nights. He took Hunter on his first field trip (to the Fire Station) and babysat so I could take Hunter to Bishop's Orchard. He took time off of work so he could be there for Hunter's diabetes clinic and tonight he read the kids their bedtime story and tucked them in. We're so lucky to have such a wonderful man in our lives!
INEXPENSIVE TICKETS: GET YOUR'S TODAY
Sunday, October 17
This morning, quite by accident, I came across some really inexpensive tickets to Radio City Music Hall's Christmas Spectacular in New York. I've been wanting to go for the past 2 years but never could afford the outing. Tickets run around $80.00 and can cost up to $140 each. Anyway, this morning I was on Stop and Shop's website looking for a recipe that I wanted when I noticed an ad that said they had tickets for the Christmas Spectacular. So, I checked it out and was really excited to find Orchestra Level (just right of center stage) tickets for $34 each! That is a really great price--trust me, I've been looking for awhile! Anyway, for $200 (there's a $7 fee added on to each ticket) we are taking all three of the kids to the show in NYC. How fun will that be? You can also try buying tickets through ticketmaster and entering the promotion code DMVALUE for cheap tickets--although I doubt they will be as good as the ones we snagged. So, if you are interested in going to the Christmas Spectacular check out Stop and Shop's website and snag some tickets of your own before they're gone. It's a fantastic show for the entire family and a great way to kick off the Holiday season.
TOOTH FAIRY TO VISIT HENRICHSEN HOME SHORTLY
Sunday, October 17
Back in August the dentist informed us that Hunter had two loose teeth. Since then they have become very wobbley and should be falling out any day now. Hunter has mixed feelings about the whole situation and up until today has been vigorously wiggling the two teeth. When I told him they would be coming out soon, he changed his mind and refuses to let me see or touch them. Either way, they are very loose and I suppose that means we'd better get busy making a tooth fairy pillow and figuring out the price of a tooth nowadays.
posted by Shana # 9:21 PM 
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