Get Air and Last Week's Fun

A Kindergarten buddy that we met this summer invited Amelia to her birthday party at Get Air Anchorage.

I had never heard of the place before, but after viewing their website (and signing a "death could result" waiver) it's apparently nationwide.  Obviously, Amelia had a blast.

Trying to have her do as many things as she can with classmates, keeping the transition of Kindergarten going smoothly.  However, I think I goofed when I signed her up for soccer.  

She's in the flower raincoat...it was pouring the first day which might not have helped.  

I signed her up as she has been asking to do soccer with her long time buddy, Kayla (in pink).  Since I really didn't think she would have any difficulties going to Kindergarten, I thought this was one way they could see each other regularly.  With that first 2 weeks of Kindergarten anxiety still running thru her brain, she claimed for a couple days she didn't want to go.  It was pouring and when I picked her up after school, she said "YES! Let's go see Kayla!"  She seemed to have a good time.  

Next practice two days later ... cried.  Since she was just getting better at getting dropped off at school, I didn't push it.  We would try the next week ...still didn't want to go.  OK.  What to do.  She has always loved going to dance and ice skating.  Maybe it was the newness of soccer and along with kindergarten..just too much NEW.

I had already signed her up for another dance school where she took last summer, but that would be a new teacher too.  So, I enrolled her back where she was familiar.  She loved it...she was back to normal.  AND she loved the other dance school where I took her for her first class this Saturday.  Hmmm...could it be she just doesn't like soccer??? :)  Will try this summer if she wants to or wait a year or so when and if she expresses and interest.  Will be back at ice skating too after a few weeks of familiar :)

It has been a beautiful Fall (snow is forecasted for Tuesday sigh).   We posed for the camera...unwillingly while playing tag.

And took full advantage of a light breeze.

You can't really see it, but she is carrying around her stuffed giraffe in her jacket.

Then Dad came out to play.

Yesterday was a windy, blustery, Winnie the Pooh kind of day and Amelia said "this would not be a good day for badminton or kite flying"  hahaha..true.  We had a concert instead.  With special guest, Baymax, of Big Hero 6 fame.

Next...pictures of a bookcase redo.

Spongebob...Painting....Open House and a Pizza Party...whew

I was planning a post mid-week, but had jury duty which gave me a bit of an idea of what life would be like if I went back to work.  Think I will stay home for awhile :)  A unanimous vote of "waste of time" was what myself and 5 other jurors conveyed to the court.  A fender bender should never come to a courtroom.   

I digress...

The week prior we managed an array of fun.

  I finished my niece's birthday invites.

The hardest part was finding yellow sponges!  Other than that quite easy.  Downloaded the Spongebob font and then printed on card stock and glued to the sponge.  Printed the "envelope" on regular paper with the addresses.  The post office ladies got a kick out of it :)

Amelia was VERY inspired by her first art class at school. 

She had to have her hair up and her fake glasses on just like her teacher.  However,  when I met her teacher...she didn't have either.  She did say they read a book with character that did...guessing that is where she got the look from.

There was also Open House!

 Notice the Lego Apple?  That's ours in case you wouldn't have guessed.  It was a family project and Dad's idea :)

Lastly, we managed a playdate / dinner with our neighbor buds.  Complete with "make your own pizza". 

Next:  A birthday party at Get Air.

The Great Alaskan State Fair

It was pouring when we began our half hour drive North to Palmer for the Alaskan State Fair on Sunday.  Miraculously, it stopped as soon as we got there.  Better do the pony rides first just in case it starts again. 

A friend of Amelia's stopped over after her trip to the fair  with her face painted a few days prior to us going...it was all Amelia talked about.  So, naturally...

Then we headed to the Merry-Go-Round...but first let's do some games.

We have a winner!

Merry-Go-Round ... check.

Train ride...check.

Dumbo...check.

Time for a hot dog and onto the farm building and the petting zoo.

And watch a chick hatch.

Then went to look for more horses...

and found an even BETTER pony ride!  

Stayed and watched a horse competition...she loved it.

Headed back toward the exit and grabbed a bag of cotton candy.

Had to do Dumbo and the Merry-Go-Round one more time.

Finally, in true fair tradition....

got carried by Dad to the car, just as the raindrops began once again.  Perfect.

Update:  Amelia has finally turned the corner in Kindergarten.  Happy as can be in the mornings and off to school with a smile.  sigh.

It Has Been Anything But Black and White

By the title I mean...what appears simple (black and white) is really quite complex.  These 2 peas in a pod (pic taken a few days prior to the start of school) cause little disturbances, quite expected outcomes and generally...statistically predictable. 

Until ... Kindergarten.

It has been a long week for both families (especially moms) with texts back and forth, unanticipated playdates and google searching.   

Let me explain.  

(playdate before Kindergarten)

Amelia and Kayla met at Tiny Tots, a dance/gymnastics class.  They immediately gravitated toward one another and have been buddies ever since, even attending pre-school together, where it was as if they met their long lost friend ... for the first time...every morning. There was NEVER an ounce of sadness when they headed to the gates of their beloved Pre-school.  

Off to Kindergarten.  Amelia to one school and Kayla to another.  At this very moment I truly do not feel that it is the loss of "their buddy" that has made this first week of Kindergarten memorable, I believe it's that they are of equal personalities and thus react the same.   A reaction that we never anticipated.

Crying every day when walking into school.  They are both fine when they get in, fine when they get out.  We tried compassion, firmness and incentives.  

We met at Kayla's school playground after school.

We met at Amelia's.

..yet still the complaints "too long" "miss you mom" "don't know anyone" and "it's not preschool". 

So, I tried to make it a bit more like preschool.  Not heading in until the teacher brings her lined up class into the building and we "sneak" in.  She puts a small stuffed animal in her backpack that only her teacher, Amelia and I know about as she used to bring a different one each day to Pre-school to show her teachers.   It helped.  

We have extra long playtime in the mornings with her stuffed animals too...distraction tactic.

(Find Amelia)

And we talk...a lot. 

Finally, yesterday.  She asked if I would come into lunch.  We had received a note from her teacher that if we the parents could hold off from volunteering in the classroom so she could get the kids used to school.  I assumed this was lunch too, but Amelia said other parents had lunch with their kids.  So, I eagerly accepted...wondering if it would backfire and I would have two moments of separation anxiety.  

It went splendid.  I saw the Amelia that I know ... chatting, teaching (she loves to explain things) and the general silliness  that is expected of her.  I waved and said "bye" and she replied "see you in a bit!" and scampered off to the playground with her new found buddies.  She is a con artist.  

I immediately texted Kayla's mom:  Go have lunch :) 

I think we have turned the corner...she says she loves school.

  I will meet her for lunch a couple times a week...especially the first day of the week.  We will still walk in for a bit and still have extra play in the mornings/evenings and weekends...sigh like the kid doesn't get enough of me :)

Headed to the Great Alaskan State Fair on Sunday...stay tuned.