the one about the BEACH PARTY

Quayd's teacher let the class chose a theme for their end of school party. The voted and decided on a Beach Party. I am the official party planner mom, so Mrs. Murray asked me to come up with a plan. I bought leis and squirt guns for everyone. We played some water games, had a water baloon fight, snacks and tons of fun! Quayd and his teacher Mrs. Murray)




To finish it all off, Brett brought the fire truck and sprayed the kids. They LOVED it! Everyone thought it was pretty cool that Quayd's dad was a fireman and could bring the firetruck just for them! Quayd was pretty proud to have his dad there. (Dad was a just a little proud too!!!)

the one about the reader of the month

Yah. Quayd is awesome! He was the top reader in the 2nd grade at his school for December. All during the month of February, the PTA had some of Quayd's things on display. They asked for a framed picture of him and 3 of his favorite toys or anything that would discribe him. He sent a Lego toy, a Nintendo Wii and DS game and a book. He was having a hard time parting with one of his books for a whole month, but he finally decided on "Hop on Pop" by Dr. Seuss.

Isn't he awesome??? We love him so much and we are so proud him!!!

the one about Dr. Seuss

So once again, it was Dr. Seuss week at Quayd's school. They started the week with crazy sock day. Tuesday was bring a "pet" (stuffed animal) to school, then WaCkY WeDnEsDaY! Thursday was PJ day and Friday was Dress up like your favorite Dr. Seuss character. We always try to get creative with our character and the planning usually takes DAYS! We had a few things in mind this year, but finally decided on "Go Dog Go!" Brayden helped the boys start their cars and I made the dog ears. There was some huge catastrophe with the snow, spray paint and wet/painted cardboard boxes on Danette's carpet, so brayden "resigned" from the job and Danette and I finished it up. The cars turned out pretty cute, considering how wet they had been and how much paint ended up in Danette's entry way. Yikes! Anyway, here is the finished product....

This is Quayd with the Grinch. (Aka. Mrs. Murray)

I was pleased with the finished product, and I know the boys were too. They even won a prize! Since yesterday, The cars have been involved in many races, car wrecks and countless demoliton derbys! The boys have had a BLAST with their costume. And they looked Pretty cute, huh?!?

the one about the snow day

We had a CRAZY storm that started Sunday evening. We got close to a foot of snow in one night. There was so much snow we could bearly get out of our driveway. The roads were so slick! There was even an accident that involved a school bus and a police car! I got Quayd off to school and headed for work. It took me 20 minutes to get to work! I live less than 2 miles away. Anyway, just as I got there, I heard some news on the radio that we NEVER seem to hear in our neck of the woods..... They were closing school and declaring it a

SNOW DAY!

My boss, Tara and I all decided to avoid the confusion later and just go pick our kids up. We set aside a couple of rooms at the hotel and brought all of the kids here. I even picked up Brayden and Brennen. They were so excited! They got to swim, we ordered pizza and they just had fun hanging out. Tara and I were still able to work, and it is a good thing. We were so busy. So many people had to change travel plans because of the storm. The kids did come to visit us at the desk. They wanted treats and Quayd needed Q-tips. Our buddy Spencer even came down to enjoy the fun! These are taken in the breakfast roon during our pizza party.
And these are some pictures from their room.

They took a snow day at Airgas too so Brett came down to swim and play too.

the one about the corn maze

I was so excited today to get to go to Quayd's field trip at the Bluebell corn maze. I have been so lucky to go help in his class every Monday and I knew I couldn't pass up the opportunity to go on my first field trip as a Mom. We packed our lunches this morning, bundled up, (which we didn't need to do after all, because the weather was BEAUTIFUL!) and loaded on the bus. It seemed like we would never get there, but we finally did. One hour on a crowded bus full of 6-7 year olds was my idea of HELL! We took a wagon ride and all of the kids all got to pick a gord from the pumpkin patch. Then we had a little lesson on water and corn to prepare us for the questions we would find in the maze. We had a potty break, and we were off. Our group made it through the maze with no troubles. Luckily, the other mom in our group had already been, so she lead us. After the maze, the kids got to play on the slides, in the corn bin, feed the goats and just run around. They loved it! We loaded back on the buses and went to the Bluebell park for lunch. The kids got to play for awhile, then we loaded back on the hell bus and headed home. It was such a fun day. I am so glad I got to go. Quayd's class had like 6 moms that came to help. One of the other first grade classes didn't have one single mom help. Sad! Quayd has such a great teacher and I am so glad he has such a fun class. I am in charge of his Halloween Party on Friday and I can hardly wait!!!

the one about parent teacher conference

Well, last night, Brett and I went to Quayd's parent teacher conference. I am so delighted to say.... QUAYD IS A GENIUS!

Mrs. Green talked to Brett and I for quite awhile about Quayd. It is so nice when your child's teacher thinks your child is as great as you do! She totally bragged all about Quayd and I was just eating it all up! She told us that he was a good boy in class, he sets a good example, and he is a quick learner. It made us laugh because some of the things she told us were SO BRETT!!! Such as, his handwriting. He can write all of the letters, with no problem, but he just won't take his time and make it nice and tidy. It stresses me out because I am a FREAK about nice handwriting. Brett, on the other had..... not so much. Mrs. Green also told us that Quayd just wants to listen, learn and be done with it. That is so funny because Brett and I do that too. It makes me nuts when someone doesn't pay attention the first time, so it has to be "re-explained." Brett is super smart and he loves to learn, but he hates to waste time. Apparently, Quayd feels the same way. He has lots of good friends in his class. All of the kids seem to love him, which doesn't surprise us at all. He has always been very friendly and sweet and he makes friends very easily. She told us that the other day the class was sitting on the rug and Mrs. Green was asking Quayd something. Everyone was staring at him and he told them all, "You all don't have to look at me." In their center groups Monday, Quayd's group were reading to themselves. His buddy, Rylan, was being very chatty. Quayd was sick of listening to him so he reached over and put his hand over Rylan's mouth. It's just so funny to me. Quayd is so much older than his age and in some ways, he is just like me. But in other ways, he is just like his dad. So far, it seems like he has gotten the better of both of us. It really is true.... Two wrongs make a right.

Anyway, Quayd is ranked number 2 in his class for reading and number 4 in his class for math. He has gotten 100% on every spelling test so far. His NWEA scores are above average and I am so super proud of him. He amazes me every single day. I often wonder if we did the right thing by sending him to kindergarten when he was bearly 5. It's times like this that I feel like we made a good choice.

I can't say all of this stuff without bragging about Quayd's WONDERFUL, AWESOME, AMAZING, FANTASTIC, ADORABLE, BRILLIANT, FUN, COOL teacher.... Mrs. Green. Thank you Megan for working so hard with Quayd and for being such a great teacher. We love you and we are SO impressed.

My favorite part of first grade is that I get to go in Quayd's class and help, like I did for most of last year. I told my bosses that I had to have one day off during the week and we chose Monday. So I go every Monday morning and work with their center groups. I get to do a fun activity with them each time I go and I totally love it. I get smothered with hugs from the students and I love that too! Quayd's class is going on a field trip to the corn maze on the 29th and I get to go along! I am so excited. I am also planning their class Halloween party. I love being a mom, and a helper, and I love my job for letting me do all of this stuff!!

I am so proud of my little boy. He is so smart and I am so glad he is loving school and doing so well. Good job, Quayd-er-ade!!! I love you!!!

If you would like to see Quayd's class blog..... click here!

the one about walking to the bus

Sorry for all of the posts about my cute little Grandpa lately, but I had to borrow my Grandma's camera for the cowboy picture and found some of these. Anyway, Pop walks the boys down to the bus everyday. They love to have him go with them and I can almost bet he loves it too. I can set my watch to him showing up on my back step at about 10 to 7. I just think it is so cute. Even when I offer to walk them, they turn me down. They would rather have Pop take them.

the one about Lunch Lady Land

So I am sure you are wondering what in the world this post could be about with that crazy title. Tell me, what do you think of when you hear the phrase, "Lunch Lady?" C'mon, be honest.... Hair Net? Plastic gloves? Big nasty mole? Sloppy Joe?

Well I am here to defend the everyday lunch lady. I think she has gotten a bad reputation and when you think of her, I know you picture this: Or possibly, this:
Or for all of you Survivor fans, THIS:
Well, guess what. Get those preconceived notions out of your head. NOW! And when you think lunch lady, start thinking this:

Oh yah. It's true. I have made a career move and I am officially a lunch lady. I started today, and I must say, I had a great day.

Allow me to explain... I will keep it short and sweet. My old job was great, but just not working out. The software program wasn't working and it was causing me MUCH stress. When I was hired, I was told it would be until the end of this school year, and then they would determine renewal by the success of the program. Well, there was no success there! Really, the program just didn't work. It was super frustrating. I knew I needed to start looking if I wanted to keep working for the school district. I had thought about lunch stuff for next year, but then a job became available at Quayd's school and I just hated to pass it up. These "good" jobs don't come along too often, and a lot of times, once you are a lunch lady, you are always a lunch lady. Not a lot of turnover. As for now, furthering my education is definitely on hold, for other reasons that I will go into another time. I just felt like this move was a good choice for me. NO STRESS!!!! YIPPEE! The kitchen I work at is very small and there are only two of us, plus the cashier. (Shout out to Jamie!) Right around lunch time, a lady from another school comes to help us serve. And then I come home. My hours are 10-2. I am very excited and proud to be a lunch lady!

Quayd thinks it is great. I think it is great. All of the kids at school think its great. Brett, still not convinced, but he will see.... its not all bad. He did make this comment though..... "Its easier to fantasize about a "naughty teacher's aide" than a LUNCH LADY!" And my sweet, almost 12 year old nephew said, "Mandy. SERIOUSLY. Lunch Lady? That is quite a step down from substitute teacher. Don't you think?" I said in return, "Well, don't you think your lunch ladies are cool?" He kept the straightest face ever and said, "Um. NO!"

Oh well. I am happy with my decision. So stop thinking this... and start thinking.... THIS!!!! OOPS! I mean this.... And don't forget...

the one about Quayd's Grandparents program

Quayd had a Grandparents program at school the other day. Holy crap, it was so cute! His school teacher does the cutest stuff! They recited several poems and each child had a chance to tell why they think their Grandparents are special. Quayd said, "My Grandparents are special because they make me ice cream cones." My grandparents are so cute to make him an ice cream cone any time he wants one. Last summer, he got so used to going over there every afternoon. He would look at the clock around 3:00 or 4:00 and say, "It's ice cream time! Pop is probably waiting for me." And off he would go. It was so cute. And I love it that when his teacher told him to think of why his Grandparents are special, that is what he thought of. One of the poems they recited was about how Grandpa snores." Quayd said it was all about pop, because he snores when he takes a nap in his chair.

My mom and Gleneita also came. It meant so much to me to have them all there. Quayd is so lucky to have such awesome grandparents. Each person had the opportunity to write Quayd a letter and his teacher put it in his portfolio. we won't get that until the end of the year, so I am not sure what all of the letters said, but I am super excited to read them. What a treasure for Quayd! (and me!)

the one about Dr.Seuss week

First of all, I have to apologize to all of you. I am so so so so so so so so so so so so so sorry that every time to have been to my blog over the last few days have had to look at those awful pictures of Brett and I with those stupid Biore strips on our nose. I know they have been there WAY too long. Please forgive me for neglecting my blog. I have been crazy busy and just haven't had a minute to post something new. So here it is..... something new.

This week at school, it has been Dr.Seuss week. Each day, they had different activities and things to wear to school. Monday was crazy sock day. Tuesday was bring an animal to read with, Wednesday was Wacky Wednesday where they just wore things backward or whatever. Thursday was hat day, and Today was Dr.Seuss character day. Well, Quayd and Brennen decided to dress up as Thing 1 and Thing 2. Here they are...
Aren't they so cute? I had so much fun making thier costumes and even more fun watching them parade around the school.
One of the second grade teachers, Mrs. Murray, always gets into the activities and she dressed up so cute today!! Here she is, and her dog, "Max." I had to get her to pose with Brennen and Quayd too. Well, there you go. Now you can all thank me for posting something besides our ugly mugs!!