What I learned in the Elementary Cafeteria

October 1st, 2012

Noah loves when I volunteer at his school. Until he’s embarrassed of me, I’m going to do whatever I can to make his day and make a difference. Today I volunteered in the cafeteria, something Noah has been asking for since kindergarten. I want to share with you all that I learned; I never imagined it would be so much!

  • Everyone has to pee, and almost everyone waits until lunchtime.
  • Some parents send complete junk, some send almost nothing at all, and some over achievers make complete gourmet spreads.
  • Some kids LOVE vegetables and some want nothing to do with them. Either way, if you’re buying your lunch from the school you have to choose at least one.
  • Wrappers from fruit rollups make awesome headbands (across the forehead, tied in the back), especially if you’re a boy.
  • Kids have no inside voice, not just mine.
  • A boy who wears a cap because his hair hasn’t come in after chemo stands out more to adults , kids don’t even notice.
  • By third grade you know the A word, the B word, the C word, the F word, and the N word. Yes, really.
  • Should you be unlucky enough to get a random and spontaneous bloody nose, the entire cafeteria thinks you’re dying and word spreads like wildfire!
  • Kids put condiments on the weirdest things.
  • Teachers of special needs kids are angels.
  • Lunch ladies who feed 300 kids in 3 hours need a raise, they are the most intense but expertly organized 3 hours I’ve ever seen!
  • Some kids have to eat lunch at 10am because it’s the only time that’s left. I hope they get an afternoon snack!
  • Bossing kids around as a grown up brings out your safety patrol training and gives you a power trip.
  • If you single a kid out, even if it’s because they are amazing, they get embarrassed and shut down.
  • You know which kids will fall into the stereotypical roles in high school even when they’re six (bully, most popular, cheerleader, ROTC, football star, homecoming queen, outcast, most sought after boy, etc).
  • You cannot sweep a brownie off linoleum after it’s been stepped on. It’s just impossible.
  • Kids will almost always eat what you send, or at least some of it. Only one turned down their packed lunch because he didn’t like what was inside.
  • Wooden spoons for ice cream make awesome sling shots.
  • Cheese sticks are really hard to open, as are thermoses, and press to lock tupperware – especially when you are under the age of 8.
  • If you’re really good, the lunch lady will give you half of an ice pop.
  • Noah’s school sorts their trash and recycles. This came as a shock to me, I hope other schools do the same.
  • At least 5 girls will need to see the nurse for a bandaid to cover a scratch that almost doesn’t exist.
  • Kids who had a bad morning are still crying and sad at lunchtime. One little boy broke my heart.

I’m sure there is more but now I’m rambling. If you get a chance to volunteer in your kid’s school, you totally should. It helps you understand their day better and the boost you get from watching them brag to their friends that you’re there is the closest you’ll ever get to a “thank you”.

Happy 4th birthday Kate!!!

September 22nd, 2012

Dear Kate,

You are the spunkiest, most confident, and courageous little girl! You are full of life and love. You’re the most thoughtful and compassionate person I know. You share everything with everyone no matter what or why. When we ask what your favorite color is you always answer “rainbow” but your most favorite are pink, purple, and blue.

You have NO inside voice. We constantly remind you to speak softer. The doctor promises you’ll outgrow this by the time you’re eight!

Everyone is your friend. You light up a room and do your best to win everyone over, which has never been a problem.

Your favorite food is pasta. It had always been macaroni and cheese but lately you are opting for butter instead of cheese. You’ll eat vegetables but won’t ask for them. Fruit is a favorite but you aren’t too picky (much unlike your brother).

You are very clumsy but you come by that honestly (sorry, that’s my fault). We joke that you have a frequent visitor card to the ER since you go so often (one more visit for a free xray). Your worst accident was when you took the phrase “I’m going to go jump in the shower” quite literally. I’ve never been so scared in my life but you were a champ. Nine staples to your head and you were good as new, I, on the other hand, got a few more gray hairs!

You still use a few “Kate-isms” but as they fade I’m reminded you’re growing up, which is very bittersweet. My all time favorite is the way you pronounce the word use. It’s more like “ooze” and it’s so very sweet in your baritone voice.

You’re growing like a weed! You are in the 90th percentile for height and 95th for weight. You are still modeling some but we’re starting to think its not your thing. It hurts you to hear no and you’re not a huge fan of having strangers take your picture. Today you have a casting with Carter’s and I think it would be such a great gift if you booked them. Your first hire was on Valentine’s Day in 2011.

At school you’re known as “Kate the Great”. You always tell us that you’re “just” Kate but we know that will never be the case. You console your classmates that have trouble saying goodbye to their parents, you dominate circle time, and make sure everyone is being nice and playing fair. Everyone at the YMCA is always so happy to see you!

You’re a great swimmer and amazing artist! There isn’t much you can’t do, except maybe a cartwheel – though you haven’t stopped trying!

My sweet daughter, I hope you never change! You completed our family and completely changed my life 4 years ago and it just keeps getting better. I’m so lucky you’re mine and I can’t wait to watch you grow, even if I wish you could slow that down just a bit!

I love you always!

Mom

(All photos since your 3rd birthday. You are so amazing and you’re growing too fast!)

 

Happy 6th Birthday, Noah!

May 21st, 2012

Oh, Noah. My crazy, hyper, awesome, talented, strong willed, and brilliant little boy. You continue to amaze me and I am so lucky to be your “mommy”!

This year you’ve become a fantastic gymnast. You’re super flexible, adventurous, and curious. That means you try doing crazy stunts all over the house with no regard for safety. Luckily the only thing you’ve hurt is the furniture. You’re also really into music right now. You love all the most popular tween songs. Party Anthem, TTYL XOX, and Cha Cha Slide are among your favorites.  We love watching you dance and sing, but you still never perform on command. Your latest obsession is a video game called Skylanders. I’m not sure whether to be proud or terrified that you love video games so much. While I figure that out, I love gaming with you! You also continue to be a terrific swimmer and amazing artist!


Kindergarten with Mrs Gigli is almost over. You’ve done very well, you earned two rewards (Good Writer and Caring), and you only received one warning during the school year. Believe it or not, it was for excessive talking and not following directions. You blamed it on your friend Harlyn but I was a little proud to know you came out of your shell at least once!  In a few months you’ll start first grade. Time has gone by so quickly, I can’t believe you’re doing assignments, computer lab, homework, and field trips. It feels like just yesterday I couldn’t decide between infant mommy and me groups. This summer you and I will spend a lot of time together, like old times. I can’t wait to make new memories, even if a few of them give me grey hair!

You’re still a little on the little side. Just perfect to me but for record keeping sake you clocked in at 43.4lbs and 44″ at your annual well visit. That puts you in the 30th percentile for weight and 25th for height. You will still only wear one type of shorts. We bought them when you were 3 and you refuse to wear anything different. Unfortunately they are 3 years old now so they’re falling apart but the Gap doesn’t make them anymore and you won’t take no for an answer. You get your stubbornness from me (sorry!).

You have become very compassionate this year. You worry when people get hurt and you ask about them when they’re sick. I’m pretty sure this started because you saw Kate’s accident in the shower that ended in 9 staples in the back of her head. In March, your friend Aaron was diagnosed with cancer and you had a million questions. Bottom line was, you needed to know how to make him better. It didn’t phase you when he lost his hair, stopped coming over, or didn’t make it to your birthday party but you didn’t stop wondering either. I hope someday you really will figure out how to make cancer go away!

You are crazy about your sister! I hope you two are pals for life. You definitely drive each other bananas sometimes, and Kate will tell you – you’re crazy, but if you’re apart for long you get antsy. You want to know where she is, what she’s doing, when she’ll be back. She’s the one friend in your life that you never have to warm up to and that is huge. You’re still a little stingy with your personality and only like to share what and when you decide but not for Kate. Kate is your best bud, even if you don’t like to admit it!

You’re still a tinker-er. You need to know how things work. You want to take them apart, twice. I have a feeling you’ll follow in your father’s engineering footsteps but who know! I love watching you grow up and I can’t wait to see what life holds for you. I wouldn’t wish a second away but it is amazing watching you navigate the world and I’m anxious to know who you will become.

I hope you have another amazing year of supreme health and complete happiness! I can’t wait to see what comes next. For me, you just get more fun, cool, and interesting every day. I love watching you figure out the world!!

I love you, bud!


Wordless Wednesday

March 7th, 2012

Daddy Duty

February 20th, 2012

Walter was kind enough to take the kids out so I could do an intimate photo session at the house.  Not only was he on daddy duty but playdate duty too!  Noah’s friend (and crush) Adrianna came along to the park for some fun.

There is a dog park right next to the playground and the kids couldn’t help themselves.  They love puppies!

And because it was Walter with the kids, and the camera, all the wildlife was captured!

Noah and Adrianna loved pushing each other around….

… and just hanging around…

Supermodel!

February 17th, 2012

Kate’s hair is bipolar!  It has officially decided to be pin straight on top and super curly  on the bottom.  For her (very small) modeling career she needed a new comp card so we decided to solve the hair issue.  I took her to my stylist for a cut.  She blew it dry straight and then curled it to see what we liked better.

Here she is straight…

Is it me or does she look like a 12 year old?!

And here she is curly!  

Noah also got suckered into a haircut while we were at it.  He wasn’t incredibly thrilled but was grateful for the one stylist who doesn’t make him wear his hair spikey!

After haircuts we took the kids to the YMCA soccer field for a few photos.

By the end, the kids were completely slap happy and could hardly hold it together for a photo with each other….

…. which must mean someone needs to get tackled!

God, I love these kids!  If you’re wondering… Kate’s agent decided she should go curly.  What do you think??

Happy Valentine’s Day!!!

February 14th, 2012

Yap Originals hosted Valentine’s Day Mini sessions this year.  Walter built the entire set in our office and our poor kids had to do the guinea pig session.  They had a lot of fun, too much candy, and I love the photos we got out of it!  We also had our always willing model and the kids’ BFF, Ayla, join us for a sugar high!

The girls had so much fun!!

Ayla managed to pin Noah down for a few hugs.  This was one of the few times he couldn’t escape; she was so proud!!

Don’t Bowl Me Over!

February 12th, 2012

The kids took us bowling this weekend!  Noah, Ayla, Charlie, and Kate threw down two hysterical games and us grown ups got some frames in too!

The kids found the heaviest balls they could lift (most of the time) and went for it!  Thankfully, their lane had bumpers or I’m not sure anyone would have broken 10!

Halfway through the first game we scored a walker-like ramp for the ball.  It definitely cut back on the number of balls that only made it halfway down the lane!

We all had a blast and can’t wait to go back!  It was our first time with them!

Happy Holidays!!

December 24th, 2011

This year we decided to do family photos.  Our last one was when Kate was an infant so we were long overdue!  To put it mildly, it was a train wreck.  I give a lot of credit to Stephan and Candace of Maloman Photographers for putting up with the kids’ antics and refusal to cooperate.  We still managed to get a few nice photos despite their insistence to sabotage our efforts.  Thankfully, a previous attempt by us to photograph the kids was a smashing success.  Our trip to Santa this year was also a highlight, given that both kids told him what they want and not a single tear was shed.  Those are the moments that led us to this year’s holiday card.

May you have a great celebration of family, festivites, and tradition this year!!!  Merry Christmas from us!

Wobble and Roll!

December 22nd, 2011

We’ve been taking the kids (and sometimes their friends) over to Volunteer Park in Boca to ride bikes.  It’s a relatively empty park with a nice loop to bike on and a playground for when the parents are tired but the kids are still full of energy!  A few weeks ago we headed out but we also brought our skates!  Walter’s needed surgery, as they haven’t been used in years, and mine needed some dusting.  We bought Noah training rollerblades when he was 2 and they thoroughly freaked him out.  Today would be much different!!

Although he wobbled a bit, he was pretty darn good!  We tried them on Kate too but the lack of photos is testament to the short time she was willing to use them (and let’s face it – she’s not the most graceful or coordinated kid).

Kate did much better on her bike and even managed to pull Walter a little.  I was classically me on my skates, which is why there are no photos.  My ego, and elbow, were too damaged.  Side note: it is impossible to skate over a rock at very low speeds!

No matter how much he wobbled….

…. or how much he fell, Noah was a trooper and appears to have his father’s athletic ability and perseverance… thankfully!

It really is so nice to get out and spend time with the kids.  The exercise and fresh air are a bonus.  The unplugged time is much needed!