Organization

I am so thankful for people that are organized & are willing to share their tips & talents with others!! I don't know where I would be otherwise! I recently saw a blog posting with this idea to help with lunches. I grabbed a basket & filled it with different snacks that Carter puts in his lunch. I have graham crackers already in baggies, water bottles for his morning snack bag & other snacks that he has in his lunch. The basket has napkins so that I don't forget to include those & I even wrote on a bunch of brown paper bags that he uses for his snack at school. I also keep a bunch of "love" notes in an envelope that I include each day (which he still LOVES!!).

When I make his lunch in the evening I grab a couple of snacks & make his sandwich & it's done in just a couple of minutes! Being organized is the BEST!!!

Imagination

The past couple of days the kids have really been using their imagination. Claire has an imaginary pet bunny. She walks around the house with it in her hand & will come up to you & ask if you want to pet it. She lays it in her dolls bed when it's time to go to sleep. Last night Cory went to read her a story before bed while I was in Carter's room reading to him. I heard Cory leave Claire's room & a couple minutes later he came & asked me where Claire's bunny was. He was looking through the house for it!!! I told him it was an imaginary bunny!! It was so funny!! He went back to her room & put the "bunny" up on her dresser & the next morning she remembered where it was! Then Carter came up with a pet "penguin." He would set it on his shoulder as he walked around. Claire would ask where it was while he was at school. Where do they come up with this stuff??

This morning before school Carter informed me that it was his lambs birthday. Grandma brought the lamb to him at the hospital the day he was born. I told him that we would celebrate lambs birthday that evening. I made this blueberry lemon buttermilk cake for dessert (mainly because I had blueberries to use up!) and we sang Happy Birthday to his lamb!!

We Made It Through The First Week!!

We've made it through our first week of Kindergarten. Carter loves it so much!! When I told him on Friday morning what day it was & that he would have 2 days off for the weekend, he was really bummed. Luckily we had a birthday party to attend on Saturday night so that cheered him up! I am so happy that he is enjoying school. There are 25 students in his class. He really likes his teacher & he has made some friends. There is one boy named Francisco, and every morning Carter checks him out to see what shirt he is wearing. So far he has worn Star Wars & Mario Kart, so Carter picked him out for a friend!! Last Thursday was Back To School Night for the parents & I enjoyed being in his class & hearing about the things that his teacher has planned for the year. There are plans to go on 4 field trips: Pumpkin Farm, Galena Street, Fog Willow Science Farm & the Folsom Zoo & Park. With all of the budget cuts, I'm just happy that they are going to be doing this much.

His class will have 40 minutes of P.E. every Monday, with a P.E. teacher. His teacher will do P.E. with them the rest of the week. They will go to the art class twice a week, computer lab once a week & the Library every Tuesday. I was so happy to hear our good friend Julie Child is the Librarian at our school now!!

Carter's class will have 6th grade buddies that will come to their class about once a month.

The principal announced that they are working with the district to turn his school into a K-8 which I am very happy about. I would love for him to stay there through 8th grade!!

So, the things that I am adjusting to:

• that awful alarm clock!! I haven't had a need for it in so long & 6:30am comes quick! (especially when I'm up some nights for a few hours with heartburn!!)
• parking at the school! There are so many people & cars. And it is a pain taking Claire to pick him up. She wants to go into his class when we drop him off & when we pick him up. It just looks like so much fun in there!! (Sometimes I have to bribe her with a little piece of candy!!)
• packing lunches

My Morning With Claire

I had a wonderful morning with Claire today. I had a little bit of shopping to do, so we headed out right after dropping Carter off to school. Claire was so well behaved & I think it had to do with the fact that Carter was not with us. She had my full attention & Carter was not there to bother her. Ever since school started this week Claire has been carrying a Dora purse with her whenever we leave the house. I think it's because Carter had a backpack now. We stopped in at Trader Joe's this morning & the cashier gave Claire some stickers & a Trader Joe's gift card to put in her purse. She LOVED it & had a great conversation going on with the lady. Next we went to TJ Maxx & she was such a good girl in the store. She saw a few toys that she wanted & I told her we could put them on her birthday list. She threw no fits!! As we walked out of the store the automatic doors opened & Claire said "Oh, thank you!!" like there was someone there opening them for us. It was sooo cute!!

I am glad that I have these few weeks just with Claire before the new baby comes.

FAILED!!

Each day we are learning what to put in Carter's lunch bag. His first day he had a sandwich, strawberries, blueberries, applesauce & a juice box. The next morning as we were getting ready to leave for school he said "Don't put an applesauce in my lunch. When I opened it up yesterday it spilled all over the table." I wondered if he would have a problem opening the top & I guess he did! So, no more applesauce. His second day I sent a Capri Sun with his lunch & it came home in his lunch bag. He said he didn't know how to open it. I showed him after school how to put the straw in the hole. I know they can be a pain sometimes but he was able to do it. The third day I sent another Capri Sun & it was still in his lunch bag. He said he couldn't get the straw off the package this time!!! And I sent a frozen go-gurt which he said got all over the place!! Plus I forgot to put a napkin in his bag!! FAILED again!!!

So today he went with a sandwich, canned peaches (which I put in a Tupperware container & he showed me that he could open it) and he also had a fruit by the foot. I opened his bag after school & there was peach juice all over. He didn't get the lid closed all the way after he ate!! I guess I should have drained the peaches!!! Plus his fruit by the foot was still there. He told me that he couldn't get the package opened!!

I have learned a lot the past 4 days & I think I will continue to learn what items to put in his lunch!!

Oh, and the most important thing that he wants in his lunch bag....a note from me, telling him how much I love him!! Yesterday I wrote a joke & put it in his bag. That was not a good idea!! He said the note it supposed to tell him that I love him!! Each evening I come up with something new to write him. I love that he enjoys reading them!!

Snausages

Right after my doctor appointment this morning I went to get a pedicure. It felt so nice & was much needed. My toenails were getting really long & it's so hard to pull my leg up to cut them myself. My feet have started to get pretty swollen...I call them snausages. Today was really bad, but it may have to do with the fact that it was 108 degrees today!! This has been the BEST summer so far but yesterday & today were really HOT. I am so looking forward to the weekend when the high is only supposed to be 78 degrees!!!

Group B Streptococcus

I went to my doctor appointment this morning & found out that I am positive for Group B Strep. I was negative with both Carter & Claire. Basically I just need to get to the hospital in time to have antibiotics administered a few hours before delivering the baby. My doctor said 5 hours would be ideal. With Claire I was only at the hospital for 2 1/2 hours before she was born, so I need to be sure to go in sooner. If my water breaks or contractions are 10 minutes apart I need to head in.

Carter's 1st Day of Kindergarten

We made it through the first day of Kindergarten.....ok, it was me that I was worried about!! Carter did absolutely perfect! Cory went into work late this morning so that he could be here to take Carter to school. It really helped having an extra set of hands to get ready. We were all ready to go at 7:30am and school doesn't start until 8:20am!! We packed his lunch the night before so that was one less thing we needed to do in the morning. Carter followed his chart that is hanging in his room that shows his morning routine. He even made his own bed & it looked great!! We took pictures out front & then headed over to the school. Holy cow....there were so many people!! I believe there are between 700-800 students at the school. Luckily one of our church buildings is right next door to the school so we were able to park there.

We got to Carter's classroom & waited outside for his teacher to open the door. Mrs. Sarte came out & spoke to the parents for a couple of minutes & then she had all of the students come in the classroom...without the parents. I started getting teary eyed as they all filed in & I wasn't even leaving yet!! His teacher asked me to come & help for the first hour to get backpacks & forms organized!! Cory said "Wipe your tears before you head in there!" Darn pregnancy hormones!!

Cory & Claire went home while I stayed & helped out. All I can say is I am glad that I am not a Kindergarten teacher....especially on the first day of school!! You need to have a lot of patience!

I was surprised that not one student cried....and also surprised at how many kids did not know how to write their own name. I am so proud of Carter & all that he has learned prior to starting school.

Claire & I went to pick Carter up from school at 2:50pm & as he filed out of his classroom I noticed that he did not have his lunch bag. I asked him where it was & he did not know. We spent the next 30 minutes searching his classroom, the cafeteria, lost & found & eventually we found it by the other 2 Kindergarten classrooms. I was so frustrated from searching & chasing Claire around the campus & then we got in the car & Claire started screaming because Carter had the Leapster & she wanted it. I couldn't take anymore & just started crying. Again.....those pregnancy hormones!!! Over something so silly!!

Once we got home Carter followed his after school routine chart & he was SO hungry!! He wanted more snacks!! I'm so glad he had a fun day! He said he made a friend, a boy named Francisco. And his reasoning for becoming his friend.....Francisco had a Star Wars backpack & a Mario Kart t-shirt on!!

Way to go Carter!!!

36 Weeks

Oh my!!! There's not much more room in there!

4 more weeks to go!!

My Sweet, Sweet Boy

Tonight as I was brushing Claire's teeth Carter came into the bathroom crying. He said "Mom, I'm going to miss you so much when I am at school." I told him that he would have so much fun & I would be there to pick him up right when school was over. Then he told me that he loves me so, so, so, so, so, so much & I'm the best Mom he could ever have. He loves me all the way to the moon & back again & he loves baby Kate.

Haley's 10th Birthday Cake

Haley asked if I would make the cake for her birthday party and how could I refuse such a sweet girl?? She was taking her friends to the mall to do a scavenger hunt & then they were returning to her house for the rest of the party so she wanted me to make a purse cake, like the one I made for Kimberly's birthday last year. She drew out a picture of what she wanted & the colors she wanted me to use. We were trying to figure out how we would transport it up to her house without falling over & eventually decided that I should just go up to their house & decorate it. So tonight I went up & finished the cake. The frosting was a bit runny for some reason, but Haley was happy with the finished product & that's all that matters!!

Happy 10th Birthday Haley!!

Back To School BBQ/Meet The Teacher

This evening we went to the PTA's Back To School BBQ at Carter's school. They were selling hot dog, hamburger, or pizza dinners & had different sign ups for the PTA. They opened up the Kindergarten classrooms so that the kids could meet their teacher prior to school starting on Monday. I saw this cute idea on the web for a back to school gift for the teacher & was happy with the way it turned out! Carter picked the flowers out for her.

I made a card for Carter's teacher, Mrs. Sarte & he wrote the following message for her:

I am happy you are my teacher. I am excited to start school.

Love,

Carter Wozniak

She LOVED the flowers & Carter really liked her! There was a scavenger hunt for the kids to do to help them get acquainted with the classroom. The paper told them to go find the playground, Myrtle the turtle, the bathroom, the sink (and told them to wash their hands) and they finally ended up at their cubbie, where there was a little gift from their teacher. It was a bag with a pencil & stickers. Claire loved exploring the classroom as well & I can already tell it's going to be a struggle to leave the classroom when we drop Carter off!!

Mrs. Sarte asked if I would be able to stay for about an hour on Monday morning to help her get the kids organized, get their pictures taken & give them name tags. Cory was already going to go in late to work that morning to drop Carter off, so he said he would stay with Claire for that extra hour so that I could help. I am so excited for Carter & he can't wait for the school year to begin!!

Gearing Up For Sack Lunches......

Dental Visits

This morning both Carter & Claire had dental appointments. I was a little nervous about taking Claire since six months ago at her first check-up she didn't want them to look at her mouth. I was so relieved today....she was awesome!!! She first let them take x-rays of her teeth & then she sat in that big chair with her mouth wide open for her exam. The hygienist cleaned Carter's teeth first & wanted Claire to sit nearby & watch so that she could see what they would do to her teeth. She sat right by Carter, but instead of watching him she watch the movie that was playing! She looked so cute with the big headphones on. Each of the kids were able to pick what flavor of fluoride they wanted used on their teeth & both picked bubble gum. The hygienist & Dr. Danielson commented on how well both of the kids did today. I kept telling them that I was so surprised with Claire; she is the one that gives me a hard time at home with brushing her teeth. She just wants to eat the toothpaste!

Carter ended up with 1 cavity that needed to be filled & it was one of his back teeth that he probably won't loose for about 4 years so we needed to get it filled. With school starting next week I didn't know when we would be able to come back to have it done. The receptionist mentioned that there was an appointment this afternoon at 3pm, but I didn't want to come all the way back today. So I made the appointment for 2 weeks from now, but would have to get Carter out of school which I wasn't too thrilled about. The kids weren't done playing in the waiting room so I sat for a few minutes thinking about it & decided to call my Mom & see if she was available to watch Claire today so that I could bring Carter back. Luckily that wasn't a problem!! We went home, had lunch & I put Claire down for her nap. My Mom came over & we were just about to leave when Carter's balloon floated up to the vaulted ceilings. He was so upset about it & I thought oh great, this is going to be a fun appointment!!

Well, of course, Carter did a super job getting his filling. They used the nitrous oxide to keep him calm & then they got to work. He has had the nitrous oxide before, but this time when they were done he was acting a little weird. He was putting his arms up in the air & waving them around & other odd behaviors. I was a bit concerned so they had him sit for a few more minutes & then he was fine. He ended up with 2 more balloons, 2 pencils, a bouncy ball & a butterfly that grows when you put it in water. The hygienist spoiled him rotten (but she really liked him!!)

I'm glad we are done for 6 more months!!

Blog Book '09

I received my blog book for 2009 a couple of weeks ago & am very happy with it. The minute the Fed Ex driver dropped it off we had it opened & Carter wanted to look through it. We spent at least an hour & a half reading through each post. Carter wouldn't let me skip any of them & he loved looking back on things that happened last year. We read about some jokes that he used to tell & he even called Daddy at work & told him the jokes again!

I have continued with the tradition of using a family picture that we have taken up at Apple Hill as the front cover. I am so glad that I have continued with this record of our family!!

Checking Things Off My List

I made a list of all the things I want to get done before the baby makes her arrival. Slowly, but surely I am getting them done. This morning I started the BIG task of going through all of the girls clothes & putting them in piles, according to size. Then I will put all of the bigger sizes in space saver bags & wash all of the smaller sizes. Anyone want to come & finish this task??!!??

Last night I had my hair done & it feels so good!! Cut off a few inches & had it highlighted.

That was a must before the baby comes!!

A few of the other things to do are:

get a pedicure-very important!!

set up the bassinet

pack hospital bag...not so important to me! I never seem to use anything in there!!

Carter's Teacher

This morning we went to Carter's school to find out who his teacher will be. We were excited to learn that his teacher is Mrs. Sarte, the same teacher that gave him his kindergarten evaluation a few months ago. We really liked her & have heard great things about her from other parents.

Thursday night we have a Back To School family BBQ & the kindergartners will get to go to their classrooms & meet their teachers. Carter is so excited!!! I've been working on a little gift for his teacher that he will give to her that night, which I hope turns out as cute as I am thinking it will!

His supply list was pretty small-yeah!! These 3 items are to share with his class:

1 box of 24 crayola crayons

1 bottle of Elmer's glue

white board markers

He also needs to bring a beach towel for rest time, since it's all day Kindergarten, and a snack each day, along with his lunch.

Getting Ready For The Big Day

My friend Carrie sent me a few links to some routine charts that were available to print & they are so cute!! The first one is a morning routine chart, which I hung on Carter's wall & it will help him remember what he needs to do before school each morning. The other one is an after-school routine chart that I hung by his backpack. He already loves to read them each day & hopefully he will continue once school actually starts!!

There's one more chart that I still need to make to help with his lunch everyday.

Here are the links to each chart:

Morning Routine

After School Routine

Lunch Chart

Thanks again Carrie for the cute ideas!!

CLAIRE

I love this girl!!

My favorite thing to hear her say right now is applesauce.

She says it: asslepauce

It is so funny!!

She has also been known to say "knock it off!" Hmmmm...I have no idea where she got that one!

Caboose Club Ice Cream Social

This morning we went to the Caboose Club Ice Cream Social down by the train museum in Old Sacramento. We had loved going the past 3 years & it was a little sad thinking that this was our last time. We're not renewing Carter's membership with the Caboose Club since he will be in school everyday & there won't be time to go down to the museum now. Plus, he's kind of getting out of the while "train craze." We started out with Claire getting her face painted, which was her first time. There was a big board with different paintings that you could pick & she picked a rainbow. She sat so still while the lady painted her face & when she was done she said that she wanted the brown color. The lady thought for a minute & then suggested painting a flower on her hand. It was kind of funny to hear the other kids in line say "Hey, she gets 2 things!"

She looked so cute with her little rainbow on her cheek. We had tickets for the 11am train ride so we boarded the train & enjoyed the 40 minute ride. It was fun to see Cory's downtown work building, the state capitol & of course all of the jet boats on the river. One of my favorite pictures was the look on Cory's face when Claire layed her rainbow painted cheek right on his shoulder!!

The conductor was so kind to offer to take our family picture & of course Claire turned right when he snapped it!!

After the train ride we went & got our ice cream, which is pre-scooped Leatherby's...yum!!

Mr. & Mrs. Lyons (mom & dad's long time neighbors) were passing out the ice cream & Mrs. Lyons told me that she had just said to Mr. Lyons "I wonder when Alyson will get here."

It's fun to see them there every year!

After the ice cream Carter & Cory went on the hand car, working their muscles! I took Claire down to look at the water & she loved watching the boats.

It was a fun morning!!