Alyssa's New Hair!

I made haircut appointments for the kids. I figured we all were going to get trims. Our appointment was last night. Alyssa informed me that she wanted to get her hair cut into a bob. She was very specific about showing me what she wanted. When we went into Katie's and she told Katie what she wanted. Katie gave her a book with kids' hairstyles in it. I was trying to point out the longer bobs, but she knew what she wanted and picked this! When the first long strand of hair hit the ground I felt so sad and was just sick about it. She was so excited! The whole time Katie was cutting she kept saying, "It is so cute! I love it!"
She is so happy with her hair and loves it! She kept saying, "My teacher won't know who I am! Maybe she will think I am a new kid." Mrs. Potter maintained that the haircut changed her personality. She says she is so much more bubbly. She feels really good about herself and is so happy!

No Boys Allowed!

On Sunday night I was walking down the hall and saw this note posted on Alyssa's door. Despite the spelling you can understand what she's saying! I thought it was funny, so I thought I'd share.

The Fairy Party

Alyssa chose to have a Tinker Bell birthday party. I thought maybe she would just want girls at her party, but she has some boys that she just loves so much and has to have them there too. Thanks to Aunt Jamie, who gave us a great idea for fairy wings and Aunt Christy for whipping up a Peter Pan hat prototype, we were in business. I borrowed some green butcher paper from school for the Peter Pan hats. They are a simple paper hat with some feathers tucked into the brim. The wings are made from tissue paper, gathered in the middle and tied with a pipe cleaner. The kids seemed to love them. From the pictures you'll see how great the kids looked.

We also had a treasure hunt. We found clues in Nana's doghouse and by the mermaid's pond. The treasure was a box painted gold. It was full of gift bags full of fun treasure.

We also ate fairy sandwiches, fairy wands (pretzels dipped in chocolate and rolled in sprinkles), fruit kabobs, potato chips, and cupcakes.

We had a fun Tinker Bell shaped pinata. I think a great time was had by all.

We also had a great family party. Alyssa picked lasagna, garlic bread, and jello for our family dinner. She wanted chocolate cake with chocolate frosting. She also wanted pink writing on her cake. She seemed thrilled with her cake. I was thankful that she picked a simple cake.

Alyssa got some fun stuff from everyone. Thanks to all our wonderful family who came and celebrated with us. We have been blessed with wonderful family and friends. We are lucky people.

Alyssa is six!

Alyssa turned 6 on November 20th. She is told me the night before that she wanted a donut with a candle in it for breakfast. She loves donuts! She takes after her Grandma Carla in that! She could eat one every day. So I got the donuts and she was thrilled. I also gave her a new shirt to wear to school. She was the happiest little birthday girl there ever was!

Sweet!

Before going to bed I always check on the kids.

I find myself standing and watching them for awhile, thinking how sweet they look. Last night I thought they were particularly cute. What do you think?

First Day of School

Today was our first day of school. I wasn't ready for it. I was stressed in fact. The budget in California is horrible and as a result school funding is being cut right and left. Many, many teachers were pink slipped and didn't get rehired for the school year. Supply funds have been slashed as well.

A consequence of all this, is that the state and district no longer think that small classes in the lower grades are important. Kindergarten, first and second grade have in the past not had any more than twenty students. Supposedly, they were going to cap classes at 25. Bad news: I have 26. Good news: only 24 showed up. Bad news: I might be getting a new one tomorrow. More Bad news: They are the most ill mannered group of children I have ever met. Good news: I have four great students from last year and there are a couple of other nice kids, including Harrison, David and Starr's son, to help make me believe maybe there is a chance for this class.

Curtis and Alyssa were excited for school today. Curtis was a bit nervous, because he would be going into the 4th, 5th, and 6th grade Gifted and Talented Class. He thought he wouldn't have any friends, all the kids would be bigger than him, it would be too hard, etc. Alyssa was just excited. She has been telling anyone who would listen this summer that she is a first grader. So here are the official pictures of the first day of school:

Junior Rangers

Curtis and Alyssa participated in the Jr. Ranger program while we were visiting Yellowstone Park. They had several tasks to do. Curtis had more to do than Alyssa because he is older. The morning we left, we stopped by the Visitor's Center by Fishing Bridge to turn in their assignments. The rangers asked them questions about the things they did and looked through their papers well. When they were finished, they made an announcement to the visitors that they had two special Jr. Rangers that would be getting their patches. The kids were thrilled. When they were finished with the presentation, the Ranger had them try on her hat. The program was good for both of them.

To be continued.....

Hair Stylist to the Stars

Last night I found dark hair on Alyssa's bedroom floor. I knew it wasn't her's, because her hair is much lighter and Mike and Curtis were still on their fishing trip. My eyes fell on her two Dora dolls laying on the floor. I asked, "Alyssa, did you cut Dora's hair?" "No Mommy," was her answer. I said, "There's hair on the floor and Dora's hair looks like you cut it." She cast her eyes down shamefully and said, "I did it, I'm sorry." I said, "Where are the scissors?" "I don't know," was the answer. I again asked for the scissors and once again got the shameful look and she took them from where she had hidden them. I told her I was taking her scissor privileges away and that's when she started crying.

I guess I should be grateful that she only cut Dora's hair and not her own, her brother's, or a friend's. Hopefully this will be a lesson and no other helpless dolls will have to suffer needlessly.

You Can't Be Afraid If You're In Charge!

A few weeks ago when Mike and I went away for our anniversary, Christy spent the night here with the kids. It was very windy and Alyssa is terrified of wind. The kids didn't want to sleep in their own beds, so at first they decided they would sleep in our bed. That lasted just a few minutes. It ended up with Christy sleeping on the couch, Curtis on the love seat, and Alyssa on a bean bag. When the lights were out and they were all laying there, with the wind blowing loudly, Alyssa asked, "Who's in charge?" Christy who was probably very tired said, "Why don't you be in charge Alyssa." Christy said it got very quiet and they all went to sleep. The next morning Christy complemented Alyssa on sleeping so well. Alyssa said, "You can't be afraid if you're in charge." I thought it was wonderful that she made that connection.

Dancing wth the Star!

Alyssa loves her ballet class. She loves dressing up in her dance clothes and ballet shoes. She loves her teacher too. She is lots of fun to watch. She can get a little distracted by other kids in the class. There is this horrible little boy named Joey in her class and Joey distracts her a lot. He is always doing annoying things. The teacher seems like she is about done with him. I keep hoping they'll kick him out. I know that is mean of me and he probably has issues. Oh well.

Several weeks ago he went to sit by her before class. She was wearing this velour leotard. It is kind of soft and plush to the touch. Joey kept touching her all over. It was all I could do not to go over there and rip the little punk's head off. She had this funny uncomfortable look on her face the whole time. After class when we were in the car going home, I asked her how she felt about Joey. She told me that she didn't like him, because he kept touching her. I asked her if she had asked him to stop. She said no. I told her, "Alyssa, you have the right to tell him to stop touching you!" She said, "I do?" The whole way home, we practiced, "Joey, stop touching me!"

She wore the same leotard a couple of weeks later and again Joey sidled up to her. He started putting his hands on her again. She looked over at me and I nodded at her. Then she put her hands on her hips, stared him in the eye and said strongly, "Joey stop touching me!" He looked at her with this shocked look on his face and walked away from her. He has pretty much stayed away from her in class ever since. I don't think anyone has ever said no to that child before. Go Alyssa!

That's Not Appropriate!

The other day we were walking into a store with the kids and Curtis started asking what Mince-meat Pie was. (I don't know where this came from!) I explained that it was meat cooked with raisins, sugar, and spices and then baked into a pie. Alyssa had been completely silent during this conversation, exclaimed, "That's not appropriate!" I have to agree with her opinion. Mince-meat really is inappropriate!

The Teacher

After school today I was working on report cards in my classroom. Curtis was reading and I thought Alyssa was watching Animal Planet. Then I started hearing her talking, but Curtis wasn't answering. I didn't hear screaming, which she would normally do if Curtis didn't answer her, so I stopped what I was doing and looked over at her. She had pulled a chair to the front of the room and was sitting in it. I heard her say, "OK everyone, sit on the carpet. Brandon sit on your spot. We are going to go thought the alphabet now. A is for apple. B is for ball..." It continued like this through the whole alphabet. Then she went up to the board and started writing, "OK class what letter comes next?" She was writing "I see a zoo." I love that girl! She has such a vivid imagination. That is one of the things I love about her. I love being her mother. The older she gets the more I love her. I think it is going to be fun watching her grow up.

It's Not Working!

Last Friday we went to The Living Desert and Alyssa was running and then all of a sudden she grabbed her behind and told me that she had to go potty. We hurried and found the closest bathroom. She climbed up and grunted and groaned and then informed me "It's not working!" So we left and continued on our way. About ten minutes later she again grabbed her behind and informed us that she needed to use the restroom. She again had difficulties and informed me that, "It's not working!" Again we went on our way, again she needed to use the bathroom. This time however. Success! Yea!!

More Ballet Pictures

Here are some more ballet pictures! Enjoy!

My Beautiful Baby Girl!

Alyssa had her ballet recital tonight. This photograph was taken last night at her dress rehearsal. Tonight she looked even prettier. She was so excited about tonight, she was almost jumping out of her skin. She did a beautiful job. I was a very proud mommy.

During part of the dance she and another little girl hold up their arms while the other little girls go underneath them. Last night at dress rehearsal this other little girl on Alyssa's other side kept lifting up her arm and confusing the girls who were supposed to go underneath. Alyssa and I talked about this, because she was a little mad. So I told her that if Abby tries to lift up her arm, she should just not lift it. During the dance Abby tried to lift her arm and I watched her shake her head no at Abby and forcibly keep her arm down.

After the dance was over she bowed and had the biggest smile on her face. She was so proud of herself and seemed to enjoy the experience so much. The teachers kept all the little girls in the back until the very end when all of the top class performed. Then they brought them out to watch. They had saved the front two rows for them. We were in the third row right behind her. Her teachers were the last to dance. She watched so quietly and clapped and clapped when they finished. It was cute.

After the recital was over, she recieved flowers from us, Grandma and Aunt Christy, and Elly Werner her primary teacher. She was thrilled. I took a few pictures of her. Tomorrow I will post more pictures.

I'm a Janitor

Today I went to meet a friend for yogurt. Mike was working, doing a side job, so my mother-in-law took care of the kids. They love to go over there. She has toys from when my husband and his siblings were young and Curtis and Alyssa think those toys are the coolest! Of course Grandma spoils them rotten, so that helps too. Today Grandma gave Alyssa part of her Christmas present that hadn't arrived until after Christmas. Grandma told Alyssa that it was so she could help mommy. My daughter has a rich and vivid imagination. We often hear her talking to "friends" telling them what to do. This is the present. It is a little cleaning cart with a broom, bucket, dustpan, mop, and a toy vacuum. I thought she would want to pretend to be mom and clean stuff up. Nope. Using a deep voice, she announced that she was the janitor. She proceeded to go around the house "cleaning". At one point I asked her to pick something up and instead of just picking it up, she said, "Sure I'll get that done for you, because I'm the janitor." She went and got her cart and picked it up and then vacuumed and swept up the area. If only she would turn into the janitor when I ask her to clean her room. At dinner she announced that when she grew up, she was going to be a janitor. If this is true, please let it be just to put herself through college.

Shopping with Alyssa

Yesterday Alyssa and I decided to go to the outlet mall in Cabazon. Big mistake! For those of you who have been there, we had to park down past the McDonald's and like the pioneer children we walked and walked and walked and walked some more. People were so rude, too. You would have thought we weren't even there, the way people pushed and shoved us.

We bought Alyssa some cute clothes at Gymboree. Then we went to the kitchen store and bought oil for my new wonderful huge butcher block cutting board that I got from my parents for Christmas. Finally we went to Wilson Leather and got me a new purse, which I love!

We tried to stop at the little food courts to get something to eat, but couldn't even get in to either one. So we ended up walking back down to the car, putting our stuff in, and going to McDonald's. Yuck! I don't know about you, but when I go shopping, McDonald's for lunch doesn't cut it.

When we got home, Mike made the comment that we sure had been gone a long time for the little bit we bought. I explained that we had spent more time parking and walking than we had shopping. Even though we walked more than we shopped, I think we had fun. That little girl can talk and talk. Her observations are so cute and I truly enjoyed being with her.

Alyssa's Christmas Program

Tonight we got to go back to the school to watch Alyssa's Christmas program. She wanted to wear her red dress to the program and she instructed me that she didn't want a pony tail. She wanted me to curl her hair. So I did. I made her wear tights with her dress, because it was so cold tonight. While she was getting dressed, she told me, "I don't think Mrs. Bowers likes tights." "Oh really?" I answered. "Yes, I don't think she likes tights." I told her that when we got to school I would ask. I told her teacher what she said, and Mrs. Bowers just laughed and laughed and said she didn't know what in the world had given her that idea. Who knows what goes through the mind of a kindergartner.

Her class sang "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer", "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" and recited two poems. She did such a great job. She was very animated and we could hear her voice clear and sweet. We were really proud of her. About midway through her performance tonight I remembered my camera takes video. It is a little dark, but I will post it. (O.K. I can't get it to post, maybe I can get it to post tomorrow at school, using the schools's fast internet.) You can see her on the left side of it. I will also post a picture. It was lots of fun. I also will post some pictures of her after we got home by the Christmas tree.