Sunday, August 16, 2009

School Report

Having completed the first 3 weeks of school I must say the last 2 were much better than the 1st. Tatum had a very difficult time that first week. Each melt down got longer, more drawn out and more hideous. That 1st Friday her melt down lasted 2 hours. Near the end of her hysterical screaming we got a phone call from the front office showing Tatum as absent. I assured the lady she was on her way and she was, an hour and a half late. Chris nor I was going to put up with a year of this hideous behavior. That Friday morning she said she wanted to stay home with me and Jersey. We got her little photo album out and sent it with her, as well as her necklace with Jersey on it. A couple hours later I got a call from the school counselor. She was so very nice and offered her help any time we need it. She checked on Tatum throughout the day and each time found her happy and cooperating. Tatum later reported she showed Mrs. Moore her sister and they talked about her. Makes me sad. We decided a sticker chart would hopefully do the trick. For every morning she got ready and left the house happy she'd get a sticker and if she got 5 in a row we would go to McDonald's for an ice cream. She's never displayed such behavior since. And yes, she got her ice cream.

Since, she is happy and darling and eager to go and see her friends. She was really excited to buy her very own lunch and chose corn dog day as her first. Corn dogs, french fries, and chocolate milk, nice and healthy. It's been fun watching her make new little friends. Her and her new friend Tyler plan what they are wearing to school the next day so they can match. Wearing uniforms makes it easy to match and they are excited when they do. I love holding her little hand as we walk to school. It's not squishy any more. It's not a baby hand any more. She's growing and while I'm excited for each new phase I hate that I have to say good-bye to my little girl. It's fun to pick her up and in the enormous crowd of parents, students, and teachers I love to see her eyes light up and her eye brows raise when she sees my face. It's fun to walk home together and talk about her day. We talk about who she sat by and played with, how the activity of the day went, and what she played at recess which, no surprise, is a princess game. Recently she informed me she doesn't want to marry AJ any more because a new boy, Eli, has come along and he likes the way her tooth wiggles. Sorry AJ. I asked her what will happen when her tooth finally comes out. She rolled her eyes like a grown up. Young love. She hasn't quite told him she's marrying him so please keep it on the down low.

Tucker absolutely loves his preschool. Chris and I often find him asleep wearing a shirt tucked in to jeans with a belt cinched tight and with his socks on. He's ready for school!! School doesn't start until 9 and by 8:30 he's sitting on the counter in front of the clock with his back pack on wanting to know when we can leave. He's lucky to have 4 buddies in his class and is always excited to tell me who he sat by. He not as excited about his homework. It's usually a struggle to to do his one page of homework. He is excited to have homework because he knows that Tatum has it and he wants to be just like her. He certainly thinks he's as old as her. He wants to grow up so fast. He's always talking about what he wants to be when he grows up. He began wanting to be a baseball player, then an astronaut, and now he wants to be an under water walker but NOT a diver. Not sure how big the demand is for an under water walker but that's what he wants to be. One thing's for sure, he's still squishy and I hope he stays so for at least another year.

11 comments:

Evie's Story said...

Thanks for the recap of their big milestone adventures...so precious!

Jill said...

you have some cute kids. tatum is always adorable and tucker (although he can love you one second and loath you the next) is such a handsome little sweetie. I'm excited to see them in Nov.

ps. I got the shirt, thanks!

DaNelle said...

Ugh, Ethan was like that too in Kindergarten. I think it was just brain overload or something. Though Tatum is probably affected more by missing Jersey. Ethan got better as he got used to it! Good luck!

Chelsea said...

:). Sounds so similar to Brayden's year last year. It is so diffcult dragging your kid to school! UGH. So glad she is doing better!

Em said...

What a couple of weeks. Tatum is just a sweet heart and her girlie ways make me giggle!!!

Dennison Family said...

I love the update! I"m glad you have found something that "works" for Tatum, at least for now! I'm sure things will settle and it will be great! Better start planning that girls wedding! What a doll!!

Shanen said...

They are getting big, but there are perks to that. Tatum always looks so cute, and when I see her at school she is always smiling in the front of her line and being very well behaved. I am glad the tantrums have stopped, and an ice cream on Friday sounds familiar, except we do half price slushes at sonic. Maybe next week when you get back we will have to coordinate and go together. =)

Mindi D said...

What?!? I have a letter asking Koy to marry her just last week!! She's quite the little playa. I won't tell Koy :) I'm glad that they both love school! I can't wait!!

Unknown said...

How much fun!! I have never thought of their little hands as "squishy" until now. I can't wait to hold one of my grandbabies squishy hands now!

Libbis grammy

Nicole said...

I love that you call their hands squishy. I love the squish! I'll be sad when mine don't have it anymore too! Glad to hear Tater is adjusting to school. Sorry that the first few days were hard on you all.
P.S. Why does Tuck have homework in preschool? Addie doesn't get homework. Is she in an unchallanging environment? :) We can't have that :)

Kelli said...

Hi Heidi,
I think of you often and always wonder how you are doing. I am sorry to read that you had a hard time with the overwhelming emotions. I know that sweet baby Jersey is doing great in heaven and is pain free. You did an amazing job with the Christmas in July. I hope that this continues to heal your broken heart.
Tatum and Tucker are so beautiful and I love to read your blog to see how they are doing. They seem like amazing wonderful little people. I love that Tucker is awnry (did I spell that right??) and that Tatum is sassy and seems to know exactly what she wants.
I don't work at St. Joe's anymore. I miss taking care of the sweet heart babies. I took a position as the Clinical Coordinator (kinda like the Manager) in Surgery at Mountain Vista Medical Center in Mesa. Please keep in touch and if you need to talk, I am here. Love, Nurse Kelli