Today at 11.45 I met with Lily’s teacher, Mrs. Daniels.  I was nervous because I didn’t know what to expect, but I also knew that based on the few conversations I’ve had with her, Lily was doing fine. 

This entry is hard for me because I don’t like bragging about my kids.  But today I have to give Lily kudos. 

Lily has done exceptionally well so far in Kindergarten.  She’s well-adjusted, doesn’t cause problems, and in the words of her teacher, is an “ideal” Kindergartner.  She’s not perfect, but like me, she has that ingrained need to please that makes her popular (at least in the younger years) with the teachers.  Apparently during recess she sucks up to all the other K teachers and spends a lot of time hugging and being hugged.  One of the things I like most about Lily is her warm personality. She’s very sweet and concerned with others (except Arden).  For example, one of her K friends was out sick all last week, and she repeatedly told me that she hoped Riley would be able to Trick or Treat.  She told me today that Riley was able to go, and how happy she was for her friend.  I’m really glad she has that kind streak, because I do not want to raise “mean girls”.  If I can do nothing else, having girls that aren’t mean to others would mean I was victorious as a mother.

And Eileen’s advice was wonderful.  My friend Eileen taught Kindergarten before staying home to raise three kids.  When I was panicking about what to do last year, and all the other parents were signing their kids up for “early reader” programs, or tutoring them constantly to see who’s child would read first, she talked me off the ledge of insanity.  Her advice was to leave the reading teaching to the Kindergarten teachers, and that often if you push your kids to do things too soon, they will be very bored in Kindergarten.  Although the public schools offer some enrichment, Kindergarten is not geared toward 5/6 year olds who are already reading at a 2nd grade level.  So Eileen - if you are reading this - Mrs. Daniels told me how awesome your advice was.

That being said, Lily is interested in reading and I spend large portions of every day sounding out or spelling words with her.  I was expecting her teacher to tell me she was going to be in the low reading group because she didn’t do any of the early reading programs. I was pleasantly surprised to find that she was actually placed in the high reading group.  It will be work for her, but based on her test scores, she’s ready.  (A side note:  It’s freaking me out that I’m already talking about test scores!!!!) 

I was really proud of her achievements and how easily she adjusted to Kindergarten.  I know that a lot of people think I sucked because both girls were in preschool or some kind of day care for so many years, but you know what?  It may not be perfect, but it sure makes socialization and adjusting to school a lot easier on them. 

Also, we’ll be getting a report card soon.  I’m glad Mrs. D warned me.  I’m the typical clueless Kindergartner mom!  Report cards?  In Kindergarten??  Apparently, yes. 

Up until recently, I’ve managed to keep Barbies and most Princess items out of our estogen-filled home.  I have issues with Barbie - I even wrote about the vacuous homemaker in college for a particularly hard-nosed prof, and did well. Perhaps I’m so anti-Princess because on some level I don’t want my kids growing up thinking they will have a fairy-tale ending - because you know, it’s never that simple, but then I chastise myself for being such a Debbie Downer. 

Either way, despite my best efforts to steer them toward art supplies, puzzles, gymnastics or dance, they both fell in love with Wedding Bells Barbie and their trunk of princess booty from Auntie Risa.  They love all things girly, and this morning they were in full royal regalia.  Lily’s nightgown was sticking out the back of her sparkly pink gown, but Prince Eric didn’t notice as she danced in the kitchen ballroom.  Arden regularly refers to me as “Queen Mommy” and that’s okay with me. 

So when people ask me what Lily and Arden are going to be for Halloween, I smile and say “Cinderella.  Both of them.”  Maybe because I was never into princesses I have a hard time understanding the allure of them, but for now, I find myself wearing crowns, large gaudy rings, and prancing around my kitchen with my two princesses.  And part of me really likes the fairytale -or at least the part where someone else would clean my bathrooms. 

Lily’s tooth has been loose for a while. It’s her first one to go, so she has been super-excited about it falling out. Today it was literally hanging by a thread, so Mike, being less queasy than me, pulled it out.  She can’t wait for the Tooth Fairy to show up tonight. 

The picture isn’t that great - she was grinning so much I couldn’t really get her to open her mouth, but it’s the bottom front tooth.  What’s the going rate for teeth these days? 

There are no words.

I finally caved, not because of my mom, but because Lily wanted to take tap and ballet lessons. I switched her from gymnastics into the triple threat class:  tumbling, tap and ballet.  Now she get a little of all three.  I don’t have much time to blog, but I do have tons of pictures and videos to share because I am THAT mom who was obnoxious and kept pushing to the front.  I really did it for my mom, who unfortunately had to miss seeing Lily live and in person. I’m trying to get the house ready for a weekend away, pack for four people, help Mike with the trash, get both girls to bed and make sure we don’t miss the Palin/Biden freakshow.  Enjoy.

First up: the obnoxious photos from Flickr.

And then a ton of videos, albeit short ones . . .