go gators

On Sunday evening Amaya made this for her teacher, Mrs. Shuart, and gave it to her on Monday morning. I’m so happy that the kids are having such a positive experience in kindergarten and love their teachers.

Sweatpants have made all the difference for Amaya in terms of cold weather mornings. She loves leggings but they’re just not warm enough for her at this time of year. Like mother, like daughter. We hate the cold.

From Steven: “Mommy, how do you spell ‘mummy’?” You can tell he’s gotten into reading the early reader pattern books like, “I see a ____”.

The kids didn’t have school on Tuesday so Jason took the day off to stay home with them. The boys worked on a school project where they cut out paper turkeys and then disguised them as something else. Sammy decided to disguise his as a tree and Steven chose a puppy (named Spot).

Sammy’s Tree Turkey.

Steven’s Puppy Turkey

In the afternoon, Gabby took SSA to her house where they met her mom and got to look through Gabby’s old dance scrapbooks. Two of them, I’m told!

Amaya made this picture for Gabby to put in her “dance book”. <3

Wednesday was Wacky Wednesday at school. It’s hard to see it here but Sammy is wearing 5 shirts and 3 pair of pants. Steven is wearing two shirts, two pair of pants and so many socks that we couldn’t get his orthotics on. He also has 7 or 8 firefighter hats. Amaya went for some hair dye to mark the day.

When it was time to take a picture they got in this order and Sammy realized they weren’t in their usual line up but Steven suggested sitting in the wrong order would be “extra wacky”.

I’m kind of obsessed with how poised Amaya is here.

Wednesday morning the kids had dentist appointments. I think I missed the last two but expected everything to go smoothly, especially since there were no x-rays planned. WRONG. So very wrong

Amaya cried the minute the hygienist came out. Steven started crying shortly after. Thank goodness for Sammy who calmly and easily walked off with his hygienist without any concerns. We brought Amaya and Steven over to see how simple the cleaning was but they weren’t having it. In the end, it took long (LONG) conversations with two different dentists, and a seat on my lap to start off, to get it done. Afterward, they both admitted that it wasn’t actually painful or scary so hopefully they remember that for next time.

As always, Dr. Maxwell reminded us that Steven and Amaya have crowded mouths – Steven especially – and we should prepare for some orthodonture work once their top four teeth come in. She said that the boys’ teeth aren’t showing any sign of movement but she wouldn’t be surprised if Amaya loses her center bottom teeth in the coming months. I’m sure going to miss their baby teeth when that day comes.

Snow. 🙁

In my desperation at the dentist, I offered presents for getting their teeth cleaned. Both Steven and Amaya picked Lego sets. Steven got a Mars shuttle and Amaya got Emma’s Art Stand.

For months, Sammy has been saying that he wants a car that drives on the wall. He saw one in a commercial a while back. It was on his list for Hanukkah but he used the trip to the dentist as a chance to get it earlier. It’s pretty darn cool.

Friday was Spirit Wear Day. The boys wore their Gator Gear and Amaya wore a cool t-shirt her class made. It’s a forever keepsake.

Friday night was our first annual Gator Gala at Thornton Creek. It’s the PTA’s biggest fundraiser and big deal around the school. They have food and treats, tons of games to play, face painting, a bounce house, a live animal show and tons of other things to do. Gabby came with us and stayed until Jason arrived a little before 7pm.

Starting out with slushies

Face painting and henna tattoos

Hot Shot Hockey in Steven & Sammy’s classroom, where I had a volunteer shift.

Steven, Sammy and I went to a really cool animal show. We saw a chinchilla, owl, wallaby and I helped hold a 10 ft boa constrictor. I volunteered at Sammy’s request and then realized what I got myself into. The boys were enthralled through the entire show.

Photo booth!!

I snagged some pictures in Steven and Sammy’s room while I was volunteering in there. It was cool to be able to see the room layout and the touches of personalization (which seem much more extensive in Kindergarten rooms than older grade rooms).

Sammy wasn’t kidding about busy Fridays!

Room jobs! It looks like this week Steven will be the greeter and Sammy will be tech expert.

For a while now the kids have been asking when they’d get to jump in fall leaves. I saw our neighbor, Mr. Dave, blowing leaves in his yard and he offered to consolidate them between our yards. Jason got out his blower and added to the pile for some fun leaf jumping.

I recorded The Little Mermaid live and it was a perfect lazy Saturday afternoon activity. I’m still so happy with our new sofa!

Sally is getting more and more comfortable with the kids. She’s around the house more often and SSA are getting more and more opportunities to pet her, especially Steven and Sammy who want to.

I took the kids to CVS to get some wine and art supplies (as you do) and ended up with a van that wouldn’t start. Daddy to the rescue! The kids enjoyed going through all of the scenarios we’d deal with if Jason couldn’t get there. Sleep in the car. Call a tow truck. Call the police. Walk home. Freeze to death. (Not my suggestion!)

Steven, Sammy and Amaya still earns stars for staying in bed until their green light goes on in the morning. Last night Sammy worried about having bad dreams and was willing to give up a star to sleep with Jason. It’s truly impossible to say no to this child when he wants to sleep with you.

Amaya had a play date today with her friend Maia. At first she was insistent that The Brothers couldn’t be nearby but I think she quickly realized that was futile. Everyone was amped up and it was more chaotic than the typical Sunday afternoon at home but it’s fun to see the kids play with friends.

Sammy took some videos of the group that he’s sharing with Jason here.

The Cline men building roller coasters

I let the kids play with some of my bigger Lego sets every now and then. I mean, what’s the point of building them to always sit on a shelf, right? I think the Dark Tower is going to be a new favorite.

Just a few more little anecdotes.

Amaya sat down with pen and paper and asked how to spell words. As Steven ran circles around our kitchen island he’d yell out “i-ts”, “s-o”, “a-t”! So I call this a collaborative effort with some lifting from me on “riding”, “her” and “scooter”.