Usborne Books E-Show--Place Your Orders Now!!

After I posted the link to the Usborne e-show my sister had (click here for previous post with more info.), my friend Alyson looked into the company and has now become a consultant. She lives in Sacramento and I'm having a party here in Davis at the Solano Park Community Center next Thursday, Sept. 7 at 7 pm--Come one, come all!

She has also set up an e-show for me so ANYONE can shop on-line and place their orders on their own. Click on this link to check it out: www.ubah.com/HOS65349.

So Far So Good.

It was only the first day but it's a good start. His class is structured much like his preschool was. The first 45 min. is free play in stations (including play dough, reading, science and play kitchen/restaurant). They even have circle time with stories and singing. He goes from 11:45-3:05 with a recess and snack time mixed in. There will be an academic component towards the middle of the year, which will be great timing for our situation. We LOVE his teacher. She's middle-aged and seems really on the ball. Yesterday, the parents went to an open house with the kids for an hour just to get acquainted with the classroom and to meet her. She spent the entire time walking around with a clip board observing the children. I was impressed when I approached her for the first time that she knew exactly who my child was and brought to my attention that she had read my note (which was included in all the paperwork we turned in before school even started) and agreed that we'd work closely on his progress. She was so perceptive.

Jaden's favorite part of the day: RECESS!! And there was nothing that he didn't like about kindergarten.

Now, remember the original plan was to do spanish immersion this year and repeat regular kindergarten next year when we move (since he wouldn't be up to speed to go to regular 1st grade coming from spanish immersion kindergarten). He's now #1 on the waitlist for spanish immersion so we may have another big decision ahead of us.

Jaden and his "Girlfriend."

We don't know where this came from but it has been going on for a couple of weeks now. She lives in our complex. According to Jaden, she's not just someone he likes to play with at the playground, she's his "girlfriend" so they spend all their time together and his job is to protect her and apparently to make sure she's happy since he bought her a late birthday present the last time we went to the store, insists we get enough donuts for her, etc. He's quite the gentleman. It's so interesting to watch how he treats her. It doesn't matter who he's playing with or what he's doing, if she comes to the playground, he's with her.

They go to the same school but are not in the same class. She goes to the AM session but they were very excited to see each other coming and going at school today. She's a sweetheart. They went to dollar scoop night at BaskinRobbins this evening.


This is another friend who lives in our complex that is in his class and is also in his primary class at church so they've enjoyed pal'n around together, although, I heard the "girlfriend" ask him today if SHE was his girlfriend. Uh-oh, here we go.....

Is It Really Time?

Jaden McKay Maika'i, 2 1/2
I've been adament since the time of his birth that Jaden would not go to kindergarten until he was almost 6 since he has a Nov. birthday (that would be next year). All the kindergaten teachers I'm acquainted with along with others I've talked to have supported this decision...all but my husband (he says he's been supportive just open-minded).

So recently, as we're trying to decide what to do next year since we didn't get into any of the preschools we applied to this year,

(he's been in an incredible co-op preschool for the last two years where he learned amazing problem solving and social skills and I learned a lot about parenting)

Micah comes up with this grand plan:

Jaden can start kindergarten this year and then repeat it again next year when we move elsewhere. It's free and will give him the advantage when he goes again next year.

I thought it seemed a bit ridiculous but then he came up with this one:

We'll start him in the spanish immersion kindergarten here and then have him repeat regular kindergarten next year.

I thought that made more sense but was determined to consult with my kindergarten sources before making any decisions on the matter.

Surpisingly, they thought it was a wonderful idea. I was even more assured since we just spent two days hanging out with one of my sources who's taught kindergarten for at least 20 years and is the mother of four FABULOUS children and the other is my mother-in-law, retired kindergarten teacher of 10 years and mother of six FABULOUS children, who also knows Jaden quite well.

Now, we're just waiting. We're only one week away and all the classes are full. We have all our paperwork in so we'll see what happens. He'll either get admitted to the Spanish Immersion program or overflowed to a regular kindergarten class.

It's such little time for me to emotionally prepare for this. I just can't imagine him being on a big playground with all these other strange kids I don't know. The good thing, is that he won't be. He'll be in a smaller fenced play area with only the kindergartners. That makes me feel better.

Sacramento Temple Open House

Our family attended the Sacramento Temple Open House today.

When a new temple is built, it's opened up to the public to tour for about a month before it's dedicated. It's such a wonderful opportunity for those not of our faith to experience the beauty of a temple and learn more (click here) about the sacred work we do within its walls. Jaden's favorite part was "the room with all the jewelry," which was the celestial room that had a magnificent chandelier in the center and similar but smaller one's around the room covering the lights. Amazingly, this was the only room that Beckam whispered in, until we were leaving that is, when he yelled, "bye, bye." The boys enjoyed the tour. We're so excited for the dedication so that we can attend more regularly without having to drive to Oakland. We're only 30 min. away now.

The temple and the grounds surrounding it are so peaceful and tranquil. In the heart of a busy city, it's set up on a hill nestled adjacent to a grassy grove of mature trees with benches scattered throughout.








It's such a great place for introspection and meditation...and wrestling if you're two little Nilsson boys. We LOVE to visit the temple!!

And here are the shots Jaden took of us (see comments):

Mission Accomplished!!

We just returned from a trip home to good ole' Bakersfield! After one year of planning, organizing, calling, emailing, pleading, screaming and otherwise getting our ten year high school reunion to happen...it DID!! Although the week prior meant reverting back to my college days sleep schedule, practically abandoning my kids (with family members who literally lined up to help out) and questioning whether or not I'd actually have enough energy to attend the festivites, the events went off without a hitch and a GREAT time was had by all.

We kicked off with a picnic and White Water Rafting (thanks to Darron, Micah's bro. who owns River's End Rafting and Adventure Co.). We had a perfect turnout and the greatest bunch of volunteers (mom, dad, nieces, mom-in-law, sister-in-law, brother-in-laws) to make sure all the details were in order and that the kids were safe while their parents rafted. One of my best friends from high school had a small get together that evening and then the following night was the BIG event. At last count, we had 140 people. It was Perfect. Everybody was having so much fun reconnecting that very few people were even on the dance floor. It was so great to see so many people that you share so many different memories with. I'm proud of my husband who won the prize for the most moves in ten years with 21+. It was so fun being there with the person I would've been looking forward to seeing most!!

Just for fun let me explain the decor: we had 24 orchids shipped in from L.A., which served as our centerpieces and then were presented to all those who provided donations (cash, prizes, etc.). Our school colors were blue and green and IKEA has the perfect tealights, four to a pack that were placed around the orchids. We had individually wrapped cookies from our famous local bakery with HHS written on them at each place setting. My favorite part were the round paper lanterns (thank you again, IKEA) that hung at varying heights from the ceiling over the dance floor.

My favorite line: "Just let me know when you start planning the 20 year, I'd love to help!" Response: "I"m not planning the 20 year." Look of surprse, "Than who will?" "Not me." Maybe things will change in 10 years, M-A-Y-B-E!


I only had my camera on Friday so this is only some of the brave 1996 Scotsmen who rafted the Kern River!