Torn between two loves

Parker is indeed turning out to be a bit of a Casanova. Apparently there is quite a little love triangle taking place in the Blue Birds room.

Parker and Miss Emma (seen here at soccer) have been smitten on each other for months. They were in the same class last year; they have continued their studies together this year; they play on the same soccer team - They are surely perfectly matched, right?



Check out that sideways smile!! ;-)

Well, when Miss Emma recently moved tables at school, a new love interest was born.

Enter Miss Cade.

Now that Cade and Parker have the green table to themselves (with 6 other 4-5 years olds, of course), Parker's affections are certainly torn.

Should he make like an owl and turn his head 180 degrees toward Miss Emma at the red table behind him, or does he simply turn his head 90 degrees directly toward Little Miss Cade on the left?

The choice is most definitely a tough one. Both are smart, precocious, fun-loving, and adorable little girls. I think it's safe to say that Parker's a winner either way!

Happy Valentines Day Big Guy!

Before and After

We didn't want to cut Parker's hair before his special 5th Star Wars birthday party. When it's first cut, one definitely thinks "oh, he just had a hair cut", so we held off for the purposes of pictures and such. Anyway, here's PK before, and after his haircut today. Given these pictures, it looks like we should have cut his mop before the party. ;-)

Because, that's what boys do...

1 boy + 1 extra straw + free time in the car =

Brady's turning 100!!! "NO KITTY, those are my Cheesy Poofs!!!"

If you do not follow South Park, you will probably not get all of this one, but it is truly funny.

Brady had to draw a picture and write a story about what he would be like at age 100. His story goes like this...

"When I am 100, I will have a cane. I will sit in bed and watch movies all day. I will be fat. I will have a very long beard."

It's always interesting to have a view into the young mind. Brady must think all old people sit around, watch movies, and are fat - and have facial hair. Hmmm... he may not be that far off, but I digress.

Anyway, so he reads the story and Amy and I smile and wink to each other. But then, he turns his page around to show us his drawing. It turns out, he thinks he will look like Eric Cartman when he's older.

I totally crack up b/c the thought of Brady acting like Eric Cartman, the most inappropriate, rude cartoon kid in the history of man, at age 100 was perfect. How true it is!

"No Kitty, those are my Cheesy Poofs!! MA-AAAAAAHHM!!!!"

Root, Toot, now Scoot

Today in the car on the way to school:

Brady: "Mommy, is 'toot' a verb or a noun?"

Insert Parker giggling.

Mommy: "Well, what do you think? Perhaps it can be used as both."

Brady: "Parker 'tooted' yesterday at Little Gym is a verb - a big, smelly action verb! And Parker had a stinky 'toot' yesterday at Little Gym is a noun, and 'stinky' is its adjective!"

Mommy, trying to speak over Parker's howling laughter: "Yes, Brady you are correct. Now get out of the car, and DON'T YOU DARE use that example in Mrs. Van. B's class!!!"

If he can properly diagram bodily functions, then why, oh why, did he miss several points on his grammar test last week?

Boys.

Our future ambassador?

I know I have many past-due blog posts in my file ... our October trip to Florida, Halloween, and fall soccer to name a few. Heck, I don't think I even blogged Brady's 7th birthday. [sigh] All in good time.

Regardless of my backlog, I wanted to make the time to share my pride (and Bill's) with the little man Brady is becoming. While there are certainly still moments when I think to myself, "Have I taught you nothing?" those moments are now fewer and far between.

We have always known that Brady wears his heart on his sleeve. He feels deeply, and he loves fast. He wants the world to be his friend, and he has rarely met a stranger.

Yesterday I stopped in at school to pick up Parker's St. B's Kindergarten Application (Seriously? Ahh, that's another blog.) As I was standing in the office the Director of Admissions Mrs. S., who is a kind friend and fellow mom, came around the office to share her story with me.

Apparently there was a little 1st grader who came to St. B's to visit yesterday for the day. His parents are considering a mid-year transfer, and they wanted him to experience what school at St. B's is like, as it is different than many traditional schools. He would transfer into Brady's homeroom class, so that's where they placed for the day.

When Mrs. S. entered with the boy and introduced him, Brady immediately got up and introduced himself, reached out his hand to shake the boy's, and then encouraged his classmates to come up and do the same! He took the new kid under his wing, so to speak, and made sure he felt included and informed all day! He was an ambassador for St. B's - without being asked - and he did it because he felt it, not because he was told.

Hearing the story from Mrs. S was wonderful, and as we discussed Brady's loving and kind behavior at dinner last night he beamed with self-satisfaction! Parents all know that proud smile that can't be faked or brought out upon demand. It truly comes from within.

This morning Principal Willis stopped me in carpool to tell me the story again (he didn't know that I knew.) He relayed to me that Brady made Mr. Willis and all of St. B's very proud. His kindness, openness, and friendliness made a positive mark in the little visitor's day, and he showcased his school in the best possible light.

Future politician? Maybe. Future ambassador? Sure!

Proud Parker Keep on Learnin'

Seems kinda funny - yet strangely fitting - to follow up my last post about Brady's classroom antics with one about Parker.

Parker recently came home beaming from ear to ear with pride. The teachers in his PreK room had apparently implemented a new system of reward whereby kids were given a small card each week. As they demonstrated positive, good behavior, they were able to earn little smiling stickers throughout the week. Whomever had the most stickers on Friday would earn the Student of the Week certificate and be invited to bring and share a favorite lovey, book or game from home the following week.

Parker takes great pride telling me each day that he "stayed on green." And on the rare occassions when his stoplight has moved down the color pole, he has come home honestly remorseful and sad.

So when he hopped in the car with his big yellow certificate, I thought he was going to burst! He excitedly told me all about it (though he was a bit more shy on camera.)

And the following week he insisted on bringing his 5' pet snuffed snake to school - and according to Ms. JaNeah, it was a hit!

Keep on rollin' Parker!