Attached At The Hip

Tori doesn’t get much girl time, so when Destiny came, she was delighted. She stuck to Destiny like glue, following her everywhere and smiling all the time. She even went over to Aunt Annie’s with them. (Frank’s dad was there for Thanksgiving.) All of this fun made for one tired Tori, and she got real weepy on Friday night when she realized they were all leaving the next morning. Come Saturday morning, she was well rested and managed to keep it together when they left. She helped me put things away and do some laundry, all the while waiting patiently for a ride in the new car! She loves the Traverse, especially her seat in the third row, which she has been begging for since she realized some cars have third rows.

Bed Wetter

Tori has started to wet the bed at various times. We’re not sure what’s going on with her. What seems to alleviate the problem is giving her one last drink of water at 7 and me getting her at night when I go to the bathroom. Unfortunately, I was so tired the other night I did not get her up and we had a wet bed to deal with. Maybe after a few more weeks of this, she will automatically get up on her own.

Hunt and Seek

We're delivering the last of the fundraiser candy tonight to a friend. She doesn't have any kids of her own and likes to spoil mine rotten with little gifts hidden all around her home. The kids love walking around her new home and finding all of the hidden treasures. We're bringing pizza tonight for dinner and then let the hunting begin!

Diva

Tori's report was equally good. She needs to work on letter recognition, but her teachers said she tries so hard they know she's going to get it. The meeting started with a discussion of Tori's hair, which her teachers assured me they knew she was doing herself. One day I guess she returned from science with a ponytail right in front—picture Tori as a unicorn. Her teachers had to muffle their laughter and managed to get her hair in place. They love her and think she is wonderful, just like the folks do in latchkey.

9 out of 26

That’s how many letters Tori recognizes from the alphabet. Not exactly great. We’ve been working with her, but I don’t know that we’re making a lot of headway. It all takes time I guess. I think she gets distracted rather easily and loses focus, so we’re working on that too.

No luck with Girl Scouts. Huts says he sees posters in the lunchroom on it, but the women never got back to me about it, so…I think we’re looking into putting her into a tumbling class. That will keep her fairly busy and more importantly allow her to release some of that pent-up energy.

One Too Many Fits

For whatever the reason, Tori was a real pill this weekend. Maybe it was because she was tires. Maybe it was because we have left her go one too many times. Anyway. she threw one whopping of a fit on Sunday afternoon when we told her it was time to leave the playground. She stomped, kicked, screamed, cried, etc.., until I pulled her out of the playground and smacked her hard on the butt. Then she settled down and whimpered to the car. She stewed for 15 minutes and then clung to me the rest of the day. She knew she had crossed the line. This morning, we warned her no fits this afternoon when we picked her up. We'll see if she listened.

And the Winners Are...

Clone trooper for Ollie, Dorothy from Oz for Tori and Puppy Dog for Eli. These are the costumes they have picked out for Halloween/. They are having a 45-minute fall party on 10/29 and coming to my work at 2:30 to do a little trick-or-treating. I am helping out at the school party, or Huts is--the sitter has something to do so Eli is with me for the day and Huts is coming home early. Should be lots of fun and loads of candy for the kids.

Playground Cryer

Tori has enjoyed everything about school. Her teacher, classmates, hot and cold lunches and Before/After Care. The only thing she doesn't seem to like so far is the amount of time she gets to spend at After Care. She doesn't get enough time to swing before we get there, so we always end up with a crying girl when we pick her up from after care. She's so upset because SHE WANTED TO SWING! We tell her everyday that if she wants to swing that she needs to do that first when they go outside. These words are not heeded as we always end up with a crying Tori. Even when she does get to swing, she wants to swing more! There is never enough time for swinging.

Usually she stops crying once we get out of the parking lot. Tori has been going outside and using our swings to get her after school fix. Luckily she's big enough that she can play outside by herself. Before kindergarten started, she also taught herself how to swing, so we don't have to be involved. However, she still requests that we push her on the swing sometimes. I guess she still wants her parents to help her swing.

Oh Please

We took the kids to Target on Sunday and rewarded them for being so good all weekend long with the yard sale, festival, etc/ Tori took an instant liking to this wedding Barbie ensemble, complete with Kent he groom and two bridesmaids. She just had to have it, and we relented. She disliked the wedding dress--too fluffy, so that came off and jeans and shirt went on. Then she played with the four for a long time. When I went in this morning to get her up, I found Ken in the window sill and the girls on the floor under her bed. I guess she had some fun with them before she fell asleep!

Anyway, she got a very nice toy, which meant her brother got a very nice toy, which he played with all day. The best toy, however, was the cheapest--Eli's singamabob. I caught all three playing with that doll.

Better Today

Yesterday morning was not a good one for Tori. We put her to bed at 8:30, which means she stayed up to 9 or so and that ended up costing us. Tori was a total crab and broke down at before care. I pulled her into my lap and reassured her everything would be OK. She did not want to go to school,, so last night she went to bed at 8 and woke up her sunny self. She ate some pancakes and went into school without a fuss! That girl needs her sleep! Of course, we won't be home by 8 to put her in bed tonight. Maybe Uncle Dale can manage it.

Ready To Go

As previously mentioned, Tori has been excitedly waiting for school to begin. The first 2 days she got to sleep in until 8 am due to their being no before/after care. She was happy and ready to go both days. she enjoyed her first couple of days and made some new friends (even though she doesn't know their names yet, but knows they like her shoes!). We were expecting her to be the first one who would get in trouble for talking too much, but apparently it was another boy who got that privilege. It sounds like she's been a pretty good student so far.

Today she starts before/after care and the first full day of school. She got up in a better mood than most days she went to the sitter's. She wasn't quite sure what to do once she got to before care, but I bet the full day will tire her out tonight. she's been excited to wear a new uniform every day and likes picking out her clothes the night before. So far no homework, but I'm sure it'll pick up next week. Tonight she also gets her haircut and we are going to the mall to hopefully find her a few more uniform dresses.

We thought this would be a bigger transition for her and that we'd be having an unhappy child with lots of battles about school, clothes and getting up in the morning, but so far, she's been pretty good about everything. I think her brother leading the way and her outgoing personality helped ease her fears and allowed her to enjoy the beginning of school. Hopefully it continues.

Getting To Know Everyone

Tori doesn't know much about her classmates yet, but she is trying. She knows that one of them is named Jayden and one of the boys wears glasses, which hurt his nose. Some girl told her that she liked her shoes, which pleased Tori to no end. We're just waiting for her to get the names down pat and then she will be bursting with stories as she does with Kylie from the babysitters. We know all about Kylie''s likes and dislikes, daily rituals, etc. compliments of Miss Tori.

Sneak Peek

Tori got to check out her classroom yesterday. She seemed thrilled to be there. She checked out her classroom and another room where she will doing some things and met her teacher. She also got early that day, so I know she's excited! Get ready, Mrs. Badorek, here she comes!

Almost Time

School registration is tomorrow night. Huts and I will fill out some paperwork and then check out the lists to see who the kids' teachers are. Tori is looking forward to it. Christian would love to skip it, I think, and end his education now. We had a big discussion this morning about shoes. Sandals are not allowed, so I bought the two new tennis shoes. Tori remembers and has been begging to wear hers ever since. Christian doesn't and tried to tell me I had bought him new sandals. Ugh! When that boy is fixed on something, he won't let go of it!

Anyway, we are getting everything labeled and put in the backpacks this weekend. Wish us luck! Tori will want to go to school right then and there! That girl just cannot wait!