Hayden Turns Six!

Hayden's birthday party was yesterday and I'm pleased to report that it was a success! I did my usual pre-party stress out, but once everything was set up, it was really enjoyable. I made bike licenses for the kids to wear (they had their names and pictures on them), and there were crafts (make your own license plates and handlebar streamers). Mostly, there was just an open space for the kids to ride their bikes and run around. We were fairly close to the playground so some of the kids went back and forth to play (including Parker--attended to by my mom). I had a lot of fun putting it all together, and I was able to relax and enjoy the party (as evidenced by my lack of detail photos--darn!). I made these adorable signs for each "station": "maintain reservoir levels" for coffee/drink station, "tire rotation zone" for bagel stop, "engine zone" for cake, and my favorite "bio diesel" for fruit bowl. The "balloons" were just signs with balloons on them. Funny AND environmentally-conscious.
Here is a link for the photos:

Hayden's Bicycle Parade

Kindergarten Update

It's been a couple weeks since Hayden started Kindergarten, and he's turned into a different kid! He loves his school. After his first day he said, "Mom, I really like my school." Whew! His favorite part? Walking through the halls with his class (to go to the cafeteria, gym, music, or art). He has a *girlfriend, Ryanne, whom he's shared music class and little gym with in previous years. I think knowing someone (even if he didn't quite remember her) helped ease the transition. He is scoring well on his weekly behavior chart, and though he's had a couple of time-outs, I've been assured by his teacher that he's doing very well in class and that it's typical for the kids to have a time-out occasionally. If only she knew! At home, we've noticed Hayden becoming a lot more independent and using his manners more often. After his first week, Hayden decided to start riding the school bus in the mornings to school. He's doing great, what a big kid!
*Oh, and Ryanne is his second girlfriend. Emery is his first girlfriend. He said he will marry Emery first, then Ryanne will be the stepmom. Hmmm...Where does he come up with this stuff?

Dear GG

Our family has lost its matriarch today. Elizabeth Viscardo Bieber, "Betty", "Betty Boop", or "GG" was the great-grandma to Hayden and Parker on daddy's side. She was a woman who lived to serve, and serve she did. She grew up with several brothers and sisters, and alongside her mother, helped raise them all. Then she married Scott's grandfather and took care of him, up to his dying day. I remember her effortlessly creating wonderful meals, lasagna, eggplant parmesan, zucchini fritatta, apple pie, and my personal favorite: macaroni salad. As she got older the meals got simpler, and it became apparent we were the only ones eating. I'm glad that her last weeks were spent with her family, and when she passed, she was surrounded by those that loved her. It's only fitting that she died today, on Labor Day, a day to commemmorate those who have worked so hard, as she did her whole life. It's time to rest, Betty, we love you!

Betty-isms: "menagerie" "get your coats on" and "it's in the genes"

First Day of Kindergarten!

Hayden started Kindergarten today! We all drove to the school and got to walk him inside to the classroom (today's the only day that's allowed). We stopped by the cafeteria so he could have a quick breakfast first (we tried his lunch money account and it's working!). After a bathroom break and washing hands, we finally made it into the classroom. Hayden was adamant about us walking behind him so he could find his classroom on his own. Once there, I showed him his cubby, and he hung his backpack on the hook. He found his teacher and said hello and then sat at a table. It was empty (the two other tables were pretty full), and that made me a little sad to see him sitting all alone, but later I realized I would have done the same thing. I can't wait to pick him up today and see how his first day was! Tomorrow I'll only be able to go inside up to the "hug zone" and he'll have to maneuver the halls solo.

T minus Five Days

In five days, my five-year-old, my firstborn, my wild, crazy, exuberant, bright, hilarious boy will be in KINDERGARTEN. I cannot believe this for many reasons. On one hand, he’s way too smart for kindergarten. Shouldn’t he be in college already? These five (almost six!) years have simultaneously gone by at light speed and also at a snail’s pace. Part of me is saying, Finally! Another part of me is saying, Wait!

I know every parent goes through some of these feelings when her child starts school. I have the same anxieties about how he’ll fit in, if he’ll get in trouble, if he’ll make friends, how he’ll cope with all new: new teacher, new classroom, new building, new friends, new rules, new toys, new schedule, new expectations, new books, new songs, new everything! It’s a lot to shift to!

I also have anxiety over “the diagnosis.” Will he be treated differently because he has ADHD? Will he have extreme outbursts and start off by getting in trouble? Will he be labeled a “problem” from the get-go? Will all the newness be way too much for his brain to handle? Will he hurt another child? Will he be hurt by another child? Will his own anxiety overtake him and send him into depression? Will mine? Will everyone like him? Will they see how amazing he is? Will he be given chances?

Well, there’s no way of knowing any of this until we plunge into it. We were very fortunate to get to meet Hayden’s teacher one-on-one. She is very sweet and patient, and he took an instant liking to her. She reminds me of my sister-in-law, and I wonder if Hayden sees that too. (Beth’s a teacher and Hayden got to be in her first-grade class one day last year. He loved it!) We got to see Hayden’s classroom, the cubbies, the tables, the chairs, the centers, and after a few minutes, Hayden directed me, Scott and Parker out of the room so he could be alone with Mrs. Vandiver. We happily obliged and left them alone for a few minutes. Scott and I checked out the playground and the library, and marveled at how big the school seemed. When we got back to the classroom, Hayden was very engaged with his teacher. She told us he made sure there were enough chairs for everyone in the class and even helped stack them up. Then he discovered some Legos and worked with them while we talked a little longer with her.

I’m pleased that they both got a little one-on-one time before the session starts. I know how hectic things will be initially, and I hope Hayden got some of his questions answered already. When it was time to go, Hayden pulled Mrs. Vandiver’s arm to come with us, then he had a slight meltdown, then he pulled it together and we got out of there unscathed. I’m glad she got to see that side too, so it won’t be a complete shock if it happens. Hopefully it won’t. Lots of times, kiddos with ADHD keep it together at school, especially if they feel safe and it’s well-structured. They have the meltdowns at home, with the moms. Yea for moms! I’ll update when I can. Tonight is the official Meet The Teacher’s night. I’ll be going solo, while Scott watches the kiddos. We felt it was in everyone’s best interest to do it this way.

Here are some pictures of Hayden’s new wardrobe for school. It’s very surfer-rocker-chic, I think it fits him well (pun!). I’m fairly certain flip flops are not allowed, but he wanted to wear his for the photo shoot (which I bribed him mercilessly to do!).

Happy Earth Day, Earth!

Hayden's preschool celebrated Earth Day by visiting a local landfill and recycling center in Hutto, TX. I volunteered as one of the drivers and we caravanned our way to the dump. Once there, the speakers had created a space for the kids to sit on the floor...out of an old trampoline (the stretchy jumpy part)! Then our speaker (who was very engaging with the kids), showed everyone various objects and had the kids decide if they were recyclable or not. She talked about reusing and reducing and then explained how the landfills are created. It was pretty interesting, and I learned a lot. The trash that is buried in the earth creates methane gas, which when harnessed can create energy for electricity. Very cool! After the talk, we drove the kids up a hill (of trash) and saw some of the big dump trucks with all the trash in them. We also saw several bins of various objects: tires, composting material, roofing material, and cardboard boxes. Hayden asked some great questions, one of which was, "How big is the engine that creates the electricity from the gas?" The answer: "Bigger than this building"!
Parker had an impromptu visit at Hayden's preschool which did not go well. When I picked him up, the teacher asked, "Has he ever been away from you?" Um, not really...I took both boys to see the movie "Earth" and it was beautifully shot and not nearly as gory as the Discovery Channel (whew!), but life with 2 kids (one of whom is a baby) meant that we did not get to finish the film. We got a solid 45 minutes, so that was good. And long enough for me to recommend it!
Hope you all enjoyed your Earth Day...what do you do to take care of the earth?