Kindergarten or Bust!

Madeline has started Kindergarten!  Over the summer, Madeline was anxiously awaiting to start her big year - squeals of delight when we got a postcard from the principal and the arrival of her new backpack!

 

We met her teacher, Mrs. Close over the summer as well.  Mrs. Close is a seasoned teacher and has been working with her assistant, Mrs. Metro, for 10 years.  Mrs. Metro is also a certified teacher.  Two certified teachers with 25 kindergartners?  YES, please!  Eric and I were very impressed with them.  Mrs. Close runs a "tight" ship, but she has that tender, calm aura about her that meshes well with Madeline's personality.  Mrs. Close is a nice blend of some "old school gotta know this in life" & the latest teaching tools type of woman.  As a former teacher, I appreciate that she sticks with some timeless strategies that work, but she is also willing to jump on board with the newest materials & strategies.  Again, a nice blend that only a seasoned teacher can pull off well.  As hard as I try to put my teacher brain in storage when I'm talking with Mrs. Close about Madeline, it always jumps forward with a question or a thought.  Luckily, I know Mrs. Close is on Madeline's side, so we have a lovely working relationship to make the best out of Madeline's school year. 

 

Madeline had a fantastic first few days of school despite her casted arm.  Her teacher, her new friends, the principal, and the Kindergarten guidance counselor were all very helpful to her.  Madeline was definitely the epitome of a confused, floundering Kindergarten student those first few days.  The entire day overwhelmed her - from the fast paced on a schedule class to eating lunch in 25 minutes (those first few days Madeline literally came home with one bite out of her sandwich and ALL of her lunch!) to the morning and afternoon carpool line to doing homework to getting up at 6:30 AM!  My favorite line from her first day of school was, "Mommy!  It's so dark!  Are you sure it's not still nighttime?"

First day of school with her Doctor's Care sling and loose ace bandage wrappings that sent my girl to the nurse's office on Day 1 of Kindergarten

Kindergarten took a few weeks to settle into a good routine, a nice balance of down time before homework time, working with Amelia's separation anxiety, and Mommy working out all the kinks to prevent as many meltdowns as possible.  We made it, and this Mama like all Mamas out there got this house running as close to a well-oiled machine as possible.

First day of school with her Daddy

Madeline is doing well in Kindergarten.  First and foremost, she LOVES IT!  Her teacher told me at our conference, "Madeline has a smile on her face from the minute I see her in the morning to the minute she leaves to go home.  We love her sweet nature."  I'm proud of her for her constant willingness to go with the flow, learn new things, try new things, and remain tolerant of the "noisy kids in my class that don't want to learn".  Madeline's immaturity is showing in her basic skills.  Homework takes longer than ten minutes, and I'm having to work with her more than I anticipated.  I am also learning that Madeline has a lazy bone - she will "think" when she really wants me to give her a hint.  Guess what?!  No hints from Mom especially on something she's supposed to figure out herself.  We've had a few "homework meltdowns" simply because Madeline doesn't want to think for herself.  She's figured out I'm guiding her in the homework.  I will not do it for her.  I will not tell her how to do it.  I force her to think for herself.  Initially, this upset her and caused much frustration.  I pull out all of my strategies to help her, but I want her to understand that learning comes from hard work, making mistakes, and learning from them.  Madeline has figured that out about Mom during homework time, so things run more smoothly now.  Slowly but surely, things are clicking, and Madeline is sounding out words, reading!!!, and spelling!!! on her own.  It's pretty awesome.  

The giant, bright yellow car sign that hung in my giant silver Armada that Madeline was completely oblivious to the first few days of school. :)

All in all, Kindergarten has been what we expected - a few bumps, lots of smiles, and some fantastic stories in the car on the way home.  Madeline has made new friends, loves all parts of her day, and is learning like crazy.  She's always going to be "young", and hopefully that will work itself out with a little bit of maturity.  So far, Kindergarten has forced the maturity thing.  It's forced me to "let go" a little bit which is a good thing.  Eric and I are excited to see the growth - emotionally, socially, and intellectually.  We're off to a great start, and it's just the beginning of the year!



After her first day of school - I had to dismiss her early to take her to the orthopedic doctor.  Hot pink cast for this girl!

Happy 5th Birthday, Madeline! (Plus a bonus feature!)

Wow!  What a memorable 5th birthday you had, Miss Madeline Grace!  You had a blast with a small glitch.  Starting from the beginning of your birthday weekend, you knew you were going to be 5, and you.were.excited!  This meant "big kid" school.  This meant "holding up a WHOLE hand when strangers ask me how old I am!"  Five is clearly a big deal to you, my sweet girl!

 

Grandma and Grandpa had grand plans for your fifth birthday!  You have been begging them to sleep over at their new house since they moved.  Grandma made a special plan since your birthday fell on a Saturday.  You were going to spend the night on Friday, have a special dinner with Grandma and Grandpa, sleepover, wake up on your birthday to go to the marionette theater, have lunch out, and come home to celebrate with us!  Grandma pulled out all the stops - candles, acrylic wine glasses, cookies, and cake!  Unfortunately, you don't look so happy in these pictures because as Grandma was preparing your special birthday dinner, you took a tumble.  You were dancing, twirling, squealing, spinning, and who knows what else in your socks on Grandma's hardwoods.  You fell, landed on your elbow HARD, and screamed bloody murder.  Well, Grandma doesn't get too worked up about "injuries", but this one got her.  She knew something was up.  You wouldn't let go of that elbow.  You wouldn't smile.  You wouldn't eat.  However, she proceeded with the birthday dinner, and everyone tried to make the best of it.  Grandma put you to bed, called us at 11 PM because you were crying in pain, Daddy did some chopping an adult ibuprofen pill conversions over the phone with Grandma, you insisted you were staying the night, and back to bed you went.    

 

After your ibuprofen pill that Grandma fashioned into a kid version, you woke up all smiles even though you were still cradling the elbow.  Grandma decided it wasn't broken, but it wasn't right.  Grandma consulted with us and shared your insistence on the marionettes, and we agreed to let you carry on with your special date.  Grandma's old school nursing came in handy, and she fashioned you a sling, let you wear one of her diamond necklaces (um, Grandma?! Seriously?!), and off to the marionettes you all go!

All smiles at the marionettes.....

Upon your arrival to the house, you were cradling that arm pretty badly, and we decided to hit the urgent care.  Daddy snapped a few photos of the swollen arm and elbow area.  It was kinda nasty.  This over the top, freak out Mama is actually REALLY glad this little incident happened with Grandma and Grandpa who do not get rattled.  I would've been at the ER in a flash.

But, being the awesome parents we are, we celebrated Madeline's birthday BEFORE hitting up urgent care.  She was okay with it, and we wanted to celebrate.  SHE wanted to celebrate!  So, we did, sweet girl.

You loved your cookie cake!

You loved your gifts!

Your little sister also loved your gifts!

You loved your crown from a card.

 

Despite your little birthday glitch, you had a WONDERFUL DAY, and you were such a trooper which was no surprise to us!  Grandma and Grandpa sure did feel awful about the mishap, but falls, bumps, and bruises happen. 

 

Urgent care told us it was a broken elbow.  The pediatric orthopedic doctor told us it was a bruised growth plate in the elbow.  He put you in the cast for two weeks because you started Kindergarten on Monday, August 19, 2013.  Yes.  That's right, you turned 5 two days before you started Kindergarten, and you were put in a bright pink cast the afternoon you started Kindergarten.  It was an awesome beginning to the school year, seriously.  All the "little people" counselors, helpers, and teachers knew Madeline Grace!  You didn't need their help, but you sure had the extra help ready and waiting if necessary! 

 

Sunday, August 18, 2013 - Wild Wing fun after church to continue the birthday celebration.

 

First Day of Kindergarten - August 19, 2013 with your fancy pink cast - Madeline, you no kidding asked for a "pink, purple, and glittery sparkle cast" when the orthopedic tech asked your color preference.  He was dumbfounded & looked to me for guidance.  I said, "Nope.  Dude, she's serious. Got sparkles anywhere in here?"  We settled for hot pink!

A week into the cast, and she barely notices she's wearing it.

 

Happy 5th birthday, you sweet, sweet girl.  Our Madeline Grace!

Madeline's 5th Birthday, Part I

Madeline's fifth birthday was phenomenal!  She celebrated for days!  Part one of her celebration began today when my mom and her best friend from church, Ms. Ginny, took the girls to get manicures and pedicures, lunch, and a little shopping.  It was a glorious day for the Stewart girls.  From Grandma and Ms. Ginny's reactions, I'd say they had just as much fun as my girls did!

 

What a wonderful start to a fifth birthday!  Madeline and Amelia are so fortunate to have a grandparent living close that wants to take them out to do special treats like this.  Ms. Ginny's daughters live in Texas with her grandchildren, so my girls are her "special grands".  Ms. Ginny definitely aids and abets my Mom's indulgence of my girls.  It's a sweet little deal for everyone involved!