May 20, 2009
Well Neil Graduated from his first year of preschool today. Poor little guy was amusing a few times much to his dismay. The graduates came marching in to a song where they were singing: "I'm a V.I.P., in my family..." and they are supposed to stop in front of their pre-assigned chairs but Neil didn't quite make it to the front of his chair so when he plopped down at the end of the song he missed. It was a total air ball too, not even close. He was super embarrassed and almost started crying because everyone was chuckling (including his mother, that horrid woman) but his teacher gave him a hug and he was better. Then they all showed off some of the things they had learned thorough the year, Neil lead the room in the pledge of allegiance then told the room "you may be seated" when it was over. (Everyone chuckled again and he turned red). After they showed us they could count, recite the days of the week, months, colors etc. it was time for awards. Neil was the second to last to be called but that didn't stop him from jumping up and proudly standing by Mrs. Kerry when the "Delight Award" was announced. She was talking about a boy that was always cheerful and just a pleasure to have in class and the loudmouth kid (you know, every class has one) guessed it was Neil. Well Neil just heard his name being called so he was embarrassed again when Mrs. Kerry had to send him away with a "I have another award in here for you later Neil"
He ended up with the Cooperation Award. She said Neil loved to be rowdy and have fun but he always made sure that everyone was getting a turn. He has come a long way since the beginning of the year. Other than growing 3 1/2 inches and gaining 3 lbs. he has learned to print his name pretty perfectly and he understands the difference between play time and quiet time. (a big one for him) Congratulations Neil, You're awesome!
Now I just have to figure out what I'm going to do with him next year since the preschool I was planning on sending him to lost funding... Anyone know a good preschool teacher?
Oh, just a funny note I was going to add since this is a post about Neil right? He was in charge of the lesson last night for FHE, and he had his topic all week long that we have been discussing off and on. Well he decided that he was going to help dad out with the activity (xbox) and he told Marcus in the car when they went to pick up the pizza that since he was in charge of the lesson he could make it as long as he wanted it to be and it was probably going to be small so they could play lots of xbox. (this cracked me up) Ironically his lesson was on "playing video games on Sunday" (or keeping the Sabbath day holy, is how we steered it with our questions) It was a great lesson, and he even bore his testimony at the end and how he felt good when he chose not to play his video game
*Also Ruth was very proud of herself for reading Exodus 20:8 all by herself. (All
BY herself) And we had chocolate chip cookies for dessert. (Yes Karen, they were
juuuuuust about as good as they were the first time (FHE @ Carries) when I had to tweak the recipe a bit out of necessity. I think it's a keeper recipe; this doesn't however mean that my 6 year search for the perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe is over. I will always be trying out new ones so if you think you have the perfect one, SHARE! :)
They were not incredibly difficult puzzles to put together, but I had never seen him do it before, and then to have him do 4 all by himself. Well I was impressed; 
(She's always tells me I put dumb pictures of her on my blog so how can you go wrong with a baby picture? Now here she is turning 20! can you believe it?!?) ANYWAY I was helping Liam put his shorts on when he said: "'mells like hot dogs! (Marcus said someone was having a BBQ outside) then before I knew it he pulled open my shirt that was right in front of his face since I was leaned over, and he audibly sniffed down my shirt 3 times then said "you 'mell bad mom!" Oh my goodness I don't remember the last time I blushed like that with embarrassment! I sniffed, then made Marcus as well just to make sure he wasn't telling the truth! (little liar!) What will he do next? I'm frightened!
He was tap dancing in it with his trucks and dinosaur when I, upon hearing a suspicious sound (Neil spraying toilet cleaner onto the whole thing Liam and all) came out to investigate. I KNOW it's totally my fault for neglecting my children for the computer, but SERIOUSLY! other than a few instances I can count on one hand, my kids don't DO things like this! The whole time Liam was in time out he kept chattering on about random things and acting like he had done me a favor. (this of course was making me madder, I hate it when my kids blow off punishments like they are no big deal, I want them to suffer in time out! :) So after the third time he got off his chair to do a belly flop on the ground (or a bolly flop like he calls it) (he thinks its an amazing trick) I put him to bed. He was not happy, so I felt like he was a little repentant. Anyway, my carpet sucked up most of the milk, and a lot went UNDER the fridge so a beach towel got the rest of the puddle and I had a little talk with Neil about not cleaning stuff up with the toilet cleaner anymore. This is the 3rd time this week that he has decided to take care of someone else's' mess without asking for help. He always says: "I didn't do it, I was just trying to help!" Where is this independent streak coming from? Monday it was Liam's spilled soda on the carpet,(that required at least 10 sprays of toilet cleaner) and Tuesday it was Reese's' great idea to move the salamander into Neil's room. They must have spilled at least a gallon of water in his room and used all my nice towels to soak up the poopy critter water with. *sigh* Hopefully he heard me this time when I told him "If you see someone doing something naughty come tell me!" 
Ruth started piano lessons 4 weeks ago; she told me after her last lesson that she really likes it which makes me happy. I always hoped she would like taking piano lessons (because she was going to take them weather she liked them or not) having her like it just makes getting her to practice easier. She takes lessons from Tialene, a Laurel in our ward who has amazing musical talent. Ruth is only her second student so she is new to teaching, but Ruth was already playing her first song after the first lesson! I was very impressed, anyway, this is right after her fourth lesson she is using both the top hand and the bottom and counting the notes. I need to get her one of those little tickers to help with the counting. Anyway, I took a video of her last night right before her Kindergarten "congratuation".
After thanking everyone for being there each of the 4 kinder classes danced to a different song. I actually thought it was dumb, but my feet were swelling up and I was a tad light headed from the heat and all the different cafeteria and "people" smells that were starting to assault my nose so it may have just been me that wished they werent taking so long. After the dancing all the kids sang a song about growing and learning, and then they had the kids "walk" with a pose for a picture with their teacher. 
(great quality right, I was only about 5 yards away.(yes I got up in front of everyone)).jpg)
He ended up with the Cooperation Award. She said Neil loved to be rowdy and have fun but he always made sure that everyone was getting a turn. He has come a long way since the beginning of the year. Other than growing 3 1/2 inches and gaining 3 lbs. he has learned to print his name pretty perfectly and he understands the difference between play time and quiet time. (a big one for him) Congratulations Neil, You're awesome!
Now I just have to figure out what I'm going to do with him next year since the preschool I was planning on sending him to lost funding... Anyone know a good preschool teacher?
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