Rough School

I picked Keira up from after school care where the director told me Keira had some scrapes on her face, but that he didn't know when that happened. He didn't think it happened during the after-care program and asked Keira about it, but said she claimed not to know anything about it.

At first glance, it looked like Keira got into a fight. She had a nice scrape under her eye, a scratch on her eyelid and another scrape across her nose. I tried to play it cool and calmly told the director that I would talk to her tonight and let him know if I got any info out of Keira. Inside my head I was silently accusing one of the older kids, thinking about bullying...yep, I'm an extremist.

Just some scrapes

I proceeded to ask Keira what happened. She had no clue what I was talking about. I took her to the girls' bathroom and had her look in the mirror. She seemed to be just as surprised to find the scrapes on her face and claimed not to know what happened. After more questions I finally asked the right one that got her memory jump started. It went something like this, "Well, Keira, do you remember if a friend accidentally hit you in the face?" Pretty direct huh? Then she started whistling like a bird...The story went something like this, "It was an accident mom. We were playing tag and there were farmers and pigs and if you had a pig..." and she lost me. The part I understood was that one of her "best friends" tried to "get her" and accidentally hit her in the face. My guess is this kid's nails got her. In any case, it turns out it was all an accident and this friend walked with her to the nurse's office.

So, on her 5th day of kindergarten Keira found herself at the nurse's office. A cold compress and some TLC from the nurse and she was good as new. I have a feeling this won't be the last time she gets injured. Here's to hoping for an uneventful rest of the week!

First Day of Kindergarten

Keira successfully completed her first day of kindergarten - as far as I know, anyway. We started the morning off well and right on time. I even had time to do a fancy braid in her hair. I should've remembered to take pictures of that. Oh, well. There was too much on my mind for the first day of school as it was.

On our front stoop with her enormous backpack

Daddy and daughter outside of her new school

Because of our work schedules Keira will have to go to before and after-care. That's where the trouble started. Because the program includes kids from kindergarten through 5th grade, Keira found herself immersed in a frenzy of kids talking, working on projects, playing games, etc. It was a lot for her to take in. Keira was definitely a very little fish in a very big pond. She clung to my leg and hid behind me - something she hasn't done since she was a toddler. I stayed with her to try and acclimate her, but it was pretty tough. A couple of times she was near tears. Luckily, her teacher, Ms. Franzen, had given her (and the other kindergarteners in her class) a yellow patch of felt. She told the kids they should bring this to school and when they missed their parents or got a little sad or anxious, they could rub it to comfort themselves. Keira did just that and it really helped. No tears were spilled. She also has a friend, Jalen (a second-grader), in the program and he was really helpful. He told her she shouldn't be afraid to ask questions and that everything would be okay. Apparently he told his mom tonight that he'd take good care of her. What a lucky girl!

At long last (I kept getting more anxious as I needed to get to work and wasn't sure if Keira would move past the first-day jitters) the kids were dismissed to go play on the playground before the bell sounded for school to begin. Keira instantly perked up when she heard she'd get to go outside and play. One of the program leaders, Ryan, took Keira under his wing and I left.

I was bummed I wouldn't get to see her officially start class, but my wonderful friend shared photos she took of Keira with her son, Max. It's comforting knowing she has a good friend in her class.

Max and Keira pose for the camera (not sure who the other friend is)

Lining up to go with her teacher and start school

There she goes...with her enormous backpack

As you can imagine, I was anxious to hear all about her first day of school. I was pleased to find that she was having a blast when I picked her up from after care. She told me she had met two little girls, but couldn't remember their names and that they were now friends. That was really nice to hear. That was about it though. When I asked her what she did and what her favorite part of the first day was, she answered, "I don't know. I don't remember anything." Well, that's just great.

She did manage to tell me that it was my fault she forgot to eat her Gogurt that I packed for her for snack time. She said she couldn't remember and that I didn't remind her. Well, fact is, I reminded her several times the previous night when I was packing her snacks and also before bed. Then I also reminded her when I packed her snack bag in her backpack and again when we got in the car. Oh, and did I forget the time I reminded her during the before-school program and once more before I left? Maybe I reminded her too much that she stopped listening. Her solution? She said, "Mom. Maybe you should call me tomorrow during school and remind me." Yes. Yes. It's totally my fault and I should call your school to remind you about eating your snack. And so it begins...

How was everyone else's first day of school experience?

Labor Day Weekend

It's been a busy Labor Day weekend. First off, Keira had her official last day at New Horizon Academy this past Friday. It was a strange feeling leaving there knowing we wouldn't be returning. She was there for 5 years of her life. The staff and teachers did such a great job and we will miss everyone! To celebrate this milestone and to get ready for her next big adventure, kindergarten, we got her hair cut and had dinner at Pardon My French - one of our favorite places to eat. 

Saturday I ran my second 10k ever, the Women Rock 10k. Others ran the half and full marathons, but I was happy to run and finish the 10k. I finished with a time of 1:04:53 which was a 2 1/2 minute improvement over the first 10k I ran back in June. At the end of the race there were firemen from the St. Paul fireman's calendar waiting at the finish line to give racers a commemorative pendant. I almost missed them because I was tired and a bit sore. They also provided champagne and some other goodies, but we didn't stick around for too long afterwards. The funniest thing I saw was a lady with a pack of Camels stuck under the back of her shirt...A running smoker...Hmmm.

Here we (Van - cousin and Mai - sister) are at the starting line 

Van and I at the finish....Still standing!

Our glass of champagne...which wasn't that great, but a nice touch

Following the race on Saturday, Van and I went home to shower and then we headed out to lunch with Mark and Keira. We needed to refuel after expending all that energy. We grabbed lunch at Vina and I indulged in some eggrolls and hot n spicy chicken. Yum. Yum. 

Sunday was Fair Day. Did I mention how much I love the MN State Fair? Most of the food there is horrible for your health and I really could care less for the exhibits and other attractions. I really go there to eat and that's what I did. We (Mark, Keira and I) went with Van, Hieu, Vinh, Linh, Steve and Grace. We had a good group and it was a good day. The giant slide was one of my favorite, non-food highlights.

The pronto pup (not a corn dog) is one of my fair faves

Keira and Grace enjoy the ferris wheel at the Kidway

Mommies and daughters take on the giant slide - Wheee!

Keira won the tiny version of this years ago so we had to get the big one!

Following the long Fair day we hung out at home for a couple of hours. Then we continued our day of gluttony by going to dinner with the extended family at Granite City. By the time all that was over with, I was stuffed. The scale showed the damage this morning, so at some point today, I will be heading into the gym. I really need to do a detox or cleanse. I feel heavier today. But, I had a great time and it was a wonderful weekend.

Tomorrow our munchkin starts a new chapter in her academic life as a Kindergartener. I can't believe it!