Lilly and I had quite a plan set for last Friday. I was taking a personal day, she'd go to daycare in the morning until about 11:00. Then I would pick her up and we'd go out to lunch - her choice. After that, we'd go to the elementary school for her kindergarten exploration and screening. Finally, we'd wrap up the day by picking up Nick from work and going out for ice cream just the three of us.
It turns out Greta had other plans. Friday morning Lilly woke up early and Greta was sleeping in. At 7:30 she finally woke up and when I walked into her room I was hit with the pungent smell of puke. It turns out Greta threw up in her crib at some point during the night and slept through it - or woke up, threw up, and went back to sleep. Perhaps the grossest experience I have had as a parent.
The poor thing was coated in dried vomit. One bath was insufficient in getting rid of the smell from her head but I couldn't convince her to take another one until later that night. She's had a cough so we thought perhaps she just coughed so hard she threw up, but she threw up an egg she was eating at breakfast. So the grand plans Lilly and I had for the day were gone (and my plans to be alone for a few hours in the morning, maybe go of a run, organize some in the basement, blog, read, nap). I was staying home with Greta.
After a few hours, Greta seemed to perk back up. She put on one of Lilly's boots, one of her tennis shoes claimed, "Lilly shoe fit!" I convinced her she was wrong and they were too big, got her shoes on her and we headed off to the park. Then we played in the sandbox until it was time to pick up Lilly.
Rather than going out to lunch, we went through the drive thru at Culver's (I wasn't going to risk Greta puking in public), and had lunch at home. Then it was time to run off to kindergarten exploration and screening.
We walked in and were greeted by a very friendly principal and walked to the library (following the blue arrows) for a short introduction before the kids were taken in three small groups off for a few hours of playing and testing. I thought that I was going to be able to leave with Greta at this point, but it turns out the principal was going to talk for about an hour and then give a tour of the elementary school. So, I emailed Nick (he had classes until 1:00, the screening meeting and such started at 12:30), asked him to meet at home so I could pass Greta off to him, so I could get some of the meeting and the tour (I always get lost at the elementary school, so I figured a formal tour would help me out).
While we were waiting to leave and I was trying to catch pieces of the principal's talk, Greta and I took a walk around. She loved the salt water aquarium and was convinced the shrimp in the tank was a butterfly.
So Nick and I met in the driveway, he took Greta out of the car seat and into the house and I went back to the elementary school. I learned a few things and was impressed with a few things I learned. One exciting piece that I did know is that we passed a referendum last April and one of the things that is happening (besides some awesome reconstruction at the high school) is the addition of four new kindergarten classrooms so they can all be in the same wing. What I didn't know and learned on the tour is that they have a grant where kids get fresh fruits and vegetables for snack every day. So cool.
After the tour, I sat in the library waiting for the results of her screening and for the girl herself. Both arrived simultaneously, so we had a brief chat with the district psychologist - no concerns and she did great! Then, for the fun part, Lilly recounting what she did.
On the drive to Dairy Queen, she told me that she loved playing outside on the playground, playing with the doll house. I asked if they asked her to identify letters, she said yes, and what sounds they make. She also said they had her read two books and she got every word right. She was a little nervous on our way in but walked out excited and confident - and excited for ice cream.
Rather than getting to stay and eat her Dilly Bar at Dairy Queen, we had to grab it and run so Nick could get back to work. She didn't mind and devoured her butterscotch Dilly Bar. Lilly handled the change in plans remarkably well.
I checked my work email one time on Friday, at the end of the day. In my inbox was an email from the kindergarten teacher who had Lilly in her group. She said we should be very proud of Lilly, she's so sweet and smart and they can't wait to have her in kindergarten.
It was a really great experience and Lilly is now ready for kindergarten (and has to wait until September 13th to officially start (due to the construction)).
And to wrap it all up, here's a video of Lilly reading. We checked the book out from the library and we've never read it before. Here she is reading it on her own:
Lilly Reads from Megan Robertson on Vimeo.
It turns out Greta had other plans. Friday morning Lilly woke up early and Greta was sleeping in. At 7:30 she finally woke up and when I walked into her room I was hit with the pungent smell of puke. It turns out Greta threw up in her crib at some point during the night and slept through it - or woke up, threw up, and went back to sleep. Perhaps the grossest experience I have had as a parent.
After a few hours, Greta seemed to perk back up. She put on one of Lilly's boots, one of her tennis shoes claimed, "Lilly shoe fit!" I convinced her she was wrong and they were too big, got her shoes on her and we headed off to the park. Then we played in the sandbox until it was time to pick up Lilly.
Rather than going out to lunch, we went through the drive thru at Culver's (I wasn't going to risk Greta puking in public), and had lunch at home. Then it was time to run off to kindergarten exploration and screening.
We walked in and were greeted by a very friendly principal and walked to the library (following the blue arrows) for a short introduction before the kids were taken in three small groups off for a few hours of playing and testing. I thought that I was going to be able to leave with Greta at this point, but it turns out the principal was going to talk for about an hour and then give a tour of the elementary school. So, I emailed Nick (he had classes until 1:00, the screening meeting and such started at 12:30), asked him to meet at home so I could pass Greta off to him, so I could get some of the meeting and the tour (I always get lost at the elementary school, so I figured a formal tour would help me out).
While we were waiting to leave and I was trying to catch pieces of the principal's talk, Greta and I took a walk around. She loved the salt water aquarium and was convinced the shrimp in the tank was a butterfly.
So Nick and I met in the driveway, he took Greta out of the car seat and into the house and I went back to the elementary school. I learned a few things and was impressed with a few things I learned. One exciting piece that I did know is that we passed a referendum last April and one of the things that is happening (besides some awesome reconstruction at the high school) is the addition of four new kindergarten classrooms so they can all be in the same wing. What I didn't know and learned on the tour is that they have a grant where kids get fresh fruits and vegetables for snack every day. So cool.
After the tour, I sat in the library waiting for the results of her screening and for the girl herself. Both arrived simultaneously, so we had a brief chat with the district psychologist - no concerns and she did great! Then, for the fun part, Lilly recounting what she did.
On the drive to Dairy Queen, she told me that she loved playing outside on the playground, playing with the doll house. I asked if they asked her to identify letters, she said yes, and what sounds they make. She also said they had her read two books and she got every word right. She was a little nervous on our way in but walked out excited and confident - and excited for ice cream.
I checked my work email one time on Friday, at the end of the day. In my inbox was an email from the kindergarten teacher who had Lilly in her group. She said we should be very proud of Lilly, she's so sweet and smart and they can't wait to have her in kindergarten.
It was a really great experience and Lilly is now ready for kindergarten (and has to wait until September 13th to officially start (due to the construction)).
And to wrap it all up, here's a video of Lilly reading. We checked the book out from the library and we've never read it before. Here she is reading it on her own:
Lilly Reads from Megan Robertson on Vimeo.
Wahoo Lilly!!! I love The Eye Book; I read it a gazillion times to Ayla when she was a wee babe. Had totally forgotten about it until now! Thanks for the reminder!
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