Friday, August 28, 2009

My boys the Wildcats

Well, my boys will both be attending Willow Canyon Elementary this year. Officially "Wildcats"! I can't tell you how popular that is thanks to the High School Musical movies. I was asking Dresden the day before school what his feelings were about starting 2nd grade. He was like, "I don't get what you mean?" So I asked, "are you nervous or excited?" He just replied, "it's school, I'm not excited or nervous." Wednesday morning came without any hassles, he got up and got dressed, at his breakfast, brushed his teeth, and didn't even complain when I did his hair. Dresden didn't complain or stall or argue about anything the whole morning. When we got to school he found his line and waited in it without needing me to stand by him. I think I needed to stand by him so I kept checking in with him but he was still fine. Anyway, the bell rang, the teachers came out, and away he went into the second grade doors. I don't even think he looked back once. He is getting so independent and grown up. I miss my little Dresden that used to rub the tip of his stuffed tigers tail on the tip of his nose and would cuddle with me. But I am so happy that he feels comfortable enough with himself that starting school isn't a big deal.

Logan goes today for his Kindergarten testing and I know he is so excited to start school. I have some letters and numbers workbooks that I take to church for Logan to work on and he made the comment, "I love to do homework!". He considers these workbooks his homework and he is so motivated and eager to learn new things. He definitely is my little pleaser. He wants to accomplish things in order to get praise. It really is charming. I hope he keeps up this desire to learn and the want to please but I hope it changes into a need to please and fulfill himself and not others. I can't wait to see how he will react on his first day of school.

This is after Dresden's first day of Second grade. One of his friends was having a hard time in the morning so I thought I would bring a reward for all the kids for accomplishing their first day of school. Here is Dresden NOT wanting to pose with me but finally posing with his Blow Pop...I just happen to be next to him.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Meet the Mayor

Willow Canyon Community Council will be honored to have Mayor Corroon attend our upcoming Council meeting. August 26th @ 7:00pm. Sandy Library. Please join us and meet your Mayor!

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Follow up

I decided to make a phone call to the District offices today and spoke to Tamra Baker, Director of Elementary Schools for Canyons School District. Tamra was very willing to speak to me and is very aware of the number problems at Willow Canyon. She and Mr. Theobold, Willow Canyon Elementary Principal, have talked numerous times about the options and what can be done. Tamra explained that there just isn't cushion in the budget this year and they are really keeping a tight watch on teacher contracts. She did say that the enrollment numbers for Kindergarten back in June were way down, which I was able to find a spreadsheet on the Canyons website that stated 49 kids were enrolled for Kindergarten at Willow Canyon. So, now there are 64 students enrolled and the District just doesn't have the luxury of hiring a new teacher. However, they are willing to do a "Day 5 Count". After five days they will see how many students are actually attending and if the numbers still stay this high they will re-address adding an additional class.

Although I'm not completely pleased with the current situation, I understand where the District is coming from. However, I think I will still be making a phone call to Mr. Theobold as well, to discuss my concern.

Monday, August 17, 2009

How many is too many?

My little Logan will be in Kindergarten this year and he is so excited to go to school with his big brother. We haven't received a packet yet with any school information so I started to ask around church yesterday. So, the rumor is...no one has received their information yet AND there are only two kindergarten classes with 35 students in each class. The rumor says that if there are 6 more students to enroll then they will open a 3rd class.

Seriously??!! I happen to know that Willow Canyon has turned away 4 kids. My daycare will only bus to schools where there are multiple students attending a school. Logan was the only one going to Willow Canyon so my daycare started sending kids up there to register for Kindergarten. Each one of those kids were turned away. So, explain to me if they only need 6 more kids to open a third class WHY the school would turn away 4 of them???

I did call the school and there are 64 kids enrolled so that would mean 32 per class. Good luck teachers...and students!!!

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Tonight I was dragging my boys around town getting errands done and like usual, I was singing to the music in the car. Dresden and Logan often feed off each other and great conversations are had. Tonight Dresden had an idea...

D: Mom, I know what we should do. Because you like to sing so much we should build a stage in our backyard so you can sing.
L: Yeah, because you do sing nice.
M: Ahhh, thanks Logan.
D: We'll put a lock on the gate..you know, not Nana's gate but ours...
L: So people will have to come through the gate...
D: Yeah, and charge money for people to watch you sing and it will be non-refundable.
L: Yeah, we should build the stage so people will give us money!

I do enjoy singing to music and I really hate it when someone is in the car with me and tries to carry on a conversation with me while I am singing. Can't they see I am singing?! Anyway, the boys had a great idea...especially the "non-refundable" part of it all.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Joyous day.

I'm not sure I should be this excited that I have a sink with running water, but I am!!! The counter top was finished yesterday and the plumber installed the faucet, water line to the fridge, and gas to the stove last night. The kitchen is looking amazing! There is still lots to do but the end is in sight. I have to mention the other thing that makes me happy...we bought a soap pump and had it installed too. It's silly, I know, but having one less bottle on the counter makes me smile. I was actually squealing in delight last night.