My Name Is NOT Broccoli!

[micandminforever]

I am looking forward to the Beauty and the Beast pictures, and review. May your day be filled with Pixie Dust.

 

[stace208]

And you have such awesome kids, too. Just being with them for that few minutes, I could tell they were such good and fun kids to be around.

Why thank you! They are good kids and I hope to make it through the teenage years still saying that!

Have a great time at the show today! I sure wish that one would come near us someday. The Lion King show was here but it was here in December and I was saving my dollars for Disney.

 

[MeMom]

If I remember correctly, Brooklynn and Amy's birthdays are the same week. (Amy's is the 12th.) Amy has always been one of the youngest in her class and is small for her age, too. She just started catching up height wise a few months ago. She is still smaller than most of her classmates. (She's a size 10 kids when her friends are well into wearing Juniors!) She has always been ahead academically and is taking high school courses and gets As in them.
I know kids her age are already doing teenage trends and Amy is not since she is not even 12 and a half. I don't think she minds. If I had the option that you have, Jill, I probably would of done the same thing as you. Sounds like a great program.
I teach art and there has always been a clear difference in 1st graders with size and knowledge. The bigger ones can cut and make great projects. Then there are some smaller ones, who I would of recommended do another year of K.

I think Jill is very pleased with what she sees in the school. She said it is very much like the one she went to all her life, so she feels comfortable there.

Yup. I always say "I don't do stupid." Not closing school that day certainly was.


She was taking notes.

Probably so.

Hi Jill and Memom

Loved the video of Bella - it is so cute the way she is clapping in time to it all. She seems to have blossomed so much these last few months.

Hope you are having a lovely weekend.

Great weekend so far. It was a beautiful day, and you can't beat the company.

So first, I wanted to say that I think the grouping kids by age for kindergarten/first grade is really an interesting idea -- and a good option. We don't have that here. Both of my boys were born in June, and I never gave it another thought about putting them in Kindergarten as a 5 yr old, b/c I just thought that is what you do. But both are very different. They both went to Montessori for two years prior. Griff was reading and writing quite well before going into kindergarten, however I think he is definitely more "immature" if you will, than his peers, the majority of whom who turn 6 within the first four or so months... He is smaller,too, so he just seems younger in many ways, but he is a whip in terms of intelligence, GT tested, blah blah, and we could have put him in an accelerated school at a different school in the county next year, but I don't think he has the maturity to handle that. So for some reasons I guess keeping him would have helped him, but he was beyond ready for 1st grade intellectually speaking. Nolyn, on the other hand I do think is impacted somewhat by his age... his attention to school work, like writing & cutting in particular, fine motor, is a hard thing for him (we are taking him to an OT so I think that will make a big difference these next six months). He can read, do those skills just fine, but even my pediatrician says the county emphasizes handwriting too much. In the end I wonder if the issue isn't just 6 months. I see a similar 6 mos lag developmentally with Nolyn, as I did with Griffin, but it is influencing him differently. In Nol's case it has been more difficult for him; he is attentive, engaged, a good boy in school, but not doing as well as he should (by county standards) b/c he isn't writing as well as they expect... His teacher says she thinks he will come full circle by the end of the year, but I keep thinking in his case starting kindergarten a little later would have been a benefit. I worry about his self esteem. We don't have any other option unless we hold them back or out.

REGARDING EPCOT....
Seeing those photos of the food booths get me all misty-eyed... WOW how I missed F & W this year!!!

Such great photos of the girls with Maria from Aristocats! TOO cute! Griffin plays Talouse in March! And the french chair acrobats - can never remember their true name!! They are so fun to watch!!! I love Epcot!!!

The weather looks so pleasant!!!!

Snow day yesterday, btw... School was in session one day this week!!!

School play for Griffin or what? You'll have to fill us in.

My problem is that I don't want to miss Food & Wine or Flower & Garden, and then I still want a holiday (Thanksgiving or Christmas) and a summer trip.

I hope it all works out for the best for Nolyn. I know he has complete support and everything he needs for success from his great family!

Just to add my two cents on the kindergarten issue... Zachary, my DS7, has a 9/23 birthday with the cutoff being 9/30. He was far from ready for kindergarten so we gave him the "gift" of an extra year at his preschool. There was a pre-k program that worked out great for him. He is doing really well now in first grade. We weren't so concerned about the academics but more socially & I think that extra year made all the difference for him.

That is how most people feel. It give them more confidence, I think.

I find it so interesting to read everyone's different experiences with starting their kids in kindergarten. Chelsea has a July birthday, and her preschool teacher recommended keeping her back a year because she was a little on the "squirrely" side. We decided not to do so because she was so bright. She was my child who would stand on her head but be able to tell you exactly what you had said even though it didn't look like she was paying you the least bit of attention. She is still somewhat like that. In retrospect, we maybe should have waited an extra year because she will be just 17 when she graduates high school, but she has never struggled in school, so who knows, really...

Connor, on the other hand, has a September birthday, and our cut-off is August 1, so there was no question of when to start him. He got that extra year by default. He is definitely more mature and calmed down than Chelsea, but in some ways, I think that is just the difference in their personalities.

Your kids will always be successful, because you have so very well prepared them.

I think Justin's high school years are going to be much like Trent's in that respect. No baseball yet, but he'll go straight into it when basketball is over. Our athletic director does not allow kids to practice/play two sports at once. His last basketball game is on February 17th and I'm sure he'll head straight to baseball on the 18th. He is going up to the field house on Wednesday nights and taking batting practice with some of the baseball players that are still in wrestling, so he's getting a bit of exposure, hopefully he won't be too behind when he gets there.

It's a lot of fun, and it's also a lot of money and committment. I wouldn't have traded those years for anything in the world, though. So much fun and excitement!

Have a great time with Jill and the girls today. I hope you enjoy Beauty and the Beast.

We had a great time at the play. It was awesome!

I am looking forward to the Beauty and the Beast pictures, and review. May your day be filled with Pixie Dust.

They were working on the auditorium, and it was a big mess, so there were no good photo ops. The show was great, and if it comes near you, I highly recommend you going.

Why thank you! They are good kids and I hope to make it through the teenage years still saying that!

Have a great time at the show today! I sure wish that one would come near us someday. The Lion King show was here but it was here in December and I was saving my dollars for Disney.

We did pretty well through the teenage years in comparison to many. I am grateful for that.

I would love to see Lion King!

 

[eeyore7360nc]

I would love to see Lion King!

I just saw the Lion King on Wednesday. It was awesome! I hope Mary Poppins finds its way to Raleigh/Durham in the near future.

 

[BrooklynnsMommy]

Early this morning I took the girls for a photo shoot with the photographer who did their pics last spring. She had called me and asked if I would bring the girls so she could use them for sample pictures on the new spring background. I of course said yes. So this morning at 8:30 my children were being sweet little models. They just posted a few sample shots. Below is the link if you want to check them out.



Picture Sneak Peek

 

[SoonerGirl]

Oh, she got some really cute shots! I love the black & white one of both girls and the one of Brooklynn that looks like it was taken from above is adorable!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

MeMom, we were posting at the same time yesterday evening and you must have missed my comment on the WIGD photo and Bella clip....

Jill, I had the pleasure of viewing the portraits of the girls earlier. Such little darlings!

Bella is growing up! I just can't believe how much she is changing! What a pair you have! Sweet, sweet, sweet!!!

 

[MeMom]

I just saw the Lion King on Wednesday. It was awesome! I hope Mary Poppins finds its way to Raleigh/Durham in the near future.

We saw Mary Poppins with Dawn, and it was fun, too. If Lion King comes nearby, I hope it works out for us to go. I know it would be incredible.

Oh, she got some really cute shots! I love the black & white one of both girls and the one of Brooklynn that looks like it was taken from above is adorable!

The black and white one is sweet. Sweet, silly, precious girls.

MeMom, we were posting at the same time yesterday evening and you must have missed my comment on the WIGD photo and Bella clip....

Jill, I had the pleasure of viewing the portraits of the girls earlier. Such little darlings!

Bella is growing up! I just can't believe how much she is changing! What a pair you have! Sweet, sweet, sweet!!!

You know what, I saw that you had posted and meant to go back and pick you up in the next batch of responses, but I guess I forgot. I guess I just 'forgetted' all about ya! As Jill used to say when she was little - I sawwy.

You would get a kick out of Bella talking so much now. She likes to sit with me and watch youtube videos. Last night, we were looking at funny monkey videos, and she was just entranced. She can point to almost all the princesses correctly on her new suitcase. She likes to be read to. She's still such a cuddle bunny - loves to just sit in my lap and snuggle. She loves to climb, and that bunk bed ladder is a favorite toy for her. I wish our spring trips were overlapping so that we could all get together with the little girls. Harper is going in March, right?

 

[MeMom]

After we left Marie, it was time for Brooklynn to do the Kim Possible Mission.

Brooklynn listens carefully as the CM explains how things work.

Bella was getting tired, so rather than me trying to keep up with Jill and Brook with the stroller, Bella and I just strolled around the area. I am assuming Jill took pictures of doing the mission on her camera, but we'll see.

A little shopping.

We saw Mary Poppins.

Look in the background and see if you know who is having their picture made with Alice.

It just happened to be Erin and Ava!

Bella wanted to 'cudder'.

Here is her work of art.

Questions for Beatles fans.

Moving on.

My favorite Canadian fence.

Everybody has a favorite Canadian fence, don't they?
I mean, if you're a DISer, it's a given.
In the real world, if you asked someone about their favorite Canadian fence, you might get a look as if you are .

Lola suggested we stop for some sweet dairy treats.

Another fountain try.

I think if I crop a little off the right, I finally have a keeper!

Tonight or tomorrow, we'll go in here for a few minutes.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Jill, those pictures of the girls are just so sweet!!! Love their dresses!

MeMom, I love morning strolls around World Showcase. Wish I knew some of the answers to the Beatles questions. We ate at Fuddrucker's the other night, and we were seated in the Beatles section. Charles and I were telling Connor all about the Beatles, and he was very interested (or at least he pretended to be ).

 

[micandminforever]

Thanks for the stroll around England this morning. I love the shops of England. I always seem to find the best little gifts for my sister in the shop with teas. England also has the best character meets, Pooh and friends, Mary and Alice.

The fountain picture is a keeper.

MeMom it is not nice to take us to the door of Mouse Gears and stop. I look forward to the pictures taken inside.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

What gorgeous pictures of the girls!

Thanks for another morning stroll around EPCOT. I so wish I could transport myself there this morning!

This is a little scary (and indicative of just how many times I do walk by England in and out of the International Gateway) but I recognize the CM/handler for Mary Poppins! I would have thought they might rotate around but they must be assigned by character/location.

Would you believe that not only do I not have a favorite Canadian fence but I do not know that I have ever noticed Canadian fences at all! Love the maple leaf detail!

Can't wait for our trip to MouseGear!

 

[burly]

Thank you for the update this morning.

 

[Native NYer]

Your photos are the best!

Brooklynn and Bella are just such adorable little girls.

 

[laashley]

Jill, the pictures of Brooklynn and Bella are beautiful.

Such a great trip around WS. I think Chloe must like that same fence in Canada, she took many pictures of it.

 

[Ty's Nonnie]

Jill beautiful pictures of the girls!

MeMom thanks for the WS pics. Love it! Even if it does make me 'homesick".
Just think not long from now you will back in the "World".

 

[CanadianWDWfan]

I see Canadian fences everyday but none of them can compare to that one!

That fence makes me think of Le Cellier.
The incredible meal we almost didn't get to have because we arrived late to our ADR.
I guess flashing our "Canadian passports" gave us an advantage at the 1st security checkpoint.
I'm just kidding
They were gracious enough to allow us our meal and it was so worth it!

I can't see the new pics of the girls??? I bet they are terrific!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

Yes we are taking Harper in March. We keep talking up the trip to her....
She is so funny.
Since she has seen the commercials of the children being surprised by the Disney trips she has told us she wants a surprise too!
So I guess just before we leave we will give her one of those "You Are Going To Disney" type surprises and whisk her away!

Looks like we will have to wait until next December for the girls to play...

 

[lmillercrew]

Cute video of Bella and great pics of the girls!!!
I hope that we get to meet Marie in Aug! I've never seen her when we've been there.

 

[VAisforDisneyLvrs]

Have a great time at the show today! I sure wish that one would come near us someday. The Lion King show was here but it was here in December and I was saving my dollars for Disney.

Hey Stacy- Just wanted to tell you that Beauty and the Beast is coming to Richmond on April 29 & 30.

Jill- The pictures of the girls are awesome!

I also found the Kindergarten discussion to be quite interesting. In my town, the cut off date is Sept. 30 for Kindergarten. If you turn 5 in Oct., Nov., or Dec. you automatically can attend the First Step program for 4 year olds. Johanna turns 5 in June, and I am going to have her start Kindergarten this year. I did not enroll her in the First Step program, because I was not ready to send my 4 year old off to school from 9:30 to 4 every day! (Plus an hour for transportation each day.) I sent all of my kids to the half day pre-kindergarten where I now work as director. My older two went only 3 days a week, and Jo goes five days because I am working there. I figured they had many years to spend all day every day in school!

We only have full day Kindergarten now. Jo is smart as anything, very verbal, great memory, outgoing and friendly. I am a little worried about her small motor skills though. Scissors are not really her strong suit. Neither is handwriting. I kind of blame myself for that b/c she's a lefty and I didn't really work with her to help her learn to hold her pencil correctly and now she just wants to fist it. I can't believe my baby's going to Kindergarten this year!