Highland Game Pictures

Here are the pictures I took from the Highland Games.

Highland Games

Steph and I were either brave or crazy to take all three kids to the Highland Games in Montgomery Saturday. We packed them in like sardines in the back of Pete's car. I *thought* there would be ample room for them back there, but I guess I was crazy or nuts. ;) But, we managed to jam 'em in there and get all the seat belts fastened. The girls flanked Christopher, who was chillin'. Steph thought ahead and brought some activies for the girls (coloring books, etc.) to keep them occupied. They shared very well, passing things over Christopher all the while. He never complained.

When we arrived, we set up a picnic under these funky trees that produce and drop these rather large fruits. They're a tad bigger than oranges, but don't look like something you'd want to eat. I have no idea what they are.

Anyway, we watched the entrance of the clans to the sound of pipes and drums as we ate. Then the girls got up and played tag, hide & seek, and leap frog for a bit. Afterwards, they got to pet sheep, a horse and some puppies. Then we took a tour of the clan tents (I registered us with our clan), looked at some pretty jewelry and listened to some good music. After visiting the porta-potties we ate some really expensive fries, watched the caber toss and the girls got their picture taken with a couple of the big, burly, kilted athletes (pictures to be posted soon).

The girls were a little grumpy on the way back, but both finally sacked out. Christopher was the perfect angel the whole time. Just give him a full belly, a dry diaper and some company and he's happy as a clam. ;)

Although there wasn't much for kids to do, we all had a good time. Maybe we can convince the daddies to go with us next year. :)

New link

You may have noticed the new link to the right... the Family Blog. Check it out. :)

Mystery solved!

Sarah has a definite crush on her P.E. teacher, who she calls Ko-Chon. Usually, when I pick her up from school, he's sitting in the office. Sarah will race down the hall to the "green mountain," or the drinking fountain with the green steps, and rush into the office to see him.

"Ko-Chon! Ko-Chon!" she calls.

He's a very nice man, great with kids (has two of his own around Sarah & Christopher's ages) and is kinda cute. He doesn't mind at all that Sarah wants to chat his ears off. And he's very willing to answer all the "Why?" questions she throws at him. :)

So, are you wondering if his name is really Ko-Chon?

I had NO idea what she was saying. My first thought was some Kung-Fu term. My second thought was "whatever." Hehehe. One day when she told me she just HAD to tell Ko-Chon something, I said to him, "You know, she calls you Ko-Chon." He smiled and said, "I've been called all kinds of things." A few minutes later another parent came up to the office and said, "Hi Koch-on."

AHA! I mentally smacked myself. He's the frickin' P.E. teacher! He's a COACH! DUH!

So, Coach..... Hawn! Right? Maybe?

The sad thing is is that he actually told me his name the first week of school! *He* remembered Sarah's name after the first day. I did remember his first name: Adam. His last name? I wasn't *too* sure that it was Hawn. Hell, I'm lucky if I can remember what planet I live on.

Well, last night we went to a Montessori Philosophy meeting at the school. They had a babysitting service set up in the gym. As Sarah, Christopher and I approached the doors I espied a rather large sign in the window which said "COACH YOUNG."

"Oh!! It's coach YOUNG! Not Ko-Chon," I told Sarah.
"No, Mommy. It's Ko-Chon!"

Yeah, well... whatever. At least I don't feel like a moron anymore.

Parlez-vous français?

Sarah is learning French at school. She already knows some Spanish (count to ten, hello, goodbye, thank you, and various foods) which I think is cool beans.

As for French, she can sing Frère Jacques and told me a new word she learned: poorbell.

?????

That's what it sounds like. I asked her what that meant.

"You know Mommy. Poorbell. You push it, like this," and she proceeded to push on the trash can in the kitchen. Ummmmm, yeah.

Now I took a lot of French in college and I have no idea what she means. So let's examine it closer.

Pour belle: for pretty? For Belle?

Hey! There's a girl in her class named Belle. In fact, I work with Belle's mom! Maybe she had to give something to Belle that was for Belle?

or

Here's something funny I found when I did a google search for "pour belle". Belle-mère means stepmother or mother-in-law.

But Sarah doesn't have a step mother or mother-in-law. Well, I have no idea, but it's super cool that she's learning her some of that there Freeench. I've been teaching her some words and phrases, too.

Stylin'

In the car on the way home from school:

"Mommy, I want to be the new girl at school."

"Ummm, okay."

"So I need a stylish dress, a stylish hat, stylish shoes and stylish socks."

"You do? Where should we get them?"

"At the stylish store!" Naturally - duh!

Big Girl School

Sarah started "big girl school" today (Montessori school)! This week I've been getting her stuff ready to go - a blanket and sheet for nap time, extra clothes and a plastic bag for accidents, and thinking up snacks she can take. Plus, I have to label everything. Hello Mr. Sharpie pen!

She and I have been discussing big girl school for about a month now. Just about every day she'd ask me "Am I going to big girl school today, Mommy?" "Not today," I'd reply. Finally, yesterday, I answered, "Yes, you're going tomorrow!" She was very excited.

When we pulled up to the school she asked, "Is this my big girl school?" "Sure is. Let's go inside!" "OKAY!" She hopped out of the car, took my hand and we found her classroom (the Yellow Class). We met her teachers, were shown where her cubby is, where to hang her extra clothes and store her nap necessities, and the bathroom. I was given a run down of how things work (signing her in, etc.). Sarah was very interested in everything. I even had to remind her to give me a hug and kiss goodbye! She did as requested, gave me extras, and waltzed into the room like she owned the place. I almost cried. :)

When I picked her up she was playing very nicely with Play-Doh. I didn't think she wanted to leave at first, but she changed her mind, put away the Play-Doh, went potty by herself, washed her hands (without reminding!) and said goodbye to the "afternoon" teachers (there are 4 in all... they take shifts). Mrs. Harrington said Sarah had a great day. She followed directions, performed the tasks presented to her and played well. As we walked to the car I asked Sarah if she wanted to go back tomorrow. "Yes, Mommy. Can I?" "Absolutely!"

What a big girl! I think this was the perfect time to introduce her to a classroom with children her age as well as a structured environment. She's going to have fun!