This morning was kindergarten orientation, from 8:40 to 9. Luckily we didn't get an earlier slot because there is no way we would have made it in time. They were running behind schedule and didn't get to Casey until 9. But it was good, because we walked around the classroom and she got to see that there was some fun stuff. It was also bad because I had a meeting at 10 and my office is about 35-40 minutes away. There were a few books out about the first day of kindergarten so we read two of them. One was about how all of the parents are worried that their kindergarteners are going to cry, and how the kindergarteners don't cry but the parents are all huddled peeking in the doorway, crying. Heheh. That's me. I was getting all teary eyed and choked up at the thought of her going to kindergarten.
She got to hang out in room 1 with me (and other parents and kids - we didn't really meet any) until one of the 3 kindergarten teachers came to get her and take her into room 2 where they did the assessments. Each of them gave her some kind of assessment. All I could get was that they asked her about colors and letters and it wasn't too hard. I said, "no numbers?" and then she said something about telling them she could count from 1 to 31. Anyway, the teacher said she will do very well in kindergarten. I don't know what to think though, because I can't imagine that she would say otherwise in front of a kid.
Meanwhile, I had homework to do. I was prepared to tell them what kind of teacher she would do well with, "fun, not too strict" or how she did in preschool, "didn't like the prescribed art projects that tell you exactly what to do and how to do it," but it was all a form that asked lots of questions, like, who does she most often play with. Choices are: older kids, younger kids, same age kids, girls, boys, alone. So, I circled them all. She doesn't really play alone, but she's an only child, so I felt like I had to circle alone, too. They didn't have an option that said adults. Then it asked at what age she could walk (I said less than 1 year) and at what age she could put together a complete sentence. Um, there were a lot of firsts that I missed, but that's not one of them. I have absolutely no idea at what age she could put together a complete sentence.
They asked what she likes, so I circled almost all of them (everything except art projects). Books, drawing, active play, outside play, and now I can't remember what else. Then I had to write her strengths and weaknesses, and what she usually gets disciplined for when she gets disciplined, and what we do to discipline her. I was so stumped on the discipline one. She does occasionally get a one minute time out in her room, but I can't remember what for. I think she got one a couple of nights ago even. I said it was probably for not listening but she's usually pretty good and doesn't get disciplined a lot. I think. How do I know what to compare to? Then it asked if I could volunteer and on what days. I circled Friday, and then circled both weekly and biweekly, since I don't know yet. Then it asked if she was a leader or a follower. I had already circled all of my options on several questions, and didn't want to do it again, so I wrote in "both?". Solved that problem. Then it asked me to describe her, but I'd already done a lot of describing and didn't know what else to say. I needed more time for my homework.
I actually requested a particular teacher. I've never done that before. The teacher who brought her back to me was the one I wanted, so I told her I had heard good things about her and if she could swing it that I hoped she would get Casey in her class. She told me to write it on the form, so I did. I hope the other teachers don't feel bad. I also hope it works! Then of course Casey heard me say that, so now she wants that teacher. Cross your fingers for Mrs. R!
My friend Heather had an 80's prom for her birthday this year. My clothes certainly aren't in style, but I do manage to purge old clothes, and I don't have anything from the 80's. I bought Eric a skinny red leather tie (which he almost couldn't remove afterwards) and wore a bridesmaid dress that I think resembled a prom dress I wore once. I couldn't really remember what 80's clothes looked like until I saw everyone. Now I know I needed a shiny, asymmetric dress with a giant bow. For a minute I thought about wearing a 90's dress and being "fashion forward" for the first time in my life, but then I realized I don't know what 90's clothes look like either. A lot of people went all out! Casey and DogDog lucked out and got to wear their matching pink dresses again. Here are Casey and Hayley with their dates, TJ and Nate, with the classic pre-prom on-the-stairs pose. Casey likes being in the back row for pictures, since she always gets put in the front.
