Mother's Day Tea

Last Thursday Gina's kindergarten class hosted a Mother's Day tea for all the moms. They have been preparing for this for weeks. Every time I've been in there aiding, I've had to remember not to pay too close attention to some of their projects. The teacher has even sent the moms outside to wash tables while the class discussed the upcoming day.

Each mom received a yarn flower corsage out in the courtyard and then the kids led us inside to the tables that they had set and decorated. They had worked hard all morning. I had brought teacups from my great-grandmothers china collection. I had to dig them out of a box in the garage, they don't get used very often (or never). Gina had decorated the placemat and made a napkin with her handprint on it. There was also a card with a drawing of me and why she loves me (SO CUTE!). The kids had also spent some time in cooking class making some of the cookies.


Next, it was time for the entertainment. The kids sang a Mothers Day song and then Hush Little Baby (definitely time for some tissue). Then they sang a third song and recited a poem about mothers.

There was plenty of tea to go with the cookies as well as lots of strawberries and lemon curd (YUM). Even though I spend a lot time in Gina's class working as an aide, my focus is not on her and she is usually off doing something else so this morning, it was fun spending time with Gina in her class.

After we finished eating, it was choice time and I figured hanging out at the playground would be a popular choice. The girls in the picture are trying to jump up and grab a flower off the tree. This kept them busy for quite a while.

Queen for a Day

Or at least 30 minutes. Today was Gina's birthday celebration in her kindergarten class. They make a big deal about each birthday and there is a special ceremony. I had to bring flowers and a snack for the class. Gina had requested that I make the snack so I was up very late last night baking. The request was for a healthy snack, ie not cupcakes, and so I made blueberry breakfast bars which did contain oats and a lot of blueberries, but were also loaded with butter and sugar. They definitely tasted good but I don't know that I would call them healthy.

When I arrived at school Gina was out on the playground playing circus with two friends. Then it was time to go inside for the birthday celebration. Gina put on her crown and cape and picked out a sceptre and then was led to the center of the class by the helper.


The kids sing songs about having a birthday and turning six. Then Vicki reads about each year in the childs life. After each year, Vicki led Gina around the table and then put one of the flowers in the center vase as the helper rang the triangle.


Here is what I wrote about Gina's 6 years:

Birth: Gina was born at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford on Friday May 3, 2002 to Betsy and Vic White.

1^st Year: During Gina’s first year, she enjoyed going to the park and to music class.

2^nd Year: During Gina’s second year, she went with her family on a long drive for vacation in Colorado; she learned to walk on this trip.

3^rd Year: During Gina’s third year, she welcomed her brother Andrew into the family.

4^th Year: During Gina’s fourth year, she flew on an airplane to San Diego; Gina loved visiting the San Diego Zoo.

5^th Year: During Gina’s fifth year, Gina welcomed her brother Dylan into the family and enjoyed going to Lake Tahoe for vacation.

6^th Year: During Gina’s sixth year, she started Kindergarten and learned how to ice skate.

Next, each child came up and handed Gina a paper star with a birthday wish in exchange for a blueberry bar. Every time someone said Thank You, Vicki rang the bell. The kids couldn't eat the snack until everyone had one. I had made a few extra so each of the parents got one as well. Then Vicki told the kids to take a bite and make a wish for the birthday girl, take a second bite and make a wish for the birthday girl's family, and then take a third bite and make a wish for themselves.

It was very cute and special. This was definitely a fun part of Kindergarten.

Running

I finally decided to start running again. It is definitely a love-hate relationship. I love running for the first five minutes or so and then it starts to get hard. My knees start to ache and I can feel every pounding step and then I start looking at my watch every 20 seconds to see when I can stop. So far I am only running about 2 miles at work, running for five minutes and then walking for 2.5 for a total of about 30 minutes. I am hoping it will get easier in a few days.

Gina is now 6

It is hard to believe that Gina is now 6 years old, she is getting so big. Yesterday was her birthday and she had a fun day playing soccer (she scored a goal) and playing in the yard. She requested dinner at Harvest Restaurant and got her usual hamburger.

Andrew got to go out with Vic to pick out a present for Gina. He was so excited, he could hardly keep from telling her what it was (a water sprinker toy for playing in the yard).

After presents, it was time for cupcakes. We had gone to Whole Foods in the morning and Gina loved the turtle cupcakes, so I got one for each. Andrew couldn't wait and tried to open the box before we were ready so it didn't look much like a turtle anymore, just a blob of green and brown frosting. And yes, there are only five candles on the cupcake, it was all I had.


Today was Gina's birthday party with all her friends from school. We had it at a park nearby with a jumphouse. As usual, I had certain plans, then procrastinated and felt very stressed getting everything for the party. On top of everything, Dylan fell down on the concrete in the back and got a HUGE goose egg on his forehead. After some ice, it looked better but definitely bruised.

For the cake, I ordered one from a friend who makes wonderful looking cakes and they taste great too. I asked for flowers and butterflies and got this beautiful creation.

Most of her class came to the party so there were a lot of kids. A few of the boys had to be evicted from the jump house from time to time but overall they were well behaved. Once all the kids arrived, Andrew wasn't sure what to do with himself. Gina was busy with her friends, he didn't want to play with his friend Julian, so instead he followed me around, taking a break every so often to grab a juice box.


Gina had a fun afternoon. Once everything was set up, I was able to relax a little and talk to the other moms. I think next year though we will try for a smaller party.