How do you protect your kids from school?

My Nicholas has just started school and I am amazed of all that he has learned. However I am just as shocked of the things not so good he has learned. The first two weeks he was talking to me about this game he plays at school called "Kissy, Kissy Girls" I asked him what that game was. He replied thats when all the girls chase the boys and kiss them. They seem to play this game playtime lunchtime everyday. I talked to another mum about this and she didn't seem to be to worried about it. Today I talked to a dad who's daugther has been forced to play the game. He said his daughter is stressed about it all. I suppose its all about being accepted and if you don't seem to follow everyone else then your deemed "different" I agreed with the dad I certainly find this game totally unacceptable and I keep telling Nicholas this however, I'm not sure whether he is being up front with me when he says he doesn't play that game anymore. Furthermore we were having dinner on Tuesday night and I was telling Nicholas he should be eating his dinner to which he replied ïf you say that again I will F... ya!!!"Dave and I were stunned I couldn't believe it. My first thought was do I make an issue of this or do I just assume he doesn't know what he is saying? No i need to make an isssue I would hate him to talk to anyone else like that so Dave put him in time out because he refuse to apologies. After 5 minutes he came back into the kitchen and still refused to apologies. So off to the sink and with the soap dispenser I asked him to stick out his tongue. Tears soon flowed ( I didn't put the soap on) and I just explained that was a really really bad word and he must never say it ever again. I finished with a cuddle and that I loved him. Its hard to imagine it was only two months ago when he was at Montessori playing in the sandpit or swinging on the swings all those innocent games and now 6 weeks into school he has changed. I so wish I had the patients to home school. I have only spoken on those two matters there are other things he does now which he learn't from the play ground. He's only 5years old what will he be learning by the time he's 10 I shudder to think!!!

Principal's Award

On Friday I went to Nicholas's school assembly. Today they were presenting their art work to the school. They have been learning about Monet who is a famous french painter (I didn't know that until Nicholas told me). Wow they were really amazing I couldn't believe how 5 year olds could be so artisitic they did a great job. The PTA are making calendars to sell and the childrens Monet work is the main picture great Xmas presents. Room 8 class I think they would be 7 year olds they made robot mask and did a robot dance to crazy frog it was really funny. I don't remember my school days being that cool. Anyway it was time to give out the Principal Awards to the children who had achieved during the week. The names were read out and blow me down Nicholas Finnie's name was called out Wow! my little man was getting an award. I watched him as he had to get up in front of the whole school and shake hands with the prinicpal you could tell he was a little nervous (ok alot) as he shuffled along the floor head down and chewing his collar with a really silly look on his face. I had to contain myself not to leap out of my chair and cheer him on (very hard to do). After assembly he ran to me with his certificate proud as ever. He was awarded it for great swimming. Well done Nicholas!!!

Proud Mum

Although Nicholas's performance for the primary presentation was lacking somewhat, I was so proud of him today when he got home from school. This is what he said Nicholas: "Mum guess what?" Me: "What" Nicholas: " I'm in a new reading group now and look at my book its level 7" Me: "No way How can you go from level 3 last week to level 7 this week?" Nicholas: "Don't know but Ms Gray said I'm a good reader" Me: "Wow you are so cleaver" Nicholas: "And mum guess What?" Me: "What" Nicholas: "This book is easy watch me......" What a joy and oh so proud of him. He has settled into school like a duck to water now and is doing really well. Nicholas's teacher Ms Gray loves seeing how excited and enthusiastic Nicholas is at reading time, long may it continue... Awesome Nicholas great work!!!!!!

Primary Presentation

It's over thank goodness, yes the Primary Presentation was held yesterday and it was more stressful than usual. First I receive a phone call from Kim (primary president) to tell me that a certain family were not going to be there due to illness. I wouldn't usually panick but the child in that family was my lead soloist so the anxiety kicked in a little. Approximately half n hour later my friend Amiee rings saying her son had jammed his fingers in the door and that they were off to the doctors and would be late ARRRRRRRRRRHHHHHHHHH!! thats 4 children not going to be there. I quickly prayed that all would be ok!!!!!!! Arrived at church and most of the children were sitting up the front. The chapel was very hot especially up the front my initial thought heat and children sitting for an hour is not a good combination. I quickly asked Matapihi if he would do the solo but he was too shy. So I asked Jamie the conversation went like this:

Me: "Jamie how confident are you to do the solo part for I am a child of God"

Jamie: (no hesitation) " I'm really confident where are the words"

Me: "I will have them by the mic"

Jamie: "ok"

This awesome child who is 7 or 8 years old was my life saver and she did a wonderful job, I am so grateful and admire confident children.

This years theme was I am a child of God. The primary children had a goal to learn and memorise all 8 songs I am a child of God, Tell me the stories of Jesus, If the Saviour stood beside me, Home, We thank thee O God for a Prophet, I love to see the temple, When Jesus Christ was baptised and Called to Serve. They did a great job and most of the children achieved this goal. As the music leader I thought it might be a tall order to fill but I was so proud of them.

Its so hard conducting the children ages ranging from 4years to 12years. Getting the children to sit still and not swing on the chairs is impossible and some struggle more than others. As I was conducting little Jonty was picking his nose and was just about to eat it I can him the Yuck look and he tries to hid it behind his back and covers his eyes only to repeat it again a few minutes later. Meanwhile up the back my son Nicholas either had a sugar fix that I don't know about but he couldn't sit still to save himself and when it came to singing the songs he would hide in the corner then it came to his talk which we had practice at home and he knew it decided to pull the shy card and did not speak even when his dad went up to help him (I was not a happy mum). Its amazing how much you see conducting and all I wanted to do was yell "stop that" "sit still" "Please don't do that" Some of my facial expression helped but you know children they know that your'er not going to stop the flow to start over again.

After it was over a sense of relief came over me however I felt that it didn't go as smoothly as last years. Next year I will try a better strategy to teach them as the hand signals are too distracting for the congregation that they watched me instead of the children.

The highlight for me was out of the 30 primary children 23 of them are boys and getting boys to sing at the best of times is a mission but they did it. After the presentation we headed off to normal class and I gave them the option of singing any primary song most opted to sing the primary presentation songs. So now I can chill and start thinking about next year...................

Great Weekend

My weekend was fantastic (despite the lack of sleep). Friday I baked banana chocolate chip muffins and anzac biscuits and had left over lollipops these were my treats for when the trick or treats come knocking but no-one came oh well never mind more for us. Watched Monster House with Dave and Nicholas but fell asleep near the end (blast). Woke on Saturday morning and because I had done all my housework on Friday I could just rest which was a good thing as Kate was awake a couple of times during the night (cutting teeth). Dave went for his usual 3 hour run and I got prepared to go to the Botanical Garden to meet up with the ladies from church. I was really excited I haven't been to relief society activities for a very long time and when you are in Primary you tend to miss out on things. Great time at the gardens the funny thing there was watching Annemarie pull out her thermus of hot milo and pour several cups full inside the cafe there. Sunday church and as always I love going to church thanks Heavenly Father for so many blessings