Good intentions

Children's birthday parties are not like they used to be. Nowadays, you have your choice of a multitude of facilities that cater to little kids birthday parties, and it's a bit of a step-up from the McDonald's bday parties of days gone by. Although the cost and general extravagance seems a little overbearing at times, there are several good things that have evolved from this. First and foremost being, the disappearance of gift-opening time. Usually, the party revolves around whatever activity the children are doing, and at the end there is just time enough for food, cake, and goodbyes. As a result, the receiving and opening of gifts no longer takes center stage. In fact, it takes such a backseat, that when I suggested to Preston that he forego receiving any bday gifts at his party, he basically shrugged his shoulders and nonchalantly said, "Sure." Of course, when I mentioned it again later in the party planning process, he paused about it a bit longer, and started to question the validity of such a suggestion, but was still very easily amenable to foregoing gifts from friends when I offered the option of being allowed to pick one gift for himself that I would pay for. (At the time, there was one toy in particular he had his sights set on, so it made him an easy target.) So, in the interest of cultivating a little generosity, I suggested that he consider soliciting small donations from his friends, in lieu of gifts, to donate to a good cause. He was agreeable, so I gave him some options of local organizations I thought would be of interest. He chose to go with the SPCA, after I explained that they take care of homeless animals, and it's where our dog, Bailey came from. We included a copy of their wish-list in Preston's invitations as well, so his friends would have the option of bringing a small item to donate, if they were so inclined. The final result:

Plus about 100 bucks in cash which he gladly handed over when we went to visit the SPCA a few weekends ago. I was hopeful the front desk person would be a bit more inquisitive of how/why a 6-yr old would be handing over a stack of money, but alas, she was not. But I guess maybe it's a better lesson when there is not excessive praising involved. So, that was that, and Preston got to experience the act of giving, and a lesson in modesty as well. 

I'd like to say it really made an impact on him. But, if his recent demonstration of absolute unwillingness to pass along an old board game for pre-schoolers to one of his younger friends is any indication, it did not. Still have a bit of work to do in the benevolence department.  

 

Pman does Gaga

If Preston learned one thing from being exposed to several hours of uncensored prime time television on Superbowl Sunday, it's that he likes Lady Gaga. Well, at least her music. Here he is singing (unaware that he's being filmed):

Preston the performer

Just recently, Preston became very fond of having himself videotaped, and putting on a show for the camera. If he gets in the mood, he will ask me to tape him repeatedly, and then he'll want to watch the mini-episodes of himself. Which is really what I should try to record, because he cracks himself up. He apparently thinks he is HILARIOUS. He will split a gut watching clips like the one below. 

And yes, he is in half a death-trooper costume having just returned from taking the dog for a walk. Doesn't everyone dress up in Star Wars costumes to walk their dog?

Whose child is this?

Behold; Preston's mid-year evaluation (the summary anyway). I could have included the full 2 pages of commentary regarding Preston's outstanding social, academic, and cognitive development, but alas, it was almost too much praise for even his mother to digest. After 1.5 years of similar evaluations, I am convinced his school refrains entirely from providing negative feedback, which I find to be highly suspect.

Pman turns 6!

Last year for Preston's birthday party, we had like a 50% RSVP rate. So this year I thought I'd send out one or two extra invites, and of course we had a 100% RSVP rate. Luckily the wonderful people at the gymnastics center entertain the children for you, for the majority of the time anyway....

The bday party crew. You don't want to know how long it took me to hand write in everyone's name using the mouse...

Mmm...this picture was supposed to be mid-jump. Fail.

The long wait for the trampoline catwalk.

Cousins caught off-guard.

Cousins putting on a show.

More cousin-ly love.

World's awesomest cupcakes.

This year's attempt at homemade cake making, like a boss.

Jan 17th breakfast request: bowl of straight Kylo Ren cereal, no mix-ins.

A real smile! Legos= a happy Preston.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The real deal, Jan 17th with T&B.

My 1st note

Thanks in part to my unwillingness to abide by certain dietary restrictions (although the exact culprits are a relative mystery), I am occasionally the victim of some rather incapacitating GI issues. I recently had one such episode. The result? My first ever "get well" note from Preston...or note of any kind really (that he wasn't prompted by someone else to write anyway.)

("sore"= sorry)

And this little mini-drawing of the 2 of us:

School pics!

I've decided the arrival of school pictures are the adult equivalent to christmas. I forget when school picture day was...sometime in October, I think? But I found myself eagerly anticipating the arrival of the photos, so much so, that I even checked the calendar at one point to see how many weeks it had been since they were taken. Why must you make me wait so long?!? I pleaded with the imaginary school picture gods. Then of course, I was laying in bed one friday night, checking email and fading quickly, when I read through the school news email that had been sent out that day, informing parents that the pictures should be in everyone's friday folder. Why hadn't I emptied Preston's backpack that evening?!? I stumbled through the dark house and located the backpack sitting on the bench in the kitchen, ripped apart the zipper, yanked out the folder, and BEHOLD:

What a treasure. The first official school picture of his life! Merry Christmas to me!
And the token class picture:

 Unlike last year, Preston can actually name everyone in his class! Last year I think he could name 3-4 kids, I was somewhat concerned at the time. Like...maybe you should ask their names dude? Apparently that is not a high priority for pre-schoolers? Oh well. At least as a kindergartner he is apparently a little more conscientious.