Kindergarten!!

Dear Madigan-

It's hard to believe, but you are now a kindergartener! This Fall you began your school career in Mrs. Lyons classroom, and while it's been an adjustment, you seem to enjoy school and all that entails. Last week, that meant preparing for your first, official picture day. I let Daddy pick the background, so the theme was autumnal- think yellow and orange leaves. That meant you really could only wear dark green, which also brings out your eyes. I had the perfect pullover with mock turtleneck and partial zipper (from the top down). I had a time deciding what to put underneath it, as you tend to be a sweater and had Gym that day. I finally decided on a (wife beater) tank and zipped you up about 3/4 of the way. On the way to school we practiced smiling so that you wouldn't show too much in the teeth department. All set. When I picked you up that afternoon, I noticed your zipper COMPLETELY undone. I asked if it looked like that during your pictures and you -very nonchalantly- said 'yes!' You needed to air out, you explained. NO!!!!! This was not the photograph I envisioned as gifts for ALL the family! It was WAY too Italian an image (I apologize to all the Italians I've just offended)! Oh well. Best laid plans. At least your hair wasn't sticking up...wonder how that smile turned out.

So today was your second bout with Timeout at school. You must feel tremendous guilt, as you fess up and then don't want to talk about it. I finally got out of you that you were talking when the teacher was talking...but didn't delve further, as you seem to self-impose punishment. The shame is too much and you end up melting down. The same happened with the first timeout for dawdling in the hallway even after your tearcher addressed you directly! I actually had to email Mrs. Lyons to get the story, as you really didn't think you'd done anything wrong. I'm not too concerned with your hijinks at this point, as you're just flexing your pesty bone...certainly nothing evil. Just testing the waters, I think!

Another interesting thing we're working through is the cafeteria account. I put money on your account but did not share this information with you. The second day of school you were thrilled to tell me you bought milk at lunch. You told me you just had to tell them your name! Daddy and I tried to explain that there was actually money being exchanged, but I'm positive that message didn't get across! The next day, I asked about whether you bought milk at lunch. Of course you had, so I asked if you drank it all. Nope. You hadn't even opened it! I asked what you did with it and you told me you'd thrown it out! Oh no, no, no! We had a one-sided discussion (guess who was talking!) where we decided if you bought milk you were to drink it. The next day I checked in with you assuming we were all straight. Boy do I have a thing or two to learn! This time, you bought BREAKFAST!!! Man you're good. We're going to have to teach you fiscal responsibility...especially before the credit card offers come rolling in! We've decided to limit your lunch buying to two days a week- just like my allotment when I was once young! And milk any day...and breakfast only when you're REALLY hungry, which so far has been EVERYDAY! I'm going to need a second job to keep you fed and watered! Good thing I love you. It doesn't hurt that you're an only child and spoiled rotten. My little dude's growing up. Just don't do it too fast.

Love, Mom