First Day of Kindergarten

So I'm a little bit behind....but...here's a few pics from the first day of Kindergarten! Zander started August 5.

I tried taking pics at home but the sun was in his eyes:


at School

Preschool Musical 3

Zander's preschool had their spring program. This was the third and final time Zander was in a show for the preschool. ::sniffsniff::. Next year is kindergarten!

Zander's class sang a song called "American Me and You!" and they all dressed as different occupations. Zander was a FIREFIGHTER of course!










When his class was done all the other classes came out and they sang "This Land is Your Land" together. So awesome!


I love the programs they do at his school! :-)

Zander's "invented spelling"

Zander was at work with me yesterday and he went to the fridge and decided to make a menu of what I had in there. He asked for help with yogurt which I sounded out the sounds for him and he spelled. Then he didn't want me to see the rest and he spelled on his own. Then he said "Here Mama, I made you a menu!"



I LOVE IT. He did such a good job!

Broccoli
Cheerios
Crackers

But you can see how he sounded it out in his mind and spelled it. For some reason when he spells/writes on his own he sometimes writes the first letter backwards. He knows his letters and which way they go and when I ask him to spell things he never does this. He only does this when he's writing without my help.

Still, I'm totally proud of him. It's very normal for kids to spell like this: http://www.naturalchild.com/guest/margaret_phinney2.html

Mr. Sensitive

Zander's favorite historical person is Benjamin Franklin. We have a book about history for little kids and he loves to quote Ben Franklin sayings.

We got a chapter book on Ben Franklin to read aloud(I actually read it to Zander and Doug in 2 nights! I love when we all read together.) We finished the book tonight, it was 91 pages I think. When we got to the part about Ben Franklin's wife dying Zander cried. And then when the book was over and I told him good night I thought he was done. Then he started crying more. Poor kid. He's such a sensitive soul.

I actually learned a lot from the book, I don't really remember having much of an interest in history in school. I think I liked world history more than American history. Zander wants a book about George Washington next. He totally asked for it.

Picture Update

So we went to the Deer Valley Rock Art Center on Saturday. It's about 3 miles from my house and I've never even seen it. And they were having a festival so it was free.

Petroglyphs are cool.


I call this one "Don't touch those squirrel's nuts!" (Willy Wonka). The squirrels come up and get corn from the corn grinding exhibit. Zander loved that.


Photos by Zander.


Zander loves drawing hot rods, tattoos, and snakes. He's writing a birthday card in the big pic.


Spelling and writing practice. He can spell: "Got, yes, then, on, and, six, us, we, will, or, fun."


My friend Deitra's son, Nick, and Zander.


A boy's life. All the things that accumulate on Zander's shelf.


Rocking the drums!

Do you know how much I love you?

Let me count the ways.

Downtown Phoenix

And after the Science Center we walked around downtown and ran into these great statues and more!

The Children's Musuem of Phoenix

Zander and I visited the Children's Museum of Phoenix for the first time. I think we need a membership! We met some playgroup friends there and the kids had a great time!

Welcome to our family, Clamsy!

So a few weeks ago Doug and Zander went into Petsmart to look for a scooper for backyard duties. They looked at fish and Zander decided right then and there that he needed a fish and was very disappointed when he wasn't getting one that night. So we told him to plan out everything he needed to get the fish. We thought we'd need a shelf to put the fish on, since we already have a dog and a cat. Here's his list:

(He doesn't normally write like that, with backward letters. My only thinking is that it was because I was dictating how to spell the words and he was in a hurry.)

And then a few days later Doug took him back to Petsmart where they decided on this pretty beta fish. He's purple with white, red and blue colors. Zander named him "The American Flag Fish" and then decided on Clamsy for short.


We put him on the shelf in Zan's room. Vinnie, the dog, has growled and noticed the fish twice. So we just keep the door shut when we aren't home. Hex, our cat, hasn't noticed at all. And he sleeps with Zander most of the time.


We are enjoying Clamsy and Zander is enjoying having a pet of his very own. He did try to talk us into a snake, we declined. :-)

Train Park and more

Zander's art from school. He tends to write "&hearts Mom Dad" on his school work.


Bear hibernating project from school.


Couch yoga.


Christmas Tree Zander did at school.


Train Park 1/2/09

I think Zander thought Shrek was funny.


Zander and Jacey






Mickey, Jacey, Zander






And on the Morrison side - Cousins 1/1/09

Marli, Zander, Madi

New Years Eve - First Dental Cleaning!

We had Zander's first cleaning at the dentist at 4 pm on New Years Eve. He has great teeth. You may notice he has one front top tooth that is discolored. A few weeks ago Zander and Doug were playing and Zan hit his gum on the coffee table and it started bleeding. A few days later I noticed the tooth changing colors. The dentist says it's just a wait and see for now. It may get better or it could come out sooner. The x-rays don't show the roots as being dissolved or the next tooth close. But the x-rays did show his bottom front teeth getting really close. They said he could be losing those any time now! The staff was actually amazed Zander was only 4. They said he was a big boy and he was very good for his examinations and cleaning.


After his cleaning.

Zander chose vampire teeth as his prize from the treasure box at the dentist.

Dinosaur Museum!

On 12/26 Doug took the day off and went to the Arizona Museum of Natural History with us. Zander and I have been there once before and he talks about it all the time. He could not wait for Doug to go with. We had a great time.

(image is linked)

We ate at Genghis Grill before, Doug and I love that place. Zander did really well this time. He ate stir fry - including cooked veggies! And chicken, tofu and noodles. He loves to eat with chopsticks like his Daddy.

Christmas 2008 in pictures

We always line up in order in the hallway except this year we kids didn't have to! Just the grand kids. And my Dad. :-)


Yes, Zander asked for a Raggedy Ann doll. I have no idea why but he was set on getting one and asked Santa for one, twice. And he asked for Hot Wheels which he got a ton of. We have so many Hot Wheels now!


Zander's stocking.


Zander on Chrismtas Eve - my parents brought over his jammies and we gave him a robe and slippers.


Our yule log, haha


The Christmas plate we had made at As You Wish with Zanders footprint and hand prints, his thumb print is the reindeer's nose.


Tree & presents.


I got beer for Christmas from the guys I work with. :-)


Head & Crista sent over Christmas cookies. The best one was the "Rainbow Bat".


I haven't posted a pic of Hex in a long time. This is our awesome cat Hex.


Zander decorating the tree.


Zander and I made cookies for Santa.


Zander doing a raptor impression in front of our Frosty.


Here's what I can make.


mmmmmmmmmmmmm chocolate.