Where'd ya get yer educashun?

I like to think of myself as a smart person. I should add some emphasis in that.
I like to think of myself as a smart person. I did, in fact attend the Midvale school for the gifted. There really is such a thing. But now I'm wondering if it was a "special school" and my parents just told me it was for the smart kids. Here is why I am questioning myself:

Last week my niece was telling us about her test at school. She had to memorize all the state capitols. I thought, "No problem." So I got us each a sheet of paper and gave us 10 minutes to write down all the states AND capitols. I knew I was going to smoke her. I start writing. I stop. I'm stumped. I count my list. 31. That's right, folks. 31 states, and only about 15 capitols. Needless to say, she won. I began to question my intelligence.

Yesterday at Target I saw a dry erase board with the states and capitols on one side, and just the map on the other. I bought it. Surely I would do better with a map. I got 37 states right. Sorry to those I know from Arkansas and the east coast. Your state is apparently not important enough for me to know. I decided I'd better work on my STATES before I move on to learning their capitols.

Last night as I was pondering my recent discovery of stupidity, I remembered something from high school. Close your eyes (well, don't close them because then you won't be able to read). Picture cute little shy Heidi sitting in AP History. Picture the teacher passing back our results on a geography test. She says, "Wow, Ben - you can travel around the world and not get lost." "Nick, you should stay in the United States and you'll be fine." "Well, Heidi. You probably should never leave your driveway." I kid you not. I now blame my lack of knowledge on the AP History teacher (who shall remain nameless because I'm still terrified of the lady).

So, the map of the United States is on my fridge and there it will remain until I know where all the states are and what their capitols are. Oh yeah, my niece also tells me that there is a SONG to memorize the states. I never learned no stupid song. :( I was ripped off.

*I also can't do long division, so don't even ask.

Back to school

Back to school, back to school! (That has been going through my head while thinking of this post and I've been singing it in my best Adam Sandler voice).
At breakfast I remembered that she had never opened her own carton of milk. Her Dad skillfully taught her how to open it as to avoid the embrassment at school of not knowing how on the first day of hot lunch. (All I had was buttermilk to practice on...drink up!)
Maddie was a little excited for school. When I got home from the gym at 7:15, she was already up. She was totally ready - with backpack on - by 8. (the bus comes at 8:45).


I can't believe that she is in first grade! So far she has been loving it. She was so upset today when I told her it was early out day and she'd be home an hour early. I've really missed having her around during the day. I've learned that Lindsay doesn't know how to work the remote - must teach her that quickly before I go crazy putting movies on and changing the channel for her.
Thanks to all of you that gave me some lunch ideas, too! Today she is having homemade lunchables with pepperoni, we'll see how it goes.

The big day

Do you remember waiting all summer long for this moment? I do! Maddie and Marisa were so excited to go see who is in their class today!

Da Zoo

We told Madison that it was "Her Day" after graduation and she could decide what we did. She decided that she wanted to go bowling. So we went to the zoo. On the way to the zoo, we told her that she could choose where we ate lunch. She chose Training Table. We went to Wendy's. We are terrible parents.

We decided on the zoo because it was a Thursday afternoon and most of the state is still in school and it wasn't that hot. Good choice! It was so much better than the last time we went to the zoo. Not very busy, and not too hot!

We actually got to see the Bird Show for the first time and I think we all loved it! At the end they have trained the birds to take your money and put it in the donation box. Of course we had to donate a dollar, and I was totally surprised that it was Lindsay who wanted to do it.

Macie went right up to the gorilla picture and put her arms out - it's almost like she's seen this picture a million times or something. The funny thing is that she would not let any of her sisters stand by her or have a turn.

And the Lion drinking fountain...ummm...germs. I really hope it's been sanitized at least once since I used it in the early 80's. Jeramy tried to get a drink out of it and quickly said, "Um...I'll just wait."

All of the girls wanted to ride in the stroller. Wow! That's about 90 pounds to push up the hill behind the giraffes. I didn't make it and finally had to ask my buff husband to take over. He laughed and said, "This is nothing!" 5 minutes later, he asked for help from his strong and beautiful wife.

The picture of Macie and the snake still freaks me out a little. She loved it. My little Slytherin girl. YUCK.

We ended our trip with the train ride that seems to get shorter every time I go and then the toys in Discovery Land. We really had a great time, and I'm glad I can put a big "Check" next to that activity for the summer.

Graduation Day

Today was the big day for Madison. She officially graduated from Kindergarten. We are both so sad that school is done for the year. I really can't believe how fast it went and how much she's learned. When I was in kindergarten, school was all about playing with toys and nap time. School is NOT like that anymore! She amazes me daily with what she learns.
Maddie with Grandma and Grandpa Steele. I just love that where ever my Dad goes, he always can find someone he knows. I thought that as we were walking in and sure enough, he ran into an old teacher (that some of you might know as well - Mr. Hadlock from Hillcrest).

This is Maddie and her teacher. We were so lucky to have Mrs. Belnap. She was a great teacher! I think we were really spoiled this year - I hope she gets a good teacher next year, too!

My incredibly reverent child who always has her arms folded and looks like an angel. I just love Kingsley next to her that looks so excited about this graduation thing.

I really can't believe how old she is! It seems like just yesterday she was born. Like my mom said today, "You won't believe how fast time will fly and she'll be graduating from high school!" (She also said, "You think this makes you feel old, wait until your son passes the sacrament." (?) Uhh... yeah, that might be hard to see since we are missing one major factor here! Love ya, Mom!)

We had a great day, I'll blog more tomorrow about our day. I really should go back to bed, it is 4 a.m. - I just had a headache and was waiting for the Tylenol to kick in! :)