Kindergarten Graduation Picture by Victoria

So this is the picture for Victoria's Kindergarten Graduation. I have shared this story with so many people... now I share the picture and the story together. When Victoria went to school the morning of these pictures, her hair was "styled" in a partial pony-tail, possibly with a ribbon or bow, since I was told ahead of time that no "caps" would be worn in these cap-and-gown pictures.

I had no idea any other adornments were on her person to be memorialized in photos. BUT APPARENTLY, we should have named her Victoria Stealth, because the "jewelry" seen in this picture was sneaked onto campus in her backpack. On the evening that these proofs came home, I anxiously examined them and was at first struck by how professional she seemed to look. My thoughts lingered momentarily on her hairstyle, but since it looked nice, I didn't dwell. But, she's wearing a necklace, isn't she? What is that neckace? Is it a choker? It looks so familiar...I've seen it before. It's not mine. Was it a gift from someone? No. Where do I know that necklace from?!! Why, wait a minute...it's not a necklace...it's all coming to me now...it's...it's...IT'S A TOY DOG COLLAR FROM BUILD-A-BEAR WORKSHOP!!!!!!!!!!!!!! VICTOOOOOORIAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was instantly furious, but by morning, I found the whole thing hysterically amusing. The bracelet on her arm is her ponytail holder. And, as several friends pointed out, she does accessorize quite well. ;)

Reading Ruckus

As I recall the situation, Victoria was just learning to read at the end of her Kindergarten year.  She resisted reading so much, and was so unlike Aaron in this regard.  One night, we were all piled on Aaron's bed encouraging Victoria to read our bedtime story.  I was sitting between Aaron and Vic holding the book, and Dom was standing across the room.  Vic struggled with each word, punctuated by whining and huffing as I gently corrected her on those she was missing.  Finally, she mis-read the word "red," calling it "rod."  Aaron, who had been following along, and sweetly encouraging her despite her grumpiness, had reached his limit.  "The word is 'red,' Victoria.  R-E-D, RED!"  Victoria never even looked up from the book.  Her left arm bulleted across me and her fist struck Aaron in the side of the head. Literally before he knew what hit him, Aaron was laying on his back on the floor, blinking up at the ceiling.  His pride was wounded more than anything, and Victoria was punished for hitting her brother.  But we all learned a little something about our princess that evening.  When she has had enough, no mater how much she loves you, watch out!!

Webkinz

Last night as we were preparing for bedtime, Victoria informed me that ALL of her classmates have “webkins” and she must have one too! We discussed what Webkins are (since I did not know) and I told her that she has a birthday coming up and that might be a perfect time to seek such a toy. Besides, who are ALL these people with webkins? “Everybody in my class!”

“Like who? Give me names.” She proceeded to name three kids. Out of the 21 who ALL supposedly have webkins, we narrowed it down to three who actually have them.

Fast forward twelve hours. We are preparing to leave for school; Dom has already arrived at work and calls to tell me that there is an accident on my route and to plan a little extra time. I weigh the options of going the usual way, or finding an alternate route to avoid the hassle. I tell the kids that we are probably going to go a different way to school, and that it might take us a little longer than usual. (They are BIG backseat drivers, so I try to give them the gameplan early – saves them from freaking out when I take an unexpected turn.)

As we drive, however, I determine that our original route is unblocked, and we proceed as usual. Still stuck on “it might take longer to get to school,” Victoria complains that all her friends will already be at school by the time she arrives. Oh, please. I ask, “Who will already be there?” She replies, “ALL my friends! Everybody!”

With as much sarcasm as I have ever heard him use, Aaron asks, “Who?! Those three kids who have webkins??!!!”