Le Top Takes: Out of the Mouths of Babes!

No, I did not say that!

Dear God,

I need you to help me pass my Math test. Amen.”

– Gabbie, age 7

Editor’s Note:
Please spread the giggles by sharing your funny quotes with us!

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Le Top Takes: Out of the Mouths of Babes!

No, I did not say that!

Mommy: What did you do at school today?

We read an Eric Carle book and then we wrote about our favorite part in our diarrhea.”

–Miranda, age 6

Editor’s Note:
Please spread the giggles by sharing your funny quotes with us!

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First Day of School… again

First Grade, First Grade, here we come
We know we’ll have lots of fun.
Lots of things to make and do.
Reading, Writing, Numbers, too.
First Grade, First Grade, here we come.
We know we’ll have lots of fun.

This isn’t the first day of school for Miranda, but her first day of First Grade. And although we’ve been through this before, this year seems to have hit me harder, maybe it’s because it’s a full-day of school now or maybe it’s because she’s my little helper and without her I’d have to take care of her little brother all by myself. The whole family woke up extra early to make sure we would get parking, find her classroom, meet her teacher, and take pictures while we lug all our donated school supplies to the classroom. I made sure that I prepared her First-Day-of School snack and lunch as requested: cheese stick and goldfish, a cutie tangerine, a PB&J sandwich (Mommy, make sure it’s raspberry jelly.), Fritos, a juice box (Mommy, I want the reduced-sugar kind.), and a water bottle. We also pre-selected her First-Day-of-School outfit: a Le Top two-piece shorts set from the Spring 2009 Bloomin’ Beauty collection. And on top of that, we still had the little guy to get dressed and fed. So much hustle and bustle in the morning that you don’t have time to get emotional.

Miranda’s classroom door closed and we headed back to the car, then Paulo looked around and said, “Maw-maw?” (That’s how he says “Miranda.”) —and that did it for me! In those two little syllables he uttered, I knew exactly how he felt. What are we going to do now that Miranda is at school? I missed her already and we’re only in the parking lot. (I know, pathetic!) Most stay-at-home mommies cherish this freedom of being able to go to the gym, or have coffee or lunch with the ladies, or even enjoy a day of uninterrupted shopping. But not me! I was a wreck all day. At lunch (after I fed Paulo) I sat at the table eating slowly, staring at Paulo who was banging a pair of drumsticks on everything in his path, and longing for the silly, endless chit-chat from Miranda as she talked about her crazy dream last night, or what she and her friend did at their playdate, or even just her singing the same lines from “Seussical the Musical” over and over. All I could think about was, “Is it 2:05 yet? Did I pack her enough lunch? Did she wash her hands before eating? Are her classmates nice to her? Is she sad?” So many worries to worry over.

At 2:05 pm sharp, I stood outside her classroom and waited for her to come out. As soon as the door opened, she ran straight to me and said, “Mommy, I had a SUPER day! I made 5 new friends and I got to eat in the lunch room and I played at recess but I was eating too long so I didn’t get to play that much because I couldn’t finish all my goldfish but tomorrow I want 2 cutie tangerines and I have my own desk and we made a dolphin carrying our rules on his back and I get to make a paper doll of myself just like we made in Kindergarten and Eamon is in my class this year and Daniel sits next to me and I didn’t get to sit with Lucas in the lunch room because Sullivan took the seat next to him so I sat next to Kaitlyn and I played exercise with Bella where she is the leader and the other girls follow what she does but it was too hot so I stopped playing to get some water…” Oh, dear! There’s the endless chit-chat that I was missing at lunch. It was so good to hear her stories (in one long sentence). She had a great first day and I was worried over nothing. On to Day 2… wish me luck!

For those back-to-school outfits
shop Le Top’s fall 2010 collection here

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Do You Have Spirit?

Then: Me dressing up at Nerd Day; Now: My daughter dressing up for Twin Day

I fondly remember my school days and celebrating Spirit Week. Back then I never really understood WHY we had Spirit Week. All I really cared about back then was that I got to be creative and got dressed up for some weird and wacky-themed days, such as Nerd Day, Crazy Hair Day, Hawaiian Day, Toga Day, Pajama Day, etc. Fun times! I am amazed and can’t believe that I now have a daughter who is making her own fond memories and showing her school spirit, even as young as Kindergarten!

Now that I’m older (and supposedly wiser), there is actually an importance to Spirit Week–in all levels of school. Not only is it enjoyable, but it gives students the chance to express themselves creatively. Spirit Week provides an excellent opportunity for students to learn about leadership. The week is led and planned by the students (with the guidance of teachers). They come up with their own ideas (activities, games, plans) and learn how to put their ideas into action. Students also learn teamwork. Spirit Week encourages students to participate collaboratively and competitively in activities to collect points and achieve success. Spirit Week teaches students community-building as well. By creating excitement and a certain level of energy around Spirit Week, students learn that there are multi-levels of community within their school. They develop a sense of homeroom, grade-level, and school loyalty.

Spirit Week: It’s fun and education!

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Auditioning for the Talent Show

Singing her heart out in le•top's 2009 Deck the Halls collection (She was able to wear it for Valentine's Day.)

The past couple of months has been quite busy for my daughter. Her school was having a talent show and she wanted to be IN the talent show. I needed to explain to her that there is an audition and that not everyone will make it in the show. I thought I was going to have a tough time explaining this concept to her, but she knew what “audition” meant.

“You mean, just like how Gabriella and Troy had to audition in the movie ‘High School Musical’?”

“Yes, just like ‘High School Musical’.” (Never, since the creation of this movie, have I ever appreciated this movie UNTIL NOW!)

Through the month of January, Miranda and I had been practicing the song I selected for her to sing (“A – You’re Adorable”). She never heard the song but I thought it would be appropriate and cute for a Kindergartner to sing. So we sang in the car, we sang during breakfast, during lunch, during dinner, she sang in the shower… We sang everywhere and any time so that she could memorize the words and remember the notes to the song.

The day of the audition, I was a ball of nerves. Miranda, however, was as cool as a cucumber. She even asked, “Why are you nervous, Mommy?” I didn’t want to transfer my fears into her confident little soul, so I just said, “I’m just nervous that your baby brother might start fussing while you’re performing.” To which she replied, “Mommy, if I don’t make it, it’s okay. I can still watch the talent show.” (That totally melted my heart!) I watched her audition and she didn’t miss a beat. As soon as she heard her song start, her game face was on. With a big smile on her face, that little girl of mine sang her heart out!

The selected acts were posted the day after the audition. Out of 65 acts, only 15 were chosen. And guess who was one of them? It was a proud moment for me and her dad (who had been texting me all day wondering if we had found out the results yet). The talent show was last week. She had three performances but I felt like I was running a marathon! I don’t know if I can handle being her manager if she continues in this career path. 🙂

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Back to School – with all the “Right Stuff!”

Houston…we have a problem.”

Americans are GREAT at solving problems!  Remember the triumphant safe return of our Astronauts?  Right now there is a big problem with one of our most vulnerable groups of citizens – disadvantaged and homeless children.  These children are approaching Back to School, just like millions of children across the United States – but have a problem…a lack of the basic necessities needed to start school off on the right foot. 

A Backpack Filled with all The Right Stuff

Fortunately there is a group of heroes out there ready to help!  Julie, a member of our Inside Sales Team and outstanding mother of five, brought our attention to a program near and dear to her heart. Volunteers of America, a non-profit organization in the Sacramento/Yolo County area, administer a program called Operation Backpack that offers services to local disadvantaged families.   One of the key services at this time of year is supplying backpacks filled with school supplies to give children all the advantages they deserve to start the school year on a positive note.  After hearing about this praiseworthy project I couldn’t help but get involved… I have a passion for kids and a soft spot in my heart for those that have the will to learn, but lack the means to easily navigate the educational process.

Kristin Sporting Her Donated Backpack

I jumped at the opportunity to work with Volunteers of America – and honestly had a blast roaming through the aisles of our local retailer, picking out the perfect Hannah Montana backpack, then filling it with a binder, super cool markers, crayons, pens, pencils, etc.  It was all the fun of school shopping without the stress of going to class! Julie and I filled up several backpacks for the kids, and had a ball doing it.  Julie’s son asked where his backpack was…and he’s 23!  We can’t wait until next year when we do this again…although we shouldn’t wait, since Volunteers of America collects backpacks throughout the entire year. 

Operation Backpack has collected 2,938 backpacks so far this year – double the donations from last year!  Even in a tough economy people see the importance of investing in our children’s future.  If you have a desire to help our country’s children get a head start on a valuable and needed education, please contact Volunteers of America to see how you can assist.  The children will thank you!

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“Grajuration” Day!

Miranda in Vive Les Fleurs! from le•top's 2009 Fall collection

It’s the end of the school year, and for me it was a special one. My daughter graduated from Preschool!

Before I had children, I used to think that Preschool Graduation (or as my daughter calls it: “grajuration”) was a feeble event that parents made up to make something minor into something MAJOR. Well, I still think that, but now that it’s happening to my little girl, I’m all over it! It is a very big step for these little tykes to finish Preschool and go out into the world as accomplished, uh… Pre-Kindergarteners.

This morning, my daughter woke up and said, “I’m free! No more school! No more homework! No more waking up early! So… what are we doing today, Mommy?” (Ugh.) Well, she may be on summer vacation, but I’m still working. All summer long, I’m going to have to listen to her say, “I’m bored. There’s nothing to do!” How many more days until fall/back to school? 😉

Speaking of fall… Here’s a sneak peek from le•top’s 2009 Fall Collection: Miranda’s print knit dress from the Vive Les Fleurs! line is coming to stores near you  — in fact, the first of these dresses are leaving our warehouse and being shipped to stores this very week. The Giant Peach in Annapolis, MD is taking phone orders for this dress. Give Jean or Mary a call: 410-268-8776. Stay tuned for more fall sneak peeks!

le•top Vive Les Fleurs! print knit dress and matching tights available in 3mo - 6x.

And for all you parents with young “grads”… please share your event photos with us by clicking here. We’d love to feature your scholars!

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What is the Deal with Kids and Band-Aids?

Reading Dawn’s post about her school field trip mishap made me think about my teaching days. When I used to be an elementary school teacher, I went through boxes of Band-Aids. And I do mean BOXES! Not because my students were injured all the time, but because they felt that for every little “boo-boo,” a Band-Aid somehow made it all better. Now by “boo-boo” I’m talking about:

• a little scratch
• an insect bite
• an old bump
• a bruise
• a scar
• sometimes, a student would even go as far as picking an old scab just to get it bleeding for a Band-Aid!

Now that my oldest is school-aged, a fascination for Band-Aids has developed. And I was never one to pass out Band-Aids at home so I’m quite intrigued where this Band-Aid interest came from. Could it be because of these bandages now look like fancy stickers? There is quite a range of different characters to choose from—Sesame Street, Dora the Explorer, Spider Man, Scooby-Doo. Who wouldn’t want to sport one these cool bandages? Because nothing says, “I’m injured but still stylin'” like a Barbie-wrapped finger!

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End of School Year Adventures

Each May, it’s common for those school field trips to come. I recently helped explore the watersheds near our local mountain stream with my daughter’s third-grade class. The teacher, her aide, four other parent volunteers and I split up the class of 26 to drive them up the canyon. Upon arriving in the forest stream area each small group was given things to explore and find out about the environment. Highlights were usually things the third graders found themselves like a dead, half-rotten vole (mouse) on the side of the trail, a garter snake, and deer scat (poop).

Crimson Trail Slope (Utah)

All was going well as we climbed up along a rocky slope trail to sit and look for fossils. Not too long passed and a student cried out. The boy had lost his footing and slid down the rocky slope stopping only when he got tangled up with a juniper tree branch. He called out and a nearby classmate screamed, “He’s bleeding!” The teacher and one of the parent chaperones (who also happened to be a nurse) made their way to the boy while the rest of us calmed the class and kept them from gathering around the injured boy. We could see that he had a scrape on his nose, a cut on his head and was protecting the wrist he fell on. The adults doctored him up then began walking him out to the car where the chaperone would take him back to school to meet the boy’s mother for a doctor’s clinic visit.

The class did fine remaining on their fossil hunt, finishing up only when the chaperones said it was time to go. The class enjoyed their adventures and several students drew get well cards for their classmate as soon as they returned to the classroom. The student did return to school the next day with sparkling eyes and a grin, but he was also sporting four stitches on his head and a cast on his wrist! The teacher of 30 years was commenting it was her first serious student injury on a field trip.

You just never know what will happen next!

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