Friday, August 14, 2009

Yellow M&M's Make Me Laugh

With Parker starting kindergarten this week, it's had me thinking about my own kindergarten experience.
  • I don't remember the first day, but know I wore blue cool-otts with little anchors all over them and a white t-shirt with a square collar in the same blue fabric with a little red bow in the front...sailor style. And of course white salt water sandals.
  • Surprisingly, I remember kindergarten orientation better than my first day. I talked my mom into wearing matching striped jumpsuits. What a good woman my mom is.
  • I met Genny at kindergarten orientation.
  • One day Genny came home with me after school and we were very giggly...as five year old girls tend to be. My mom told us it must be something we ate. So we racked our brains to figure out what food we both had that day and concluded it was yellow M&M's that made us laugh. We believed that for quite some time.
  • Mrs. Starbuck was my teacher and she had letter people hanging above the chalkboard to help us learn the alphabet.
Me and Devin
  • Devin Henry was my very best friend. When her mom curled her hair she used rag curlers and they were the most beautiful blond curls I had ever seen.
  • Joe Paino and Tim Hellerud were in my class and I'm pretty sure Joe and Devin liked each other.
Our picture was in the paper when an author came to visit.

  • Rachel McBride (a local children's author and member of my ward) came to read us her book...For Sale: One Sister-CHEAP! That became my favorite book after that.
  • I loved pedaling tricycles on a little road around the playground.
  • I lost my first tooth while swinging during recess and the class sang me a song about loosing teeth.
  • I can still picture the layout of the class room...the cubbies, the play kitchen, the art area, the bathroom, everything. It seemed so big to me, and now kindergarten rooms seem so small. I'm sure mine was no exception.
  • I remember reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and how proud I was that I already knew it.
  • Mrs. Starbuck did something fun for every holiday...we made pilgrim and Indian clothes for Thanksgiving and pinatas for Cinco de Mayo.
  • I remember reading Dick and Jane books in little groups and replicating them on our own papers.
  • The smell of finger paint...and the smocks and easels used when painting.
  • And when we had important information to bring home to our parents, we got papers pinned to the back of our shirts.
I think I better stop. The more I try to recall, the more I remember. This list could get seriously long. I have a surprisingly good memory despite having three kids. I can remember the words to songs Mrs. Starbuck taught us and conversations I had with friends and outfits that were worn by everyone.

I had a superb kindergarten experience. It set me off on the right foot to really love and thrive in school. I wish the same for Parker.

14 comments:

The Patterson's said...

Wow Katie you sure have a good memory of you childhood. I just remember how big I thought I was and now I look at 5 year olds and think how little they are when they start school. I am just having a hard time sending my 18 month old to nursery at church. I can't even think about sending her to school all day yet.

Natalie said...

Great memory! I had Mrs. Starbuck too... A girl in my class used to pinch me. A sixth grade helper told me where to find the golden easter egg right before the hunt. And I loved to hide in the tunnel and ride the trikes. My favorite leter person was N of course. I love this post!

Lauri said...

I'm impressed with the things you can remember about kindergarten. Mrs. Starbuck was a fabulous teacher...everyone should start school with such a great experience. Fun post!

Eric said...

Wow, I'm trying to remember my kindergarten experience and I'm totally blank. You have such a great memory!

Traci Elizabeth said...

Um...i remember playing legos with a girl named Katie and everytime they fell we would yell "uh oh spagettios!"

Sadly...that is the ONLY thing i remember about kindergarden.

Your memory is amazing. We might need to meet up sometime so you can tell me what I did during junior high and high school.

Sheryl said...

So fun! You do have an incredible memory. I remember going into a new school in Kindergarten and Susan Chapman gave me a toothless grin, and wanted to be my friend! The best! Miss Roberts was my teacher. I can still vision the classroom set up, and ya know it was 45 years ago!!

jeanine said...

I totally remember everything about kindergarten too... and I loved my first day of school outfit. And I LOVED the letter people... although I was always sad because Amy and Elise got to be girls (all the vowels were girls) while I got stuck with Mr. J who had lots of junk.
ps. Rachelle had Mrs. Starbuck too... I hear that she was fantastic

Genn said...

Katie! As soon as I saw the title to your post I was laughing. I almost mentioned that yellow m&ms bit to you recently, and I can't remember why now.

You have an outstanding memory. I think yours is better than anyone else I know. (Although my Dad swears that he can remember bits about being a baby)

I too loved Mrs. Starbuck. Such a neat lady. You're right, a teacher like that probably did start us off on a great path to love school.

I don't remember nearly as much about you, but after you reminded me, I do remember the layout of the classroom, and the bathrooms, playground area, and of course the letter people.

Fun post. I hope that Parker has as great of an experience in K too.

Genn said...

Katie! As soon as I saw the title to your post I was laughing. I almost mentioned that yellow m&ms bit to you recently, and I can't remember why now.

You have an outstanding memory. I think yours is better than anyone else I know. (Although my Dad swears that he can remember bits about being a baby)

I too loved Mrs. Starbuck. Such a neat lady. You're right, a teacher like that probably did start us off on a great path to love school.

I don't remember nearly as much about you, but after you reminded me, I do remember the layout of the classroom, and the bathrooms, playground area, and of course the letter people.

Fun post. I hope that Parker has as great of an experience in K too.

Ashley said...

Yep Wedding Planner! You make me proud ;) The shower was a success! We had so much fun! Things have started to become a reality this week between the shower and the bank accepted our offer on a house :) We are so excited! How's Ohio?

Kelly said...

You DO have a great memory! Wow! I remember bits & pieces of K, but not like you. I just remember my teachers name was Mrs. Grossman. She was great, but what an awful last name to have.

Amanda B. said...

i remember a lot of similar things. :) Kindergarten is awesome. I totally intended to ask you last night how Parker's first week went and then totally forgot. i would love to hear about it!!

Kipn n' Sarah said...

I am amazed at the detail you remember from that age. I can not remember being that age at all. Is that bad? Way to keep those memories alive!

Autumn said...

Cool otts! I had no idea how to even spell them-and I had forgotten all about them! I love all of your memories-finger paint smell! how true it is!! I love back to school season.