I posted a few days ago on Facebook about how I was a mean mommy at bedtime the other night. Bedtime is the WORST! There is so much to do and it's all rushed because I want the kids gone by 8:00 so I can either relax or (more likely) get a bunch of stuff done!
But yesterday the kids were so cool that I forgot all about (mostly) the bedtime blues. Our upstairs is a big master suite which is part storage/part guest room. Well, since Christmas, all our holiday decorations have been gathering upstairs waiting to be put in the attic (a little room accessed from the closet in the room.) We are getting our first house guest since the holidays so we needed to go upstairs and put the 7 or 8 boxes (including the fake tree) into the attic to prepare the room for our guest.
Yesterday afternoon I told the kids I was going up to work on getting the decorations put away, and they said, "me too," and "me three." :-) Cool! I got the boxes sealed up and plopped myself in the attic room. Then the kids worked (really hard) together to bring every (big) box over to me, up and over a little step, and pushed into the attic room so I could grab them and put them on the shelves. They were so cute and seriously helpful!! I was quite impressed and appreciative!
A friend of mine (Hi, Jessica!) has two month old twins, and it's interesting to think about how different things are now than they were then! It's a relief in a lot of ways! And there are also new challenges. And new rewards. :-) Parenting is quite an adventure (learning experience!)
Friday, February 20, 2015
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Reading, writing, and sibling love
Veronica "got it" and is able to read suddenly! It's so fun and amazing seeing her read a book! I'm amazed and almost in tears hearing her sound out the words she doesn't know, and remember a bunch of sight words. So cool!
Jackson is not far behind. He has the skills, he just hasn't gotten completely motivated yet enough to make that huge leap to loving to read. He's great at sounding out words, though.
Today I volunteered in Jackson's class at his Valentine's/100th day of school party. Both Jackson and Veronica's teachers thought it would be fine and lovely for Veronica to attend Jackson's class party for a bit. Veronica came in with me while the class was sitting in meeting (circle time). There was a spot on the floor next to Jackson so I told her to go ahead and join in and sit by him. The teacher told the kids we had a special visitor, and asked Jackson to introduce her. Jackson said her name was Veronica, and when she got near him in the meeting space, he got up and hugged her! It was really sweet! They really do get along great and care a lot for each other. :-)
Jackson is not far behind. He has the skills, he just hasn't gotten completely motivated yet enough to make that huge leap to loving to read. He's great at sounding out words, though.
Today I volunteered in Jackson's class at his Valentine's/100th day of school party. Both Jackson and Veronica's teachers thought it would be fine and lovely for Veronica to attend Jackson's class party for a bit. Veronica came in with me while the class was sitting in meeting (circle time). There was a spot on the floor next to Jackson so I told her to go ahead and join in and sit by him. The teacher told the kids we had a special visitor, and asked Jackson to introduce her. Jackson said her name was Veronica, and when she got near him in the meeting space, he got up and hugged her! It was really sweet! They really do get along great and care a lot for each other. :-)
Friday, December 26, 2014
Love letter from Veronica
Look at this awesome love letter Veronica wrote me! She is really having fun learning to read and write.
At first, I had a hard time reading her creative spelling. But I'm getting more practiced. Here's what this letter says:
Veronica Kathleen Rol
This is for Jennifer. I love you, mommy, and I hope you like this thing I made for you, mommy. And I love you, mommy. This is from Veronica, and I love you, mommy, because you are nice to me when I'm hurt. You help me when I am hurt. You are the best in the family, mommy. You are nice to us, mommy. You are nice to others when they are hurt. I love you, mommy. To mommy. From Veronica. December 23, 2014.
At the bottom are pictures of her and I. And I guess we went to Kenya... ? (That is probably mentioned because Veronica's teacher sometimes talks about her trip to Kenya.)
Love this!
Monday, September 8, 2014
Kindergarten!
It's amazing how the timeline of my life is now measured by my kids. Preschool, kinder, middle school, high school, etc! This year, J and V started kindergarten and life is changing! From here on out, school will be a huge part of our lives.
I'm very excited that J and V are going to a really cool charter school in our neighborhood. The neighborhood public school is only three blocks away, it's highly rated, and people really like it. However, it's still mired in the red tape, monotony, politics, large class sizes, "old dogs can't learn new tricks," and testing that the public school system here is trapped in. The charter is really awesome - small class sizes, teachers aids in the room. and a philosophy of child-led learning, project based learning, and more attention to the social and behavioral aspects of growing up.
An example of their social/behavioral learning is their training in conflict management. In the public schools here, my neighbor's kindergartner told me this week that this is how it works: if she's good she gets a green sticker. If she gets only green stickers all week she gets to choose a prize from the treasure chest. If not, she doesn't. (I'm sure the prize is a crappy plastic toy.)
At Innovations Academy, if someone does something "bad," the teacher talks to them to find out what's going on. So, for instance, if my neighbor's kid is bad, say she pushes someone on the playground, she doesn't get a prize. If J or V push someone on the playground, a teacher talks to both kids together, gives them each a chance to talk, and tries to find out why the child pushed. Then the "victim" tells the "perp" what they need in order for everything to be ok (like a hug or an apology). the idea is getting to the heart of the issue, and teaching the kids how to resolve conflict.
An example of the project based learning: instead of the kids learning to write by tracing letters, or learning math by doing sheet after sheet of problems, they learn much more organically. The kinder class last year decided (themselves) that they wanted to study fantasy. So each kid chose a fantasy they liked. My friend's kid picked the tooth fairy. For a few weeks the kids did all their lessons based on the fantasy they chose. Saul did a survey of whether people believed in the tooth fairy. He drew a pie chart, drew pictures, did a presentation about it, and more. In the meantime, he practiced writing, learned math concepts, etc. It's learning by doing, in a very meaningful way.
My kids haven't been in the public school system so I don't know exactly how things work there (I'm making some assumptions based on what I've heard.) But I understand the teachers also do a lot of teaching to the test. Not only does IA not do that, they have a "no unnecessary homework" rule.
Anyway, I'm excited about it! Maybe not doing the best job describing it. But so far J and V love it!
I'm very excited that J and V are going to a really cool charter school in our neighborhood. The neighborhood public school is only three blocks away, it's highly rated, and people really like it. However, it's still mired in the red tape, monotony, politics, large class sizes, "old dogs can't learn new tricks," and testing that the public school system here is trapped in. The charter is really awesome - small class sizes, teachers aids in the room. and a philosophy of child-led learning, project based learning, and more attention to the social and behavioral aspects of growing up.
An example of their social/behavioral learning is their training in conflict management. In the public schools here, my neighbor's kindergartner told me this week that this is how it works: if she's good she gets a green sticker. If she gets only green stickers all week she gets to choose a prize from the treasure chest. If not, she doesn't. (I'm sure the prize is a crappy plastic toy.)
At Innovations Academy, if someone does something "bad," the teacher talks to them to find out what's going on. So, for instance, if my neighbor's kid is bad, say she pushes someone on the playground, she doesn't get a prize. If J or V push someone on the playground, a teacher talks to both kids together, gives them each a chance to talk, and tries to find out why the child pushed. Then the "victim" tells the "perp" what they need in order for everything to be ok (like a hug or an apology). the idea is getting to the heart of the issue, and teaching the kids how to resolve conflict.
An example of the project based learning: instead of the kids learning to write by tracing letters, or learning math by doing sheet after sheet of problems, they learn much more organically. The kinder class last year decided (themselves) that they wanted to study fantasy. So each kid chose a fantasy they liked. My friend's kid picked the tooth fairy. For a few weeks the kids did all their lessons based on the fantasy they chose. Saul did a survey of whether people believed in the tooth fairy. He drew a pie chart, drew pictures, did a presentation about it, and more. In the meantime, he practiced writing, learned math concepts, etc. It's learning by doing, in a very meaningful way.
My kids haven't been in the public school system so I don't know exactly how things work there (I'm making some assumptions based on what I've heard.) But I understand the teachers also do a lot of teaching to the test. Not only does IA not do that, they have a "no unnecessary homework" rule.
Anyway, I'm excited about it! Maybe not doing the best job describing it. But so far J and V love it!
Monday, May 12, 2014
Report out on screen free week
Well, the kids and I again "celebrated" screen-free week, an event put on by the Campaign for a Commercial Free Childhood.
I gave up TV, Facebook, and Candy Crush, except for what I needed to do to "conduct business" like communicating on two events that are being planned through FB. I did not give up my cell phone for calls or texts, nor did I give up email. Too much "business" being taken care of there.
The kids gave up TV and tablet.
I believe my experience this year was similar to last year. It was a complete relief to stop checking FB all day long, and playing Candy Crush. I believe those things are fun and useful (for escapism) in small doses, but they so easily become bad habits that take up more time than necessary! Checking FB at long stop lights is obsessive! I'm again going to pledge to TRY to only check FB (scrolling and commenting/liking posts) once or twice a day. And only play a bit of Candy Crush. (Haven't figured out how to control/quantify that yet.)
Not watching TV was good and bad. I read a book in a few days which is unheard of for me - and very enjoyable! But I really did miss that one hour of TV cuddled up with Dick before bed every night. True confessions - I did cheat and watch about three or four hours of TV - one or two Sons of Anarchy which Dick and I are watching on Netflix, and a movie on Saturday night. :-)
I also missed TV for the kids a bit. Last year after screen free week the kids and I decided together that they would watch three shows a day - which amounts to about 66 minutes (three 22 min shows). Some days that seems like too much. Other days we all "need" it. It's nice downtime for the kids after playing outside, after preschool, or any other active day.
I just asked them what they thought about screen free week and they both said pretty strongly that they didn't like it! I did get Jackson to agree that sometimes if he watches too much TV he feels tired. I think I got them to agree to limit themselves to two shows per day at least one day per week. I'm happy with that. I still think that going screen free for a week is a nice way to "reboot" and remind all three of us that we can find other things to do to relax and spend on our time on.
I gave up TV, Facebook, and Candy Crush, except for what I needed to do to "conduct business" like communicating on two events that are being planned through FB. I did not give up my cell phone for calls or texts, nor did I give up email. Too much "business" being taken care of there.
The kids gave up TV and tablet.
I believe my experience this year was similar to last year. It was a complete relief to stop checking FB all day long, and playing Candy Crush. I believe those things are fun and useful (for escapism) in small doses, but they so easily become bad habits that take up more time than necessary! Checking FB at long stop lights is obsessive! I'm again going to pledge to TRY to only check FB (scrolling and commenting/liking posts) once or twice a day. And only play a bit of Candy Crush. (Haven't figured out how to control/quantify that yet.)
Not watching TV was good and bad. I read a book in a few days which is unheard of for me - and very enjoyable! But I really did miss that one hour of TV cuddled up with Dick before bed every night. True confessions - I did cheat and watch about three or four hours of TV - one or two Sons of Anarchy which Dick and I are watching on Netflix, and a movie on Saturday night. :-)
I also missed TV for the kids a bit. Last year after screen free week the kids and I decided together that they would watch three shows a day - which amounts to about 66 minutes (three 22 min shows). Some days that seems like too much. Other days we all "need" it. It's nice downtime for the kids after playing outside, after preschool, or any other active day.
I just asked them what they thought about screen free week and they both said pretty strongly that they didn't like it! I did get Jackson to agree that sometimes if he watches too much TV he feels tired. I think I got them to agree to limit themselves to two shows per day at least one day per week. I'm happy with that. I still think that going screen free for a week is a nice way to "reboot" and remind all three of us that we can find other things to do to relax and spend on our time on.
Sunday, March 23, 2014
They ARE listening...
J and V are in their bedroom having "quiet time." (The "quiet" is for me, of course! They're playing.)
I just walked by the door and overheard this from Jackson:
"Eenie, meanie, minie, moe, catch a tiger by it's toe, if he hollers, let him go, eenie, meanie, minie, moe. My mother told me to pick the best one and I pick BOTH!"
LOL! I do eenie meanie a lot with them but I've never heard them repeat it. I was impressed that he got it down so well! And I like his diplomatic(?) ending as well! :) I believe he was probably choosing between two toys...
Love overhearing stuff...
I just walked by the door and overheard this from Jackson:
"Eenie, meanie, minie, moe, catch a tiger by it's toe, if he hollers, let him go, eenie, meanie, minie, moe. My mother told me to pick the best one and I pick BOTH!"
LOL! I do eenie meanie a lot with them but I've never heard them repeat it. I was impressed that he got it down so well! And I like his diplomatic(?) ending as well! :) I believe he was probably choosing between two toys...
Love overhearing stuff...
Thursday, January 9, 2014
Lots of TV and throwing out a pair of underwear :-(
It was my day home with the kids anyway, but turns out Jackson was sick all day. :-( Must be the stomach flu, I guess. He had a fever all day and was in the bathroom at least once an hour with diarrhea. He refused meds for his fever which I was ok with. He knows his body/stomach. Maybe it would have upset his stomach more. His fever was only in the 100-101 range and I've heard that it may be good to let the fever go (if not too high) so the body can get on with healing itself. Who knows.
He ate small amounts of crackers and chocolate during the day (very small). (I actually read that cocoa can be good for diarrhea!) And drank a cup or two of gatorade. Even ate two popsicles so I wasn't worried about dehydration. Poor dude had a sore bum by the end of the night tho. And he took a nap on the couch. You know it's bad when your five year old willingly takes a nap!
He was lethargic all day so I let both kids basically watch TV all day. I NEVER do that! I typically limit them to about 60-80 minutes of TV a day. But you know what? It turned out to be a relaxing, easy day for me with the TV on. I'm not going to make it a habit but... it was kind of nice! I know another day like that will probably drive us all bonkers. But for today, it worked out really great.
The other thing I did today that I don't normally do is I threw out a pair of underwear! Jackson didn't quite make it to the bathroom in time every time he had to go. So... one pair of undies got especially dirty. Like, seriously, stinkishly, gag-inducing, badly dirty. So I made the quick decision to throw them out!
So far, Veronica doesn't have any signs of sickness. I've got my fingers crossed that she doesn't get it!! (Nor Dick or I.) Tomorrow V will be going to school alone while J and I hang out at home while he recuperates. Hopefully, he sleeps well tonight and feels much better tomorrow.
Ahh, the joys of motherhood! I actually enjoyed being nurturing and caring for J today even though I felt really bad for the little dude. He was a trooper most of the time. :-)
He ate small amounts of crackers and chocolate during the day (very small). (I actually read that cocoa can be good for diarrhea!) And drank a cup or two of gatorade. Even ate two popsicles so I wasn't worried about dehydration. Poor dude had a sore bum by the end of the night tho. And he took a nap on the couch. You know it's bad when your five year old willingly takes a nap!
He was lethargic all day so I let both kids basically watch TV all day. I NEVER do that! I typically limit them to about 60-80 minutes of TV a day. But you know what? It turned out to be a relaxing, easy day for me with the TV on. I'm not going to make it a habit but... it was kind of nice! I know another day like that will probably drive us all bonkers. But for today, it worked out really great.
The other thing I did today that I don't normally do is I threw out a pair of underwear! Jackson didn't quite make it to the bathroom in time every time he had to go. So... one pair of undies got especially dirty. Like, seriously, stinkishly, gag-inducing, badly dirty. So I made the quick decision to throw them out!
So far, Veronica doesn't have any signs of sickness. I've got my fingers crossed that she doesn't get it!! (Nor Dick or I.) Tomorrow V will be going to school alone while J and I hang out at home while he recuperates. Hopefully, he sleeps well tonight and feels much better tomorrow.
Ahh, the joys of motherhood! I actually enjoyed being nurturing and caring for J today even though I felt really bad for the little dude. He was a trooper most of the time. :-)
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