Salt dough from Liz. Fran wanted to make ornaments and I wasn't really up to it so I told her she could do it. So she did everthing- rolled out the dough, pressed the designs with Adam and Natalie, turned on the oven, baked them. Tomorrow is painting. I love her independence in the kitchen.
Going to hear Dad's Portuguese band play in Chino. Worrying about all the cops and the helicopter flood-light that kept circling the venue. We rushed inside!
The kids riding down the stairs on the boogie board and slamming into the bean bags before they hit the wall.
Hearing the kids go crazy laughing at Home Alone and Home Alone 2.
Going to Alta Loma to see all of the amazing Christmas Lights on Thoroughbred. Buying the kids churros. Having Warehouse Pizza afterward.
Getting our Christmas tree. Jason puts the tree in the stand, I put the lights on, the kids did ALL the rest. I love just sitting and watching them enjoy!
Big dance parties here in the living room. Adam dances kind of chaotic and suddenly stops and looks over his shoulder with a Zoolander look. Where did he get THAT from?
Adam declaring that his favorite present was the toaster oven Grandma got him. He didn't like that our other toaster didn't count down and "ding" when it was done, so he requested a new toaster for xmas. He got one. He's very happy he can make proper toast again.
Adam then declared he knows what he wants for xmas next year. "What Grandpa has. One of those massager things." He's talking about the Shiatsu mechanical neck massager pillow I got for Dad. I guess he likes practical gifts. He's sort of an old soul.
Natalie and Adam spent many mornings this break huddled on Adam's bed watching either Frozen or LEGO movie together on the little DVD player.
Frannie got oodles of compliments on her hair. It's so looooong!
I decided we hadn't done anything "field-trippy" for this vacation so we went to the Griffith Observatory and Planetarium show in Los Angeles. Then we stopped by Uncle Don's and Aunt Lisa's house for a quick visit. Total trip time = 5 hours. Why does LA traffic have to ruin everything? (Overall it was fun though.)
The kids very favorite Christmas craft was making gingerbread houses. Well really it's just graham cracker houses, but we used the Halloween candy stash and they did a great job decorating!
For New Year's Eve we went to the Ortega's party. Fran got to play with her best friend A. I got to talk to one of my best friend's L!
Yesterday the kids got to visit with Grandma Remy and Auntie Rosie. I stayed home and did Frequent Buyer Cards. Jason also took the kids to Kohl's so they could get whatever they wanted with their gift cards. Adam got a pocketwatch. Natalie got a pony shirt and sparkly palm tree charm necklace, and Fran got colorful leggings and a very big blingy necklace and earrings that look like something a 55 year old woman would wear.
We're almost at Epiphany. Our Nativity is still out. Many other decorations are still out (although the tree is down). This has been a beautiful Christmas season this year. I feel how precious this time is with the kids at such a fun group of ages. The Christmas season fills me up and energizes for the new year. I feel both happy and sad. This is a time of year (after Christmas) when the school year really picks up and I notice a big change in the kids. It's like they really grow up and by February I have different kids than I did in September. In my heart I hug my precious children as they are right now, little Fran, Adam and Natalie, and make space for the big growing I can see they're about to do before my eyes.
Monday, January 5, 2015
Friday, November 21, 2014
Sweet Spot
I know I don't blog much and I hate that. I keep telling myself "you need to write this dowwwwn! These are your memories!" but I zone out on the computer and never come here and post anything. My kids' childhoods are so important to me and there is so much stuff I know I'm going to forget because I never took the time to write it down. I reeeally hope to change that though. I know it isn't New Years Resolution time but really if I could do one thing better it would be to start documenting my family again.
Ok so real quick I have to get some things down.
I have heard that this season of life that I'm in right now is called The Sweet Spot and I COULDN'T AGREE MORE! Wow. I know people have said the words "it gets easier" but I really had no idea the LEVEL of easier we were talking about when that third kid (little Natalie) skipped off to school. Whoa.
This is some good stuff right here. No joke about it. I am loving this season of life so much. I love our walks to school in the morning and afternoon. I am doing so much better at getting them to school on time holy moly. No absences or tardies believe it or not. This is like a miracle of improvement for me. I'm teaching Zumba now 4 days a week so I'm getting mandatory exercise and it feels fantastic. I love having this creative dance outlet! So fun for me. I'm doing a lot of Frequent Buyer Cards for Canidae. Still teaching Bradley on Sundays. Still volunteering in Natalie's classroom. So I have enough "outside" diversions to keep me busy along with all the house stuff. But somehow I am feeling that elusive thing called Balance that many people speak of. I feel it. I don't feel overwhelmed. I have enough down time. Enough time to do the household stuff. Enough time to be with the kids. I'm making some money. This stay at home mom life is a Good Life. And I love it. So YAY thank you Jason for your awesomeness at providing. And hopefully he feels like he has Balance too since he never has to worry for one second about the kids or household. I actually don't know if he feels what I feel. Somehow I think he feels more pressure than I do, but I also think overall he's pretty satisfied with things.
The kids are doing so great it's just the best. Fran is amazing and responsible. This girl wakes up before 6 am and makes all of the school lunches. She just does. I have never once told her or asked her to do this. She just gets up, and starts in with putting together ham sandwiches etc etc... She even puts the ice pack in the lunch bags like I do so that the sandwiches don't get gross during the day. This girl is like a Little Mommy. I really have no idea where this comes from but she's just an on point kind of kid. I love this super responsible quality about her because it's like some sort of gift that she has.
Adam is also very responsible and excellent in school. He's super good. He just does what he's supposed to do even though he sometimes says he wishes he could be a lazy guy. He definitely loves playing on the computer. He's thinking he wants to play tennis again too. Adam has a way of asking me really hard questions that I can't answer. "Mom where does Helium come from?" "Are people made from stardust?" Anyways, he's playing soccer and they haven't had a great season but he never complains about his team losing all the time. He just goes with the flow of things. He and Natalie play play play play constantly. They are serious buddies and are always playing laughing every single day.
Natalie loves school and is constantly singing all of the songs she hears everyday. The Vowel Bat song, the colors songs (y-e-l-l-o-w spells yellow) the school song and on and on. She's reading really well too and overall just having a really good year so far. She's awesome at soccer and it's super fun to watch her play. She's really fast and just knows what to do. Fran is playing soccer too and loves being the goalie. I am refereeing and I sort of like it, sort of don't but overall it's ok.
So yes this has been an excellent couple of months. Definitely a Sweet Spot.
Ok so real quick I have to get some things down.
I have heard that this season of life that I'm in right now is called The Sweet Spot and I COULDN'T AGREE MORE! Wow. I know people have said the words "it gets easier" but I really had no idea the LEVEL of easier we were talking about when that third kid (little Natalie) skipped off to school. Whoa.
This is some good stuff right here. No joke about it. I am loving this season of life so much. I love our walks to school in the morning and afternoon. I am doing so much better at getting them to school on time holy moly. No absences or tardies believe it or not. This is like a miracle of improvement for me. I'm teaching Zumba now 4 days a week so I'm getting mandatory exercise and it feels fantastic. I love having this creative dance outlet! So fun for me. I'm doing a lot of Frequent Buyer Cards for Canidae. Still teaching Bradley on Sundays. Still volunteering in Natalie's classroom. So I have enough "outside" diversions to keep me busy along with all the house stuff. But somehow I am feeling that elusive thing called Balance that many people speak of. I feel it. I don't feel overwhelmed. I have enough down time. Enough time to do the household stuff. Enough time to be with the kids. I'm making some money. This stay at home mom life is a Good Life. And I love it. So YAY thank you Jason for your awesomeness at providing. And hopefully he feels like he has Balance too since he never has to worry for one second about the kids or household. I actually don't know if he feels what I feel. Somehow I think he feels more pressure than I do, but I also think overall he's pretty satisfied with things.
The kids are doing so great it's just the best. Fran is amazing and responsible. This girl wakes up before 6 am and makes all of the school lunches. She just does. I have never once told her or asked her to do this. She just gets up, and starts in with putting together ham sandwiches etc etc... She even puts the ice pack in the lunch bags like I do so that the sandwiches don't get gross during the day. This girl is like a Little Mommy. I really have no idea where this comes from but she's just an on point kind of kid. I love this super responsible quality about her because it's like some sort of gift that she has.
Adam is also very responsible and excellent in school. He's super good. He just does what he's supposed to do even though he sometimes says he wishes he could be a lazy guy. He definitely loves playing on the computer. He's thinking he wants to play tennis again too. Adam has a way of asking me really hard questions that I can't answer. "Mom where does Helium come from?" "Are people made from stardust?" Anyways, he's playing soccer and they haven't had a great season but he never complains about his team losing all the time. He just goes with the flow of things. He and Natalie play play play play constantly. They are serious buddies and are always playing laughing every single day.
So yes this has been an excellent couple of months. Definitely a Sweet Spot.
Monday, July 21, 2014
Big Bear Lake
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| Fran, Adam and Nat at Big Bear Los Serranos campsite |
Los Serranos was fantastic because the sites are quite large so you have plenty of space to stretch out and play without feeling like the other campers are within earshot.
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| Always playing together. Picture taken by Fran. |
On Saturday it was cool and rained and it was wonderful!! It was the best thing ever to just hang out under the easy-up canopy and read while the rain fell. It was like being under a big umbrella. Just being comfortable in the cool air, on a nice lounge chair, hearing and smelling the rain, and reading... that was my favorite part of the vacation. I also enjoyed playing many games of Yahtzee with Fran. She beat me almost every time! She rolls Yahtzees so easily!
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| Huddling under the canopy when it first started to rain. |
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Reading reading reading. |
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On a bike riding adventure with Daddy |
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| Clear BLUE sky! |
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| Adam with his "treat" a helicopter. |
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| Dad walking with Natalie and Archie in the village. |
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| Dinner prep |
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Marshmallows in the dinner?
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| Dad and Archie |
So here's to yet another great camping trip full of relaxation and snacks and naps and exploration.
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| On the car ride home before motion sickness set in for Fran.,.. |
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Right now
Right now...
It's a Tuesday morning and the kids have been dropped off at school. Natalie is watching the Wiggles. She hasn't watched the Wiggles in a long time but lately she's been having bad dreams and she said "I miss my Wiggle dreams." So I suggested she watch some Wiggles so she can put good dreams in her head.
Natalie definitely watches a lot more tv than I ever let Fran and Adam watch!
In terms of milestones...Natalie is learning to read!
Right now...
Adam looks like a hockey player. He tripped and face-planted last week and scuffed up his nose. He has a few thick scabs on his face from it. Then yesterday night his front tooth fell out while he was sleeping! So he looks like a cartoonish hockey player with scabs on his face and teeth missing. And yesterday on the way to school he fell and scraped his knee pretty bad. So he's kind of a mess. But a healthy boy mess! Missing teeth and scabs from playing outside are good things for an almost 7-year old.
Right now...
Francesca is growing in responsibility. She is the one who helped Adam when he fell on the way to school. When they got to school she took him to the bathroom and cleaned his cuts thoroughly. They were both very calm about it. She said Adam didn't even cry. I'm really proud of them that they know how to handle stuff without freaking out. I'm glad Fran knows what to do.
Right now...
I'm grateful for being a stay at home mom. I was able to make the kids pancakes for breakfast (at Natalie's request.) As I was making pancakes I was grateful to not be rushing around trying to get myself ready for work, but I could instead just chill and make breakfast in my sweatpants. It's a good life!
I'm becoming the Queen of Part Time Jobs. I still have the Bradley class going, and I'm also teaching Zumba at the church and at an elementary school, and I'm doing data entry at home for Canidae.
It's a Tuesday morning and the kids have been dropped off at school. Natalie is watching the Wiggles. She hasn't watched the Wiggles in a long time but lately she's been having bad dreams and she said "I miss my Wiggle dreams." So I suggested she watch some Wiggles so she can put good dreams in her head.
Natalie definitely watches a lot more tv than I ever let Fran and Adam watch!
In terms of milestones...Natalie is learning to read!
Right now...
Adam looks like a hockey player. He tripped and face-planted last week and scuffed up his nose. He has a few thick scabs on his face from it. Then yesterday night his front tooth fell out while he was sleeping! So he looks like a cartoonish hockey player with scabs on his face and teeth missing. And yesterday on the way to school he fell and scraped his knee pretty bad. So he's kind of a mess. But a healthy boy mess! Missing teeth and scabs from playing outside are good things for an almost 7-year old.
Right now...
Francesca is growing in responsibility. She is the one who helped Adam when he fell on the way to school. When they got to school she took him to the bathroom and cleaned his cuts thoroughly. They were both very calm about it. She said Adam didn't even cry. I'm really proud of them that they know how to handle stuff without freaking out. I'm glad Fran knows what to do.
Right now...
I'm grateful for being a stay at home mom. I was able to make the kids pancakes for breakfast (at Natalie's request.) As I was making pancakes I was grateful to not be rushing around trying to get myself ready for work, but I could instead just chill and make breakfast in my sweatpants. It's a good life!
I'm becoming the Queen of Part Time Jobs. I still have the Bradley class going, and I'm also teaching Zumba at the church and at an elementary school, and I'm doing data entry at home for Canidae.
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Francesca's tall friends
I asked Frannie how come all of her friends are so much taller than she is. (I'm not kidding they're all like a foot taller.) And she said, "I've tried to make friends with girls my size but it just doesn't work out for some reason. I just get along with tall girls."
I thought that was cute.
I thought that was cute.
Saturday, January 11, 2014
Right Now
Right now Natalie is asking me to blow up a balloon for her babies. Her babies are of course all of her stuffed animal babies that she carts everywhere and puts in surprising places. Right now the babies are in a circle in the front yard. Natalie is wearing her tiny striped shorts. She wears tiny shorts so often I've told her her Indian name should be Little Shorts. Right now her hair is in loose pig tails. She's woken from a long nap after her first soccer game.
Right now Adam is playing handball against the side of the house with our neighbor (also named Adam). They've been laughing and playing this game for at least an hour. I'm glad Adam has a friend in the neighborhood now. This is only the 2nd time this boy has come over to play. My Adam is barefoot and his feet will be extremely dirty from the muddy grass when he comes in.
Right now Frannie is eating crockpot broccoli beef with rice for dinner. She's sitting right next to me. Her hair is in braids of course. She just got home from working on a school project with a girl in her class. They're acting out a Choctaw legend.
Right now Jason and I are watching Extreme Cheapskates on Netflix and drinking coffee and having our favorite snack of graham crackers with peanut butter and chocolate chips. I am wearing Jason's grey sweatshirt. I've come to enjoy stealing most of his sweatshirts and sometimes even his workout pants. This is the benefit of having a husband who only weighs 15lbs more than I do!
Right now Adam is playing handball against the side of the house with our neighbor (also named Adam). They've been laughing and playing this game for at least an hour. I'm glad Adam has a friend in the neighborhood now. This is only the 2nd time this boy has come over to play. My Adam is barefoot and his feet will be extremely dirty from the muddy grass when he comes in.
Right now Frannie is eating crockpot broccoli beef with rice for dinner. She's sitting right next to me. Her hair is in braids of course. She just got home from working on a school project with a girl in her class. They're acting out a Choctaw legend.
Right now Jason and I are watching Extreme Cheapskates on Netflix and drinking coffee and having our favorite snack of graham crackers with peanut butter and chocolate chips. I am wearing Jason's grey sweatshirt. I've come to enjoy stealing most of his sweatshirts and sometimes even his workout pants. This is the benefit of having a husband who only weighs 15lbs more than I do!
Sunday, October 6, 2013
National Anthem of Andorra, Italy, and Algeria
My mom bought the kids this Intelliglobe thing, and one of the features is a pamphlet full of all the national flags. When you touch one of the flags with this special computerized pen, it plays the national anthem from that country.
Well the kids have discovered this feature and Natalie plays the Andorra anthem all day long. She loves this song so much she says she wants to play a "horn sang" (horn thing aka trumpet) so she can play it. I didn't even know where in the world Andorra was. I always feel so ignorant when it comes to geography. It reminds me of school how everyone knows who the popular kids are, but the popular kids have no idea who the less popular kids are. That is how it is living in the United States. We only really know about ourselves even though the whole rest of the world knows about us.
Anyways, Andorra is a little country that is right between Spain and France!! Who knew!? I thought it might be one of those tiny islands that's a dot in the middle of the ocean. Nope. It's right there in Europe. And I thought I knew about European countries at least. I guess not.
So while Natalie loves Andorra, Adam loves Italy (every time it stops he sticks his butt out and pretends he's farting). I happen to like Algeria (some nice snare drums). Frannie hasn't picked a favorite.
Well the kids have discovered this feature and Natalie plays the Andorra anthem all day long. She loves this song so much she says she wants to play a "horn sang" (horn thing aka trumpet) so she can play it. I didn't even know where in the world Andorra was. I always feel so ignorant when it comes to geography. It reminds me of school how everyone knows who the popular kids are, but the popular kids have no idea who the less popular kids are. That is how it is living in the United States. We only really know about ourselves even though the whole rest of the world knows about us.
Anyways, Andorra is a little country that is right between Spain and France!! Who knew!? I thought it might be one of those tiny islands that's a dot in the middle of the ocean. Nope. It's right there in Europe. And I thought I knew about European countries at least. I guess not.
So while Natalie loves Andorra, Adam loves Italy (every time it stops he sticks his butt out and pretends he's farting). I happen to like Algeria (some nice snare drums). Frannie hasn't picked a favorite.
Like Soap and Horses
These are the images I keep in my head in regards to discipline:
Sometimes you hold kids like soap. You just hold them up and guide them without squeezing too hard. Because if you squeeze they'll just slip right out and fall on the floor. So you quietly hold and take them where they need to go.
In times like this I can tell one of my kids needs to just BE. And they need time to work it out. They need understanding. They need to know I'm on their team. In times like these I can't make them do exactly what I want, because that will just escalate the whole problem. Usually the perfect remedy is a nap. Sleep cures a lot of things.
Other times I think it's like horses. You need to just grab the reins. Here. Now. Do this. No negotiation.
These are the "you're not wise enough to know what's good for you, so this is simply what you must do" moments. And the "you will obey because you simply must" moments.
It's not all the time soap, or all the time horses. It just depends.
Sometimes you hold kids like soap. You just hold them up and guide them without squeezing too hard. Because if you squeeze they'll just slip right out and fall on the floor. So you quietly hold and take them where they need to go.
In times like this I can tell one of my kids needs to just BE. And they need time to work it out. They need understanding. They need to know I'm on their team. In times like these I can't make them do exactly what I want, because that will just escalate the whole problem. Usually the perfect remedy is a nap. Sleep cures a lot of things.
Other times I think it's like horses. You need to just grab the reins. Here. Now. Do this. No negotiation.
These are the "you're not wise enough to know what's good for you, so this is simply what you must do" moments. And the "you will obey because you simply must" moments.
It's not all the time soap, or all the time horses. It just depends.
Saturday, September 14, 2013
Life is moving and flowing
*Adam and Frannie started school.
*Adam is having an ok, slightly rough transition. He keeps getting hit in the face with basketballs at recess. Fortunately he is now figuring out the bigger playground and seems to be having fewer ball-face contact problems. Earlier in the week he declared he "didn't really like school because there is too much recess."
*He also has some righteous anger about other people, especially GIRLS, cutting in line. I've tried to explain that they're mostly just doing that to stand next to a friend. After all, there isn't a Disneyland ride at the end of the line or anything. But I understand the frustration of wanting to keep one's rightfully earned place in line.
*His behavior is impeccable as I knew it would be. He gets "clipped up" every day. He's a super-good boy.
*Francesca has more homework this year. Plus her piano songs take genuine practice time. Plus she's supposed to be reading 20 mins a day for homework. Plus her twice-a-week soccer practices are pretty much an hour and some change long. Life is getting busier for her with more time-management needed. So far we're trying the strategy of knocking out all the homework on Friday after school so that the rest of the week her "homework" is piano practice and reading.
*The social indoctrination of "girls don't wear dresses" is taking hold once again. I've seen this now each year (but quicker this time) where during the school year she abandons her dresses for jean shorts and t-shirts. (Basically she starts dressing like me- even though really she's dressing like the other girls in school.) During the summer the dresses come back and I consider it her natural state. She even commented that the older girls in school never wear dresses. Yup. I know. Why is this? Nothing wrong with shorts and pants of course. Certainly for Natalie this is her natural state as she hates dresses. This isn't the case for Frannie who has always preferred dresses and skirts. In general my thought process is that whatever she wants to wear is fine as long as whatever she's wearing is fine. She's learning to "fit in" at school. Even though I'd like her to just "be herself" realistically we all take cues from our surroundings as to what is right and appropriate. I would though like to encourage her to wear those things that I know she loves to wear. She can be a very creative dresser and I'm often impressed at the way she can mix colors and patterns in such nice ways. My secret delight is that she loves her looooong hair and wants to grow it longer. This is one way she isn't just like everyone else at school and I like that she likes this special quality about her appearance. (More about the shorts thing- it could also have to do with more PE activities. They make them run a lot.)
*We are homeschooling tap. I found an awesome brand-new pair of Bloch tap shoes at the thrift store in just Frannie's size. Well, a 1/2 size big which is perfect so that she can wear them longer. $3.50 for $50 shoes. LOVE IT!.So since I was disappointed at the teaching at her dance studio, I've decided to just show her how to do tap since I took classes for so many years. We've been doing this for about 2 weeks and she's learned a LOT! She's commented more than once that she's learned more from me than she learned at ballet. I know. That's why I'm not spending the money for crappy dance lessons anymore.
*Natalie is adjusting to the kids being gone during the day by taking a big nap in the afternoon. It's like she's on a long car trip and she knows the quickest way to "get there" is to just sleep through it. So she's been sleeping in the afternoon and waking up just in time to go get the kids.
*Natalie is also learning to read. I knew she would pick up reading pretty easily because she memorizes everything really quickly. She memorizes words to songs much more quickly than Adam. And she memorizes the words of stories very quickly. Even though she can't really read it sometimes seems like she's reading because she remembers all of the words on the page. So without teaching her much of anything, she's sounding out some words.
*Adam is learning to read too, but I don't think he'll really learn until he's closer to 7 like Frannie was. He's doing well though and memorizing his sight words. I firmly believe piano has helped both kids with reading skills. Mrs. Myatt is surprised at how well he's doing with piano and frankly so am I. What I'm most surprised about is how much he practices. He said he didn't want to take piano, but I know how he is and I know that he always starts out saying he doesn't want to do things, but then he likes it later.
*Adam is having an ok, slightly rough transition. He keeps getting hit in the face with basketballs at recess. Fortunately he is now figuring out the bigger playground and seems to be having fewer ball-face contact problems. Earlier in the week he declared he "didn't really like school because there is too much recess."
*He also has some righteous anger about other people, especially GIRLS, cutting in line. I've tried to explain that they're mostly just doing that to stand next to a friend. After all, there isn't a Disneyland ride at the end of the line or anything. But I understand the frustration of wanting to keep one's rightfully earned place in line.
*His behavior is impeccable as I knew it would be. He gets "clipped up" every day. He's a super-good boy.
*Francesca has more homework this year. Plus her piano songs take genuine practice time. Plus she's supposed to be reading 20 mins a day for homework. Plus her twice-a-week soccer practices are pretty much an hour and some change long. Life is getting busier for her with more time-management needed. So far we're trying the strategy of knocking out all the homework on Friday after school so that the rest of the week her "homework" is piano practice and reading.
*The social indoctrination of "girls don't wear dresses" is taking hold once again. I've seen this now each year (but quicker this time) where during the school year she abandons her dresses for jean shorts and t-shirts. (Basically she starts dressing like me- even though really she's dressing like the other girls in school.) During the summer the dresses come back and I consider it her natural state. She even commented that the older girls in school never wear dresses. Yup. I know. Why is this? Nothing wrong with shorts and pants of course. Certainly for Natalie this is her natural state as she hates dresses. This isn't the case for Frannie who has always preferred dresses and skirts. In general my thought process is that whatever she wants to wear is fine as long as whatever she's wearing is fine. She's learning to "fit in" at school. Even though I'd like her to just "be herself" realistically we all take cues from our surroundings as to what is right and appropriate. I would though like to encourage her to wear those things that I know she loves to wear. She can be a very creative dresser and I'm often impressed at the way she can mix colors and patterns in such nice ways. My secret delight is that she loves her looooong hair and wants to grow it longer. This is one way she isn't just like everyone else at school and I like that she likes this special quality about her appearance. (More about the shorts thing- it could also have to do with more PE activities. They make them run a lot.)
*We are homeschooling tap. I found an awesome brand-new pair of Bloch tap shoes at the thrift store in just Frannie's size. Well, a 1/2 size big which is perfect so that she can wear them longer. $3.50 for $50 shoes. LOVE IT!.So since I was disappointed at the teaching at her dance studio, I've decided to just show her how to do tap since I took classes for so many years. We've been doing this for about 2 weeks and she's learned a LOT! She's commented more than once that she's learned more from me than she learned at ballet. I know. That's why I'm not spending the money for crappy dance lessons anymore.
*Natalie is adjusting to the kids being gone during the day by taking a big nap in the afternoon. It's like she's on a long car trip and she knows the quickest way to "get there" is to just sleep through it. So she's been sleeping in the afternoon and waking up just in time to go get the kids.
*Natalie is also learning to read. I knew she would pick up reading pretty easily because she memorizes everything really quickly. She memorizes words to songs much more quickly than Adam. And she memorizes the words of stories very quickly. Even though she can't really read it sometimes seems like she's reading because she remembers all of the words on the page. So without teaching her much of anything, she's sounding out some words.
*Adam is learning to read too, but I don't think he'll really learn until he's closer to 7 like Frannie was. He's doing well though and memorizing his sight words. I firmly believe piano has helped both kids with reading skills. Mrs. Myatt is surprised at how well he's doing with piano and frankly so am I. What I'm most surprised about is how much he practices. He said he didn't want to take piano, but I know how he is and I know that he always starts out saying he doesn't want to do things, but then he likes it later.
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Jason likes to match
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One of Jason's favorite things is to dress matchy-matchy with Adam. He even bought himself these Vans so that they could look even more similar. Lately, he tries to pick matching outfits every Sunday for church. I think this last picture is so adorable I think I'll print this one out.
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Swim Coma
We've been swimming a lot this summer. (A lot means every day.) I may not like having a $220 association fee but I like having an easy activity to do with the kids.
Swimming also has the bonus of being a sleeping pill for children.
Swimming also has the bonus of being a sleeping pill for children.
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| "Life Force gone. Cannot go on." |
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| She's what, maybe 10 minutes out of the water? |
A child's perspective on the house
Frannie said to me the other day, "Mom, I hope we never move."
"Why?"
"Because our house is so cozy!"
"Our house is cozy? Really? Which room is your favorite?
"Your room."
"My room? (I was really surprised to hear this.) Why?"
"Because it is just so cozy!"
I really thought she'd say her room or the living room or basically any place that she plays the most or reads the most.
But her favorite room is our room. And her response reminded me of this post from Leila at Like Mother, Like Daughter http://ourmothersdaughters.blogspot.com/2010/03/reasonably-clean-house-did-you-guess.html
She writes, " Your home has many areas that express family life, but your bedroom expresses the foundational relationship between you and your spouse -- the inner sanctum where the sacrament of your marriage is consecrated and continually renewed with the conjugal gift.
If it weren't for the intimate aspect of your commitment, your family would not be. ...Once you make it a priority to keep your bedroom reasonably neat, clean, and tidy, you will notice that besides gaining your husband's gratitude, your children respect it more as they grow older.
Do you see how that contributes, however humbly, to their understanding of the preciousness of marriage and the home -- and the reverence that both you and your husband have for your relationship? Do you see how this lesson, an unspoken one, will carry its message to a new generation? Who knew that you were expressing so much by cleaning a room?"
"Why?"
"Because our house is so cozy!"
"Our house is cozy? Really? Which room is your favorite?
"Your room."
"My room? (I was really surprised to hear this.) Why?"
"Because it is just so cozy!"
I really thought she'd say her room or the living room or basically any place that she plays the most or reads the most.
But her favorite room is our room. And her response reminded me of this post from Leila at Like Mother, Like Daughter http://ourmothersdaughters.blogspot.com/2010/03/reasonably-clean-house-did-you-guess.html
She writes, " Your home has many areas that express family life, but your bedroom expresses the foundational relationship between you and your spouse -- the inner sanctum where the sacrament of your marriage is consecrated and continually renewed with the conjugal gift.
If it weren't for the intimate aspect of your commitment, your family would not be. ...Once you make it a priority to keep your bedroom reasonably neat, clean, and tidy, you will notice that besides gaining your husband's gratitude, your children respect it more as they grow older.
Do you see how that contributes, however humbly, to their understanding of the preciousness of marriage and the home -- and the reverence that both you and your husband have for your relationship? Do you see how this lesson, an unspoken one, will carry its message to a new generation? Who knew that you were expressing so much by cleaning a room?"
Monday, August 5, 2013
Chow Mein
I thought it would be fun to have the kids try new foods so I brought home a can of sardines from TJs.
When I popped and peeled back the lid the kids said EEEWWW when they saw the fish in olive oil with the head and tail cut off.
But I forged ahead and speared one with my fork, flaked it up, and got a nice little heap to go on a cracker.
"There! Try it."
And so they did. And they liked it! They kept asking for more until all three fish in the can were gone.
Later in the day we were in the car and Adam says, "Mom, I'm hungry. Can I have some of that chow mein?"
"Chow mein? We don't have chow mein. What are you talking about?"
"You know, that chow mein. With the crackers."
"Do you mean SAR-DINES!?"
"Oh, yeah, that."
And he still couldn't remember the name and all day long he's been asking me to go to the store to get chow mein.
When I popped and peeled back the lid the kids said EEEWWW when they saw the fish in olive oil with the head and tail cut off.
But I forged ahead and speared one with my fork, flaked it up, and got a nice little heap to go on a cracker.
"There! Try it."
And so they did. And they liked it! They kept asking for more until all three fish in the can were gone.
Later in the day we were in the car and Adam says, "Mom, I'm hungry. Can I have some of that chow mein?"
"Chow mein? We don't have chow mein. What are you talking about?"
"You know, that chow mein. With the crackers."
"Do you mean SAR-DINES!?"
"Oh, yeah, that."
And he still couldn't remember the name and all day long he's been asking me to go to the store to get chow mein.
Friday, August 2, 2013
Answers: 212, 122, 3 1/2, 7?8?9?10?
Questions:
1. How many squats did Francesca do yesterday?
2. How many did you (mom) do?
3. How many hours did Natalie "nap" today?
4. Number of days since your children last received a bath?
Sub-Questions
1. Why did she do this?
2. Why did you do this?
3. Why is this a big deal?
4. Why are you not bathing your children?
Sub-Answers
1. Because she's competitive- although I didn't quite realize how much!
2. Because I'm competitive too and Jason has been having squat competitions at work. I thought I could do between 60-100.
3. Because she's been a major grumpy-pants stinker for 2 days. I'm the only one in this house who's allowed to act like she's on her period.
4. Because they've had swim lessons every day for 2 weeks.
Sub-sub-Questions
1. Is she sore?
2. Are you sore?
3. Is Natalie being nicer?
4. Will you ever bathe the children?
Sub-sub Answers
1. Yes. Now she is. Took 24 hours to creep up on her. (Ben-Gay to the rescue!)
2. Yes. I wish I lived in a one-story.
3. Actually yes. She cleaned up the living room nicely. I'm glad she's feeling better.
4. Actually yes. They finally got shampoo/conditioner/ears-face-feet-booty scrubbed tonight. Francesca even got a coconut oil treatment in her hair. She says she smells like popcorn.
1. How many squats did Francesca do yesterday?
2. How many did you (mom) do?
3. How many hours did Natalie "nap" today?
4. Number of days since your children last received a bath?
Sub-Questions
1. Why did she do this?
2. Why did you do this?
3. Why is this a big deal?
4. Why are you not bathing your children?
Sub-Answers
1. Because she's competitive- although I didn't quite realize how much!
2. Because I'm competitive too and Jason has been having squat competitions at work. I thought I could do between 60-100.
3. Because she's been a major grumpy-pants stinker for 2 days. I'm the only one in this house who's allowed to act like she's on her period.
4. Because they've had swim lessons every day for 2 weeks.
Sub-sub-Questions
1. Is she sore?
2. Are you sore?
3. Is Natalie being nicer?
4. Will you ever bathe the children?
Sub-sub Answers
1. Yes. Now she is. Took 24 hours to creep up on her. (Ben-Gay to the rescue!)
2. Yes. I wish I lived in a one-story.
3. Actually yes. She cleaned up the living room nicely. I'm glad she's feeling better.
4. Actually yes. They finally got shampoo/conditioner/ears-face-feet-booty scrubbed tonight. Francesca even got a coconut oil treatment in her hair. She says she smells like popcorn.
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Today was a good day
Finally, finally, FINALLY Adam had a good park day. He typically hates going and whines the whole time. It drives me nuts.
Anyways, today was different! He was a happy boy! The whole time! Natalie too was delightful!
The secret was the scooter.
I let them bring their razor scooters and that made all the difference! Finally park day became like an amusement park and I loved seeing the kids actually happily playing at the park the way they're supposed
to! sheesh this shouldn't have taken so long
Today was also a good day because I hiked up Claremont Wilderness Trail with Lorelei and Sonja. It makes me happy that I've been able to get in a bit of regular exercise and of course doing that with friends makes it that much better!
Anyways, today was different! He was a happy boy! The whole time! Natalie too was delightful!
The secret was the scooter.
I let them bring their razor scooters and that made all the difference! Finally park day became like an amusement park and I loved seeing the kids actually happily playing at the park the way they're supposed
to! sheesh this shouldn't have taken so long
Today was also a good day because I hiked up Claremont Wilderness Trail with Lorelei and Sonja. It makes me happy that I've been able to get in a bit of regular exercise and of course doing that with friends makes it that much better!
Two things I wanted to write down
(I wrote this one awhile ago too. These last four posts are all out of order.)
I got a pedicure for the very first time today. (Jason got me a gift certificate for Mother's Day.) Part of why I haven't gotten one before is because I had a sense that I would like it and I didn't want to be always tempted to spend $20 on my toes. The other reason is because I always cut my toenails suuuper short and I thought the ladies would laugh at my feet like "What is there to manicure! You've already cut the whole nail!"
So I've gone 34 years with regular feet, barefoot, and barely lotioned.
My lady noticed...
and she convinced me to spend 5 extra dollars so she could scrub off my callouses. And damn that lady darn near scraped off my natural leather shoe it was so painful. And yes I did scream out and yes others heard me!
But here's the thing: I really do get it. I get why everyone loves the pedicure so much. even more than the manicure. It's that with the soaking, and oily stuff, and exfoliation, and lotion massage and the chair that mechanically kneads your back, and this and that, my footsies felt light as air and super fresh for at least 2 hours.
Now they feel like regular feet again, but the polish is a reminder of my nice experience. I think that's why they like to make sure you leave with some polish!
---------------------
Ok, on to the other thing which is completely unrelated. It's just a thought I've had from time to time and I wanted to write it down.
I know that when I first became a mother, people, older people, older WOMEN especially, would often stop me and tell me how much to enjoy my children because they grow up so fast. I remember one time in particular when Frannie was only a few weeks old, an older woman told me this and I wanted to say to her "but there is nothing to enjoy".
Later on I of course found many things to enjoy and yes, I do enjoy the kids and enjoy being their mom very much.
But I often read on blogs from other women how much they don't like older women telling them this. When they get advice to "enjoy every moment" they just find it irritating because it certainly isn't always enjoyable. It seems like just one more demand they cannot fulfill.
But I see it differently now. I believe what people are REALLY saying when they say to enjoy it, is they are saying "don't forget that this is your youth too." Because once you can't have kids anymore, you yourself are not young anymore. The message is twofold. Enjoy your kids. But also in enjoying your kids, you are enjoying your own adult youth.
I got a pedicure for the very first time today. (Jason got me a gift certificate for Mother's Day.) Part of why I haven't gotten one before is because I had a sense that I would like it and I didn't want to be always tempted to spend $20 on my toes. The other reason is because I always cut my toenails suuuper short and I thought the ladies would laugh at my feet like "What is there to manicure! You've already cut the whole nail!"
So I've gone 34 years with regular feet, barefoot, and barely lotioned.
My lady noticed...
and she convinced me to spend 5 extra dollars so she could scrub off my callouses. And damn that lady darn near scraped off my natural leather shoe it was so painful. And yes I did scream out and yes others heard me!
But here's the thing: I really do get it. I get why everyone loves the pedicure so much. even more than the manicure. It's that with the soaking, and oily stuff, and exfoliation, and lotion massage and the chair that mechanically kneads your back, and this and that, my footsies felt light as air and super fresh for at least 2 hours.
Now they feel like regular feet again, but the polish is a reminder of my nice experience. I think that's why they like to make sure you leave with some polish!
---------------------
Ok, on to the other thing which is completely unrelated. It's just a thought I've had from time to time and I wanted to write it down.
I know that when I first became a mother, people, older people, older WOMEN especially, would often stop me and tell me how much to enjoy my children because they grow up so fast. I remember one time in particular when Frannie was only a few weeks old, an older woman told me this and I wanted to say to her "but there is nothing to enjoy".
Later on I of course found many things to enjoy and yes, I do enjoy the kids and enjoy being their mom very much.
But I often read on blogs from other women how much they don't like older women telling them this. When they get advice to "enjoy every moment" they just find it irritating because it certainly isn't always enjoyable. It seems like just one more demand they cannot fulfill.
But I see it differently now. I believe what people are REALLY saying when they say to enjoy it, is they are saying "don't forget that this is your youth too." Because once you can't have kids anymore, you yourself are not young anymore. The message is twofold. Enjoy your kids. But also in enjoying your kids, you are enjoying your own adult youth.
Important Milestones for Adam
(Obviously I wrote this awhile ago and never published it. I kept it in my draft folder because I keep meaning to add pictures.)
Adam turned 6 years old a few weeks ago and he is having some exciting moments!
1. He finished his first year of kindergarten and did really well.
2. He learned to tie his shoes.
3. He lost his first tooth!
4. He started piano lessons, and even though he didn't want to do it, he's actually really enjoying it. I think he was getting intimidated by seeing what Frannie can do, but now that he knows a few notes I think he finds it quite exciting that he can read the music a little bit.
5. He started tennis lessons and he's enjoying that too.
Above all else, Adam is a really GOOD boy. The other day we were at Wal-Mart (I know, I know) and Natalie spotted a random little ball on the ground. She asked if she could pick it up and I said ok, but then Adam said "Mom what if the kid who lost that ball comes back to look for it? Then he'll be sad that he can't find it." I said, "You're right Adam. Natalie, Adam is right, go put the ball back." The ball didn't look like much to me, but I wanted to honor his thoughtfulness and I was impressed by that.
Adam turned 6 years old a few weeks ago and he is having some exciting moments!
1. He finished his first year of kindergarten and did really well.
2. He learned to tie his shoes.
3. He lost his first tooth!
4. He started piano lessons, and even though he didn't want to do it, he's actually really enjoying it. I think he was getting intimidated by seeing what Frannie can do, but now that he knows a few notes I think he finds it quite exciting that he can read the music a little bit.
5. He started tennis lessons and he's enjoying that too.
Above all else, Adam is a really GOOD boy. The other day we were at Wal-Mart (I know, I know) and Natalie spotted a random little ball on the ground. She asked if she could pick it up and I said ok, but then Adam said "Mom what if the kid who lost that ball comes back to look for it? Then he'll be sad that he can't find it." I said, "You're right Adam. Natalie, Adam is right, go put the ball back." The ball didn't look like much to me, but I wanted to honor his thoughtfulness and I was impressed by that.
zumba shoes
Adam needed new shoes, but Jason ended up getting all of the kids new shoes. Natalie chose these little beauties and she said excitedly "They're ZUMBA SHOES so we can Zumba TO-GETH-ERRR!"
Summer swimming
Today the kids have swim lessons. Natalie is a beast in the pool. She had no trouble learning and fearlessly throws herself in and swims all over the place. Adam is timid sometimes but has really started improving his strokes. He's a kid who is often reluctant to try things but is actually good at them once he gets going. Francesca is a very lithe swimmer. She's fun to watch. She concentrates and she executes just as they ask.
Monday, May 27, 2013
Of Career and Family
I got a phone call last week from one of my best friends:
"Jamie, a positioned opened up at my school! Language Arts! The principal thinks it will be hard to fill because no one wants to teach middle school! We could be partners!"
Wha? A job? Like a job job. A real JOB. Full time. 5 days a week. Actual responsibility to provide a quality education for other people's children.
I wasn't expecting that.
It really isn't the ideal time, but how can I not consider it? I know I still have a year before Nattie is ready to go to school, but really we could figure something out for one school year. The school is K-8 and all the kids could come to school with me. It's a really high-quality school too, so it's not as though the kids would have an educational down-grade. AND I'd be partner teachers with one of my very best friends. How cool would that be to have instant support like that?
Wow. It's actually a really tough decision. I always thought I'd get back into the job market by subbing first and building relationships with different schools and teachers. I'd get used to adding more work responsibilities to my family responsibilities before committing to full-time employment.
But I also know that getting a teaching job is not so easy these days. Openings are few and far between. Teachers aren't retiring the way it was predicted, so there are lots of fresh new grads with no jobs to fill. So how can I turn down a yellow-brick-road to an interview with a heavy recommendation?
Ack. And there's another issue here. Jason and I have been on the fence about adding to our family for a long time. Are we done with more kids or not? Ask on any given day and it's sort of a shrug. But now that Natalie is getting older (and let's face it, me too) it's very much a NOW OR NEVER issue. And we just don't know!!
It's hard when life hands you decisions that feel very much like game-show moments. Door #1 or Door #2 or Door #3? Which life do you choose? Each door presents possibilities and elements of the unknown.
"Jamie, a positioned opened up at my school! Language Arts! The principal thinks it will be hard to fill because no one wants to teach middle school! We could be partners!"
Wha? A job? Like a job job. A real JOB. Full time. 5 days a week. Actual responsibility to provide a quality education for other people's children.
I wasn't expecting that.
It really isn't the ideal time, but how can I not consider it? I know I still have a year before Nattie is ready to go to school, but really we could figure something out for one school year. The school is K-8 and all the kids could come to school with me. It's a really high-quality school too, so it's not as though the kids would have an educational down-grade. AND I'd be partner teachers with one of my very best friends. How cool would that be to have instant support like that?
Wow. It's actually a really tough decision. I always thought I'd get back into the job market by subbing first and building relationships with different schools and teachers. I'd get used to adding more work responsibilities to my family responsibilities before committing to full-time employment.
But I also know that getting a teaching job is not so easy these days. Openings are few and far between. Teachers aren't retiring the way it was predicted, so there are lots of fresh new grads with no jobs to fill. So how can I turn down a yellow-brick-road to an interview with a heavy recommendation?
Ack. And there's another issue here. Jason and I have been on the fence about adding to our family for a long time. Are we done with more kids or not? Ask on any given day and it's sort of a shrug. But now that Natalie is getting older (and let's face it, me too) it's very much a NOW OR NEVER issue. And we just don't know!!
It's hard when life hands you decisions that feel very much like game-show moments. Door #1 or Door #2 or Door #3? Which life do you choose? Each door presents possibilities and elements of the unknown.
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