Since I ragged on Emma this week for cutting her hair and donating $20 to some lucky kid at school, I'll also sing her praises. She is one smart cookie and doing great in school.
When we had her first parent teacher conference in the fall, we learned that she went to Enrichment classes three mornings a week. It isn't yet considered a Talented & Gifted class per se, but it is the same idea. There are two that go from her class and 5 kindergartners all together. She is the only girl in the 5. This month they have been focusing on Presidents, so one day they took a T/F quiz where they had to predict the answers, then they read a book and found out what the answers were. They also had to come up with a topic having to do with presidents and draw a picture, then dictated what they wanted to say to the enrichment teacher who typed it out and put it on the back of the picture. The five kids then gave a "presentation" to the other 95 kindergartners.
Of course Emma chose Presidential Pets. Did you know Grover Cleveland had a pet raccoon which he called Rebecca? And some presidential kids have had snakes as pets in the White House. "Kind of scary!" The last part of her presentation she asked, "Do you know what kind of pet Sasha and Melia Obama want in the White House?" She said she was the only one who asked a question and then got to call on someone for the answer.
I don't know about you, but I was impressed. On one of the online bulletin boards I frequent, there are often topics that bring about "heated" discussions and one I read about last week as kindergarten readiness. It was either "Your child needs to know differential equations and read Shakespeare by age 5 or they will be way behind in kindergarten and doomed to fail at school" or it was "My child already knows his/her ABC's and 123's and is bored out of his/her gourd at school." I don't believe either extreme. Yes, the expectations for kindergarten are maybe higher than when I went (you had to be able to tie your shoes, something Emma hasn't all the way mastered) but I don't believe in "prepping" your child for kindergarten by intensively teaching letters and reading and numbers. But on the other hand, if your child goes into school with maybe a greater base of knowledge, they shouldn't be left to sit and twiddle their thumbs and be "bored" because the other 80% of the class is working on reading three and four letter sight words.
I am glad that in Emma's class there seems to be a balance for those who are maybe more "advanced". The enrichment classes help them to explore subjects further and give them an opportunity to share what they have learned. Her teacher is also a wonderful 30 year veteran teacher who is able to teach to the whole class. There are two other boys along with Emma who are around the same reading level and they do different activities during "workshop" time. There are probably 4-5 groups in total that are all working at different skill levels. She has never once come home and told me "Mom, I am bored at school". I hope that we can stay on top of her interests and she always enjoys going to school. At least for the next few years, anyway.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Forgotten Dreams
As I'm waking Emma up for school this morning she says, "I had the best dream last night!". Oh really, what was it about? "I don't remember."
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Gotta love the meme!
Easy blog post, courtesy of Bad Mommy once again. Me thinks it is similar to a facebook note that you are supposed to answer with one word responses, so we'll try that.
1. Where is your cell phone?
kitchen counter
2. Your significant other?
work
3. Your hair?
bedhead
4. Your mother?
love her
5. Your father?
love him
6. Your favorite?
cookies
7. Your dream last night?
none (that I can remember)
8. Your favorite drink?
white chocolate mocha, non-fat no whip (that can't be done in one word)
9. Your dream/goal?
happy
10. What room you are in?
basement
11. Your hobby?
shopping
12. Your fear?
job loss
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years?
Ames
14. Where were you last night?
home
15. Something that you are not?
skinny
16. Muffins?
blueberry
17. Wish list item?
$
18. Where you grew up?
Iowa
19. Last thing you did?
pilates
20. What are you wearing?
yoga pants & long sleeved t/tank top
21. Your TV?
off (until I get on the treadmill, then I will watch AI on DVR)
22. Your pets?
pukey
23. Friends?
the best
24. Your life?
good
25. Your mood?
happy
26. Missing some one?
sure
27. Car?
dirty
28. Something you’re not wearing?
shoes
29. Your favorite store?
Target
30. Your favorite color?
pink/red
33. When is the last time you laughed?
last night
34. Last time you cried?
last night
35. One place that I go to over and over?
playroom (where the treadmill is)
36. One person who texts me regularly?
no one (just say "no" to texts)
38. My favorite place to eat?
Great Plains
39. My favorite food?
pasta
40. What did you do today?
facebook
Okay, so I went back through about 6 tags and I couldn't find 31. 32. and 37. It's bugging me!
1. Where is your cell phone?
kitchen counter
2. Your significant other?
work
3. Your hair?
bedhead
4. Your mother?
love her
5. Your father?
love him
6. Your favorite?
cookies
7. Your dream last night?
none (that I can remember)
8. Your favorite drink?
white chocolate mocha, non-fat no whip (that can't be done in one word)
9. Your dream/goal?
happy
10. What room you are in?
basement
11. Your hobby?
shopping
12. Your fear?
job loss
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years?
Ames
14. Where were you last night?
home
15. Something that you are not?
skinny
16. Muffins?
blueberry
17. Wish list item?
$
18. Where you grew up?
Iowa
19. Last thing you did?
pilates
20. What are you wearing?
yoga pants & long sleeved t/tank top
21. Your TV?
off (until I get on the treadmill, then I will watch AI on DVR)
22. Your pets?
pukey
23. Friends?
the best
24. Your life?
good
25. Your mood?
happy
26. Missing some one?
sure
27. Car?
dirty
28. Something you’re not wearing?
shoes
29. Your favorite store?
Target
30. Your favorite color?
pink/red
33. When is the last time you laughed?
last night
34. Last time you cried?
last night
35. One place that I go to over and over?
playroom (where the treadmill is)
36. One person who texts me regularly?
no one (just say "no" to texts)
38. My favorite place to eat?
Great Plains
39. My favorite food?
pasta
40. What did you do today?
Okay, so I went back through about 6 tags and I couldn't find 31. 32. and 37. It's bugging me!
Monday, February 23, 2009
And I thought it wasn't going to happen to me
I guess I was a bit optimistic when I thought we had skipped some of the "typical" things that kids do. I would type them out here, but that is only begging for them to happen so I'll let you think of some on your own. You know those things that kids do and you wonder "Why do all kids do that?"
The in-laws had been here for the weekend and yesterday right before they left I was getting the girls ready to take a picture with them. And when I say getting them ready, I mean brushing their hair so it didn't look like they had just crawled out of bed. Anyway, as I was brushing Emma's hair I notice there is a small chunk of her bangs missing, right up to her scalp. Aye, aye, aye. I thought we had skipped that stage with her. I mean she is almost 6 and has been independently using scissors for almost 3 years now!
What got her into trouble was the fact that she denied it. Our girls know that punishment will be far less severe if you just tell the truth in the first place. When you cut your hair, tell me you don't know how it happened, yet the evidence is in your garbage, Mom is not happy. It is even more frustrating that we had just talked about how only Mom can cut hair and little girls don't cut hair. I see that got me far.
Hopefully it is one of those lessons learned. I told her it may look funny when it grows out and may not even be grown out when she starts first grade in the fall. I am using her as an example and hoping Leah won't follow in her footsteps. And yes, my own mother had to remind me how I went to kindergarten--with a fresh haircut up to the scalp courtesy of moi.
This little life lesson comes on the tail end of Emma's episode of being too nice to your friends. Her locker mate had made a statement about how she didn't have any money, so Emma took it upon herself to bring her some. Emma thought she was bringing her friend 2 one dollar bills which were actually 2 ten dollar bills. The other mom was nice enough to call me and let me know this had happened, and the money was to be returned the next day. Somehow from the morning to the afternoon the envelope with $20 in it got lost in the locker and Emma is now $20 poorer. Once again, lesson learned. I hope.
The in-laws had been here for the weekend and yesterday right before they left I was getting the girls ready to take a picture with them. And when I say getting them ready, I mean brushing their hair so it didn't look like they had just crawled out of bed. Anyway, as I was brushing Emma's hair I notice there is a small chunk of her bangs missing, right up to her scalp. Aye, aye, aye. I thought we had skipped that stage with her. I mean she is almost 6 and has been independently using scissors for almost 3 years now!
What got her into trouble was the fact that she denied it. Our girls know that punishment will be far less severe if you just tell the truth in the first place. When you cut your hair, tell me you don't know how it happened, yet the evidence is in your garbage, Mom is not happy. It is even more frustrating that we had just talked about how only Mom can cut hair and little girls don't cut hair. I see that got me far.
Hopefully it is one of those lessons learned. I told her it may look funny when it grows out and may not even be grown out when she starts first grade in the fall. I am using her as an example and hoping Leah won't follow in her footsteps. And yes, my own mother had to remind me how I went to kindergarten--with a fresh haircut up to the scalp courtesy of moi.
This little life lesson comes on the tail end of Emma's episode of being too nice to your friends. Her locker mate had made a statement about how she didn't have any money, so Emma took it upon herself to bring her some. Emma thought she was bringing her friend 2 one dollar bills which were actually 2 ten dollar bills. The other mom was nice enough to call me and let me know this had happened, and the money was to be returned the next day. Somehow from the morning to the afternoon the envelope with $20 in it got lost in the locker and Emma is now $20 poorer. Once again, lesson learned. I hope.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
In place of your regularly scheduled programming . . .
I had started a "One Year" post, but my computer froze up on me so you are getting this instead. Enjoy! (Courtesy of Bad Mommy)
♥ What are your middle names? Daniel and Marie (almost the Osmonds, huh?)
♥ How long have you been together? Married 11.5 years (dated for 4 years before that)
♥ How long did you know each other before you started dating? We knew each other about 2 months before we started "officially" dating
♥ Who asked who out? He asked me out
♥ How old are each of you? Hubby is 35 and I am 33 years, 11 months and 2 weeks today (that's just an estimate, mind you)
♥ Whose siblings do/did you see the most? Mine since both of mine live in the same state we do and his are in three different states
♥ Do you have any children together? Why yes, we do. Two lovely daughters
♥ What about pets? You mean El Destructo? He was our first "child". He's on about life 8.5 if you ask me. But hubby professes his love for the cat more than I ever get told "I love you" ;)
♥ Which situation is the hardest on you as a couple? Probably each feeling like we do our part to equally contribute to the household in different ways. And for him carrying the sole responsibility of bringing in the dough.
♥ Did you go to the same school? College.
♥ Are you from the same home town? No, we are from different states
♥ Who is the smartest? I'll give it to hubby, although I'm not exactly a dumb blond
♥ Who is the most sensitive? Me. Having two kids and your hormones put through the wringer will do that to you.
♥ Where do you eat out most as a couple? We eat 90% of our meals as a family in the dining room. If we eat out, it is most likely to be at Hickory Park
♥ Who has the craziest ex? If I had to answer that I would say him, but that was so many years ago and I didn't know him then so it is a non-issue
♥ Who has the worst temper? Not me
♥ Who does the cooking? That would be me 99.9% of the time
♥ Who is more social? Me
♥ Who is the neat-freak? We both have parts of the house that we keep tidy. Me, the whole house and him the garage
♥ Who is the more stubborn? He would say me and I would say him. So you think that would be both of us?
♥ Who wakes up earlier? Weekdays--him Weekends--me
♥ Where was your first date? To a Neil Simon play at CY Stephens Auditorium
♥ Who has the bigger family? He does (by one sibling)
♥ Do you get flowers often? No and that's okay because the cat always knocks them down and makes a mess. They usually end up in a vase sitting in the sink--how lovely
♥ How do you spend the holidays? With family. We try to make the rounds or invite people here
♥ Who is more jealous? Well it depends on what we are talking about. Sure, he was jealous that I was lounging in my robe & jammies this morning hanging out in the oversize chair with my feet up on the ottoman while he was heading out the door for work. But I bet he won't be jealous when I get to change a stinky 3.5 year old later today or run to the grocery store or make supper or clean the house in anticipation for his parents' visit. ;)
♥ What are your middle names? Daniel and Marie (almost the Osmonds, huh?)
♥ How long have you been together? Married 11.5 years (dated for 4 years before that)
♥ How long did you know each other before you started dating? We knew each other about 2 months before we started "officially" dating
♥ Who asked who out? He asked me out
♥ How old are each of you? Hubby is 35 and I am 33 years, 11 months and 2 weeks today (that's just an estimate, mind you)
♥ Whose siblings do/did you see the most? Mine since both of mine live in the same state we do and his are in three different states
♥ Do you have any children together? Why yes, we do. Two lovely daughters
♥ What about pets? You mean El Destructo? He was our first "child". He's on about life 8.5 if you ask me. But hubby professes his love for the cat more than I ever get told "I love you" ;)
♥ Which situation is the hardest on you as a couple? Probably each feeling like we do our part to equally contribute to the household in different ways. And for him carrying the sole responsibility of bringing in the dough.
♥ Did you go to the same school? College.
♥ Are you from the same home town? No, we are from different states
♥ Who is the smartest? I'll give it to hubby, although I'm not exactly a dumb blond
♥ Who is the most sensitive? Me. Having two kids and your hormones put through the wringer will do that to you.
♥ Where do you eat out most as a couple? We eat 90% of our meals as a family in the dining room. If we eat out, it is most likely to be at Hickory Park
♥ Who has the craziest ex? If I had to answer that I would say him, but that was so many years ago and I didn't know him then so it is a non-issue
♥ Who has the worst temper? Not me
♥ Who does the cooking? That would be me 99.9% of the time
♥ Who is more social? Me
♥ Who is the neat-freak? We both have parts of the house that we keep tidy. Me, the whole house and him the garage
♥ Who is the more stubborn? He would say me and I would say him. So you think that would be both of us?
♥ Who wakes up earlier? Weekdays--him Weekends--me
♥ Where was your first date? To a Neil Simon play at CY Stephens Auditorium
♥ Who has the bigger family? He does (by one sibling)
♥ Do you get flowers often? No and that's okay because the cat always knocks them down and makes a mess. They usually end up in a vase sitting in the sink--how lovely
♥ How do you spend the holidays? With family. We try to make the rounds or invite people here
♥ Who is more jealous? Well it depends on what we are talking about. Sure, he was jealous that I was lounging in my robe & jammies this morning hanging out in the oversize chair with my feet up on the ottoman while he was heading out the door for work. But I bet he won't be jealous when I get to change a stinky 3.5 year old later today or run to the grocery store or make supper or clean the house in anticipation for his parents' visit. ;)
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Love is in the air
Did you happen to notice yesterday was Valentine's Day? We actually had a great day all hanging out as a family, but Emma did ask, "So what do we get?" Damn commercialism. Grandma M had sent the girls' a Valentine's Day care package, so they got their fill of sweets. I did have a card for each of them, and 90% of the food items they ate yesterday were heart-shaped or red/pink. I encourage everyone to buy the cheap set of multi-sized heart shaped cookie cutters--Valentine's Day is a snap when you have those around. They did look at me funny when I put chocolate/pink/red sprinkles in their applesauce--I thought it was cute!
Today is hubby's mom and dad's 40th wedding anniversary, so we are thinking of them today. They are vacationing in Florida right now, so hopefully they are celebrating in a special way today. We feel so blessed that we each have parents who have been together 40 year (my parents will celebrate theirs in July). What a wonderful example of marriage we have to follow--we only hope we can last 40 years and more together!
Happy Anniversary, Dan and Betty!
(with all their favorite little people)
p.s. Tomorrow is my 1 year blogaversary--any cool ideas on what to do?
Today is hubby's mom and dad's 40th wedding anniversary, so we are thinking of them today. They are vacationing in Florida right now, so hopefully they are celebrating in a special way today. We feel so blessed that we each have parents who have been together 40 year (my parents will celebrate theirs in July). What a wonderful example of marriage we have to follow--we only hope we can last 40 years and more together!
Happy Anniversary, Dan and Betty!
(with all their favorite little people)
p.s. Tomorrow is my 1 year blogaversary--any cool ideas on what to do?
Friday, February 13, 2009
Murphy's Law #54
Your child will not have missed school for three months and then will throw up three hours before school on a party day.
I feel really bad for the kid. She worked on her Valentine's box and Valentine's all last weekend. They had to bring their boxes in to school on Wednesday and I sent her Valentine's in as well--she told me she was the only one who brought them in that day. Good thing because now she won't be there today--at least her Valentine's will be!
I also spent time yesterday turning three blocks of cheese into creative masterpieces for snack. I was all prepared to make my famous Rice Crispie hearts on a stick, but the teacher requested "healthy" snacks. Bummer. So I cut out hearts from cheese and went all Martha Stewart on that cheese.
The sad thing is they had a quick impromptu Christmas party a day early because there was a good possibility school would be cancelled on that Friday, and it was. Isn't that what kindergarten is all about--the parties? There are only a few years in elementary school where you can get away with 1/2 day parties. Next year may not be as fun.
Let's just hope this stays contained to one child. She also had a "Fancy Nancy" party she was invited to tomorrow that we may have to skip for the good of the rest of the girls. On Sunday we had an event and basketball game to go to, including a pizza party before the game. Not the best weekend to get sick. Is it ever?
I feel really bad for the kid. She worked on her Valentine's box and Valentine's all last weekend. They had to bring their boxes in to school on Wednesday and I sent her Valentine's in as well--she told me she was the only one who brought them in that day. Good thing because now she won't be there today--at least her Valentine's will be!
I also spent time yesterday turning three blocks of cheese into creative masterpieces for snack. I was all prepared to make my famous Rice Crispie hearts on a stick, but the teacher requested "healthy" snacks. Bummer. So I cut out hearts from cheese and went all Martha Stewart on that cheese.
The sad thing is they had a quick impromptu Christmas party a day early because there was a good possibility school would be cancelled on that Friday, and it was. Isn't that what kindergarten is all about--the parties? There are only a few years in elementary school where you can get away with 1/2 day parties. Next year may not be as fun.
Let's just hope this stays contained to one child. She also had a "Fancy Nancy" party she was invited to tomorrow that we may have to skip for the good of the rest of the girls. On Sunday we had an event and basketball game to go to, including a pizza party before the game. Not the best weekend to get sick. Is it ever?
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Murphy's Law #269
If you wait almost 6 years to buy a real office chair to go with the nice desk you have, the chair that both you and hubby actually agree on will be on sale. Through Saturday. And you show up on Sunday. You will then go sans office chair for say another 6 years or so (I'm guessing).
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Absence makes the heart grow fonder
Right? So since its been too long between posts, do you love me more? Didn't think so. I'm just trying to gear up for my blogaversary coming up in the next couple weeks (at least that is what I'll tell myself).
Let me tell you, you haven't missed much. Laundry, sick kids, cleaning house, Target shopping trips. . .same old, same old.
Tonight hubby and I have our second night out in less than a month--what the heck? I don't think we've been out alone twice in three years, let alone twice in a month. Free hockey tickets from hubby's work+free babysitter=date night
Coming soon . . . . life's little lessons and what they're worth ($20)
Let me tell you, you haven't missed much. Laundry, sick kids, cleaning house, Target shopping trips. . .same old, same old.
Tonight hubby and I have our second night out in less than a month--what the heck? I don't think we've been out alone twice in three years, let alone twice in a month. Free hockey tickets from hubby's work+free babysitter=date night
Coming soon . . . . life's little lessons and what they're worth ($20)
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Do we really need this month?
It's February, what can I say? It's that month that we think is really short just because it has a few less days--who are we kidding? We also like to think there are lots of other fun things in February--Groundhog's Day, Valentine's Day, President's Day. What's not to love, right? Wrong.
Any more holidays we want to make up? Seriously, Groundhog's Day is the biggest joke ever. Like my hubby says, where we live, only six more weeks of winter would be a blessing. Guess what? There really are six more weeks of winter whether that furry over-grown rodent sees his shadow or not! Gasp! Spring starts March 20th, which is approximately 6+ weeks (give a few days) from yesterday. And around here we've been known to have snow in April and May. The weather man would not shut up about Groundhog's Day yesterday, basically admitting that they look to a dumb animal to help them predict the weather--they have no clue.
February hasn't always been the best month for us either. Twice in 5 years February brought bad news that we didn't want to hear. With the state of the economy, many other people are getting the news we've gotten before this month. I hope the bleeding ends soon; it is depressing.
Valentine's Day is also over-rated. When hubby and I were dating, he went full-out romantic on Valentine's Day. Now he pulls his "stock" card from his briefcase, I read it, and he puts it away for another year. Romance at it's finest. I don't need candy; that would only set back all my work I've been doing on my resolution. Flowers look pretty, but not when the cat has knocked them over on the new dining room table or eaten them and given them back in a different form. Hubby and I had our yearly date a few weeks back which we joked would count for Valentine's Day, my birthday, our anniversary and any other special occasion we feel like celebrating. Guess what? I love my girls and my hubby everyday and they hear it everyday, I don't need a special day to buy them $4 cards from Hallmark to let them know again.
C'mom February, let's get you over with. You don't do much for me. After you we'll be one month closer to real spring. Enough of you and your "made-up" holidays. Enough of the doom and gloom and dreary, winter days. March is better with it's spring break and St. Patrick's Day--even though I'm not Irish and don't celebrate, it just sounds better than President's Day. Great people were born in March, let's get to it all ready so we can party.
P.S. Yes, I know great people were also born in February, like yesterday maybe. ;)
Any more holidays we want to make up? Seriously, Groundhog's Day is the biggest joke ever. Like my hubby says, where we live, only six more weeks of winter would be a blessing. Guess what? There really are six more weeks of winter whether that furry over-grown rodent sees his shadow or not! Gasp! Spring starts March 20th, which is approximately 6+ weeks (give a few days) from yesterday. And around here we've been known to have snow in April and May. The weather man would not shut up about Groundhog's Day yesterday, basically admitting that they look to a dumb animal to help them predict the weather--they have no clue.
February hasn't always been the best month for us either. Twice in 5 years February brought bad news that we didn't want to hear. With the state of the economy, many other people are getting the news we've gotten before this month. I hope the bleeding ends soon; it is depressing.
Valentine's Day is also over-rated. When hubby and I were dating, he went full-out romantic on Valentine's Day. Now he pulls his "stock" card from his briefcase, I read it, and he puts it away for another year. Romance at it's finest. I don't need candy; that would only set back all my work I've been doing on my resolution. Flowers look pretty, but not when the cat has knocked them over on the new dining room table or eaten them and given them back in a different form. Hubby and I had our yearly date a few weeks back which we joked would count for Valentine's Day, my birthday, our anniversary and any other special occasion we feel like celebrating. Guess what? I love my girls and my hubby everyday and they hear it everyday, I don't need a special day to buy them $4 cards from Hallmark to let them know again.
C'mom February, let's get you over with. You don't do much for me. After you we'll be one month closer to real spring. Enough of you and your "made-up" holidays. Enough of the doom and gloom and dreary, winter days. March is better with it's spring break and St. Patrick's Day--even though I'm not Irish and don't celebrate, it just sounds better than President's Day. Great people were born in March, let's get to it all ready so we can party.
P.S. Yes, I know great people were also born in February, like yesterday maybe. ;)
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