10/20/2013
Christopher-
9/8: Your first night in your new bunk bed. It was rough getting you to go to sleep, maybe because you were so excited, but you eventually fell asleep, but it was on the bottom bunk.
9/18: Your first soccer game. You participated really well and seemed to really be having fun. What a completely different experience from tee-ball!
10/2: You have your first loose tooth!
10/3: was Emma Houston's birthday party and we celebrated it at our house. We turned out the lights and we all sang to Emma. When she closed her eyes to make a wish, Alex blew out the candles. While the rest of us all started laughing because it was funny, you started crying and were upset and yelled at Alex not to do that. Sometimes you are so sweet and sensitive. It's cute, even if I don't completely understand it.
10/8: You've been playing really rough lately with your friends. I'm not sure how to address it with you. I know you are your friends are just playing and having fun, but someone always seems to get hurt. So our mantra lately has been: "keep your body to yourself", I'm hoping you guys can find a way to play with each other that doesn't involve wrestling and pulling on each other, etc.
10/18: You slept on the top bunk in your room last night for the first time. I'm not sure what made the difference, but you did it!
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
First Day of Kindergarten
8/20/2013
Christopher-
Today was your first day of Kindergarten. How did that happen? Your teacher is Mrs. Williams, and the classroom aides are Mrs. Bonner and Mrs. Akiyama, they all seem like really nice ladies. I think that this year is going to be a really big change for us and our schedules. From what I hear there is going to be a lot of homework and very high expectations. I am really excited about what you're going to learn this year. You and Dad and I dropped Alex off at his first day of the 3yr old class (he had a great dropoff), and then Dad and I took you up to wait for the bell to ring. You got to "catch up" with a lot of your friends from last year, particularly Josh and Ben. It was so cute to see how excited you all were to see each other and how comfortable most of you seemed. I was mentally prepared for you to have a rough time, but you didn't? I think you were a little anxious (or something) when we first walked in, but once you found where you are supposed to hang your stuff and you found where you were supposed to sit, you relaxed a little. (Plus you were sitting at the same table as Ben, so I think that helped). Before the parents left, Mrs. Williams had you kids all stand in a circle and you sang a song with the some music. It was so cool to see you participating and not being shy or nervous. There is so much about your personality that you obviously get from me. Some good, some not so good :). But I want to do everything in my power to help you have the self-confidence that I have always lacked. I'm proud of you and so excited for what this year has in store for you!
Christopher-
Today was your first day of Kindergarten. How did that happen? Your teacher is Mrs. Williams, and the classroom aides are Mrs. Bonner and Mrs. Akiyama, they all seem like really nice ladies. I think that this year is going to be a really big change for us and our schedules. From what I hear there is going to be a lot of homework and very high expectations. I am really excited about what you're going to learn this year. You and Dad and I dropped Alex off at his first day of the 3yr old class (he had a great dropoff), and then Dad and I took you up to wait for the bell to ring. You got to "catch up" with a lot of your friends from last year, particularly Josh and Ben. It was so cute to see how excited you all were to see each other and how comfortable most of you seemed. I was mentally prepared for you to have a rough time, but you didn't? I think you were a little anxious (or something) when we first walked in, but once you found where you are supposed to hang your stuff and you found where you were supposed to sit, you relaxed a little. (Plus you were sitting at the same table as Ben, so I think that helped). Before the parents left, Mrs. Williams had you kids all stand in a circle and you sang a song with the some music. It was so cool to see you participating and not being shy or nervous. There is so much about your personality that you obviously get from me. Some good, some not so good :). But I want to do everything in my power to help you have the self-confidence that I have always lacked. I'm proud of you and so excited for what this year has in store for you!
Sunday, June 30, 2013
June 2013
6/6/2013
- Yesterday was your last day of Pre-K. It was field day and I volunteered with your class and we played games and did other activities. But I'm not really sure that you understand that it was your last day of Pre-K. Maybe you'll start to realize it next week when our schedule is different and you just go to summer camp in the extended day area, I don't know. I think it's having more of an emotional impact on me than you, but what's new?
- Granny is in the hospital with pneumonia and today you decided (all on your own) that you wanted to write her a note. With a little help on spelling, you wrote her a note that said:" Dear Granny, Love Chris", and you put a sticker of a flower on it. When you showed it to me you said "this is going to make Granny so happy!" It was such a sweet thing to do.
- Tonight you said that you wanted to write me a note. I gave you some paper but you didn't ask me for any help. You brought me the piece of paper with the word "efri" written on it and you asked me if that's how you spell "every". I told you that it wasn't and you immediately started to get teary-eyed, but I tried to make you understand that you did an excellent job of sounding out the word and trying to figure out how to spell it. Some day you will understand that the English language is confusing and that things are not always spelled how you think they should be. I'm amazed at the things you are learning and the things that you are figuring out on your own.
- Yesterday was your last day of Pre-K. It was field day and I volunteered with your class and we played games and did other activities. But I'm not really sure that you understand that it was your last day of Pre-K. Maybe you'll start to realize it next week when our schedule is different and you just go to summer camp in the extended day area, I don't know. I think it's having more of an emotional impact on me than you, but what's new?
- Granny is in the hospital with pneumonia and today you decided (all on your own) that you wanted to write her a note. With a little help on spelling, you wrote her a note that said:" Dear Granny, Love Chris", and you put a sticker of a flower on it. When you showed it to me you said "this is going to make Granny so happy!" It was such a sweet thing to do.
- Tonight you said that you wanted to write me a note. I gave you some paper but you didn't ask me for any help. You brought me the piece of paper with the word "efri" written on it and you asked me if that's how you spell "every". I told you that it wasn't and you immediately started to get teary-eyed, but I tried to make you understand that you did an excellent job of sounding out the word and trying to figure out how to spell it. Some day you will understand that the English language is confusing and that things are not always spelled how you think they should be. I'm amazed at the things you are learning and the things that you are figuring out on your own.
Friday, May 31, 2013
May 2013
5/28/2013
Christopher-
I cannot believe that you have less than 2 weeks of school left! You have grown so much this year, and I've really enjoyed watching the transformation. You did have a few rough games of tee-ball, but by the end I think you really had fun. You mentioned to me tonight that you want to start swimming lessons again, so we're working on that. We decided to throw a big pool party for your 5th birthday. I haven't told you this, but it will probably be the only party that you'll get to invite your whole class to. It's definitely not something that we'll do every year. But with all the birthday parties that you have been to for your friends, I'm really excited for you to get to have one of your own.
The summer will be interesting... I'm really going to try to keep you boys busy...doing things with friends, stuff with family, stuff outside, but also some educational things. You'll be going to the summer camp at St. Vincent's on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I hope it's a smooth transition for you when school ends. And you'll be going to the Vacation Bible School in July. I know that some of your classmates will be doing both of those, so you should feel at home on school grounds with your friends.
I'm sure you know that Dad and I are making all this stuff up as we go along, we really have no idea what we're doing. But, despite the challenges, we love watching you and Alex live and learn and grow, while we live and learn and grow ourselves.
Christopher-
I cannot believe that you have less than 2 weeks of school left! You have grown so much this year, and I've really enjoyed watching the transformation. You did have a few rough games of tee-ball, but by the end I think you really had fun. You mentioned to me tonight that you want to start swimming lessons again, so we're working on that. We decided to throw a big pool party for your 5th birthday. I haven't told you this, but it will probably be the only party that you'll get to invite your whole class to. It's definitely not something that we'll do every year. But with all the birthday parties that you have been to for your friends, I'm really excited for you to get to have one of your own.
The summer will be interesting... I'm really going to try to keep you boys busy...doing things with friends, stuff with family, stuff outside, but also some educational things. You'll be going to the summer camp at St. Vincent's on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I hope it's a smooth transition for you when school ends. And you'll be going to the Vacation Bible School in July. I know that some of your classmates will be doing both of those, so you should feel at home on school grounds with your friends.
I'm sure you know that Dad and I are making all this stuff up as we go along, we really have no idea what we're doing. But, despite the challenges, we love watching you and Alex live and learn and grow, while we live and learn and grow ourselves.
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
April 2013
4/28/2013
Christopher-
Yesterday was your first tee-ball game. You are on a team in the Millcreek League with a bunch of kids from your class. We've been hesitant to sign you up for any team sports because we weren't sure what you would think and if you would be willing to play. Well, I think I figured something out about you yesterday...I think you need to observe something first before you are willing to try it. I was on the playground with Alex when the game first started, so dad was with you. When I looked over I could see that you were crying and dad was talking to you to try to get you to calm down. I came over and dad passed you off to me because he didn't know what else to do. So, you and I sat on the grass and we watched your friends play. We talked about what was happening and we pointed out that some of the other kids missed the ball, or knocked the tee over, or didn't know where to stand, and that these things were totally fine, they're just part of the game. So when it was your turn up to bat you decided to try it. And I think you had fun. I'm really proud of you for trying. And I feel really happy that maybe we've figured out a way to approach new things with you.
The funny thing about this is that dad and I are the same way. We like to observe things first to see what's going on and what we're supposed to do before we want to jump in and try it. So we really shouldn't be surprised that you're that way too. Your next game is in a couple of days so we'll have to see if your comfort level has changed since Saturday. I really want you to just have fun and learn new things without worrying so much. Believe me, I worry enough for all of us, it's my job. Your job is to be a kid and have fun!
Christopher-
Yesterday was your first tee-ball game. You are on a team in the Millcreek League with a bunch of kids from your class. We've been hesitant to sign you up for any team sports because we weren't sure what you would think and if you would be willing to play. Well, I think I figured something out about you yesterday...I think you need to observe something first before you are willing to try it. I was on the playground with Alex when the game first started, so dad was with you. When I looked over I could see that you were crying and dad was talking to you to try to get you to calm down. I came over and dad passed you off to me because he didn't know what else to do. So, you and I sat on the grass and we watched your friends play. We talked about what was happening and we pointed out that some of the other kids missed the ball, or knocked the tee over, or didn't know where to stand, and that these things were totally fine, they're just part of the game. So when it was your turn up to bat you decided to try it. And I think you had fun. I'm really proud of you for trying. And I feel really happy that maybe we've figured out a way to approach new things with you.
The funny thing about this is that dad and I are the same way. We like to observe things first to see what's going on and what we're supposed to do before we want to jump in and try it. So we really shouldn't be surprised that you're that way too. Your next game is in a couple of days so we'll have to see if your comfort level has changed since Saturday. I really want you to just have fun and learn new things without worrying so much. Believe me, I worry enough for all of us, it's my job. Your job is to be a kid and have fun!
Sunday, March 31, 2013
March 2013
3/22/2013
Since you first started going to Nano Nagle 2 and a half years ago, I have always tried to get a sneak peak at you playing before you see me. But you always see me before I see you and you come running over to me. Well, this past week when I went to pick you up from extended day you were all outside playing and you didn't see me coming. I looked all over for you and finally saw you sitting on the grass with Matthew, Ben and Parker. All of a sudden you and Matthew jumped up and you were chasing him all over the playground. A second later you were both sitting back down on the grass. I soon realized that the four of you were playing duck duck goose. You looked so happy playing with your friends.
Since you first started going to Nano Nagle 2 and a half years ago, I have always tried to get a sneak peak at you playing before you see me. But you always see me before I see you and you come running over to me. Well, this past week when I went to pick you up from extended day you were all outside playing and you didn't see me coming. I looked all over for you and finally saw you sitting on the grass with Matthew, Ben and Parker. All of a sudden you and Matthew jumped up and you were chasing him all over the playground. A second later you were both sitting back down on the grass. I soon realized that the four of you were playing duck duck goose. You looked so happy playing with your friends.
Thursday, February 28, 2013
February 2013
2/24/2013
Christopher-
I know you're only 4 and a half, but I'm already tired of this phase you're going through...we are starting to play board games with you but you throw a fit if you don't get to go first. If you don't get to go first then you have a fit and you don't even want to play. On the rare occasion that you do actually get to go first and we make it through the game, you throw a fit if you don't win. I'm guessing that it's a phase that all kids go through...now that I think about it I might even know some adults that act this way. How do we teach you that you don't always get to go first and how do we teach you that you won't always win and that it's ok to now always win. And it's now even like you can get better at games like chutes and ladders the more you play. There is no skill involved, it's all luck. Maybe the more we play you'll start to see that sometimes you win and sometimes you don't. I probably just need to have more patience with you while you figure out this life lesson. I think it's one of those things that we take for granted as adults and we forget that it's a life skill that we had to learn and develop. I'll cut you some slack, but I really hope you learn soon.
Christopher-
I know you're only 4 and a half, but I'm already tired of this phase you're going through...we are starting to play board games with you but you throw a fit if you don't get to go first. If you don't get to go first then you have a fit and you don't even want to play. On the rare occasion that you do actually get to go first and we make it through the game, you throw a fit if you don't win. I'm guessing that it's a phase that all kids go through...now that I think about it I might even know some adults that act this way. How do we teach you that you don't always get to go first and how do we teach you that you won't always win and that it's ok to now always win. And it's now even like you can get better at games like chutes and ladders the more you play. There is no skill involved, it's all luck. Maybe the more we play you'll start to see that sometimes you win and sometimes you don't. I probably just need to have more patience with you while you figure out this life lesson. I think it's one of those things that we take for granted as adults and we forget that it's a life skill that we had to learn and develop. I'll cut you some slack, but I really hope you learn soon.
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
January 2013
1/16/2013
For your 4th birthday, dad and I got you a mosaic puzzle that has different patterns that you can follow or you can just build your own mosaic. You really haven't played with it much...until this past week. You've been building your own puzzle after puzzle and giving them to me and dad like they were gifts. The really interesting thing about it is that almost every puzzle that you put together on your own is perfectly symmetrical. So I decided to watch you put one together and I noticed that every time you put a piece down on one side, you put a matching piece on the other side. It's very methodical. I'm not sure if this is unusual or if it means anything, but I thought it was worth noting. Maybe it's a significant characteristic of your personality.
For your 4th birthday, dad and I got you a mosaic puzzle that has different patterns that you can follow or you can just build your own mosaic. You really haven't played with it much...until this past week. You've been building your own puzzle after puzzle and giving them to me and dad like they were gifts. The really interesting thing about it is that almost every puzzle that you put together on your own is perfectly symmetrical. So I decided to watch you put one together and I noticed that every time you put a piece down on one side, you put a matching piece on the other side. It's very methodical. I'm not sure if this is unusual or if it means anything, but I thought it was worth noting. Maybe it's a significant characteristic of your personality.
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