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.
Friday, May 31, 2013
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.
Monday, December 31, 2012
December 2012
12/9/2012
Christopher-
Today we had some friends over...(The Johannessen's: Joe, Kelly, Kira, Henry and Alaina. and the Aoyagi's: Jeff, Krist, Toby and Miles) to do some holiday baking and for you kids to play. I'm amazed at how much you have changed. Last year we went to Joe and Kelly's to do the holiday baking and if I remember correctly, you were very clingy. I had a really hard time helping with any of the baking and stuff because you constantly needed me and didn't really want to play with the other kids. I realize that today we were at our own house and I'm sure that makes a big difference, but you did so great with the other kids. You all seemed to play really well together. I'm so happy to see your social side developing.
I meant to post something last month but just didn't get a chance... we had parent teacher conferences with Mrs. Sanderson and Mrs. Keochareun in early November. They said you were doing really well but they did want us to work with you a little bit on your number recognition 6-10 and also on holding your pen/pencil correctly. I have also noticed that when you write your name you always start every letter from the bottom. We should probably start correcting you so that you develop good habits. You are doing so great with school. Drop off hasn't been an issue for a really long time. You say that you don't like going to the extended day program, but I know that you have fun and get to play with friends and even make new friends. It's only 2 days a week, so I know you can handle it. And I don't think that you complain much when you are at school or at extended. I think you are just testing me to see if you can get out of going.
Last week you completed your second level of swimming lessons. It is so cool how comfortable you are in the water. You are much more comfortable than I have ever been. I'm proud of you and so happy that we have found something that you are interested in, at least for now. We have no intentions of pushing you to become a star swimmer or anything, just getting you involved in something that you can enjoy and learn and grow with.
Christopher-
Today we had some friends over...(The Johannessen's: Joe, Kelly, Kira, Henry and Alaina. and the Aoyagi's: Jeff, Krist, Toby and Miles) to do some holiday baking and for you kids to play. I'm amazed at how much you have changed. Last year we went to Joe and Kelly's to do the holiday baking and if I remember correctly, you were very clingy. I had a really hard time helping with any of the baking and stuff because you constantly needed me and didn't really want to play with the other kids. I realize that today we were at our own house and I'm sure that makes a big difference, but you did so great with the other kids. You all seemed to play really well together. I'm so happy to see your social side developing.
I meant to post something last month but just didn't get a chance... we had parent teacher conferences with Mrs. Sanderson and Mrs. Keochareun in early November. They said you were doing really well but they did want us to work with you a little bit on your number recognition 6-10 and also on holding your pen/pencil correctly. I have also noticed that when you write your name you always start every letter from the bottom. We should probably start correcting you so that you develop good habits. You are doing so great with school. Drop off hasn't been an issue for a really long time. You say that you don't like going to the extended day program, but I know that you have fun and get to play with friends and even make new friends. It's only 2 days a week, so I know you can handle it. And I don't think that you complain much when you are at school or at extended. I think you are just testing me to see if you can get out of going.
Last week you completed your second level of swimming lessons. It is so cool how comfortable you are in the water. You are much more comfortable than I have ever been. I'm proud of you and so happy that we have found something that you are interested in, at least for now. We have no intentions of pushing you to become a star swimmer or anything, just getting you involved in something that you can enjoy and learn and grow with.
Friday, August 31, 2012
August 2012
8/20/2012
Christopher-
- Today, 8/20, was your first day of Pre-K. I am so excited for you and the year ahead. While dad and I are still trying to discern what school we ultimately want to send you and Alex to, I know that St. Vincent's is the right school for this year. You already have some good friends so you're comfortable with your class. The teachers seem really great. I was noticing today on the calendar that you guys are going to be talking about how God made you special. I hope you always know how special you are. I know you are going to learn a lot in a safe and loving environment.
- So the 2012 London Olympics just ended last week. 4 years ago the Olympics were in Beijing, China and you were barely 1 month old. I was home with you full time and we spent a lot of time snuggling and watching the games. It brought back a lot of fond memories when we watched the games this year. Although we do allow you to watch more tv than we should, you mostly watch dvds or children's shows on Netflix. So I think it was a big change for you and Alex to be watching the various Olympic events. We tried to tell you what was going on and explain that these people came from all over the world to compete in these events. After watching some gymnastics you became suddenly interested in doing somersaults. You would try to do one and then you get really upset and cry and tell me that it was too hard and you couldn't do it. I tried to explain that I'm sure the athletes on tv had a hard time at first as well but they stuck with it and kept practicing and practicing until they could do it and then move on to harder things. Well, you have been practicing and practicing and I'm proud to say that you can do a pretty good somersault.
- Almost every time you go to Grandma Stephie's house she takes you swimming. I don't know how she does it, but the thought of taking both of you guys swimming by myself makes me panic. We have been trying to find a time all summer when we could go swimming, but we have been so busy and most of the pools aren't open very late so we have had a hard time trying to coordinate it. However, we finally went last week to the outdoor pool at Murray Park. Wow, pools have changed since I was a kid. They have the beach entrances so it gradually gets deeper. That way you and Alex can find a depth that is comfortable for you. You wanted to go down the waterslide. So, I climbed up to the top with you and you decided that you wanted to go by yourself. I said ok. As you were halfway down the slide I started to panic. I got nervous that when you hit the water, you would go under and wouldn't be able to get back up. Thankfully, when I got to the bottom, Dad and Alex were there with you. I was absolutely amazed at how comfortable you were in the water. You kept going down the slide and putting your head under the water. And even when you swallowed some water or got water up your nose, it didn't stop you from wanting to swim some more. I guess my next step is to check into swimming lessons.
Christopher-
- Today, 8/20, was your first day of Pre-K. I am so excited for you and the year ahead. While dad and I are still trying to discern what school we ultimately want to send you and Alex to, I know that St. Vincent's is the right school for this year. You already have some good friends so you're comfortable with your class. The teachers seem really great. I was noticing today on the calendar that you guys are going to be talking about how God made you special. I hope you always know how special you are. I know you are going to learn a lot in a safe and loving environment.
- So the 2012 London Olympics just ended last week. 4 years ago the Olympics were in Beijing, China and you were barely 1 month old. I was home with you full time and we spent a lot of time snuggling and watching the games. It brought back a lot of fond memories when we watched the games this year. Although we do allow you to watch more tv than we should, you mostly watch dvds or children's shows on Netflix. So I think it was a big change for you and Alex to be watching the various Olympic events. We tried to tell you what was going on and explain that these people came from all over the world to compete in these events. After watching some gymnastics you became suddenly interested in doing somersaults. You would try to do one and then you get really upset and cry and tell me that it was too hard and you couldn't do it. I tried to explain that I'm sure the athletes on tv had a hard time at first as well but they stuck with it and kept practicing and practicing until they could do it and then move on to harder things. Well, you have been practicing and practicing and I'm proud to say that you can do a pretty good somersault.
- Almost every time you go to Grandma Stephie's house she takes you swimming. I don't know how she does it, but the thought of taking both of you guys swimming by myself makes me panic. We have been trying to find a time all summer when we could go swimming, but we have been so busy and most of the pools aren't open very late so we have had a hard time trying to coordinate it. However, we finally went last week to the outdoor pool at Murray Park. Wow, pools have changed since I was a kid. They have the beach entrances so it gradually gets deeper. That way you and Alex can find a depth that is comfortable for you. You wanted to go down the waterslide. So, I climbed up to the top with you and you decided that you wanted to go by yourself. I said ok. As you were halfway down the slide I started to panic. I got nervous that when you hit the water, you would go under and wouldn't be able to get back up. Thankfully, when I got to the bottom, Dad and Alex were there with you. I was absolutely amazed at how comfortable you were in the water. You kept going down the slide and putting your head under the water. And even when you swallowed some water or got water up your nose, it didn't stop you from wanting to swim some more. I guess my next step is to check into swimming lessons.
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