I'm off work this week while Dave is working. Next week, switcheroo: I'll work while Dave stays home with the kids. This is "vacation" around here!
Busy day....early dentist appointments for all three, then some time at home without touching ANYTHING because the cleaners were coming. Then to the gym, then lunch, then some errands (with middling success; I had to storm the boys out of REI and stick them on benches outside, mercifully out of sight of each other). When home, we did something very unusual, but it was a rainy day and I was super-tired: watched part of a movie (Princess Bride).
By now I'd decided that we will try to go sledding tomorrow! The boys started making lists of things to pack, which took 10 times longer than actually packing -- I'm only planning one overnight, and our snow stuff is already organized (!yay!) if not entirely complete. Complete enough for a few hours of sledding though.
If we pull it off. Storms are still storming here -- I even heard about the California storms on the BBC World News! But our plan is to leave in the morning. "Plan" is the keyword here -- we'll see!
12/20/2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
Sunday, December 19, 2010
12/19/2010 Snow stuff shopping
Rainy stormy weekend!
Usually rain here means snow in the mountains, so I've been extra-motivated to get the kids' snow stuff together. This includes a list of what everyone needs, what each individual is missing, and a brief description of what they have if they do.
I took the boys shopping yesterday, first to Any Mountain, then to Pottery Barn Kids -- just sneaking some new very-overdue storage. At Any Mountain, we found a few things, such as bibs on sale for both boys, but jackets were impossible. Boy boys fall into a size never-never land: too big for toddler stuff, but too small to find much in the Boys' section.
Mostly, all 3 were absorbed in setting up the train around the Christmas tree this weekend. They spent hours playing with it, after Gabriel set it up. Naturally it's been the source of almost as much conflict as fun.
Today was more snow-stuff shopping. This shouldn't be so hard! I did OK at REI, but still needed things like a base layer for Julian and a less-expensive longer-lasting jacket for Gabriel. (I found one at REI but it's a size 6 and it's OK on him now but probably won't be next year, and for $115, it better make it until next year.) So I took them all to Sports Basement today, where we found most of the essentials.
I also went furniture-shopping this morning -- my, our credit card is taking a beating! It's TIME to make decisions and plan the family room and put real furniture in there. Finally, I drew a line in the sand. It'll take 10-12 weeks for a new couch and chair to arrive.
When I got home, I saw an odd sight: kids playing out front. That doesn't happen often in these suburbs.
I'm still having a hard time imagining how we'd leave for a sledding trip tomorrow -- some things still are missing (nothing essential but it'd be nice to have snow-purpose shirts for the boys and a base layer that fits Julian), and what we have still needs to be all tried on together. It wasn't like this last year because didn't get everyone to try everything on, and was caught by surprise by a lot of things (not to mention a lot of time unpackaging everything and taking tags off). This year, every kid will get their own bag with snow stuff that (mostly) fits, works together, and that they can put on themselves.
I'm amazed how time-consuming this all is! And expensive! I have new appreciation and gratitude for the numerous generous hand-me-downs we've gotten for Katrina. Not only do those save us money, but also save a ton of hassle shopping. (That said, it'd probably be easier to snow-stuff-shop for Katrina. Snow-stuff-shopping is no different than most-everything-else-shopping: 10 times as much stuff available for girls as for boys.
Next week I get to try my hand at full-time Mom again, starting with 8:15am dentist appointments for the boys! Whee!!
12/19/2010
Usually rain here means snow in the mountains, so I've been extra-motivated to get the kids' snow stuff together. This includes a list of what everyone needs, what each individual is missing, and a brief description of what they have if they do.
I took the boys shopping yesterday, first to Any Mountain, then to Pottery Barn Kids -- just sneaking some new very-overdue storage. At Any Mountain, we found a few things, such as bibs on sale for both boys, but jackets were impossible. Boy boys fall into a size never-never land: too big for toddler stuff, but too small to find much in the Boys' section.
Mostly, all 3 were absorbed in setting up the train around the Christmas tree this weekend. They spent hours playing with it, after Gabriel set it up. Naturally it's been the source of almost as much conflict as fun.
Today was more snow-stuff shopping. This shouldn't be so hard! I did OK at REI, but still needed things like a base layer for Julian and a less-expensive longer-lasting jacket for Gabriel. (I found one at REI but it's a size 6 and it's OK on him now but probably won't be next year, and for $115, it better make it until next year.) So I took them all to Sports Basement today, where we found most of the essentials.
I also went furniture-shopping this morning -- my, our credit card is taking a beating! It's TIME to make decisions and plan the family room and put real furniture in there. Finally, I drew a line in the sand. It'll take 10-12 weeks for a new couch and chair to arrive.
When I got home, I saw an odd sight: kids playing out front. That doesn't happen often in these suburbs.
I'm still having a hard time imagining how we'd leave for a sledding trip tomorrow -- some things still are missing (nothing essential but it'd be nice to have snow-purpose shirts for the boys and a base layer that fits Julian), and what we have still needs to be all tried on together. It wasn't like this last year because didn't get everyone to try everything on, and was caught by surprise by a lot of things (not to mention a lot of time unpackaging everything and taking tags off). This year, every kid will get their own bag with snow stuff that (mostly) fits, works together, and that they can put on themselves.
I'm amazed how time-consuming this all is! And expensive! I have new appreciation and gratitude for the numerous generous hand-me-downs we've gotten for Katrina. Not only do those save us money, but also save a ton of hassle shopping. (That said, it'd probably be easier to snow-stuff-shop for Katrina. Snow-stuff-shopping is no different than most-everything-else-shopping: 10 times as much stuff available for girls as for boys.
Next week I get to try my hand at full-time Mom again, starting with 8:15am dentist appointments for the boys! Whee!!
12/19/2010
Friday, December 17, 2010
12/17/2010 Birthday Party
A big bright spot this week: Julian's birthday party!
I felt a little guilty about skipping a "real" friends party, but sometimes something has to give. And actually, as shortcuts go, this was among the better ones.
First, his class sang Happy Birthday to him, adorned in a special birthday hat.
I took advantage of the captive audience to do a 2-minute presentation on the holiday Kwanzaa, which starts on Julian's birthday. Ironically, if his birthday really were Christmas Day, I'd de-emphasize that, but Kwanzaa actually helps distinguish his birthday from Christmas and he likes the fact that his birthday is also a "holiday."
Then I told the story about his first being named "Adam," and about how the family story is that "Doudna" comes from Dave's ancestor answering "Dunno!" when asked what his last name was. Julian told the story of me forgetting to put bananas in banana muffins, and then all the kids had stories about things their moms forgot! I really enjoyed my few moments of stand-up in front of this welcoming audience.
Then Julian passed out the banana muffins (no cake allowed), and blew out his candle.
He passed around the party favors -- a wrapped book for each classmate -- and we capped it off with a photo. I've had lots of other photos of me and kids this week, but I look so stressed and strained that I deleted them, but not this one.
I thanked Julian's (substitute today) teacher profusely, packed up the party stuff, then made a final stop at the school office to donate a book in Julian's name for his birthday.
In the school office, there's a cart for parents to drop off forgotten lunches, so that they don't disrupt classes dropping off lunches. There, on the lunch cart, I saw a take-out bag from McDonald's with a kid's name and room number on it. Some forgotten lunch. Whaddya know -- someone even more discombobulated than I am.
I went home, satisfied that I hadn't completely screwed up one thing this week.
An hour later, I picked the boys up and took them to Katrina's holiday party. All the preschoolers sing songs they've rehearsed for weeks -- all except Katrina, that is. She knows the songs and pays attention, but refuses to sing along.
(She's roughly in the middle, in the back, with a purple striped shirt.)
Afterward, the "party" consisted of the kids eating yet more cookies and candy. The boys happily joined, proud to be with their sister, competing for her attention as usual, but in unusual peace.
And then we all went home, where I cleaned out and put away lunchbags for the two whole weeks. The only thing that overshadows my relief at school being out is the fond memory of Julian's birthday party.
12/17/2010
I felt a little guilty about skipping a "real" friends party, but sometimes something has to give. And actually, as shortcuts go, this was among the better ones.
First, his class sang Happy Birthday to him, adorned in a special birthday hat.
I took advantage of the captive audience to do a 2-minute presentation on the holiday Kwanzaa, which starts on Julian's birthday. Ironically, if his birthday really were Christmas Day, I'd de-emphasize that, but Kwanzaa actually helps distinguish his birthday from Christmas and he likes the fact that his birthday is also a "holiday."
Then I told the story about his first being named "Adam," and about how the family story is that "Doudna" comes from Dave's ancestor answering "Dunno!" when asked what his last name was. Julian told the story of me forgetting to put bananas in banana muffins, and then all the kids had stories about things their moms forgot! I really enjoyed my few moments of stand-up in front of this welcoming audience.
Then Julian passed out the banana muffins (no cake allowed), and blew out his candle.
He passed around the party favors -- a wrapped book for each classmate -- and we capped it off with a photo. I've had lots of other photos of me and kids this week, but I look so stressed and strained that I deleted them, but not this one.
I thanked Julian's (substitute today) teacher profusely, packed up the party stuff, then made a final stop at the school office to donate a book in Julian's name for his birthday.
In the school office, there's a cart for parents to drop off forgotten lunches, so that they don't disrupt classes dropping off lunches. There, on the lunch cart, I saw a take-out bag from McDonald's with a kid's name and room number on it. Some forgotten lunch. Whaddya know -- someone even more discombobulated than I am.
I went home, satisfied that I hadn't completely screwed up one thing this week.
An hour later, I picked the boys up and took them to Katrina's holiday party. All the preschoolers sing songs they've rehearsed for weeks -- all except Katrina, that is. She knows the songs and pays attention, but refuses to sing along.
(She's roughly in the middle, in the back, with a purple striped shirt.)
Afterward, the "party" consisted of the kids eating yet more cookies and candy. The boys happily joined, proud to be with their sister, competing for her attention as usual, but in unusual peace.
And then we all went home, where I cleaned out and put away lunchbags for the two whole weeks. The only thing that overshadows my relief at school being out is the fond memory of Julian's birthday party.
12/17/2010
Thursday, December 16, 2010
12/16/2010 Heritage Figure
Today I missed work in the morning to take care of a few things at home, and to attend the "multicultural potluck" luncheons in the boys' classes today.
I'd warned the boys I might not make it, which I later felt was a mistake -- I should have committed one way or another so their expectations were set. They were both so happy and excited I made it, which told me how disappointed they'd have been if I hadn't.
I almost didn't go today partly because I'm going back to the school tomorrow anyway, for Julian's class birthday party. Tonight we worked on his party favors -- he gift-wrapped 20 books with Katrina. His teacher told me today he likes leading and instructing people, and he'd be a good leader if only he could focus. He's social and scatterbrained and messes around a lot, except when he's reading. Then she has to tap him on the head to get his attention. I could see that commanding instructive side of him tonight when he was showing Katrina how to wrap presents.
I also made banana-blueberry muffins for his party (no "cake" allowed).
We were able to do this tonight because we finished his "Heritage" project yesterday. Incredibly, this project could have been even worse: other first-grade teachers were giving this project to do over the next two weeks. Holiday weeks. Julian's teacher thought having it done before the holidays was better.
The doll came out nice, thanks to my friend Cris. Julian liked this part better than the writing, though, well, you know, I'm repeating myself: I object to the school imposing this sort of work on parents.
The writing work I feel is appropriate, even though it was much harder to get him to do it. (Actually this is still a lot to ask of a 6-year-old, at least, mine.)
I've asked myself if my feelings about what sort of work is right to assign a first-grader are objective, or if those feelings are based in my own skillset. Crafting and writing both require parental supervision and effort after all. But objectively, I still think the writing could be done entirely on their own, depending on their ability, but the crafting can't. It still needs supplies and guidance and planning and watching to make sure they don't make a big glue puddle, even for crafty sorts of kids. And given a choice between one or another, I think the writing really is more important.
I can safely say this has been my worst week yet as a working-school-mom. Friday after school can't come soon enough to try to salvage some holiday spirit.
12/16/2010
I'd warned the boys I might not make it, which I later felt was a mistake -- I should have committed one way or another so their expectations were set. They were both so happy and excited I made it, which told me how disappointed they'd have been if I hadn't.
I almost didn't go today partly because I'm going back to the school tomorrow anyway, for Julian's class birthday party. Tonight we worked on his party favors -- he gift-wrapped 20 books with Katrina. His teacher told me today he likes leading and instructing people, and he'd be a good leader if only he could focus. He's social and scatterbrained and messes around a lot, except when he's reading. Then she has to tap him on the head to get his attention. I could see that commanding instructive side of him tonight when he was showing Katrina how to wrap presents.
I also made banana-blueberry muffins for his party (no "cake" allowed).
We were able to do this tonight because we finished his "Heritage" project yesterday. Incredibly, this project could have been even worse: other first-grade teachers were giving this project to do over the next two weeks. Holiday weeks. Julian's teacher thought having it done before the holidays was better.
The doll came out nice, thanks to my friend Cris. Julian liked this part better than the writing, though, well, you know, I'm repeating myself: I object to the school imposing this sort of work on parents.
The writing work I feel is appropriate, even though it was much harder to get him to do it. (Actually this is still a lot to ask of a 6-year-old, at least, mine.)
I've asked myself if my feelings about what sort of work is right to assign a first-grader are objective, or if those feelings are based in my own skillset. Crafting and writing both require parental supervision and effort after all. But objectively, I still think the writing could be done entirely on their own, depending on their ability, but the crafting can't. It still needs supplies and guidance and planning and watching to make sure they don't make a big glue puddle, even for crafty sorts of kids. And given a choice between one or another, I think the writing really is more important.
I can safely say this has been my worst week yet as a working-school-mom. Friday after school can't come soon enough to try to salvage some holiday spirit.
12/16/2010
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
12/15/2010 One more
Thank goodness, I only need to endure one more last-week-before-holiday evening of schoolwork, running through things the boys need to send into school, things to sign, answer, email, respond to. It's a wonder their lunches even get made at night.
Julian finally finished his "Heritage Figure" project sentences tonight. It was a serious, serious struggle, but I'm noticing some important trends.
First, he's completely single-minded on how to do something -- he has a specific idea in mind, and nothing else will do. This clarity is a benefit in many ways, but a liability in others. It makes him inflexible and unadaptable if he makes a mistake. Tonight's struggle centered around persuading him that if he starts a paragraph with the school-prescribed "I know many things about X...." that the next sentence doesn't have to start with "First,....". Then he insisted on writing his sentences on paper with the exact right sort of lines with it that he gets from school, which we didn't have. Once we got past these requirements, he cranked through it.
The other thing I've noticed is that Julian does much, much, much better with schoolwork after dinner. Even if dinner is late -- and it has been ironically because of these projects -- his mood, cooperation, and willingness to work around setbacks is a total 180 from when he first gets home. Partly he's motivated for dessert, but partly I believe he needs more transition and non-school-related time than Gabriel does. He gets snacks at the CDC, so I know he's not starving, but somehow the food and ritual of dinner (often not a pleasant experience for us; he's rude and noisy and obnoxious) resets his mindset.
I'm also noticing that Julian's lunch is coming home largely uneaten. That's routine for Gabriel, but Julian eats a lot more in general, and he's not nearly as resilient as Gabriel (who is?).
These are important lessons for 2nd grade next year, when he'll have 6 book reports (and a really really P.O'd mom about dioramas and other crafting projects). More and more, Julian would really benefit from having some home downtime and a big break from his school environment (including CDC) before delving into schoolwork. This has been true about Gabriel for some time, who also really needs chill time at home to work on his various projects, humming to himself, concentrating for hours at a time without interruption, but it's dawning on me that Julian is needing it more now too. This all points to their need for me to be at home with them after school, more as they get older and take on bigger projects at school.
Meantime, things at work are looking up and I'm liking the work part of my life more and more, even as I struggle more and more with balancing it with my home life. Every school project or missed event or lacking extracurricular is evidence of that lacking balance.
Can we all survive sticking out my original plan of working at least until Katrina starts 1st grade?
12/15/2010
Julian finally finished his "Heritage Figure" project sentences tonight. It was a serious, serious struggle, but I'm noticing some important trends.
First, he's completely single-minded on how to do something -- he has a specific idea in mind, and nothing else will do. This clarity is a benefit in many ways, but a liability in others. It makes him inflexible and unadaptable if he makes a mistake. Tonight's struggle centered around persuading him that if he starts a paragraph with the school-prescribed "I know many things about X...." that the next sentence doesn't have to start with "First,....". Then he insisted on writing his sentences on paper with the exact right sort of lines with it that he gets from school, which we didn't have. Once we got past these requirements, he cranked through it.
The other thing I've noticed is that Julian does much, much, much better with schoolwork after dinner. Even if dinner is late -- and it has been ironically because of these projects -- his mood, cooperation, and willingness to work around setbacks is a total 180 from when he first gets home. Partly he's motivated for dessert, but partly I believe he needs more transition and non-school-related time than Gabriel does. He gets snacks at the CDC, so I know he's not starving, but somehow the food and ritual of dinner (often not a pleasant experience for us; he's rude and noisy and obnoxious) resets his mindset.
I'm also noticing that Julian's lunch is coming home largely uneaten. That's routine for Gabriel, but Julian eats a lot more in general, and he's not nearly as resilient as Gabriel (who is?).
These are important lessons for 2nd grade next year, when he'll have 6 book reports (and a really really P.O'd mom about dioramas and other crafting projects). More and more, Julian would really benefit from having some home downtime and a big break from his school environment (including CDC) before delving into schoolwork. This has been true about Gabriel for some time, who also really needs chill time at home to work on his various projects, humming to himself, concentrating for hours at a time without interruption, but it's dawning on me that Julian is needing it more now too. This all points to their need for me to be at home with them after school, more as they get older and take on bigger projects at school.
Meantime, things at work are looking up and I'm liking the work part of my life more and more, even as I struggle more and more with balancing it with my home life. Every school project or missed event or lacking extracurricular is evidence of that lacking balance.
Can we all survive sticking out my original plan of working at least until Katrina starts 1st grade?
12/15/2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
12/14/2010 Reading practice
What better way to spend time together before dinner -- reading comics! Katrina won't really try to read if someone's there to do it for her, but it sure is fun to giggle at what sounds like a joke, even if she doesn't get it.
"Are you sure about that, Dad?"
12/14/2010
"Are you sure about that, Dad?"
12/14/2010
Monday, December 13, 2010
12/13/2010 The Mixer
Four nights to get through this week.
Tonight we tried Julian's writing portion of his "heritage figure" doll, seriously hampered by his belief that a "paragraph" must have the format "I know a lot about X. First,....Next,....Last,....Clearly, I know a lot about X." He was rude and resistant, and I decided to give up until after dinner, when food and the potential for dessert seriously improved his attitude.
Gabriel and I had to work on "Nanaimo Bars," a treat named for a harbor city on Vancouver Island, for his Canada project presentation tomorrow. Also, he has to bring in candies to decorate their gingerbread tree tomorrow.
We also have to answer a letter about a "Student Success Team" and a meeting with the principal on Jan 14th about Gabriel's progress in behavior in class.
Maybe we should be having this about Julian too, because his work was all "incomplete" and "poor" last week.
Oh yes, and our contribution to Gabriel's teacher's class gift never made it, so I have to resend it. It's just one thing after another.
At least preschool only requests we be there 3:30 for a Christmas party!
It was so busy helping Julian and getting dinner together that I had to recruit help for Gabriel's baking project from a most unlikely source: Dad. Turns out, at this stage in life, Gabriel knows more about handling the equipment and ingredients for baking than Dave does, though it helps to have any adult to make sure a kid turns the mixer off before lifting it out of the bowl.
School notwithstanding, my boys are going to be awesome bakers! Now that's a legacy every man wants from his mother!!
12/13/2010
Tonight we tried Julian's writing portion of his "heritage figure" doll, seriously hampered by his belief that a "paragraph" must have the format "I know a lot about X. First,....Next,....Last,....Clearly, I know a lot about X." He was rude and resistant, and I decided to give up until after dinner, when food and the potential for dessert seriously improved his attitude.
Gabriel and I had to work on "Nanaimo Bars," a treat named for a harbor city on Vancouver Island, for his Canada project presentation tomorrow. Also, he has to bring in candies to decorate their gingerbread tree tomorrow.
We also have to answer a letter about a "Student Success Team" and a meeting with the principal on Jan 14th about Gabriel's progress in behavior in class.
Maybe we should be having this about Julian too, because his work was all "incomplete" and "poor" last week.
Oh yes, and our contribution to Gabriel's teacher's class gift never made it, so I have to resend it. It's just one thing after another.
At least preschool only requests we be there 3:30 for a Christmas party!
It was so busy helping Julian and getting dinner together that I had to recruit help for Gabriel's baking project from a most unlikely source: Dad. Turns out, at this stage in life, Gabriel knows more about handling the equipment and ingredients for baking than Dave does, though it helps to have any adult to make sure a kid turns the mixer off before lifting it out of the bowl.
School notwithstanding, my boys are going to be awesome bakers! Now that's a legacy every man wants from his mother!!
12/13/2010
Sunday, December 12, 2010
12/12/10 Holiday Party!
I hosted the Las Madres 2006 holiday party today -- or rather, I provided the house. Everyone else did everything else!
I had to make cookies though. I wasn't done before the first guests arrived, Elena and Megan. They were there with mom Cris to help set up, and I'd suggested the girls come too, because all 3 of my kids adore Elena. Turns out, Katrina spent a lot of time playing with Megan too, which is only a few months older than she is.
First, they helped me finish making these reindeer cookies. The kids loved this.
Then guests, party, food, an ornament-making craft, and a book exchange.
(I noticed that the ornament craft was all girls plus Julian -- he's onto something!!)
When things were winding down, my friend Sonia told me she met another 1st-grade Collins Mom who was so upset about all the work that she and some other parents went to complain to the principal! I was thrilled to hear this -- at last, vindication! A support group!!
Meantime, Julian's "heritage figure" had to get started this weekend, and the weekend was winding down. As we were cleaning up, the really amazing thing is that Cris offered to help Julian with the crafting part of the project -- and they got it done! It sure helps when you know what you're doing (who knew you could cut a popsicle stick into a nose?). Cris is great at crafting. She gave me some interior design ideas too. I need more friends like this.
Meantime, Katrina and Megan colored Tinkerbells. It was so sweet, and so unexpected, to see all this cooperative girl-play in our house. We need more of that. Katrina falls right into the girl role when she's not surrounded by boys.
Julian was adament that his heritage figure be an AMERICAN kid. This includes a flag T-shirt!
We're not done with the project, he still has to write about it, but I can handle that part. Emotionally, anyway -- I think he should be learning to write a 5-sentence paragraph. The crafting stuff...not so much. Not just because it's not my thing, but because I don't see that as essential a school function as learning to write.
Hmm, I sound like an uber-academic parent, don't I! Well, yeah, I don't think gluing and cutting is as important a part of a 1st-grade curriculum as writing, sorry! And I don't think parents should be forced to do crafting, even if they are good at it!
Unfortunately, Julian prefers the crafting part of projects. It's ironic, but Gabriel is actually easier to work with for the writing parts of things. I can't remember if that's because he's older or because it comes more naturally to him. My guess is the latter. It's amazing; our super-literal and engineer-oriented son does best in the fuzzier language arts in school, despite his claimed preference for the math. Meantime, our more open-minded creative imaginative communicative son has a harder time expressing himself in writing. The learning process really is fascinating.
I still insist that this level of help and effort and time -- two dedicated hours of a friend's time to help with a craft project -- should not be imposed upon 1st-grade parents by the school.
And the more I think about it, the content of the "heritage" thing should be accessible to a wider range of parents. Gabriel's passport project might have seemed rather inappropriate in East San Jose, where a large number of the kids are illegal immigrants. "Tell about their experiences getting to the USA." Imagine! Kids with Native American or African-American backgrounds might feel the same way. Some heritages might actually be sensitive. Or, like ours, forgotten, not influential in our lives, or just dull.
Right now I'm too overwhelmed to compose a letter of complaint to the school, but I'd better get to it before the next 1st grader comes around. My weekend hosting a party shouldn't be marred with schoolwork -- the party is way more important!
12/12/10
I had to make cookies though. I wasn't done before the first guests arrived, Elena and Megan. They were there with mom Cris to help set up, and I'd suggested the girls come too, because all 3 of my kids adore Elena. Turns out, Katrina spent a lot of time playing with Megan too, which is only a few months older than she is.
First, they helped me finish making these reindeer cookies. The kids loved this.
Then guests, party, food, an ornament-making craft, and a book exchange.
(I noticed that the ornament craft was all girls plus Julian -- he's onto something!!)
When things were winding down, my friend Sonia told me she met another 1st-grade Collins Mom who was so upset about all the work that she and some other parents went to complain to the principal! I was thrilled to hear this -- at last, vindication! A support group!!
Meantime, Julian's "heritage figure" had to get started this weekend, and the weekend was winding down. As we were cleaning up, the really amazing thing is that Cris offered to help Julian with the crafting part of the project -- and they got it done! It sure helps when you know what you're doing (who knew you could cut a popsicle stick into a nose?). Cris is great at crafting. She gave me some interior design ideas too. I need more friends like this.
Meantime, Katrina and Megan colored Tinkerbells. It was so sweet, and so unexpected, to see all this cooperative girl-play in our house. We need more of that. Katrina falls right into the girl role when she's not surrounded by boys.
Julian was adament that his heritage figure be an AMERICAN kid. This includes a flag T-shirt!
We're not done with the project, he still has to write about it, but I can handle that part. Emotionally, anyway -- I think he should be learning to write a 5-sentence paragraph. The crafting stuff...not so much. Not just because it's not my thing, but because I don't see that as essential a school function as learning to write.
Hmm, I sound like an uber-academic parent, don't I! Well, yeah, I don't think gluing and cutting is as important a part of a 1st-grade curriculum as writing, sorry! And I don't think parents should be forced to do crafting, even if they are good at it!
Unfortunately, Julian prefers the crafting part of projects. It's ironic, but Gabriel is actually easier to work with for the writing parts of things. I can't remember if that's because he's older or because it comes more naturally to him. My guess is the latter. It's amazing; our super-literal and engineer-oriented son does best in the fuzzier language arts in school, despite his claimed preference for the math. Meantime, our more open-minded creative imaginative communicative son has a harder time expressing himself in writing. The learning process really is fascinating.
I still insist that this level of help and effort and time -- two dedicated hours of a friend's time to help with a craft project -- should not be imposed upon 1st-grade parents by the school.
And the more I think about it, the content of the "heritage" thing should be accessible to a wider range of parents. Gabriel's passport project might have seemed rather inappropriate in East San Jose, where a large number of the kids are illegal immigrants. "Tell about their experiences getting to the USA." Imagine! Kids with Native American or African-American backgrounds might feel the same way. Some heritages might actually be sensitive. Or, like ours, forgotten, not influential in our lives, or just dull.
Right now I'm too overwhelmed to compose a letter of complaint to the school, but I'd better get to it before the next 1st grader comes around. My weekend hosting a party shouldn't be marred with schoolwork -- the party is way more important!
12/12/10
Saturday, December 11, 2010
12/11/2010 Tree-getting
Today we got our Christmas tree, but that hasn't been on my mind as much as Julian's "Heritage Figure" project. I hate these projects.
Next week is so busy that I asked his teacher to send it home this weekend with him, instead of Monday when the rest of the class will get them, so we could get a head start this weekend. Just what we want to be doing over the weekend when we're getting our Christmas tree and hosting a party: schoolwork.
Here's the project description, with a hand-written sample of what sort of things the kids would write.
Once again, the directive "Be Creative!" What pressure! Some of us just aren't! And, we should dress this figure together "as a family." Do they have any idea what it's like for us "as a family" on weeknights after we get home from work and CDC? OMG.
I know kids should be proud of their heritage and families and ancestors -- but not all can be. I tried to convince Julian to do an Irish farmer, since family rumor has it that my grandfather's grandparents came to the USA from Ireland during the Potato Famine. I described the story to him, but he wasn't very interested. And no wonder, by now we have no connection to that heritage.
I have to wonder how the emphasis on "heritage" and "passport to the USA" would play out in schools with primarily African-American children or children of illegal immigrants. It's a lot different when that heritage is recent, and primarily from affluent Asian families who came to the USA for a particular PhD program.
We fall somewhere in the middle; other than what little I know about my French heritage from my mother, I'm not very in touch with any of it. Dave's ancestors, what we know of them, assimilated centuries ago.
Aside from the challenge of the content, projects like this that kids can't do on their own are a serious pain for me. Maybe it's harder for us since our kids so far aren't great at doing them. Gabriel actually does well with writing, but anything that involves drawing or crafting take so much time and guidance from me -- from me! I'm no good at this either. Without my scrapbooking practice, I'd be completely lost. And Julian doesn't show much interest in the writing part.
Today, thanks to getting our tree, Kung Fu, and putting up lights and such, we didn't get anywhere on the school project, other than talking about it. Julian wants to do a kid with a USA T-shirt and wasn't taken by the Irish farmer idea.
It's always fun for kids to run around the tree lot.
It's never fun to stand for a photo! That isn't our tree, but the one we got is fairly similar. It wasn't hard at all to find a nice fluffy tree, which is now in our living room awaiting lights.
Party tomorrow! Finally, some sanity.
12/11/2010
Next week is so busy that I asked his teacher to send it home this weekend with him, instead of Monday when the rest of the class will get them, so we could get a head start this weekend. Just what we want to be doing over the weekend when we're getting our Christmas tree and hosting a party: schoolwork.
Here's the project description, with a hand-written sample of what sort of things the kids would write.
Once again, the directive "Be Creative!" What pressure! Some of us just aren't! And, we should dress this figure together "as a family." Do they have any idea what it's like for us "as a family" on weeknights after we get home from work and CDC? OMG.
I know kids should be proud of their heritage and families and ancestors -- but not all can be. I tried to convince Julian to do an Irish farmer, since family rumor has it that my grandfather's grandparents came to the USA from Ireland during the Potato Famine. I described the story to him, but he wasn't very interested. And no wonder, by now we have no connection to that heritage.
I have to wonder how the emphasis on "heritage" and "passport to the USA" would play out in schools with primarily African-American children or children of illegal immigrants. It's a lot different when that heritage is recent, and primarily from affluent Asian families who came to the USA for a particular PhD program.
We fall somewhere in the middle; other than what little I know about my French heritage from my mother, I'm not very in touch with any of it. Dave's ancestors, what we know of them, assimilated centuries ago.
Aside from the challenge of the content, projects like this that kids can't do on their own are a serious pain for me. Maybe it's harder for us since our kids so far aren't great at doing them. Gabriel actually does well with writing, but anything that involves drawing or crafting take so much time and guidance from me -- from me! I'm no good at this either. Without my scrapbooking practice, I'd be completely lost. And Julian doesn't show much interest in the writing part.
Today, thanks to getting our tree, Kung Fu, and putting up lights and such, we didn't get anywhere on the school project, other than talking about it. Julian wants to do a kid with a USA T-shirt and wasn't taken by the Irish farmer idea.
It's always fun for kids to run around the tree lot.
It's never fun to stand for a photo! That isn't our tree, but the one we got is fairly similar. It wasn't hard at all to find a nice fluffy tree, which is now in our living room awaiting lights.
Party tomorrow! Finally, some sanity.
12/11/2010
Thursday, December 09, 2010
12/9/2010 Dance Girl
Thanks Cousin Remi!
This dance dress came from her, and today, Remi's ballet slippers! As soon as she saw the ballet slippers, she ran upstairs to put on this dance dress. And the matching hair scrunchie around her stuffed kitty's neck.
At least today had one bright spot.
12/9/2010
This dance dress came from her, and today, Remi's ballet slippers! As soon as she saw the ballet slippers, she ran upstairs to put on this dance dress. And the matching hair scrunchie around her stuffed kitty's neck.
At least today had one bright spot.
12/9/2010
Wednesday, December 08, 2010
12/8/2010 Keeping up
Grocery-shopping, party-favor-shopping, class-candy-shopping -- I even filled up my car with gas. A productive evening, if not particularly relaxing.
At least I discovered a handy Web site to find snow parks:
California Sno-Parks. These seem more oriented toward snowmobilers than sledders, but there are areas for sledding and kid play. Many of the trails I rode on on the Sierra had signs for snowmobilers -- we might well end up on some of the same ones!
We'll see if we can pull off a one-day trip to sled and snow-play the week before Christmas. Life's stresses make those things all the more necessary.
12/8/2010
At least I discovered a handy Web site to find snow parks:
California Sno-Parks. These seem more oriented toward snowmobilers than sledders, but there are areas for sledding and kid play. Many of the trails I rode on on the Sierra had signs for snowmobilers -- we might well end up on some of the same ones!
We'll see if we can pull off a one-day trip to sled and snow-play the week before Christmas. Life's stresses make those things all the more necessary.
12/8/2010
Tuesday, December 07, 2010
12/7/2010 To Dos
School is piling it one before the holiday break. It's just one thing after another that has to be sent in or prepared for.
I was feeling overwhelmed with everything that's due until I made a chronological list.
Now that I see it in writing, it doesn't seem like nearly as much. In fact, why don't I sign up for one of the Parent Cultural presentations or the book drive or the school holiday party? This definitely isn't enough for full-time working parents to keep up with, in addition to homework and keeping a household running and fed and maybe even giving my preschooler a glance from time to time.
One could argue that hosting the holiday party is the thing that could give, but why should the one fun thing that I actually want to do be dropped?
December 18th can't come soon enough.
12/7/2010
I was feeling overwhelmed with everything that's due until I made a chronological list.
Now that I see it in writing, it doesn't seem like nearly as much. In fact, why don't I sign up for one of the Parent Cultural presentations or the book drive or the school holiday party? This definitely isn't enough for full-time working parents to keep up with, in addition to homework and keeping a household running and fed and maybe even giving my preschooler a glance from time to time.
Dec 8th 1st grade Adopt-a-family cash donation
Dec 9th 3rd grade Adopt-a-family cash donation
Dec 10th 3rd grade project due
Dec 10th 1st grade Potluck signup form due
Dec 10th 3rd grade Potluck signup form due
Dec 14th 3rd grade Recipe for Culture Study due
Dec 15th 3rd grade Bring in bag of colored candy
Dec 15th Make food for Multicultural potlucks
Dec 16th 1st grade Multicultural Potluck
Dec 16th 3rd grade Multicultural Potluck
Dec 16th Make muffins for Julian's class birthday party
Dec 17th 3rd grade Send gift for White Elephant exchange
Dec 17th 1st grade project due
Dec 17th 1st grade Julian's class birthday party
Dec 17th Preschool Holiday party
Weekend preparation:
Dec 11th:
Get and put up Christmas tree
Hang holiday lights
Get gift bags for Julian's party
Get a book for gift exchange for the party
Grocery-shop
Make Gabriel's recipe for Canada culture study
Make food for holiday party
Clean up house and prepare for holiday party
Dec 12th: Host Las Madres holiday party
One could argue that hosting the holiday party is the thing that could give, but why should the one fun thing that I actually want to do be dropped?
December 18th can't come soon enough.
12/7/2010
Monday, December 06, 2010
12/6/2010 Belated Birthday
A parent sent me this photo today from Katrina's birthday party. The wide-eyed little girl watching has Katrina's exact birthday day.
This is why you never ask parents to take photos with their own cameras and send them along -- it takes forever. (In fairness, this particular photo was unsolicited and highly appreciated, but the point remains.)
I think Julian is OK with his birthday party being in his classroom this year, and only there. Somehow, every party has turned into a $300 affair, and times three kids that really adds up. Not to mention the potential for 3 parties per kid: class, friend, and family party on the actual day. Too much!
Julian will certainly get a family party on his actual birthday -- and of course with a home-baked cake. Hmm, which would be even more fun if we decorated together -- WHAT fun that would be, and what a fun mess we'd make, just me & him. But I can't say I'd be heartbroken to have his classmates as a captive audience in his classroom to do all the singing, mess-making, goody-bag-grabbing, and cupcake-eating in one handy convenient tidy afternoon. I'm just so overloaded all the time, it'd be nice to have this off my plate.
Julian comes home with goody-bag junk all the time from classmate birthday celebrations, so I know this is done frequently. I just don't know if the classroom parties replace home/friend parties. He hasn't been invited to an "offsite" birthday party yet, but has come home with at least 6 goody bags so far this year.
Besides, I need to save my planning time for some really great ideas I have for trips coming up....! As psyched as I am for our first ski trip in January, right now my mind is on Death Valley in April!!
12/6/2010
This is why you never ask parents to take photos with their own cameras and send them along -- it takes forever. (In fairness, this particular photo was unsolicited and highly appreciated, but the point remains.)
I think Julian is OK with his birthday party being in his classroom this year, and only there. Somehow, every party has turned into a $300 affair, and times three kids that really adds up. Not to mention the potential for 3 parties per kid: class, friend, and family party on the actual day. Too much!
Julian will certainly get a family party on his actual birthday -- and of course with a home-baked cake. Hmm, which would be even more fun if we decorated together -- WHAT fun that would be, and what a fun mess we'd make, just me & him. But I can't say I'd be heartbroken to have his classmates as a captive audience in his classroom to do all the singing, mess-making, goody-bag-grabbing, and cupcake-eating in one handy convenient tidy afternoon. I'm just so overloaded all the time, it'd be nice to have this off my plate.
Julian comes home with goody-bag junk all the time from classmate birthday celebrations, so I know this is done frequently. I just don't know if the classroom parties replace home/friend parties. He hasn't been invited to an "offsite" birthday party yet, but has come home with at least 6 goody bags so far this year.
Besides, I need to save my planning time for some really great ideas I have for trips coming up....! As psyched as I am for our first ski trip in January, right now my mind is on Death Valley in April!!
12/6/2010
Sunday, December 05, 2010
12/5/2010 Blue day
Memorial service for our friend Kari this afternoon. Actually, it was really nice to hear from so many people in different parts of his life how his personality, zeal, enthusiasm, and childlike abandon pervaded every activity he took up.
Bad headache day. Worse, vacations at work are over. Not mine, someone else's. My work life has been really quite pleasant the past 3 weeks. That will all change tomorrow.
But for tonight I can ponder how on earth it could be that someone with so much life and so many friends could be gone.
12/5/2010
Bad headache day. Worse, vacations at work are over. Not mine, someone else's. My work life has been really quite pleasant the past 3 weeks. That will all change tomorrow.
But for tonight I can ponder how on earth it could be that someone with so much life and so many friends could be gone.
12/5/2010
Saturday, December 04, 2010
12/4/2010 Snow stuff
Today I went through all our ski/snow stuff, taking inventory, seeing what still fits, what's missing, what never really worked during our one trip.
Partly this was motivated by the astounding generosity of a new friend, a mom I just met through the Las Madres 2006 group. She and her husband travelled and camped and skiied together a lot before kids, and have done a fair amount of camping and travelling since, considering that her oldest is Katrina's age and her youngest is only 18 months.
Anyway, they're going on a 6-week trip in a few days and she offered to loan me all her ski stuff -- and she's 5'2"! Her shoe size is 7 but there's no reason not to try her boots with socks anyway; I can always rent 6-1/2 boots if hers are too big. Since they're leaving soon, if I was going to borrow her stuff, today was the day.
So I brought Julian with me (a strategic choice, as it allowed Dave a pleasant breakfast out with Gabriel and Katrina), and went to my friend's house and looked through all her gear. I can't believe how much I didn't know about how things are supposed to fit together.
When I got home, I pulled out our boxes of snow stuff and bags of hand-me downs (thank you!) dumped it all into a huge pile in the living room. There was no going back now on plowing through it all, but it could wait.
I spent about an hour in the office checking out some ideas....could I bring the kids to the snow before our ski trip in January? Just an overnight, or even a long drive-up-drive-back one-dayer, for sledding or something. Looks possible, but I'll have to make more calls tomorrow. Cool.
Then I went back to the living room to find the funniest scene. Katrina had discovered the pile of clothes and was going to town. A little girl's dress-up paradise!!
She was so cute, she was having a ball.
My friend had showed me a lot about how gear works these days (ski socks? Who knew?), and much has been outgrown or didn't work well last year, or we rented. And since now we'll be transporting one pair of skis, we have to figure that out too. I have some shopping to do!
But we'll be ready for the white stuff this time -- especially Katrina!
12/4/2010
Partly this was motivated by the astounding generosity of a new friend, a mom I just met through the Las Madres 2006 group. She and her husband travelled and camped and skiied together a lot before kids, and have done a fair amount of camping and travelling since, considering that her oldest is Katrina's age and her youngest is only 18 months.
Anyway, they're going on a 6-week trip in a few days and she offered to loan me all her ski stuff -- and she's 5'2"! Her shoe size is 7 but there's no reason not to try her boots with socks anyway; I can always rent 6-1/2 boots if hers are too big. Since they're leaving soon, if I was going to borrow her stuff, today was the day.
So I brought Julian with me (a strategic choice, as it allowed Dave a pleasant breakfast out with Gabriel and Katrina), and went to my friend's house and looked through all her gear. I can't believe how much I didn't know about how things are supposed to fit together.
When I got home, I pulled out our boxes of snow stuff and bags of hand-me downs (thank you!) dumped it all into a huge pile in the living room. There was no going back now on plowing through it all, but it could wait.
I spent about an hour in the office checking out some ideas....could I bring the kids to the snow before our ski trip in January? Just an overnight, or even a long drive-up-drive-back one-dayer, for sledding or something. Looks possible, but I'll have to make more calls tomorrow. Cool.
Then I went back to the living room to find the funniest scene. Katrina had discovered the pile of clothes and was going to town. A little girl's dress-up paradise!!
She was so cute, she was having a ball.
My friend had showed me a lot about how gear works these days (ski socks? Who knew?), and much has been outgrown or didn't work well last year, or we rented. And since now we'll be transporting one pair of skis, we have to figure that out too. I have some shopping to do!
But we'll be ready for the white stuff this time -- especially Katrina!
12/4/2010
Friday, December 03, 2010
12/3/2010 Report cards
First report cards of the year!
Definitely not a shining moment for the Doudna boys. Julian earned the first "less than proficient" we've ever seen -- in, of course, "listening." All over his report are flags for finishing work on time, following instructions, working neatly, listening in class. Overall he's doing fine, talking in class notwithstanding, and his teacher continues to describe him as curious and very interested in science and how things work. And that he's helpful and caring -- now that's nice to hear!
At least Julian cares about the report card -- usually when we try to correct his extremely sloppy writing in homework, he retorts, "MY TEACHER CAN READ IT!!" This time, I showed him where his teacher said he needs to practice writing every day, and he lost his snotty attitude.
Gabriel didn't even get a report card because of a lost library book. The school knows this is THE way to get parents' attention: pay up or no GRADES! Gabriel claims he returned the book (I think he thinks he did but I wouldn't be surprised if he spaced it), but I'm annoyed he never made it to the library this week to look for it or talk to the librarian. I told him he has one more chance on Monday, or we will pay for the book ($18) and he will repay us with his meager income. That said, I'm not exactly anticipating a bunch of "6"s (levels are 1-6, with 6="exceptional proficiency") for Gabriel either.
I know better than to pit my children against each other, but I can't help but to hope for a clean behavior-issue-free report card when Katrina's in school.
12/3/2010
Definitely not a shining moment for the Doudna boys. Julian earned the first "less than proficient" we've ever seen -- in, of course, "listening." All over his report are flags for finishing work on time, following instructions, working neatly, listening in class. Overall he's doing fine, talking in class notwithstanding, and his teacher continues to describe him as curious and very interested in science and how things work. And that he's helpful and caring -- now that's nice to hear!
At least Julian cares about the report card -- usually when we try to correct his extremely sloppy writing in homework, he retorts, "MY TEACHER CAN READ IT!!" This time, I showed him where his teacher said he needs to practice writing every day, and he lost his snotty attitude.
Gabriel didn't even get a report card because of a lost library book. The school knows this is THE way to get parents' attention: pay up or no GRADES! Gabriel claims he returned the book (I think he thinks he did but I wouldn't be surprised if he spaced it), but I'm annoyed he never made it to the library this week to look for it or talk to the librarian. I told him he has one more chance on Monday, or we will pay for the book ($18) and he will repay us with his meager income. That said, I'm not exactly anticipating a bunch of "6"s (levels are 1-6, with 6="exceptional proficiency") for Gabriel either.
I know better than to pit my children against each other, but I can't help but to hope for a clean behavior-issue-free report card when Katrina's in school.
12/3/2010
Wednesday, December 01, 2010
12/1/2010 thinking snow
It's ironic that one of the main reasons I moved to California is to get away from snow.
But now it's one of the new major reasons I might never want to leave. I'm still amazed it took me this long of living in California before I discovered that the very thing I sought to escape would become my favorite thing about it.
Then again, it's not that odd, I've loved the Sierras for a long time and spent a lot of time exploring them -- in the summer. Motorcyclists tend to avoid snow. With varying degrees of success.
As a kid, we took ski lessons at Jiminy Peak, but I remember mostly being really really cold, and my arms feeling like they were going to fall off trying to hold onto the rope tow. I never liked the hassle, crowds and high overhead of skiing just to be cold and uncomfortable and always feel in danger from the ice.
But the snow world is completely different here. It's altitude-based, it's not that cold, it's beautiful, the snow quality is completely different for skiiers, and you don't have to live in the snow. Our first and only ski trip earlier this year was so was an amazing discovery for me.
So, today I closed in planning our first ski trip of the season!!
We'll go to a low-key, uncrowded, relatively inexpensive, beginner-friendly place called Sierra-at-Tahoe (East Coasters, map Phillips, CA to see where on the globe that'll put us).
And look where we'll be staying! OMG! SO cute!
I'm beside myself. I can't wait. The kids are all really psyched too. The only problem is that January 19 is SUCH a long time away!
12/1/2010
But now it's one of the new major reasons I might never want to leave. I'm still amazed it took me this long of living in California before I discovered that the very thing I sought to escape would become my favorite thing about it.
Then again, it's not that odd, I've loved the Sierras for a long time and spent a lot of time exploring them -- in the summer. Motorcyclists tend to avoid snow. With varying degrees of success.
As a kid, we took ski lessons at Jiminy Peak, but I remember mostly being really really cold, and my arms feeling like they were going to fall off trying to hold onto the rope tow. I never liked the hassle, crowds and high overhead of skiing just to be cold and uncomfortable and always feel in danger from the ice.
But the snow world is completely different here. It's altitude-based, it's not that cold, it's beautiful, the snow quality is completely different for skiiers, and you don't have to live in the snow. Our first and only ski trip earlier this year was so was an amazing discovery for me.
So, today I closed in planning our first ski trip of the season!!
We'll go to a low-key, uncrowded, relatively inexpensive, beginner-friendly place called Sierra-at-Tahoe (East Coasters, map Phillips, CA to see where on the globe that'll put us).
And look where we'll be staying! OMG! SO cute!
I'm beside myself. I can't wait. The kids are all really psyched too. The only problem is that January 19 is SUCH a long time away!
12/1/2010
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
11/30/2010 FM Radio
Gabriel was mortified when I took this paper from him today to scan it: "But MO-OM, it's not DONE!"
He's spent countless hours the past weeks working on electronics projects, looking online at FM radio receiver schematics, working on encoders on his Electronics Learning Lab (he's WAY past Snap Circuits and Julian has no interest), and drawing. I have no idea what he's doing, but I think his work is migrating more and more from art to science.
This might even be making him smarter, because he's finally figured out that if he gets his homework done at the CDC after school, he has more time at home to work on his projects.
In fact, homework struggles with the boys have been greatly reduced the past few weeks because Gabriel gets it done before we get home, and Julian blows through his weekly packet on Mondays. Gabriel because he doesn't care, and Julian because he does.
Gabriel still bitterly complains about how "boring" homework is, and he still earns very mediocre grades because of sloppiness and apathy. We've yet to ask him a math problem he doesn't know right off the bat, but his math test grades say otherwise. He can do binary arithemetic but gets "13 - 8" wrong. Gabriel makes no excuses and doesn't whine -- he looks right at you, locks eyes and says pointedly, "I DON'T LIKE SCHOOL. It's STUPID."
But at least he's getting practical about it.
11/30/2010
He's spent countless hours the past weeks working on electronics projects, looking online at FM radio receiver schematics, working on encoders on his Electronics Learning Lab (he's WAY past Snap Circuits and Julian has no interest), and drawing. I have no idea what he's doing, but I think his work is migrating more and more from art to science.
This might even be making him smarter, because he's finally figured out that if he gets his homework done at the CDC after school, he has more time at home to work on his projects.
In fact, homework struggles with the boys have been greatly reduced the past few weeks because Gabriel gets it done before we get home, and Julian blows through his weekly packet on Mondays. Gabriel because he doesn't care, and Julian because he does.
Gabriel still bitterly complains about how "boring" homework is, and he still earns very mediocre grades because of sloppiness and apathy. We've yet to ask him a math problem he doesn't know right off the bat, but his math test grades say otherwise. He can do binary arithemetic but gets "13 - 8" wrong. Gabriel makes no excuses and doesn't whine -- he looks right at you, locks eyes and says pointedly, "I DON'T LIKE SCHOOL. It's STUPID."
But at least he's getting practical about it.
11/30/2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
11/29/2010 Pitching In
Busy night, and Dave had to work. Julian was being putzy and completely ignoring me, SOP these days, but things were not moving along. By the end of the childcare-push, I'm pretty tired. Tonight, I needed some help.
So Gabriel volunteered to read Katrina her bedtime story. It turns out she reads a lot of it herself, with help. And he's a surprisingly good and patient teacher.
Now I need someone to read me a story. "Once upon a time there was a frazzled overwhelmed insecure mom who felt she was a failure in every aspect of her life, and then one day....."
I have some writing to do.
11/29/2010
So Gabriel volunteered to read Katrina her bedtime story. It turns out she reads a lot of it herself, with help. And he's a surprisingly good and patient teacher.
Now I need someone to read me a story. "Once upon a time there was a frazzled overwhelmed insecure mom who felt she was a failure in every aspect of her life, and then one day....."
I have some writing to do.
11/29/2010
Sunday, November 28, 2010
11/28/2010 cleaner's night
tons to do, gotta tidy up the house bigtime for the hardworking ladies who keep this place from sinking into squalor!
11/28/2010
11/28/2010
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