My oldest graduated from preschool. He went to preschool for 3 years. Being a July baby, a boy and more emotional than his peers we decided it was best to keep him from going on to Kindergarten last year. We figured we have only heard regrets from people who sent their children too early. This also gave me another year to let him go.
We applied and were accepted into the Westside School district which is one of the best public schools in the area. Had we not been accepted we would have sent him to a private school. I'm picky about education.
As I watched Luke sing his songs I was honestly so proud I had tears. He knew what he was doing, behaved and even sang. (He received the music lover award for his class) When it was his turn to receive his certificate, I have to be honest; I kind of wanted his class to stop, turn around and go home. I didn't want it to happen!
Knowing he's about to go to "big kid" school is terrifying. What if he's bullied? What if he's a bully? How will I keep track of what he eats? Will he have enough to eat? He's a bigger boy than most his age, how can I protect him in every way possible?
Being a Christian the answer should be pray and faith. But, let's be honest, when it comes to my kids control is usually the answer in our house.
So, I'll make him cold lunch, make sure he has plenty to eat. Keep track of his papers, read every piece of communication from the teacher and school and pray for the best result. Letting him into the big kid world is not his fear, but my own.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Monday, March 7, 2011
Five Best Purchases a Mother Can Make
Boys have a ton of energy, are curious about how things work and are generally messy. Accidents happen, mothers need time alone, and boys need entertainment. Here are the top 5 purchases I have made so far in my 5 years of being a mother.
1. A shop-vac.
Shop vacs are not only for construction workers but for mothers of boys as well. The shop vac can clean up the dirtiest of messes while reaching further than you can personally reach without moving furniture. (bonus if your kids like to "ride" the furniture you're moving)
It also provides entertainment for the boys if you need to get something done like write a blog or an email. The hose alone provides telephone entertainment.
Take the hose off and you have a ride for the boys to share in the kitchen. Similar to a doctor's stool they can lay on it and push off across the kitchen floor.
2. Clorox Wipes
Clorox wipes should be in every bathroom, kitchen or area the children/dads spend anytime eating, playing or ridding of bodily fluids.
3. Fruit Snacks
My children are not dogs but fruit snacks can act as the proverbial dog treat. They don't get fruit snacks until they do what they're told.
4. Carpet Cleaner
If you have children you need your own carpet cleaner. Seriously.
5. Table cloth
Honesty, table cloths are a lot cheaper to clean or replace when things happen. We're not always aware of a stain or our children decide to "clean" the table for you and it clears off any stain or varnish. Table cloths protect from chipping and you can change it for each season to keep the children entertained and educated.
1. A shop-vac.
Shop vacs are not only for construction workers but for mothers of boys as well. The shop vac can clean up the dirtiest of messes while reaching further than you can personally reach without moving furniture. (bonus if your kids like to "ride" the furniture you're moving)
It also provides entertainment for the boys if you need to get something done like write a blog or an email. The hose alone provides telephone entertainment.
Take the hose off and you have a ride for the boys to share in the kitchen. Similar to a doctor's stool they can lay on it and push off across the kitchen floor.
2. Clorox Wipes
Clorox wipes should be in every bathroom, kitchen or area the children/dads spend anytime eating, playing or ridding of bodily fluids.
3. Fruit Snacks
My children are not dogs but fruit snacks can act as the proverbial dog treat. They don't get fruit snacks until they do what they're told.
4. Carpet Cleaner
If you have children you need your own carpet cleaner. Seriously.
5. Table cloth
Honesty, table cloths are a lot cheaper to clean or replace when things happen. We're not always aware of a stain or our children decide to "clean" the table for you and it clears off any stain or varnish. Table cloths protect from chipping and you can change it for each season to keep the children entertained and educated.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Losing weight stinks
Let's be honest, gaining weight is a lot of fun. You don't worry about calories, you don't have to figure out how to get to the gym with the kids and you generally don't worry about anything.
Until the weight is on and you look and the mirror and think, "now what?"
So I've been on a weight loss journey for 20 months. I am able to lose 30 pounds in a month and then I put it right back on. Right now I'm working on the 6 month diet before weight loss surgery.
For those who are against surgery I have to say, yes, I was too. With almost two years of losing and gaining it's a medical necessity. I'm only 31 and and have my whole life ahead of me with my children and future grandchildren. (not for another 20 years-at least)
It's time for a change.
Until the weight is on and you look and the mirror and think, "now what?"
So I've been on a weight loss journey for 20 months. I am able to lose 30 pounds in a month and then I put it right back on. Right now I'm working on the 6 month diet before weight loss surgery.
For those who are against surgery I have to say, yes, I was too. With almost two years of losing and gaining it's a medical necessity. I'm only 31 and and have my whole life ahead of me with my children and future grandchildren. (not for another 20 years-at least)
It's time for a change.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
My kids' fascination with Justin Bieber
My boys all have a different opinion or "reality" about Justin Bieber.
Luke age 5 has come into the room and asked, "Mom, are you a fan of Justin Bieber?" My reply was, "Yes, I like his music." Luke:"Oh, well I'm not, he sings like a girl."
Daniel age 4, while riding bikes outside on a very random warm day in mid-February saw a truck coming up the street. As the truck drove by Daniel says, "Hmmm, that looks like Justin Bieber's truck." And started riding his bike again.
Mark age 2, appreciates music. While I read a book in bed Mark was jumping up and down singing, "Baby, baby, baby Oh! like." He sang this one phrase over and over for about 5 minutes straight.
It's amazing how Justin Bieber has influenced the lives of my three boys all 5 and under. It also makes me realize how television, radio and shopping displays can influence my children at such a young age.
Luke age 5 has come into the room and asked, "Mom, are you a fan of Justin Bieber?" My reply was, "Yes, I like his music." Luke:"Oh, well I'm not, he sings like a girl."
Daniel age 4, while riding bikes outside on a very random warm day in mid-February saw a truck coming up the street. As the truck drove by Daniel says, "Hmmm, that looks like Justin Bieber's truck." And started riding his bike again.
Mark age 2, appreciates music. While I read a book in bed Mark was jumping up and down singing, "Baby, baby, baby Oh! like." He sang this one phrase over and over for about 5 minutes straight.
It's amazing how Justin Bieber has influenced the lives of my three boys all 5 and under. It also makes me realize how television, radio and shopping displays can influence my children at such a young age.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Cleaning
All moms know it's difficult to clean the house with kids in the house making more messes. Just the other day I was cleaning one bathroom while the boys were coloring on the wall down in the kitchen.
Some days I think we just need to paint all the walls in chalkboard paint and let them have at it. It's just a house right?
Today I made the boys clean up their own mess in he family room. Wow, it would have been easier to just send them to the basement to watch TV. But the boys really took ownership in their cleaning. They were very proud of the progress they made. Was it to my standards? Of course not, but the lesson was learned. Later I'll go back and reclean when they're sleeping or playing upstairs. To be honest, at least they gave me a running head start. I hate picking up toys!
Some days I think we just need to paint all the walls in chalkboard paint and let them have at it. It's just a house right?
Today I made the boys clean up their own mess in he family room. Wow, it would have been easier to just send them to the basement to watch TV. But the boys really took ownership in their cleaning. They were very proud of the progress they made. Was it to my standards? Of course not, but the lesson was learned. Later I'll go back and reclean when they're sleeping or playing upstairs. To be honest, at least they gave me a running head start. I hate picking up toys!
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Moments of Giving Up
This morning my 3 year old, Daniel refused to get himself dressed. Daniel just wanted to lay there and do nothing. I had to change his clothes and even had to put his coat on for him.
When it was time to walk up our backyard hill to his daycare he went and walked very very slowly up the hill. When he got up he turned around and came back to the house. I gave him another kiss and hug and he walked over to our playground and came back again. I finally had to walk him up in just a tank top and work pants (I wasn't ready for work yet)and he screamed and didn't want to go in.
There are moments once in a while where you want to give up on being a parent. There are moments when you wish you could send a child back and receive a different version of the same child. The moment when you say, "No, I love my child." is the moment you realize how much you really do love them.
Daniel just wanted extra time with his mom which I couldn't give to him this morning. This afternoon I made sure we had extra cuddle time which made a huge difference.
Love you Daniel!
When it was time to walk up our backyard hill to his daycare he went and walked very very slowly up the hill. When he got up he turned around and came back to the house. I gave him another kiss and hug and he walked over to our playground and came back again. I finally had to walk him up in just a tank top and work pants (I wasn't ready for work yet)and he screamed and didn't want to go in.
There are moments once in a while where you want to give up on being a parent. There are moments when you wish you could send a child back and receive a different version of the same child. The moment when you say, "No, I love my child." is the moment you realize how much you really do love them.
Daniel just wanted extra time with his mom which I couldn't give to him this morning. This afternoon I made sure we had extra cuddle time which made a huge difference.
Love you Daniel!
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