A decision, finally
We have decided to send Aidan to St. Charles next year as a third year of preschool. The catch is he'll be in Kindergarten there. The thought is it will give him an academic challenge (he's already getting a bit bored) while giving him the room to grow socially in a classroom of just 10-12 children. St. Charles is the small school of the church we belong to here in St Anthony. We are relieved to have made a decision.
He will be going in the morning, from 8am until 11:30. This will be an early start for us. There is an option of taking the bus, but as I remember, this adds about 1/2 to your start time. 7:30 is too early to have him ready, so we'll drive there in winter and walk or Burley when it's nice out. We'll have to adjust our schedules a bit, but believe it will be a good fit. Aidan will have more time to spend playing and learning, and since he has always had trouble moving from one activity to the next, this will be great for him.
He's been talking about it a lot and is excited, hoping somedays it was coming sooner rather than later. I am sure it will come all to soon for Joel and I....our baby going to Kindergarten, even if it is for a "starter" year.
Meanwhile, back on the Coleman front: taking many steps, getting confident, toddling around the house with one of many walkers, cars, and shopping carts. We're so proud of how far he's come. His language is light years ahead of where Aidan was at this time, and his comprehension is also advanced. His fine motor skills, like his brothers, are exceptional. He stacked 11 blocks with no hesitation recently. In this year of much worry and even more trips to the specialist, I have learned that there is no right time, no exact date, for children and that no one knows my kids like I do. He walked in front of the whole ECFE class last Wednesday, which was very, very sweet indeed. I've never been more proud.
Showing posts with label Too cool for School. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Too cool for School. Show all posts
Sunday, March 02, 2008
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
To Send or Not to Send, That is the Question
Aidan's (4 years, 5 months) birthday is August 8. He will be eligible to go to Kindergarten this fall. But now most are sending boys to Kindergarten at closer to 6 years instead of 5. For the most part, this is because boys are not ready for the large amount of sitting and waiting that school requires you to do.
I have done a fair amount, OK, a ton of research on the subject. I have talked to parents of boys, teachers, read online parents' forums, articles, etc etc etc. Exhausting resources is one thing I do well. I found one or two cases where people described their older son, who they waited to send, as bored. But the large majority of the time they are regretting sending them when they have just turned 5. And to add to that, signing songs of good grades, better behavior, and excelling at athletics when they are sent them at just 6 (or even 51/2). Additionally then they are emotionally prepared should they have trouble with the academics at some point. And with his bday in August, he will just turn 6 and then go, where many will turn in Sept or Oct. He will only be slightly older than his classmates, by a few weeks or months. If Aidan had been born two weeks late, he wouldn't even be eligible to attend. That fact is the one that really sealed the decision for me to have him attend another year of preschool. These things along with all the other items in support of waiting outweigh the few that described boredom. I think we'll be able to find ways to challenge him if there are a few times when he is bored over the years. And if he turns out to be MENSA material or a prodigy of some sort, we may go an entirely different path anyway.
The biggest obstacle is getting over that I really wanted him to go this year. I wanted to believe. His teachers say he is ready, and I wanted to just go with that. It would have been a much easier route, that is for sure.
Aidan's (4 years, 5 months) birthday is August 8. He will be eligible to go to Kindergarten this fall. But now most are sending boys to Kindergarten at closer to 6 years instead of 5. For the most part, this is because boys are not ready for the large amount of sitting and waiting that school requires you to do.
I have done a fair amount, OK, a ton of research on the subject. I have talked to parents of boys, teachers, read online parents' forums, articles, etc etc etc. Exhausting resources is one thing I do well. I found one or two cases where people described their older son, who they waited to send, as bored. But the large majority of the time they are regretting sending them when they have just turned 5. And to add to that, signing songs of good grades, better behavior, and excelling at athletics when they are sent them at just 6 (or even 51/2). Additionally then they are emotionally prepared should they have trouble with the academics at some point. And with his bday in August, he will just turn 6 and then go, where many will turn in Sept or Oct. He will only be slightly older than his classmates, by a few weeks or months. If Aidan had been born two weeks late, he wouldn't even be eligible to attend. That fact is the one that really sealed the decision for me to have him attend another year of preschool. These things along with all the other items in support of waiting outweigh the few that described boredom. I think we'll be able to find ways to challenge him if there are a few times when he is bored over the years. And if he turns out to be MENSA material or a prodigy of some sort, we may go an entirely different path anyway.
The biggest obstacle is getting over that I really wanted him to go this year. I wanted to believe. His teachers say he is ready, and I wanted to just go with that. It would have been a much easier route, that is for sure.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Whew
That was a busy couple of months. I am coming up for air and realizing some of my favorite things were left behind.
Aidan is full swing into his second year of preschool. Oh, how I miss the days of tearful goodbyes, tugging at my leg and leaving worries. Oh wait, no I don't. I don't miss it one bit. He is enjoying it for the most part--no reports otherwise as of yet.
Cole is catching up and doing well. He is starting to stoop for things and standing up in the middle of the room--I don't know who is more shocked--him or me. He just looks around, as if to say, who moved the furniture away?
That was a busy couple of months. I am coming up for air and realizing some of my favorite things were left behind.
Aidan is full swing into his second year of preschool. Oh, how I miss the days of tearful goodbyes, tugging at my leg and leaving worries. Oh wait, no I don't. I don't miss it one bit. He is enjoying it for the most part--no reports otherwise as of yet.
Cole is catching up and doing well. He is starting to stoop for things and standing up in the middle of the room--I don't know who is more shocked--him or me. He just looks around, as if to say, who moved the furniture away?
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Year One of Preschool: Over
As many of you know, Aidan was in his first year of preschool at St Anthony this year. He is one of the younger children in his class, as he will not have his birthday until August. Which brings me to start asking questions about Kindergarten. Will he be ready? I asked a friend today and she said that out of three moms she knows with kids with August birthdays, two held their children back and the other wished she had.
The issue is really not academically will he be ready, but socially. And Aidan does well socially, but there are the issues of self control, sitting still, and the always popular plays well with others when you get to the big K. He will be continuing on to the second year of preschool in the two-year program that St A offers, after this year, with a teacher change mid-year and all, went well. His teachers had many good things to report, including a love and vast knowledge of how things work, many stories and ideas to contribute, and an ability to stick to it (sometimes rearing its head as stubbornness). So, the issue is not weather he is smart. So, we will see how next year goes. He will increase the number of days from 2 to 3, which I am looking forward to the most. Coleman and I will likely take Cole's first he and I only ECFE class during one of the days that Aidan is at school. With Cole's birthday in July, we will likely come to the same crossroads in 2011 when he goes to K.
I am excited to take an ECFE class with Coleman alone. And the good people that plan the St A schedule make it a point that the classes coincide with preschool so you can.
Today we had a preschool picnic at Central Park in St A where there is a lovely pavilion, covered picnic area, park, and water park. The water park is a small but super fun series of fountains and conical water-dumping mechanisms that enchant and delight children. It is not at all scary, too large, and there is no pool for drowning. This is good for the mothers (and dads, too), because there is virtually no poolside worrying involved and you never need to roll up your pants to get in and save the ball that went too far. Needless to say, I love it. And so does Aidan. He has gone from circling the whole thing and not getting wet at all last year to letting the water cones dump on his head and the fountains splash up from under his feet. He is becoming a brave little boy.
On being brave, I am reading an excellent book titled The Last American Man by author Elizabeth Gilbert. It will take a place as one of my top ten favorite books. I do not not fancy myself a book snob, and my top ten is not a list of Pulitzer prize winners. But I do like a certain kind of book, and I know within the first ten paragraphs if it will garner a purchase of the title.
I used to buy all my books, until I realized how silly I was for doing so, since there is this perfectly useful institution called the public library. And not just that, but the libraries' book request system, that I have come to adore. Ooh! An email from the HCL--what book will be waiting for me this time?
I have started writing. I am a writer, some would say. Not just the blog but writing essays and articles for publication. I was encouraged by a friend who writes for a living to do so. I find it exhilarating. Which is a pleasant surprise. I don't think I have ever said that about anything and my current SAHM status means that I do much of the same day in and day out. And parts are fun, even inspiring, but this feels like it is purely for me. And that is the best thing ever.
As many of you know, Aidan was in his first year of preschool at St Anthony this year. He is one of the younger children in his class, as he will not have his birthday until August. Which brings me to start asking questions about Kindergarten. Will he be ready? I asked a friend today and she said that out of three moms she knows with kids with August birthdays, two held their children back and the other wished she had.
The issue is really not academically will he be ready, but socially. And Aidan does well socially, but there are the issues of self control, sitting still, and the always popular plays well with others when you get to the big K. He will be continuing on to the second year of preschool in the two-year program that St A offers, after this year, with a teacher change mid-year and all, went well. His teachers had many good things to report, including a love and vast knowledge of how things work, many stories and ideas to contribute, and an ability to stick to it (sometimes rearing its head as stubbornness). So, the issue is not weather he is smart. So, we will see how next year goes. He will increase the number of days from 2 to 3, which I am looking forward to the most. Coleman and I will likely take Cole's first he and I only ECFE class during one of the days that Aidan is at school. With Cole's birthday in July, we will likely come to the same crossroads in 2011 when he goes to K.
I am excited to take an ECFE class with Coleman alone. And the good people that plan the St A schedule make it a point that the classes coincide with preschool so you can.
Today we had a preschool picnic at Central Park in St A where there is a lovely pavilion, covered picnic area, park, and water park. The water park is a small but super fun series of fountains and conical water-dumping mechanisms that enchant and delight children. It is not at all scary, too large, and there is no pool for drowning. This is good for the mothers (and dads, too), because there is virtually no poolside worrying involved and you never need to roll up your pants to get in and save the ball that went too far. Needless to say, I love it. And so does Aidan. He has gone from circling the whole thing and not getting wet at all last year to letting the water cones dump on his head and the fountains splash up from under his feet. He is becoming a brave little boy.
On being brave, I am reading an excellent book titled The Last American Man by author Elizabeth Gilbert. It will take a place as one of my top ten favorite books. I do not not fancy myself a book snob, and my top ten is not a list of Pulitzer prize winners. But I do like a certain kind of book, and I know within the first ten paragraphs if it will garner a purchase of the title.
I used to buy all my books, until I realized how silly I was for doing so, since there is this perfectly useful institution called the public library. And not just that, but the libraries' book request system, that I have come to adore. Ooh! An email from the HCL--what book will be waiting for me this time?
I have started writing. I am a writer, some would say. Not just the blog but writing essays and articles for publication. I was encouraged by a friend who writes for a living to do so. I find it exhilarating. Which is a pleasant surprise. I don't think I have ever said that about anything and my current SAHM status means that I do much of the same day in and day out. And parts are fun, even inspiring, but this feels like it is purely for me. And that is the best thing ever.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
December 10th, 2006
Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah! This season leaves me nothing short of giddy. I love it, soak it in, spread cheer like peanut butter and can't help but sing carols all day. Aidan recently shushed me during the refrain of "Angels We Have Heard on High" he had heard so much of it. So far, I can only get him to sing Jingle Bells and 12 Days of Christmas with me. And he sings "almost fun" instead of "oh what fun" in Jingle Bells! Need I point out the irony?
Speaking of the irony of the holidays, I am doing pretty well on my commitment to not do one "should" this holiday season. We have been sleeping in, staying in jammies, and saying no. We did however, go to the Holidazzle parade tonight. I loved the group we went with, I could have fun if I were part of a chain gang with them, but it really was something we could have skipped. About 1/3 of the characters scared the bejeesus out of Aidan with their lit-up eyes. Now we know!
Hmmm. Let me see. In the realm of years, this one was an A+. We moved into our lovely home in the NE Minneapolis outcropping of St Anthony Village one year ago! When we moved in, we knew we had a lot to do in the house aesthetically. So far, we have painted every room but the laundry room, added crown moulding in the family room, gutted the first floor bathroom and renovated it, completed expansive gardening and landscaping projects, wallpapered the dining room, and replaced all of the window coverings. Although there is more, I'll move on! We love being home and now we can enjoy ourselves without looking around thinking of what needs to be done.
The boys are flourishing. Aidan is pushing 3 and a half, and Coleman will be 6 months old on New Year's Day. Coleman is just about to sit up and is long and lean, just like Aidan always was. Aidan and he are starting to "play" a bit and Aidan is realizing the fun that having a brother will be. Coleman is the definition of an easy baby, which is not to say it is easy, but he is SO laid back. He smiles thorough the cries! Cole cut two teeth at about 4 months--the two bottom ones in the middle. Today he started to buzz with his lips and he initiates games of this with Aidan--amazing to think five months ago he was still all curled up just after being born, sleeping 22 hours a day.
Aidan started preschool this fall and is doing well. He loves the structure of it and is especially fond of being the line leader and helper. His teachers, Miss Katie and Miss Lisa, comment on his vocabulary and his joke-telling capabilities. I have heard no such jokes, so I wonder what on earth he is saying. And that is the most surreal part of parenting: letting them go and hoping you did a good job to get them ready for the world! He loves trains and plays with them almost exclusively. Oh, and he reads books. About trains. We are thrilled that he picked that, with all of the junk that is out there. He also loves to play on the computer, roll his marbles down the stairs through a wrapping paper tube and basket contraption, and can't get enough spaghetti and meatballs to eat. Artichokes and sugar snap peas are also favorites.
Stats on the boys:
Cole 15lbs, 26 inches
Aidan 37 lbs, 40 inches
Joel and I feel blessed to have such a healthy family. Having all of our immediate family in the Twin Cities is really exceptional. And they are all exceptional people, too! They have all been so supportive and are all a big part of our kid's lives. Aidan loves his overnights with Grandma and Grandpa Hillesheim. And his trips to Nana and Baba O'Reilly's house are always so much fun he doesn't want to leave. My Dad found a Mac-based game called Alphababy that mesmerizes Aidan. They love to play it together.
Joel is coming up on his eighth year working for GE Water and Process Technologies (formerly Osmonics) in Minnetonka. His close friend Don, who is Coleman's godfather, just left the company after working there 12 years. Most, if not all, of his responsibilities have fallen to Joel for the time being. Joel was promoted this year, which sounds good in theory, but in practice means much more work and a "shorter fuse", to use a quote from Don. He enjoys cycling and gets out to do so as often as possible (which like all extra curricular activities when you have children is seldom). He started commuting to work by bike one or two days a week this summer and really enjoyed it. He had a few paved-path mishaps, but for the most part it was a great way to get the rides in an not make his wife pull her hair out.
I am full force into the motherhood. After the adjustment that all mothers go through, but especially the stay at home ones, we are settled nicely in to it. And I think we are doing well. I take myself and my job very seriously, and well I should (no change there for those who know me well). I always have something on the side to do when I feel overwhelmed by mothering, I have a couple of odd jobs, including childcare and home organizing, and I always have the movies. The movies are a huge respite for me. I love going alone, and I am secretly always trying to figure out when my next movie will be! It is an escape in the truest form. Most recently, I saw Marie Antoinette. And last weekend I broke my own rule and took Aidan along to see Happy Feet. Liked both movies. Happy Feet was a bit over Robin-Williamsed, but great otherwise and is essentially an animated March of the Penguins. Marie Antionette has a modern soundtrack, which is au current and well chosen.
We are so glad to have such a great group of friends that we have met since we had children. These are families that we love to get together with to have pizza. Not that we plan it that way, but we always end up eating pizza.
We hope you and your family have a healthy start to the New Year and we wish you a very Merry Christmas! Click here to see our family pictures taken last week.
Saturday, October 28, 2006
Saturday, October 28th
We worked in the yard today, it was a bit nippy. Putting the yard and house to bed for the season is work, but it is so nice to have such a lovely yard and house, we are grateful. Speaking of grateful, Aidan is really doing well on his manners. I read something written by a teacher that said the students who come to Kindergarten prepared are the ones who can play well with others and are courteous, absolutely not the ones that can recite their ABCs forwards and backwards.
Why is our tendency to shove academics down their throats when what we all know that what matters is kindness? My family was into talking, playing music, laughing and hanging out when I was growing up. And I never had a lot of luck in school, and never saw the point of all that homework. Oh well, I guess with this, like anything, all in moderation.
Enough about that, I had dinner with some of the moms recently at the 112 Eatery. For those of you who have been there, you know it was a treat, and those of you who haven't, run don't walk (but make a reservation, the place is small & popular). Not small uncomfortable-sitting-on-the-laps-of-that-uptight-couple-next-to-you small, but small cozy I-wish-I-wasn't-nursing-and-could-have-a-gin & tonic-and-make-this-an evening small. After running about 20 minutes late, which is really on time when you have a four month old, I started with the bibb lettuce salad with fine herb vinagrette, then had the Nori Encrusted Sirloin with Ponzu sauce for dinner. SO DELICIOUS, every last bite.
Coleman cut two teeth, the bottom front ones. So far, no problems nursing.
We worked in the yard today, it was a bit nippy. Putting the yard and house to bed for the season is work, but it is so nice to have such a lovely yard and house, we are grateful. Speaking of grateful, Aidan is really doing well on his manners. I read something written by a teacher that said the students who come to Kindergarten prepared are the ones who can play well with others and are courteous, absolutely not the ones that can recite their ABCs forwards and backwards.
Why is our tendency to shove academics down their throats when what we all know that what matters is kindness? My family was into talking, playing music, laughing and hanging out when I was growing up. And I never had a lot of luck in school, and never saw the point of all that homework. Oh well, I guess with this, like anything, all in moderation.
Enough about that, I had dinner with some of the moms recently at the 112 Eatery. For those of you who have been there, you know it was a treat, and those of you who haven't, run don't walk (but make a reservation, the place is small & popular). Not small uncomfortable-sitting-on-the-laps-of-that-uptight-couple-next-to-you small, but small cozy I-wish-I-wasn't-nursing-and-could-have-a-gin & tonic-and-make-this-an evening small. After running about 20 minutes late, which is really on time when you have a four month old, I started with the bibb lettuce salad with fine herb vinagrette, then had the Nori Encrusted Sirloin with Ponzu sauce for dinner. SO DELICIOUS, every last bite.
Coleman cut two teeth, the bottom front ones. So far, no problems nursing.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
**Pics: Coleman today!, Aidan's first day of school, working elevator made from TinkerToys, Elizabeth (my friend Adelheid's daughter) and Cole side by side, and Joel and I going to the reception.**Time to cozy up the house!
Aidan started preschool about 6 weeks ago. He goes T and Th mornings from 9-12 and is loving it. He knows a lot of his "classmates" from ECFE, so that made the transition go well. He is emerging as a very articulate youngster with mad art skills. He lives for Cole smiling at him, balloons, marbles, and strangely and passively enough, loves Teletubbies.
We have been busy the last few weeks, but still spend most of our downtime as a family. It is our favorite pastime. Cole is 3 and one half months old! He started cooing, ah-gooing, and he laughed for the first time. He is also using his stomach muscles to try and sit up. He was sick with an ear infection and is just starting to feel better, which means Mama feels better too. It is so hard to have your tiny one sick, what am I saying?, it is the pits when anyone is sick, for different reasons.
I am doing a little part time work caring for friends' children and organizing homes. I enjoy staying at home so much, but a girl needs a break! Turning chaos into order does that for me.
We went to our friends' wedding reception (they were married earlier this year) on Saturday night, the 14th, which happened to be our 6th wedding anniversary. It was the most wonderful time. Great location, food was fabulous (Fabulous Catering did the food), and best of all, I wore "real" clothes! Kate and John were darling and are such a loving couple. Our anniversary was mentioned in the groom's speech, which was touching and thoughtful.
We are looking towards the holidays and not doing one "should" thing. Feel free to do the same, mix it up, and donate or save (gasp!) money instead of shopping and stressing.
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