Archive for March, 2013

Jack’s Book

Wednesday, March 6th, 2013

From Wednesday Mom – Janelle:
Jack has been learning to read many new words in Kindergarten.  As a parent, I’m proud of how far he has come since this time last year.  He is reading beginner books and even spelling some words.  Jack is really into doing phonics exercises. He loves to find new games on the computer and apps on my smart phone to challenge himself.

After finishing up a homework assignment last week, Jack asked if he could write a book.  I encouraged him to do so.  He grabbed some paper and folded several pieces in half and asked me to staple the sides.  He drew illustrations on each page.  I helped him spell some words that were misspelled.  Once he finished writing and illustrating his first book, he read it to me.  The book was about his bedtime routine.  I was so amazed at his determination to complete this fun task.  He was happy about it and even took it to school to share with his teacher.  It turned out his teacher loved his book and let him be the “reader” for the day to the PreK class at his elementary school.

It’s little things like this book that make me so proud to be a parent.  I love seeing/watching my children learn new things and go to the next level with it.  Whether it be writing a book or riding a bike, I can’t get enough pleasure watching their excitement when they master something new.  I look forward to many, many new learning experiences in the future.

Grandparent Time

Monday, March 4th, 2013

From Monday Mom – Neetika:
Over the weekend, my parents came by for a visit. Haley was so excited and happy to be around her grandparents. For a bossy toddler, having adults around who let you do whatever you want is a dream. “Gramma” and “Papa” never say no, and never make Haley do a thing she doesn’t feel like doing. Sure, they may try to get Haley to eat her eggs or wear a sweatshirt in the breezy apartment, but the attempts are feeble and fall apart as soon as Haley says “No!”

I can’t say I made the best of my alone time. My main activity was zoning out in front of the TV with a cup of coffee, but that’s a vacation within itself these days.

Next week, Monday Dad, Haley and I are headed south for a much-needed vacation. I’m really excited to get away. The best part? Even MORE grandparent time for Haley as she gets to party with her paternal grandparents. Once again, I don’t have anything special planned during my Haley breaks, but if I get to lie down or curl up with a magazine, I will consider it a huge victory.

It can be frustrating to always be the one who has to say no. But that’s what comes with the territory of being a parent. Now that Haley is becoming more defiant and testing her boundaries, being the tough guy is even harder. So it’s nice to have a break from her. Yet before too long, I end up joining in on the fun. Even though she drives me crazy, I can’t stay away from the little dictator for too long.

I’m not old enough for this…

Saturday, March 2nd, 2013

From Friday Mom – Jaime:
I can still remember signing Andrew up for daycare. It seemed so weird to us that someone who wasn’t even born yet would need doctors and schools… But apparently, odd as it might seem, everyone else knew about it, because we only just managed to snag the last available slot in the infant room at the daycare we wanted.

Andrew has been in daycare since he was 4 months old. They’ve been good to him. Taught him a lot. Cried along with him when he was sick. Celebrated all kinds of milestones with him – the first time he smiled at one of the teachers, when he started rolling over, started crawling, started napping without being in a swing or in someone’s arms, cheered his first words.

On Monday we have to register Andrew for kindergarten.

I’m still in shock. I can’t believe I’m old enough to have a kid in kindergarten! As I’m writing this, I’m looking at a picture of Andrew as a baby on my desk. It’s next to a picture of him dressed up in khakis and a sports coat from the fall, where he looks like such a big kid.

One minute he’s telling me all about robots and sports and things he’s doing at daycare…and he seems so grown up. Then the next minute, he’s curling up in my lap, holding a stuffed animal and his baby blanket and telling me, “I’m still your baby, Mommy.”

Yup… he’s still my baby. But he is growing up so fast!