Ok - this is not necessarily news. She's been reading the books that have come home from school all year. But this morning, she flipped over a DVD case for the Berenstain Bears and read off the titles to the episodes to Jacob.
Somehow something clicked in my head that she wasn't just able to read books - but to read words anywhere. I'm not sure why this surprised me so much - she's been reading her library books to us every night for a bedtime story. It's just that I never applied the logic that "gee - this must mean she can read other things too."
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
It's my blog - I'll rant if I want to - Part One
Is this week over yet?? Will it be over soon??
Today was our teach-in day on campus. This was coordinated primarily by a colleague of mine, and I provided assistance and arranged for a visit from the author of Affluenza (the campus common read), who flew in from Golden, CO. Let's keep in mind that this is an author of a nationally available book / documentary that is anti-consumption. File that tidbit away.
So, his plane is late yesterday and the person I'd arranged to get him from the airport couldn't do it. So I go (Allison in tow) to the airport to pick him up in my 2005 minivan with leather seats and DVD player (found out later he drives an 86 volvo). Then my previously mentioned colleague and I take him out for dinner at a restaurant suggested by Brian, that I'd never been to, where the average price of an entree was $35.
Next add that today's plans were based on picking him up from his hotel in the a.m. for the activities on our campus, dropping him back off at his hotel, and then his speaking engagement for this evening would get him there later. Unfortunately, he had to check out of his hotel before talking on our campus. Scramble to work out alternative plan. Ok. The person who I had planned to co teach with at 10am (teach-in related) sent me a note at 8am that she was thinking of backing out. I had no alternative - I forced her to stick with plan A.
Co-teaching went fine. Noon-lecture went fine (actually a packed hall - awesome). Lunch went fine.
"What would you like to do for the hour between now and when I take you to your next drop-off point?" Reply: 'I'd really like a nap. Do you know where I can take a nap? You said you lived close, could I take a nap there?'
Uh....... Midwest hospitality (or simply never having to deal with someone's request to nap at my house mid-day) takes over and I agree.
Imagine - if you will - being very stressed out about this campus-wide event that you've planned. Imagine - if you will - that you have arranged for this author to fly across the country to give a lecture you are hoping people will come to. You had to go out to dinner the night before. You were up at 6am and working on your computer trying to get last minute crap done. You know what you haven't done ALL WEEK? Yeah - clean!!
To add insult to injury - you are pulling into your driveway and Chemlawn has sprayed your lawn that day. I swear those little picket signs were not there in the morning.
Your garage has not been spring cleansed. You walk through a laundry room, packed with stuff, to a kitchen where school detritus, newspapers, and breakfast bowls are sharing happy space with stamping equipment, markers, and toys. I clean up more when 13 year old babysitters are coming over!! This is an author who writes about the environment and the trappings of having too much stuff!!! Oh the irony.
And so, he lays down on the couch for a short nap (Astro and I go hang out in the sunroom), and then around 3pm (which is when we're supposed to be at the next locale) I let the dog into the kitchen thinking that the clickety-clack on the tile will rouse him from his nap. It does. I'm quizzed on the deeper meaning of a poster that is hanging on our wall solely because (a) it's framed and (b) it's never previously been hung in my grandparent's house.
I drop him off at FVT. I hope the rest of the presentations went well. He seemed like a very nice guy. I can't imagine what he thinks of me.
Today was our teach-in day on campus. This was coordinated primarily by a colleague of mine, and I provided assistance and arranged for a visit from the author of Affluenza (the campus common read), who flew in from Golden, CO. Let's keep in mind that this is an author of a nationally available book / documentary that is anti-consumption. File that tidbit away.
So, his plane is late yesterday and the person I'd arranged to get him from the airport couldn't do it. So I go (Allison in tow) to the airport to pick him up in my 2005 minivan with leather seats and DVD player (found out later he drives an 86 volvo). Then my previously mentioned colleague and I take him out for dinner at a restaurant suggested by Brian, that I'd never been to, where the average price of an entree was $35.
Next add that today's plans were based on picking him up from his hotel in the a.m. for the activities on our campus, dropping him back off at his hotel, and then his speaking engagement for this evening would get him there later. Unfortunately, he had to check out of his hotel before talking on our campus. Scramble to work out alternative plan. Ok. The person who I had planned to co teach with at 10am (teach-in related) sent me a note at 8am that she was thinking of backing out. I had no alternative - I forced her to stick with plan A.
Co-teaching went fine. Noon-lecture went fine (actually a packed hall - awesome). Lunch went fine.
"What would you like to do for the hour between now and when I take you to your next drop-off point?" Reply: 'I'd really like a nap. Do you know where I can take a nap? You said you lived close, could I take a nap there?'
Uh....... Midwest hospitality (or simply never having to deal with someone's request to nap at my house mid-day) takes over and I agree.
Imagine - if you will - being very stressed out about this campus-wide event that you've planned. Imagine - if you will - that you have arranged for this author to fly across the country to give a lecture you are hoping people will come to. You had to go out to dinner the night before. You were up at 6am and working on your computer trying to get last minute crap done. You know what you haven't done ALL WEEK? Yeah - clean!!
To add insult to injury - you are pulling into your driveway and Chemlawn has sprayed your lawn that day. I swear those little picket signs were not there in the morning.
Your garage has not been spring cleansed. You walk through a laundry room, packed with stuff, to a kitchen where school detritus, newspapers, and breakfast bowls are sharing happy space with stamping equipment, markers, and toys. I clean up more when 13 year old babysitters are coming over!! This is an author who writes about the environment and the trappings of having too much stuff!!! Oh the irony.
And so, he lays down on the couch for a short nap (Astro and I go hang out in the sunroom), and then around 3pm (which is when we're supposed to be at the next locale) I let the dog into the kitchen thinking that the clickety-clack on the tile will rouse him from his nap. It does. I'm quizzed on the deeper meaning of a poster that is hanging on our wall solely because (a) it's framed and (b) it's never previously been hung in my grandparent's house.
I drop him off at FVT. I hope the rest of the presentations went well. He seemed like a very nice guy. I can't imagine what he thinks of me.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
The purpose of activities?
Over the week, I've been feeling like I am supposed to be doing something, but can't figure out what it is. Partially, there really are things that I am supposed to be doing and have forgotten, but I think that it is also related to a minor activity slump at the beginning of this week as we transition winter to spring extra-curriculars.
Kids activities continue to perplex me. On the one hand, I think we start our kids too early and specialize them too soon. One of my friends' sons is in wrestling - which was one of those sports that seemed firmly rooted in high school. Like, you could have no previous experience and join the squad at age 14. But then there was an article in the local newspaper about how coaches now no longer coach teams, they develop "programs." They are expected to identify and develop young talent so that kids are further ahead by the time they get to the point that they would actually need to be "coached." The wrestling program for 7-yr olds is put on by the high school coaches to introduce kids to the sport and get them excited about doing it later. When you get down to it - is that different than soccer, baseball, or football?
And then too many of us parents sit around and lament the hectic schedules and nightly ballet that is managing the extras for more than one kid. Allison wants to stick with swimming and girl scouts, Jacob wants karate and soccer. I want them to learn piano (and to that end am now on several month long waiting list for a recommended piano teacher). Why do we do it?
Then the kids and I have a few days without "activities." We're off our routine. Give our kids a little bit of free time and you may end up with a basket of flowers on the table - or you may end up with expo markers on the wall. Too often unscheduled time in our house equates to kids getting into things they shouldn't be in. Like the 15 sticky notes on the back door. Like a pile of stuffed animals in the dog crate and the dog crate pieces in the closet. Ok - to be fair - those were all from the same kid.
Then I think - hum, maybe this kid needs more structured activities. Let the ballet begin.....
Kids activities continue to perplex me. On the one hand, I think we start our kids too early and specialize them too soon. One of my friends' sons is in wrestling - which was one of those sports that seemed firmly rooted in high school. Like, you could have no previous experience and join the squad at age 14. But then there was an article in the local newspaper about how coaches now no longer coach teams, they develop "programs." They are expected to identify and develop young talent so that kids are further ahead by the time they get to the point that they would actually need to be "coached." The wrestling program for 7-yr olds is put on by the high school coaches to introduce kids to the sport and get them excited about doing it later. When you get down to it - is that different than soccer, baseball, or football?
And then too many of us parents sit around and lament the hectic schedules and nightly ballet that is managing the extras for more than one kid. Allison wants to stick with swimming and girl scouts, Jacob wants karate and soccer. I want them to learn piano (and to that end am now on several month long waiting list for a recommended piano teacher). Why do we do it?
Then the kids and I have a few days without "activities." We're off our routine. Give our kids a little bit of free time and you may end up with a basket of flowers on the table - or you may end up with expo markers on the wall. Too often unscheduled time in our house equates to kids getting into things they shouldn't be in. Like the 15 sticky notes on the back door. Like a pile of stuffed animals in the dog crate and the dog crate pieces in the closet. Ok - to be fair - those were all from the same kid.
Then I think - hum, maybe this kid needs more structured activities. Let the ballet begin.....
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Karate
Jacob finished his first session of karate and earned his next belt. He wanted to sign up next time again, and so is his friend Dominic.
Jacob also wanted to quit swimming lessons for a session. This seems to be OK because soccer is starting and he has preschool story hour at the elementary school for 4 weeks in April-May. He's a busy, busy kid.
On the note of soccer - we signed up for the him to play in the Appleton Soccer Club. It's kindof the "league du jour" for a lot of people around (at least what I gathered via the grapevine when Allison played Park and Rec in the fall). I am not impressed. They seem primarily concerned with making money. Money for what - I'm not sure. We signed up back in October in order to save $20 on the registration fee ($55 rather than $75). Then we were required to either sell 30 geraniums at $3.75 each or do a "buy out" for $30. We opted for the $30. Then you have to donate at least 3 volunteer hours (one choice is to work the consession stand on Saturdays - when the U5 league is Monday nights). If you don't - again, you can buy out your hours.
Now I do like the set up of the U5 league - which is that the kids meet, practice with a "trainer" for a half hour and then play games for another half hour. It's all contained in one hour per week - which is perfect for this age. But then, given that parents have to volunteer to facilitate (e.g. referree), the only thing really provided by the soccer club itself is a field and a trainer for 1/2 hour - $75 + $30 + ? seems like a lot to pay.
I think if Jacob likes it, then we'll seek out a different league next year. I believe the YMCA in Sherwood and in Greenville both have spring soccer programs for about 1/2 the price. They may not be the pipeline to future soccer stardom - but that's fine by me.
Jacob also wanted to quit swimming lessons for a session. This seems to be OK because soccer is starting and he has preschool story hour at the elementary school for 4 weeks in April-May. He's a busy, busy kid.
On the note of soccer - we signed up for the him to play in the Appleton Soccer Club. It's kindof the "league du jour" for a lot of people around (at least what I gathered via the grapevine when Allison played Park and Rec in the fall). I am not impressed. They seem primarily concerned with making money. Money for what - I'm not sure. We signed up back in October in order to save $20 on the registration fee ($55 rather than $75). Then we were required to either sell 30 geraniums at $3.75 each or do a "buy out" for $30. We opted for the $30. Then you have to donate at least 3 volunteer hours (one choice is to work the consession stand on Saturdays - when the U5 league is Monday nights). If you don't - again, you can buy out your hours.
Now I do like the set up of the U5 league - which is that the kids meet, practice with a "trainer" for a half hour and then play games for another half hour. It's all contained in one hour per week - which is perfect for this age. But then, given that parents have to volunteer to facilitate (e.g. referree), the only thing really provided by the soccer club itself is a field and a trainer for 1/2 hour - $75 + $30 + ? seems like a lot to pay.
I think if Jacob likes it, then we'll seek out a different league next year. I believe the YMCA in Sherwood and in Greenville both have spring soccer programs for about 1/2 the price. They may not be the pipeline to future soccer stardom - but that's fine by me.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Easter
A collage of pics from the Easter Egg hunt with cousins Kellen and Chloe and cousin-in-law Natalie.
I am testing out the Picasa "Blog it" feature.
I am testing out the Picasa "Blog it" feature.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
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