We always said we wouldn't sign our kids up for this, that, and the other: every season a different sport, swim lessons, piano lessons, art lessons, blah blah blah..., especially since the boys are only 5 and 7, and I refuse to pay good money for an activity until they are able to really understand what they're doing and retain the information.
That being said...
The first week of school Jack brought home a brochure from Bellevue Park and Rec, and after looking thru it, we decided to sign Jack up for indoor soccer lessons. It's once a week, for 45 minutes, on Tuesdays while Thornley is still in school. I think it will be good for him, especially when the rain starts! He seems excited - he is the sports lover, so hopefully this will be a good experience for him. I do refuse to become soccer mom, who has to refinance our house to pay for year around soccer teams, but for now, it should be something special and fun for him.
Thornley has no interest in sports of any kind, so we decided to sign him up for piano lessons. He went for his introductory lesson yesterday and really liked it. He has early release on Weds, so Adam was able to get him a lesson right after school, and will take him; which is perfect because I don't have early release on Wed, and otherwise he and Jack just hang out with me and teach my class important stuff like how to arm fart.
Hopefully, we won't turn into that family that has a list a mile long of all the things they "have" to do on any given day because of all the activities their kids are signed up for! First of all because we can't afford it, and second of all because I've been convicted more and more lately that they're only kids once so they need lots of time to just be a kid and use their imaginations and PLAY!
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Christian-ese
Give me a moment while I hop up on my soapbox - yes, it's a nice view from up here, testing - one, two, is this thing on...
You know, kind of like Chinese, but it's the language Christians speak.
I went to a VERY conservative high school (Eagle Pride, baby, Eagle Pride), so I am fluent in Christian-ese; you had to be, or you couldn't get your diploma; really, you could smoke and drink as long as you were off campus, but if you knew the lingo you were golden. Which may be why I'm having these issues as of late. You know I am addicted to facebook, LOVE IT, and have reconnected with many friends from high school, which leads me to this post.
I logged on to check out what all of my "friends" were up to, and I read this status update, "Praise God for He is faithful to those who love Him..." this person is referring to a mutual friend whose baby is sick, apparently he (the baby) is responding to treatment and doing better. But my question is this, isn't God faithful to ALL of us, it is US who are lacking in faith? And what about the gal who played basketball on the team I coached (low those many years ago), who also has a child in the hospital that will most likely die - does she NOT love God, and is He not being faithful to her?
Maybe the solution is I shouldn't spend so much attention to facebook, but still, I wonder, how do we communicate our faith and relationship with God without being all holier than thou and totally offending and alienating those who don't share our beliefs. If this is annoying to me, imagine how those who have a different view/opinion of God would feel about comments like this.
Stepping off the soapbox now. Thank you, I'm here all week...
You know, kind of like Chinese, but it's the language Christians speak.
I went to a VERY conservative high school (Eagle Pride, baby, Eagle Pride), so I am fluent in Christian-ese; you had to be, or you couldn't get your diploma; really, you could smoke and drink as long as you were off campus, but if you knew the lingo you were golden. Which may be why I'm having these issues as of late. You know I am addicted to facebook, LOVE IT, and have reconnected with many friends from high school, which leads me to this post.
I logged on to check out what all of my "friends" were up to, and I read this status update, "Praise God for He is faithful to those who love Him..." this person is referring to a mutual friend whose baby is sick, apparently he (the baby) is responding to treatment and doing better. But my question is this, isn't God faithful to ALL of us, it is US who are lacking in faith? And what about the gal who played basketball on the team I coached (low those many years ago), who also has a child in the hospital that will most likely die - does she NOT love God, and is He not being faithful to her?
Maybe the solution is I shouldn't spend so much attention to facebook, but still, I wonder, how do we communicate our faith and relationship with God without being all holier than thou and totally offending and alienating those who don't share our beliefs. If this is annoying to me, imagine how those who have a different view/opinion of God would feel about comments like this.
Stepping off the soapbox now. Thank you, I'm here all week...
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Lunch Date
Day #3, and we're still liking school! What a difference a fun teacher and a best buddy in the same class makes. Or maybe, just maybe, Thornley is growing up...
Yesterday was Tuesday (obviously), and I had told Thornley I would have lunch with him. I told him this, not because he was an emotional stressed out wreck, yelling and screaming all the way into class, like last year, but because he asked, "Mommy, will you come have lunch with me?". It was a bit of a pain logistically speaking, as Jack gets done with school at 11:45, and Thornley's lunch isn't until 12:15, but I figure, there will come a day when he doesn't want me anywhere NEAR the cafeteria, so I'll take him up on the offer while he's still excited to see me and maybe, just maybe, on a good day, even admits to liking me.
Jack is liking Kindergarten, is thrilled to be learning Spanish, and ecstatic that he had homework tonight.
I realize we're just three days in, and still in the "honeymoon" phase (although, last year three days in was pure hell, so, so much for that theory), so I refuse to tell myself we're going to have a good year. Although, I tell the boys all the time it's going to be a great year!
Walkathon coming up - let me know if you want to sponsor my people!
Yesterday was Tuesday (obviously), and I had told Thornley I would have lunch with him. I told him this, not because he was an emotional stressed out wreck, yelling and screaming all the way into class, like last year, but because he asked, "Mommy, will you come have lunch with me?". It was a bit of a pain logistically speaking, as Jack gets done with school at 11:45, and Thornley's lunch isn't until 12:15, but I figure, there will come a day when he doesn't want me anywhere NEAR the cafeteria, so I'll take him up on the offer while he's still excited to see me and maybe, just maybe, on a good day, even admits to liking me.
Jack is liking Kindergarten, is thrilled to be learning Spanish, and ecstatic that he had homework tonight.
I realize we're just three days in, and still in the "honeymoon" phase (although, last year three days in was pure hell, so, so much for that theory), so I refuse to tell myself we're going to have a good year. Although, I tell the boys all the time it's going to be a great year!
Walkathon coming up - let me know if you want to sponsor my people!
Monday, August 31, 2009
First Day Hurray!
I won't brag or boast, because who knows what tomorrow brings, but so far so good on the school front! I am exhausted, and so are the boys, but they enjoyed their first day of school, which makes life so much easier on the home front. Thornley must really like his teacher, he actually did his homework before I asked, AND read in Spanish!
Jack was so cute, grown up and serious (so NOT Jack) waiting for his class to start. He said school was a bit boring (sound familiar Andrea?), all they did was practice lining up and sitting correctly at circle time - all important aspects of school I told him. Perhaps tomorrow they will learn some Spanish and get homework (something else he was upset about, so I made up homework for him).
Thornley is GIDDY about school, his best friend is in his class which right there makes for a good school year. He tried to complain, but in the end admitted that his teacher is fun and funny and he likes her.
What a difference a year (and a lot of prayer) makes! Hoping for continued success and a fun year!
Jack was so cute, grown up and serious (so NOT Jack) waiting for his class to start. He said school was a bit boring (sound familiar Andrea?), all they did was practice lining up and sitting correctly at circle time - all important aspects of school I told him. Perhaps tomorrow they will learn some Spanish and get homework (something else he was upset about, so I made up homework for him).
Thornley is GIDDY about school, his best friend is in his class which right there makes for a good school year. He tried to complain, but in the end admitted that his teacher is fun and funny and he likes her.
What a difference a year (and a lot of prayer) makes! Hoping for continued success and a fun year!
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Hola Kindergarten
Tonight Jack had his "meet the teacher" for kindergarten, he was SOOOOOOO excited. Even Thornley wanted to go along to see his room and show him the ropes of actually GOING to school at Puesta, not just hanging out in the library and lunch room, although, Thornley asked me if we could go in the office and ask who HIS teacher was going to be - a bit of anxiety going on as he won't find out until tomorrow or Friday. Heaven forbid we find out too much in advance lest all us angry parents storm the office demanding our children switch classes - seriously people, help the anxiety ridden youth out!
But I digress...I like Jack's teacher, I think she'll be a great fit for him - sweet, friendly, but no-nonsense get down to business type. I'm trying to be fair since I ADORED Sra Bier; I'll give this one a fair fighting chance and assume the best. jack went in, introduced himself, found his seat and sat thru her "presentation" where she explained what goes on during a "typical" day at kindergarten. She talked a lot about picking up and dropping off and the bus schedule, perhaps this is why, when at the end when she asked for questions Jack raised his hand and asked, "If our parents forget what time school starts, well, what do we do about that?". Dear, sweet, Jack, I love you, but believe me, I'd never FORGET to take you to school! I was proud of him though for raising his hand and asking a question.
He's excited, and so is Thornley, although he'd never admit it. This is the day I've been waiting for - both my boys in school every day, and yet, it makes me sad at the same time. They're getting so big...sigh...
But I digress...I like Jack's teacher, I think she'll be a great fit for him - sweet, friendly, but no-nonsense get down to business type. I'm trying to be fair since I ADORED Sra Bier; I'll give this one a fair fighting chance and assume the best. jack went in, introduced himself, found his seat and sat thru her "presentation" where she explained what goes on during a "typical" day at kindergarten. She talked a lot about picking up and dropping off and the bus schedule, perhaps this is why, when at the end when she asked for questions Jack raised his hand and asked, "If our parents forget what time school starts, well, what do we do about that?". Dear, sweet, Jack, I love you, but believe me, I'd never FORGET to take you to school! I was proud of him though for raising his hand and asking a question.
He's excited, and so is Thornley, although he'd never admit it. This is the day I've been waiting for - both my boys in school every day, and yet, it makes me sad at the same time. They're getting so big...sigh...
Sunday, August 2, 2009
With this ring, I...
...become a ring bearer.
The boys did such an amazing job on Saturday! They looked so handsome in their outfits, they didn't complain once about being hot (until after the ceremony and then Jack couldn't get his tie off fast enough), walked down the aisle no problem, passed the rings off to the appropriate people, and even - get this - SMILED for the pictures, yes ALL of them. I guess going to all those wedding with me paid off, because they were like professional ring bearers. I think I may hire them out; if I meet with a bride and she doesn't have a ring bearer, I may offer my boys - for a small fee.
Thornley wanted nothing to do with watching the K-I-double S!
The boys did such an amazing job on Saturday! They looked so handsome in their outfits, they didn't complain once about being hot (until after the ceremony and then Jack couldn't get his tie off fast enough), walked down the aisle no problem, passed the rings off to the appropriate people, and even - get this - SMILED for the pictures, yes ALL of them. I guess going to all those wedding with me paid off, because they were like professional ring bearers. I think I may hire them out; if I meet with a bride and she doesn't have a ring bearer, I may offer my boys - for a small fee.
Thornley wanted nothing to do with watching the K-I-double S!
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
We interrupt your _______________
I have a few guilty pleasures, and those of you who know me know one is reality tv, and one is my love of People/Us/whatever kind of magazines Erin brings me. I must also admit, I have read both of Tori Spellings books. Love them, she is hilarious! I finished reading both of them while we were in Maui, and perhaps she has inspired me to write a book of my own to my children. Some things I would tell them...
It shouldn't surprise you that when the two of you play tag team wake mommy up in the middle of the night, so I sleep for two hours am awake for two hours and then sleep two more hours before you wake me up for the day, I am not going to be in a good mood. I know you don't have a clock in your room, and you've asked for one, but especially in the summer, if the sun isn't up yet, you shouldn't be either. Just saying...
The bathroom door is shut for a reason, and when I say I'll be done in a minute, I'll try to hold true to that promise. You banging on the door and yelling my name is not going to make things move along any quicker.
Along with the last one; when the shower is running, chances are that means I am in it, and am not able to log on to the computer for you or turn on your favorite tv show.
Oh, and daddy is a very capable man, so if he's home you can ask him to help you as well. Just in case that didn't cross your mind.
Yes, I love my kids and we're having a great summer. They have been troopers and have done/gone pretty much whatever/where ever might be on my agenda for the day. I love spending time with them, but really, is it asking too much to take a shower and go to the bathroom without interruption (I totally was going to say, "take a shower and a $&*#, because that would have gone so well together, but decided against - kind of)?
OK, that's all the complaining for now. Must go to bed because even though my 8th grade Science teacher told me you can never "catch-up" on missed sleep, it doesn't make me any less tired from my whopping 4 hours of sleep last night. The temperature has dropped a degree inside the house, so we're now at a frigid 87 degrees, brrrrrs! Anyone want to donate to the Anderson Screen Door fund, so we can keep our kitchen sliding glass door open at night to cool the house off, just let me know!
It shouldn't surprise you that when the two of you play tag team wake mommy up in the middle of the night, so I sleep for two hours am awake for two hours and then sleep two more hours before you wake me up for the day, I am not going to be in a good mood. I know you don't have a clock in your room, and you've asked for one, but especially in the summer, if the sun isn't up yet, you shouldn't be either. Just saying...
The bathroom door is shut for a reason, and when I say I'll be done in a minute, I'll try to hold true to that promise. You banging on the door and yelling my name is not going to make things move along any quicker.
Along with the last one; when the shower is running, chances are that means I am in it, and am not able to log on to the computer for you or turn on your favorite tv show.
Oh, and daddy is a very capable man, so if he's home you can ask him to help you as well. Just in case that didn't cross your mind.
Yes, I love my kids and we're having a great summer. They have been troopers and have done/gone pretty much whatever/where ever might be on my agenda for the day. I love spending time with them, but really, is it asking too much to take a shower and go to the bathroom without interruption (I totally was going to say, "take a shower and a $&*#, because that would have gone so well together, but decided against - kind of)?
OK, that's all the complaining for now. Must go to bed because even though my 8th grade Science teacher told me you can never "catch-up" on missed sleep, it doesn't make me any less tired from my whopping 4 hours of sleep last night. The temperature has dropped a degree inside the house, so we're now at a frigid 87 degrees, brrrrrs! Anyone want to donate to the Anderson Screen Door fund, so we can keep our kitchen sliding glass door open at night to cool the house off, just let me know!
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