4th July Fun

Living in a neighborhood with good friends is something to be cherished. Today we headed out to M and M's house to party the afternoon and evening away. The boys spent most of the sunshine hours in the pool, occasionally popping out with blue lips to grab a drink or Cheetos and try to get warmed up. There were quite a few children from the area and we were soon engrossed in conversation with friends. As with many large gathering, people came and went. Our closest friends, R and M had to leave early to go to Fairfield for another July 4th celebration. Another friend had her children in various other locations, the girls with dad in northern NY and her son in California, so we had plenty of girl time to chat.

As it grew dark, we broke out the fire and sparklers. Button felt it was okay to check out the hot end after it had turned black but discovered to his dismay that it was still very hot and we had a slight burn to deal with. He recovered quickly and we cooked marshmallows and made Smores for fun. I say 'for fun' because peanut and Button do not actually eat the marshmallows once cooked!

The night was rounded off by a small floor display of fireworks from M and M, and a huge (and apparently illegal) display from a neighbor. It was very impressive. The best part, however, was the dance display that the boys put on at the end of the night. The Worm, breakdancing and general foolery ensued. Great fun!

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Button's New Bike

Being the second child often means having hand-me-down big-ticket items. Button had been using the toddler bike and then the first two wheeler that Peanut had used. He really wanted to learn how to ride without the training wheels and had demonstrated great ability on the little blue bike with flat tires and wonky training wheels. The morning dog walk had evolved into a bike ride for the boys now it was summer and the little blue bike was simply not cutting it. We decided to take him to buy his first bike.

Button was soooo excited. We went to a friend's shop and as soon as we were there he picked out the perfect bike for Button. It was red, looked like a BMX and even had the name Jet on it. Peanut pointed this out and Button was delighted that his bike had the same name as our family canine. The bike was fitted with training wheels and delivered to us that same evening.

The next morning, Button set off with full power around the neighborhood. He was thrilled to be able to keep up with Peanut, and I was relieved to see him be safer than before as he hurtled around with his brother.

Summer Reading

My obsession with getting the boys to read continues. I have made a remarkable discovery, however... the boys love to read....ONLINE! Yep, through RAZ-Kids, an online reading site, my boys are reading 3 or 4 books each morning trying to get stars and get to the next level. Button is doing a wonderful job listening to the level AA books for preschoolers and repeating the words as they are read to him by a beautifully articulate online reader. The reader demonstrates great fluency and intonation, modeling how Button should repeat back each sentence or phrase. Peanut is at a level where he can read the book himself or have it read to him. Each book is followed by a comprehension quiz which he does very well with. After abut an hour of reading, I asked the boys if we should visit the library and sign up there...there was a resounding NOOOOO! Oh well, reading is reading, and if they are having fun, I am happy.

A Visit to the Movies

Today we decided to go to see "Ice Age; Dawn of the Dinosaurs" in glorious 3D. I am not a fan of wearing glasses over my own, much needed pair, but the boys were excited and the threat of rain continued as it has for the past 4 weeks. We met Peanut's friend and his mom at the theater and we all settled down to popcorn soda (the weekly allowance ) and 3D excitement.

I have to admit to having no previous desire to see this movie, I had not seen the first two. I was pleasantly surprised, however and found myself chuckling and even laughing out loud on many occasion. The overall story was meaty enough for the characters to become familiar and the action to move at a fast pace. I really loved the squirrels who popped in and out of the action in their own mini-story which eventually linked to the main plot. Their were all the usual elements of a good movie such as prehistoric animals balanced food and relationship issues, dealt with emotions such as feeling left out of the crowd, and also some more scary parts that were still 'safe' enough to give my little Button a thrill without nightmares.

I recommend this movie as a fun, adult friendly kid-flick.

Getting into The First Week

A new tradition has been put in place. I think of ways to hide educational leaning in 'fun' activities and my kids smell the rat and call me on it within seconds! This is a great new game we are playing. My idea to have the kids read morning messages with alphabet and reading tied to it failed miserably the first morning as Button announced," I don't want to find F words, I wan to play hunt the sticker." So I carefully hid sixty stickers, 30 with each child's initial on them all around the house. I have to admit, it was great fun. We charged around and collected the stickers with howls of laughter...so much better than finding objects beginning with F.

The next morning, I had a message which asked each child to draw a picture of a place they really want to visit this summer. Peanut also had to write a sentence (hidden academics) and Button just had to write his name. I woke to the most beautiful colored pictures of the Statue of Liberty by Button and the House Pool (the Greenberg public pool) by Peanut. I felt elated at such care and excitement over the work...great conversation starters also.

We will see how it all goes. So far I have also included a math morning message where Peanut had multiplication and addition problems to solve. He then had to write problems for me to solve. I gave him 2x5, 3x3 etc. He gave me 99x99 and 200/9 etc. I admit to using a calculator on the sly! Button had addition but chose not to do it. I am not sure why but suspect it was lack of interest. He does like to play addition games on car rides so I will stick to that.

The Summer Begins

As a teacher, my time is spent thinking mainly about 20 or so children who belong to other people. Now, I do love my job, and I get very attached to the children, so I am certainly not complaining, but my favorite time of year is when I can wish all my charges a fond farewell (knowing I see most of them again in September) and devote all my attention to my two lovely boys, Peanut and Button.

Peanut and Button were the names I gave the blobs in the ultrasound pictures I so lovingly cherished as I carried my boys through all 8 months of pregnancy...yep, they were in a rush to come out...nothing has changed since!

It is now officially the first day of summer and I am very excited by all the plans I have in store for Peanut and Button I know I will not fulfill most of what I dream of doing over the summer. I may even sink into mild insanity as I attempt, once again, to be super mom. There is pressure, you know, to be as great a mom as I am a teacher...but state tests are a walk in the park next to cultivating well mannered, articulate and empathetic over-achievers in a short two months!

I know Button needs some work on speech and has yet to experience any work with reading and letters. I did it from the first syllable out of Peanuts's mouth, but not so much for Button, who is two years younger and about to enter Kindergarten. Feelin' yucky about that omission, by the way! So I really plan to work on speech, and sight words this summer. Peanut is reading above grade level, can perform mathematical operations beyond grade level; he loves multiplication, and can pitch, hit and serve like a pro. Poor Button is feeling it...I can see how he fights to be as good as Peanut all the time...that is my next goal...to get Buttons's self esteem up.

So, today we paid a visit to Nana and Poppa's house as Lulu was visiting from Florida. Peanut has just recently had his first tennis lesson from Nana and love it. He went again today to play some more. B was offered the same but did not want to...perhaps feeling he does not want to even attempt to compete at tennis. So daddy and I took Button to mini-golf. He had a great time despite not getting his usual hole in one. (I did, but I don't want to brag!) Button was not so hot on following the rules, Daddy and I had yet another moment of concern over possible ADD but we try not to over analyze. I did make a mental note to book the physical a little earlier for B though.

We all enjoyed sharing how each child had fun and woes during the day. Peanut found out serving was much harder than he imagined and Button managed to drop his ice cream on the floor for a major disappointment moment. Oh well, we move on and try to forget.

Tonight I set up notes to each child. Peanut has a note asking him to wake us no later than 8am and to read the fire truck book to his brother ready for a brief activity in the morning. Button has been asked to think about the letter F for fire truck. When I get up we will stick stickers all over the house on items that start with F. Each sticker will the initial of the child so they can see who gets the most..I predict Peanut will so must think of a way to help Button. I really want B to think of letters and words though. Next we will plan out the safety escape route that we have been meaning to create all winter! Multi-curricular experiences for my own kids. After that, what do I plan to do? Well the rest of the day will be fun and child-led play with me trying not to be a helicopter parent and giving them space..except for reading time, snuggle time and dinner time...a time when we can all reconnect.

Thus you have my PLAN. I have no idea if I will report back my success or failure to complete this. I may bail and give in to t.v. and junk food, but I may not. I love my children and want to be the best, most involved, most able to give them space, most able to let them be the best they can be mom in the world...GULP!