Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Eli's first day of pre-school
I love all of their goofy looks... Eli dressed himself on the first day of school. He just had to look "super awesome".
7,927,633 apples...
While wandering the isles of our neighborhood Target store, Emmy fell in love with a pair of faux patent leather pink Mary Janes. As she was prancing around in her new "pretty" shoes I asked her what they looked like. I was expecting her to say "shiny" or "pink", but no... She said "apples".
Reason 7,927,633 I love this child more than words can describe.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Born to Subtract
A few weeks ago, while at Target waiting for Jon to change Emmy's diaper, Isobel and I happened upon a $1, 1st-2nd Grade subtraction workbook. I decided that it was worth $1 to get a head start on subtraction.
A few nights later, Isobel was bored so we pulled out the workbook. The first page used picture examples to explain how subtraction works. Isobel and I talked about it a little, and then we went over some of the example problems, which according to her were super easy.
15 minutes later we were on page 4 of the workbook and Isobel was having a great time. In fact, as she wrote down another right answer she looked up at me and smiled.
"I think maybe I was born to do subtraction." Her voice so matter of fact, as if there was no other explanation.
It is good to know that at the age of 6, Isobel has found her true calling.
Poppy will be very happy to know that there is finally someone in the family who likes numbers as much as he does.
A few nights later, Isobel was bored so we pulled out the workbook. The first page used picture examples to explain how subtraction works. Isobel and I talked about it a little, and then we went over some of the example problems, which according to her were super easy.
15 minutes later we were on page 4 of the workbook and Isobel was having a great time. In fact, as she wrote down another right answer she looked up at me and smiled.
"I think maybe I was born to do subtraction." Her voice so matter of fact, as if there was no other explanation.
It is good to know that at the age of 6, Isobel has found her true calling.
Poppy will be very happy to know that there is finally someone in the family who likes numbers as much as he does.
Know vs No to Green Eggs and Ham
Isobel is one of those children who has little problem learning. She is a sponge and absorbs knowledge. The down side of this is that whenever something is even slightly difficult for her she hates it. She is so used to things just making sense that she has a difficult time when they don't. This has been our biggest struggle with reading. She can sound out words, but if they are one of the many words in the English language that can't be sounded out, she becomes agitated.
For instance... a few nights ago we were reading one of her Level One Barbie books and the word in the book was know. She struggled with sounding out the word, so I told her the word sounded like "no". She did not believe me, her exact response was "nuh, uh. Why are you lying to me? No is spelled n-o and does not have a k in it." I told her that I know it is strange, but I promise it sounds like no. She was very upset with me. We had to call Jon up so he could confirm what I had already told her. This did not sit well with her. In fact she was so upset that we had to close the book and go to sleep.
The night before last, I suddenly had an idea... which to me was brilliant, but to every other parent in the world was probably obvious. I would have her read something that she sort of knows, but would still have to read. We started with Marvin K. Mooney Will you Please Go Now. What a mistake, she knows this book so well, that she didn't even have to read the words, she could recite the book from memory (a downfall of it being my favorite Dr. Seuss book). The next book of choice was Green Eggs and Ham. This one was a success. She sort of knew it and the pictures match the words, making it easier to figure them out. She read each word in the book all by herself. At one point I told her that could sounds like would (which she was reading without problem) only with a c instead of a w. Beyond that, I didn't help her at all. She was so proud of herself and so excited. For the first time ever, the words "okay, maybe I do like reading" escaped her lips. A true success.
Since that night she has read Green Eggs and Ham at least 5 times. She will read it to anyone who will listen. She has read it to Emmy and Eli more than once, and they loved it.
Just another thing that is exciting, yet sad. Just another example of how quickly she is growing up. One week from tomorrow she will climb back on the bus and head off to her first day of first grade. And I feel pretty good knowing that she can read at least one full book independently before she climbs those stairs.
For instance... a few nights ago we were reading one of her Level One Barbie books and the word in the book was know. She struggled with sounding out the word, so I told her the word sounded like "no". She did not believe me, her exact response was "nuh, uh. Why are you lying to me? No is spelled n-o and does not have a k in it." I told her that I know it is strange, but I promise it sounds like no. She was very upset with me. We had to call Jon up so he could confirm what I had already told her. This did not sit well with her. In fact she was so upset that we had to close the book and go to sleep.
The night before last, I suddenly had an idea... which to me was brilliant, but to every other parent in the world was probably obvious. I would have her read something that she sort of knows, but would still have to read. We started with Marvin K. Mooney Will you Please Go Now. What a mistake, she knows this book so well, that she didn't even have to read the words, she could recite the book from memory (a downfall of it being my favorite Dr. Seuss book). The next book of choice was Green Eggs and Ham. This one was a success. She sort of knew it and the pictures match the words, making it easier to figure them out. She read each word in the book all by herself. At one point I told her that could sounds like would (which she was reading without problem) only with a c instead of a w. Beyond that, I didn't help her at all. She was so proud of herself and so excited. For the first time ever, the words "okay, maybe I do like reading" escaped her lips. A true success.
Since that night she has read Green Eggs and Ham at least 5 times. She will read it to anyone who will listen. She has read it to Emmy and Eli more than once, and they loved it.
Just another thing that is exciting, yet sad. Just another example of how quickly she is growing up. One week from tomorrow she will climb back on the bus and head off to her first day of first grade. And I feel pretty good knowing that she can read at least one full book independently before she climbs those stairs.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Another first...
I swear I put sunblock on her before we went to the pool, but it didn't occur to me to reapply. We weren't there very long, or at least I didn't think we were. So, Isobel ended up with her first sunburn... another parenting failure on my part this summer.
My ever so supportive husband felt that this was a first that needed to be captured on film.
Don't worry... I remembered to thank him for capturing this precious moment.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
4th of July
We spent 4th of July in Galena, IL with Jon's parents. If you have never been to Galena, I strongly recommend going. It is a beautiful historic town located in the Northwest corner of Illinois.
Jon's parents have spent the last year renovating a historic home and it is beautiful. We love visiting. They have a huge front yard which means the kids spent a lot of time outside running around. They had such a great time.
The day started with a walk downtown to a parade on Main Street. I am not sure if it was a short parade or if we missed a lot of it, but it was over shortly after we arrived. Regardless, the kids loved it; there is something about parades and children that just equal magic.
The City of Galena puts on a firework show over the river, which the kids were excited to see. However, before we even headed out to the show Eli heard the bang of some local fireworks and went running for cover. Less than 10 minutes later he was fast asleep on the couch. So, I spent the night at home with a sleeping Eli, while everyone else enjoyed the show. And enjoy it they did. I heard rave reviews about the fireworks from both Isobel and Emmy. Although Isobel did think it was a little loud.
Emmy loved them so much that she still talks about them. Almost every day she mentions that she loves fireworks and that she saw them with Grandpa. I know she is only two and the memory will fade over time, but right now it is fresh enough in her mind that she still talks about it. Hopefully Eli will be less afraid and tired next year so we can all enjoy them together.
Anyway... here are the pictures of the 4th.
I hope you all had a happy and safe 4th of July.
Jon's parents have spent the last year renovating a historic home and it is beautiful. We love visiting. They have a huge front yard which means the kids spent a lot of time outside running around. They had such a great time.
The day started with a walk downtown to a parade on Main Street. I am not sure if it was a short parade or if we missed a lot of it, but it was over shortly after we arrived. Regardless, the kids loved it; there is something about parades and children that just equal magic.
The City of Galena puts on a firework show over the river, which the kids were excited to see. However, before we even headed out to the show Eli heard the bang of some local fireworks and went running for cover. Less than 10 minutes later he was fast asleep on the couch. So, I spent the night at home with a sleeping Eli, while everyone else enjoyed the show. And enjoy it they did. I heard rave reviews about the fireworks from both Isobel and Emmy. Although Isobel did think it was a little loud.
Emmy loved them so much that she still talks about them. Almost every day she mentions that she loves fireworks and that she saw them with Grandpa. I know she is only two and the memory will fade over time, but right now it is fresh enough in her mind that she still talks about it. Hopefully Eli will be less afraid and tired next year so we can all enjoy them together.
Anyway... here are the pictures of the 4th.
I hope you all had a happy and safe 4th of July.
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