Tee is in preschool with 19 other children. He has gotten invited to many birthday parties. He has gone to some but not all. One of my friends told me she doesn't let her daughter go to any party unless she is good friends with the child. She got me thinking and made me realize thatmy child doesn't need to go to every party and I don't need to feel guitly because of it.
Tee was invited to a party where the Mom suggested we drop off our child and pick him up 2 hours later. I decided that was not going to work for me especially since I don't know this Mom well. So without any guilt I declined the invitation.
Tee is also invited to another party that starts at 6:15 and ends at 8:15, which is way past Tee's bedtime. So I will have to decline that invite also.
But this post is not about party invites it is about goody bags being handed out at school. Parents are allowed to bring in a special treat on their child's birthday, which I am ok with. But in the last 2 weeks, Tee has brought home 4 goody bags. Yes, 4 bags full of candy and junk. Two of the bags had whistles in them, which I despise most of all.
I wish I could tell these parents that I really think the goody bags are a bad idea.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
2 Days and counting
I woke up to a surprise on Wednesday morning when the ground was covered in snow. We all were expecting the snow to move in Wednesday evening into Thursday. So school was canceled on Wednesday. The boys had a good time playing outside in the morning.
Jay's great snowman. He got creative and made the eyes, nose and mouth of snow.
Tee going down the hill!
Jay sledding on a purple sled!
E speeding down the hill on a blow up tube....definitely the best.
A huge lunch was consumed by all boys in this house. Hopefully, that means good sleepers tonight.
Now it is a waiting game to see what will happen for tomorrow. In my excursion today (yes, I had to get out of the house for a little while) I noticed many of the neighbor hood streets are not very clear. So unless there is a lot of work done this evening I am thinking that school is iffy for tomorrow.
E could not get his snowman to work.
Tee had fun making his castle in the snow!
Jay's great snowman. He got creative and made the eyes, nose and mouth of snow.
Wednesday evening into Thursday we got some additional snowfall. So again no school today! The neighbor and I took the kids down the road to the big hill to go sledding. We spent a good hour and a half sledding. The kids had to trek back up the hill every time they went down.
Tee going down the hill!
Jay sledding on a purple sled!
E speeding down the hill on a blow up tube....definitely the best.
A huge lunch was consumed by all boys in this house. Hopefully, that means good sleepers tonight.
Now it is a waiting game to see what will happen for tomorrow. In my excursion today (yes, I had to get out of the house for a little while) I noticed many of the neighbor hood streets are not very clear. So unless there is a lot of work done this evening I am thinking that school is iffy for tomorrow.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Decisions Decisions....
I remember being so happy last year after I made the decision to have Tee go to our church preschool. I had visions that it would be very similar to the preschool experience that his brothers had. It was a warm environment with such wonderful teachers.
I really had great hopes for the preschool and the beginning seemed to go really well. The lead teacher seemed very organized with great ideas. She seemed to do ok with the kids.
There was one instance where she did talk with me regarding Tee. She apparently had to get a little firm with him, which I think she raised her voice and he started to cry. He is a very sensitive child and does not typically need a raised voice. But she said they hugged it out.
I started wondering about the preschool sometime before Christmas. The lead teacher seemed like a downer all the time. The kids are allowed to enter the room around 9:05 and many times she was not in the room yet. I understand her start time is later, not sure why. Many times us parents will pass her as we are leaving and she is walking as slow as molasses with no pep in her step. She is with kids all morning....I think she should be full of energy.
The lead teacher is very attractive and dresses to the nines to teach preschool. As much as I don't like to think this, it does give the impression that she is not on the floor with the kids or interacting with them as they do art projects.
Oh wait, I don't know that they do many art projects. Last year, Tee brought home an art project just about every day. They also had projects hanging around the room. So yes, this is a big problem for me. One main reason I send him to preschool is for him to be exposed to different types of projects. Facts are that we don't have much time to do them at home. I feel like tuition is high enough to cover the cost of art projects.
I had considered leaving the preschool and trying to get him into another preschool. I know several families that are not returning. One of my friends went back and forth on what to do. She eventually decided to go to another preschool and ended up getting a teacher with a good reputation.
After a lot of thought I decided that I was going to stay and try to institute change. I just felt like I could not leave for a few reasons. Tee would not have been at the same preschool for more than one year. I did not want the stress of having to decide what preschool he would go to. In the end, I decided that he is safe, has fun and is learning all at the same time.
So before my friend decided she was leaving, she had a talk with the director. The director is in place until a new director is named at some point in the future. The original director got fired, which was a good thing for the preschool. So she discussed her concerns with her, basically everything I have mentioned above.
Apparently the director spoke with the teacher and repeated verbatim what this mom said. How do I know? The teacher has approached some parents and asked them if they spoke to the director. How wrong is this? Now the Mom thinks she knows it was here as she had a situation on Friday where the teacher did not look at the Mom or at the child.
What is really bad is I had another friend ask me about the preschool today. I honestly had a hard time answering her question. So as I struggled for what to say, she said that is what I keep getting from people. So the reputation has started that it is not a good program.
Fortunatly, I know the president of the board. I do plan on having an off the record conversation with her because if anyone can institute change she can. Although she did hire the first director.
Lots has been going on......will update more tomorrow.
I really had great hopes for the preschool and the beginning seemed to go really well. The lead teacher seemed very organized with great ideas. She seemed to do ok with the kids.
There was one instance where she did talk with me regarding Tee. She apparently had to get a little firm with him, which I think she raised her voice and he started to cry. He is a very sensitive child and does not typically need a raised voice. But she said they hugged it out.
I started wondering about the preschool sometime before Christmas. The lead teacher seemed like a downer all the time. The kids are allowed to enter the room around 9:05 and many times she was not in the room yet. I understand her start time is later, not sure why. Many times us parents will pass her as we are leaving and she is walking as slow as molasses with no pep in her step. She is with kids all morning....I think she should be full of energy.
The lead teacher is very attractive and dresses to the nines to teach preschool. As much as I don't like to think this, it does give the impression that she is not on the floor with the kids or interacting with them as they do art projects.
Oh wait, I don't know that they do many art projects. Last year, Tee brought home an art project just about every day. They also had projects hanging around the room. So yes, this is a big problem for me. One main reason I send him to preschool is for him to be exposed to different types of projects. Facts are that we don't have much time to do them at home. I feel like tuition is high enough to cover the cost of art projects.
I had considered leaving the preschool and trying to get him into another preschool. I know several families that are not returning. One of my friends went back and forth on what to do. She eventually decided to go to another preschool and ended up getting a teacher with a good reputation.
After a lot of thought I decided that I was going to stay and try to institute change. I just felt like I could not leave for a few reasons. Tee would not have been at the same preschool for more than one year. I did not want the stress of having to decide what preschool he would go to. In the end, I decided that he is safe, has fun and is learning all at the same time.
So before my friend decided she was leaving, she had a talk with the director. The director is in place until a new director is named at some point in the future. The original director got fired, which was a good thing for the preschool. So she discussed her concerns with her, basically everything I have mentioned above.
Apparently the director spoke with the teacher and repeated verbatim what this mom said. How do I know? The teacher has approached some parents and asked them if they spoke to the director. How wrong is this? Now the Mom thinks she knows it was here as she had a situation on Friday where the teacher did not look at the Mom or at the child.
What is really bad is I had another friend ask me about the preschool today. I honestly had a hard time answering her question. So as I struggled for what to say, she said that is what I keep getting from people. So the reputation has started that it is not a good program.
Fortunatly, I know the president of the board. I do plan on having an off the record conversation with her because if anyone can institute change she can. Although she did hire the first director.
Lots has been going on......will update more tomorrow.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
A running start to the year
The new year started and we were off once again to our busy schedule. School work is a little heavier this year. In addition, we are back to practicing baseball 2 times a week and basketball is 2 times a week (one practice and one game).
The husband scurried the first week of the year to get Pinewood Derby cars completed. This was his first attempt at Derby cars and the cars ended up looking really nice although they were not very fast on the track. E was a little disappointed but Jay handled it a little better.
E holding up his car!
E was very happy to get a trophy for a best in show!
Jay's bat mobile looking car!
I have enrolled Tee back in soccer for another 5 sessions. He is adamant about playing. We have a new teacher this time and he is really funny and the kids love him. He definitely has more parent involvement and the kids love that as well. We are going to sign him up for baseball in the spring. He can not play soccer on a team until he is five. No we are not trying to steer him into any particular sport....
The husband scurried the first week of the year to get Pinewood Derby cars completed. This was his first attempt at Derby cars and the cars ended up looking really nice although they were not very fast on the track. E was a little disappointed but Jay handled it a little better.
E holding up his car!
E was very happy to get a trophy for a best in show!
Jay's bat mobile looking car!
The husband learned a lot during this process and has some ideas to improve the cars for next year.
The boys have been enjoying scouts. They are close to earning their next rank. The ceremony is held in early February and I am helping organize the event.
Since the beginning of the year, I have been to two sporting events. The husband had a work function in the suite for a Ravens football game. He was able to get two additional tickets so that the older boys could attend as well. Jay was in heaven as he is a really big football fan. E enjoyed himself also but doesn't love the game as much as his brother. It was a cold day so I stayed inside the suite and E joined me for a good portion. It was nice to be able to attend the game and what a way to watch.
This past weekend, the husband and I got away for a night. It is so nice to have my niece in town and able to watch the kids for us. During the holidays, my husband's work had an auction. He bid and won tickets to the Washington Wizards game. Not just any tickets, coaches tickets. The seats are on the floor right behind the players and access to food and drink. The game was really fun. The guys are so tall and we were so close.
A picture from the game.
A picture from the game.
We stayed in Georgetown, actually arrived around lunch time. After checking into our hotel, we were able to walk around a little and had lunch. I kept seeing everyone with bags from Georgetown cupcakes. I thought that the cupcakes had to be really good so we searched and found them. There was a really long line waiting to purchase cupcakes. We weren't going to stand in line but definitely will look into it next time.
I have enrolled Tee back in soccer for another 5 sessions. He is adamant about playing. We have a new teacher this time and he is really funny and the kids love him. He definitely has more parent involvement and the kids love that as well. We are going to sign him up for baseball in the spring. He can not play soccer on a team until he is five. No we are not trying to steer him into any particular sport....
It is only mid-January???????
Monday, January 3, 2011
It's a new year
In our house New Years is also the husband's birthday. So we started the day taking the husband out to breakfast. We did a little shopping, mainly for me although we did manage to get a few things for my husband too.
The evening was quiet at home just us. I made a lasagna and cheesecake in honor of the husband's birthday.
I typically have a dinner party at my house but a neighbor decided she wanted to have one at her house this year. Her invitation was for 7:30 for dinner and drinks. Tee's bedtime is no later than 7:30. I feel like sleep is really important and keeping Tee up way past his bedtime is not worth it in my book. Had the party been here he would have been put to sleep at his usual time. So we spent the night as a family.
After Tee went to sleep we played a few games. Rummikub is one that we have been playing a lot lately. It is definitely a thinking game and the boys are slowly getting it. The husband and I have been playing a fun card game, Five Crowns. Ok, he did beat me badly but I am not giving up. I am going to get him soon.
The start of the new year always makes me want to get organized. I have been working hard on my office. The office has been disastrous for some time and I need to work on keeping it all together. We did manage to sort through some games/toys. We weeded out a little and put away new games.
As far as a new years resolution....the only one I am making is to not make one.
I can tell you that many people made the resolution to get back to the gym. My kick boxing class was jam packed this morning. Barely enough room to move around. I can't wait until February when those resolutions are thrown out by the wayside and the class size is smaller.
We are hoping for a blessed and healthy new year for us and those around us.
The evening was quiet at home just us. I made a lasagna and cheesecake in honor of the husband's birthday.
I typically have a dinner party at my house but a neighbor decided she wanted to have one at her house this year. Her invitation was for 7:30 for dinner and drinks. Tee's bedtime is no later than 7:30. I feel like sleep is really important and keeping Tee up way past his bedtime is not worth it in my book. Had the party been here he would have been put to sleep at his usual time. So we spent the night as a family.
After Tee went to sleep we played a few games. Rummikub is one that we have been playing a lot lately. It is definitely a thinking game and the boys are slowly getting it. The husband and I have been playing a fun card game, Five Crowns. Ok, he did beat me badly but I am not giving up. I am going to get him soon.
The start of the new year always makes me want to get organized. I have been working hard on my office. The office has been disastrous for some time and I need to work on keeping it all together. We did manage to sort through some games/toys. We weeded out a little and put away new games.
As far as a new years resolution....the only one I am making is to not make one.
I can tell you that many people made the resolution to get back to the gym. My kick boxing class was jam packed this morning. Barely enough room to move around. I can't wait until February when those resolutions are thrown out by the wayside and the class size is smaller.
We are hoping for a blessed and healthy new year for us and those around us.
Christmas and beyond
It came and went in the blink of an eye. I really felt discombobulated this Christmas. I am normally organized and have all the gifts in one place with a list of everything we have. Well, I had stuff all over the house but in the end it all got done. I was able to send cookies home to my parents although not as many as I typically send and all gifts were mailed on time.
We attended service on Christmas eve and had a nice Christmas dinner. It was an early evening for us so that Santa could work his magic.
The tree with Santa gifts and the gifts from families and friends under the tree.
Santa does not wrap gifts for the boys.
The typical morning picture of the boys on the steps before going out for a peek. In my family, my parents would make us come out one at a time. They wanted to see each of our reactions to the gifts we received. I am the last of 5.....so I would be waiting in the hall dying to be the next one out. We let the boys see their gifts at the same time.
We always have to get a goofy picture for every nice picture.
Jay went straight for the Itouch he received.
E wanted to check out his stocking first.
Tee was excited about his cars!
Opening presents
Lots of presents.
The ping pong table has been a big hit. We all have played a lot.
We attended service on Christmas eve and had a nice Christmas dinner. It was an early evening for us so that Santa could work his magic.
The tree with Santa gifts and the gifts from families and friends under the tree.
Santa does not wrap gifts for the boys.
The typical morning picture of the boys on the steps before going out for a peek. In my family, my parents would make us come out one at a time. They wanted to see each of our reactions to the gifts we received. I am the last of 5.....so I would be waiting in the hall dying to be the next one out. We let the boys see their gifts at the same time.
We always have to get a goofy picture for every nice picture.
Jay went straight for the Itouch he received.
E wanted to check out his stocking first.
Tee was excited about his cars!
Opening presents
Lots of presents.
The ping pong table has been a big hit. We all have played a lot.
Christmas day was a lazy sort of day. I think we stayed in our pjs all day and played with toys. We enjoyed a little white stuff in the morning but nothing stuck. What a great day!
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