Did I mention how patient she is? After two hours, she was still all smiles when the doctor walked in.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Can You Guess. . .
While waiting TWO hours to see the doctor, Adeline and I had some quality time together. Can you guess what she is doing?
She is demonstrating how Jet flies through space with his oxygen tanks! Never a dull moment.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Happy Valentine's Day and a Little Vegas Love
Today was crazy. The twins attended Lila's party in the morning and Adeline's in the afternoon. After a full day of partying, they took a dip in the pool for their weekly swim lesson. This is no joke kind of lesson where I often hear, "Lila, you can't play under the water until the end of the lesson." They swim without stopping for 30 minutes. Needless to say, I brought home two very tired girls.
Not to worry, they weren't too tired for their Valentine's Day mailboxes. Here they are waiting for Alex and I to bring in the mailboxes while trying to keep their eyes shut.
Feeling the love for. . .
Astronauts (We still wear bibs at dinner time. They will hold this against me. Therapy awaits us all.)
Chocolate hidden deep in the mailboxes.
and Ducks.
Since they were all so pooped, I didn't dare ask for a group photo. I'm kind of glad I didn't. It gave me time to zoom in on this beautiful Valentine. She makes my heart HAPPY!
And to top off a great night of chocolate and lounging in jammies while reading tons of stories, the girls were showered in love. . . Vegas style. Thanks Parker and Paige! Miss Adeline loves her firefighter suit. xoxo
Space travel may just have to wait while Adeline works to extinguish fires.
Not to worry, they weren't too tired for their Valentine's Day mailboxes. Here they are waiting for Alex and I to bring in the mailboxes while trying to keep their eyes shut.
Feeling the love for. . .
Astronauts (We still wear bibs at dinner time. They will hold this against me. Therapy awaits us all.)
Chocolate hidden deep in the mailboxes.
and Ducks.
Since they were all so pooped, I didn't dare ask for a group photo. I'm kind of glad I didn't. It gave me time to zoom in on this beautiful Valentine. She makes my heart HAPPY!
And to top off a great night of chocolate and lounging in jammies while reading tons of stories, the girls were showered in love. . . Vegas style. Thanks Parker and Paige! Miss Adeline loves her firefighter suit. xoxo
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Giving Credit Where Credit is Due
I spend hours worrying and fretting over the twins and their academic success. Because of this, I feel that Savannah doesn't get the credit she deserves. I am too busy agonizing over word rings and reading levels.
I just assume Savannah is at the top of her class. When she brings home evidence to support my assumptions, I'm pleased but not through the roof excited. These achievements have become expectations. Do I dare say that I take them for granted. Ugh... I think I do. Put that on the list for things to change in 2012.
I will say that having a bright child whose behavior is just as superior is my saving grace. What's that saying? "God only gives you that which you can handle.".
In effort to remind myself how lucky I am, here is a little shout out to my amazing daughter. While most of her class is working diligently to meet the benchmark requirements for addition and subtraction facts, my daughter had met the end of the year benchmarks by September! Here is the latest report. Not much has changed. Not much needs to change. Thank goodness we never had to cut her flash cards apart and make addition and subtraction rings! (double click the picture).
I just assume Savannah is at the top of her class. When she brings home evidence to support my assumptions, I'm pleased but not through the roof excited. These achievements have become expectations. Do I dare say that I take them for granted. Ugh... I think I do. Put that on the list for things to change in 2012.
I will say that having a bright child whose behavior is just as superior is my saving grace. What's that saying? "God only gives you that which you can handle.".
In effort to remind myself how lucky I am, here is a little shout out to my amazing daughter. While most of her class is working diligently to meet the benchmark requirements for addition and subtraction facts, my daughter had met the end of the year benchmarks by September! Here is the latest report. Not much has changed. Not much needs to change. Thank goodness we never had to cut her flash cards apart and make addition and subtraction rings! (double click the picture).
When I Grow Up
Adeline has come a long ways in the pool department. The anti-back girl is now floating on her back for a good five seconds. This is huge progress. Lots of kids hate floating on their backs. In fact, it may be genetic because all three of my girls have been beasts about it when learning to swim. Can I just say that Savannah was kicked out of swim lessons at three due to this very issue.
Miss Adeline is no exception and takes this fear/beastlyness to the next level. We all know it is from her sensory issues and her not quite having a handle on where she is in space. She always struggles with unstable ground which naturally makes floating unthinkable. Just when I was ready to throw in the towel (no pun intended) Adeline learned to float. She is quite proud of this.
As we were driving in the car, Adeline told us all how her swim teacher let go and she floated all by herself. I suggested she tell her other swim teacher (she swims twice a week at two different pools) to let go as well. I got push back.
Adeline: Mom, Miss Nancy wants me to get bigger first. I need to get bigger like Lila.
Me: Adeline, you are just as big as Lila.
Adeline: No. No I'm not. Lila is just a little bit bigger.
She has a point. Trying to explain they are the same age wasn't doing the trick. Bigger is always better when you are a kid. We shall see how this dynamic plays out in the future. I hope Adeline isn't in therapy when she is an adult because she is viewed as our youngest child. Technically, she is older than Lila by four hours! Too bad she is two inches shorter.
Miss Adeline is no exception and takes this fear/beastlyness to the next level. We all know it is from her sensory issues and her not quite having a handle on where she is in space. She always struggles with unstable ground which naturally makes floating unthinkable. Just when I was ready to throw in the towel (no pun intended) Adeline learned to float. She is quite proud of this.
As we were driving in the car, Adeline told us all how her swim teacher let go and she floated all by herself. I suggested she tell her other swim teacher (she swims twice a week at two different pools) to let go as well. I got push back.
Adeline: Mom, Miss Nancy wants me to get bigger first. I need to get bigger like Lila.
Me: Adeline, you are just as big as Lila.
Adeline: No. No I'm not. Lila is just a little bit bigger.
She has a point. Trying to explain they are the same age wasn't doing the trick. Bigger is always better when you are a kid. We shall see how this dynamic plays out in the future. I hope Adeline isn't in therapy when she is an adult because she is viewed as our youngest child. Technically, she is older than Lila by four hours! Too bad she is two inches shorter.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Mommy and Daddy Centers
I had light bulb moment a couple weeks back. It occurred to me that all three of my girls work in centers during their school day. Since they all obviously understand the concept, I figured there must be a good way to use a center format on the home front. And it was in that moment that Mommy and Daddy Centers were born.
Each weekend, Alex and I have a 30 minute center which each of our three girls. We meet with the girls individually; without phones, sisters, or any other distraction that has helped to develop the great multi-taskers that we are.
It works like this - one girl is with Mommy while one girl is with Daddy. The third girl is in the alone time center. In one and a half hours, each child gets a solid 30 uninterrupted minutes of uninterrupted with each parent as well as quiet play time.
They LOVE it. When we tell them to start thinking about what they want to do for their center, their eyes widen, smiles brighten and often we see some jumping up and down with the clapping of hands. These centers could possibly be the most productive 1.5 hours in my week. There is no stress, no confrontation, and no rush. Just pure one on one enjoyment. There is no doubt in my mind that my girls walk away from the centers with full buckets - tanked up with love! It also is a time that fosters great conversations. Whether we talk about Adeline's make believe world of Play-Doh sandwiches that talk (that was today for me) or I am encouraging Lila to try and create something that she is afraid will not turn out right, we are talking! Please God, let the talking continue for years to come.
Today's centers looked like this.
Savannah and I painted silhouette trees and she and Daddy enjoyed some Lego time.
Lila Grace and I played with Play-Doh (clearly, having your hair done before you start centers in not a requirement.) and after, Lila made Rice Crispy Treats with Daddy.
Finally, Adeline and I played Play-Doh (originally, it was going to be drawing together but after seeing Lila's creations spread across the table, Play-Doh became much more enticing.) During her time with Daddy, she worked on perfecting her miles of track she laid in the basement during last week's Daddy Center.
After completing our centers, Alex and I are always in awe of how simple and EASY it is to fill our kids with love and make them feel important. In the past we have always hired a babysitter and taken a child out for some one on one time. This involves money and a time window. After doing centers at home, it is more than clear that the girls prefer one on one time in our house. How often have I promised 30 minutes of uninterrupted play time with Barbies? Uh, never - until last weekend rolled around. These centers take 30 minutes a child, cost nothing and are so rewarding.
I hope that I don't look back on this post and ask myself, "Whatever happened to Mommy and Daddy Centers?" I hope that my kids look back on their childhood and remember these times together.
Each weekend, Alex and I have a 30 minute center which each of our three girls. We meet with the girls individually; without phones, sisters, or any other distraction that has helped to develop the great multi-taskers that we are.
It works like this - one girl is with Mommy while one girl is with Daddy. The third girl is in the alone time center. In one and a half hours, each child gets a solid 30 uninterrupted minutes of uninterrupted with each parent as well as quiet play time.
They LOVE it. When we tell them to start thinking about what they want to do for their center, their eyes widen, smiles brighten and often we see some jumping up and down with the clapping of hands. These centers could possibly be the most productive 1.5 hours in my week. There is no stress, no confrontation, and no rush. Just pure one on one enjoyment. There is no doubt in my mind that my girls walk away from the centers with full buckets - tanked up with love! It also is a time that fosters great conversations. Whether we talk about Adeline's make believe world of Play-Doh sandwiches that talk (that was today for me) or I am encouraging Lila to try and create something that she is afraid will not turn out right, we are talking! Please God, let the talking continue for years to come.
Today's centers looked like this.
Savannah and I painted silhouette trees and she and Daddy enjoyed some Lego time.
Finally, Adeline and I played Play-Doh (originally, it was going to be drawing together but after seeing Lila's creations spread across the table, Play-Doh became much more enticing.) During her time with Daddy, she worked on perfecting her miles of track she laid in the basement during last week's Daddy Center.
After completing our centers, Alex and I are always in awe of how simple and EASY it is to fill our kids with love and make them feel important. In the past we have always hired a babysitter and taken a child out for some one on one time. This involves money and a time window. After doing centers at home, it is more than clear that the girls prefer one on one time in our house. How often have I promised 30 minutes of uninterrupted play time with Barbies? Uh, never - until last weekend rolled around. These centers take 30 minutes a child, cost nothing and are so rewarding.
I hope that I don't look back on this post and ask myself, "Whatever happened to Mommy and Daddy Centers?" I hope that my kids look back on their childhood and remember these times together.
Money for Hawa
We sponsor three children in Senegal. Each child was born during the same month and year as our three girls. The child we sponsor under Savannah's name is Hawa.
Hawa is an eight year old girl living with her mother, father, and younger brother. She doesn't get to go to school. We sent her markers, she sent us back and tiny round dot that she drew on the page, smaller than a dime. Clearly, she never draws or colors. Hawa doesn't own any shoes. She sweeps, helps her mother cook or carries water. These chores fill up a typical day. We hope that our sponsorship affords her the opportunity to attend school in the near future.
Savannah thinks about Hawa often. Recently, she wrote a very long letter explaining Christmas. She tried to help Hawa make sense of bringing trees in houses and putting lights on them. Savannah shared the birth of Christ and drew a detailed nativity scene. She made sure to think of appropriate questions to ask Hawa that would give her meaningful insight to her life. This is hard when you are second grader living a life where all needs are met.
Savannah's bank account totaled just over $100 dollars before Christmas. She kept nagging me about giving her money to Africa. I kept stalling because I didn't want to send her money to an organization and not be able to tell Savannah the specific outcome of her donation. I didn't want to just send a $100 check to a charity. I wanted Savannah to see the fruit of her donation. World Vision gave us me this opportunity in late November. When I was racking my brain for a way to make Savannah's donation real and tangible, I got an email asking if I wanted to donate to our "family" in Africa. The money would go directly toward their greatest need. In fact, World Vision sent a worker out to see Hawa and her family in order to personally assess their greatest needs. This donation was specific to Hawa, not Africa. Savannah was thrilled.
Savannah, gladly drained her bank account and eagerly waited to hear what $100 buys a little girl in Senegal. We finally heard back. We were given a detailed list and a couple photographs of the family with their donated goods. Savannah's money provided simple items like tooth brushes. It also is giving the family an opportunity to create income. They are proud owners of goat which they hope to breed. If this is successful, Savannah's money will continue to multiply.
I am very proud of my girl. She is amazing, absolutely amazing. She is selfless and joyful. If we all had her compassion, imagine what this world would be like.
Hawa is an eight year old girl living with her mother, father, and younger brother. She doesn't get to go to school. We sent her markers, she sent us back and tiny round dot that she drew on the page, smaller than a dime. Clearly, she never draws or colors. Hawa doesn't own any shoes. She sweeps, helps her mother cook or carries water. These chores fill up a typical day. We hope that our sponsorship affords her the opportunity to attend school in the near future.
Savannah thinks about Hawa often. Recently, she wrote a very long letter explaining Christmas. She tried to help Hawa make sense of bringing trees in houses and putting lights on them. Savannah shared the birth of Christ and drew a detailed nativity scene. She made sure to think of appropriate questions to ask Hawa that would give her meaningful insight to her life. This is hard when you are second grader living a life where all needs are met.
Savannah's bank account totaled just over $100 dollars before Christmas. She kept nagging me about giving her money to Africa. I kept stalling because I didn't want to send her money to an organization and not be able to tell Savannah the specific outcome of her donation. I didn't want to just send a $100 check to a charity. I wanted Savannah to see the fruit of her donation. World Vision gave us me this opportunity in late November. When I was racking my brain for a way to make Savannah's donation real and tangible, I got an email asking if I wanted to donate to our "family" in Africa. The money would go directly toward their greatest need. In fact, World Vision sent a worker out to see Hawa and her family in order to personally assess their greatest needs. This donation was specific to Hawa, not Africa. Savannah was thrilled.
Savannah, gladly drained her bank account and eagerly waited to hear what $100 buys a little girl in Senegal. We finally heard back. We were given a detailed list and a couple photographs of the family with their donated goods. Savannah's money provided simple items like tooth brushes. It also is giving the family an opportunity to create income. They are proud owners of goat which they hope to breed. If this is successful, Savannah's money will continue to multiply.
I am very proud of my girl. She is amazing, absolutely amazing. She is selfless and joyful. If we all had her compassion, imagine what this world would be like.
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