Reading and glasses

When school lets out for the summer, the last thing most kids want to think about is any sort of homework. Well Sevea got a summer long homework assignment and we loved the idea. That was until we actually had to follow through and make sure she completed it. She was required to read 1200 minutes total all summer. This roughly calculates to 15 minutes per day. Not so hard when you think of it that way except we only counted her reading to us and then she always wanted a book read to her as well. Being it was summer we were more relaxed on bedtime to begin with and when we finally got the kids ready we couldn’t imagine spending even more time doing so much reading. During the day was hard because summer is all about having fun and playing. So she would have zero enthusiasm to read. I tried to carve out some time at the end of rest time to solve some of the issues. It was a partial success until we figured out the missing piece. I never expected my child going to school would teach me so much as a parent. The biggest thing I’ve learned is that you sometimes have to get creative. What worked one day might not work the next. When I’m frustrated I’ve tried to take a step back and think about the situation and find a better/different approach. You’d think I’d have these skills down pat after doing daycare but daycare provider and parent can be two totally different beasts.

Who knew all it would take was a little snack and she would gladly read. The change in her reading was very noticeable. She read faster and with more enthusiasm even while she was stuffing her face. We then figured out another helpful way to keep her interested…the tablet. I downloaded some free books on it for her and she enjoyed that as well. She is very excited to receive a prize from school and to be eligible to win an ipad. She will also get to pick out a toy that mom and dad will purchase for her since we made a reading deal before we knew about the homework.

With all the reading by mid-summer she was back to complaining about getting headaches. It started towards the end of the last school year but most often she complained about the headaches right at bedtime making us think she was just stalling. (She’s gotten good at thinking of stalling ideas.) Since they returned I made an appointment for the eye doctor. Good thing we brought her in because she did indeed need glasses. Her prescription isn’t an issue but her inner eye muscles are weak causing her to not shift focus from up close to far away quick enough. This is likely the cause of her headaches plus she skips words or has trouble tracking while reading. We’re hopeful that the glasses will help with these issues. Since her prescription isn’t an issue it is possible that she’ll only need them for a year. Mom is hopeful for that because glasses aren’t cheap! Brynna got a new pair of specs too. I’m totally digging the new color and shape.

Start of another school year

It is that time of year once again. Yet it is still August. It is not supposed to be time to go back to school. Shakopee schools this year will start early so they can end early (August 22-May 25). The high school will be getting an addition next summer so we had a short summer this year and will have a long one next summer. It really makes me love the fact that our normal start time is after Labor Day. It’s still summer!! But I’ll just be happy for the extra time next summer. Anywho back to the purpose of this post…we have some kids going to school! Sevea is now in 2nd grade and a total pro at this going to school thing.

The girl who slept in every morning during the summer bounced out of bed ready for school. She was excited for sure. I had trouble keeping her from getting ready too soon. A thankful change from the beginning of school the past two years.

Cohen was also excited for the new school year. He was eligible to start Kindergarten but we decided to hold him back and he’ll start when he is 6 years old. Since he started preschool when he was 3 and went every morning essentially, we chose to send him to all day preschool. He goes to school from 9-3 and the bus will pick him up and drop him off. We figured this was a good transition for him to prepare for Kindergarten. So although he was going back to the same school, it was still a change for him. He gets a lunch packed just like his sister! He gladly got on the bus and had a great first day. I can already tell this year will be a good one for him.

I also have one more kiddo to talk about. No it’s not Brynna. It’s Grayson. I’ve been fortunate enough to spend almost every single day of his 5 years of life with him. Many of those days I was responsible for teaching, loving, caring, and disciplining him just as if he were one of my own kids. Those days included smiles, giggles, whining, crying, frustration and every other emotion that comes along with parenting a child. So of course there were days where I couldn’t wait for this day to come. But when the day actually came it really hit me. I was making lunch and I didn’t need to make him a plate. But why was it hitting me now. Cohen was also gone and not needing a lunch plate. For me when my kids go to Kindergarten it means I won’t see them all day. So I thought why is it not hitting me the same for Cohen. But the big thing for me about Kindergarten, especially after having one kid complete the grade, is that they are truly growing up and this is not just the start of school but the start of a new life for them. They learn and grow so much that first year of school. It is almost like that first year of life. They gain so much independence. From learning how to sit and listen during class to learning how to read and write. Everything in Kindergarten is meant to turn these little kids into less of a kid and inch them one step closer to being an adult. So as I made lunch I thought about Grayson and all that this year meant for him. I cried a couple tears knowing that the little boy I helped raise will be forever changed after that first day of school.

So how did Grayson do? Oh he did great. No tears were shed. He was excited and had a great day. Sevea took on the best cousin role by helping him get on the bus and making sure he found his way at school. No one asked her to do these things but that’s the mom in her. She might just make a good stay at home mom someday :) (Funny thing that is her second option next to staying home and doing nothing…this girl has set really big dreams for herself. But I suppose if she can figure that out but still be able to afford a place to live and all the other necessities, she would be a success in my book!)

Swimming time

One thing all three of our kids love: swimming. Perfect swimming weather meant a “quick” drive to Grandma Appeldorn’s house. These kids could spend all day in the pool…they must take after their dad in that respect. He is so great with them in the water too. I try my best but dad is definitely the go to for fun in the pool. This summer was especially nice for swimming time because Cohen had grown enough to touch in the shallow end of the pool. He was just barely tall enough but he really enjoyed the freedom. Brynna became much more comfortable wearing the puddle jumper and would swim around the pool on her own instead of clinging to us like last year. With swimming lessons planned for all three this year, it will be very interesting to see how much swimming time will change next year.

Party time x 3

Celebrating all three kids birthday’s last year together went so well. I decided to keep that tradition going. The kids don’t mind sharing the day at all so why not make it easier on me as well as the guests. I took a much more relaxed approach to the party last year as well and you know what? The kids had a great time and didn’t miss all the fluff of decorations and themed food and what not. So I made it easier on myself yet again and just focused on providing food and made each kid a cake of their choosing. However instead of cake this year, I made their “cakes” out of either cookie or rice krispy/fruity pebble treats. I bought some cupcakes as well because I just love Sam’s Club cupcakes and I wanted to be selfish :)

Sevea really loves Shopkins so I went on the hunt for a cute cake. While there were many to choose from the Kooky Cookie was a winner for the fact that it is a chocolate chip cookie. Side note: Tell your husband about your plan for the cookie cake. Cutting pieces out of the cookie to look like the Shopkin only makes him think that he can cut another piece off. Said husband almost didn’t make it to the party :) Troy also bought relight candles on accident and it just so happened Sevea had the hardest time with them. She just doesn’t have a lot of hot air to blow I guess.

Cohen is into so many typical boy things that I wasn’t sure what kind of cake he would want. He ended up choosing a Transformers cake. My daycare co-provider Kim traced the design I found and we put it on top of the rice krispy cake. He loved it!

Brynna ended up with a Hello Kitty cake. She isn’t really into one thing. Nor is she into a lot of things. It seems to vary day to day what she really likes. So I started with Hello Kitty since I knew that would be easier on me and she took the bait. Surprising it was that easy considering it is Brynna we are talking about.

While kids love cake, I think presents would be #1 on any kids birthday must have list. While I try to remind my three that the friends and family who come to celebrate with us is a gift in itself, I do love seeing how they light up opening their gifts.

Speaking of those great family and friends…

We couldn’t ask for better people to not only celebrate the birth of these three kids, but to be a great support system for them and us everyday. We’re all very lucky!