jump up and down

first day, again

This morning we did it again...first day of pre-school for Ned.  I even got him to let me take a picture - just had to tell him that we needed to do one just like we did Peter's last year.  

 

We were lucky to find a small in-home pre-school in our little town.  I debated about starting him at 3, but with his brother gone half of the day, he was already bored to tears last week (really - there were lots of tears last week accompanied by requests to go get Peter) and I knew that's how it would be.  Peter and Ned's school times are both in the morning, so it will also give me time to volunteer in Peter's classroom.  

He was excited to go play with the red firetruck that he found at the open house night a week ago.  I hope he had fun today!

I didn't mean to disappear for a whole week, but with the start of school we were all getting used to a new schedule.  Peter still resists school in the morning, but once the bell rings, he lets me leave him and his biggest disappointment seems to be that he can't ride the bus home.  He doesn't seem to understand that if you only live six blocks from the school, you don't really need to ride the bus.  I found out that his teacher used to work at the developmental pre-school that Peter went to for the last two years, so she's had experience with kids with sensory issues and told me that she "has some ideas" for him.  Hooray for that!

first day

Peter's had his first day of kindergarten yesterday.  There was a small amount of resistance, but after a breakfast of small pancakes that he got to dip in syrup, he perked up and let me take these pictures of him.

He wouldn't let me take any pictures at school, but he was happy to see a desk with his name on it and pencil case with his own set of crayons and pencil.  He let me leave with no problems - he just asked me if I would come and pick him up.  

He was a little upset when I came to get him and I didn't have a chance to talk to his teacher about it right away.  Peter would only tell me that he had cried.  This morning I talked to his teacher and she said that he had cried a little, but that was it.  I really like his teacher - she's so nice and so good with the kids.  I hope this will work out well.  

After a muffin tin lunch, we just relaxed.  We are in a huge PB & J rut for lunch, and I was inspired by Kirsten's recent post to get out of it.  We only have 12 cup muffin tins and I hadn't planned ahead, so only came up with items to fill nine of them.  Neither of the kids finished their food, so I think I will be looking for a couple of 6 cup muffin tins in my thrifting adventures.

Today was actually a little more difficult for Peter - he had a much harder time getting out the door this morning, but he wasn't the only kid in his class that was having a harder time on the second day.  Too bad they won't let Ned go - he's ready!  I think he will be happy next week when his pre-school class starts.

the winner is

There were so few entries that we decided to go with the old fashioned method to choose a winner to the giveaway.  Thank you to those who entered - I really enjoyed reading the memories you shared with me!  I'm trying to decide if I was asking too much of people to have them share their favorite birthday memory or if people are just busy soaking up the last of summer.  Either way, it made it easy to just have Peter hand pick the winner.

And it is Jody!  Congratulations!  Jody mentioned the giveway on Facebook and Twitter, so I her extra entries paid off.  

Now I will go back to enjoying the rest of the day.  Peter starts kindergarten tomorrow - I'm trying not to think about it too much, but I do need to go help him pick out something to wear.  And Ned had his eye muscle surgery on Friday.  He is doing well, in fact he hasn't been very tired or acted like he is in much pain.  He is actually a little off the wall - high energy level, talking at full volume, and going a mile a minute.  I'm assuming this is an effect of some medication he was given or the anesthesia.  It started getting a little better this morning, so hopefully it will continue to wear off in the next little while.  It's hard to keep up with him and keep him from doing things he shouldn't be doing since he did just have surgery two days ago! 

harvest

We picked our first zucchini yesterday.  We have tomatoes, but they are still green.  I suppose we got a late start on our "garden" (really vegetable plants planted in our flower beds) because of our move and it was a cold and wet June.  I'm planning to make some zucchini bread in the next day or two.  

And if you are curious about the "harvest" of our pondering about what to do with Peter's schooling, read on.  If not, this sort of turned into a novel, so you might want to skip it.  

I think this is the hardest decision I have ever made.  It is by far the hardest decision Ryan and I have made as a couple.  There didn't seem to be one clear solution.  I worried and analyzed, thought out and prayed, fretted and discussed, and in the end we came back to where we started.  Peter is going to go to regular kindergarten, half day.  He starts a little over two weeks.  We had seriously considered homeschooling him through an online school (mostly so we could still easily get his therapy services) and that was what I thought we were going to do when I wrote the post last week.  We even had him enrolled in one, but chose regular school mostly for two reasons.  

First - Peter is still really behind in his language.  Past experience has shown us time and again that the best way for Peter to increase his language skills is to be around other people that are typically speaking - Ryan and I don't count for whatever reason.  We used to always hear him use new word combinations when we would come back from visiting family for the weekend.  We also saw a huge improvement in his language after we enrolled him in a pre-school with all typically speaking children last year.  Since we are new to town and this is a small town, if I had homeschooled him, I would have had a very difficult time getting him around other kids on a regular basis.  The kids in Peter's summer school class were all very nice and especially the girls seemed to really like him and want to be his friend.  One day when I took him to class late, a few girls turned to look toward the door and said, "Hi Peter!"  Another girl keeps bringing little things to give to Peter - a band aid, a sticker, etc.  I think this could be really good for him.  

And our other reason for going with the original plan is that Peter is highly resistant to my instruction. We have known this for a while.  I often try to get him to say things for me at home, using a bit of speech therapy at home I guess.  A few months ago he just started saying, "No Mom, I don't want to say that," to me.  I find it hilarious and frustrating.  Since we first considered homeschooling a few weeks ago, I have tried to spend a little time each day doing something similar to what we might have to do for school.  Things have gotten a little better, but he still makes a fairly huge fuss if it isn't something he wants to do.  At school though, he is more than happy to try new things and do tasks that might be hard for him.  One morning before school I was trying to get him to trace letters and he whined and moaned and then when we got to school, the teacher was having the kids trace their names and he picked up his pencil, went right to work, and then said, "Look what I did Mommy!"  We are still going to keep working on this issue at home by doing some motor and sensory play at least three times a week in the afternoons with him and Ned.  We really need to work through this before he starts getting homework!

We found out Peter is going to be in the morning class (which we wanted because he is so much more organized in the morning) and that he will not have the teacher that he had for summer school.  I don't think I ever mentioned that the teacher was a big reason why I was having a hard time with summer school - she was, umm, well, a really big grump.  Shouldn't all kindergarten teachers play the guitar and always wear a sweet smile?  I'm not sure if the teacher Peter has plays the guitar, but I can't imagine her being any more grumpy than the one he had for summer school.  

So, there it is.  I will be able to be in his classroom often because we found a little pre-school for Ned to go to here in town and the two school times overlap (the pre-school teacher planned it purposefully that way - hooray for her!).  We'll give it a go and I hope it goes well.

half

It's seems like there are many half or at least partially finished things around here...

a half finished mini quilt.

a partially finished pile of books (which also includes Einstein Never Used Flashcards, but I left it at speech therapy this morning).

a half finished crochet dishcloth (from a skein of yarn that I thrifted for 10 cents a couple of weeks ago).

an embroidery project...embroidery done, now on to some sewing. 

And an almost finished decision, which is probably why there's so much half finished stuff around here.  I've been thinking a lot about Peter and school next year...maybe obsessing a little too much about it, but I really think these first few years of school can set the tone for the rest of his life.  After that rough start to summer school, Peter did finally survive a day without me and has been doing well since then.  Those first few days were a real eye-opener for me and I was grateful to be there to see what goes on - so many worksheets and so much sitting!  Is this just how kindergarten is now or is it just here?  This is my first experience with it in almost 30 years (when it was me going to kindergarten), so I'm not really sure.  I know Peter is ready for the "academics" of kindergarten (it really seems silly to say that, but I don't really think there is a better term for what kindergartners are expected to know), but I'm not sure he's ready for how it's being taught here.  I assume they do it this way because they are dealing with a large group of students.  We do have some options, each with its pros and cons of course, and I think we've almost come to a decision...more on that later.

before and after: curtain call

I promise I had good intentions to blog a little more often this week - remember how I said Peter was starting summer school this week?  I thought I might have a few more quiet moments at home, just Ned and me.  Well, really I've had a lot more moments sitting on the floor with Ned in Peter's classroom reassuring him that he is fine.  The first day was pretty awful, for both of us.  The second day was better.  Hopefully we'll be on our way next week.

Last Saturday, I woke up at about six in the morning and decided I couldn't take the ugliness of the kitchen curtains anymore (see ugliness above in the "Before" shot).  Seriously, these things are paper thin, 85% polyester scratchy fabric and stained with greasy dust because no one had bothered to wash them.  So, I dragged my feet out of bed and started sewing.  I had my new curtains almost finished by the time the boys woke up at 9 am!  It is so unlike them to sleep this late and it was so nice!

I got the great fabric from Randi's shop - not a great picture here, but this is the only window in that room, so it made getting the lighting right sort of impossible for me, the amateur photographer.  The walls in the kitchen are covered with the ugliest contact paper and there was no way I was going to go the trouble of removing that when we're only living here for a year, so I was trying to work with that color (sort of a beige-salmon).  This fabric did the trick!  I am loving those curtain rings too - they are from IKEA and I've used them on all of the curtains in the house.  I love just making a straight panel and hooking it on the rings - so easy!

I think I am in love!

our summer groove

Living in a house in a small town and adjusting to summer is giving our day to day activities a different rhythm.  I feel like we are stilling getting into the groove here.  It's a good groove though, just one with a few more tasks (mostly taking care of the yard) and a few more diversions for the boys.  I am trying to relax and enjoy summer, and if my sparse blogging is any indication, I've been doing a fabulous job of it!

 

So what have we been up to?  We made strawberry freezer jam yesterday - yum!  And pancakes this morning for the smothering of the jam - yum, yum!  Don't you just love that last bit of jam that's left after you've ladled it into jars?

Peter is seeing two new therapists - a great speech therapist who has training in sensory issues and a new occupational therapist, also with lots of training in sensory issues.   After only two sessions, he knows more about what is going on with this boy than his last OT ever did.  We are excited for the changes and to start some new things to help Peter.  He starts summer school the week after we get back from our 4th of July family visit weekend.  I've been assured that it will be low key and I hope it will gently help him (and me) be ready for kindergarten in the fall.

I finally hung our laundry on our clothesline today.  This feature was definitely on the pro list when we were deciding if we would take this house and it rained so much right after we got here that I hadn't been able to use it.  Then when the rain finally stopped, I was too much in  the habit of using the dryer and didn't make the effort to hang things on the line.  Last week, I was inspired by Kirsten's post and got to it today.  Now, like her, I just need something to put the clothespins in.  I think maybe a clothespin apron...another project to add to the list.

And maybe we will forgive our landlord for having such repugnant taste in home interiors if he continues to bring us fresh vegetables from his garden...maybe.

before and after: the play area

I finally have one area of the house ready to show - our little play area.  The living room is short and wide and naturally separated into two spaces by the front door (which you can't see from the road because of all of the pine trees so everyone comes in the back door anyway, but that's another chapter in the book of this quirky house), so we decided to make half of it into a play area for the kids. 

This is the best before picture I have of the area, taken when we looked at the place the second time.

And the afters....

The Entire Area - the rug was a clearance deal from Target.  I almost paid as much to ship it as I paid for the rug, but still a great deal and covering up as much of the nasty carpet as possible is a must! 

The bookshelves - both were pieces we had before.  The white one is actually one from Ryan's childhood and I painted it white.  It was a dark blue, about the same color as the corner chair in the overview pic above.  I considered keeping it the same color, but after we put up our white bookcase in the living room, we liked the white so much that we decided everything that could possibly be turned white should be painted.

My one splurge for the room was a set of Trofast toy storage units from Ikea.  I knew that if I were going to have most of the toys that close to the living room and dining area that I would need them to be easy to put away and then not seen when they are put away.  My favorite drawer is full of a set of vintage wood blocks I found a couple of months ago.

My wonderful Mom came two weeks before we moved and helped make the curtains.  I was lucky enough to have that ribbon in my stash - a roll I bough when our local Hancock's went out of business.  The top is just white muslin and the bottom is Alexander Henry's Traffic Jam.  The chair is another great thrift find, bought for a whopping $2.25.  I had planned to put it in the bathroom to sit on when bathing the boys, but it didn't fit, so I thought it added a little something here.  I will probably make a cushion for it, but there are so many sewing projects right now that it's on the backburner.

The top shelf of the bookcase is a mini-office space - a vintage aluminum pan I picked up a while back and filled with envelopes, staples, tape, and all those things that the boys love to play with but we can never find if we let them.  The two bread pans are for mail and bills. 

And a bit of decor...the top print is from Candace at Sparkle Power and the bottom is from John W. Golden and both were hanging in other areas of our previous place.  The globe is thrifted - does it count as vintage becuase it still has the USSR on it?  We bought it as a family a week or two before we moved.  You'll see as I show you more of the house that there is a bit of a geography/map theme.

I'm quite pleased with it.  I'll probably add a few more things - maybe some pennant banners over the windows and possibly more artwork, but overall I'm liking the looks and it seems to be functioning well for the boys and for me.

 

three

This little guy turned three on Friday.  He's done a lot of growing up in the last year - potty training,  giving up the binky, and growing out of those terrible twos.  He's still full of sass, which we love, it just includes a little more reason now.  I'm so glad that three years ago, this little guy became a part of our family.

The celebration was pretty low key because of our impending move. 

We enjoyed our favorite chocolate cake,

and a new bicycle.

Happy Birthday Ned! 

reflecting

I'm just popping in here quickly in between finals - psychology final is tomorrow morning and then I'll be free - free to pack and do all of the fun moving stuff:)!  We're managing fairly well this week because Peter's pre-schools are either out for the week or done for the year and there's a whole lot less running around to do.

This morning I went to Peter's end of the year parent-teacher conference at the pre-school that is finished.  This is the one we put him in so he could be around typically speaking kids and is run by our local university.  His teacher actually ended up being one of the professors at the school and if you remember, we had a bit of a rocky start last fall, but I think it has all turned out well.  Peter has made amazing progress this year!  He is actually conversing, asking questions, expecting answers and joining in verbally with others.  And I loved talking to his teacher this morning as she showed me pictures of everything Peter has been doing for the past year.  She sees all the good in him and sees him how Ryan and I do - a kid who is developing fine in every aspect but his speech.  It's so nice to hear that from someone else and see pictures of him doing things at school that I see him do at home.  She showed me that he and another boy enjoyed building block towers and knocking them down together and told me normally she doesn't allow the destruction, but might change her mind as she saw the social benefit of the exercise.  I love a teacher with an open mind like that!  I am sad that we are moving and Ned won't be able to benefit from her wisdom.  She also said that Peter always liked to join in spontaneous story time and there were several pictures with him on the teacher's lap enjoying a good book.  That is amazing to me - Peter has struggled with books and at the beginning of the year, he was still a very reluctant book reader.  He is starting to enjoy them more now, but to actually choose to join in a story time when he could be doing other things is great.  Even until a month or two ago, I was really nervous about sending Peter to kindergarten, but after talking to his teacher today, I think he'll do just fine.  He really is such a great boy!  I'm so lucky to be his mom.

p.s. the picture is from the set that Sandi took in the fall.  Oh how I love how that smile!