I have always believed that education begins in the home. And I take it seriously that, now as a parent, I am a partner in education for my son. A partner that consists of the teacher, myself and Pat. We are a team with the goal of providing Aidan with the best possible education.
We chose Aidan's Preschool, Winwood, with his history in mind. Having been told that he would likely have difficulties and knowing how advanced the education system is in our county, we took time and care in our selection process. So far, we have not been disappointed. Aidan is learning things that are absolutely amazing. He can count to twenty in Spanish and knows his colors in Spanish as well; he understands the concept of gravity and loves the planets and outerspace. He is learning simple math and has weekly lessons on music, daily lessons on the computer, and is encouraged to be a free thinker. And he is defying the early prognosis of having learning difficulties. Love it!
I try to stay in contact with Aidan's teacher, if not on a daily basis, then as often as I can. Pat forgets to ask questions, so he usually doesn't know unless he is told--in fact, love him dearly, he usually has to be reminded to get things out of Aidan's cubby to bring them home! : )
When I found out--Pat told me--that Aidan had started the Bob Books, I was a little surprised that I didn't know because I try to talk to Aidan's teacher so often. So, I pointedly asked her the next day how it was going. Her response should have given me a heads up, but it didn't. She said, "I'm not concerned about Aidan's progress. He is doing fine." I let it go.
A week later, Aidan came home with his first Bob Book, completed and signed by his teacher saying "Good job! I'm proud of you!" He was so excited and immediately sat down and read it to us. . .Twice!! Good boy! He really is sounding things out, too. It's awesome!
So, I was a little surprised, taken aback. . .okay kind of mad. . .when the next day we got his Bi-weekly Progress Report and at the bottom his teacher wrote, "Aidan doesn't show much interest in the Bob Books." What?!?!? Really? Two weeks into this and now she tells me this, even though I had pointedly asked how it was going???? And, given how he had acted when he came home with the book it was a big surprise. I don't like surprises when it comes to Aidan's eduction. . .that partnership in education thing, ya know??
So, I will be taking this Progress Report with me tomorrow when I drop Aidan off and I will ask her to explain. I will also make sure she understands my thoughts about being "partners" in this process and that I don't necessarily want to wait two weeks to find out Aidan is struggling/showing a lack of interest/or doesn't want to do something. Especially when it comes to reading.
Whew!! All aired out. . .thanks for listening!
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Friday, January 14, 2011
Bob Books: A New Frontier
Aidan completed his first Bob Book! He did it in just under two weeks, which isn't bad. I think he'll pick up the pace once he gets used to the sounds that each letter is supposed to make--not that we haven't worked on this before, but it is now in a whole new context.
His teacher sent the completed book home yesterday and we are to try and read it a few times a week with Aidan. Or rather, he is to read it to us. Here is our first attempt from last night:
It's really cute and simple. The sentences are two or three words long and consist of "Mat sat." Or "Mat and Sam". And "Sam sat." I think it works on just a couple of sounds at a time. I know the tag books Grandma and Grandpa got him will help with this as well!
Here is the first completed book:
I'm so excited for Aidan! It's a whole new adventure for him!
In other school news, Aidan is learning about Space right now and has indicated he wants to be a "Space Man" when he grows up. He really love learning about the planets, stars, and all of the Rocket ships that go to space!
His teacher sent the completed book home yesterday and we are to try and read it a few times a week with Aidan. Or rather, he is to read it to us. Here is our first attempt from last night:
Here is the first completed book:
In other school news, Aidan is learning about Space right now and has indicated he wants to be a "Space Man" when he grows up. He really love learning about the planets, stars, and all of the Rocket ships that go to space!
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Sur-Prizes, Wii, Snow, and Glasses!
My husband called me at work yesterday and told me there was a box in the kitchen that had been delivered. . .really?? What is it? I don't know it's addressed to you. Really??? I didn't order anything.
When I got home, I opened the box and inside was this:
No more quiet!
We finally got to Costco and Target and spent our weekly alloted few hundred dollars and are now home catching up on laundry (don't ever skip a day. NOTworth it!) and later I'll fix some spaghetti, salad and garlic bread for dinner. Tonight we'll hang out downstairs and watch the Caps. . .Nice and quiet family day.
Meanwhile, I found Aidan playing on the computer. . .he remembered to put his glasses on!
Doesn't my little dudely look super smart? Well, he is! I didn't know they had already started, but his class began reading this week using the Bob books. As they complete the book and learn some of the words, they have a turtle with the words in sections of the shell that they color in. Aidan has almost completed the first book already!! Yeah Aidan!!! Way to go!!! You'll be getting into Harvard yet. . .but going to UVA!!! ; 0
When I got home, I opened the box and inside was this:
A new coffee machine with some individual Gevalia coffee samples! I apparantly got this thing because I have shopped at Starbucks. That's not the first time I got something for free--years ago I got a case of Pepsi Free because I used to by Diet Coke all the time. Then, more recently, I received a case of Stacy's Pita chips because of my name--Stacy. But, I've never received a coffee machine like this before! Wish now that I had played the Mega Bucks Lottery thing. . . : )
Last night some friends came over, with pizza. After dinner, we set the kids up with a movie and some games in the Rec Room and us adults went on into the Man Cave to play some Wii bowling. What a great time!! I have to laugh because they weren't the first ones to not be too excited at first about playing and then, about a half hour into the game, they say something like "We are soooo getting one of these!!" It is fun. . .Aidan was good about not playing, but I know he would rather have been playing Wii. . .He kept coming to check on how we were doing!
This morning I woke up to a beautiful scene outside. The snow was falling softing and gently. The outside world looked so peaceful. . .
Then the dogs and the boys got up. . .
We finally got to Costco and Target and spent our weekly alloted few hundred dollars and are now home catching up on laundry (don't ever skip a day. NOTworth it!) and later I'll fix some spaghetti, salad and garlic bread for dinner. Tonight we'll hang out downstairs and watch the Caps. . .Nice and quiet family day.
Meanwhile, I found Aidan playing on the computer. . .he remembered to put his glasses on!
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Busyness Continued. . .
Well, so far, 2011 is just as busy as 2010 was. . .but, of course, we are still very early into it!
Aidan woke up very early (5:30) on Monday morning because he was so excited about going back to school! Go figure! And he has been having an awesome week so far. He is really sounding out words now and, I think, is really just on the cusp of exploding into reading. Reading starts in his Pre-K class next week so I can't wait to see how that goes. Grandma and Grandpa gave him some Tag books that will help with some simple words when we are at home. We started reading them and they are really cute with a lot of rhyming. . .Casey Cat has a Hat. It does bring back memories of See Spot Run. . .
We finally picked up Aidan's glasses and his teacher says he does not seem as hesitant with handwriting. I don't know if the glasses are really that helpful or not, but we'll go with it! He only needs to wear them for reading, computer work, and handwriting if he is going to do those activities for 15 minutes or more. I'm glad we got them, though, before he starts reading so there won't be any potential bumps on that road.
Aidan also decided he wanted to sign up for the Ninja class that is being done at his school. It's a beginners karate class and lasts about 1/2 hour each week during school time. He had initially said no to this, but then changed his mind yesterday--the day it started--and so I signed him up. He seems to have liked it and talked about learning how to focus during dinner last night. This could be a good thing!
I've started a new approach to discipline with Aidan, too. We still send him to his room when he has really crossed the line. But, now, after he has had a chance to calm down or to think about it, I go up and talk to him about choices. I ask him to explain what happened and the result and then to think about what could have happened with a different action on his part. I think he is really thinking it through and understands that there are consequences. I noticed him thinking about things more as he was doing things last night. Could be onto something here and I'll keep you informed!
We've put in for our vacation time for the coming year. Two big plans: we're going to take Aidan to Disneyland next summer--I've wanted to wait until he was 5 and I wanted his first Disney experience to be at Disneyland. I am originally from Southern California, so that is kind of important to me. Anyway, should be fun to take him there and to the beach where I grew up--Newport Beach, Balboa, and the fun Zone in Balboa with frozen bananas. . .Awesome!!
We're also thinking we might get away for a few days in December to celebrate our 25th Anniversary. Possible a 4 or 5 day trip to Mexico, and take the kiddo with us. That might be fun!
The main thing about our vacation for this year is that we are having to plan for Aidan's school days now. He starts Kindergarten in August so I have to work with his days off and plan for that. I'm hoping to not have to use his current school, unless I absolutely have to, so I can begin to eliminate that expense--and it will feel soooo good to eliminate that one!
I'm getting used to using the Weight Watchers Online program. It's pretty cool and really lets you see how you are doing all at once. Hopefully, I will stay focused on this and let the program work.
Some friends are coming on Friday for Pizza night and to play Wii. Should be fun! That reminds me, I need to figure out how the pizza will work in my Weight Watchers plan for this week!
Oh, and before I forget, I have scheduled our 3 year post placement visit and report with our Social Worker. I have asked her to get the scoop on what the new requirements will be for the Russians on completed adoptions. My biggest concern right now is if we do need to continue to do post placement visits, who will tell us about that new requirement? Our Social Worker, The State Department, or the Russian Consulate. . .I'd much rather hear about this from our Social Worker than the other choices. AND I'd much rather have her continue to be the one checking on us! She does already know us, after all!
Pictures soon, I promise! Including some of Aidan with the new glasses--he looks sooo grown up!
Aidan woke up very early (5:30) on Monday morning because he was so excited about going back to school! Go figure! And he has been having an awesome week so far. He is really sounding out words now and, I think, is really just on the cusp of exploding into reading. Reading starts in his Pre-K class next week so I can't wait to see how that goes. Grandma and Grandpa gave him some Tag books that will help with some simple words when we are at home. We started reading them and they are really cute with a lot of rhyming. . .Casey Cat has a Hat. It does bring back memories of See Spot Run. . .
We finally picked up Aidan's glasses and his teacher says he does not seem as hesitant with handwriting. I don't know if the glasses are really that helpful or not, but we'll go with it! He only needs to wear them for reading, computer work, and handwriting if he is going to do those activities for 15 minutes or more. I'm glad we got them, though, before he starts reading so there won't be any potential bumps on that road.
Aidan also decided he wanted to sign up for the Ninja class that is being done at his school. It's a beginners karate class and lasts about 1/2 hour each week during school time. He had initially said no to this, but then changed his mind yesterday--the day it started--and so I signed him up. He seems to have liked it and talked about learning how to focus during dinner last night. This could be a good thing!
I've started a new approach to discipline with Aidan, too. We still send him to his room when he has really crossed the line. But, now, after he has had a chance to calm down or to think about it, I go up and talk to him about choices. I ask him to explain what happened and the result and then to think about what could have happened with a different action on his part. I think he is really thinking it through and understands that there are consequences. I noticed him thinking about things more as he was doing things last night. Could be onto something here and I'll keep you informed!
We've put in for our vacation time for the coming year. Two big plans: we're going to take Aidan to Disneyland next summer--I've wanted to wait until he was 5 and I wanted his first Disney experience to be at Disneyland. I am originally from Southern California, so that is kind of important to me. Anyway, should be fun to take him there and to the beach where I grew up--Newport Beach, Balboa, and the fun Zone in Balboa with frozen bananas. . .Awesome!!
We're also thinking we might get away for a few days in December to celebrate our 25th Anniversary. Possible a 4 or 5 day trip to Mexico, and take the kiddo with us. That might be fun!
The main thing about our vacation for this year is that we are having to plan for Aidan's school days now. He starts Kindergarten in August so I have to work with his days off and plan for that. I'm hoping to not have to use his current school, unless I absolutely have to, so I can begin to eliminate that expense--and it will feel soooo good to eliminate that one!
I'm getting used to using the Weight Watchers Online program. It's pretty cool and really lets you see how you are doing all at once. Hopefully, I will stay focused on this and let the program work.
Some friends are coming on Friday for Pizza night and to play Wii. Should be fun! That reminds me, I need to figure out how the pizza will work in my Weight Watchers plan for this week!
Oh, and before I forget, I have scheduled our 3 year post placement visit and report with our Social Worker. I have asked her to get the scoop on what the new requirements will be for the Russians on completed adoptions. My biggest concern right now is if we do need to continue to do post placement visits, who will tell us about that new requirement? Our Social Worker, The State Department, or the Russian Consulate. . .I'd much rather hear about this from our Social Worker than the other choices. AND I'd much rather have her continue to be the one checking on us! She does already know us, after all!
Pictures soon, I promise! Including some of Aidan with the new glasses--he looks sooo grown up!
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Happy New Year!!!
Wow. Here we are welcoming 2011 already!! And what did you do New Year's Eve???
Well, after a nice Lasagna dinner, Daddy gave Aidan a bath and then he headed to bed because he went back to work last night. . .on the Midnight Shift! Aidan wanted to watch Madagascar 2. . .again. . .so Mama set up the ironing board and got caught up on ironing while watching the first two installments of the John Adams series.
Suffice it to say, I was in bed and asleep before 11:00 last night. Feel rested today!
The house is clean, most decorations have been packed and put away, laundry is caught up, and I even cleaned out and organized the desk filing cabinet in the office. My year list also includes organizing the pantry, front guest/craft room and redoing Aidan's bedroom (more on that soon.)
One of our resolutions was to be better about our diet and exercise. We're not getting any younger and we have a little guy to think of. We need to stick around for a while! However, I would hazard to say I shouldn't have told Aidan, who just made me run after him while he rode his bike around the block. . .twice!! Keep up Mama!! I'm beatin you!! : ) Little stinker. . .
Homemade Tacos and Tostadas tonight for dinner. . .I think I earned it with that unscheduled run!
The Caps play the Penguins today for the Winter Classic, but the time was changed due to weather to 8:00. So, the friends that were coming can't now. . .but the game will still be on. Go Caps!! But, that does give us some time to go skating at the ice rink this afternoon. . .
Well, Happy New Year, y'all. Hope 2011 is an awesome one for you and that you do all you hope to, are all you hope and that the road is always easy and smooth.
Well, after a nice Lasagna dinner, Daddy gave Aidan a bath and then he headed to bed because he went back to work last night. . .on the Midnight Shift! Aidan wanted to watch Madagascar 2. . .again. . .so Mama set up the ironing board and got caught up on ironing while watching the first two installments of the John Adams series.
Suffice it to say, I was in bed and asleep before 11:00 last night. Feel rested today!
The house is clean, most decorations have been packed and put away, laundry is caught up, and I even cleaned out and organized the desk filing cabinet in the office. My year list also includes organizing the pantry, front guest/craft room and redoing Aidan's bedroom (more on that soon.)
One of our resolutions was to be better about our diet and exercise. We're not getting any younger and we have a little guy to think of. We need to stick around for a while! However, I would hazard to say I shouldn't have told Aidan, who just made me run after him while he rode his bike around the block. . .twice!! Keep up Mama!! I'm beatin you!! : ) Little stinker. . .
Homemade Tacos and Tostadas tonight for dinner. . .I think I earned it with that unscheduled run!
The Caps play the Penguins today for the Winter Classic, but the time was changed due to weather to 8:00. So, the friends that were coming can't now. . .but the game will still be on. Go Caps!! But, that does give us some time to go skating at the ice rink this afternoon. . .
Well, Happy New Year, y'all. Hope 2011 is an awesome one for you and that you do all you hope to, are all you hope and that the road is always easy and smooth.
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