I almost forgot to add the other wonderful thing that happened today.
My younger dd climbed up on my lap and gave me a hug and then looked at me:
"Mommy, you're boo-tee-full!" she said, with much enthusiasm and sincerity.
Just sweet, sweet!
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Sweet Happenings ....
Today was a fun day. Some sweet things happened.
One thing I enjoyed was staying awhile with my oldest dd at her preschool for awhile before heading off to run some errands.
Because the preschool is a co-op, parents can come and go as they please. So, this mommy hung out with her oldest dd for awhile, who was thrilled to show mommy around the classroom. It was like being three again along with her :)
Dd rushed straight to a puzzle upon entering the room and showed me the puzzle and we sat together in little chairs and laughed together while she changed different pieces around to make a teddy bear's pants different colors, his head various facial expressions, his torso various shirt colors ....
Then, she ran over to another part of the room and showed me a selection of very cute and colorful magnifying glasses. We spent some time examining various things on the floor and in the room. She was so excited! I loved her excitement. I love how she can be so free in this classroom to learn and discover.
Soon, it was time for circle time. We did the calendar and the weather and we learned about beavers. DD called out an answer about beavers that was correct and I didn't even know the answer to the question .... something about beavers and ponds ... perhaps she learned this from television? The kids made beaver lodges/houses for the craft later, using yeast/dough balls and sticks and leaves from the outdoors. I love the variety in crafts this school offers. I left when the craft began.
Then I had to get my TB test done so that I can participate in her class soon as an official parent helper. Then, off for a bagel and diet coke .... alone .... heavenly! Then to the dollar store, where I found some cheap and fun goods ... stickers, pipe cleaners, glitter, picture frames that kids can color, plastic forks, antibacterial hand gel, cheap and useful things ....
It was also fun to pick up my younger dd at her preschool later in the morning. The extended day teacher told me that my younger dd was just sweet and so bright and articulate. Yep, that is her! I am proud of my girls. They are great together and they thrive on their own as well. Just sweet, sweet times!
One thing I enjoyed was staying awhile with my oldest dd at her preschool for awhile before heading off to run some errands.
Because the preschool is a co-op, parents can come and go as they please. So, this mommy hung out with her oldest dd for awhile, who was thrilled to show mommy around the classroom. It was like being three again along with her :)
Dd rushed straight to a puzzle upon entering the room and showed me the puzzle and we sat together in little chairs and laughed together while she changed different pieces around to make a teddy bear's pants different colors, his head various facial expressions, his torso various shirt colors ....
Then, she ran over to another part of the room and showed me a selection of very cute and colorful magnifying glasses. We spent some time examining various things on the floor and in the room. She was so excited! I loved her excitement. I love how she can be so free in this classroom to learn and discover.
Soon, it was time for circle time. We did the calendar and the weather and we learned about beavers. DD called out an answer about beavers that was correct and I didn't even know the answer to the question .... something about beavers and ponds ... perhaps she learned this from television? The kids made beaver lodges/houses for the craft later, using yeast/dough balls and sticks and leaves from the outdoors. I love the variety in crafts this school offers. I left when the craft began.
Then I had to get my TB test done so that I can participate in her class soon as an official parent helper. Then, off for a bagel and diet coke .... alone .... heavenly! Then to the dollar store, where I found some cheap and fun goods ... stickers, pipe cleaners, glitter, picture frames that kids can color, plastic forks, antibacterial hand gel, cheap and useful things ....
It was also fun to pick up my younger dd at her preschool later in the morning. The extended day teacher told me that my younger dd was just sweet and so bright and articulate. Yep, that is her! I am proud of my girls. They are great together and they thrive on their own as well. Just sweet, sweet times!
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Preschool Update
Overall, the new preschool situation is going well. When I explain it to people, I know it sounds confusing. But the schedule is working out just perfectly for us so far.
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I drop my youngest off at her preschool first and then drop off my oldest at her preschool (the schools are a 12-minute drive apart). School #1 begins at 9 a.m. and School #2 begins at 9:30 a.m.
Later, I can pick my youngest dd up anytime between 11:15 a.m. and Noon. And my oldest daughter must be picked up by 11:30 a.m. (When I participate in the Co-op, I will pick my youngest up at Noon to give me all of the necessary time to participate in class that day).
So, on a day when I am not participating in the Co-0p, I can get nearly a full two hours to myself (two hours if you count driving time, which I don't).
On Fridays, only my oldest dd goes to school, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
I love both of these schools. And all of the involved teachers have taught my ds also at some point, which is kind of neat.
I like the shorter hours but more frequent times per week for the girls. I feel that works better for them. It offers just enough fun and learning, and then off back home we go! I also like how we aren't going to a preschool every day of the week. Mondays and Wednesdays are preschool free and open to do as we choose in the mornings.
The girls don't mind at all being separated for preschool and I am over that issue myself. I love how my younger dd will have a chance to develop her leadership skills among her peers, since she is always in the "younger" seat here at home.
And I love how my older dd will have a chance to play and learn independently of her sister for a few hours a day three times per week. (Her class tends to be on the young side, so I don't know if her leadership role will be challenged there too much ... but, it is always good to gain experience interacting with other children.)
I do worry some about the differences in the art offered at the preschools. One school is hands-off with the art .... children do all their own art and it's all about the process. The other school assists the children more closely. So, the art that comes home with each girl is dramatically different looking.
My youngest dd is bringing home realistic-looking squirrels and a replica of a Clifford dog complete with moving ears, while my oldest brings home sheets of painted blobs and scribbles, etc. I just hope one child won't get jealous of the other child's art. I do like how both schools treat the art. They don't do the art for the kids or expect perfection. I am actually partial to the art that is not aided in any way by the adults. I always know at the Co-op that my child did it all by him/herself!
Also, one school has a swing set and the other school doesn't. I hope this does not pose a problem in the future. But, I am hoping the frequent swing set exposure will have my oldest dd pumping her feet on the swings soon. That is all it will take to have both girls pumping their legs by next Summer! (My youngest will do everything in her power to keep up with her sister, so I am not worried about her learning later.)
Next year, my plan is to put both girls in the Co-op. The only negative with that is going everday to school. But, that is a whole year away and not something to be decided for sure any time soon.
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I drop my youngest off at her preschool first and then drop off my oldest at her preschool (the schools are a 12-minute drive apart). School #1 begins at 9 a.m. and School #2 begins at 9:30 a.m.
Later, I can pick my youngest dd up anytime between 11:15 a.m. and Noon. And my oldest daughter must be picked up by 11:30 a.m. (When I participate in the Co-op, I will pick my youngest up at Noon to give me all of the necessary time to participate in class that day).
So, on a day when I am not participating in the Co-0p, I can get nearly a full two hours to myself (two hours if you count driving time, which I don't).
On Fridays, only my oldest dd goes to school, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
I love both of these schools. And all of the involved teachers have taught my ds also at some point, which is kind of neat.
I like the shorter hours but more frequent times per week for the girls. I feel that works better for them. It offers just enough fun and learning, and then off back home we go! I also like how we aren't going to a preschool every day of the week. Mondays and Wednesdays are preschool free and open to do as we choose in the mornings.
The girls don't mind at all being separated for preschool and I am over that issue myself. I love how my younger dd will have a chance to develop her leadership skills among her peers, since she is always in the "younger" seat here at home.
And I love how my older dd will have a chance to play and learn independently of her sister for a few hours a day three times per week. (Her class tends to be on the young side, so I don't know if her leadership role will be challenged there too much ... but, it is always good to gain experience interacting with other children.)
I do worry some about the differences in the art offered at the preschools. One school is hands-off with the art .... children do all their own art and it's all about the process. The other school assists the children more closely. So, the art that comes home with each girl is dramatically different looking.
My youngest dd is bringing home realistic-looking squirrels and a replica of a Clifford dog complete with moving ears, while my oldest brings home sheets of painted blobs and scribbles, etc. I just hope one child won't get jealous of the other child's art. I do like how both schools treat the art. They don't do the art for the kids or expect perfection. I am actually partial to the art that is not aided in any way by the adults. I always know at the Co-op that my child did it all by him/herself!
Also, one school has a swing set and the other school doesn't. I hope this does not pose a problem in the future. But, I am hoping the frequent swing set exposure will have my oldest dd pumping her feet on the swings soon. That is all it will take to have both girls pumping their legs by next Summer! (My youngest will do everything in her power to keep up with her sister, so I am not worried about her learning later.)
Next year, my plan is to put both girls in the Co-op. The only negative with that is going everday to school. But, that is a whole year away and not something to be decided for sure any time soon.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
It's about ME!
"The real magic wand is the child's own mind."—Jose Ortega Y Gasset
I have decided that my feelings about the Co-op are something I must listen to ... and follow. I was hearing the message, but I wasn't getting it quite clearly enough to know what to do with it. Now, I am going to go with it ...
There are many synchronicities, coincidences and nudges (God Winks) involved in this decision for me ... it's not just about preschool for my child/children.
* It's about ME getting involved again in something I am passionate about (AND about the way I think my oldest dd enjoys learning best.)
* It's about ME needing more like-minded adults, in real life, to spend time with and/or build relationships with (while still hanging out with our children). Many Co-op moms are stay-at-home moms or moms who have some time off during the 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. work week.
* It's about ME not wanting to look back at my dds' preschool years and feel like I missed this opportunity with them that I will never be able to get back. The time I spent with my ds in the Co-op years ago was very special to me, even though it was not easy street by any means. No other year of parental school involvement since then has been anywhere close to that same experience. PTO involvement is just not the same thing.
* It's about ME needing a life outside of this house, but one that also includes my full-time role with my children.
Sometimes, it's about ME. Once I figured that part out, the rest made perfect sense =)
I have decided that my feelings about the Co-op are something I must listen to ... and follow. I was hearing the message, but I wasn't getting it quite clearly enough to know what to do with it. Now, I am going to go with it ...
There are many synchronicities, coincidences and nudges (God Winks) involved in this decision for me ... it's not just about preschool for my child/children.
* It's about ME getting involved again in something I am passionate about (AND about the way I think my oldest dd enjoys learning best.)
* It's about ME needing more like-minded adults, in real life, to spend time with and/or build relationships with (while still hanging out with our children). Many Co-op moms are stay-at-home moms or moms who have some time off during the 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. work week.
* It's about ME not wanting to look back at my dds' preschool years and feel like I missed this opportunity with them that I will never be able to get back. The time I spent with my ds in the Co-op years ago was very special to me, even though it was not easy street by any means. No other year of parental school involvement since then has been anywhere close to that same experience. PTO involvement is just not the same thing.
* It's about ME needing a life outside of this house, but one that also includes my full-time role with my children.
Sometimes, it's about ME. Once I figured that part out, the rest made perfect sense =)
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
OCD or something ....
I have to wonder if I have extreme OCD or something ....
I know I mentioned that in the past, I did Co-op preschool with my son, who is nearly 12 now. It was a big part of our lives back in those early days of his life. I was even the president of the Co-op for the last year he attended. I feel certain that I must have been a different person back then. My needs are so different now. My level of parenting experience is also certainly different. And I know better now than to sign up for a Co-op!
But my heart is hurting that I am not doing this with dd#1. I cannot get it out of my mind and I wish I knew why I was not able to let this go. Is this some sort of message? A God Wink? Or am I just obsessed about this one issue because of some unknown strange quirk in my persona?! Am I a loon in need of a trip to the crazy bin?!
Co-op preschool is A LOT of work for the parents, even if only one child is in the school. Co-op preschool would offer me ZERO break to speak of seeing as both of my little ones cannot be in the same class for reasons I don't agree with personally. And WHY would I want two children in the Co-op at the same time is especially insane anyway.... because I DON'T!
But I keep thinking about it and even strategizing the idea of it. There are no openings there for my youngest child right now anyway. There IS a place she could go when dd#1 is in the Co-op and while I work there twice per month though. The girls don't mind being separated ... but my heart also wants them together .... it is a war within the heart ....
I don't want to do all that work the Co-op requires ... the garage sale, playground safety day, whatever job I get assigned (always a lot of work), yard work, information fairs ....
And dd#1 does not even need any of this because she plays really well right here at home with her sister and with others who occasionally come over. So, I do not understand what my issue is here .... but it is annoying me almost to the point of just wanting to put dd#1 into the school to just get it out of my system!
I am not going to do this. I am not going to do this. I am not going to do this. Yes, I am a nutcase!
I know I mentioned that in the past, I did Co-op preschool with my son, who is nearly 12 now. It was a big part of our lives back in those early days of his life. I was even the president of the Co-op for the last year he attended. I feel certain that I must have been a different person back then. My needs are so different now. My level of parenting experience is also certainly different. And I know better now than to sign up for a Co-op!
But my heart is hurting that I am not doing this with dd#1. I cannot get it out of my mind and I wish I knew why I was not able to let this go. Is this some sort of message? A God Wink? Or am I just obsessed about this one issue because of some unknown strange quirk in my persona?! Am I a loon in need of a trip to the crazy bin?!
Co-op preschool is A LOT of work for the parents, even if only one child is in the school. Co-op preschool would offer me ZERO break to speak of seeing as both of my little ones cannot be in the same class for reasons I don't agree with personally. And WHY would I want two children in the Co-op at the same time is especially insane anyway.... because I DON'T!
But I keep thinking about it and even strategizing the idea of it. There are no openings there for my youngest child right now anyway. There IS a place she could go when dd#1 is in the Co-op and while I work there twice per month though. The girls don't mind being separated ... but my heart also wants them together .... it is a war within the heart ....
I don't want to do all that work the Co-op requires ... the garage sale, playground safety day, whatever job I get assigned (always a lot of work), yard work, information fairs ....
And dd#1 does not even need any of this because she plays really well right here at home with her sister and with others who occasionally come over. So, I do not understand what my issue is here .... but it is annoying me almost to the point of just wanting to put dd#1 into the school to just get it out of my system!
I am not going to do this. I am not going to do this. I am not going to do this. Yes, I am a nutcase!
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