Celebrating MLK

There have only been a couple of times that Meli has come home so excited about her school lessons, since she has started. One was the life cycle of a plant. Another was sea turtles. The latest one was Martin Luther King Jr.

Her class was learning about MLK day and why we celebrate. She came home so excited. All through dinner she was telling us facts about Dr. King (as she calls him). The weekend before the holiday, we went to the library. She got so excited when she saw a book about him on top of one of the shelves. She decided that she wanted to ask the librarian to help her find a picture book story about him. The one that was on display was more of a non-fiction reference book for kids.

The librarian was so helpful. She was able to find Meli a few books to choose from. I loved that she sat down right away at one of the library tables and started reading one of the books. It is so nice to see when something catches your child's attention. She wanted to learn more and was so fascinated by his life.

One of the books she got was We March by Shane W. Evans.

There does not seem to be a theme to what will grab her interest. I love seeing it though!




                                                  ~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~
                                                           The B Family

On to First Grade...

It is such a big step once you are past the Kindergarten year with kids. All of the sudden they seem to grow over night. Meli seems a little younger than Colin was at the same age, but that could be due to first child. Also, Colin was a little more advanced with communication skills.

I am hoping that Meli will have a great year and will blossom after a few months of her eye therapy. We had a meeting at her school to set up a 504 plan. I think it will help out tremendously. It is just for basic classroom things that will help her out. Her learning has not been affected enough to warrant out of class assistance.

I love watching her transform into this (little) big girl. When she asks me about makeup (poor her for being stuck with a mom who does not wear a lot and knows nothing), or to help me cook, or for some art time. That is my favorite. I find myself trying a little more to wear nail polish or to put on make up. I can tell how much she likes to sit in the bathroom and watch the process.



                                                       ~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~
                                                                The B Family

The 4th Grade Change

My little goobers started school earlier this month. (I started this post the day after school started but have been slammed at work)...

 I am now a mother of a 4th grader, which sounds very different from a mother of a 3rd grader. At least in my mind. He is now at an age where I can remember what I was thinking at that age...just oh boy! Time really moves so fast as a parent. My son is talking to me about "date jackets", girls, and the horror of Trump. When did we get to girls?!? And when did he get such formed opinions?!? 

Definitely mine and Will's son. We are two very opinionated people (although I think we balance well when to share and not to). Our parenting strategy has been to express our opinions to the kids when asked but we try to discuss both sides. We will say what we believe or think, but emphasize the importance of knowing for your self and what your thoughts and beliefs are. We will also touch on the fact that some people would not agree with what we think. We do this with God and the Bible too. I explain that I choose to believe what I do, but not everyone does.  His recent discussion about Trump was prompted by a title he saw of an article about DACA. 

Gone are the days where Will and I can spell out words to each other. We are now adjusting to a child that is a great reader and has a better understanding of right and wrong. He has been reading for a few years now, but he can read the big words and understand what they mean.  Like the other day, I had him text Will while I was driving. Totally forgetting what name I have for Will in my phone.  Colin read to me what Will had texted then says, "My Lover...huh?!" Oh my. 

I was thrown off by the "date jacket" reference. In the picture he is wearing my old OSU jacket from when I was a 3rd/4th grader. I asked him to explain what a "date jacket" was. He said, "you know those jackets guys who play sports wear on dates"...A lettermen's jacket! 

I imagine that we will have some interesting times coming up. Navigating what is age appropriate and different level of understanding. Plus, all that he picks up from his schoolmates. 

A New School Year

School was able to start yesterday in spite of the smoke and poor air quality. They did keep everything in doors for the day and we did have the option to keep them home. I am sure the kids were not thrilled to have indoor recess, but the smoke is fairly bad here right now. 

They had a great first day! I am glad I was able to drop them off (poor planning on me and I had scheduled a meeting for 9:00) and pick them up. 

A first grader and a fourth grader...oh my! I am excited to see what they learn this year, how they grow, and what adventures they take us on in our parenthood journey. Possibly slightly scared, but mostly excited!

I love my babies. Colin looks so much older with his new haircut. Meli is so much more stylish then I ever was. I would have been wearing Colin's outfit at her age! Colin is actually wearing my old jacket. 

I will post some cute stories about the jacket and other recent conversations soon...

                                                     ~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~
                                                                The B Family

He Sure is Chatty

Last week, we went to curriculum night at the kids' school. I thought it was a neat idea. We sat in each of their classrooms for 25 minutes or so, while the teacher went over their schedule and what they use for each subject. Colin's teacher had the best explanation of common core that I have heard. I know  a lot of parents complain about it, but I had not really seen anything as far as Colin's homework in the past. His teacher's explanation totally made sense for math. Part of the goal for it is something I already was trying to do with him. Trying to teach them that instead of doing 99 + 99 wit carrying/borrowing - in your head you could see that 100 + 100 - 2 would get you there faster and without paper. Of course, they will still teach them how to do the other way as well. As of now, I do not see the frustrating part, but he is only in 3rd grade. Maybe it will come at a later grade.

I got their a little early, so I thought I would ask how Colin was doing with his talking and staying on tasks. Two things (cause/effect situation there) that he struggles with. She kind of laughed and said "he sure is chatty". Yes, yes he is. She did not seem irritated by it (yet). So, that is good. I totally know that this was inherited from me. My mom says he does not quite have me beat (I cannot even imagine - my poor parents/grandparents)...but I did not have that issue in school until I got older since I was so shy. Colin so does not have that restraint. I am grateful for that. Even if it means our conference meetings will be all about his talking. Hey, there could be a lot worse behavioral issues to discuss. His teacher last year, who seriously needs to work on tact and a few other things. Thought he had ADHD or something similar. I am not convinced yet. I think it is hard to tell at his age.

The kids just came down to join me in the living room. They were awake, but playing in their room. I managed to sneak past them and get a few quiet moments. Colin has been down for 10 minutes and has narrated the whole cartoon so far. He sure is chatty. 

On to 3rd grade

Our 3rd Grader

Colin had his first day of third grade today. I think this has been the hardest emotionally for me thus far. I think because Meli is our last one starting and 3rd grade is getting a lot older. I remember third grade and that just does not seem so little anymore. 

Our traditional little chalkboard we have used every year is packed in the garage still, so we had to improvise. I hope to find the other before tomorrow. Meli will start Kindergarten on Wednesday. Then she does not go again until Monday. They split the kids over two days and have both teachers spend time with both groups. Then they determine the best fit for each kid based on personality. Trying not to put all of the shy kids in one room, etc. We get to find out who her teacher is Friday.

Almost 9

Colin had a great first day! He seems very excited about 3rd grade! I am having a great time with his age. I love the books he wants to read on his own and ones that I can read to him. We have been reading the BFG and Junie B Jones. We had to take a break from the BFG since it got packed. Darn boxes! So, Meli picked Junie B Jones for her pick, then Colin gets to pick, and then I get to pick one. We will hopefully be starting the Harry Potter series here soon.

Meli Too

Meli wanted her name added and blue balloons. She is obsessed with the color blue. Everything has to be blue. She thinks your favorite color should be your eye color. Which happens to work for our family. Colin and I love green and Will likes blue. She got confused when she tried to tell Grammie that her favorite color has to be brown, which Grammie refused to say was her favorite color. 

Strangely though, Meli keeps telling me that yellow is my favorite color too. Not sure why she thinks that. I am guessing it is because I told her it was such a happy color.

Meli wanted to go with Colin

Our Big Boy

I am sure I will make Colin take more pictures tomorrow, when I have the chalkboard. Stay tuned!