Papa arrived Friday night to help us with the unfinished projects around the house. It's help that is desperately needed and greatly appreciated. Out of the kids, Nyla is probably the most excited to have him here. She is the most social and adventurous so company suits her well. Bohdin was sick on Saturday with a fever so he was mostly quarantined. I think Cora is still scowling at him. Progress has been made and soon I'll take pictures. The yard looks much better.
Bohdin wanted to go to N-'s house to play yesterday evening and he went. Nyla followed. He ended up going to the neighborhood lake with N-, N-'s older brother G-, and their dad. I was over at their house keeping an eye on Nyla. One of the neighbor girls followed me over and wanted to play with them as well. She had already come to our house looking for the kids. Bohdin wasn't gone too long and came back almost in tears. I talked to him about it and he was sad about being gone from his family for so long. He missed us. It was a little ironic coming just days from the zoo incident. I understand the feeling though. He'll be ready eventually. It was a big step for him to go like that. Next time will be easier.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Friday, March 16, 2012
Leash
Bohdin had speech therapy early Wednesday morning. It was early for us anyway at 9:30am. Bohdin loved his appointment. I didn't catch as much of it as I had the previous week. She had him do some speech exercises and they talked a bit. I still don't know if it will improve Bohdin's stuttering but we'll keep going for now just because he likes it so much. Being homeschooled, he misses out on the adult interaction that kids get at school so I like it for that reason.
We had gone to the zoo Tuesday afternoon but we didn't have much time so we went again after Bohdin's appointment. The day was so warm that everybody in town with little kids had the same idea as us. The kids really wanted to go to the playground so we went to the nearest one. Nyla had her baby and stroller with us so I didn't want to go to the far one. I was already skeptical about her pushing that thing all around and I didn't want to add a hill for her. When we reached the playground I told them to stay there and not go past the wood chips. There were lots of kids there and with three kids to keep an eye on, it's easy to lose track of one for a while. I glanced around for Bohdin at one point and didn't see him anywhere. He left. Nyla needed to pee so we had to leave as well. We left Nyla's baby stroller there just in case Bohdin came back. I thought it would let him know that we were still around. When we came back Bohdin still wasn't there. I was getting worried and mad and told Nyla that we would have to go to the lost child desk and ask for help finding him. As we were walking away Bohdin came up behind us. He was bored at the playground and decided to see the gorillas. I explained to him that it was not right but a few minutes later he went really far ahead of us again. No matter how many times I explained it he kept wanting to get away. I was contemplating a leash for him. It was really hot by noon and we were getting tired. On the way out Bohdin was walking ahead and chose the wrong path. We had to wait a few minutes for him to realize that we were not behind and come looking for us. It was really annoying. After that he stayed fairly close. I couldn't help but think of the super clingy baby and toddler he used to be. I know there were people who thought he would always be my side. He's not that clingy baby anymore.
That night the girls from across the street came over again. Once again they made a huge mess they didn't clean up and broke at least one toy. Afterward Bohdin wanted to go see N- two houses down. He came and told me, not asked, that he was going down to his house. A few seconds later I went to find him to have him make sure that it was okay with his parents but Bohdin was already gone. He had run out of the house.
This morning Nyla, found one of Buddy's notebooks. He uses notebooks for work. She wanted to write in it and insisted it had to be that notebook instead of one of the dozens of notebooks I have bought specifically for her to use. When I told her that she shouldn't use that one without asking if it is okay she told me in an accusatory tone "You're keeping me from being a journalist." Eventually we called and she received permission to use the notebook so her dreams of being a journalist today were not crushed.
I should add that Nyla did push that doll stroller around the zoo without help or complaint as she had predicted. I had strong doubts which probably fueled her desire to be successful. I noticed her receiving a lot of attention while pushing that thing around by both kids and parents. I wonder how many kids will want to bring their baby dolls and strollers to the zoo after seeing her. I wish I had asked Nyla if she would want to do it again.
We had gone to the zoo Tuesday afternoon but we didn't have much time so we went again after Bohdin's appointment. The day was so warm that everybody in town with little kids had the same idea as us. The kids really wanted to go to the playground so we went to the nearest one. Nyla had her baby and stroller with us so I didn't want to go to the far one. I was already skeptical about her pushing that thing all around and I didn't want to add a hill for her. When we reached the playground I told them to stay there and not go past the wood chips. There were lots of kids there and with three kids to keep an eye on, it's easy to lose track of one for a while. I glanced around for Bohdin at one point and didn't see him anywhere. He left. Nyla needed to pee so we had to leave as well. We left Nyla's baby stroller there just in case Bohdin came back. I thought it would let him know that we were still around. When we came back Bohdin still wasn't there. I was getting worried and mad and told Nyla that we would have to go to the lost child desk and ask for help finding him. As we were walking away Bohdin came up behind us. He was bored at the playground and decided to see the gorillas. I explained to him that it was not right but a few minutes later he went really far ahead of us again. No matter how many times I explained it he kept wanting to get away. I was contemplating a leash for him. It was really hot by noon and we were getting tired. On the way out Bohdin was walking ahead and chose the wrong path. We had to wait a few minutes for him to realize that we were not behind and come looking for us. It was really annoying. After that he stayed fairly close. I couldn't help but think of the super clingy baby and toddler he used to be. I know there were people who thought he would always be my side. He's not that clingy baby anymore.
That night the girls from across the street came over again. Once again they made a huge mess they didn't clean up and broke at least one toy. Afterward Bohdin wanted to go see N- two houses down. He came and told me, not asked, that he was going down to his house. A few seconds later I went to find him to have him make sure that it was okay with his parents but Bohdin was already gone. He had run out of the house.
This morning Nyla, found one of Buddy's notebooks. He uses notebooks for work. She wanted to write in it and insisted it had to be that notebook instead of one of the dozens of notebooks I have bought specifically for her to use. When I told her that she shouldn't use that one without asking if it is okay she told me in an accusatory tone "You're keeping me from being a journalist." Eventually we called and she received permission to use the notebook so her dreams of being a journalist today were not crushed.
I should add that Nyla did push that doll stroller around the zoo without help or complaint as she had predicted. I had strong doubts which probably fueled her desire to be successful. I noticed her receiving a lot of attention while pushing that thing around by both kids and parents. I wonder how many kids will want to bring their baby dolls and strollers to the zoo after seeing her. I wish I had asked Nyla if she would want to do it again.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
First Flowers
Cora is finally feeling better. She threw up early this morning and early the prior morning so it's definitely improving. She had her energy back today and maybe even ate something. I hope it's over because I've had enough vomit on me to last me for a while. Buddy only got hit once but Cora got me at least four times. Luckily nobody else became sick.
We're having an early spring with very warm conditions. The weather person said today that we may break the record for hottest March if we stay on track. We will be near record highs for the next several days. The spring shrubs are in bloom and Buddy picked some to make a beautiful arrangement.
The kids were playing outside but when I brought the camera out Nyla ran indoors for some reason. I took pictures of Bohdin and Cora but it was too late for a group shot by the time Nyla reappeared. The neighbor dog had wandered into our yard like he does most days. He likes to sift through our compost pile. Nyla wanted to play with him and she did for a short while but he went home when his owner pulled up. Nyla was sad so we went over to ask if she could play with the dog. They were surprised the dog had been in our yard since they have an electric fence. Bohdin played with their 10 year old son for a while and Nyla just piddled around. Eventually their other two kids came home and Nyla said hi to the little girl. She's two now and might make a decent playmate for Nyla. I was going to say I don't know why we don't spend more time with them but I do. They're busy. They have three kids and one of them does a lot of sports. In addition the neighbor's dad has cancer and they've been spending a lot of time with him the past year. Perhaps this spring or summer we'll see more of them. It would be better than the girls across the street. They came over on Sunday. They wouldn't let Bohdin play with them which is odd since it's his house or rather yard. They are not allowed in the house but they came in for a little while anyway. Nyla had a good time with them playing stuffed animals and tea party. She has been hoping to play with them again soon but I'm hoping the opposite. They are not very nice girls.
We're having an early spring with very warm conditions. The weather person said today that we may break the record for hottest March if we stay on track. We will be near record highs for the next several days. The spring shrubs are in bloom and Buddy picked some to make a beautiful arrangement.
The kids were playing outside but when I brought the camera out Nyla ran indoors for some reason. I took pictures of Bohdin and Cora but it was too late for a group shot by the time Nyla reappeared. The neighbor dog had wandered into our yard like he does most days. He likes to sift through our compost pile. Nyla wanted to play with him and she did for a short while but he went home when his owner pulled up. Nyla was sad so we went over to ask if she could play with the dog. They were surprised the dog had been in our yard since they have an electric fence. Bohdin played with their 10 year old son for a while and Nyla just piddled around. Eventually their other two kids came home and Nyla said hi to the little girl. She's two now and might make a decent playmate for Nyla. I was going to say I don't know why we don't spend more time with them but I do. They're busy. They have three kids and one of them does a lot of sports. In addition the neighbor's dad has cancer and they've been spending a lot of time with him the past year. Perhaps this spring or summer we'll see more of them. It would be better than the girls across the street. They came over on Sunday. They wouldn't let Bohdin play with them which is odd since it's his house or rather yard. They are not allowed in the house but they came in for a little while anyway. Nyla had a good time with them playing stuffed animals and tea party. She has been hoping to play with them again soon but I'm hoping the opposite. They are not very nice girls.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Love Box
Bohdin had his evaluation with the speech therapist on Wednesday. It took about an hour and he was tested for articulation and vocabulary. I was out in the hallway with Nyla and Cora and was able to overhear parts of it. The tests started out easy and became progressively difficult. He had to define words, point to the picture that most related to the word or phrase used, and several other tests. I heard them reassure him several times when he missed some that it was 7th grade level stuff and that it was okay. When they were doing the word definition test they asked him the word poor. He paused and said it means two things. The speech therapist spelled the one she wanted but Bohdin doesn't know how to spell either version so finally he just gave both definitions. A few words later was the word worrier. He had no idea what it meant. He said it sounded like warrior. At the end they said that he his articulation and vocabulary were excellent which I was aware of and that he has moderate stuttering and three different types of stuttering. They noticed that his breathing was a little off at times and thought they could help him with that. I'm not certain they can be much help but I'll give it a couple of times. To me Bohdin's problem is that his brain is faster than his mouth. Bohdin says he only stutters when he is excited but I think he stutters only when he has to think about what he is saying. He doesn't stutter when he is reading or saying something routine. I'm skeptical but will give them a chance.
When Cora was sleeping on Thursday Nyla came in with a picture she had drawn for me and a love box. It was a small box she had filled with things that would let me remember her when she is gone. In it were two notes. She read one to me that stated "Bohdin, I'm not going to let you cut my finger off even though I love you." Buddy and I got the full story out of Bohdin and Nyla later but unfortunately I didn't write that down and have mostly forgotten it. Bohdin never suggested that Nyla should cut her finger off. In addition to the two notes, the love box contained popsicle sticks and Nyla's hair band.
Friday afternoon M- and family came over to play. Nyla was super excited to see R-. They played together a little bit but then R- threw up. He didn't seem sick but perhaps he was because now Cora is not feeling well. She threw up three times last night and is back to sleep right now even though it is mid morning. I hope it's just a coincidence because I don't want everybody to get sick. Cora and I are mostly quarantined right now so I'm hoping for the best.
We're going to put new flooring in the basement and it is piled up down there until we install it. Cora watched Nyla climb on it and wanted to do the same. She had no trouble climbing up but couldn't jump off the way Nyla had. Nyla came to the rescue and caught Cora as she jumped into Nyla's arms. They thought it was so much fun they did it over and over. Cora weighs about six pounds less than Nyla and she was jumping from a place that was about chest high on Nyla. Nyla has always been my strongest child.
When Cora was sleeping on Thursday Nyla came in with a picture she had drawn for me and a love box. It was a small box she had filled with things that would let me remember her when she is gone. In it were two notes. She read one to me that stated "Bohdin, I'm not going to let you cut my finger off even though I love you." Buddy and I got the full story out of Bohdin and Nyla later but unfortunately I didn't write that down and have mostly forgotten it. Bohdin never suggested that Nyla should cut her finger off. In addition to the two notes, the love box contained popsicle sticks and Nyla's hair band.
Friday afternoon M- and family came over to play. Nyla was super excited to see R-. They played together a little bit but then R- threw up. He didn't seem sick but perhaps he was because now Cora is not feeling well. She threw up three times last night and is back to sleep right now even though it is mid morning. I hope it's just a coincidence because I don't want everybody to get sick. Cora and I are mostly quarantined right now so I'm hoping for the best.
We're going to put new flooring in the basement and it is piled up down there until we install it. Cora watched Nyla climb on it and wanted to do the same. She had no trouble climbing up but couldn't jump off the way Nyla had. Nyla came to the rescue and caught Cora as she jumped into Nyla's arms. They thought it was so much fun they did it over and over. Cora weighs about six pounds less than Nyla and she was jumping from a place that was about chest high on Nyla. Nyla has always been my strongest child.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Snow
Nyla didn't make it through the night by herself on Sunday so Monday morning she told me she wasn't ready for the bed yet. By Monday afternoon her spirits had improved and she was ready to try again. She said she had lots to time to keep trying. She didn't do it last night either and tonight she wouldn't even go to sleep by herself. That hasn't stopped her from talking about the bed many times per day. Although I have told her repeatedly that we have not bought it, in her mind she is just waiting for delivery.
Monday Cora had her 18 month visit. After the appointment each of the kids received a shot. Neither Bohdin nor Nyla wanted one which is understandable. Cora went first and did fine. Bohdin went next and he did a good job. Nyla was so scared and refused to get the shot. I had to put Cora down so I could hold Nyla down while she fought hard. I felt bad that I had to do that to her apologized later in the day. While she was getting her shot I told her we would get ice scream afterward. It's surprising she heard me through the screaming but once it was over she jumped off the table, stopped crying, and said let's go get ice cream as if nothing had happened. Cora meanwhile was crying because I had put her down and probably because Nyla was crying. That evening Nyla apologized for fighting.
Bohdin doesn't think it is fair that Nyla doesn't do as much cleaning as he does. There are many times when I ask the kids to clean up toys with me that Nyla refuses and goes off to play elsewhere. I told Bohdin today that Nyla does way more cleaning as a four year old than he ever did. I'm not sure it reassured him but it is quite true. To balance all of those times that Nyla doesn't feel like cleaning she often takes the initiative to help out without my asking. She will make beds the best she can, she'll put away the clean placemats, help unload the dishwasher, and other things. She can be quite choosy with tasks. Sometimes she'll ask me if she can help me with whatever I'm doing. When I tell her how she can help she says she doesn't want to do that and runs off.
Monday we had our biggest snow storm of the year with a whopping three inches. According to the news it doubled our snowfall amount for the entire winter. It was a gorgeous snowfall, the best I've seen in recent memory. The snow landed on the branches just right and it looked like a winter wonderland or the kind of landscape one might find on a Christmas card. Bohdin said it looked like Christams. As usual pictures can't do it justice but I had to try anyway since it was so pretty.
Monday Cora had her 18 month visit. After the appointment each of the kids received a shot. Neither Bohdin nor Nyla wanted one which is understandable. Cora went first and did fine. Bohdin went next and he did a good job. Nyla was so scared and refused to get the shot. I had to put Cora down so I could hold Nyla down while she fought hard. I felt bad that I had to do that to her apologized later in the day. While she was getting her shot I told her we would get ice scream afterward. It's surprising she heard me through the screaming but once it was over she jumped off the table, stopped crying, and said let's go get ice cream as if nothing had happened. Cora meanwhile was crying because I had put her down and probably because Nyla was crying. That evening Nyla apologized for fighting.
Bohdin doesn't think it is fair that Nyla doesn't do as much cleaning as he does. There are many times when I ask the kids to clean up toys with me that Nyla refuses and goes off to play elsewhere. I told Bohdin today that Nyla does way more cleaning as a four year old than he ever did. I'm not sure it reassured him but it is quite true. To balance all of those times that Nyla doesn't feel like cleaning she often takes the initiative to help out without my asking. She will make beds the best she can, she'll put away the clean placemats, help unload the dishwasher, and other things. She can be quite choosy with tasks. Sometimes she'll ask me if she can help me with whatever I'm doing. When I tell her how she can help she says she doesn't want to do that and runs off.
Monday we had our biggest snow storm of the year with a whopping three inches. According to the news it doubled our snowfall amount for the entire winter. It was a gorgeous snowfall, the best I've seen in recent memory. The snow landed on the branches just right and it looked like a winter wonderland or the kind of landscape one might find on a Christmas card. Bohdin said it looked like Christams. As usual pictures can't do it justice but I had to try anyway since it was so pretty.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Shopping
Cora stayed home with Buddy today while I took Bohdin and Nyla out to several places. First we stopped at a used book sale. I was really glad that Cora wasn't there. Bohdin and Nyla grabbed books and looked at them under the tables so they would be out of the way. Next we had to stop at the fabric store. Bohdin is going to make some flannel pajama pants for himself and he wanted to pick out his own fabric. We walked from there to Trader Joe's for milk and Nyla saw a perfect pink princess bed in a store window. She wanted a closer look so we went inside. She loved it and I could see why. It is a perfect Nyla bed in every way but one. It is crazy expensive. She really wanted the bed but I told her she didn't need a bed like that if she wasn't sleeping in her own room. Tonight for the first time ever she fell asleep by herself in her room. Since she is going through the 4 year old scared phase that's really something. I don't know how we are going to distract her from the bed. It was all she could think about tonight and I'm sure she will remember it in the morning.
Bohdin has reached a stage where he no longer wants to be with me in a store. At Home Depot last week he went to the garden center while I waited for the paint. In the grocery store he'll come up with any excuse to get out on his own. Usually it is taking Nyla to look a the lobsters or getting something for me from another aisle. Today at the fabric store he sat and waited while Nyla and I browsed for fabric for her. He is really growing up.
Bohdin has reached a stage where he no longer wants to be with me in a store. At Home Depot last week he went to the garden center while I waited for the paint. In the grocery store he'll come up with any excuse to get out on his own. Usually it is taking Nyla to look a the lobsters or getting something for me from another aisle. Today at the fabric store he sat and waited while Nyla and I browsed for fabric for her. He is really growing up.
Friday, March 2, 2012
School
I ran into B-'s mom at a bridge building lecture given by G-'s dad on Tuesday. This weekend is a balsa wood bridge competition. Even though Bohdin won't participate I though he might like to learn more about it. There were quite a few kids there. Nyla played with R- while Bohdin was in class. I mentioned to B-'s mom that we would be moving this winter. As she and I were talking she brought up the idea of enrolling Bohdin and Nyla into public school just for the fall. It would give them a chance to see what it was like and give me some free time to pack. It sounded like an intriguing idea so I explored it further. The deadline for enrollment application was in two days so I had to move quick. The entire county is not known for its stellar schools and our corner of it is among the worst. One is allowed to apply to any school here regardless of where you live but I didn't want them to have a 1.5 hour bus ride each way like the girls across the street. I also didn't want to have to drive them 30 minutes to school. I chose the two best in our area and decided to go visit the closest one. A neighbor down the street had raved about the school last year. Bohdin is pretty adamant about wanting to stay at home. He says he enjoys the freedom to do subjects in the order he wants. Nyla I think might like school so I was actually more interested for her sake. We went close to the end of the day and were given a tour by the counselor. She was very nice and showed us all three kindergarten classrooms. The first was watching a video but it seemed like they were doing something interactive with it that kept the teacher busy so I didn't talk to her. The next classroom the kids were playing at various stations. I asked about the reading instruction. They do a combination of whole word and phonics. I'm not in love with the whole word method because it is really glorified guessing. That's not the way to read. I did like that they separated the kids by reading ability in the class and sent home different books based on reading level. The next class was watching a video also but I don't remember for certain. The kids were friendly and said hi to Nyla. I asked further about academics. She said they do simple addition. Just for the heck of it I asked to see a first grade classroom so I could see what Bohdin's peers were doing. They were watching Magic School Bus and Bohdin walked in and started watching with them. I asked about math since this is where Bohdin is most advanced. The kids that day were working on simple addition like 5 plus 4 and learning their facts to ten. They had been working with dominoes that day and understanding that equals means the same as. By the end of the year they are expected to know addition facts up to 20. Bohdin just finished up three digit subtraction with renaming. I asked what she does with advanced kids. They get to play computer games. Recess is 20 minutes and they have recess most days. Art, music, gym, and something else are once per week.
I was really underwhelmed. Bohdin can plat computer games and watch videos at home. In addition he would still be learning more. There are really good public schools out there but this was not one of them. I felt much better about homeschooling after the visit. Everybody was very friendly but I also expect an excellent education. I might revisit the idea when we are in Kansas. The schools there are supposed to be quite good.
Yesterday we met up with some other homeschoolers at the park. Nyla made a new friend so I hope we'll see her again soon. Bohdin tried to play with her 5 year old brother but they had some difficulty clicking. I always tell Bohdin that to make friends he needs to be friendly but he still needs more work. A busload of elementary school kids came and mobbed the playground. The homeschooled kids mostly went off into the forest to play there but Cora had no problem with the large crowd. She climbed up and went down the slide next to kids that were nearly as big as me. I saw one boy there just hanging out with his eyes sort of downcast and not interacting with anybody else. That's the kid that Bohdin would be in school.
I was really underwhelmed. Bohdin can plat computer games and watch videos at home. In addition he would still be learning more. There are really good public schools out there but this was not one of them. I felt much better about homeschooling after the visit. Everybody was very friendly but I also expect an excellent education. I might revisit the idea when we are in Kansas. The schools there are supposed to be quite good.
Yesterday we met up with some other homeschoolers at the park. Nyla made a new friend so I hope we'll see her again soon. Bohdin tried to play with her 5 year old brother but they had some difficulty clicking. I always tell Bohdin that to make friends he needs to be friendly but he still needs more work. A busload of elementary school kids came and mobbed the playground. The homeschooled kids mostly went off into the forest to play there but Cora had no problem with the large crowd. She climbed up and went down the slide next to kids that were nearly as big as me. I saw one boy there just hanging out with his eyes sort of downcast and not interacting with anybody else. That's the kid that Bohdin would be in school.