Drivers Wanted

Anders and Kuba like to drive. Actualy we all like it when they drive. We let the boys sit on our laps and steer while we control the foot pedals. We took them to an empty parking lot to let them whip around on their scooters (with their wild painted faces,) and before long both boys were driving the Jetta. They didn't whip around in the car though - Anna controlled the speed of the car and kept it below ten miles an hour. Anders got a chance to practice shifting gears, and Kuba got to experience how helpful it is to stick your tongue out when you are really concentrating. Bliss, sheer bliss.

If They Only Knew

One day my kids will grow up, read this and realize how much their moms thought about, worried about, and cared about their happiness and well being at school. I'm thinking about this because I know that Anders has no clue how much I am watching his school experience. Paying attention. He's the kind of kid that doesn't really disclose much so I have to be observant, read the clues I do get, and listen to other kids who verbalize to their moms how first grade is going.
I know I don't want him to know of my concern (or my anxiety) so I am keeping a low profile. A fox in chicken clothing - or something like that. Sound weird? Probably. But I do want him to like school and so I watch. It's not easy working in the same school that your children attend.
I get more information than one would possibly want. And if it's not going well...I get to worry a bit. So, Anders, if you are reading this one day when you are a grown up kid, well I just want you to know how much I care about your school experience. So far you seem okay - sucked a little bit of your shirt collar today after school and you haven't done that in nearly a year. I know it's a sign of rising anxiety. But I will keep watching. And I will do all that I can from my parenting side to help you love school, feel good in school, feel happy about school and your place in it, learn a lot, and grow into a really great kid.
For those of you who know me you know I am an anxious nut about my kids.
I am also a devoted educator and mother and want for my child an experience that is empowering. And, I don't have full control. But I do have lots of ways to ensure that he is happy. And that is what leads me. Stay tuned for first grade updates.

A Meatball kinda day

It was one of those dreary, wet, gray days yesterday. Our little chef, Kuba, and the bigger chef decided to make meatballs for dinner. They were perfect with baked potatoes.

My Favorite Kids in the Whole Wide World

These are some of my favorite photos of the boys from the summer. It has been such a good summer, full of big moments...brothers swinging from trees, climbing trees, hiking mountains, going into caves, learning to swim...in ponds, lakes, rivers, and oceans, scooting oh so fast, riding bicycles, and basically growing bigger and stronger. They are my favorite kids in the whole wide world.

Ain't nothin' better than the Fair

Anders and Kuba LOVE the fair. All year they talk about the fair, ask how much longer, talk about the dragon roller coaster (which they love) and ask how much longer, again.

Well...we went to the fair this week, finally. And yes, it's way too expensive and the food isn't so healthy...but nothin' beats the maple cotton candy, the bumper cars, the lemonade, the hot dogs, the dragon roller coaster, the farm animals, or the pony ride. And so we go. And they love it. And the first question they have once we get home is to ask when will we go to the fair again. And the circle, it goes round and round.

Back to School!

The new school year has begun and we are excited and anxious all at the same time. Even though I work at the school, it seems I am not very trusting when I am turning my children over to the care of someone else. That is, until I actually know and trust the teacher.

Anders has a brand new teacher this year...she has moved here from California and I think she has a big learning curve ahead of her. His first day back was a bit rough. It is my sincere hope that what he gleans from first grade is simply the joy of learning. I want my children to love school. So, I will offer my support and do what I can from the sidelines. As an educator (with a lot of confidence and opinions about education) you can imagine how hard it is for me to stand by quietly. Sort of not possible at all. But I am kind and I know that I will communicate well, and this relieves some of my own fear about his year.

Kuba's first day back to pre-k was much smoother. Same room, same teacher, same simple routine. Breath, sigh.

So, here's to a happy year at school where learning is exciting and my children are empowered because of the true nature of their little hearts and minds.

Art in the Barn

The kids had such a fantastic week last week. Neighborhood kids all got together in our barn to do art work. I think the joy they felt at just having so many other children to play with was at an all time high and really made me happy. I love when kids just play together.
Anders painted the specked chicken, and Kuba painted the sunflower as well as the brightly colored collaborative pirate ship project. You can see that it started out white, but quickly became the rainbow of the yard. One of our neighbors is a pre-school teacher sans mother who did such a great job with the youngest kids. Like turning two washing machine boxes into giant pirate ship.

What I love about things like this:

home grown

home based

fun

simple

relational

kid centered

imaginative

flexible

I hope the boys remember times like these when they get older and think back to their childhood. It would be good to do lots more of this.