I dropped Isaac off at school again today. This time I made him lead the way...he has to walk "the long way" so that I have an easier time getting home. I even made him ask the adult when he couldn't remember where to stand. He got in place and then said, with a great big smile, "Bye-bye!"
"Bye-bye" I replied. "I love you!"
"I love you so much! Bye-bye!"
It was a much better start than yesterday, although yesterday wasn't bad by any means.
Joshua and I went home and made date balls. He figured out how to work the food processor. I looked at the clock...8:30. I've been a bit nervous about this first day with just Joshua and me as I am the only person to play with. It turned out fine. He played Legos and made me a surprise (a bridge). I was able to get some school work done during that time, so by the time rest time was done I was finally feeling on top of everything. There have been several extra meetings this week and it cut into my grading time.
Anyway, back to the day. We biked to the library. Isaac probably could have done this ride, but there is one busy street that doesn't have a great crossing on it. Since I have to carefully hold my bike, I can't help Isaac if he needs it. Joshua loves biking. We read several books at the library and I realized that he really only recognizes a few letters. I don't know if this is normal. I looked back at Isaac's monthly milestones and the best I could get is that when Isaac was six months older than Joshua he had been able to recognize all the letters for a while. That seems like a reasonable goal though.
Pick-up was still annoying. I was sitting in a line for quite a while and then gave up. Apparently the line was for the older kids and the parents of the younger kids just park, get out, and walk up. This is completely ridiculous in my mind, but since I now know the actual expectations I can do it and get out in a reasonable amount of time.
Isaac's day went well. I got some fun details out of him, but there still seem to be some large gaps. He ate most of his lunch at least this time. I also realized that I need to carefully ask my questions. Whereas with an adult you would say, "Did you talk to anyone today?" if they were in a room full of strangers, with a kid I should say, "Did you play with anyone today?". The latter gave me a better response. It doesn't seem like he'll be a social butterfly, but at the same time it's only the second day.
Wednesday, September 6, 2017
Tuesday, September 5, 2017
Tuesday: first day of kindergarten
Today was Isaac's first day of kindergarten!
Joshua really wanted to be in the pictures too. Even though it doesn't look that way.
We got there on time, but with no extra time. I'm going to try and get us out the door five minutes earlier so that I don't have to keep saying hurry up. We waited for about a minute before the doors opened.
I went inside after the class and Isaac looked overwhelmed. He found his hook and hung his stuff up, but there were a lot of kids in a small space. However, I think I would have felt that way too...but it still wasn't the best way to leave. The first item of the day was a coloring page and I thought 'oh great. A bit overwhelmed and then he has to do a coloring page. He doesn't like to color. This is a great start.'
Here's what we got out of him. There were three recesses...medium, long, and medium/short. He only remembered his sunglasses for the first one. One of them had a game and he got out right away and it made him sad, but now he knows the rules. They did two coloring pages. He only ate about three grapes and one crunchy bean for lunch because he got distracted listening to someone talk. He talked to his teacher. He did talk with one other person. They read two books and a small book. One rule was if the teacher goes clap, clap, clapclapclap the students repeat it. Or if the adult says "one, two" the students say, "eyes on you!" He was not sent to the principals office. He did not get his name on the warning list. He had chocolate milk for lunch. He felt like it was a long day. He seemed to like it though.
Car line pick up was a bit weird. I had plenty of time to get there, which I was a bit worried about. All the parents got out of their cars though. I thought it was supposed to be a "stay in the car" thing. It didn't help that there wasn't anyone directing traffic...for the first day it would have been nice. I waited in a line for a little bit and then just decided to get out and go get Isaac.
Joshua really wanted to be in the pictures too. Even though it doesn't look that way.
We got there on time, but with no extra time. I'm going to try and get us out the door five minutes earlier so that I don't have to keep saying hurry up. We waited for about a minute before the doors opened.
I went inside after the class and Isaac looked overwhelmed. He found his hook and hung his stuff up, but there were a lot of kids in a small space. However, I think I would have felt that way too...but it still wasn't the best way to leave. The first item of the day was a coloring page and I thought 'oh great. A bit overwhelmed and then he has to do a coloring page. He doesn't like to color. This is a great start.'
Here's what we got out of him. There were three recesses...medium, long, and medium/short. He only remembered his sunglasses for the first one. One of them had a game and he got out right away and it made him sad, but now he knows the rules. They did two coloring pages. He only ate about three grapes and one crunchy bean for lunch because he got distracted listening to someone talk. He talked to his teacher. He did talk with one other person. They read two books and a small book. One rule was if the teacher goes clap, clap, clapclapclap the students repeat it. Or if the adult says "one, two" the students say, "eyes on you!" He was not sent to the principals office. He did not get his name on the warning list. He had chocolate milk for lunch. He felt like it was a long day. He seemed to like it though.
Car line pick up was a bit weird. I had plenty of time to get there, which I was a bit worried about. All the parents got out of their cars though. I thought it was supposed to be a "stay in the car" thing. It didn't help that there wasn't anyone directing traffic...for the first day it would have been nice. I waited in a line for a little bit and then just decided to get out and go get Isaac.
Monday: truck parade and labor day
We went to see the truck parade again today. We didn't plan to meet up with Betsy and her family, but they showed up at the normal place too!
It was great fun, as always.
The boys played Legos (alone) in the basement very well for about an hour this afternoon. I thought I might have to intervine when Joshua started complaining that Isaac took all the chairs, but it resolved itself. There were also a few times that I looked over at Ben and said, "what in the world are they talking about??" But they were happy and content, so that's all that matters.
We went to Larry and Cheryl's for dinner. They both ate well and then played in the basement for a while. They haven't gotten to play down there for a while and it was the highlight of Isaac's day.
And now lunches are packed, last minute instructions have been given, and the kindergartner is asleep. I'm nervous for tomorrow, but I can't tell if I'm nervous for Isaac or because I have a full day and will need to keep moving to get to my first meeting on time. :D I'm also very excited for him - I think he'll do well. And in a week or two it'll feel normal.
Monday, September 4, 2017
Sunday: Legos
Joshua got some small Lego sets for his birthday. During rest time, he used the instructions and made the windmill. All on his own! I was so proud of him.
He then worked on the castle. He got a little bit of help with that, but I think it is because people were around to ask. He still did most of it on his own.
He then worked on the castle. He got a little bit of help with that, but I think it is because people were around to ask. He still did most of it on his own.
Saturday, September 2, 2017
Isaac - 68 months
Isaac turned 68 months a few days ago.
Lately he's really been into making things. Whether with Legos or paper or whatever; the medium doesn't really matter. He still does lots of Legos and spends several hours a day with them.
He is feeling "medium" about going to kindergarten. He's excited to learn, but not so excited about how much time will be spent at school. (That's pretty much how I'm feeling about it too.) He has been asking several questions, some of them completely off the wall, so I know he's thinking about it a bit.
He is still super silly. Most of the time it makes everyone laugh, sometimes it's a bit over the top. Joshua almost always laughs with him though. They're still doing quite a bit together - running around and bouncing and hitting each other with pillows.
Isaac is now able to bring the trash containers into the garage by himself. He loves doing it, and it is a task I don't mind giving up.
Isaac has gotten much better at remembering the short Bible stories we read at night time. It used to be like pulling teeth to get him to remember any details, but now he can give most of the story with very good details.
He is also enjoying the picture chapter books that we've been getting from the library. He has a GoodReads account should you be interested in knowing what we're reading and what he thinks about them.
Isaac is quite helpful and usually listens well to instructions. He is trustworthy. I know that if I set a timer for screen time he will be done with screen time when it goes off, even if I'm not there.
Isaac loves his treats (of the candy variety) but understands that treats aren't good for you. Sometimes he decides not to have his or will save it for later.
Isaac is a wonderful kid.
Lately he's really been into making things. Whether with Legos or paper or whatever; the medium doesn't really matter. He still does lots of Legos and spends several hours a day with them.
Isaac has gotten much better at remembering the short Bible stories we read at night time. It used to be like pulling teeth to get him to remember any details, but now he can give most of the story with very good details.
He is also enjoying the picture chapter books that we've been getting from the library. He has a GoodReads account should you be interested in knowing what we're reading and what he thinks about them.
Isaac is a wonderful kid.
Friday, September 1, 2017
Friday: last day
Today was our last "no-Dad" day before school starts. I let Isaac choose the activity and he wanted to go to a new playground. So we went to the natural playground that I've been wanting to check out for a while.
It was pretty cool. There were two ramps (shown above) that were a hit. I think Joshua was just big enough to start enjoying it...there were a ton of things to climb on and he was a bit on the small side. With a few lifts he was able to do most of it though.
Isaac liked the stump above because when he stood on it he was taller than I was.
Joshua like the heights too.
Isaac climbed into the tree, but wasn't super thrilled.
Then we found the teepee and sent quite a while here. They found more sticks to add to it, although Isaac's plan was to close the original door and Joshua found the small sticks and threw them towards the teepee...maybe to make a wall? I'm not really sure what he was doing, but that's fine.
Afterwards we went to the donut shop. And that ended the celebration of the end of summer; the rest of the afternoon was pretty normal. I'm a bit sad...the summer was good and I could have used a few more weeks. However, Tuesday, when Isaac starts school, is shaping up to be quite busy so I might not have too much time to be melancholy.
It was pretty cool. There were two ramps (shown above) that were a hit. I think Joshua was just big enough to start enjoying it...there were a ton of things to climb on and he was a bit on the small side. With a few lifts he was able to do most of it though.
Isaac liked the stump above because when he stood on it he was taller than I was.
Joshua like the heights too.
Isaac climbed into the tree, but wasn't super thrilled.
Then we found the teepee and sent quite a while here. They found more sticks to add to it, although Isaac's plan was to close the original door and Joshua found the small sticks and threw them towards the teepee...maybe to make a wall? I'm not really sure what he was doing, but that's fine.
Afterwards we went to the donut shop. And that ended the celebration of the end of summer; the rest of the afternoon was pretty normal. I'm a bit sad...the summer was good and I could have used a few more weeks. However, Tuesday, when Isaac starts school, is shaping up to be quite busy so I might not have too much time to be melancholy.
Thursday, August 31, 2017
Thursday: work
Isaac joined me at work for an hour or so before dropping him off with Aunt C. We stopped by Dad's office to say hi and he finally got to see the robot wheel, after asking on and off for two months.
The day did go better than Tuesday. It was still busier than (hopefully) normal but not quite so crazy. Hmm, I feel like there was something of note that I was going to mention. Oh well. It was an exhausting day though and I'm glad for the weekend.
We were driving home and Joshua suddenly asked, "Why are there bathrooms on the train?" while Isaac was trying to concoct a plan that would give us a legitimate reason to stay at the hotel by Joshua's school. Then Joshua saw the Ferris wheel at Dutch Village and switched to how he would keep Ben safe next time they go.
The day did go better than Tuesday. It was still busier than (hopefully) normal but not quite so crazy. Hmm, I feel like there was something of note that I was going to mention. Oh well. It was an exhausting day though and I'm glad for the weekend.
We were driving home and Joshua suddenly asked, "Why are there bathrooms on the train?" while Isaac was trying to concoct a plan that would give us a legitimate reason to stay at the hotel by Joshua's school. Then Joshua saw the Ferris wheel at Dutch Village and switched to how he would keep Ben safe next time they go.
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