Today was meet the teacher day for Isaac. His friend was there and came right over to say hi, and that was nice to see.
The teacher presentation was mostly just the normal stuff, but it was nice to be able to look around the classroom and see what was there. When Isaac went up to say hi to his teacher she said, "your teacher told me so many great things about you!" to which he responded, "I never moved my clip!" (i.e., I never got in trouble.)
At the end I wondered where I should put some of the supplies that had Isaac's name on them. She said to just put them out in the hallway because it is a communal pool. Um...ok. I asked again because I really was surprised and pulled out the pencil case, which had his name on it. We slowly figured out what was going on. Apparently no one ever reads the instructions on the list and just brings stuff in without putting the name on. And they don't get all the supplies, because she had a pencil bag and water bottle for everyone.
Now, I understand that sometimes people can't bring in supplies due to financial hardship and that's a separate topic. But no one else reads the instructions??? I was really surprised that there wasn't at least some expectation that the parents would do as the instructions asked, even if it wasn't done by most. When I was talking with her it wasn't, "oh, yeah, I know what you're talking about and you should put those supplies here." It was some back and forth before we understood each other. (Also, it isn't as though the supply list is out-of-date because the list changed between the one they sent home after kindergarten and the one we recently received in the mail.) I would be happy to not label his pencils. But then don't tell me to do so.
Besides that she seems nice and hopefully Isaac will have a great year.
Wednesday, August 22, 2018
Tuesday, August 21, 2018
Tuesday: meh
Today was only ok.
To cap it off, it was Isaac's last ice skating lesson. Now, I know that he hadn't improved all that much this session. (He even seemed to go backwards a bit in the middle.) But when I got his 'score card' it said that he mastered all the level 2 skills, and none of the level 3 skills. This is exactly the same as at the end of the last session. Exactly! What were the teachers doing? Even I could see that he needed to bend his knees more...march more...take more steps before gliding. Going back and forth on the ice isn't helpful after a point if you're just doing the same wrong form over and over again. I tried to give him some pointers to work on, but saying them in the car is not as helpful as saying them on the ice. There weren't that many students that he couldn't have been given a few more pointers.
So I came home from that a bit grumpy. Now, Isaac said that he had a good time and has no idea about his progress. We're not doing the next session due to scheduling conflicts, but I think that is a good plan anyway. If he wants to try again at the end of the school year the break will be good...or he could try something else.
To cap it off, it was Isaac's last ice skating lesson. Now, I know that he hadn't improved all that much this session. (He even seemed to go backwards a bit in the middle.) But when I got his 'score card' it said that he mastered all the level 2 skills, and none of the level 3 skills. This is exactly the same as at the end of the last session. Exactly! What were the teachers doing? Even I could see that he needed to bend his knees more...march more...take more steps before gliding. Going back and forth on the ice isn't helpful after a point if you're just doing the same wrong form over and over again. I tried to give him some pointers to work on, but saying them in the car is not as helpful as saying them on the ice. There weren't that many students that he couldn't have been given a few more pointers.
So I came home from that a bit grumpy. Now, Isaac said that he had a good time and has no idea about his progress. We're not doing the next session due to scheduling conflicts, but I think that is a good plan anyway. If he wants to try again at the end of the school year the break will be good...or he could try something else.
Monday, August 20, 2018
Monday: Sandy Pines
Today we went to visit my aunt and uncle at Sandy Pines. It was a fun day of exploring a new area and catching up with them.
We explored several of the playgrounds. The structures were somewhat the same, but there were several differences between them also.
We went to the splash pad/pool too. The splash pad's water was cold! I had brought the water shoes along, and I think that helped their feet...but not my feet. I didn't stay in for very long. We also went down the water slide. Isaac loved it, but Joshua preferred the shallow pool better.
It was the boys' first trip in a golf cart. While they quickly got used to it, at the beginning there were many "this is going so fast!"
The boys really wanted to play mini-golf. Really really a lot. And it was hilarious. Joshua would let you get his grip correct, but did not want help hitting the ball. There were a few times where everyone was hitting their balls, trying to get it in the hole, and instead creating chaos.
We often had Joshua pick up his ball and just put it in the hole...and for one green he decided this was the hole.
The day included cookies and ice cream and in Isaac's words, the day was "super!" They both fell asleep on the way home, which I always take for having had an excellent day.
We explored several of the playgrounds. The structures were somewhat the same, but there were several differences between them also.
We went to the splash pad/pool too. The splash pad's water was cold! I had brought the water shoes along, and I think that helped their feet...but not my feet. I didn't stay in for very long. We also went down the water slide. Isaac loved it, but Joshua preferred the shallow pool better.
It was the boys' first trip in a golf cart. While they quickly got used to it, at the beginning there were many "this is going so fast!"
The boys really wanted to play mini-golf. Really really a lot. And it was hilarious. Joshua would let you get his grip correct, but did not want help hitting the ball. There were a few times where everyone was hitting their balls, trying to get it in the hole, and instead creating chaos.
We often had Joshua pick up his ball and just put it in the hole...and for one green he decided this was the hole.
The day included cookies and ice cream and in Isaac's words, the day was "super!" They both fell asleep on the way home, which I always take for having had an excellent day.
Sunday, August 19, 2018
Sunday: Happy Birthday
Today's my birthday. It was an excellent birthday. The kids (and Ben) let me sleep in. Really, what more could I want?
Church was good. I played Warcraft and quilted. We had dinner with Dad and Pat. (I had a hard cider. I have found that I like hard ciders. However, it made my toes SO HOT.)
We set up our small tent in the basement and the boys are having a sleepover. Joshua always wants to have sleepovers with anyone, but Isaac had been saying no for too many times so we paused them. This seemed like a good compromise.
(This is seriously my favorite tent ever. It goes up in a minute.)
Church was good. I played Warcraft and quilted. We had dinner with Dad and Pat. (I had a hard cider. I have found that I like hard ciders. However, it made my toes SO HOT.)
We set up our small tent in the basement and the boys are having a sleepover. Joshua always wants to have sleepovers with anyone, but Isaac had been saying no for too many times so we paused them. This seemed like a good compromise.
(This is seriously my favorite tent ever. It goes up in a minute.)
Saturday, August 18, 2018
Saturday: guests
We cleaned the basement up today because we were having guests, and I really don't know why we don't do it more often. (Well, I do know. But I still wish we did it a bit more.) I let the rumba go and the boys played keep-away-from-the-rumba for about thirty minutes. It's nice having the space back, at least for a bit.
It was lovely to have friends over too. The kids played well in the water and then after dinner too. This allowed the adults to talk and it was nice to get to know everyone a bit better. Joshua tried teaching two of the girls Sleeping Queens. This is especially hard since Joshua barely knows all the rules. Isaac ended up joining in, and that worked better...or at least I think it did; I didn't actually see any of the game.
It was lovely to have friends over too. The kids played well in the water and then after dinner too. This allowed the adults to talk and it was nice to get to know everyone a bit better. Joshua tried teaching two of the girls Sleeping Queens. This is especially hard since Joshua barely knows all the rules. Isaac ended up joining in, and that worked better...or at least I think it did; I didn't actually see any of the game.
Friday, August 17, 2018
Friday: GR Children's musuem
Today we went to the Children's Museum with Dad, Pat, Landon and Greyson.
Oh, but first I got this from Joshua today it is, "To help you remember that you love Dad." I'm not sure why I need the help, but the sentiment is cute.
Ok, back the the Museum. Isaac loved the silver mirrors outside as we were waiting for it to open. He does obsess about his colors a bit. If it is silver, he loves it.
This museum was a lot of fun, but there was more free play in it than Impression 5. (That one is more play to learn.) It was right up Joshua's alley though, and he played rocket and fire truck for quite a while.
Isaac's favorite part was the spinning wheel. I could have spent longer there too, but was called to a fire.
I got a short puppet show.
We played with bubbles.
And built stuff. We built several domino runs too, but those didn't get any pictures.
The boys found the diner/construction zones and played at those for quite a while. I was happy to have missed the diner; I get fed so much pretend food that I'm often pretend stuffed. We finished out the trip with making some bridges. Joshua was in charge of hammering all the bolts.
Oh, but first I got this from Joshua today it is, "To help you remember that you love Dad." I'm not sure why I need the help, but the sentiment is cute.
Ok, back the the Museum. Isaac loved the silver mirrors outside as we were waiting for it to open. He does obsess about his colors a bit. If it is silver, he loves it.
This museum was a lot of fun, but there was more free play in it than Impression 5. (That one is more play to learn.) It was right up Joshua's alley though, and he played rocket and fire truck for quite a while.
Isaac's favorite part was the spinning wheel. I could have spent longer there too, but was called to a fire.
I got a short puppet show.
Isaac did some bouldering; Joshua tried and was getting the hang of it but then gave up.
We played with bubbles.
And built stuff. We built several domino runs too, but those didn't get any pictures.
The boys found the diner/construction zones and played at those for quite a while. I was happy to have missed the diner; I get fed so much pretend food that I'm often pretend stuffed. We finished out the trip with making some bridges. Joshua was in charge of hammering all the bolts.
Thursday, August 16, 2018
actually Thursday: this and that
We started out with a short walk with our neighbor and then playing with their kitchen. My boys sure do love feeding me, but they don't like eating their own cooking very much. During this time Holland Rescue Mission also came to pick up a bunch of toys. I got rid of several large toddler toys. The toys were loved, but haven't been played with a significant amount lately, so they can be passed on to someone who will love them better.
After that, we worked on taking the paint of Joshua's loft for a bit. I finally found tools that seem to work well, so the boys are more willing to help...it is rather addicting to get the paint off when it actually comes off. Then we still had some time, after playing Uno and Sleeping Queens, so I decided it was time for our yearly "clean under the fridge." First of all, there was so much less this year...a comb, a receipt, and a magnet. The boys are getting older. Secondly, after I pulled out the fridge they pretty much took over. I finished a small part at the end, but they did most of it. I guess behind-the-refrigerator is a cool place to be.
Joshua still loves playing with Voltron. During rest time I heard him say, "dear lion, please help us find a trick to poop on the bad lion's head." I can't remember what the context was, but it was still hilarious.
I gave blood today. The needle poke hurt more than usual, but it also seemed to go faster than usual. I was in and out in about thirty-five minutes.
After that, we worked on taking the paint of Joshua's loft for a bit. I finally found tools that seem to work well, so the boys are more willing to help...it is rather addicting to get the paint off when it actually comes off. Then we still had some time, after playing Uno and Sleeping Queens, so I decided it was time for our yearly "clean under the fridge." First of all, there was so much less this year...a comb, a receipt, and a magnet. The boys are getting older. Secondly, after I pulled out the fridge they pretty much took over. I finished a small part at the end, but they did most of it. I guess behind-the-refrigerator is a cool place to be.
Joshua still loves playing with Voltron. During rest time I heard him say, "dear lion, please help us find a trick to poop on the bad lion's head." I can't remember what the context was, but it was still hilarious.
I gave blood today. The needle poke hurt more than usual, but it also seemed to go faster than usual. I was in and out in about thirty-five minutes.
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