Things have been going kind of slow around here. Our BFIAR manual and books came. We've been rowing some of the books at night.
He loves the book Play With Me, a sweet and gentle story about a little girl who wants to play with the animals she finds in the meadow behind her house. When she stops chasing the animals and sits still, she discovers that they approach her. At the very end, a baby fawn comes out of the woods and licks her cheek.
Gabriel loves that part of the story. He pretends that he is a baby fawn and licks Mama's cheek. :)
Monday, September 5, 2011
Saturday, August 27, 2011
I'm Ready
Today, we had an anniversary dinner for my in laws. Afterward, we went to the park in their old neighborhood, the same one that my husband and his brothers played in as children.
Something really cool happened while we were at the park. For the first time ever, Gabriel braved the slide all by himself.
First, he went down the little slide. After mastering that one, he attempted the medium wavy one. And then he went down the big spiral slide. All by himself.
Before, he would climb to the top of the slide and peer down, uncertain and apprehensive. No amount of coaxing would encourage him. He always wanted to sit in our laps and go down the slide. It was beginning to worry me a little because he is twenty eight months and I'd see younger children going down without a problem.
Today, with barely any prompting, he went right down. A big beaming smile on his face. A smile that said: "I'm ready. I can do it all by myself."
I'm ready. A reminder that each child is on his or her own timeline. That each phase of development happens in its own time. That the child is like a flower, unfolding one petal at a time.
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| Gabriel. Sticking out his tongue for concentration. |
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
BFIAR is on it's way!
I'm happy to report that I finally got around to ordering the Before Five in a Row manual and some of the books.
When I went through Gabriel's vast book collection, I was happy to discover that we already had some of the titles like Blueberries for Sal; The Runaway Bunny; Goodnight Moon; The ABC Bunny; We're Going on a Bear Hunt, and Corduroy. All of those titles I picked up for pennies at second hand stores.
So far, we now have eleven of the recommended twenty four titles in BFIAR...but I think eleven is a perfectly good number to start with. I plan to order the rest by Christmas time. Unless I luck out and find some of the titles in thrift stores. I am keeping my eye out.
One thing I've been doing is continuing to read the titles that we have on hand at bedtime. Tonight, we read Goodnight Moon.
Gabriel is very, very, very interested in finding the teeny tiny mouse that appears in different places on each colored page. In fact, that seems to be the whole point of the book right now for him!
I try to point out the clocks, the socks, the bears, and the chairs. Gabriel looks for the mouse. Tonight after we read the book twice, Gabriel announced that he was going to read.
He took the book and opened it to the first colored page. "Where's the mouse?" he asked. Then he pointed to the mouse and said, "Right there." And proceeded through most of the book that way.
Anyhow, I cannot wait to get and read my BFIAR manual. I'm excited to read about the ideas and suggestions.
Rainbow ResourcesWhen I went through Gabriel's vast book collection, I was happy to discover that we already had some of the titles like Blueberries for Sal; The Runaway Bunny; Goodnight Moon; The ABC Bunny; We're Going on a Bear Hunt, and Corduroy. All of those titles I picked up for pennies at second hand stores.
So far, we now have eleven of the recommended twenty four titles in BFIAR...but I think eleven is a perfectly good number to start with. I plan to order the rest by Christmas time. Unless I luck out and find some of the titles in thrift stores. I am keeping my eye out.
One thing I've been doing is continuing to read the titles that we have on hand at bedtime. Tonight, we read Goodnight Moon.
Gabriel is very, very, very interested in finding the teeny tiny mouse that appears in different places on each colored page. In fact, that seems to be the whole point of the book right now for him!
I try to point out the clocks, the socks, the bears, and the chairs. Gabriel looks for the mouse. Tonight after we read the book twice, Gabriel announced that he was going to read.
He took the book and opened it to the first colored page. "Where's the mouse?" he asked. Then he pointed to the mouse and said, "Right there." And proceeded through most of the book that way.
Anyhow, I cannot wait to get and read my BFIAR manual. I'm excited to read about the ideas and suggestions.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Another visit to the doctor, Courderoy, and the emergence of counting.
His eyes are bloodshot, his face is covered with mosquito bites. The spray just doesn't keep the tiny army of menace away from my little one.
Last night, on an evening walk, he was bitten in the ear by a mosquito. This morning, his ear was swollen, puffy, red, and inflamed. Another visit to the doctor. She prescribed antibiotics because it could be the beginnings of an infection.
His eyes are red from allergy. Poor Gabriel is allergic to early trees and late trees, pollen, dust, mold. And it appears he does not fare well with mosquitoes.
The doctor said the best thing might be just to keep him inside mostly until the mosquitoes go away. They've been so bad in our area this summer. Even in the daytime, they are flickering and biting about.
This summer has been particularly bad for being out of doors. July was insanely hot. August brought the mosquitoes thick through the neighborhood. It doesn't help that we live just blocks from the river, our neighborhood and yard are full of trees. Still, I wish there could be a little more acorns than storybooks while our weather is so mild. But, I am counting the days till fall when we can be outside without worry of bug bites and the havoc they cause my son.
Tonight, his dad is putting him to bed. For stories tonight, we re-read Courderoy. He listens so patiently to the story and seems to be very interested in the missing button on the bear's overalls. We also read through the ABC Bunny but he doesn't seem as interested in that one.
I went through his book collection recently and discovered we had some BFIAR books, about five total. That's five less I need to purchase. Even though I don't have the manual yet, hopefully soon!, I figure I can introduce the stories we do have to him very gently.
As I was reading to him tonight, he grabbed my hand and started counting my fingers one by one. "One finger, two finger, three finger, three. One, two, three, four, five." He may not have the exact sequence down yet, but I was amazed to see the beginnings of understanding of the purpose of counting in my twenty eight month old.
Last night, on an evening walk, he was bitten in the ear by a mosquito. This morning, his ear was swollen, puffy, red, and inflamed. Another visit to the doctor. She prescribed antibiotics because it could be the beginnings of an infection.
His eyes are red from allergy. Poor Gabriel is allergic to early trees and late trees, pollen, dust, mold. And it appears he does not fare well with mosquitoes.
The doctor said the best thing might be just to keep him inside mostly until the mosquitoes go away. They've been so bad in our area this summer. Even in the daytime, they are flickering and biting about.
This summer has been particularly bad for being out of doors. July was insanely hot. August brought the mosquitoes thick through the neighborhood. It doesn't help that we live just blocks from the river, our neighborhood and yard are full of trees. Still, I wish there could be a little more acorns than storybooks while our weather is so mild. But, I am counting the days till fall when we can be outside without worry of bug bites and the havoc they cause my son.
Tonight, his dad is putting him to bed. For stories tonight, we re-read Courderoy. He listens so patiently to the story and seems to be very interested in the missing button on the bear's overalls. We also read through the ABC Bunny but he doesn't seem as interested in that one.
I went through his book collection recently and discovered we had some BFIAR books, about five total. That's five less I need to purchase. Even though I don't have the manual yet, hopefully soon!, I figure I can introduce the stories we do have to him very gently.
As I was reading to him tonight, he grabbed my hand and started counting my fingers one by one. "One finger, two finger, three finger, three. One, two, three, four, five." He may not have the exact sequence down yet, but I was amazed to see the beginnings of understanding of the purpose of counting in my twenty eight month old.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
A Visit to the Doctor
Today, Gabriel went to see the doctor. He had a bad reaction to a mosquito bite by his eye. It swelled up underneath. On the way to the office, I briefly went over the routine. The doctor would listen to his heart, look at his ears, and check his eyes and throat.
"Stickers?" he asked. He knows he gets stickers at the doctors! But he didn't say much else.
At the doctor's, I watched as Gabriel willingly climbed on the scale to be weighed. He sat patiently on the chair while the nurse took his temperature. He's never done that before! Usually, he fights the whole intake process.
Then he asked for stickers. He got two with cars on them. He correctly identified one as brown, the other as red.
When the doctor came in, Gabriel asked, "Doctor?" She went down to his level and they had a little conversation.
"Listen heart?"
"Yes, I'm going to listen to your heart."
"Look ears?"
"Yes, I'll check your ears."
He sat very quietly while the doctor examined him. Then he made her check his ears again. "Still look perfect!" the doctor said.
The only part that was a little difficult was when she had to check his throat and use the tongue depressor. He was a bit reluctant and squirmy so I had to hold him still.
The doctor prescribed an antihistamine and some hydrocortisone cream.
I was amazed by how well he did. He's not typically naughty at the doctors. He's just really active, bouncing around, squirmy, and ready to be done soon after we start. Today, he was patient, cooperative, and could carry on a conversation, and yes, an understanding about what was happening.
Lately, we've been reading a lot of Maisy books. One that he's read is called "Doctor Maisy." Maisy pretends to be a doctor. Gabriel likes to read the part where she takes her Panda's temperature and "hears" his heartbeat.
I think the simple act of reading this story several times in a row has helped him to be prepared for the doctor. That and just going over what was going to happen beforehand.
I loved his little conversation with the doctor. I loved that she gently met him at his level and talked over the exam without me. It is a sign of his growing independence, his moving out of babyhood and towards, ever so slowly, childhood.
But he still is a toddler, still in much need of Mommy and Daddy. In need of lots of snuggles, kissed boo boos, a sippy cup of milk at night. In time, though, these days of him being still so very little in so many ways will fade. He's going to start growing up. Soon, before I know it, he'll be three. Then four, five, six...
But like the doctor, I need to meet him where he is at in the moment. And gently prepare him for what is to come.
"Stickers?" he asked. He knows he gets stickers at the doctors! But he didn't say much else.
At the doctor's, I watched as Gabriel willingly climbed on the scale to be weighed. He sat patiently on the chair while the nurse took his temperature. He's never done that before! Usually, he fights the whole intake process.
Then he asked for stickers. He got two with cars on them. He correctly identified one as brown, the other as red.
When the doctor came in, Gabriel asked, "Doctor?" She went down to his level and they had a little conversation.
"Listen heart?"
"Yes, I'm going to listen to your heart."
"Look ears?"
"Yes, I'll check your ears."
He sat very quietly while the doctor examined him. Then he made her check his ears again. "Still look perfect!" the doctor said.
The only part that was a little difficult was when she had to check his throat and use the tongue depressor. He was a bit reluctant and squirmy so I had to hold him still.
The doctor prescribed an antihistamine and some hydrocortisone cream.
I was amazed by how well he did. He's not typically naughty at the doctors. He's just really active, bouncing around, squirmy, and ready to be done soon after we start. Today, he was patient, cooperative, and could carry on a conversation, and yes, an understanding about what was happening.
Lately, we've been reading a lot of Maisy books. One that he's read is called "Doctor Maisy." Maisy pretends to be a doctor. Gabriel likes to read the part where she takes her Panda's temperature and "hears" his heartbeat.
I think the simple act of reading this story several times in a row has helped him to be prepared for the doctor. That and just going over what was going to happen beforehand.
I loved his little conversation with the doctor. I loved that she gently met him at his level and talked over the exam without me. It is a sign of his growing independence, his moving out of babyhood and towards, ever so slowly, childhood.
But he still is a toddler, still in much need of Mommy and Daddy. In need of lots of snuggles, kissed boo boos, a sippy cup of milk at night. In time, though, these days of him being still so very little in so many ways will fade. He's going to start growing up. Soon, before I know it, he'll be three. Then four, five, six...
But like the doctor, I need to meet him where he is at in the moment. And gently prepare him for what is to come.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
It's Painting Time, Mama.
Today, Gabriel asked for the painting. More specifically...he asked, " It's Painting Time, Mama?"
To be honest I was a little bit reluctant to get them out. Because I knew it would mean a mess that I didn't feel like cleaning up. But then I thought about it for a minute.
Of course, it will be messy. But that's part of childhood. Making messes and exploring textures.
So I told Gabriel, yes. Yes, we could have painting time.
I got out the pan and squirted out the fingerpaints. They're the washable kind so any mess is really minimal. I got out the shape sponges and the paintbrushes. He rarely fingerpaints with his fingers for some reason.
I think he takes after me and is a bit averse to slimy textures on his fingers. Even though I try to model painting with my fingers for him, he doesn't seem to take to it.
Gabriel spent the next half hour making a mess with paint and paper and water. He painted three pictures and then he was more interested in putting paint on the brushes and wiping them off on his clothes.
I am not sure whether I should allow him to do this or keep him guided on the activity at hand. If he's no longer interested in painting on the paper, part of me feels like the activity should end and clean up time should begin. The other part of me feels like I should just let him cover himself in paint. Because it's washable and you're only two once.
It's an internal struggle I face often as a parent. When is intervening and keeping kids focused on the activity okay? When does it become a mite too controlling?
When do we lead and when do we let go?
 |
| Credit: Simon Howden/FreeDigitalPhotos.net |
To be honest I was a little bit reluctant to get them out. Because I knew it would mean a mess that I didn't feel like cleaning up. But then I thought about it for a minute.
Of course, it will be messy. But that's part of childhood. Making messes and exploring textures.
So I told Gabriel, yes. Yes, we could have painting time.
I got out the pan and squirted out the fingerpaints. They're the washable kind so any mess is really minimal. I got out the shape sponges and the paintbrushes. He rarely fingerpaints with his fingers for some reason.
I think he takes after me and is a bit averse to slimy textures on his fingers. Even though I try to model painting with my fingers for him, he doesn't seem to take to it.
Gabriel spent the next half hour making a mess with paint and paper and water. He painted three pictures and then he was more interested in putting paint on the brushes and wiping them off on his clothes.
I am not sure whether I should allow him to do this or keep him guided on the activity at hand. If he's no longer interested in painting on the paper, part of me feels like the activity should end and clean up time should begin. The other part of me feels like I should just let him cover himself in paint. Because it's washable and you're only two once.
It's an internal struggle I face often as a parent. When is intervening and keeping kids focused on the activity okay? When does it become a mite too controlling?
When do we lead and when do we let go?
Sunday, August 7, 2011
I'm spending my birthday money on homeschooling materials.
This weekend, I got a break from parenting from a little bit. Gabriel went to spend the weekend with the grandparents where he got to eat fudgsicles and cookies to his heart's content, play in the pool, and ride around in his new awesome car that Grandma and Grandpa bought him.
Meanwhile, Mommy and Daddy got some much needed downtime, and a date for my birthday which is on Monday. We went out to dinner and saw the new movie, Rise of the Planet of the Apes. Dinner was great, the movie was more Daddy's speed, but entertaining nonetheless for Mommy. Then we came home and watched another movie we'd recorded, The Young Victoria. Mommy loved it! I fell asleep sometime during the rerun of SNL, and woke up at the heavenly hour of 11:30 a.m. We went to brunch and then drove to the in laws to hang out, eat KFC, and have some birthday cake.
So, for my birthday I got some money from a generous relative. And what was the first thing I thought?
"Money for homeschooling stuff!"
So, even though I don't want to force learning or rush Gabriel into anything before he is ready, I want to get started on purchasing the BFIAR curriculum. Because I want to have it on hand for when he is ready.
Tonight, he asked me again to read How Big is a Pig three times in a row. He sat there quiet and still while I read the book over and over. He always laughs hysterically when we get to the last page. "Some pigs are big and some pigs are small, but this pig is my mom and she's the biggest of all!"
There's a great picture of a Mama Pig nursing all her little piglets. According to Gabriel, I'm the Mama Pig and he's the Baby Pig. He thinks this is very funny. Mommy is not so sure about being compared to a giant sow, but if it makes her little guy smile, she can laugh along at the joke.
Observing him, I see him getting more and more ready to sit and read a book multiple times. The Five in a Row people call it Rowing a book. I suppose you could say that we're rowing How Big is a Pig.
I'm hoping that he will enjoy the BFIAR book selections. A few we have on hand already... Goodnight Moon, ABC Bunny, The Runaway Bunny. I'll use my birthday money to purchase the Parents Guide and some of the other texts like Blueberries for Sal, The Snowy Day, and Jesse Bear, What Will You Wear? The rest I'll pick up as needed.
Like I said, I don't want to pressure him. I just want to have the materials on hand for when he is ready. It's also why I hope our printer is soon hooked up...so I can do some of the printables off sites like Tot School....expose him to letters and sounds without pressure.
Gabriel got out his shape sorter tonight just before storytime. He hasn't shown any interest in it in a month or two. It's a wooden one that his uncle Kevin bought him in Austria. The last time he used it, he had trouble getting the triangular piece to fit. Tonight, he did it on the first try and announced to himself, "Good Job! Triangle!"
I am really hoping that we have our computer issue fixed soon so I can start uploading photos. I like putting pictures to words...this blog feels pretty Amish without images.
Meanwhile, Mommy and Daddy got some much needed downtime, and a date for my birthday which is on Monday. We went out to dinner and saw the new movie, Rise of the Planet of the Apes. Dinner was great, the movie was more Daddy's speed, but entertaining nonetheless for Mommy. Then we came home and watched another movie we'd recorded, The Young Victoria. Mommy loved it! I fell asleep sometime during the rerun of SNL, and woke up at the heavenly hour of 11:30 a.m. We went to brunch and then drove to the in laws to hang out, eat KFC, and have some birthday cake.
So, for my birthday I got some money from a generous relative. And what was the first thing I thought?
"Money for homeschooling stuff!"
So, even though I don't want to force learning or rush Gabriel into anything before he is ready, I want to get started on purchasing the BFIAR curriculum. Because I want to have it on hand for when he is ready.
Tonight, he asked me again to read How Big is a Pig three times in a row. He sat there quiet and still while I read the book over and over. He always laughs hysterically when we get to the last page. "Some pigs are big and some pigs are small, but this pig is my mom and she's the biggest of all!"
There's a great picture of a Mama Pig nursing all her little piglets. According to Gabriel, I'm the Mama Pig and he's the Baby Pig. He thinks this is very funny. Mommy is not so sure about being compared to a giant sow, but if it makes her little guy smile, she can laugh along at the joke.
Observing him, I see him getting more and more ready to sit and read a book multiple times. The Five in a Row people call it Rowing a book. I suppose you could say that we're rowing How Big is a Pig.
I'm hoping that he will enjoy the BFIAR book selections. A few we have on hand already... Goodnight Moon, ABC Bunny, The Runaway Bunny. I'll use my birthday money to purchase the Parents Guide and some of the other texts like Blueberries for Sal, The Snowy Day, and Jesse Bear, What Will You Wear? The rest I'll pick up as needed.
Like I said, I don't want to pressure him. I just want to have the materials on hand for when he is ready. It's also why I hope our printer is soon hooked up...so I can do some of the printables off sites like Tot School....expose him to letters and sounds without pressure.
Gabriel got out his shape sorter tonight just before storytime. He hasn't shown any interest in it in a month or two. It's a wooden one that his uncle Kevin bought him in Austria. The last time he used it, he had trouble getting the triangular piece to fit. Tonight, he did it on the first try and announced to himself, "Good Job! Triangle!"
I am really hoping that we have our computer issue fixed soon so I can start uploading photos. I like putting pictures to words...this blog feels pretty Amish without images.
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