Terry continues to improve. His platelet count is back to normal, but he has experienced constant, nagging pain in his arm. He consulted his dr and she discovered blood clots in his arm. He had an ultrasound to determine whether they are superficial or deep vein. If they are deep vein clots, he will need to consult a hematologist to de-clot his blood but not mess up his platelet count. Or something like that. We're praying it's just superficial and heating pads will suffice.
Sadly, the caterpillars disappeared today. We were down to 11 this morning, 4 by the afternoon. I covered the 4 that were left with a mesh laundry basket. Somehow the laundry basket flew off and the caterpillars are nowhere in sight. We hope to see some swallowtails soon and know that they were "ours" for a day. Perhaps the wasps can't find them either.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Magic Treehouse Books
Grace loves them. And they're based loosely around historical times/places, so that helps a lot. She selected some from the library, and lo and behold, it is based around Colonial Plymouth. She's reading right now before bed, and she keeps coming out to read to me a paragraph describing the village, the homes, or the people. She's beaming at me, saying, "We were right! They DID bring seeds from England! They had log houses with steep thatched roofs! We really DID know these things!!"
It's so funny that she's processing this in such a delighted way.
AJ is singing in his room right now. He goes to bed so easily. It's hard to believe that a year ago, I was at my wit's end putting him down. He'd get up repeatedly, and I'd spend hours getting him to fall asleep. I finally held him in a hug for 10 minutes straight. He is not very cuddly and does NOT like hugs and kisses. That did it. I told him if he got up, I would lay with him and hug him. He's stayed in bed ever since, even when we're in an unfamiliar environment. Anything to avoid the hug!
He's enjoying preschool so far. His teacher is kind, and the class is small enough to not overwhelm him. Each parent packs their child's own snack, and I Like that. I hated sharing snack for the class 3 times a year, knowing that most parents sent junk like rice krispie treats and cupcakes and whatever overprocessed, high sugar, low nutrition food they found cheap and convenient. It made AJ's behavior completely erratic. So he has a new red Cars lunchbox, and I pack Honest Kids Juice pouch (lower sugar, 1/2 the calories of other brands, and this only because they've requested juice boxes only and not thermoses or juice bottles), a slice of cheese, crackers, nuts, dried fruit or fresh fruit. I think it makes a difference. I have seen improvement in his fine motor skills over the summer and am glad to see that he is doing well pre-writing at preschool. He's doing GREAT circles! Usually in purple.
It's so funny that she's processing this in such a delighted way.
AJ is singing in his room right now. He goes to bed so easily. It's hard to believe that a year ago, I was at my wit's end putting him down. He'd get up repeatedly, and I'd spend hours getting him to fall asleep. I finally held him in a hug for 10 minutes straight. He is not very cuddly and does NOT like hugs and kisses. That did it. I told him if he got up, I would lay with him and hug him. He's stayed in bed ever since, even when we're in an unfamiliar environment. Anything to avoid the hug!
He's enjoying preschool so far. His teacher is kind, and the class is small enough to not overwhelm him. Each parent packs their child's own snack, and I Like that. I hated sharing snack for the class 3 times a year, knowing that most parents sent junk like rice krispie treats and cupcakes and whatever overprocessed, high sugar, low nutrition food they found cheap and convenient. It made AJ's behavior completely erratic. So he has a new red Cars lunchbox, and I pack Honest Kids Juice pouch (lower sugar, 1/2 the calories of other brands, and this only because they've requested juice boxes only and not thermoses or juice bottles), a slice of cheese, crackers, nuts, dried fruit or fresh fruit. I think it makes a difference. I have seen improvement in his fine motor skills over the summer and am glad to see that he is doing well pre-writing at preschool. He's doing GREAT circles! Usually in purple.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Grace has had a very difficult time going to bed for the past 2 weeks. I'm weary to my very spirit of dealing with her inability to fall asleep, unwillingness to attempt to fall asleep, and irritable, grouchy behavior the following day.
I noticed that in colonial times, and even with some families today, children ar given large amounts of chores. Some people subscribe to the "delayed schooling" theory, which basically suggests that until children are mature enough to learn and WANT to learn, they should be given chores and work around the home to develop a sense of responsibility and work ethic.
I've decided to apply some of that theory. Grace was up very late last night, throwing temper tantrums and refusing to go to bed. We couldn't contain her in her room and saw that this behavior is escalating. Today, I laid down the new law. No television. At all. Not even during breakfast. I started her on her school work immediately, and when she complained of feeling tired, I gave her the choice of completing her school work or taking a nap. She completed her schoolwork with no more complaints. I assigned her extra chores, which included folding 3 loads of laundry. I insisted she pick up her room and she did, with no complaint.
She had a melt down after a playdate today and I was worried that I would encounter resistance at bedtime, especially with Terry working 2nd shift this week. I am relieved to say that she went to bed nicely, without getting up even once. I suspect extra chores are working. That, and giving her a pizza night to look forward to on Friday if she can keep up her hard work and a good attitude and going to bed peacefully.
I noticed that in colonial times, and even with some families today, children ar given large amounts of chores. Some people subscribe to the "delayed schooling" theory, which basically suggests that until children are mature enough to learn and WANT to learn, they should be given chores and work around the home to develop a sense of responsibility and work ethic.
I've decided to apply some of that theory. Grace was up very late last night, throwing temper tantrums and refusing to go to bed. We couldn't contain her in her room and saw that this behavior is escalating. Today, I laid down the new law. No television. At all. Not even during breakfast. I started her on her school work immediately, and when she complained of feeling tired, I gave her the choice of completing her school work or taking a nap. She completed her schoolwork with no more complaints. I assigned her extra chores, which included folding 3 loads of laundry. I insisted she pick up her room and she did, with no complaint.
She had a melt down after a playdate today and I was worried that I would encounter resistance at bedtime, especially with Terry working 2nd shift this week. I am relieved to say that she went to bed nicely, without getting up even once. I suspect extra chores are working. That, and giving her a pizza night to look forward to on Friday if she can keep up her hard work and a good attitude and going to bed peacefully.
My Garden Surprise
I made a really fun mug at the Get Fired Up pottery place with Grace a few weeks ago. I got my children to bed on time tonight, and decided to make some herbal tea using herbs from my garden. I went out with my pink clippers, barefoot in the wet grass, to snip some lemon balm, peppermint, chocolate mint, lavendar and stevia. I froze, mid-step, when I discovered bugs all over my fennel. I was horrified, and then fascinated. My beautiful fennel, feathery and copper colored, was gone. In its place were 14 caterpillars.
I did some research and learned they are tiger swallowtail catterpillars. I decided to leave the fennel and show the kids in the morning. I'm hoping my garden will survive until then, as it was twilight and the light was quickly fading. I think I should probably transplant the fennel to a separate location/pot in the morning. We've purposefully neglected science this month in the interest of barelling through our Colonial Plymouth studies. Look what landed in our laps!
My tea must have steeped by now. My bath, book and steaming cup of tea await.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Coming up
We're heading out to the Liberty Bell Memorial Museum today. I hope it is fun, as well as educational. We began formal schooling last week and did well. Yesterday, however, did NOT go well.
SOMEONE who shall remain nameless allowed my daughter to stay up 2 hours past her normal bedtime Sunday night. I warned that it would not go well. And I was right. All day yesterday, said daughter whined and cried and acted extremely irritable. We did not accomplish any school work and FINALLY the child took a nap 30 minutes before a playdate. I woke her in time for the playdate because I'd spent all day trying to get her to catch up on rest and that was the stipulation. Plus I wanted her to go to bed back on schedule.
So she's reading about Plymouth history and quite pleasant this morning. Yeah!
On a side note, we will be traveling to Boston Friday, September 4 and returning home Saturday, September 12. (I think the dates are right--the days are correct for sure!) We look forward to seeing our family and taking the kids to a living history museum-- Plimouth Plantation. Grace has been working very hard on a 8-unit "History Pocket" of Plymouth and Colonial life. We plan to visit a replica of the Mayflower and the unassuming "Plymouth Rock", as well! This will be a wonderful reward for her hard work. AJ, too, will enjoy chasing the chickens at the very least!! (We covered Columbus' discovery of the New World, and Ponce De Leon's discovery of America last year when we visited St. Augustine).
AJ started preschool yesterday. He was very excited about his teacher and his new friends and his new lunch box AND his new underpants! Then he walked into the classroom, completely overwhelmed by all the excitement, and fell to the floor sobbing. Apparently he recovered at snacktime. We will arrive earlier than most tomorrow to transition him a bit easier.
SOMEONE who shall remain nameless allowed my daughter to stay up 2 hours past her normal bedtime Sunday night. I warned that it would not go well. And I was right. All day yesterday, said daughter whined and cried and acted extremely irritable. We did not accomplish any school work and FINALLY the child took a nap 30 minutes before a playdate. I woke her in time for the playdate because I'd spent all day trying to get her to catch up on rest and that was the stipulation. Plus I wanted her to go to bed back on schedule.
So she's reading about Plymouth history and quite pleasant this morning. Yeah!
On a side note, we will be traveling to Boston Friday, September 4 and returning home Saturday, September 12. (I think the dates are right--the days are correct for sure!) We look forward to seeing our family and taking the kids to a living history museum-- Plimouth Plantation. Grace has been working very hard on a 8-unit "History Pocket" of Plymouth and Colonial life. We plan to visit a replica of the Mayflower and the unassuming "Plymouth Rock", as well! This will be a wonderful reward for her hard work. AJ, too, will enjoy chasing the chickens at the very least!! (We covered Columbus' discovery of the New World, and Ponce De Leon's discovery of America last year when we visited St. Augustine).
AJ started preschool yesterday. He was very excited about his teacher and his new friends and his new lunch box AND his new underpants! Then he walked into the classroom, completely overwhelmed by all the excitement, and fell to the floor sobbing. Apparently he recovered at snacktime. We will arrive earlier than most tomorrow to transition him a bit easier.
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