We still have some letter labeling to contend with, but Calvin is totally a reader. He can read a few sight words and has been sounding things out when he can. My favorite part of his development is his ability to attempt writing more. He just recently started experimenting with writing and it has been going fairly well. He will sit down and try to sound things out on his own and draw pictures to accompany it. It makes me so happy inside to see him trying.
He can sound out most things, but he still struggles with a few letters and numbers. We have created flash cards, made 'signs' to hang up in his room so he can look at them at night and we even put glow in the dark stickers on them so he can see them in the dark.
He shared with me the other day that he doesn't like when he tells people things and they tell 'everybody.' I can't believe he is experiencing the effects of gossip so soon in his little life. He stays after school on Thursdays for Dragon Tutoring and he has said that is the time it happens most, so at least it is not in his daily attendance to school, but man. Girls are crazy.
My hope is that he will never have to stay back and that he will get a handle on his letters in the coming months. We will soon see. We are trying hard at home. As hard as he will allow without turning him off to learning too much.
I am not sure if I wrote about this previously, so I will stick it in quickly here: Calvin used to sing, "I, am the king, of this family" just like the Lion in The Wizard of Oz. It was really funny when he did it, and I just don't want to lose that sweet memory of him. He would hold his arm up like him and everything. So adorable.
11.2.12
Snow-not-Bored
We have been up to the mountain twice in the last two weekends, and I have decided that I could get used to going that frequently. Calvin did great both times. He never falters when we are on the mountain. No complaints, no breakdowns, not a single tear. We eat snacks/breakfast on the way up, get on the mountain and snowboard for 4 hours straight, stopping for water or a quick snack only once. Then we get in the car and stop at McDonald's on the way home and meet my sisters somewhere to collect Harrison.
Our second go at it ended well. We got onto the 'next biggest' hill from the bunny hill and Calvin found his front edge. He did a great job on it and really worked it. We went back to the small hill to perfect it and see if he could really control himself and he did it. He was so proud of himself when he got to the bottom and was able to stay standing instead of falling in order to stop himself. He did a few more runs that way and then on the last run, he slowed for a minute, looked at me, felt his back edge and then slowly creeped some more, and fell to his knees. I was so completely excited inside. He found his back edge. It was time to go by the time we got back up to the top of the mountain, but it was a great day.
We have one more lift ticket on the triple play pass, so hopefully we can capitalize on this itty bitty little bit of snow we got today (2 inches?? maybe). Hoping one of the next few weekends can translate into some fun on the mountain.
Our second go at it ended well. We got onto the 'next biggest' hill from the bunny hill and Calvin found his front edge. He did a great job on it and really worked it. We went back to the small hill to perfect it and see if he could really control himself and he did it. He was so proud of himself when he got to the bottom and was able to stay standing instead of falling in order to stop himself. He did a few more runs that way and then on the last run, he slowed for a minute, looked at me, felt his back edge and then slowly creeped some more, and fell to his knees. I was so completely excited inside. He found his back edge. It was time to go by the time we got back up to the top of the mountain, but it was a great day.
We have one more lift ticket on the triple play pass, so hopefully we can capitalize on this itty bitty little bit of snow we got today (2 inches?? maybe). Hoping one of the next few weekends can translate into some fun on the mountain.
The Most Dangerous Game
My husband has taken to being a hunter. My children, dinosaurs. Since we have made a hole in the fourth wall in our house and created a running track that circles completely in the layout of the house, the boys run. That, combined with the latest in the Nerf gun line has created a place for the boys to run and run and run until the ammo runs out.
Most nights, my husband sits in the dark between our sofa and chair and a half, crouched waiting for the sound of pattering feet. The sniper-light on the gun helps guide his marshmallow bullets to the boys. When I participated in the 'hunting' Calvin could not contain himself. He ran and ran. He went from a plain boy to a velociraptor in seconds. I was coached to 'just miss' them and shoot the walls next to them as they passed. My husband let me know that they really like it when they can hear the bullets against the wall. The squeals upheld that claim.
As we were partaking in this activity, I wondered what it would be like to have parents who did things like this. Not that my parents were not fun, because we had a lot of fun as children with our parents and with each other, but it was not this kind of fun. So I kept wondering how my more child-like behavior would affect the perception of me as 'parent.'
What does shooting your children with Nerf guns at night translate to in school, into adolescence, adulthood? I don't know. I think that this must be the great experiment of parenting. We aren't really following the scientific method so much, but hopefully we can draw some conclusions at some point and provide others with valuable evidence.
Most nights, my husband sits in the dark between our sofa and chair and a half, crouched waiting for the sound of pattering feet. The sniper-light on the gun helps guide his marshmallow bullets to the boys. When I participated in the 'hunting' Calvin could not contain himself. He ran and ran. He went from a plain boy to a velociraptor in seconds. I was coached to 'just miss' them and shoot the walls next to them as they passed. My husband let me know that they really like it when they can hear the bullets against the wall. The squeals upheld that claim.
As we were partaking in this activity, I wondered what it would be like to have parents who did things like this. Not that my parents were not fun, because we had a lot of fun as children with our parents and with each other, but it was not this kind of fun. So I kept wondering how my more child-like behavior would affect the perception of me as 'parent.'
What does shooting your children with Nerf guns at night translate to in school, into adolescence, adulthood? I don't know. I think that this must be the great experiment of parenting. We aren't really following the scientific method so much, but hopefully we can draw some conclusions at some point and provide others with valuable evidence.
17.1.12
a Real Boy
Calvin turned 6 yesterday and we had a crazy party with his classmates. Hangyeol, Ian, Alex, Ciara, Claire (who will be moving the end of February), Sabina(Calv's number one girl), Fiona, Adelina, Isabella (and her sister Penelope), Flor, and Henry. It was a crazy blast. There were kids in every inch of our house.
We made pizzas, cooked them and then ate them. The cake was also made to look like a pizza. I think the kids all had fun and I guess that's what matters most.
Calvin gets very excited when people come over, even if it is one person. He runs around and just wants to wrestle and play with whoever is here. It was 10 times that with ten kids in the house.
We have seen a little bit of progress in terms of reading. He does not love it. He will read some when encouraged or when I sit down with him and have him do it, but he still struggles at times and uses the pictures a lot to inform his reading. BUT - he has been sounding out letters and can do it on his own...when he wants.
He has also started adding. He has more of an inclination to practice adding on the spur of the moment than sounding out letters or trying to write them. He will ask about adding in the car and do it himself. I am thinking math might be his strength as time goes on. He just started subtraction and I think he is having trouble changing his brain from the adding he has learned to the subtraction he is now doing. But he is getting there slowly. We have been trying to support a bunch by doing adding and subtracting with any old item we can.
He still rushes with his drawing and still struggles with the letter G and N. I think he is good with M, but for some reason the N gets him every time.
One of his recent activities is that he will turn the lights down in the dining room and living room (since they are connected) and he will sing a song he has made up. The song goes something like this: I wish we were a family,
We need to wait a long long time,
Until we can get married and have children,
I wish we were a family,
me and Sabina.
That is usually the extent of it. He takes breaks. And then he sings it over and over again. He did not like to have us watching at first because he was afraid we would make fun of him, but since he has noticed that we will not. He has let me stay in the dining room while it is going on. He is still not so sure about Pete watching yet though. Sometimes Harrison helps out on the drums.
He has had 2 cavities (not sure if I mentioned those) and he recently had his 4 adult teeth sealed. He is able to make his own hot chocolate and also his own oatmeal. I usually deal with the hot bowl and sometimes taking things out of the microwave, but everything else is on his own. The first day he tried, he got a little of the cocoa powder in the oatmeal bowl so he tried some chocolate oatmeal. It was not a favorite.
We have been able to visit with Dylan(Tony) and we have planned a trip to Albany to visit and go snowboarding with them. Hopefully all will go well and they will enjoy the day on the 'slopes.' We will see.
I am hoping to get up there next weekend and maybe even sleepover at grandma's (mae mae's) house in Wilkes-Barre, PA.
His family party is this weekend - we are making pizzas but with his cousins and Owen and Kira (from the beach). I am looking forward to a more low keyish evening. Pete is taking him to Medieval Times on Saturday with Logan and Shaun and Uncle Daniel. I think they will have a great time there - I can't wait to hear about Calvin's reactions to things.
He has been going to soccer this weekend and also going to some activities at the East Brunswick Public Library - a Lego day where people come and build with Legos and also something called Science Scene where they set up lessons for kids to learn about science. I think he really gains a lot form being in another environment. We also went to see "Outrage-hiss Pets" and were able to be there with Mary and Owen over the winter break.
There is a 'Milk and Cookies' program at the State Theater on Saturday that we will go to. Sometimes the boys are with it and like the activities and other times I feel like I am forcing them to stay just because I think it isn't right to go somewhere and then leave early. We will see how this one goes.
Thanksgiving and Christmas was a really great time. He loves his cousin JohNny and they always have a great time hanging out together.
Halloween was also great. We were all over the place a little too much though. We went to grandma's and then to Grandpa Ron's and then to Diane's (Keith's mom) and finally back home for some good ole, round the block trick or treating. Hangyeol came over and they went around the block to the houses in the neighborhood. The dads took them out, so it was a nice time.
Here are some pics from the party:
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| Alex |
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| Hangyeol |
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| Sabina |
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| the pizza cake |
 |
| Hangyeol and Claire |
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| Sabina |
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| Calvin, Hangyeol, Claire, and Fiona |
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| Penelope, Claire, Adelina, Flor, Isabella, Ciara, and Sabina |
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| all the same as above plus Henry and Harrison |
2.10.11
Toothless (not the dragon)
This time, I just had some energy and just wanted to check on everything that was going on inside of there. As soon as he opened his mouth, I almost freaked when I saw 4 little teeth in 2 sets staring back at me on the bottom row. Apparently teeth #O and #P did not come out on their own and the adult teeth were already half way up and out of the gum. (Maybe that's why he was acting so immature the past few days).
I informed him of the new discovery, sent him to bed after brushing and pee pee and then got onto the internet. After some cyber searching, I found that it was pretty common (if 30% is common) and that the dentist will just remove the teeth if they think there isn't enough room for the new set.
We scheduled the appointment and they were removed. Calvin was a champ. Dr. Brunsden's office is amazing at "tricking" the kids into having no idea what is going on in their mouth, so it went rather smoothly - even if a little Novocaine. The only thing Calvin did not take well to was the flavor of the Novocaine. He had a little trouble managing that, but after that came out of his mouth, he was 100% awesome. He got his toys, stickers, and his teeth and to the house we went.
The tooth fairy came that night (she almost forgot, but Calvin didn't even notice) and he and Harrison got some toys at the dollar store with the money. (Calvin wanted to get Harrison an ice cream cone and a toy, buy I convinced him that he should use some of the money for himself).
Calvin is really enjoying Kindergarten. He likes school a lot. He seems to have some new friends, but he is also holding on to his old one, which I like a lot. He has a girl, Claire, that he likes a lot, but he says she doesn't like him as much. He said she loves her in her glasses. (Looks like he is already going for the nerdy type, and I like it).
He has a first year teacher this year, but I think she is a keeper. We are crossing our fingers that Calv learns how to read this year without a hitch (or at least reads some words). He is on his way.
10.7.11
Big Day
Today, Calvin had some huge developments and he just let them keep on rolling. This morning while getting ready for church, he tied his shoes for the first time. I hope this act will continue. I informed him that he can now purchase shoes without velcro - wahoo!
Next, and almost immediately following the shoe tying, he began practicing snapping. He snapped and snapped. He asked dad to snap, he asked me to snap (and informed me that I snap louder than dad). And he continued to snap. And now, I think he thinks he is an ace at snapping.
Then, we went to grandma's neighbor's pool for a swim (grandma has some awesome neighbors) and I told Calvin he was going to swim today. And he did. He swam with two swim noodles and then one pool noodle. He jumped off the steps into (and under) the water. He swam the length of the pool with 2 noodles and the width of the pool with one. He has not yet done the swimming without a noodle, but he is getting much, much closer. He is trying to get stronger and to be more daring and it is awesome to see his pride in himself.
We had a great night last night at the spray park with Katie and her friend Emily, Logan, Lyla, and Owen, and of course Harrison. It was such a nice night to get out and hang out. Everyone had a great time playing together and really did a good job taking care of each other. Hopefully Hanygeol will make it with us next time.
We have been writing everyday and working on letters and numbers. Today we did some flash cards, 1-20, and all but 5 of them could be identified. I know that he can do it, and hopefully by the end of the summer he will be there and be super confident for kindergarten.
Today he had 2 gifts, one for grandma and one for grandma. He asked for help to read them, but after i read the grand part, he knew the next letters and knew who the gifts were for. He is getting there. I know he will be such a good reader.
Next, and almost immediately following the shoe tying, he began practicing snapping. He snapped and snapped. He asked dad to snap, he asked me to snap (and informed me that I snap louder than dad). And he continued to snap. And now, I think he thinks he is an ace at snapping.
Then, we went to grandma's neighbor's pool for a swim (grandma has some awesome neighbors) and I told Calvin he was going to swim today. And he did. He swam with two swim noodles and then one pool noodle. He jumped off the steps into (and under) the water. He swam the length of the pool with 2 noodles and the width of the pool with one. He has not yet done the swimming without a noodle, but he is getting much, much closer. He is trying to get stronger and to be more daring and it is awesome to see his pride in himself.
We had a great night last night at the spray park with Katie and her friend Emily, Logan, Lyla, and Owen, and of course Harrison. It was such a nice night to get out and hang out. Everyone had a great time playing together and really did a good job taking care of each other. Hopefully Hanygeol will make it with us next time.
We have been writing everyday and working on letters and numbers. Today we did some flash cards, 1-20, and all but 5 of them could be identified. I know that he can do it, and hopefully by the end of the summer he will be there and be super confident for kindergarten.
Today he had 2 gifts, one for grandma and one for grandma. He asked for help to read them, but after i read the grand part, he knew the next letters and knew who the gifts were for. He is getting there. I know he will be such a good reader.
27.6.11
Shaved
The boys got their heads shaved last night. Calvin loved the transfiguration more than he ever has before. He kept going to check to see what his hair looked like in the truck's mirror. He couldn't stop smiling. He also helped Pete shave his head and he was so careful and listened so closely to what Pete was asking him to do.
Pre-K is over for Calvin. He had a great year and really loved his teacher and his classmates. He also really loved having grandpa come to class once a week to volunteer. Mrs. Zarra gave all her students a frame with a class picture in it. I know Calvin will cherish his.
On one of the last days of school, Calvin got to go over Isabella's house. She lives very close to our house, so I am hoping to have her come to our house for one day to play this summer. Ariella, Elianna, and Ciara were all playing at Isabella's house too.
We have been going to the spray park again this season and the boys just love it. Today we are bringing Tony(Dylan) to go play. He is only here for a few more days and then he will be driving up to Albany to his new house. It will be tough not having him nearby, but I hope we can make it up there for a visit this summer.
Gymnastics came to a close also. Calvin really enjoyed it and I don't want him to lose his skills, but I think we will wait until the fall or winter to give him another class. Soccer as well. I was thinking he should try a 5 day camp, but now I am thinking he will just start up in the fall with everyone else.
He had Owen's birthday party this past Friday and had a great time playing with all his toys and running around with the little kids.
He also had field day at school last week and he really loved it. I got to catch a little bit of it and he and Tony got to be part of the pizza box carrying relay. They are so awesome together.
In sad news, Calv has 3 cavities he needs filled already. We will be heading to Dr. Brunsden's in a few weeks to get them taken care of.
Pre-K is over for Calvin. He had a great year and really loved his teacher and his classmates. He also really loved having grandpa come to class once a week to volunteer. Mrs. Zarra gave all her students a frame with a class picture in it. I know Calvin will cherish his.
On one of the last days of school, Calvin got to go over Isabella's house. She lives very close to our house, so I am hoping to have her come to our house for one day to play this summer. Ariella, Elianna, and Ciara were all playing at Isabella's house too.
We have been going to the spray park again this season and the boys just love it. Today we are bringing Tony(Dylan) to go play. He is only here for a few more days and then he will be driving up to Albany to his new house. It will be tough not having him nearby, but I hope we can make it up there for a visit this summer.
Gymnastics came to a close also. Calvin really enjoyed it and I don't want him to lose his skills, but I think we will wait until the fall or winter to give him another class. Soccer as well. I was thinking he should try a 5 day camp, but now I am thinking he will just start up in the fall with everyone else.
He had Owen's birthday party this past Friday and had a great time playing with all his toys and running around with the little kids.
He also had field day at school last week and he really loved it. I got to catch a little bit of it and he and Tony got to be part of the pizza box carrying relay. They are so awesome together.
In sad news, Calv has 3 cavities he needs filled already. We will be heading to Dr. Brunsden's in a few weeks to get them taken care of.
17.5.11
Turkish Nannies
I recently found out that Calvin's best friend Tony and he share something in common. They both had Turkish nannies. Tony's mom told me that Tony had a Turkish nanny for the first 3 years of his life, which would bring him right up to when he met Calvin. And Calvin had one from when he was 1.5-2.5 years old.
Calvin and Tony were just made for each other. I don't know what else to make of it.
Too bad Tony is leaving for Albany this summer. I am hoping we can visit at least once a year (or vice versa).
Calvin and Tony were just made for each other. I don't know what else to make of it.
Too bad Tony is leaving for Albany this summer. I am hoping we can visit at least once a year (or vice versa).
11.4.11
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