Rosa is three months old today! It seems like she has grown a lot in the past month. She is really a baby now and has grown out of all her newborn stuff. She smiles all the time, coos, wiggles, and is drinking milk like there is no tomorrow! She has also jettisoned her bedtime, after going to bed regularly around seven for quite awhile. We are hoping to get her back on track soon!
Also, today was Tali's three year well-child doctor visit. She weighed in at a whopping 25 pounds, which means that she is still rockin' the bottom of the charts. She is trackng her own curve, though, which is really all that matters. This was also her first visit with our new family doctor. I saw her at urgent care last year and she was so wonderful that we have been waiting for an opening in her practice ever since. Tali was a bit freaked out by the new face, and actually all three kids were in rare form for the visit, but I think we will all adjust!
Finally, today was Sacha's first day back at work and it went pretty well. The morning had some lows, like when Mateo decided to bite me, but we recovered and the afternoon went well. I didn't even have to put Tali down for her nap - she just fell asleep in her bed as I was getting lunch together. The construction noise is kind of intense, so we will try to be out and about tomorrow. Then, on Wednesday, we will get to see Sacha's cousin and her husband and their new baby. Exciting! It is going to be a big week.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Home again!
We're home again, having survived the 12-hour return trip yesterday. We got up at the crack of dawn and drove all day, arriving in Portland right around 6 pm. The kids did great, again, although the last couple of hours were hard on all of us. If anyone out there is considering a long car trip with kids, I would recommend two things: a DVD player and lots of cheap toys from the dollar store to dole out along the way. And stopping to run around, although we did much less of that than we thought we would. Probably because of the DVD player, we were able to go for hours at a stretch without getting out to, well, stretch!
We had a lovely time with my parents. We had some hot days that involved a lot of playing in the yard with the hose, playing soccer, riding balance bikes, and just hanging around. We took some field trips to a local children's amusement park and to the local park. Mateo got to spend a day in San Francisco with Apa, who overlapped with us for a day and took Mateo into the city for a cable car adventure!
We ate lots of delicious food, watched some good movies with my parents, and had some perfect walks several nights after the kids went to bed. There's a bike trail behind the house and my parents would hold down the fort so we could go stretch our legs. I used to run and bike on that trail all the time as I was growing up, so I always enjoy a chance to get out on it again. I also had two nice runs back there. And, the baby continued her track record of sleeping well, which we still don't take for granted and appreciate very, very much.
And, of course, the kids got some good grandparent time. Mateo told me today that he already misses Grammy and Grandpa, and we all do! But, we'll see them again for our family reunion in July and we're all looking forward to that. We're having some internet issues, so photos will have to wait for another time...
Back in Portland, we have a busy week ahead of us. Sacha has a required two-day training tomorrow and Tuesday, so it will be good practice for when she really goes back to work. Our basement remodel continues starting tomorrow, so we'll have to see if we can spend much time in the house or if it will be too loud or dusty or whatever.
Then, on Thursday, we leave again to spend a week at a family camp that Sacha has attended since she was a kid. We're lucky enough to be going with Sacha's parents and two other families and we're very excited about the whole thing. We'll be gone for about a week and then things will calm down a lot. That's all for now! More updates to come on the basement, vacation photos, the short sale that will never end, and who knows what else....
We had a lovely time with my parents. We had some hot days that involved a lot of playing in the yard with the hose, playing soccer, riding balance bikes, and just hanging around. We took some field trips to a local children's amusement park and to the local park. Mateo got to spend a day in San Francisco with Apa, who overlapped with us for a day and took Mateo into the city for a cable car adventure!
We ate lots of delicious food, watched some good movies with my parents, and had some perfect walks several nights after the kids went to bed. There's a bike trail behind the house and my parents would hold down the fort so we could go stretch our legs. I used to run and bike on that trail all the time as I was growing up, so I always enjoy a chance to get out on it again. I also had two nice runs back there. And, the baby continued her track record of sleeping well, which we still don't take for granted and appreciate very, very much.
And, of course, the kids got some good grandparent time. Mateo told me today that he already misses Grammy and Grandpa, and we all do! But, we'll see them again for our family reunion in July and we're all looking forward to that. We're having some internet issues, so photos will have to wait for another time...
Back in Portland, we have a busy week ahead of us. Sacha has a required two-day training tomorrow and Tuesday, so it will be good practice for when she really goes back to work. Our basement remodel continues starting tomorrow, so we'll have to see if we can spend much time in the house or if it will be too loud or dusty or whatever.
Then, on Thursday, we leave again to spend a week at a family camp that Sacha has attended since she was a kid. We're lucky enough to be going with Sacha's parents and two other families and we're very excited about the whole thing. We'll be gone for about a week and then things will calm down a lot. That's all for now! More updates to come on the basement, vacation photos, the short sale that will never end, and who knows what else....
Friday, June 24, 2011
Three years old!
Dear Tali,
As of this week, you are a three-year-old girl! We can't believe it, we can't believe it, but you have turned from infant to baby to toddler to a kid, a real big kid. And we love you so much. Here's what you're up to at age three!
Let's start with the physical stats. You're a petite one still, tiny and beautiful. Your hair is getting long and wavy and you actually let us brush it, so thanks for that! You have pretty light brown eyes and delicate little fingers and toes. You still have the last vestiges of toddlerhood about you, in your cheeks and belly, but they are quickly giving way to you as a kid now.
You are, in all other ways, such a big girl! When you're feeling comfortable, you talk a blue streak. You love your brother and sister and especially your mommy and mama right now. If you could, you would be a little koala bear on one of our hips most of the time. In social situations, you often feel very shy and want to stay close for all or most of the time. You are very into your home base and comfort zone right now. You will be going to preschool with your brother in the fall and we hope this will expand your social horizons a bit!
Here are some other things you love: our kitty, stuffed animals, running after Mateo, getting cuddles, watching Dora (because you love Diego), riding your balance bike, doing things for yourself, and practicing your letters and numbers on the computer...and now on our new iPad!
Tali, this year in front of you will be full of so many things and we know you will grow and blossom in ways we can hardly imagine. We are so privileged to be on this ride with you, navigating your childhood together. We love you more than we could possibly say and we always will, every day from now until forever. Happy third birthday!
Love,
Mommy and Mama
As of this week, you are a three-year-old girl! We can't believe it, we can't believe it, but you have turned from infant to baby to toddler to a kid, a real big kid. And we love you so much. Here's what you're up to at age three!
Let's start with the physical stats. You're a petite one still, tiny and beautiful. Your hair is getting long and wavy and you actually let us brush it, so thanks for that! You have pretty light brown eyes and delicate little fingers and toes. You still have the last vestiges of toddlerhood about you, in your cheeks and belly, but they are quickly giving way to you as a kid now.
You are, in all other ways, such a big girl! When you're feeling comfortable, you talk a blue streak. You love your brother and sister and especially your mommy and mama right now. If you could, you would be a little koala bear on one of our hips most of the time. In social situations, you often feel very shy and want to stay close for all or most of the time. You are very into your home base and comfort zone right now. You will be going to preschool with your brother in the fall and we hope this will expand your social horizons a bit!
Here are some other things you love: our kitty, stuffed animals, running after Mateo, getting cuddles, watching Dora (because you love Diego), riding your balance bike, doing things for yourself, and practicing your letters and numbers on the computer...and now on our new iPad!
Tali, this year in front of you will be full of so many things and we know you will grow and blossom in ways we can hardly imagine. We are so privileged to be on this ride with you, navigating your childhood together. We love you more than we could possibly say and we always will, every day from now until forever. Happy third birthday!
Love,
Mommy and Mama
Monday, June 20, 2011
Our trip so far...
I had a simply lovely birthday yesterday, and was happy to share the day with all the dads in our lives, as well! We went to the steam trains in Tilden Park in the morning and then spent the rest of the day hanging around the house and playing in the yard. We had cake and ice cream, cards, and a surprise present from Sacha that I'm very excited about.
She's taking me on a zip line adventure after we get home from our travels. We got inspired about trying something new while watching The Biggest Loser contestants do jumps off of a huge building and then try bungee jumping. I'm not quite ready for something like that, but zip lines sound very fun and I can't wait to go!
Also, my parents have some sort of surprise in the works, so I'm excited about that. Sacha and I finished off the day with a walk on the bike trail behind my parents house. The heat of the day was fading and it was beautiful out and we had a great time. It was really a great birthday!
Today, we might have over-extended ourselves a little bit. We went to a big kids' amusement park in Oakland this morning and then visited some friends of my mom's this afternoon. It was VERY hot today by our standards - about 95 degrees - and all three kids were out of steam long before bedtime. Rosa definitely won the screaming contest, but Mateo came out ahead in terms of bedtime non-cooperation and Talia insisted on being attached to my body at all times basically from the time she got up from her nap until bedtime.
Meanwhile, Rosa refused to nurse at all this evening, prompting a call to our wonderful lactation consultant, who, as always, gave good advice. We think we will stay close to home tomorrow and have a low-key day. And, we are expecting a visit from one of my best friends from college, so hopefully we'll be able to spend a lot of the day just spending time together and catching up.
That's all so far! It feels so luxurious to have a weeklong vacation. Sacha and I were talking last night about how it actually feels like a vacation, between the older kids being old enough to entertain themselves for periods of time, my mom and dad being here to help out, and the baby still being young enough to nap a lot. It also gives me hope that our trip to family camp later this month will be a similar experience, except with Sacha's parents there instead of mine.
So, here's to a good rest of this week!
She's taking me on a zip line adventure after we get home from our travels. We got inspired about trying something new while watching The Biggest Loser contestants do jumps off of a huge building and then try bungee jumping. I'm not quite ready for something like that, but zip lines sound very fun and I can't wait to go!
Also, my parents have some sort of surprise in the works, so I'm excited about that. Sacha and I finished off the day with a walk on the bike trail behind my parents house. The heat of the day was fading and it was beautiful out and we had a great time. It was really a great birthday!
Today, we might have over-extended ourselves a little bit. We went to a big kids' amusement park in Oakland this morning and then visited some friends of my mom's this afternoon. It was VERY hot today by our standards - about 95 degrees - and all three kids were out of steam long before bedtime. Rosa definitely won the screaming contest, but Mateo came out ahead in terms of bedtime non-cooperation and Talia insisted on being attached to my body at all times basically from the time she got up from her nap until bedtime.
Meanwhile, Rosa refused to nurse at all this evening, prompting a call to our wonderful lactation consultant, who, as always, gave good advice. We think we will stay close to home tomorrow and have a low-key day. And, we are expecting a visit from one of my best friends from college, so hopefully we'll be able to spend a lot of the day just spending time together and catching up.
That's all so far! It feels so luxurious to have a weeklong vacation. Sacha and I were talking last night about how it actually feels like a vacation, between the older kids being old enough to entertain themselves for periods of time, my mom and dad being here to help out, and the baby still being young enough to nap a lot. It also gives me hope that our trip to family camp later this month will be a similar experience, except with Sacha's parents there instead of mine.
So, here's to a good rest of this week!
Saturday, June 18, 2011
12 hours on the road
Yesterday we made the big trip! We drove from Portland to the Bay Area in one day. We got up at 5 am, had breakfast and did last minute packing. We were on the road by 6:15.
Really, the kids did very well. I went to the dollar store before the trip started, and bought lots of little presents. Alayna wrapped some of them up, to increase the excitement. Also, before going, Mateo and I sat down to make a list of what it should sound like and look like when we were in the car. We also wrote down things that it should not sound like. (High on that list was whining and saying, "Are we there yet.")
I brought a timer along for the ride. I knew that they would be fine for the first 30 minutes or so. I put the timer on for 5 minutes. Obviously, they were find for the first 5 minutes. When the timer went off, I drew a coin for them. (Just made a picture of a coin for a point.) Another 5 minutes, another coin. The third 5 minutes, they earned their third coin and both received a present. They played with the present nicely for a good 30 minutes, making us 45 minutes into the trip.
At that point, we went back to the timer for good behavior. I told them they could watch a movie in the car once they had 5 points. In no time, they got to watch an hour long movie - Dora!
So, along the way they earned coins for going out to Subway. We, of course, were planning on doing that anyway. They also got to go to the park. (Again, already planned on.) More presents, books and all sorts of things along the way. Overall, very little whining occurred on the trip from either of the older children!
On the Rosa front, she did very well. I pumped before we got in the car and then brought along the hand pump. We might have made a very interesting sight along the road. I was sitting in the front and pumping with the hand pump. Then, I would turn around and feed the baby with the bottle. Pump some more. Feed the baby some more. I even ended up nursing her in the car seat for part of the time too!
The trip was overall very good. It was a long day, and we arrived at the house 12 hours later. I'm not exactly looking forward to the return trip, but the drive down wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be. And now we have a whole week in California. We're looking forward to spending time with Alayna's parents, celebrating Alayna's and Tali's birthdays, seeing friends, and, of course, enjoying this gorgeous warm and sunny weather.
Really, the kids did very well. I went to the dollar store before the trip started, and bought lots of little presents. Alayna wrapped some of them up, to increase the excitement. Also, before going, Mateo and I sat down to make a list of what it should sound like and look like when we were in the car. We also wrote down things that it should not sound like. (High on that list was whining and saying, "Are we there yet.")
I brought a timer along for the ride. I knew that they would be fine for the first 30 minutes or so. I put the timer on for 5 minutes. Obviously, they were find for the first 5 minutes. When the timer went off, I drew a coin for them. (Just made a picture of a coin for a point.) Another 5 minutes, another coin. The third 5 minutes, they earned their third coin and both received a present. They played with the present nicely for a good 30 minutes, making us 45 minutes into the trip.
At that point, we went back to the timer for good behavior. I told them they could watch a movie in the car once they had 5 points. In no time, they got to watch an hour long movie - Dora!
So, along the way they earned coins for going out to Subway. We, of course, were planning on doing that anyway. They also got to go to the park. (Again, already planned on.) More presents, books and all sorts of things along the way. Overall, very little whining occurred on the trip from either of the older children!
On the Rosa front, she did very well. I pumped before we got in the car and then brought along the hand pump. We might have made a very interesting sight along the road. I was sitting in the front and pumping with the hand pump. Then, I would turn around and feed the baby with the bottle. Pump some more. Feed the baby some more. I even ended up nursing her in the car seat for part of the time too!
The trip was overall very good. It was a long day, and we arrived at the house 12 hours later. I'm not exactly looking forward to the return trip, but the drive down wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be. And now we have a whole week in California. We're looking forward to spending time with Alayna's parents, celebrating Alayna's and Tali's birthdays, seeing friends, and, of course, enjoying this gorgeous warm and sunny weather.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Waterfront
We've been lucky to have Sacha home with us for an extended period of time, and have been having some fun family adventures. Yesterday, we decided to cart the kids and their balance bikes down to the waterfront for some riding. They ride all the time in our neighborhood, but have to constantly stop at alleys and streets. They had soooo much fun riding on the paved path, looking at the water, and especially checking out the submarine by OMSI.
The museum has a real sub parked right there on the riverside and, while it was closed when we were there, we still got to walk right up to it and check it out. There was also a memorial to all the submarines that served the US up through World War II. We were amazed to see that the first sub was built in 1915! I'm glad I wasn't on that one.
Anyway, here are some photos of our adventure. While you're looking at them, send us some good thoughts as we get ready for our big trip on Friday. The trip prep is taking a life of its own!
The museum has a real sub parked right there on the riverside and, while it was closed when we were there, we still got to walk right up to it and check it out. There was also a memorial to all the submarines that served the US up through World War II. We were amazed to see that the first sub was built in 1915! I'm glad I wasn't on that one.
Anyway, here are some photos of our adventure. While you're looking at them, send us some good thoughts as we get ready for our big trip on Friday. The trip prep is taking a life of its own!
11 weeks, 2 days
I passed a sticker on a stop sign today that said "Now is all you have." This is true. With that in mind, we're enjoying this little one's babyhood extra much. Here she is at 11 weeks and two days old, flashing her ever-more-frequent smile.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Energy Drain and Packing
"Are you moving?" all of or neighbors keep on asking. Nope! So, why do we have a moving pod outside of our house?
We are getting the basement refinished! After living here for 6 years, we decided that it was good time that we made out basement a little bit nicer. So, for the last few days, we have been packing, packing and packing.
The kids think the pod is like a huge fort, and have been happy to hang out and read while we get everything ready for the remodel. The basement is now 100% empty, thanks to all of the hard work by Alayna, and our friend Manuel. I helped a bit, mostly by watching the kids while they did the heavy lifting.
Other news in the house, is a new technique we have been doing in the house: energy drains. When Mateo or Natalia does something that is bothersome, we say, "Energy Drain." They then have to give back the energy before we do something else for them. They get the choice of what they would like to put back the energy. That could be dusting or anything else around the house that they can do.
The nice thing about it is that I don't feel so frustrated or angry after the energy drain is over. The other day, Mateo tried out something new - biting. I was sitting at the computer doing some work, and he came up and bit me. After a time out, I told him that I had an energy drain. A very big energy drain. So, he did a lot of dusting.
By the end, I felt much calmer and happier and was a better parent. He got the idea that biting was not a lot of fun. I asked him at the end, "So, was biting Mommy a lot of fun? Is that something you want to do again? I wonder what would happen if you did that again?"
Mateo responded, "I don't want to do that again."
There was no lecturing on my part about biting. Ahh, the joys of 4 and a half!
This last picture is of Alayna, my beautiful wife, with Mateo and Rosa:
Why Bush made me pour water on my sundae
I am working on losing the pregnancy weight. My goal is to lose an average of 0.5 lbs every week. I'm 15 lbs away from my pre-pregnancy weight, so at this rate, I'll get there in another 30 weeks. Rosa will be 42 weeks old, and so I'll be fairly even. I will have gained the weight in 40ish weeks and lost it in 40ish weeks.
Well, at least that's the plan.
Everything was going well for a while. Some weeks I lost a bit more, some weeks I lost a bit less. Overall, though, I was averaging 0.5 and keeping below the line. I made a graph that showed what I should be at the end of each week.
Then, two weeks ago, I didn't make my goal. I was close, but 0.2 lbs. over my goal weight. On one hand, not a big deal, but on the other hand . . . it is easy for me to slide and then be back at square one.
I decided to sign up for an account at www.stickK.com. Basically, I made a commitment that I would lose 0.5 lbs a week. And if I didn't . . . I would give my money to an anti-charity. (Any charity that I don't support). I chose Bush's presidential library to be my anti-charity.
If I didn't lose 0.5 lbs during the week, at my weigh in I would enter my weight and stickK would send the money to Bush. Because of this, on Wednesday on our date night, I was eating a Sundae. I was full, but really wanted to eat more. I took a few more bites, and then I thought about Bush.
No way was I going to let him get my money! I didn't think I could stop myself from eating the Sundae, so I poured my water all over the end of it! And . . . I made my weight. I am doing the Bush commitment for three more weeks and tomorrow is my next weigh-in. Wish me luck.
Well, at least that's the plan.
Everything was going well for a while. Some weeks I lost a bit more, some weeks I lost a bit less. Overall, though, I was averaging 0.5 and keeping below the line. I made a graph that showed what I should be at the end of each week.
Then, two weeks ago, I didn't make my goal. I was close, but 0.2 lbs. over my goal weight. On one hand, not a big deal, but on the other hand . . . it is easy for me to slide and then be back at square one.
I decided to sign up for an account at www.stickK.com. Basically, I made a commitment that I would lose 0.5 lbs a week. And if I didn't . . . I would give my money to an anti-charity. (Any charity that I don't support). I chose Bush's presidential library to be my anti-charity.
If I didn't lose 0.5 lbs during the week, at my weigh in I would enter my weight and stickK would send the money to Bush. Because of this, on Wednesday on our date night, I was eating a Sundae. I was full, but really wanted to eat more. I took a few more bites, and then I thought about Bush.
No way was I going to let him get my money! I didn't think I could stop myself from eating the Sundae, so I poured my water all over the end of it! And . . . I made my weight. I am doing the Bush commitment for three more weeks and tomorrow is my next weigh-in. Wish me luck.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Don't scare the babysitter - A story by Mateo and Mommy
Don't scare the babysitter!
Mommy and Mama lion were going to the watering hole to get some water. "Little cub, your favorite babysitter is coming, Melanie. Be good!"
Scott was very excited. Scott and Melody loved it when their babysitter Melanie came to watch them. But when Scott became too excited he tended to ROAR (because that's what lions do), and scare the other animals.
"Hey! Let's go to the park," said Melanie.
"OK," said Scott and Melody.
"We need to get on your paw shoes."
"Help me."
"Try again!"
"Will you please put on my paw shoes?"
Melanie put Scott and Melody in the cub car seat and they drove to the park. They got on the swings. They went high on the swings. Scott got so excited that "ROOOOOOAAAAAR!" All of the other animals ran away from the park.
"AHHHHH"
"Scott, I think we should go somewhere else. Let's go to playdate PDX. This time let's use an inside voice so you don't scare everyone."
They got in the cub car seat. They drove carefully to playdate PDX. Melanie paid the tickets and they both got stamps on their paws."
Melanie and Melody climbed up to the big green slide. They slid down together. Melanie and Scott held paws and slid down the big slide. Scott got so excited that, "RROOOOOAAAAARRRR."
Everyone very quickly ran out of playdate PDX.
Melanie took them out of playdate PDX and drove them home. When they got inside, Melanie said, "I think that's enough scaring for today. I think it's about bed time for both of you."
"I don't want to go to bed," said Melody.
"I don't want to go to bed. I just want to drink juice all night," said Scott.
"I don't think that's a very good idea," said Melanie, "It's bed time. Now."
Scott and Melody got in their beds. "I'm not tired," said Scott, as his eyes started to look sleepy. Soon he fell asleep.
He started to dream. He was in Egypt. "Oh look," he said, "Camels! I've always wanted to see camels. RRRRRRROOOOOOOOAAAAAAARRRRRRR."
"AAAAHHHH," said Melanie. She ran and hid in the closet. Her paws and all of her were shaking.
Soon, his Mommy and Mama came home from the watering hole. "Were you good for the babysitter?"
"Yes," said Scott, looking at his paws.
"Where is the babysitter?"
"I don't know."
"Did you scare the babysitter away? You're not supposed to scare the babysitter."
"Here I am," said Melanie. I wasn't scared, just a little startled. Scott and Melody were good little cubs.
Mommy and Mama lion were going to the watering hole to get some water. "Little cub, your favorite babysitter is coming, Melanie. Be good!"
Scott was very excited. Scott and Melody loved it when their babysitter Melanie came to watch them. But when Scott became too excited he tended to ROAR (because that's what lions do), and scare the other animals.
"Hey! Let's go to the park," said Melanie.
"OK," said Scott and Melody.
"We need to get on your paw shoes."
"Help me."
"Try again!"
"Will you please put on my paw shoes?"
Melanie put Scott and Melody in the cub car seat and they drove to the park. They got on the swings. They went high on the swings. Scott got so excited that "ROOOOOOAAAAAR!" All of the other animals ran away from the park.
"AHHHHH"
"Scott, I think we should go somewhere else. Let's go to playdate PDX. This time let's use an inside voice so you don't scare everyone."
They got in the cub car seat. They drove carefully to playdate PDX. Melanie paid the tickets and they both got stamps on their paws."
Melanie and Melody climbed up to the big green slide. They slid down together. Melanie and Scott held paws and slid down the big slide. Scott got so excited that, "RROOOOOAAAAARRRR."
Everyone very quickly ran out of playdate PDX.
Melanie took them out of playdate PDX and drove them home. When they got inside, Melanie said, "I think that's enough scaring for today. I think it's about bed time for both of you."
"I don't want to go to bed," said Melody.
"I don't want to go to bed. I just want to drink juice all night," said Scott.
"I don't think that's a very good idea," said Melanie, "It's bed time. Now."
Scott and Melody got in their beds. "I'm not tired," said Scott, as his eyes started to look sleepy. Soon he fell asleep.
He started to dream. He was in Egypt. "Oh look," he said, "Camels! I've always wanted to see camels. RRRRRRROOOOOOOOAAAAAAARRRRRRR."
"AAAAHHHH," said Melanie. She ran and hid in the closet. Her paws and all of her were shaking.
Soon, his Mommy and Mama came home from the watering hole. "Were you good for the babysitter?"
"Yes," said Scott, looking at his paws.
"Where is the babysitter?"
"I don't know."
"Did you scare the babysitter away? You're not supposed to scare the babysitter."
"Here I am," said Melanie. I wasn't scared, just a little startled. Scott and Melody were good little cubs.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
In the depths
After spending parts of the last seven years speculating about refinishing our basement and/or our attic, both of which are huge and unfinished, we are finally going to do a home improvement project. Or, I should say, our fabulous contractor is going to do one for us.
We're going for a very partial finishing of the basement - replacing the windows, adding walls, and then laying down some heavy-duty carpet. It's nothing that requires any permits, for tax reasons, but will just make it into a more comfortable storage and play area.
Also, it will add square footage to our house when we sell it, which is a huge piece of the motivation to do this and which could be sooner or later depending on when this short sale thing plays itself out. However, one thing we do know is that the basement work is about to happen right now. Our contractor had some time suddenly open up starting in a week, so we jumped at the chance to get this project going.
However, this means that we have to completely move out of the basement in less than a week! Both of us love to purge our stuff and we regularly make large trips to Goodwill, but we still have a lot of things stored down there - kids' clothes, an extra bed and bedding, TONS of toys and kids' books, our financial statements, and on and on. We've spent part of the last two evenings working on it and wow, it is kind of overwhelming. I think it will get better when our POD is delivered tomorrow and we can start actually moving stuff out. Still, the moving out seems like just as big a project as the construction will be!
Oh, and did I mention that we're driving to California at the end of next week? Perfect timing in terms of being gone while there's construction going on, but not ideal in terms of getting the basement ready while also prepping for the car trip that will last for an eternity. I'm sure it will all turn out fine, though, and we're looking forward to enjoying our new basement for either a little while or a long while, depending!
We're going for a very partial finishing of the basement - replacing the windows, adding walls, and then laying down some heavy-duty carpet. It's nothing that requires any permits, for tax reasons, but will just make it into a more comfortable storage and play area.
Also, it will add square footage to our house when we sell it, which is a huge piece of the motivation to do this and which could be sooner or later depending on when this short sale thing plays itself out. However, one thing we do know is that the basement work is about to happen right now. Our contractor had some time suddenly open up starting in a week, so we jumped at the chance to get this project going.
However, this means that we have to completely move out of the basement in less than a week! Both of us love to purge our stuff and we regularly make large trips to Goodwill, but we still have a lot of things stored down there - kids' clothes, an extra bed and bedding, TONS of toys and kids' books, our financial statements, and on and on. We've spent part of the last two evenings working on it and wow, it is kind of overwhelming. I think it will get better when our POD is delivered tomorrow and we can start actually moving stuff out. Still, the moving out seems like just as big a project as the construction will be!
Oh, and did I mention that we're driving to California at the end of next week? Perfect timing in terms of being gone while there's construction going on, but not ideal in terms of getting the basement ready while also prepping for the car trip that will last for an eternity. I'm sure it will all turn out fine, though, and we're looking forward to enjoying our new basement for either a little while or a long while, depending!
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Reading comprehension
We went out to dinner tonight at Mateo's restaurant of choice - Subway! We were celebrating his finishing the 15th episode of Headsprout Reading Comprehension. The program is broken up into chunks of 15 lessons each, and they earn a special book at the end of each section, so he was very excited. He asked if we could go to Subway to celebrate and, of course, we said yes.
He continues to blow us away with not only what he can read but also how much he understands of what he's reading. The program he's doing now is a continuation of the first Headsprout series, but it's more geared towards answering questions about the text. In each lesson, they learn vocabulary words and answer questions about what's going on in the story. They even have to click (well, we click for him, but still, he tells us where to go) on the sentence that proves their answer is right.
A few lessons into this, it seemed like it might be too hard for him at this point, but then something clicked and he's been doing an episode a day since then. I should add, as Sacha already did, that he's doing this by his choice. He begs for it every day, and he is so proud of himself for finishing each one. Ever since he finished the first Headsprout, we've kept up the routine of doing some kind of educational computer program during rest time, but haven't found anything that could challenge him quite like this, so we are both thrilled that he seems to be ready for it.
The program gets up into the higher grade levels by the end (I think there are 50 lessons), so we're not expecting him to finish it anytime soon. However, right now we're just along for the ride and are so proud of him for working so hard to learn and grow. We've been trying to emphasize the importance of working hard at things to get good at them, whether they come naturally or not.
We've also been working on things that he's not advanced on, like writing and numbers, but in more casual and not always consistent ways. Writing is really tough for him right now, so we're kind of waiting for him to show us he's ready for it before trying to teach anything in that area. Anyway, this is all to say that we are so proud of our big boy! And, we think it is so cute that he chose Subway for his big celebration. We tend to stop there on road trips, so he must have remembered it from those times. We actually all had a lovely meal and it was perfect for our kids' ten-minute-dinner routine. We left and went home with four happy, satisfied customers and one screaming baby who wondered where her sandwich was!
He continues to blow us away with not only what he can read but also how much he understands of what he's reading. The program he's doing now is a continuation of the first Headsprout series, but it's more geared towards answering questions about the text. In each lesson, they learn vocabulary words and answer questions about what's going on in the story. They even have to click (well, we click for him, but still, he tells us where to go) on the sentence that proves their answer is right.
A few lessons into this, it seemed like it might be too hard for him at this point, but then something clicked and he's been doing an episode a day since then. I should add, as Sacha already did, that he's doing this by his choice. He begs for it every day, and he is so proud of himself for finishing each one. Ever since he finished the first Headsprout, we've kept up the routine of doing some kind of educational computer program during rest time, but haven't found anything that could challenge him quite like this, so we are both thrilled that he seems to be ready for it.
The program gets up into the higher grade levels by the end (I think there are 50 lessons), so we're not expecting him to finish it anytime soon. However, right now we're just along for the ride and are so proud of him for working so hard to learn and grow. We've been trying to emphasize the importance of working hard at things to get good at them, whether they come naturally or not.
We've also been working on things that he's not advanced on, like writing and numbers, but in more casual and not always consistent ways. Writing is really tough for him right now, so we're kind of waiting for him to show us he's ready for it before trying to teach anything in that area. Anyway, this is all to say that we are so proud of our big boy! And, we think it is so cute that he chose Subway for his big celebration. We tend to stop there on road trips, so he must have remembered it from those times. We actually all had a lovely meal and it was perfect for our kids' ten-minute-dinner routine. We left and went home with four happy, satisfied customers and one screaming baby who wondered where her sandwich was!
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Official for the third time
We are lucky enough to live in a state that puts the domestic partner automatically onto a child's birth certificate. That wasn't true when Mateo was born, but it has been for Tali and Rosa. However, we've gone forward with legal second parent adoptions anyway, just to make it legally official outside state lines. You can do this, via your lawyer, through the mail, but we've always opted for the ceremony with the judge when the final paperwork gets signed. We figure, we're paying through the nose for this and since we have to do it, might as well celebrate it! So, we had Rosa's adoption ceremony on Friday. Sacha's mom was here for the weekend, so she came along and then we all went out to breakfast afterwards. It's weird to adopt your own child, but I'm mostly just thankful for the opportunity.
The judge also told us that we were helping her set a personal record, as we've had her for all three kids and she's never had a family come back three times! Here are some photos.
The judge also told us that we were helping her set a personal record, as we've had her for all three kids and she's never had a family come back three times! Here are some photos.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Favorite Computer Sites and Programs
I generally am not the big fan of internet sites for young children, or computer programs. I especially dislike really "busy" computer programs that are mainly entertainment. But. . . that said, I have found some great programs that I and Alayna are doing with the kids these days.
Natalia just loves Starfall K: http://www.starfall.com/n/level-k/index/load.htm?f The program is great for letter names. Most days she and Alayna do three letters before nap time. Natalia really enjoys the site and she is starting to learn some letter names and sounds!
There is a brand new math program, funnix, that is just amazing (and free for anyone who downloads it before June 26th). It goes from Pre-K through the end of first or second grade. Each lesson takes 20 minutes tops and the program was created by the top performing method used in Project Follow Through (Direct Instruction). On top of that, it's aligned to the new common core math standards that most states are in the process of adopting.
If you are curious about the research, here is a link to a summary of Project Follow Through. If you have never heard of this study, you should. It is the single most expensive study the US government has ever done of education. If you have a child, you need to read the summary!
The study had some very surprising outcomes, as you can clearly see in the graphs in this summary. Too bad almost no one has ever heard of it, including teachers. Education schools didn't like the results (they got some of the lowest outcomes) and so . . . the government said that all of the programs were equal. (The study cost over $1 billion and included 20,000 children and followed them from pre-K through adulthood.)
Check out the graph and tell me if all of the groups were equal!
Natalia just loves Starfall K: http://www.starfall.com/n/level-k/index/load.htm?f The program is great for letter names. Most days she and Alayna do three letters before nap time. Natalia really enjoys the site and she is starting to learn some letter names and sounds!
There is a brand new math program, funnix, that is just amazing (and free for anyone who downloads it before June 26th). It goes from Pre-K through the end of first or second grade. Each lesson takes 20 minutes tops and the program was created by the top performing method used in Project Follow Through (Direct Instruction). On top of that, it's aligned to the new common core math standards that most states are in the process of adopting.
If you are curious about the research, here is a link to a summary of Project Follow Through. If you have never heard of this study, you should. It is the single most expensive study the US government has ever done of education. If you have a child, you need to read the summary!
The study had some very surprising outcomes, as you can clearly see in the graphs in this summary. Too bad almost no one has ever heard of it, including teachers. Education schools didn't like the results (they got some of the lowest outcomes) and so . . . the government said that all of the programs were equal. (The study cost over $1 billion and included 20,000 children and followed them from pre-K through adulthood.)
Check out the graph and tell me if all of the groups were equal!
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
More Art Projects
Now that Mateo is a bit older, we can do some more involved art projects. We received this great book of art projects when Rosa was born and are trying out different ideas. Today, we created a shoulder bag.
The project started by buying tape from a painting store. We bought some different colors of painters tape: blue, light green, dark green and white. Then my mom gave us two priority envelopes. We sealed both envelopes and then cut open the hole on the top.
Next, Mateo and I rolled out tape in circles around the bag. Then Rosa needed to nurse, so Alayna continued. Then Rosa went to the Dr. for her very first shots (poor girl) and we continued to work on the bag.
Finally, here is the finished product.
We already updated in another post, but she is doing great - healthy in all regards. I think Alayna posted the exact stats:) Alayna loves the Dr. visits, and so I gave her some pumped milk and off they went. I think she really likes seeing how much she has grown and everything. I don't find them the most enjoyable myself, so I stayed home with the napping Natalia and Mateo.
Other things that we are doing these days. . . I continue to play the Ukulele. I am now playing a lot of Under the Sea by request of Mateo. Natalia still loves Jamaica Farewell and would have me play that song non-stop most days if she could get me to do that!
Mateo is doing Reading Comprehension with headsprout and loving it. Natalia is on the fourth lesson of Headsprout Basics and can now read "see" and "van." We don't do it daily, just when she requests to do a lesson with me.
I'm continuing to teach graduate classes through Luria Learning for teachers while on maternity leave. May has been a popular month for the classes! Also, we are still in short sale limbo with the house that we made an offer on about a month ago. The bank suddenly decided that the market has gone up by 15% in the last few months, so the drama continues. (Have they read any newspapers lately?) Generally, though, life is good and busy.
I am also going on some interviews for next year. I have a position, but might be transferring schools. . .
And - last but not least, I love seeing Alayna and the baby! Here is a picture from today.
The project started by buying tape from a painting store. We bought some different colors of painters tape: blue, light green, dark green and white. Then my mom gave us two priority envelopes. We sealed both envelopes and then cut open the hole on the top.
Next, Mateo and I rolled out tape in circles around the bag. Then Rosa needed to nurse, so Alayna continued. Then Rosa went to the Dr. for her very first shots (poor girl) and we continued to work on the bag.
Finally, here is the finished product.
We already updated in another post, but she is doing great - healthy in all regards. I think Alayna posted the exact stats:) Alayna loves the Dr. visits, and so I gave her some pumped milk and off they went. I think she really likes seeing how much she has grown and everything. I don't find them the most enjoyable myself, so I stayed home with the napping Natalia and Mateo.
Other things that we are doing these days. . . I continue to play the Ukulele. I am now playing a lot of Under the Sea by request of Mateo. Natalia still loves Jamaica Farewell and would have me play that song non-stop most days if she could get me to do that!
Mateo is doing Reading Comprehension with headsprout and loving it. Natalia is on the fourth lesson of Headsprout Basics and can now read "see" and "van." We don't do it daily, just when she requests to do a lesson with me.
I'm continuing to teach graduate classes through Luria Learning for teachers while on maternity leave. May has been a popular month for the classes! Also, we are still in short sale limbo with the house that we made an offer on about a month ago. The bank suddenly decided that the market has gone up by 15% in the last few months, so the drama continues. (Have they read any newspapers lately?) Generally, though, life is good and busy.
I am also going on some interviews for next year. I have a position, but might be transferring schools. . .
And - last but not least, I love seeing Alayna and the baby! Here is a picture from today.
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