What We Learned in Kindergarten

As May comes to a close, so does the end of the school year. Emily had her last day of First Year Preschool yesterday. Allie had one more week of kindergarten, and then she is out for summer. This got me thinking of that poem by Robert Fulghum, All I Really Need To Know, I Learned In Kindergarten.

Chris and I have tried our best, and hopefully she has learned what she needs. Last week we made Nestle Tollhouse cookies, and Allie learned "Have warm cookies? Need cold milk." She knows everything except germs are for sharing. Then, of course there is the basic academic stuff of reading and math. We have tried to instill respect, such as explaining that different houses may have different rules. These are just some of the basics we expected her to learn this year.

In addition, we signed Allie up for Connections Academy. CA is a virtual classroom where I'm the learning coach, and a certified teacher oversees the assignments. This was a wonderful program. Besides academics, Allie also learned how to use the computer. Some may think five is a little young to use the computer, but they are growing up in a digital age. I think she needs to realize the internet is just another "community" which also has its rules. Some places are fun, and some places are for learning, and some places are scary. That's the way the world works.

A recent study by University of California shows that internet surfing can be healthy.

“It might surprise parents to learn that it is not a waste of time for their teens to hang out online,” said Mizuko Ito, University of California, Irvine researcher and the report’s lead author. “There are myths about kids spending time online – that it is dangerous or making them lazy. But we found that spending time online is essential for young people to pick up the social and technical skills they need to be competent citizens in the digital age.”

That being said, we as parents have also learned a few things. (Chris actually got involved on this one so blame him for the wording.)

1. Don't threaten any punishment you don't really mean to do. Its no accident we listed this as rule #1.
2. Be consistent, routines are rocking! Age appropriate chores teach responsibility.
3. Children respond better to calm commands, requests, and reminders than they do those said while yelling. We've found yelling actually increases the chance they will disobey you. Say basically the same thing, just calmly.
4. One of the first things they begin to understand is simple cause & effect relationships. "If you do X (or don't do X), Y will happen." Be fully prepared to make Y happen every time or don't even utter the words. We've found Y needs to happen less often after a while.

We went to the Bootiflies Halloween celebration. We made spiders, Emily got a butterfly painted on her face, and we then went into the Butterfly House. Then Allie and Emily played at the playground and rode the carousel.

2006 Easter

4/16/06 - Easter - Allie had a very good day today. She started the day in her new dress skipping around the house saying "happy easter day!". Then Sam and Allie made some jello. Later we had an easter egg hunt all around grandma's yard. She kept saying "Oh my goodness!". She overfilled her basket several times to the point that they fell out but refused to let us hold any. So we resorted to getting them when she dropped them and didn't notice and stealing them for the reserve bag when someone else distracted her. To do otherwise meant and endless cycle of trying to fit more and more into her basket! Later, as it was time for bed, Allie said "oh, it was so nice of the easter bunny to leave all of those eggs!"

Sesame Street Live!

It was great! Our first outing together to a Sesame Street play. Lights in rings, Disco Ball, Explosions with confetti. We took some pictures. Seeing my little girl Allie watch in wonder made me teary-eyed like this whole parenting thing was really happening. Her concentration was surprisingly good for the first half and so-so for the second half. At intermission they came out with Elmo ballons. I made the mistake of saying I was going to get one. They were $8. Allie seems to also like Rosita, the spanish speaking monster.

Allie meets Emmie

Grandma took Allie in to see her little sister for the first time today. I got most of it on video tape. Allie didn't know what to make of her at first. She didn't give the response we are used to when holding another baby, or child: jealousy. She was curious at first and afraid to touch. After spending a little time to figure things out, she started touching her really quickly and pulling back her hand right after touching her. First she touched her on the forehead. Then we opened the blanket and Allie put her hand on Emmie's feet quickly and snapped them back. She turned it into a game you could say. Allie wasn't very understanding though about the fact that her mom wasn't picking her up. That she just has to live with for the time being. Allie was brought to the hospital by Grandma K. Auntie Melissa and Yolonda & Tom dropped by for a visit too. They got to hold both of my little girls and did fine. Allie had reached out for them initially.

12/30/04 Update - We leave this year knowing that like the New Year's Eve before Allie was born, this next year will be quite different from the last one. On Monday 12/27, we found out our next member of the family will be a little sister for Allie. To protect her privacy, we'll leave that picture off when I post the new ultrasound pictures here later next week. Wouldn't you know it, that day mommy already started nesting. She used the Home Depot card given by her father in law for Christmas to begin preparing the new baby's room. She purchased custom paint and some masking materials now that we've decided on the colors. But before any of that starts, we really need to clean out that room! Currently, that's the upstairs storage room so to speak. We have a twin bed, two dressers, all of the spare bedding, and the vacuums in there. The plan for a crib has to do with the fact that Allie will be 2 around the time the new baby is expected to be ready for a crib. So Allie will get a new bed (or we'll use the twin and attach rails) and the new baby will get the crib.

On Tuesday, we met with the high risk doctor and the talk was very informative. Next week we'll get back some blood tests to determine if we need to take any extra medications or precautions or if she'll just be watched very closely. Other than being very tired and realizing this one's kicks are stronger and more directed than Allie's, Sam is fine.

10/22 Update

From Sam: "This week Allie is learning to feed herself with a fork and spoon. Last night, I tried letting her feed herself mashed potatoes. Most of the potatoes went where they were supposed to, but a few didn't. But they didn't end up all over Allie, instead, she got them all over Mommy, I had mashed potatoes in my hair and my pants. The dog enjoyed licking them off my pants. No, there aren't any pictures... you'll just have to use your imagination."

From Chris: "Allie's growing up. I am continually amazed by her every day. For the most part, she understands what you say even if she can't talk just yet. Occasionally she says a word here or there but usually not on demand. However she is fond of the word "Hi" now and she's been trying to say her name. She can usually be coerced to wave and say Hi over and over again by you doing the same to her. Its SO cute. "