Showing posts with label Nicholas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nicholas. Show all posts
Thursday, February 19, 2015
Monday, January 26, 2015
Call Me Maybe
I got a new phone.
This new phone replaces my iPhone3, which was an extra one Steve somehow had.
That replaced the other iPhone3 which I had dropped on the driveway and shattered - that one was also a hand-me-down from Steve.
That first iPhone3 replaced another phone - not a smart phone - that I left in the outside mesh pocket of a diaper bag during a heavy rainstorm at Santa's Village.
Before that I had my other cell phone, my first cell phone, purchase in 1999 at the mall. It was a flip phone and I thought it was the coolest thing...
Anyway... this is the first phone I'd purchased since then.
It isn't new, it's used, an iPhone 5. I like that it's used because not only is it less expensive but it makes me feel good to know I'm prolonging the life of a still useful item. People tend to go through cell phones like kleenex these days.
I love it. It's so fast and does so man things my old phone couldn't do. It doesn't just decide to shut down, like my old phone, or quit making sounds, like my old phone.
It's funny how attached I am to it. I think a lot about how technology grows and has morphed into our society. I just don't know the rules anymore.
Nick says he's one of the only 10 year olds who don't have a cell phone.
I'm not inclined to believe him, but I wonder... I want to think that I know what's right for my kids, regardless of what the masses are doing. On the other hand, if he is being denied something that everyone does have or do, then is it really a benefit?
I'm not getting him a cell phone. Not anytime soon. Not until he stops forgetting his completed homework at home or his agenda at school. But at some point, sooner than I'd like, I'm going to have to get him a cell phone. And my life will never be the same....
Maybe when he starts driving...
This new phone replaces my iPhone3, which was an extra one Steve somehow had.
That replaced the other iPhone3 which I had dropped on the driveway and shattered - that one was also a hand-me-down from Steve.
That first iPhone3 replaced another phone - not a smart phone - that I left in the outside mesh pocket of a diaper bag during a heavy rainstorm at Santa's Village.
Before that I had my other cell phone, my first cell phone, purchase in 1999 at the mall. It was a flip phone and I thought it was the coolest thing...
Anyway... this is the first phone I'd purchased since then.
It isn't new, it's used, an iPhone 5. I like that it's used because not only is it less expensive but it makes me feel good to know I'm prolonging the life of a still useful item. People tend to go through cell phones like kleenex these days.
I love it. It's so fast and does so man things my old phone couldn't do. It doesn't just decide to shut down, like my old phone, or quit making sounds, like my old phone.
It's funny how attached I am to it. I think a lot about how technology grows and has morphed into our society. I just don't know the rules anymore.
Nick says he's one of the only 10 year olds who don't have a cell phone.
I'm not inclined to believe him, but I wonder... I want to think that I know what's right for my kids, regardless of what the masses are doing. On the other hand, if he is being denied something that everyone does have or do, then is it really a benefit?
I'm not getting him a cell phone. Not anytime soon. Not until he stops forgetting his completed homework at home or his agenda at school. But at some point, sooner than I'd like, I'm going to have to get him a cell phone. And my life will never be the same....
Maybe when he starts driving...
Sunday, January 18, 2015
Runaway Train
So, last week Nick tried to run away.
We were on line at the grocery store, and Nick said he was excited about screen time, and I mentioned the fact that he had used up his screen time that morning, and also that he'd lost screen time for Sunday afternoon because the week before he threw a fit when I said it was time to turn everything off.
He didn't like that. And after the usual begging and pleading and protesting and expression of discontent, he said he was running away.
A lot of kids say they're running away. I ran away myself once, with my sister. She was angry and said she was leaving. She grabbed a sweatshirt and headed for the door, and I ran out the door with her.
That's me. I'm a rebel of the following sort.
We ran around the cul-de-sac and then went right back to the house, giggling about how everyone would be surprised when we got back. When we burst into the kitchen, the babysitter informed us that our rooms had been rented out.
I figured Nick's announcement was pretty much the same amount of bluster. So I played along.
I told him it would be pretty cold, and he should wear a coat and bring a blanket. I told him we'd miss him.
Then he came into the room and he looked like this:
This is when I started to really worry. Bursts of panic were seeping through the spaces in between my giggles. I needed advice, and I needed it fast. Not knowing what else to do, I posted a statement on facebook. It said Here's a question: one of my kids is running away from home. He has packed a suitcase, has a blanket, his DS, and his Doctor Who stress toy. And he's moments away from walking out the door. How long do I play along with this, and just how do I call his bluff?
I took the above photo and posted that on facebook. I told Nick I needed a picture of him to show the police, in case they came by, so we'd remember what he was wearing...
Then Nick headed out the door.
Nate was freaking out. Nate wanted to go with him, but it was 20 degrees. I said no.
I still figured Nick would make it up the driveway then turn around.
But he got there and kept going down the street.
This is when I really started to panic. Part of me wanted to let him go and get it out of his system, but we live on a busy street, and it was cold. I could follow him to make sure he was safe, but Nate and Andy couldn't be left alone. I could call for backup, but my cell phone was dead dead dead, and by the time I called anyone and explained Nick could be anywhere.
So I turned to Nate and told him to watch Andy while I headed after Nick.
I talked him back to the house, and he took a bath while I congratulated myself on my parenting skills.
Then he got out of the bath and what followed was four hours of yelling, screaming, threatening, tantruming, and tears on all sides.
We lived. We went to the therapist. We got a new plan. But I'm tired and worn out and scared because this is my kid's life and there are no do-over's.
I know this isn't an uncommon feeling. I read this blog entry from one of my favorites - worth a few visits.
How can something like this be so funny and so heart-wrenchingly scary at the same time?
Friday, October 03, 2014
Like Cooking, but with Kids!
There are a ridiculous number of people in the world who believe that children should help in with the cooking.
Seriously, I remember being a kid and making Christmas cookies with my mom. I remember it well because there was this really odd shape of cookie cutter and I had no idea what it was, kind of a lumpy thing, and I liked using it to cut shapes out of the dough, and then I would eat the dough. My mother flipped out a bit, then chased us all from the kitchen so she could actually put some cookies in the oven, and so we would die from eating raw eggs. (by the way, the cookie cutter was a camel. I never understood what a camel had to do with Christmas, but that's because I was a heathen and camels didn't pull the sleigh.)
I've tried to get my kids interested in cooking. The books say you can... the many many cookbooks for children, most with large sections that say "GET MOMMY TO HELP YOU CUT THE CARROTS!" Made for children who are dumb enough to eat radishes just because they are peeled and placed on a plate in the shape of someone's hair. My kids are too smart for that, people. Put fruit on a pancake and guess what? It's still fruit. Only now it's ruined the pancake.
Anyway, I have my moments where I try to let the kids help. "You can get a four year old to tear the lettuce!" it says, larger-than-life smile implied in the tone of the font.
So a couple of years ago, in some strange moment of weakness, I purchased a monster cook book. It has things like mummy meatloaf and potato skins disguised as yeti claws. But it also has a few gross desserts. I let the boys each pick an item to make. Andy chose something called "Trifle With Death."
Before pouring in the lime jello, the vanilla pudding, or the marshmallows, the first step is to tear up a sponge cake. I figured if I four year old could tear lettuce, my three kids could tear up a sponge cake.
"Is this piece big enough?" Nick asked, holding up a crumb the size of a raisin.
"It says one inch pieces," I said.
blank looks.
"A little bigger, like this," I said, holding up a piece about the size of a large grape.
"Is this big enough?" Nick asked, holding up a crumb the size of a raisin.
"No," I said.
"Like this? Like this? IS this good?" as all three boys needed me to approve every single pinched morsel of squashed sponge cake that went into the dish.
It was slightly insane.
The boys ate half the marshmallows. They were really impressed with the jello. And the pudding, which was stirred for about three seconds before the boys gave up.
The concoction is now in the fridge until tomorrow, when we get to sprinkle the top with crushed oreos and gummy worms. And gummy eyeballs, if we can find them before then. I'm afraid, and already feeling slightly ill.
Seriously, I remember being a kid and making Christmas cookies with my mom. I remember it well because there was this really odd shape of cookie cutter and I had no idea what it was, kind of a lumpy thing, and I liked using it to cut shapes out of the dough, and then I would eat the dough. My mother flipped out a bit, then chased us all from the kitchen so she could actually put some cookies in the oven, and so we would die from eating raw eggs. (by the way, the cookie cutter was a camel. I never understood what a camel had to do with Christmas, but that's because I was a heathen and camels didn't pull the sleigh.)
I've tried to get my kids interested in cooking. The books say you can... the many many cookbooks for children, most with large sections that say "GET MOMMY TO HELP YOU CUT THE CARROTS!" Made for children who are dumb enough to eat radishes just because they are peeled and placed on a plate in the shape of someone's hair. My kids are too smart for that, people. Put fruit on a pancake and guess what? It's still fruit. Only now it's ruined the pancake.
Anyway, I have my moments where I try to let the kids help. "You can get a four year old to tear the lettuce!" it says, larger-than-life smile implied in the tone of the font.
So a couple of years ago, in some strange moment of weakness, I purchased a monster cook book. It has things like mummy meatloaf and potato skins disguised as yeti claws. But it also has a few gross desserts. I let the boys each pick an item to make. Andy chose something called "Trifle With Death."
Before pouring in the lime jello, the vanilla pudding, or the marshmallows, the first step is to tear up a sponge cake. I figured if I four year old could tear lettuce, my three kids could tear up a sponge cake.
"Is this piece big enough?" Nick asked, holding up a crumb the size of a raisin.
"It says one inch pieces," I said.
blank looks.
"A little bigger, like this," I said, holding up a piece about the size of a large grape.
"Is this big enough?" Nick asked, holding up a crumb the size of a raisin.
"No," I said.
"Like this? Like this? IS this good?" as all three boys needed me to approve every single pinched morsel of squashed sponge cake that went into the dish.
It was slightly insane.
The boys ate half the marshmallows. They were really impressed with the jello. And the pudding, which was stirred for about three seconds before the boys gave up.
The concoction is now in the fridge until tomorrow, when we get to sprinkle the top with crushed oreos and gummy worms. And gummy eyeballs, if we can find them before then. I'm afraid, and already feeling slightly ill.
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
Thursday, September 04, 2014
Homework
It's official.
All three boys now have homework.
None of them like to do it.
Right now, the boys are at Steve's, and there is an unfinished assignment on the kitchen table, due tomorrow.
I told the boy it should all be done yesterday, and was assured I was being ridiculous.
This would be slightly easier if the boys didn't have to be wrestled into their chairs to complete this stuff.
All three boys now have homework.
None of them like to do it.
Right now, the boys are at Steve's, and there is an unfinished assignment on the kitchen table, due tomorrow.
I told the boy it should all be done yesterday, and was assured I was being ridiculous.
This would be slightly easier if the boys didn't have to be wrestled into their chairs to complete this stuff.
Thursday, August 28, 2014
Try, Try Again
Maybe I don't need to write something deep and meaningful every time I post on this blog.
Maybe I need to take some of the pressure off.
Maybe it can be something simple, like a comment. Or a short paragraph. Or a fleeting thought.
Maybe when a few of those have gone up, the deeper, more meaningful posts will come back.
Maybe it can start with a few photos.
Like a new start to a new school year.
Maybe I need to take some of the pressure off.
Maybe it can be something simple, like a comment. Or a short paragraph. Or a fleeting thought.
Maybe when a few of those have gone up, the deeper, more meaningful posts will come back.
Maybe it can start with a few photos.
Like a new start to a new school year.
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| School Day 1. Grades 1, 3, 4 |
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| School Day 1. Grades 1, 3, 4 |
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| School Day 1. Grades 1, 3, 4 I said "make a face like a Dalek" andNick grinned |
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| School Day 1. Grades 1, 3, 4 Photo Session Silly Face |
Sunday, June 29, 2014
I'd Like To Thank My Health Insurance...
Way back in October, the school recommended that Nicholas see an outside therapist.
Take a step back - not time-wise, people. I mean back from the blog content for a second. I've been wondering how to phrase this issue. I've been wondering if I should even speak about this issue. Nick isn't a baby. He is a now 10-year-old boy with his own thoughts and his own life and above all his own right to privacy. I can't be a good parent and be explicit or detailed with his issues here.
Dealing with these issues, however, is a different matter. And that is where the focus of this post is.
What the heck is she talking about, you wonder?
Well... way back in October, the school recommended that Nicholas see an outside therapist. There were issues, and the teacher, the guidance counselor, and the principal all seemed to think this was a good idea.
After some calling around, some filling out of forms, many voicemails.... do you know how difficult this was? It's the golden triangle of Therapists. 1 - Willing to work with children, 2 - Will take my insurance, 3 - Had appointment times NOT during school hours.
We found someone. Nick started to see her.
She recommended something called neuropsychological testing be done. This is a test to find out how the brain is working. Look it up if you have questions, because I can't explain it now. This began phone calls to the insurance company to see if they'd cover the testing, and to another center who does the actual testing.
Meanwhile, issues at school got a little worse. There were more meetings. More issues. We assured them we were trying.
An appointment was made, weeks in advance. Not for a test, but for an intake. A week before the date I got a phone call saying the therapist had to cancel because she wasn't taking new patients. I explained we didn't want to be a long time patient, just needed this one test done. At which point I was told the therapist just didn't take our insurance. Something I feel should have been noticed when I MADE THE APPOINTMENT.
So I scheduled again. For a month later.
I brought Nick with me to the intake, which apparently is never done. But the nice Therapist #2 seemed OK with it, and recommended that we schedule testing - we scheduled 6 hours of it, over 2 days. Both scheduled weeks ahead.
Only THEN Therapist #2 called us and told us our insurance company wouldn't cover the testing. To pay out of pocket would mean a rate of $200/hr, for a possible 13 total hours. THANK YOU, INSURANCE COMPANY!
Instead, our insurance company wanted him to have something called a "Comprehensive Diagnostic Evaluation."
When I called to make the appointment for this, the nice lady scheduling the appointment called it the "Medication Evaluation." I know there are those of you out there who think pills solve a lot of problems, but I honestly feel the damn test should be called something else. I don't want him on meds IF HE HASN'T BEEN TESTED FOR EVERYTHING ELSE!
Anyway, Steve and I sat down for yet ANOTHER intake - the get-to-know-your-kid appointment which is an hour of history, which you have to do with each new person they make you see. Therapist #3 seems really nice, is prepared to to this evaluation, and based on her assessment we'll know if we can have / should have the neuropsychological testing.
My feelings? Well, this is the first therapist who asked for a form to be filled out by his teacher. Of course, this meeting took place the FIRST MONDAY OF SUMMER VACATION.
I mean, the TIME it takes. And this is time sensitive, because this crap started back in October. I know no one wants to be rushed, but this is ALL of the third grade, here, that we've been trying to get something actually done, but we've been jumping through hoops.
A task made more difficult because, oh yeah, we're in the middle of getting divorced and I am working for the first time in a billion years.
Also, I'm a little apprehensive because Therapist #3 - a lovely lady - seems a bit over-ready to slap an ADHD label onto my son. And while I know it's not off the table, I've MET kids with ADHD - Nick isn't like them. I've also met kids with Asperger's, and Nick isn't like that. While everyone is different, I feel like Nick deserves to be looked at before diagnosed, and I'm not sure that's actually happening with this new round of testing.
I hate it. I hate it. I feel like it's made this difficult because they actually want you to drop out of the race and leave them alone. Then, of anything goes wrong, they can blame you for being a bad parent and not following through. But if you DO try to follow through, they just recommend you see a different therapist, and you have to start all over again, add another month or two to your sentence, fill out another round of paperwork.
Nick starts school in two months. We'll se how much has changed before then.
Friday, May 30, 2014
Double Digits
He's ten today.
Today he's ten.
It's a leap closer to adult-hood, to independence, to becoming a person who doesn't need me and who eventually moves away into his own space, his own life.
He is never going to be one of the Little Kids again.
Birthdays can be traumatic. I love him so much, and I love watching him grow into someone who is so smart and compassionate, and so perfectly himself. But I miss the little boy he used to be.
Happy Birthday, Nicholas!
Today he's ten.
It's a leap closer to adult-hood, to independence, to becoming a person who doesn't need me and who eventually moves away into his own space, his own life.
He is never going to be one of the Little Kids again.
Birthdays can be traumatic. I love him so much, and I love watching him grow into someone who is so smart and compassionate, and so perfectly himself. But I miss the little boy he used to be.
Happy Birthday, Nicholas!
Monday, March 03, 2014
He Goes To The High School... Kinda
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I took this picture moments before he walked out the door.
He came home raving about the gym and how big it was, how he could hear someone yelling at the High School students, and also, the Kona Ice truck came by as a treat, just in case they needed more
I was nervous, too.
Friday, February 21, 2014
Why Nick Is In High School
So... our town has these schools...
When we first moved to town, there were three schools. The Lower Elementary School for 1st and 2nd grades, the Upper Elementary School for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades, and the Middle School for 6th, 7th, and 8th grades.
That was it. 3 schools. All High School students were bussed over to the next town for High School, and Kindergarten was private or nothing.
And then the town we sent our High School students to told us we had to find a different solution. We had too many kids and we were straining their resources. So the citizens of the ton fought and argued and bickered and we ended up building a High School.
Just around the time we built the High School, a law was passed that made public kindergarten a requirement. I fully support this. Our town, however, did not. Why should we do that when most kids went to private kindergarten anyway? But the law is the law, and after pushing it off and extending the deadline as long as we could, the town purchased a number of portable trailers to temporarily house the kindergarteners.
Let me say that part again.
The town purchased a number of portable trailers to temporarily house the kindergarteners.
This is where Nick went to Kindergarten. It's also where his Transition year was spent. It's also where Nate went to Kindergarten, and where he spend 1st grade.
Because somewhere along the line, it became apparent that we had to do something more permanent. So the town fought and argued and bickered and finally built a Kindergarten Extension to the Lower Elementary School. Not large enough to house all kindergarteners, but large enough to house the kindergarten only if the Half Day Schedule (less than 3 hours a day) was continued.
And it's a good thing it was built when it was, because about that time it was discovered that the Upper Elementary School was TOO CROWDED. So the town argued and bickered and instead of building anything, they came up with a temporary solution. Four 3rd grade classes would be moved from the Upper Elementary School to the Lower Elementary School. The Kindergarten would move to the newly constructed Kindergarten wing, overlooking the playground the 2.5 hour day did not give them time to use, and many 1st grade classrooms would be moved out to the 'temporary' portable, previously occupied by the kindergarteners.
Which is how Nate spent his 1st grade year there.
That brings us to this year. This year, we had no one in the portables, All 3 boys were in the same school, something that wouldn't happen again until High School.
AND THEN!... And then And Then And Theeeeeennnnnn....... They found mold.
In the portables. Remember the portables they got as a temporary solution? The ones I've had kids living hours and hours of their lives in? Yes. Mold.
As soon as they discovered this, all 8 1st grades classed were crammed back into the main building in ever available space. Kindergarten classes doubled up so 1st graders could have a room. Music rooms, art rooms, the library - all became 1st grade classrooms, 2 classes to a room.
What would they do? The school couldn't function like that!
Well, we recently received an email informing us of the solution.
The 4 3rd grade classes at the Lower Elementary School will now be held... AT THE HIGH SCHOOL!
But don't worry. They won't have to take busses with High School Students. They will take their regular busses to the Lower Elementary school, then get on another bus to take them to the High School (which we pass on the way to the Lower Elementary School). At the end of the day, they will take special busses back to the Lower Elementary, and then their regular busses back home.
This is Nick.
As thrilled as I am by the prospect of Nick spending an additional 30 minutes on a bus, I'm kind of horrified.
The school claims they will still have their Unified Arts - Music, Art, Library... but how? Where will the books be? Will they only have the 3rd grade books? And who will teach them music? Because the music teacher at the Upper Elementary didn't travel to the Lower Elementary, so will the High School music teacher be taking over? How about art? What about violin? Where will that happen - at the High School? At the Lower Elementary? What if he misses the bus? Do they realize just how many additional places they've created for Nick to forget things? And what if he gets lost? What about the bathrooms? Won't that be a little awkward for both High Schoolers and 3rd graders?
Seriously, this is Bizzaro World, people.
And I got really prickly when the teacher sent out a peppy email about change and our approach to it. Life is change, people! Your attitude when it comes to changes will affect how your child blah blah blah and all I could think was "God Dammit! HE's had ENOUGH CHANGE already!"
The thing of it is, Nick couldn't really care less about it. I'm the one freaking out. New Schedule starts in March. I'll let you know how it goes.
When we first moved to town, there were three schools. The Lower Elementary School for 1st and 2nd grades, the Upper Elementary School for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades, and the Middle School for 6th, 7th, and 8th grades.
That was it. 3 schools. All High School students were bussed over to the next town for High School, and Kindergarten was private or nothing.
And then the town we sent our High School students to told us we had to find a different solution. We had too many kids and we were straining their resources. So the citizens of the ton fought and argued and bickered and we ended up building a High School.
Just around the time we built the High School, a law was passed that made public kindergarten a requirement. I fully support this. Our town, however, did not. Why should we do that when most kids went to private kindergarten anyway? But the law is the law, and after pushing it off and extending the deadline as long as we could, the town purchased a number of portable trailers to temporarily house the kindergarteners.
Let me say that part again.
The town purchased a number of portable trailers to temporarily house the kindergarteners.
This is where Nick went to Kindergarten. It's also where his Transition year was spent. It's also where Nate went to Kindergarten, and where he spend 1st grade.
Because somewhere along the line, it became apparent that we had to do something more permanent. So the town fought and argued and bickered and finally built a Kindergarten Extension to the Lower Elementary School. Not large enough to house all kindergarteners, but large enough to house the kindergarten only if the Half Day Schedule (less than 3 hours a day) was continued.
And it's a good thing it was built when it was, because about that time it was discovered that the Upper Elementary School was TOO CROWDED. So the town argued and bickered and instead of building anything, they came up with a temporary solution. Four 3rd grade classes would be moved from the Upper Elementary School to the Lower Elementary School. The Kindergarten would move to the newly constructed Kindergarten wing, overlooking the playground the 2.5 hour day did not give them time to use, and many 1st grade classrooms would be moved out to the 'temporary' portable, previously occupied by the kindergarteners.
Which is how Nate spent his 1st grade year there.
That brings us to this year. This year, we had no one in the portables, All 3 boys were in the same school, something that wouldn't happen again until High School.
AND THEN!... And then And Then And Theeeeeennnnnn....... They found mold.
In the portables. Remember the portables they got as a temporary solution? The ones I've had kids living hours and hours of their lives in? Yes. Mold.
As soon as they discovered this, all 8 1st grades classed were crammed back into the main building in ever available space. Kindergarten classes doubled up so 1st graders could have a room. Music rooms, art rooms, the library - all became 1st grade classrooms, 2 classes to a room.
What would they do? The school couldn't function like that!
Well, we recently received an email informing us of the solution.
The 4 3rd grade classes at the Lower Elementary School will now be held... AT THE HIGH SCHOOL!
But don't worry. They won't have to take busses with High School Students. They will take their regular busses to the Lower Elementary school, then get on another bus to take them to the High School (which we pass on the way to the Lower Elementary School). At the end of the day, they will take special busses back to the Lower Elementary, and then their regular busses back home.
This is Nick.
As thrilled as I am by the prospect of Nick spending an additional 30 minutes on a bus, I'm kind of horrified.
The school claims they will still have their Unified Arts - Music, Art, Library... but how? Where will the books be? Will they only have the 3rd grade books? And who will teach them music? Because the music teacher at the Upper Elementary didn't travel to the Lower Elementary, so will the High School music teacher be taking over? How about art? What about violin? Where will that happen - at the High School? At the Lower Elementary? What if he misses the bus? Do they realize just how many additional places they've created for Nick to forget things? And what if he gets lost? What about the bathrooms? Won't that be a little awkward for both High Schoolers and 3rd graders?
Seriously, this is Bizzaro World, people.
And I got really prickly when the teacher sent out a peppy email about change and our approach to it. Life is change, people! Your attitude when it comes to changes will affect how your child blah blah blah and all I could think was "God Dammit! HE's had ENOUGH CHANGE already!"
The thing of it is, Nick couldn't really care less about it. I'm the one freaking out. New Schedule starts in March. I'll let you know how it goes.
Saturday, February 15, 2014
Violin Concert
So, a few weeks ago, there was this violin concert.
What that means is that the 3rd graders who are taking violin all give a concert, playing through a number of tunes they have learned so far. And their wonderful teacher has them al playing the same notes at the same time.
I never realized it until recently, but a lot of people can't tell if they're playing off pitch. A lot of people can't tell if they are singing off pitch. Some people can't even match a pitch, which is to say if I sing a note, they aren't able to sing it back. I mention this because the violin is a string instrument, and it is entirely possible to be playing a note that is an "in-between" note, and by that I mean a not that is not written on our musical scale. Something in-between the E and the F, for example. There's no note there on the piano, but it's still possible to live there, like a hidden Harry Potter house of musical clutter.
Anyway, the kids all played these songs together, and they were really good! And then some students signed up for solos. Nick signed up for one. I didn't ask him to, I didn't even know they could, but he did. It turned out that anyone who wanted to could sign up and play a solo, and usually they were songs the whole violin orchestra had just played as a group moments before. Fifteen kids played "Merrily We Roll Along" which is just another version of "Mary Had A Little Lamb" but was called something else because of copyright issues, although I didn't realize Mary felt that way.
Anyway, Nick had a solo, and it wasn't "Merrily We Roll Along". It was "Seminole Chant" from his Essential Book Of Violin.
Here it is:
It's cut off at the end because I wanted to clap right away. So what you don't see or hear is the teacher commenting to all assembled that "that was the Rock Star Version." He might have been referring to the fact that Nick was playing at twice the speed the whole class played it at. Or maybe the hair?
What that means is that the 3rd graders who are taking violin all give a concert, playing through a number of tunes they have learned so far. And their wonderful teacher has them al playing the same notes at the same time.
I never realized it until recently, but a lot of people can't tell if they're playing off pitch. A lot of people can't tell if they are singing off pitch. Some people can't even match a pitch, which is to say if I sing a note, they aren't able to sing it back. I mention this because the violin is a string instrument, and it is entirely possible to be playing a note that is an "in-between" note, and by that I mean a not that is not written on our musical scale. Something in-between the E and the F, for example. There's no note there on the piano, but it's still possible to live there, like a hidden Harry Potter house of musical clutter.
Anyway, the kids all played these songs together, and they were really good! And then some students signed up for solos. Nick signed up for one. I didn't ask him to, I didn't even know they could, but he did. It turned out that anyone who wanted to could sign up and play a solo, and usually they were songs the whole violin orchestra had just played as a group moments before. Fifteen kids played "Merrily We Roll Along" which is just another version of "Mary Had A Little Lamb" but was called something else because of copyright issues, although I didn't realize Mary felt that way.
Anyway, Nick had a solo, and it wasn't "Merrily We Roll Along". It was "Seminole Chant" from his Essential Book Of Violin.
Here it is:
It's cut off at the end because I wanted to clap right away. So what you don't see or hear is the teacher commenting to all assembled that "that was the Rock Star Version." He might have been referring to the fact that Nick was playing at twice the speed the whole class played it at. Or maybe the hair?
Saturday, February 01, 2014
Sweet Beginnings
I hate February.
I really really hate it. It's overcast and it's cold and grey, even though by mow I'm ready for spring. January is enough for me. And yet, year after year, February settles itself in between the holiday recovery month and the month of March (which is when Spring begins to appear) with it's bland, cold, icy, self.
Sure, February is a short month. And it's a short month full of things like Valentine's Day, Birthdays of various Presidents, my mother's birthday, and an entire week of school vacation. Not to mention Groundhog Day, and Imbolc (the spring equinox). And a whole month of February is Black History Month, or African-American History Month, depending on how you feel like expressing it.
All respect for these important events and occasions aside, I still hate February.
But today, February 1st, is a little different.
It's Ice Cream For Breakfast Day.
We Celebrated. Even me. I strongly urge you to begin observing this sacred day of over-indulgence. It's Awesome, unexpected, and fun. We've gotten to the point where Nick starts counting down the days.
This morning, as we were navigating our way through melting ice-cream and sticky syrups, I asked the boys if they would celebrate Ice-Cream for breakfast day for ever, from now on.
"Yes!" said Nick. "Unless I get diabetic. Then I'll just do it for my family."
I really really hate it. It's overcast and it's cold and grey, even though by mow I'm ready for spring. January is enough for me. And yet, year after year, February settles itself in between the holiday recovery month and the month of March (which is when Spring begins to appear) with it's bland, cold, icy, self.
Sure, February is a short month. And it's a short month full of things like Valentine's Day, Birthdays of various Presidents, my mother's birthday, and an entire week of school vacation. Not to mention Groundhog Day, and Imbolc (the spring equinox). And a whole month of February is Black History Month, or African-American History Month, depending on how you feel like expressing it.
All respect for these important events and occasions aside, I still hate February.
But today, February 1st, is a little different.
It's Ice Cream For Breakfast Day.
We Celebrated. Even me. I strongly urge you to begin observing this sacred day of over-indulgence. It's Awesome, unexpected, and fun. We've gotten to the point where Nick starts counting down the days.
This morning, as we were navigating our way through melting ice-cream and sticky syrups, I asked the boys if they would celebrate Ice-Cream for breakfast day for ever, from now on.
"Yes!" said Nick. "Unless I get diabetic. Then I'll just do it for my family."
Monday, December 16, 2013
It's Called a Schedule
Last week I say down and scheduled out the events leading us up to Christmas.
It's trickier than you might think. Remember, I'm dealing not only with my schedule, but with the boys' schedules, too. And nothing is ever as straightforward as you'd think.
So, Monday is the last day to send in a toy for the toy drive at the school. That morning I'm at the school library as a volunteer. Also, I have a music committee meeting. So I'll get Steve to take the boys.
That's it for Monday.
Tuesday is Andrew's Birthday! He's turning six! So exciting! Except Tuesday afternoons are really, really busy, with Karate for Andy at 4:15, Karate for Nate and Nick at 5pm, and piano for Andy and Nate at 6:30. I can't reschedule piano because they don't have lessons for the next two weeks. I'll make cupcakes and we'll have them with our regular Tuesday dinner-in-the-car. We'll have to have Andy's Birthday dinner on Monday.
Monday I'll pick the boys up, take them to the mall to see Santa, buy our annual ornaments, and then go out to dinner. Steve can come with us. We should be done in plenty of time for me to make it to Music Committee. And I'll wrap Andy's Birthday Gifts when we get back.
Wednesday I take the car to be inspected. Then that night I have Choir and the boys will be at Steve's so...
Thursday morning I can pack all the stuff we'll need for the DI meeting that afternoon - the boys will be creating gingerbread circuses out of graham crackers, ginger snaps, and sugar cones. And icing and candy. After the sugary meeting, we'll run off to Karate at 4:30 for Nate and Nick. OH! And it's the last day for some of the teachers to get teacher gifts, and I have to bake those...
Add to Tuesday AM - bake cookies at the same time as the cupcakes.
Add to Thursday take out trash. And Clean Bathrooms, because there is no other open space and that needs to happen.
And Friday is the last day of school with all of those parties. I need to buy napkins and plates and cups that are holiday themed. I'll need to go food shopping, but they had none at the grocery store or at CVS. Add to Wednesday - buy napkins, etc. And then Andy has a playdate at 3pm. And Nick has his DI meeting after school until 4:30. Andy will skip his karate because of the playdate, but Nate and Nick have Karate again at 5pm. Sometime in there I'll pick Andy up. Then we can have movie night and eat sugar cookies and watch Arthur Christmas or Scrooged or something.
This is all very manageable.
Only guess what? It's Monday morning, and Andrew is sick. Too sick for school. Too sick (probably) for santa and dinner out tonight.
So...
Monday, cancel the library volunteering. Email Steve and let him know we may need to reschedule Santa on Wednesday before Choir. Music committee was postponed (not because of me, ironically) so I have tonight to wrap gifts and bake cookies and figure out how Nate and Nick can conjure birthday presents for Andrew out of thin air. Also, the boys can do whatever homework they have.
Tuesday - as usual, school, library, karate, piano, dinner in the car. Only Andrew will be better (right?) and go to school so I can make all the teacher gifts.
Wednesday I take my car in, I'll run into Wal-Mart where they better have holiday themed paper dinnerware. That PM we do Santa, dinner our, then Choir, Steve will watch them here which means I have them...
Thursday morning, clean bathrooms, pay bills, DI circus, karate the day we give the teachers their gifts and I can stop thinking about them, and then
Friday, the last school day before Christmas Vacation, food shopping (buy wine), Andy Playdate, Nick DI, Nick and Nate karate, movie night, cookies, wine, and write out the schedule for the next couple of weeks so they aren't this hectic.
right?
It's trickier than you might think. Remember, I'm dealing not only with my schedule, but with the boys' schedules, too. And nothing is ever as straightforward as you'd think.
So, Monday is the last day to send in a toy for the toy drive at the school. That morning I'm at the school library as a volunteer. Also, I have a music committee meeting. So I'll get Steve to take the boys.
That's it for Monday.
Tuesday is Andrew's Birthday! He's turning six! So exciting! Except Tuesday afternoons are really, really busy, with Karate for Andy at 4:15, Karate for Nate and Nick at 5pm, and piano for Andy and Nate at 6:30. I can't reschedule piano because they don't have lessons for the next two weeks. I'll make cupcakes and we'll have them with our regular Tuesday dinner-in-the-car. We'll have to have Andy's Birthday dinner on Monday.
Monday I'll pick the boys up, take them to the mall to see Santa, buy our annual ornaments, and then go out to dinner. Steve can come with us. We should be done in plenty of time for me to make it to Music Committee. And I'll wrap Andy's Birthday Gifts when we get back.
Wednesday I take the car to be inspected. Then that night I have Choir and the boys will be at Steve's so...
Thursday morning I can pack all the stuff we'll need for the DI meeting that afternoon - the boys will be creating gingerbread circuses out of graham crackers, ginger snaps, and sugar cones. And icing and candy. After the sugary meeting, we'll run off to Karate at 4:30 for Nate and Nick. OH! And it's the last day for some of the teachers to get teacher gifts, and I have to bake those...
Add to Tuesday AM - bake cookies at the same time as the cupcakes.
Add to Thursday take out trash. And Clean Bathrooms, because there is no other open space and that needs to happen.
And Friday is the last day of school with all of those parties. I need to buy napkins and plates and cups that are holiday themed. I'll need to go food shopping, but they had none at the grocery store or at CVS. Add to Wednesday - buy napkins, etc. And then Andy has a playdate at 3pm. And Nick has his DI meeting after school until 4:30. Andy will skip his karate because of the playdate, but Nate and Nick have Karate again at 5pm. Sometime in there I'll pick Andy up. Then we can have movie night and eat sugar cookies and watch Arthur Christmas or Scrooged or something.
This is all very manageable.
Only guess what? It's Monday morning, and Andrew is sick. Too sick for school. Too sick (probably) for santa and dinner out tonight.
So...
Monday, cancel the library volunteering. Email Steve and let him know we may need to reschedule Santa on Wednesday before Choir. Music committee was postponed (not because of me, ironically) so I have tonight to wrap gifts and bake cookies and figure out how Nate and Nick can conjure birthday presents for Andrew out of thin air. Also, the boys can do whatever homework they have.
Tuesday - as usual, school, library, karate, piano, dinner in the car. Only Andrew will be better (right?) and go to school so I can make all the teacher gifts.
Wednesday I take my car in, I'll run into Wal-Mart where they better have holiday themed paper dinnerware. That PM we do Santa, dinner our, then Choir, Steve will watch them here which means I have them...
Thursday morning, clean bathrooms, pay bills, DI circus, karate the day we give the teachers their gifts and I can stop thinking about them, and then
Friday, the last school day before Christmas Vacation, food shopping (buy wine), Andy Playdate, Nick DI, Nick and Nate karate, movie night, cookies, wine, and write out the schedule for the next couple of weeks so they aren't this hectic.
right?
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Once in a Timeline
Nicholas has a timeline project to do.
He had to pick out 7 events in his life and place them on a timeline. It's a pretty great project, as it teaches kids how to read a timeline graph, how to measure out even spaces for each year, how to find out where an event would land on the graph, and it also give them a chance to go through their own lives and tall a little bit about themselves. They can begin to have a different grasp of time, which is so difficult for younger children.
The problem is, Nick is only 9. His teacher's example timeline had her birth, her graduation, her wedding, and the births of her children. Nick hasn't had any kids yet.
I let Nick pick the events he used, and hung around as he plotted everything on his timeline, just to avoid one of those impulsive yet catastrophic "I think I'll draw a cat right here" moments. He was speaking out loud as he wrote down years. Nate and Andrew, captivated by the fact that Nick's project included baby photos of THEM, hung over his shoulders.
"1794?" Nate said, repeating something he heard Nick say.
"No!" Nick said. "Not 1794! 2004! If I was born in 1794 I'd be almost as old as Mom!"
And suddenly the timeline project seems much less effective.
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Wednesday, October 09, 2013
Honey Bear and The Plan
My brother had a dolly.
I'm not teasing, he really did. It was a Fisher Price cloth... it was this:
After the bear in the Lillian Hoban book Arthur's Honey Bear.
Because of this, I will always have a spot in my heart for that book.
I read it to the boys tonight. They couldn't possibly enjoy it as much as I do. But when I got to the end, when Arthur decides to be happy about being Honey Bear's UNCLE, the boys did give a grudging giggle.
"Being an uncle is pretty cool, huh?" I said. "Do you think that one day you guys will be uncles?"
All three said yes.
"Do you think that any of you guys will be daddies?"
There was a pause. "I don't know..." Nate said.
"It's easier to be an uncle?"
"Yeah," said Nate. "Or a grampa."
"Well..." I explained, "You have to be a dad before you can be a grampa."
"Yeah, "said Nick. "And get married."
"I have a plan," said Nate. "I need to go on seven whole dates before I get married."
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| Nate / Andy October 2013 |
Tuesday, October 08, 2013
Friday, September 27, 2013
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