Dear Darling Daughters,

Today your Daddy and I took you girls to get your Christmas pictures taken. The last few years we've always done them in January. This year I wanted them done before actual Christmas. Girls you were wonderful today.. so well behaved. You also looked scrumptiously adorable in your Gymboree outfits. There is something so huggable about little girls in sweaters. I couldn't keep my hands off you... smoothing your hair, hugging you. Spending these last few days with you two... alone... without the other kids around was so special to me. There is not going to be many times more that we can do so. We must embrace your cousins and they will be like brothers and sister to you. I'm sorry for any negatives that result from this. Please understand that life cannot be planned. I had no clue that life would be this way. So far you both have done an amazing job with handling the disruptions. There have been repercussions and attitudes and adjustments but you've both been amazingly adaptable. I feel pride in myself because for two little girls like yourselves (coming from such a regimented, solely focused upon you world to such a topsy turvy, push you in the background one) to have adapted so well can only mean that I've taught you to be confident and that you know how well-loved you are. Girls, I know this is a hard time for you. You miss your world, your friends, your structure, your toys, my time, your Daddy and Grandma, you other relatives, etc. I know that things are not how you would personally like them. Ainsley, it kills me that you wake up at 2am calling for your Daddy. Aidan, it kills me when you tell me how sad you are and how you wish we could come home and stay. Please know, no matter what occurs, you two are still my loves and that the world does still revolve around you... it's just that there are now 4 others standing in the middle with you.

Darling Daughters... I love you more than myself... and when you grow up and learn how inwardly selfish we all are... you'll know what that means. ;-)

 Mommy

Welll.....

That didn't last long.... SIGH.... school is just going to have to wait until January 10th. Boo!

Not Homeschool?

Because of my sister's illness... thoughts of moving to N.C. keep circling in my head. Its very possible I will move and if that does indeed happen... I've got an interesting dilemma. It turns out that the county my sister lives in happens to have a program for exceptional children. It is based in the public schools but it caters to profoundly gifted kids from grade K to grade 8th. (High School is in the works) There are stringent requirement to get into this program (IQ of at least 145, 99% on all grade level tests, an impressive portfolio, recommendations, and interview) but I have little doubt of Aidan getting in. Work is student-driven and has a classical bent. I really like the sound of it but I don't know if I can NOT homeschool her. I planned on homeschooling Aidan before I knew she was "different." Giving up this dream would be hard for me. I especially worry about social issues with public school (gifted kids or not) and I LOVE teaching her, having our time free for whatever, exploring and learning with her. I'd also miss her.

BUT!

There are many positives for a place like that...

*She'd be with peers that are at her level (or near it)
*She has begged to go to school since she was 2.
*She would probably thrive in a structured environment.
*She'd probably work hard for her teachers.
*She would have teachers who could teach at her level because frankly, at some point, she'll surpass my level.
*The school would offer her opportunities I could not.
*It would look great on her resume and open doors for her
*It is very rare to find a school like this. Perhaps it is fate's binding hand that is leading us to it??

Anyway, I contacted the school and they actually recommend for me to have Aidan tested for early enrollment and for her to start next year. WHOA! Although Aidan is perfectly capable of going into Kindergarten... even now at just-turned-4... the idea causes me to panic. I do not want to give up my daughter that young. So, I'd probably keep her and we'd homeschool until she reached legal age to attend. But then should I have her apply?

This is a decision I never thought I'd have to make. Regular public school was always out of the question.

Yay! Our Week

 AIDAN

 Math

 This week we've been practicing a lot of arithmetic. Aidan and I play the arithmetic game where we make up problems and ask in turns. I really want her to have her math facts down so that she'll never have to stumble like I do. (I'm only now learning arithmetic) We've also continued playing with the numbers in our heads. For example she'll see 8 and say "5 & 3." It's fun and it's great reinforcement. She has also started using Dreambox again. For a little while now she has refused to play it because she became frustrated over something she had been doing. So I've let it be and this week she finally asked to play it again. Whatever she was having problems with beforehand seems to not be a problem now. She decided to use her abacus to work out the math problems that she doesn't automatically know.

Writing

 She's worked in her workbook a few times. We haven't found a lot of time for labor- intensive schooling this week.

Reading

 Again, Aidan read a lot of books this week. There isn't really anything I can say about her skills anymore because I just keep repeating myself. She is continuing to move forward in leaps and bounds. Sometimes, this week, she hurried through her words but mostly she figured them out.

 Art

 Aidan is on a kick lately of using tracing paper to draw things. I have no problem with it because at her age I think its a great way for her to learn to add all the little details. When she is older I might find a curriculum or book or whatnot and require her to draw it all on her own but really she draws wonderfully for her age so its not a big deal. She spends most of her free time either reading or drawing/coloring. I'd like to add that her coloring is really improving as well. She's started using different colors for depth and for shading although she has no clue that she's doing so.

AINSLEY

 Ainsley played with the 24 piece puzzles I had brought with us. She really enjoyed them this week. I was somewhat shocked at how easily and quickly she'd figure out where the pieces went. One of my sister's neighbors happened to be here while Ainsley was putting one together and I think her head started spinning. LOL!  Also this week Ainsley demanded her time with me to read as well. So she practiced reading CVC words that I wrote on a portable wipe board. Next week I'm planning on using the first Bob book with her and seeing how she does. It wont be long before I'm pulling out all the 1st step readers again. If there was any doubt in my mind if Ainsley would turn out to be profoundly gifted like Aidan.... it has definitely disappeared. Watch out Aidan... Ainsley is right behind you!!

**********

 Schooling for us has completely become "unschooling." Amazingly its actually working. Our piddly efforts combined with discussions and usage of the computer have moved both Aidan and Ainsley forward exceedingly. However that doesn't make me a supporter for unschooling. A lot of their progress is because they are exceptional children and will move forward without help. Anyway, I've been torturing myself lately over the lack of schooling. Aidan needs school. Her brain wastes away if its not fed and I expect Ainsley to be the same. I feel so terrible that I let our family situation interfere with what she needs. I have the best excuse in the world but Mommy Guilt doesn't care. I know that my slackness is "holding them back" and I know too that it probably doesn't matter and that there is no reason to have them at the level they could be at. But I read blogs of others who do so much with their kids... projects, folder games, etc that I feel downright negligent. Aren't I just silly?

Just a Glimpse

As of this Tuesday our traveling back and forth from state to state will be severely lessened. The girls and I will be staying in N.C. for a while so that I can help my sister and her family. I refuse to let school get pushed aside anymore so my plan is that during the mornings... when the other kids are at school and my sister is still sleeping... I'll be working with my girls on their stuff. From 9am to 12pm we can do school and then after lunch, while Ainsley naps, Aidan and I can read together or she can play on the computer.

 I pray pray pray that it works smoothly. I hate that so far all plans I've made have never worked out. I know that mostly it was due to circumstances I couldn't control but still. I keep telling myself that no matter what is happening... I need to find the time.

I'm excited about working with both of them. With Aidan I'm excited because we can get back to what we do best. She is much happier when her brain is engaged. With Ainsley I'm excited because she's truly interested in things now. She's trying hard to read words, is interested in educational videos, enjoys playing learning games, and is asking lots of questions. I knew that eventually she'd let me know when she was ready and now she's ready. I'm so excited to see Ainsley hit 3! With Aidan 3 years was the most forming year and she learned so much in such awe- inspiring leaps and bounds. I can't wait to watch the connections and the maturing of Ainsley this coming year.

Of course we haven't done nothing. Much of our play is educational. I've also used T4L and Dreambox as a heavy substitute. However, I really want to do more so that we'll be in the habit before January 10th. (Official start of 1st grade and PreK)

Aidan with her USA map

 

She's so proud of herself when she completes them all!

Ainsley LOVES the computer.

 

This was us trying to pickle cucumbers... they tasted horrible. Yech!

First Professional Haircut

So I've been wondering how different a "professional" would do Aidan's hair and finally took her to Bridgett's hairdresser. 

 Aidan loved the attention and looked forward to the lollipop she knew she'd receive afterward.

I wasn't overly impressed with the overall result and believe that I personally do a better job.

So, now I know.

I Caught a Cutie!

Happy Birthday Carly!

Happy 10th year! Welcome to the double digits!

Park Play

 

  

Happy Halloween!

COMING SOON

Mountain Trip

COMING SOON

Church Night

COMING SOON

So I'm dusting off the school materials and I've started pulling things out again. Pictures coming soon. Oh, and Ainsley is now "into" learning and "doing school."

On the Farm

COMING SOON...

Last Days of Nice Weather

COMING SOON....

Dear Aidan or Finally Four!

Dear Aidan,

 You've finally made it to 4! Some small part of me asks "How do I have a 4 year old?" but the greater part of me feels like I've had a 4 year old for a while. Your birthday this year was about your party... not about you being older. Honestly, I've been claiming you were 4 for about 6 months now. I figured out awhile ago that there is a different psychological reaction in people when I say "She's 3" than when I say "She's 4." A 3 year old does not read books, speak intelligently, can do math in her head, mouths off facts about random things, and play like a 6 year old. But a 4 year old can. The 4 year old is very very smart but it's not unheard of. So, my Lady Bug, I suppose because I've claimed you as being 4 for so long... I truly did not feel any emotional reaction to it. That came about 3 months ago.

 3 months ago I was sitting on the couch with you. You were reading a book to me, a lot harder book than you had previously read. Afterward, you got ready for bed and helped your sister all the while talking to me about your impressions about something. I started crying... just a little. Your mannerisms at that moment and your astute observations were so "grown up" it hit me how I'm probably not going to have as much time with you as most parents get. You're still a very young girl but I know that the older you get... the more "grown up" you'll be. Although I may sometimes feel embarrassed I actually like seeing you play the little kid... with your tongue sticking out... acting silly. I also like seeing you lose it... crying and whining like all kids your age. I want you to not grow up too fast. (Not that I'm not proud of you!)

 Your birthday party was awesome this year. I really hope you have some memory of it. I remember back to when I was 3 and sometimes I wonder what will be your and Ainsley's first memory. Will it be this party? Or will it be something much earlier? Anyway, I couldn't have asked for the party to go any smoother... the weather was beautiful, Anna the horse arrived, the park was not crowded, most of the guest arrived. (rule # 3481  Want guests? Bring a horse!) Everything was nearly perfect. You did get tired at the end... so when you unwrapped your presents you had lost your animation. I kept thinking of The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Birthday. However, when I asked you if it was too much you answered with "No, it wasn't too much... I'm just tired."

Aidan, let me try to describe you....

 You're a hypochondriac. Every scrape, pain, whatever and you're sure you need to go to the doctor and that you need medicine. You keep seeking sympathy from people and I'm trying hard to break this "nonsense" from you. (though in your defense... it's a learned behavior from watching other people in your life)

You can still be shy in unfamiliar situations but you're really blossoming into a confident, self-assured person. In fact, as soon as you warm up to people... you act bossy and in charge... whether the kids listen to you or not.

You're in that stage where you "LOVE" your friends. "Mommy, I want... what was her name again?... I really LOVE her and want her to come over for a playdate!" For a while you were exclusive with your love to only your friend Kayiah. You didn't want to play with anyone else because you LOVED Kayiah... but now you LOVE a lot of people. You crack me up kid. I enjoy seeing the textbook phases you and Ainsley go through.

 For a few months this summer you and Ainsley kept arguing and fighting. Practically every 5 minutes there was some squabble going on. Thankfully you both seem to have worked it out and now you still play beautifully together and look out for each other. Ainsley really is your best friend and I pray that it'll remain so. Interestingly though, Ainsley is the more affectionate one. She comforts you and is a lot quicker to hug and kiss you. You avoid it whenever possible. I'm not sure if I should be worried about this or not. You are physically affectionate with Me, your Daddy, and your Grandma but everyone else you've started backing off from and it's obvious you are uncomfortable it. Perhaps this is just part of your natural personality?

You love pickles... dill pickles. Seriously, I think you'd eat a whole jar if I let you.

You still walk on your tip-toes. Sometimes I think I should have signed you up for ballet class ...not gymnastics.

 You really seem to have an athletic bone or two. Your hand-eye coordination is excellent for your age and size. You even play basketball well. (with a little goal of course). As long as it's feasible I still really want to sign you up for T ball in the spring.

You're showing signs of having asthma... it's brought on especially from exercise. You also seem to have bad allergies and soon you will be getting tested. I'm also going to get your lazy eye looked at. To me, it seems to be getting worse.

You have developed two new habits lately. The first is you keep sticking the tips of your fingers in your mouth. It drives me crazy! The second is that when you start to say something and you realize you shouldn't you stop and say instead "I mean, I love you Mommy" or "I mean, I love you insert whom speaking too." It's kindof amusing.

You like me to sing to you. I'm an okay singer at best but it doesn't matter to you. We make a game out of making random things or activities into a song. You're favorite is still the Aidan song though.


You read everything! It's as if you're addicted to reading... I suppose you're just proud you read so well but regardless of what it is you read it... even if it's a soup can. Much of your day is spent surrounded by books. You carry your Hello Kitty backpack wherever you can filled with books. I've stopped trying to keep a list of books you read because you read too many for me to keep track of. Books are your favorite toy. As for reading level... you are moving into 3rd grade level. You've been sticking to books around the 2nd grade level but just recently have started reading much older books. I'm having a hard time finding books on your level that are appropriate for you.

You are firmly in the 1st grade level with writing, math, spelling, etc. I am not officially calling you a 1st grader until January but it actually won't be long until you're doing mostly 2nd grade work. That is, if we actually do anything. Unfortunately, school is seldom done because of our traveling to N.C. a lot. I've been using time4learning.com and dreambox.com to supplement and to make me feel better about my slack.

The adjustment from going back and forth to N.C. is minimal with you. You're really doing great with it. Whenever we are in N.C. I never see you or spend time with you like I do at home. You spend every minute with you cousins that you can. Often I don't have a clue where or what you are doing. I miss you when we're there but I love the relationships you have with them. Family is important.

Aidan... I am so PROUD of who you are. I am so PROUD... not just of your intelligence or maturity but of your heart, your empathy, your humor, your slyness, your goofiness, your everything. Everything that makes you Aidan... I LOVE... good and bad. And yes, I still marvel at your every freckle, your fingers, the length of your nose... at all the little things. I just usually am only able to marvel at them while you're sleeping.

"Aidan Mckenna you are my girl

Aidan Mckenna you're my whole world

I do love my Aidan 

I know she loves me

Together, united we always shall be"

 

A Happy Happy Birthday and a Horse!

 

Yee Haw! 

 

Happy Happy Birthday Aidan!!!!

You're FOUR!!

Park Playdate

 Getting them to pose nicely for a group shot is nigh impossible.

1st Letter

I explained to Aidan how a letter has three parts and told her to write one.. I only helped her spell could (she forgot the "l"), Aunt, & Bridgett. 



Me thinks she's ready for a pen pal!

Things We're Doing

ME

I'm finishing my list of needed items for the official start of 1st grade but I'm also worrying about how long exactly 1st grade will last. Aidan has been doing a lot of the work I have yet to introduce from the computer programs and she shows mastery with a lot of it. However, in my favor, with the family situation being so up-in-the-air... there will be a lot of time-outs with schooling.

Things I'm looking at ordering:

 Practically everything out of Critical Thinking Comp! 

- Language Smarts

-Mathematical Reasoning

-Mind Benders

-Math Analogies

-Building Thinking Skills

-others I cannot remember

 REAL Science 4 kids Biology Pre-level 1

 AIDAN

Aidan still loves to read The Berenstain Bears but has moved on to other things like Little House on the Prairie books (no, she does not read the entire books as they are too long for her) and Cul De Sac kids. She doesn't seem to like the readers anymore although I still would like her to do them for the practice (and because I've collected so many I want her to read them). Math she has been playing around with money, fractions, time, place value, adding, subtracting, all the basics. Mostly I just see the more she does them the less time it takes her to think about the answer. We have been reading about Benjamin Franklin, about early America, about different habitats, mammals, amphibians, and other random things. 

AINSLEY

 Ainsley does not have any interest outside of using the computer with doing school.  She likes to pretend to read books... especially when Aidan is reading... but she doesn't want anyone to sit with her and help her sound out letters... or even tell her the words. Right now she's in the "NO, I DO IT" stage. I let her be. She's a different kid and that's a okay with me. However, she really loves the T4L site. I settle her in front of the computer and give her the mouse and she does great with it. I think I've only seen her get one answer wrong. Of course she only does PreK 1 stuff right now but she is only 2.7 years!

There really hasn't been any worksheets or regular school work being done for the last few weeks. I'm having a hard time fitting it in and because the girls are not on schedule and we're always traveling... I choose to keep things light and relaxed.

Family Day 2010

The new hats make great sun visors!

 Look what I WON!

Lots and Lots of JUNK food!!!

 Lost in a sea of legs!

 Their 1st Ferris Wheel ride...

... and their 1st carnival rides!

The Three Little Pigs by Aidan

This wolf is so cool! 

Afterschool Afternoons

 As soon as the cousins get home from school... I don't exist for the girls. The weather here is beautiful... warm, sunny, but with a cool breeze.

Lazy Mornings at Aunt Bridgetts

 Coloring on the deck...

 

Posing for pictures...

 Talking to Daddy...