How do you spell relief?

Three more papers emailed to my advisor for my lit. review (only three more to go) BUT now I can start my IRB. That's a great big YEAH for me everyone!!

Now to go enjoy what is left of the day!

The pumpkin farm

We started our day at the Blue Spoon in Prairie du Sac yesterday. The boys love the restaurant and always order pancakes with syrup when we are there for breakfast. After we ate, we walked by the Wisconsin River.

Kal tried to show his prowess at skipping stones. He was pretty good, but Ian thought it was more fun to try to see which rock made the biggest splash.

There was lots of graffiti under the bridge. Kal said too bad he didn't bring a can of paint - he would paint "Kari + Kal" (I heart him). Sage advice was given from Ian. He didn't think it was a good idea because the police could come and get him for vandalism. Simon's advice was a bit more practical - he would have to buy a longer ladder than what he had at home.

Green Thumb Farm was fun. They had all kinds of "stuff" that the boys really enjoyed - a huge side down an elevator (the kind used to get hay into the mow), a bounce house, corn maze, apple chunking, animals.......

Ian was determined to get his apple to go the furthest. I heard that it went out of the field (I was in the port-o-potty with Simon).

All in all we had a wonderful day. I heard the boys talking about it this morning before they got out of bed.

What's your favorite cereal?

Here's part of the supper conversation:

S: Hey... They served ertmeal (oatmeal) for breakfast today.
M: Really.
S: Yup. I pushed it far, far away. (You have to visualize his face all scrunched up and the arms pushing a bowl).
M: So how was it?
S: I didn't eat that stuff (attitude). I tried in S's room and it tasted like horse!

At which point Kal and I burst out laughing. Simon looked at us like we were crazy!

Ahhh...quiet

Ahhhh. It's quiet, finally....Kal took the boys to swimming today. I have approximately 1.5 hours of no testosterone. Now don't get me wrong. I love all of the men in my house BUT today was a challenge. Two young boys were stuck in the house while it rained. They kept themselves busy (getting out Christmas decorations) and building a city around said decorations in my sewing room while I finished some bed buddies. They cleaned up the Christmas village and followed me upstairs, where the oldest male in the house kept turning up the volume of the football game because the youngest two were too loud.

I've decided to participate in Sockoberfest. As you can see I won't be doing the mystery socks or starting anything new. I have four partial pairs of socks - 2 pairs with one finished and 2 with one almost finished. They are all generic socks. I am going to keep them in that cute little bag for the month and see what I can accomplish knitting wise.

Ok, I'm going to go enjoy the quiet.

Trip to the park

On our way to the park was a huge pile of dirt...

A construction site...

Some rocks to put on the back of the bike (This was in front of a retirement home. Several people gathered to watch Simon "load" the rocks").....

The rose bushes near the park on the way home....

And the big pile of dirt again!

Sooo.....

I've debated blogging about Ian's school year. He loves school and as a typical boy he likes recess, gym, music, and art. He is a boys boy. I'm not making any excuses because I know my son. I know he is wiggly and can be loud (he is my son after all), but he is also kind, smart and knowledgeable about sharks (a great life skill).

In my eyes, he has had a rough start. He has been in the quiet room too many times (my opinion) for a kindergartner. He has been saying, "I don't know what's wrong with me?" a lot. When we talk about it, he always says he is doing things "wrong". I have spend many minutes assuring that how he is doing it is not wrong, just different.

I'm the one with the problem. I am a teacher, a special ed. teacher, so I know when kids are struggling they need help. I'm the one who provides the help....

A couple of days ago, we got a letter saying that he would be in a reading group 2-3 times a week for 30 minutes to help him with literacy skills - naming letters, matching letters and sounds and other literacy "stuff". This is not news to me. I knew that he wasn't ready for that part of kindergarten, but it makes me sad. I didn't think he was that far behind....

I have sat "on the other side of the table" for many years talking with parents regarding the areas of need for their child need. It is so different being the parent, especially when no one has talked to you. When all of the information you have received came in a letter.

How do I become the advocate for my child that I coach other parents to be for their child or that I do for their children?

I know that Ian needs this. I have to try not to feel guilty that I didn't "teach" him enough before he started school. And maybe that's it. I feel guilty for not spending the time on those skills with him. It will get better. He is a smart resilient kid.

Uber weekend

Ahhh. You hear that. That was my weekend with friends quilting, sewing, and laughing. I haven't laughed so much in such a long time - about what? Anything and everything.

We sewed (a lot), enjoyed the sunshine, took a little walk around the labyrinth. It was just plain ole fun with friends.

I got two quilt tops almost finished (just need the borders), sewed on a binding, and made a bag (no pics of those either :). Oh and I won a chicken pin cushion!

I'm going to say it one more time. I had a great, relaxing, fun weekend. Thanks, ladies.