School Days

My son will be entering kindergarten in THIRTEEN short months. My husband and I are contemplating sending him to a charter school versus a public primary school. Currently he enjoys learning and he is very interested in reading, writing and exploring his artistic side. We want him to be in an educative environment that will nurture these interests and not have the same expectations for every child by teaching to a standardized test that will measure (often inaccurately) their level of knowledge and intelligence.

The charter school we’re considering is a constructivist environment. The term constructivist refers to the idea that learners construct knowledge for themselves---each learner individually (and socially) constructs meaning---as he or she learns. I know it sounds a little hippie-ish but if a child is in an environment where they have the opportunity to learn things in their own way then I feel they will stand a better chance of thriving and being successful in their studies.

My son is very bright and is already mastering many of the things that educators will focus on in kindergarten and I have absolutely, positively no doubt that if he attended public school he would do very well. . .that is until he no longer finds it challenging, which is what happens to a lot of children in public school. The lesson plans become monotonous and on many levels I think it stifles children’s intellectual growth. That is why so many public schools have “honors” or “gifted and talented” programs. I don’t think that it’s necessarily because the children in those classes are geniuses but mainly because those children have outgrown the lesson plan in the traditional classroom setting.

The biggest investment you can make in your child is their education. I want my son to know from DAY ONE in kindergarten how important it is for him to go to school and get an education not to mention I want him to be engaged and concerned about his academic future. So, we’ll sign up for the “lottery” in March to see if he will get into the school we have selected. The lottery is allegedly “random” but I think it’s all about how impressive you come across on your application. So, mama is planning on working her MAGIC to make it happen!

More Words of Wisdom

Everyday my son, says things that entertain (and sometimes infuriate) me but here are some of this weeks gems:

1. I don't want to talk about dying because you don't get to live anymore.

2. I'm really smart, I can figure a lot of stuff out.

3. Power naps give you rest.

4. I'm a kid so I don't have to do any work.

5. Being good is easy, all you have to do is listen and pay attention.

He is just getting too big and too smart too soon! I have to admit I am enjoying him a lot these days and all the "intellectual" conversations we have, ha ha! I'm sure the day is coming when I will be wishing he would just HUSH but right now I'm loving it!

100th Post/First Baseball Game

Woohoo, this is my 100th post! I've had two other blogs and this is the first one I've posted to consistently! I'm enjoying myself if even no one else is. . .this blog has become an outlet as well as a means of creative expression and I'm going to try and hang in there for the remainder of 2008! It's really helping me to focus and move forward with other goals that I've set for myself. Yay for me!!

Moving right along. . .my husband and I took my son to his first baseball game. The thing that sucked more than the Astros was my son getting sick and totally not being that into the game. He had an earache and the chills. We hung in there (watching the home team get slaughtered by the Pirates) until the start of the 7th inning then we headed home.

Once he got a dose of Motrin and some Similasan drops he was a brand new kid! It was bed time but he got his second wind and was having a full blown conversation with himself in bed at 10:00! I guess that power nap he took in the car got him all refreshed.

I myself am NOT a fan of baseball so, the "make up game" will have to be just him and his father. I would much rather soak in a hot tub, give myself a facial or curl up with a good book! I know, I am such a girl!

(I took that picture from my phone, we had decent seats in the area over the Astros dugout.)

Pizza Hut Pasta

Looking for another quick, delicious meal you don't have to cook? Why not try the new Tuscani Pasta from Pizza Hut! Don't sleep! This pasta is actually VERY good! Hot and made to order with just the right amount of Italian spices. We tried both the Chicken Alfredo and regular meat sauce. Both were scrumptious, just don't expect a heaping amount of chicken. You also get hot delicious breadsticks with each order. Just toss a salad and pour up a glass of cold lemonade (or your favorite vino) and dinner's ready!

Enjoy!

The Red Table

The Red Table is where children who don't pay attention in my son's preschool class have to sit and think about their transgressions. My son has been a frequent resident of The Red Table lately. We want him to know it's not acceptable but at the same time it's almost inevitable when you have a preschool class full of 4 year old boys who are constantly playing Power Rangers, karate and Incredible Hulk vs. Spiderman; they will get side tracked from time to time. Especially now that it is summer time and they aren't following a strict school curriculum and everyday is a themed fun day like bubble day, swim day, pajama day, etc.

But regardless to the lack of structure over the summer he still needs listen to his teacher so, my husband and I have resorted to threatening him with no toys or television if he goes to The Red Table. But I get the feeling he's past the point of dreading his fate because he already knows staying away from The Red Table will be a struggle. In the mornings if you ask him if he's going to The Red Table he says, "I'm going to try not to," The other day while he was in the bathtub we had the following conversation:

ME: If you hurry up and wash up you can catch the last Oswald show before bed.

HIM: Is it a new show I never saw before?

ME: I don't know.

HIM: (seriously thinking) Hmm. . .well, Daddy told me if I go to The Red Table I can't watch my shows on t.v. so, maybe next time.

My mouth was hanging open (as it usually does when I'm dealing with Mr. Four going on Forty) because I didn't know he had gone to The Red Table but I think mainly because he was being so "compliant".

Another "punishment" for going to The Red Table was to write I will not go to the red table (actually the word "the" was left off by dad) on a full sheet of paper. When I got home from work he was all excited because he was writing "I will not got to red table" and he was making such perfect letters.

So, bottom line he tries his best (according to him) not to go to The Red Table but the wicked forces at work in his preschool class are often against him so he just accepts his fate and takes his sentence like a four year old.

Home is Where the Motivation Is

I’ve been a busy bee lately. Work is kicking my butt! I even “worked from home” yesterday to try and get caught up.

I really wish I could work from home 4 days a week and only go into the office 1 day a week. I was so productive yesterday. Not only did I get a lot of work done I was also able to get a lot done around the house. All the clothes are washed and folded (did this while on a conference call), dishwasher loaded (while waiting for stuff to print) and during my “lunch” I went to the grocery store.

I think working from home would really provide me with a better work life balance. Usually my hectic day at home is followed by a hectic commute and by the time I make it home at 6:00 I’ve got to cram in cooking, spending quality time with my family, cleaning the kitchen (cannot got to bed with it dirty- OCD, remember?), bathe my son, put him to bed, talk politics and debrief (ignore the innuendo) with my husband before I yawn 100 times and drift off into a fitful sleep.

Not to mention when I’m at work I don’t get nearly the same amount of work done due to the constant interruptions, Internet surfing and long lunches.

(Of course the key to successfully working from home means my son has to go to his daycare school otherwise I’d have to find thirty minutes to play or color with him.)

Anyway, I think I might propose working from home a couple of days a week to our department Director. . .might even put a spin on it about me trying to do my part to save the environment by having one less car on the road. Seriously, I think that might win me some points with her.

I’m in the office today. .. tried to keep up the momentum from working at home yesterday but so far, I am failing miserably.

Just the Two of Us

My son spent the weekend with my aunt and for the first time in four years my husband and I were the only occupants in our house for more than 24 hours. Usually if he stays with my aunt or my sister is because we’re out of town or he will be gone just over night.
But this time we dropped him off Saturday and he won’t be home until tonight.

It was the weirdest feeling. My husband and I both remarked that it felt like something was missing. He is such a huge part of our lives and when he’s home there is constant noise, hustle and bustle. But for an entire day it was just the two of us. I think so often when you get married and have children your marriage becomes more about parenting than anything else. The kids are at the forefront of your conversations and a big part of your social outings. They become your “life” on a lot of different levels.

That’s why I think it is very important that parents allow themselves some alone time (whether you are single or married) to reconnect with the person you were before your children came into your life. Granted, I know for some people their children saved their lives and they wouldn’t want to go back to the person they were but I guess what I’m trying to say is get in touch with who YOU are and the things you like and what you want to do. Because our children are only ours for a brief time; when it’s all said and done we will have to let them go so they can live their own lives.

My husband and I enjoyed the peace and tranquility of our house and we spent the entire day together shopping for furniture and groceries. Although we missed our son, it was great to spend some quality time together. He will return tonight and our family routine will happily resume and we will probably wonder how we got along with out him.