Journal: the new school year

TODAY

Out my window: Windy and warm, but overall the weather has been really mild. The light is slantier and the days are getting shorter.  I can tell Fall is coming.

Around the house: It is quiet around here.  I had no idea adjusting to having the two big kids in school (even though Kolbe is only half day) would be such a big deal.  But it is really quiet around here.  I think I already said that.  I will continue below...

 

The kiddos:

Gemma has had her best start to a school year yet.  She actually had to miss her first day because she had pink eye, so that was a pretty big deal.  I think it actually ended up being more traumatic for me than it was for her, but we weathered it and she is settling in and seems to really like her teacher and is getting along well with the kids in her class.  She LOVES having Kolbe at school with her, she is in full-on big sister mode.  The last two years, Aaron walked her in every day and sat with her until her class walked by because she didn't want to go in the "kiddie holding pen".  This year, she won't even let Aaron walk in the building with them. Once they get to the sidewalk they say goodbye to him, and she walks Kolbe into the building and drops him off in his designated location and then walks herself to the place where second grade waits.  She really likes her teacher and homework has been a relatively painless event each day.  I am so grateful.  We had some really rough first semesters the past two years, and this year seems to be starting off in a much more positive direction.  Providentially, on the first day of school our neighbor gave us a really nice, sturdy child size table/desk that fits in her bedroom perfectly.

Kolbe likes school a lot.  Lunch and recess are his favorites (and we have lifted all food restrictions for him when out and about and he has been doing just fine with that! YAY!!).  I believe school will be a bit more academically challenging for him than it is for Gemma, but he seems to be keeping up and he feels like such a big kid going to school every day.  He loves to talk to me about things that happen at school too, which is exciting because Gemma really never says much and I have learned to just not press the issue with her and simply let her talk if she feels like it.  The irony is that Gemma is my louder, more bubbly kid, and Kolbe is my quiet one.  Oh well, I'll take it.  There are 17 in his kindergarten class, and I'm so glad he has the same teacher that Gemma did.  

I was worried that having to get two up and around in the mornings would mean we would need to get the kids up even earlier.  Gemma got up at 6:30 in kdg and actually had to move back to 6:15 in 1st due to some chronic breakfast table piddling issues.  This year after a few days of 6:15 and way too much extra time on our hands the kids have been getting up at 6:25 and that is giving us more than plenty time!  I think they both enjoy having a sibling doing the same thing they are (if that makes sense).

In other news, we found out today that Kolbe's ruptured ear drum is completely healed!!

Clement is having a harder time adjusting to the change in routine than anyone (well, I may be giving him a run for his money).  Part if it I am sure is that he is #three and going through all those fun things that #three year olds do, but he just seems a little off without the other two around in the mornings.  He plays really well by himself though, it is cute to see him get so engrossed in toys and other activities completely on his own, something he's never really gotten the chance to do before.

All three kids have been getting along together and playing together so nicely.  It just makes my heart happy and our days so much more pleasant.

In the kitchen: 

This week: lasagna and sauteed summer squash/zucchini; crispy chicken salads; shredded Mexican chicken soft tacos; some sort of pasta, squash and shrimp or chicken fettuccini-type dish tomorrow night I think and still trying to figure out what we're going to have tonight.

Next week: homemade pizza; chicken and twice baked potatoes; beef stew; cod?; I will fill in more blanks later in the week.

Learning:  Just keeping up with school routines and homework and such.  So far the homework seems very manageable for both (Gemma's good attitude has helped this immensely). I will say, I am glad that Kolbe is half-day and we can tackle his homework when he gets home (he needs quite a bit of help/direction), and then I can give Gemma some time (it's not so much help that she needs as it is attention) when she gets home.

Reading: We have enjoyed the Jamela books so much this summer. They are just adorable picture books.  I don't know if it is because they are written and illustrated by the same person, but there is just something really great about them.  Kolbe checked out the audio book Count on Culebra for maybe the fourth? time this week.  It's fun, and the accents just make the audio version.  Finished The Middle Moffat and started Rufus M this morning.  The breakfast table, after our saint/Bible reading, seems to be the best time for family read-alouds currently.  We have some dedicated time for picture books before bed.  Gemma and I are reading The Year of Miss Agnes at bedtime as well. I got each of the olders a book for the first day of school.  Kolbe's was Pete the Cat: Rocking in My School Shoes (the Pete illustrations just crack me up).  His speech teacher introduced us to Pete and Kolbe has really liked him ever since.  For Gemma I got Little Nellie of Holy God, which I thought was very appropos for her big second grade year.  It is a beautiful story that we've read together numerous times, and I think she even read it on her own once or twice.  I am excited to begin a few other First Communion preparation books with her in the coming months.  The kids both had their first trips to the school library this week.  I am so glad they have that opportunity.  Gemma got a Magic Treehouse book and she actually started reading it on her own (this is big for her, she still hasn't gotten into chapter books independently).  We'll see if she perseveres, it's due next Wednesday.

Watching: MLB.

Bringing me joy: My kids, they are so awesome.  A bit more time in the evenings with hubby now that said children's bedtime is earlier.  Watching baseball with said hubby.  Nicer weather.

Thinking about: Trust, surrender, forgiveness. Oh my.

Pictures to share:  

Gemma helping Kolbe get ready on his first day of school.  She was so helpful, and so sad she didn't get to go.  She has been such a sweet big sister to him this past week.

Traditional front door pictures.

Together.

Read aloud Thursday: Caldecott edition

As part of our weekly (which have been more like bi-weekly) themes this Summer, I decided to get a stack of Caldecott winner and honor books from the years that everyone in our family was born.  This was way fun.  The kids always like when we happen to check out a book that "has a medal", so the concentrated effort to focus just on "medal" books was exciting.  We compared and contrasted styles and picked our favorites from each stack.  We found books we otherwise may have never checked out.  This was one of the more worthwhile stacks fo books we've had of late.  Without further ado:

The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses (1979) - This book was odd.  At the end Gemma was like, "so wait, people can turn into horses?"  Um, no.  But, the illustrations were really cool in a Native American-y sort of way, and it gave us an opportunity to talk about the cultural traditions and belief systems of other peoples.  We even talked a bit about St. Kateri and missionaries who spread Christianity to the Native Americans.  So albeit a strange story, I'd say it was a win.

Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity (2008) - It was sheer providence that this book was from the year Gemma was born.  We have read it dozens of times over the years, and Knuffle Bunny is probably Gemma's favorite Mo Willems character.  I love love the illustrations.  The morphing of real-life photographs and Willem's cartoony caricatures is just oh so great.
 

All The World (2010) - This one was beautiful, but I think its beauty was mainly lost on the kids. But that's OK, I enjoyed it.  I love it when an author can make something rhyme yet still have such charm and depth in meaning.

Ox-Cart Man (1980) - This is another perennial favorite around here, and was probably my fan-fave from our first stack of five.  I like the simplicity, the attention to detail, Barbara Cooney's illustrations.  A good book.

A Ball For Daisy (2012) - Cute cute cute.  For the longest time (OK, up until we read this book) I have found picture books with no words to be intimidating.  But we really had fun with this one, I think we "read" it four times, with me doing the first reading, then Kolbe and Gemma each took a turn respectively, and then I did one more reading because Gemma insisted I didn't "read" the whole thing the first time. Haha.  The pictures in this one were so adorable, and did a great job at evoking a wide variety of emotions.

We had to get a few from this year (2015) so we got:

The Adventures of Beekle - The illustrations were cute, the storyline was cute enough.  It was completely last on my kids though.  I liked this one but didn't think it really fell into that "timeless" category.

Sam and Dave Dig a Hole - This was adorable.  Anyone with little boys should read this book, very clever.

Our next stack of five books proved to be interesting as well.  I tell you though, if our two 1979 titles were any indication of picture books in the 1970s I think I'll stay away from that decade.  I mean, I realize it was the seventies and everything, but wow...  I am going to have to dig a bit further in that decade now just because I'm curious............  OK, I suppose a decade that gave us Sylvester and the Magic Pebble, Why Mosquitos Buzz in People's Ears, It Could Always Be Worse and Peter Spier's Noah's Ark can't be all bad.  But even so, I am going to declare that 1979 was not a stellar year.

The Way to Start A Day (1979) - This was nice, and very "global", but still just not great (IMHO).  Maybe my kids are too literal or haven't been exposed to enough (maybe that's why they didn't get Beekle...)  The illustrations were very reminiscent of Wild Horses I thought, and the text was just a little odd for my liking.

Ben's Trumpet (1980) - What a difference a year makes.  Maybe I'm just partial, but this was great!  From the story to the illustations.  I loved it.  It also provided a good excuse to to listen to some jazz.

First the Egg (2008) - Gemma, aptly, really liked this one, and read it to us.  In fact, Kolbe even had fun helping to "read" this one, due to its simple predictability.  The cut-outs in the pages were so creatively done.  But it still left you scratching your head thinking, "which does come first???..."

The Lion and the Mouse (2010) - Another worldess book (for the most part), but the kids knew this story from our book of Aesop's fables.  Kolbe really took a liking to both wordless books in our pile (so much so that I've requested several more).  The illustrations in this one were stunning.

Blackout (2012) - This was good, not great.  Nice message, but I didn't think there was anything particularly memorable about it.

What are your favorite Caldecott Award books?

Journal: that week we watched way too much TV

TODAY

Out my window: Sunny but mild (enough). The heat (and humidity) seems to have broken a bit, we'll see what the rest of the Summer brings.

Around the house: Television. ugh. Lots of television. (Well, lots of DVR. The kids do not have free reign on the remote or the guide). Poor Kolbe has been so sick this week. It started with a sore throat Friday/Saturday AM that I didn't think much of, but by Sunday had turned into a full blown double ear infection and by Monday morning his left eardrum had ruptured. He has also had a high fever, very red eyes, a cough, sores in his mouth and a random rash on his upper thigh. But he seems to have turned the corner this morning (and so far no one else is sick.....) Thankful we have a daddy who can keep a close eye on his ears. So in the meantime television it is.  Usually the kids get to watch 2-3 shows after lunch, but this week it has been on and off pretty much all day every day.  Which I don't love.  But the few times that I am sick I know that nothing feels better than laying on the couch, sleeping, and having some TV on in the background.  So on we trudge.  Max and Ruby, anyone?

I have a love/hate relationship with the TV.  Part of me would like to just quit cold turkey.  Part of me knows (and likes) that it is a reasonable distraction (when used in moderation) for the kids.  I would totally boot cable but then we wouldn't get any Royals games.  I could do without the other stuff we watch, but I (and especially Aaron) would really miss MLB 6-7 months of the year...  #firstworldproblems

 

The kiddos:  Well, you know what's going on with Kolbe.  When he has felt good enough to be up and around we've played lots of Chutes and Ladders.  

Gemma seems to be doing well.  She has been so into baby dolls lately, which is a totally new thing for her.  I even found an easy pattern online for a simple fleece dress (fleece! no hemming!!) and we have made a few of those.  She is currently borrowing an American Girl bitty baby (I think that's what it's called) from Grandma's house and she looooooooves this doll because its eyes close.  I am thinking I am going to need to overturn one of my "nevers" and purchase an American Girl (oh my word) baby doll for Christmas.  Unless anyone else knows of another quality doll whose eyes close.  I know she is probably (maybe?) getting on the upper end for playing with dolls (maybe not? I remember playing with dolls when I was probably too old to play with dolls), but even so...  How long do girls usually play with dolls?  And in other Gemma news, her school-is-coming-induced-anxiety seems to be way down from what it was last year and the year before.  Thank you God.  I am glad she and Kolbe will have each other at school this year.

Clem is Clem.  I have been trying to prepare him for the changes that are going to come when the kids start school next week, it's going to be a totally new world for him!  I think we'll have fun.

In the kitchen: This week:

pizza

grilled meat with broccoli and rice casserole

crispy chicken salads (these have been at least once a week this summer)

meatloaf, mashed potatoes and roasted broccoli

creamy tomato tortellini

I made a batch of Alton's oat waffles this week that went over very well with the little people in our house. I also made these twice baked potatoes one day last week and they were soooooo good.  About one in every five, maybe ten new recipes I try is a real keeper, and this DEFINITELY falls into that category.  I buttered the potato skins before baking, used more garlic than it called for (go figure) and added some green onion when I sauteed the kale.

Learning:  The kids are currently working on coloring pages (does anyone else HATE printing coloring pages because it is SUCH a pain), dot to dots and mazes.  At least they are not watching TV.

Reading: I read Getting the Marriage Conversation Right earlier this week. It was written prior to this year's supreme court decision but after all the Prop 8 stuff (so in that sense, it is a little "dated", but the message is really timeless).  It was really good though, especially the FAQ part (which made up probably half the booklet).  I have often thought that maybe the state just needs to get out of the marriage business entirely, but this book made an incredibly compelling case for the importance of the state's involvement in promoting "traditional" marriage as the basic unit of society, simply because in "defining" [traditional] marriage, the state really isn't defining anything, but simply reaffirming a universal reality.  It was a short read (like, under an hour) but it really helped me clarify my thinking on the issue, and the talking points were incredibly beneficial in helping one stay on track and keep focused in a conversation (not that I have many of these conversations...), as often conversations tend to derail when points are brought up that really aren't applicable to the issue at heart.

I am loving, LOVING Theology for Beginners. Seriously, after being taught this stuff in class last year the doctrines are just coming alive!  It is like brain candy.  Yes.  I am a nerd.

I also skimmed/sped-read Simplicity Parenting yesterday.  It was good-ish, but nothing earth-shattering (to me) and definitely seemed lacking as there was no religious aspect to the book.  I suppose to a family who is neck deep in activities and household clutter there would be some good takeaways, but I didn't find a thorough read to be worth my time on this one.

Watching: heh heh heh.  See above...

Bringing me joy: Time with the kids.  I am so grateful I get to spend all day, every day (excepting school time, for which I am also grateful) with them, I love them so much.

Laughing with Aaron.  We watched several Jim Gaffigan clips on his phone the other night and were totally cracking up.  Then last night there was this commercial (and I can't for the life of me remember what it was for or find it online) where a guy keeps missing shots with things he throws, and he tries to throw a cabbage at his grocery cart and misses and it blows apart, and, well, maybe you had to be there.  But it was so funny we rewound it and watched it again.  And laughed.  Again.  Yep.  Had to be there.

Thinking about: Shtuff.

Pictures to share:  

Big fish, little fish (can't believe they have fished and CAUGHT in August!!)  And can someone please tell me when the heck Gemma started looking like such a big kid.

 Really guys?

Clem will sleep anywhere.  Sometimes I do funny things to him when he is asleep because it is entertaining.

Read aloud Thursday: butterflies and other stories

CHAPTER BOOKS

Meet Caroline - I am pretty "meh" about the American Girl books but Gemma likes them, and doesn't want to read them on her own.  So whatever.  I drew the line on Magic Tree House though and told her she had to read them independently when she was ready, I'm not doing them as read-alouds.  And I'm really on the fence, if she ever asks, about Junie B. Jones...  I won't read those aloud, but I am not even sure how worthwhile they are as independent readers.  Others' thoughts?

My Big Book of Catholic Bible Stories - We recently finished the New Testament (we had started with Acts after Easter) and have started at the very beginning with the Old Testament.  If you are looking for a good Children's Bible, I highly recommend this one. It has a brief synopsis/focusing point in a blue box at the beginning of each story, but then the text is from the RSV (Catholic edition), there is a short prayer at the end of each story, plus quotes from the Saints and the Catechism throughout and the illustrations are very, very nice. It is not the Bible in its entirety, but it covers just about every "big" story you could think of. I've seen a lot of Children's Bibles and this one is head and shoulders above the rest (IMHO).

The Middle Moffat - the more we read of these Moffat books the more I like them.  This one does not disappoint, in fact I think I may like it more than the first.

Mercy Watson - (pictured left) We have read these before, but Kolbe really likes them and has requested we get them again. They are fun, so fun, and definitely on the short end of chapter books.  They can be read in one sitting and are a great read aloud OR book for kids transitioning into reading chapter books.

Five Little Peppers and How They Grew - Haven't started this one but it is on the hold shelf at the library.  The title was familiar and I have seen it recommended here and there on the Read Aloud Revival Facebook Page (which has been one of my favorite resources of late for read aloud picture and chapter book recommendations/information etc. Let me know if you'd like an add.)

PICTURE BOOKS

James Herriot's Treasury for Children came through inter-library loan.  When I went to link it I realized how many used copies there are available for a good price.  I may pick one up.  It was beautiful.

Gotta Go! Gotta Go! was a fun story monarch migration.  This video went very nicely with its reading.

Farfallina and Marcel and Glasswings were sweet butterfly stories.

For some butterfly non-fiction we enjoyed looking at a variety of butterflies in:

What's the Difference Between a Butterfly and a Moth

The Butterfly Alphabet Book

A Butterfly is Patient

From Caterpillar to Butterfly

Gemma got a whole stack of Ladybug Girl books from the library this week.  These are cute enough. Nothing I'd ever buy necessarily, but I am always happy when she gets enthused about something enough to seek out specific books. 

Clement has been enjoying the Patterson Puppies books he has found at the library the past few weeks. 

A Second is a Hiccup was a fun book for my Kolbe who has been incredibly curious about time of late.  I actually went ahead and ordered this clock as well as a back to school activity for all the kids to add to our stash of educational manipulatives. 

I have always liked Patricia Polacco but the past few weeks I have picked up a few titles by her that have made me think twice.  I will still read her books to my kids (some are so wonderful and have even made me cry every time I read them and inspired Gemma to write and make up recipes), but she is not an author I would trust without first pre-reading.  It is odd to me that someone who can write such beautiful, faith-filled stories can also write things that are decidedly very controversial if not outright inappropriate. 

For myself (digressing a bit), I have been immensly edified recently by Theology for Beginners, which is almost like the abridged version of Theology and Sanity (which was the text for my Theology class last year).  It has been an excellent review, and I cannot believe how much I use this stuff for the questions the kids ask.  Gemma and I had an entire discussion about the Trinity and person and nature the other night that was really great.  It also gives my prayer life and my understanding of the prayers of the Church such deeper meaning.  Good stuffs

I have also recently started Deep Conversion, Deep Prayer, and have two books from Amazon coming about which I am really excited: Saints of the Roman Calendar (which I plan to use daily with morning prayer...we have such a wealth of real-life examples in the Saints, and I want to take more advantage of this hidden treasure in the Church) and Getting the Marriage Conversation Right (which I am hoping will further my ability to dialogue about this issue in a sensitive and informed way).  Happy reading friends!