Spring Break

We're at home this week. I finally took the kids to the library and renewed my library card. They really enjoyed it. We'll do it again once we've read all the books we brought home.

Muse

I wrote earlier that Carys is becoming inspired to create and Walker is her latest muse. I enjoy seeing her decide on a project, gather the materials, explain to me why she had to use a certain pencil or if she did not have the right kind, why she chose the alternative color etc. It's fun to be creative but almost as enjoyable watching the children be creative.

Bicycle

Carys got her first real bicycle for her birthday. She really enjoys riding and now it's our challenge to find safe places for her to ride in addition to giving her enough riding time to become comfortable on the bike.

Luckily, there is a lot next to the elementary school that we can use for now. I believe the village is looking into renovating that space so I don't know how long we will be able to ride there but it's working out so far. Also, we found a wonderful bike lane by the mall we go to so we are eager to explore that area too. This means that Helen will be getting a bike for her birthday and Poppy and I will likely be getting bikes as well. Walker will probably ride in one of those carts behind Poppy's bike.

The downside is that I've not ridden a bike in YEARS. I hope they make adult training wheels. The upside, Poppy and I have been wanting bikes for a long time. Neither of us really wanted to spend the money and did not feel we had the time. Now we have to make the time to ride and hopefully it will be a wonderful family activity for years to come.

Growing Up

These girls are growing up so fast. Helen 3.75, Carys 6

Poppys Bday

So it was Poppy's b'day a while back. The girls and I made him a cake. We fell short on the decorating aspect. Next time, I'm going to buy two cans of frosting, this cake only has one can...

Piano Lessons

I think we've told most everyone that Carys has started piano lessons. I found her teacher through a series of recommendations from other piano teachers who either did not have space for a 5 year old, did not teach 5 year olds, required me to learn with her (impossible at the moment) etc. When I finally called her teacher, she said "I love teaching 5 year olds". That's all I needed to hear. It takes a special individual to teach children, especially something as technical as piano without making it seem too technical. Carys came home the first week playing the three bears, which is basically just going up and down the piano while telling the story. It can be as dramatic as low notes and as sweet as high notes. So I like the teacher. She's not, how shall I say, stiff and unforgiving.

Our next big hurdle is to resolve the piano issue, since we don't have one. We have considered keyboards, piano keyboards, and pianos near and far. We're still investigating pianos for small spaces, if anyone has suggestions, we'd love to hear them. Carys needs to have proper placement at the piano when she's practicing as well as the opportunity to hear herself play on a quality piano. One gracious teacher went through all the reasons we should get a real piano and not the least of which was it's ability to encourage the student to play more when they are making beautiful music.

Carys loves to practice and right now I do remind her each night but she enjoys it for now. I have been reading up on coping techniques for when they begin to become resistant and want to quit. I've decided as long as we can afford it, we will continue lessons even if she decides she is "bored".

As you can see, her sister is not far behind her. I'm going to have to ask for a sibling discount, hopefully we can get one.

A Few New Developments

Walker is getting ticklish on his back behind his shoulder blades. His laugh is more like grunting right now.

Walker can grab his binky when it's in his mouth and pull it out, he can also put it back in. He also thinks this is quite amusing and the rest of us agree.

Helen is blossoming in her montessori class. She said she did the hard work today (what we call work other than practical life)

Helen is beginning to recognize others around her in a very caring and friendly way. She is quite sensitive to others.

Helen is continuing to vocalize her Japanese, in this case, she is actually using real words (as confirmed by Carys)

Carys is beginning to create craft projects on her own. She is usually inspired by things around her but quite creative.

Carys said she wants to become a teacher, an English teacher.

Carys is beginning to try to use her words more in class and ask the teachers for words she does not have. We are encouraging this more, she does not have the confidence with the words she does know yet.

Happy Birthday Carys

Head Start

Both girls are eager to entertain Walker. Lucky me. They sing songs read to him, and beg for a smile. This usually works well when Walker is in the mood to be entertained and when the girls aren't in the mood to compete for his attention. I still get called when he breaks down. Carys' assessment, "he's hungry". My answer to everything these days too.

Practical Life

Carys and I find few opportunities to have alone time but I try to have something a little more challenging for her when we do. I had to perform surgery on Diamond, her grey stuffed horse, so she was able to learn to sew a button. She threaded the needle by herself and with a few issues, she complete this all by herself. She needs to practice, but it'll be a slow pace since I can't get the sewing box out with Helen yet.

Vs.

Cullen always felt he was outnumbered. We are not planning on evening the score but at least he has a "little" back-up now.

Storytime

This is pretty much how it is during story time. Walker is usually involved unless I can get him go to sleep. The girls are very tolerant of having my lap space taken by him but they do take turns squeezing in. I think I will need a bigger recliner in the near future.

Ahh Gymnastics

There are kids classes that are of a certain quality that you know you are getting your money's worth because of quality instructors, quality equipment, and a great group of eager kids.

We found that class in Oak Park's gymnastics program. I heard about this program but due to my work schedule, their enrollment process and my pregnancy, I was unable to enroll Carys and Helen earlier.

I have thought Helen would love gymnastics for some time. She's strong, fearless, motivated. Even before she was three, I realized I needed to give her an appropriate outlet for her energy. Since I've been at home and it's wintertime, it's even more apparent.

Her first class was great. Helen was on the waitlist and missed two classes so her group was two classes ahead of her. They have 15 kids and split them into separate groups, 5 kids each. They have unique ways of teaching the basics. Helen was able to do her favorite jumps and run but she did follow instructions very well. Her coach commented on how well she did and asked me if this was her first time at gymnastics.

This program does have a competitive track if gymnasts prove they have talent and interest. I'm not pushing Helen but if she wants to go further, there will be an opportunity here in Oak Park.

Since Helen enjoyed the class so much, I signed Carys up for the following class. So now every Tuesday I will pick the girls up at 12:30 and spend the next few hours at the gym. The upside for me, they are also family friendly. There is a small play area and study area for kids and benches for parents. I met another few ladies, one has children much the same ages as ours. The downside, Carys and Helen are learning tumbles and jumps they want to execute downstairs and off the love sac. I hope I can keep them injury free, at least at home:)

What Do Kids Do All Day?

Since it's FREEZING COLD outside, we have been unable to stretch our legs for some time now. I have kept the kids home to minimize Walker's exposure but it's resulted in some challenging and fun days.

Here are some things we've been doing to occupy our time:
Simon says
Follow the leader
Playing music and dancing
Hearts
Memory
Singing for each other
Carys has been using the computer for Math, Japanese and English
Helen has been practicing her alphabet
Painting
Coloring
Stickers
Imaginative play (dress up)
Learning to make the bed
Entertaining Walker
TV (Word World is their current fav)
Movies
Reading (they have a new book called the Love for Three Oranges, we've read that everyday for a week)
Bible study

More Pink Please

Walker looks very pink, he blends in with his surroundings.

Self Imposed Snow Days

So we've been staying home these last few cold, snowy days. I've had to shovel and got the great idea to take the girls out so they could play in the backyard while I shovel. They went straight for the snow (once I clarified with Helen that we could not water the plants right now). I have no idea why they went straight on their hands and knees, they literally dove in. Of course, once you get your gloves snowy, they get cold and it goes downhill from there. So Carys was pulling off gloves to reposition her snowsuit cufs over them, all this while I'm trying to shovel before Walker wakes up inside. Luckily I was done when I discovered the girls thought it was great fun to push the snow back ONTO the sidewalk I cleared moments earlier. So, once I reshoveled, we went inside and had a hot chocolate. Tonight, I waited until they all were asleep before shoveling.

In the Jungle

Walker hates to be set down so I try to vary his environment to see if there's a place he likes better than another. This is not it, yet. I can't recall when babies start to like these playmats. The girls loved theirs and they love this one. Maybe it's something you are born with? If only I could wear the play mat, he would probably be happy with it. Interestingly, the only place I've found that he consistently tolerates is his bouncy seat in the bathroom while I take a shower. I think this is wonderful, at least I can take a "relaxing" shower while he kicks back and takes a quick catnap. I can't decide if it's the running water or the sea foam green color in the bathroom. Maybe he'll be a jungle baby after all when he gets a bit older.

Hefty Boy

Walker is now 12 lbs, 12 oz. He gained a little more than 4 lbs in 5 weeks. So our Pedi has said he was overfed. I was a bit surprised b/c he seemed genuinely hungry when I fed him and did not spit up a lot but the weight gain is significant. Not that he's on a diet, but the Pedi said he could go 6-7 hours straight overnight without feeding. This sounds great to me but Walker does not agree with this assessment. We've moved him to his room and so far, I've been able to stretch him to 4.5 hrs b/n his last evening feeding and first night feeding. Since we have a tiny house, we had a few miserable nights while working on this. Walker has also rejected the binky and we are continuing to try to convince him of it's usefulness for comfort sake (his and ours).

Basically he's a sweet little baby who is satisfied as long as he's being held and rocked. He loves motion and closeness. Pretty normal.

Smiling Baby

Walker is smiling and it's not gas. He's been smiling for a while and usually breaks out a big one for his pal, Carys. She loves to get close to him and talk sweetly. Carys will sing and soothe him when he's fussy and she loves to entertain him when he's alert. The downside is sometimes when he's sleeping she will sing and talk sweetly to him and this sometimes wakes him up. I do get a bit frustrated when this happens but I try to remind myself I have to take the good with the bad and I also remind her to leave him alone when he's sleeping. Helen loves to sit next to him and pick the lint from his fingers (since he keeps his hands in a fist and wears gowns with mittens). Walker does not like this grooming but Helen is persistent. She's like the a little monkey grooming her brother. She also loves to check his toes for lint. And since she's really adventurous, I have to watch out for her because she loves to give him a few BIG BOUNCES just to add a bit of excitement when he's relaxing in his bouncy seat. Luckily, this proves to be more upsetting to me than to him. We are working on it but Helen loves to put a little extra OOMPH in everything she does.

Doing fine

Just to let you know we are doing fine. We are super busy, sorry I've not posted for a while. I'll update the pics when Poppy returns.