Working on Reading

A mommy on my message board introduced me to Progressive Phonics...this website is amazing! Even though LJ knows his letters and pretty much what sounds they make, I printed off the first book in the Alphabet section. We read it before his nap today - and he had a great time making the letters with his hands and being able to read 2 words on each page. After his nap, we're going to practice writing the letters...trust me, he could use the practice. I have high hopes for success with this! The only problem we have is - he likes "Electric Company" and that show often focuses on rules and exceptions to phonics. He is having trouble with "g" being "guh" because there is a song on "Electric Company" about how "g" can make the "juh" sound...so he keeps saying "dodge" instead of "dog". We're working on it though!

Papers and Parties

We are back in the swing of things. LJ is all better and none of the rest of us caught his illness. He didn't miss any school, so that is good.

About school - I suppose this is no shock to anyone who has kids in school, but they send home a lot of papers! There is always something I'm supposed to volunteer for, or something they are putting together that I'm supposed to gather items for, or some form I'm supposed to fill out and return. It is exhausting! I actually like the days that RJ picks him up because these papers usually stay in the car and I can remain blissfully unaware of their existence.

LJ has been invited to a birthday party - at Chuck E. Cheese's. He is so excited because we have *never* taken him to Chuck E. Cheese's. CiCi's Pizza is the most I can handle. The question is - do you leave your 5 year old at a birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese's and come back later and pick him up? Because, I don't think I'm going to do that. I think I'm going to hang out at Chuck E. Cheese's while he is there. Trust me, I don't want to be there, but I don't think I am going to leave a 5 year old in the care of someone else (who is also watching 15 other kids) at public place. What in the world does a 5 year old girl want for her birthday??? Suggestions are appreciated.

LJ is Sick

This next-to-never happens - LJ seems to be made of steel...he is truly never sick...especially compared to PJ who is sick every-other week. But, alas, LJ met his match. He had about 102 fever yesterday and his "tongue hurts". I translate that to mean his throat hurts. He laid around most of the day yesterday and then, after sun down, he seemed to deteriorate. He even had a sleep walking episode last night.

Today, his fever has been hovering around 99 and, while his "tongue" still hurts, he seems to be feeling better. If I discount the green gook coming from his left eye - he looks normal. I'm debating about this green gook. His eye is not pink or red, so could he still have "Pink Eye"? I have some drops from when I had Pink Eye, but should I put them in his eye when Pink Eye has not been diagnosed? I just don't like these cooties around! I've banned LJ and PJ from playing together (this will likely work for about 30 minutes). I've lectured LJ to wash his hands all the time. I haven't noticed LJ rubbing his eye. I guess I'll let it ride until to tomorrow and call the doctor if things don't improve.

LJ is most saddened by the fact that, due to his illness, we did not get to accompany RJ to Grandma and Grandpa's house. What was going to be an overnight trip became a day trip for RJ only.

I'm hoping none of us get this illness...if we do, that'll put us being ill right at...the first week of school - lovely.

Decorations Down

Christmas decorations are down and boxes are waiting to be organized and taped up. We are out of packing tape, but a trip to the grocery store - for more than packing tape - will rectify that. I dread taking the decorations down. It actually kind of depresses me. RJ usually surprises me by taking down the tree while I'm out of the house, so this year was one of the first years that I have helped take down the tree. We all went to the "Cheese Enchilada Store" for dinner - nothing like food to try to bring you out of depression.

It has been crazy cold here the last few days. Our gas bill is going to be gigantic this month...the heater has been running quite a bit. There has been a ring of ice on top of the pool the last 2 mornings...we've been running the pump so that it doesn't freeze. The pipes in RJ's garage froze - which is no surprise. The only things that busted are some valves, so hopefully that won't be too much to deal with. He is getting ready to run the electricity out there - which, of course, is a big project that I'm amazed he knows how to do.

I'm going to have to find some time to go into work this week - I need to make my syllabus, calendar, etc. All good things must end - this was a GREAT break and probably the best Christmas we've had since having the kids.

LJ Back to School

LJ went back to school yesterday - he was excited to go. He and RJ returned the last 2 tricycles that RJ had been repairing for the school, so I know they both had emotion regarding that... RJ, happy to have that chore behind him and LJ proud to bring them to school. PJ and I spent the morning doing odd chores, playing the Thomas computer game he got for Christmas and returning things to Super Walmart. I'd just as soon never go to Super-Walmart again. That place is a mad house. We picked up LJ from school and he had many things to tell us. It seems there is a new boy in his class, Peyton, and Peyton is LJ's "new best friend". First of all, a new person does not stand a chance of being left alone by either of our children. Second of all, Peyton apparently has the same shoes as LJ, so this sealed the deal. I heard about all the things they did, including all the the things the Peyton did "wrong" - like go to the loft without taking his name off of big blocks...so, he was in the loft, but his name indicated he was in big blocks...GASP! We discussed how Peyton is new and it will take time for him to learn how everything works.

Today, it is cold - 35 and falling...a low of 20 tonight. It is windy. I have no plans to leave the house. I'm sure we will all be stir crazy within the hour.

Does anyone have a Roomba? How do you like it? The idea of a machine that automatically vacuums the floor is quite appealing!

Katherine Made Me Cry Today

She doesn't know it (yet), but it is all her fault! Assigning blame adequately shows you how much I dislike having my emotions stirred, but as a parent - I am getting some practice and learning how to handle it better.

It all started on Sunday, December 6 when RJ and I had a lovely dinner with Katherine. During that dinner, she gave us free movie passes, but only if we would use them to see the 10:10 (PM!) showing of "The Blind Side". She insisted we see it, the tickets were free, and - since we had no children with us that weekend - I even decided I could stay up waaaay past my bedtime. The movie was good - I enjoyed it, but it made me want to read the book.

Fast forward (but still in the past) to Wednesday, December 16th when I decided I needed some reading material for the Christmas break and I further decided I was going to use a bookstore gift card I had received when PJ was born (going on 3 years ago now). I bought 3 books. Michael Connelly's new one - 9 Dragons, Vince Flynn's new one - Pursuit of Honor (both hardback and a TOTAL splurge) and The Blind Side, by Michael Lewis. I read Connelly first - I love Harry Bosch and I needed to know what he's up to...and it is partially set in Hong Kong, so I was anxious to read what M&B are experiencing (although it is not the same as Harry Bosch - thank goodness).

I started The Blind Side on December 31st. The chapters are long and it is MUCH more about the evolution of the game of football (as the subtitle dictates) than the movie. I am finding the evolution of the game of football to be quite fascinating. It does take a bit longer to digest since I'm not as versed in football terminology, but it truly is very interesting - I update RJ regularly throughout the day. Lewis is doing his best to make me see the evolution of the game to the point where the left tackle is so important.

The chapter I read today - a chapter solely focused on how Bill Walsh transformed the passing game - made me cry. Sounds crazy, but it is true.

Happy New Year

Before I can begin any blogs in 2010, I must catch up on the highlights of the last few weeks of 2009.

LJ's birthday party was a mountain of fun. He chose Spiderman for the theme - to my knowledge, he has not watched an episode of Spiderman, so I don't know how he decided on this theme. It became clear that he did not have a concept for super-heroes as he and PJ would put on the Spiderman-mask party favors and chase each other around yelling "Grrrr". After a few days of this, we explained super-heroes, real-life names, and arch-enemies. LJ was super-pleased with all of his party-attendees (Grandma, Grandpa, MawMaw, Jfer, Bekah, Uncle B, Aunt M, Cousin E, other Uncle B and Godmother KK) and had a great time turning them all around while they, with blindfold, tried to pin-the-mask-on Spiderman. The poster still hangs on his bedroom door.

Thanksgiving was great! We had the usual (now traditional) Thanksgiving foods and the NoJos regained the Turkey Bowl title. The Jos were without their London (now, Hong Kong) kids and the addition of Jimmy (a student we work with who joined us for the day) and the inches that JRod provided were not enough to bring them another victory. It was Miles' first Thanksgiving and we all enjoyed celebrating with him. The moment I sat down to eat the fine feast, I realized that my throat was killing me and thus started a week-long cold.

Finals, the end of the semester, My U of P class, various Holiday parties and lunches, and RJ's extended family Christmas party kept us so busy that I was a week behind of Christmas cards, Christmas decorations, and gift selecting. One day, LJ got in the car after school and told me that they did a play in school that day. I asked him what the play was about and he said, "Mary and Joseph". "Oh," I say, "what part did you play?".

LJ: "I don't know who I was."

Me: "Did you say any words?"

LJ: "I said, 'I don't have any room for you, but you can sleep in my staple."

Me: "Oh, you were the inn keeper. And, it is 'stable', not 'staple'."

LJ: "Yeah. Tomorrow, I'm going to try for Joseph."

Hilarious.

A few days later, RJ took LJ to school and picked him up - and LJ said, "Daddy, you didn't come see my play." We had no idea we were supposed to come see this play. I had previously grilled LJ regarding if they were practicing for a performance, or what? Everyday, he had come home having played a different part, so it didn't seem they were planning to perform - and it was not on the December calendar. Turns out, we had gotten a note - one of the myriad of notes they give every day - that on 4 different days they would be doing the Nativity and we could come watch, if we wanted. So, we went to the next 3 as it seemed parents were going every day...plus, he was a different part every day!

We went up to my brother's house the week before Christmas and we all celebrated my Mom's 80th birthday! ALL of my family was there. Every sibling and every spouse and every child. This is a rare thing. My brother and his family did a SUPER job of organizing the festivities and we had a terrific time. We stayed 4 nights (in a lovely new hotel) and just had a really nice visit.

Once we got back home it was laundry, grocery shopping, Christmas shopping and baking as Christmas was only 2 days away! It seemed like a mad rush, but it was all great fun. LJ and I spent the day before Christmas baking goodies and cookies for Santa. We went to Children's Mass at 4:00. After that, we went to On the Border for dinner. This stems from On the Border being the only place open on Christmas Eve 4 years ago. Then we came home and the kids opened the one gift they are allowed to open on Christmas Eve - new pajamas. They put them on and then they put out milk and cookies and went to bed. Then, RJ and I wrapped all the Christmas presents while we watched A Christmas Story on TV. We actually made it to be by 11:30 this year...no toys to assemble.

Christmas morning was fun - watching the kids get excited about clothes! Always nice. And toys too! RJ's family came after noon and we snacked while the kids napped. We had the 2nd round of Christmas before eating dinner.

Saturday morning, Uncle B and I went to spinning class (RPM), so that was nice. Saturday was playing, visiting and naps.

Sunday everyone (except me and the kids) slept until 9 – can you believe the luxury?!?!? I was up posting for the U of Phoenix section I started that day. At 2:00 we left for our Polar Express train ride. This is what we bought Grandma and Grandpa for Christmas. We drove 2 hours – the kids in their pajamas – to ride a steam engine with a Polar Express theme. They did it up great! There were songs, Christmas carols, chefs dancing in the aisle, kids in pajamas, hot chocolate, cookies, etc. We were taking Santa back to the North Pole and at one point Santa came through our car and handed each child a reindeer bell. When we got to the North Pole, it was all light up and decorated for Christmas. On the way back from dropping off Santa, they read the book to the kids. Everyone seemed to really enjoy it!

All our company left on Monday and we spent the last week of 2009 hanging out and playing. I caught the cold I was destined to catch as PJ and RJ have had one for what-seems-like forever. New Year's Eve, M and B arrived to help us ring in 2010. We ate a dinner of crab melt sandwiches, fennel and cabbage cole-slaw (which I chopped with my new food processor) and strawberry tarts. Thanks to a Max and Ruby episode, LJ had declared he was going to "stay up late and eat cookies". He even knew he was going to stay up until "both hands are on 12". Great. I didn't even want to stay up THAT late...ringing in the New Year on the East Coast is good enough for me! We decided to put the kids in their PJ and drive to look at Christmas lights...hoping PJ would fall asleep and go to bed without realizing LJ was not going to bed. This worked. But, LJ stayed up until midnight and appears to be fairing better than the rest of us. M and B are off to their annual get-together with their college friends and PJ and RJ are napping.

Here's to a GREAT 2010 - and I intend to do a better job of blogging!