I am completely stoked that I got one of the woot shirts today. It was designed by Wil Wheaton and whispers sweet nothings to the mega-geek-gamer in me.
The school visit yesterday was a bit chaotic, but overall I really liked the place. We're going back on Saturday for the open house and will be turning in our applications. I was on the fence until I found out that Boudica can also go there full days. Yay--reduced morning chaos is wonderful. Now we just have to be admitted to the terribly small student body.
I finally found the list of skills that a child should have when entering kindergarten in our school district. Mr. Moo is at or beyond all of them (at age 3.5) except for using the potty (still working on it...I think Boudica will get there first at this rate). So, while my head reels at the thought of paying a lot for private school, I love that we might be able to offer him a chance to maintain his innate curiosity and academic drive. That whole spelling words and reading thing he's doing now? That was all a result of him really wanting to do it--we didn't direct him there at all (although we are now following his lead in that direction).
I love the new coffee cup that I stole from Mr. D. :-)
I need to get back on my treadmill...winter weight is creeping.
I'm trying to tweet more--didn't know I was on there, did you?
I completely love my new winter coat and my new rainboots. Unfortunately, they don't even closely match each other. Is it terrible that I really don't care?
My brain is empty now--back to work!
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
The School Dilemma
Before I forget, I wanted to let you all know about a cool giveaway at one of the Savvy city sites (Silicon Valley). She is giving away a book that chronicles one woman's struggles with infertility. Since a lot of us have been on that island/boat/etc, I thought I'd share. The contest is open until Feb 26.
Ok, on to life. I've been so lax in posting here that I'm not sure how to catch up. I'll start with the fact that I am going tomorrow morning to visit a school that might end up being Mr. Moo's kindergarten. Kindergarten! Gah. We keep wavering between just sending him to our local school district (which is decent) or going with a private school ($$$...panic). At one point, we thought we had bought ourselves a bit of time by deciding that when he got to kindergarten, he would just go to the one at our current daycare. Except that they are closing the program as of this summer. Doh.
One of the things we really want Mr. Moo to experience is exposure to a foreign language. He gets a bit of that at home because Mr. D is fluent in Italian (it was actually his first language) and speaks it on the phone with his family as well as using some terms around the kids to teach them. But I'm not great with language and can't hold up my end of the conversation to give the kids a true bilingual home experience. I do remember a bunch of Spanish from HS and college (and living in Los Angeles for six years), so I can help a bit in the Dora and Diego category. But still, not anything formal.
Then, I get to wondering to what degree a preschooler would get a "formal" language education anyway? Well, tomorrow, I am going to visit a local preschool and kindergarten that is a Spanish immersion program meant for non-Spanish speaking homes. It seems like a good idea, but I want to be sure about it because it will cause extreme chaos (more than usual, if you can believe) to descend upon my mornings. If it will benefit Mr. Moo, I'm all about making it happen, though.
I guess the main thing I want is for him to be engaged in his education and feel challenged (not in a sadistic way, just in a not-sitting-on-his-laurels way). Two weeks ago, he started reading. At 3.5 years old. To me that seems early, but maybe it's not. Oh, and he also eats up math problems with a spoon. Story problems, that is...basic addition and subtraction are "fun" to him.
He finds learning to be a wonderfully enjoyable experience, and I want to nurture that tendency without being overbearing. In other words, I want what every mother wants for her child. I hope I can find it.
Ok, on to life. I've been so lax in posting here that I'm not sure how to catch up. I'll start with the fact that I am going tomorrow morning to visit a school that might end up being Mr. Moo's kindergarten. Kindergarten! Gah. We keep wavering between just sending him to our local school district (which is decent) or going with a private school ($$$...panic). At one point, we thought we had bought ourselves a bit of time by deciding that when he got to kindergarten, he would just go to the one at our current daycare. Except that they are closing the program as of this summer. Doh.
One of the things we really want Mr. Moo to experience is exposure to a foreign language. He gets a bit of that at home because Mr. D is fluent in Italian (it was actually his first language) and speaks it on the phone with his family as well as using some terms around the kids to teach them. But I'm not great with language and can't hold up my end of the conversation to give the kids a true bilingual home experience. I do remember a bunch of Spanish from HS and college (and living in Los Angeles for six years), so I can help a bit in the Dora and Diego category. But still, not anything formal.
Then, I get to wondering to what degree a preschooler would get a "formal" language education anyway? Well, tomorrow, I am going to visit a local preschool and kindergarten that is a Spanish immersion program meant for non-Spanish speaking homes. It seems like a good idea, but I want to be sure about it because it will cause extreme chaos (more than usual, if you can believe) to descend upon my mornings. If it will benefit Mr. Moo, I'm all about making it happen, though.
I guess the main thing I want is for him to be engaged in his education and feel challenged (not in a sadistic way, just in a not-sitting-on-his-laurels way). Two weeks ago, he started reading. At 3.5 years old. To me that seems early, but maybe it's not. Oh, and he also eats up math problems with a spoon. Story problems, that is...basic addition and subtraction are "fun" to him.
He finds learning to be a wonderfully enjoyable experience, and I want to nurture that tendency without being overbearing. In other words, I want what every mother wants for her child. I hope I can find it.
Monday, February 09, 2009
Highlights giveaway (updated)
I just wanted to let everyone know that I am hosting a giveaway at Being Savvy Pittsburgh for a subscription to Highlights High-Five Magazine. Mr. Moo absolutely loves it, so it gets the preschool sticky-thumbs-up of approval. The winner can either keep the subscription or give it as a gift, so don't feel like you can't enter if you don't have any kids in the house in that age range (2-6).
Good luck!
Updated to add: The Savvy site CMS has been changed to allow comments without having to join. I know a few of you were turned off by that last time I had a giveaway. So get over there and enter!
:-)
Good luck!
Updated to add: The Savvy site CMS has been changed to allow comments without having to join. I know a few of you were turned off by that last time I had a giveaway. So get over there and enter!
:-)
Monday, January 26, 2009
Musicgasm
One of the good things about being more “out” about my location is that I can now tell you about cool things that I have done around town without being so vague. Yesterday, we went to a symphony concert that was part of our subscription, and I was so moved by the performance that I wanted to tell you about it. We have, without question, a world-class group of musicians. At many of the season’s concerts, guest soloists enhance what is already a memorable experience. In all cases, I appreciate the soloist’s talent and enjoy the music. In a few rare cases, I am blown away by the individual’s talent. Yesterday was one of those days.
The soloist was pianist Gabriela Montero. For those thinking that the name rings a bell, she was the pianist in the quartet that performed at Tuesday’s inauguration. That fact alone was pretty cool. Then, we saw her play Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. Her fingers seemed to simply glide along the keys…no pounding, no effort, no fuss. They just floated along and beautiful music came forth. After the piece was over, she asked for input from the audience in order to provide us with musical improvisation. After someone finally brought forth a theme (Over the Rainbow), she took that simple melody and composed, on the spot, a musical piece so complex and beautiful and riveting that I am still awestruck at what I witnessed. And if that were not enough, after the intermission, Gabriela was joined by three other musicians for a special piece. John Williams gave special permission to the symphony that his recent composition, Air and Simple Gifts, could be performed. In this new era of hope and change and personal responsibility, I was moved by hearing the inaugural music brought to my hometown and rendered so carefully.
It was a pretty awesome day.
The soloist was pianist Gabriela Montero. For those thinking that the name rings a bell, she was the pianist in the quartet that performed at Tuesday’s inauguration. That fact alone was pretty cool. Then, we saw her play Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. Her fingers seemed to simply glide along the keys…no pounding, no effort, no fuss. They just floated along and beautiful music came forth. After the piece was over, she asked for input from the audience in order to provide us with musical improvisation. After someone finally brought forth a theme (Over the Rainbow), she took that simple melody and composed, on the spot, a musical piece so complex and beautiful and riveting that I am still awestruck at what I witnessed. And if that were not enough, after the intermission, Gabriela was joined by three other musicians for a special piece. John Williams gave special permission to the symphony that his recent composition, Air and Simple Gifts, could be performed. In this new era of hope and change and personal responsibility, I was moved by hearing the inaugural music brought to my hometown and rendered so carefully.
It was a pretty awesome day.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Talking with Mr. Moo
I have the best time conversing with my son. I mean, who knew that you could actually converse with a three-year old (I didn't before I was a mom) and enjoy it, too?
Thoughts On Election Day
Me: Mr. Moo, did you know that today is a very special day?
Moo: Is it my birthday?
Me: No, we get a new president today (spent another sentence or so explaining the president...)
Moo: What does he have for breakfast?
Me: (thinking that my child is so insightful to wonder what the president-elect was having for breakfast) I'm not sure, honey. Maybe we can ask him someday.
Moo: No, mommy--what are we having for breakfast?
Teaching Boudica to Talk
Boudica: Ease! Ease! (reaching for a cracker)
Moo: No, Boudica, it's PUH-lease. PUH-PUH-lease.
Boudica: Ease!! Ease!!!
Moo: No, No...PUH-lease. PUH-lease! (getting angry)
Boudica: (laughing and delighting in the moment) EASE!!! EASE!!! (more laughing)
On Destinations
Moo: Where are we going, mommy?
Me: Crazy, honey. We're going crazy. (It had been a long morning)
Moo: No, mommy. We're going to grandma's house, not going crazy.
Me: Ok, honey--sounds good to me.
Thoughts On Election Day
Me: Mr. Moo, did you know that today is a very special day?
Moo: Is it my birthday?
Me: No, we get a new president today (spent another sentence or so explaining the president...)
Moo: What does he have for breakfast?
Me: (thinking that my child is so insightful to wonder what the president-elect was having for breakfast) I'm not sure, honey. Maybe we can ask him someday.
Moo: No, mommy--what are we having for breakfast?
Teaching Boudica to Talk
Boudica: Ease! Ease! (reaching for a cracker)
Moo: No, Boudica, it's PUH-lease. PUH-PUH-lease.
Boudica: Ease!! Ease!!!
Moo: No, No...PUH-lease. PUH-lease! (getting angry)
Boudica: (laughing and delighting in the moment) EASE!!! EASE!!! (more laughing)
On Destinations
Moo: Where are we going, mommy?
Me: Crazy, honey. We're going crazy. (It had been a long morning)
Moo: No, mommy. We're going to grandma's house, not going crazy.
Me: Ok, honey--sounds good to me.
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