Sweet Income

This week I made $55 from online classifieds selling things we don't use any more.

Last deal was a baby carrier and baby toy for $10.

Income makes me happy.

20 months b day

A Fun Day

We started out by going to the rec center, while the kids were in daycare I got to go swimming on my own! It was amazing. Even got to relaxed in the hot tube, twice!! All the fun things I can't do with them.  Next, I took the kids to local splash pad and we spend an hour and a half there. Great service for the people in the community. Later on, Gong pay us a visit and stay for 4-5 hours. While he was here, I took the boy and we went shopping, he was good.

We came home and cooked, it was a good day.

Dance festival

We stopped by Probost to check out their dance festival, smaller, more AP feel. Much more hispanic influence in their dances from 4th to kindy. Because of the kids we only stay for about 30 minutes and saw their missmash of 6th grade dance, kindy was Toe knee chest nut nose eye love you. First was Mexican somberro dance. Loved it.

Drove by old school, but poor things were down poured by rain. Sixth grade had to wait for everyone but many had left during their performance because it was pure rain.

I miss it, but I don't. What a different feeling from leaving the festival last year. Last year I was feeling somber, leaving my career, my work behind.  This year less stress, do what we pleased.

Last Week of School

Kids Stats Update

Boy-

Fav Shows: Inspector Gadget, Unwrapping of eggs, Super heroes, ninja turtles

New word: I'm busy, I can't do it, I want to,  

Fav Toys: McDonald toys, robots, bow and arrow, puzzles

Fav Food: Meat


Age: 3 and 3/4

Challenges: Eating at the dinner table , Eating out.

Improvements: Potty on his own, #1 and 2

Girl-

Fav Shows: Curious George

New word: Yes, shui/ water

Fav Toys: Anything, puzzles, one on one time with mum and dad

Fav Food: Eats everything!

Age: 1 and 3/4

Challenges: Wants to be held all the time, still thumb sucking, poops a lot 3 times/ daily

Improvements: Plays well with brother, Shows empathy when he is sad

3.75 W

Mr. W will soon turn 4, I've been asking him what kind of party he wants. Now its been a toss for robots, nijaa turtles, spiderman. Will ask again as it comes closer.

He's got a strong personality, throws temper tantrums...stomps out and slams the door on ya. Most of the time we put him in his place, other times we are just too tired.  ( Usually due to his ipad alloted time)

He's been taking tumbling class for enrichement,  I think he enjoys being around his peers.

A great big brother, often times looks out for his little sister. Like the time in idaho when we walked out of grandma's senior center, he saw she was lagging behind and went and took her by the hand and walk with her on the side walk. So cute!

20 Months A

At 20 months she sings gibberish, talks a lot, says "bao bao for hold me", "shui/ water for drink" "get down" Yes, when she agrees, though she still shake her head from side to side (like no), shoes, understands and can point to body parts, identify fruits apples, banana, putao. she loves flowers and babies.  Her newest word "Ipod/ ipad" scary!!

FB Yardsale

Addicted. So far made $95

50 stroller set
10 teacher cart
15 Mirror and bamboo boxes
10 art supplies
10 toddler chair and swimsuit

One Year Home

It's been a year, since I quit my job. I don't miss it as much, but still find myself checking the school website here and there.  I wonder what adventure awaits for us. Since Chinese preschool failed, we now continue our year. This summer I want to do a chain, so we write an activity we did each day.

We started an incentive chart for Wes encouraging good behavior equals ipad time.He will be 4 in August and she will be 2.

Nice to Come Home

For the last two weekends we've been traveling, so its nice to be home. This weekend we visited Grandma in her new senior living center and grandparents RV. We stay in Twin and later visit castle rock for lunch in RV. Good trip, but most importantly good to connect with love ones.

Family in Idaho

Good to be home after two weekends of traveling. Visited grandparents in Twin and Great grandma in senior living center. Sad to see she has to lose her house but she needs full time care. Grandparents seem very happy about being camp hosts in castle rock. Good family trip!

Proud Parent Moment

The other day I left the kids with Gong and came home after errands. Gong said that the boy has been taking lots of photos on my camera. I paused a moment. Instead of getting mad and blowing up at him. I simply said "Oh, show me the photos you took."  The boy was all smiles and show me the random pictures he took of behinds, his sister, and furniture.  It was interesting to see from his perspective. But most importantly, I felt proud that in that moment, I chose not to fight that battle and be an invested, present and consciously aware parent.

Daily Kids Questions?

1. What was the best part of your day?
2.What did you do to make someone happy today?
3.Was there anything hard about your day?
4.Who did you spend time with today?
5.What do  you think you can do better tomorrow?

CHinese Pre School Update

Today I ran into one of the co-owner of preschool and she said it has been postponed until next year. Apparently, her neighbors do not agree into having the extra traffic in the neighborhood and to rent a facility must have two bathrooms. Anyhoo, so that is done.

Last Pre School- Bugs!

Bug Collection: Pill bug (rolly polly), beetle, lady bug...etc

An un expected guest to pre school today. The hummingbird flew away before class started.

W as a bug.

Mesa Verde

Fun 3 days

No Nap Mom!

At 3 yrs and 3 quarters old my son proclaimed "No Nap Mom!" But he can't be on ipad all day either it really is lazy parenting. Good about no naps is that he sleeps well at night.

At almost 20 months old, A is very demanding. She wants to play in the utensil drawer, squeez banana, eat whatever your having and getting into the dog bowl. Her words are plentiful, brush, shoe, even an occasional sentence here and there, where are you? I want down.

I really want to enjoy my kids, I feel like time is flying by so fast.

More stress, No thanks

I am having second thoughts about joining you both on this journey.

Please know that its not about having Kara on board or that it will be in her basement. My major concern is having my son in class with me. In my experience, he is especially naughty and often, my teaching time is dealt with disciplining him. The thought of a 3 hour block, even though only two days, makes me very nervous.

Honestly, I'm really stressed about this matter.  After careful consideration, I just don't think it would be fair to the "paying" students or the globetrotter brand. 

For that reason, I will have to pass. 

If it were just me, I would join you in a heartbeat. Since I have two variables (my son and daughter) , I cannot do a job I would be proud of. It is my hope, that you get this message in time for you to find someone else.

I hope you understand.

Tonight I cancelled the pre school oppurtunity.  With the changes of not having another class, a lot of extra work and stress. Not interested. Enjoy my last stress-free year with my kiddos.

Heart 2 Heart

$1350 a year, Preschool for Wes, Ari and I to join.

Will work alot with other teachers to build this start up.  Will work essentially Mondays and Wed
12-3

Wes will be in my class.

Hi Kara and Aino,

I have a change of heart.  Ideally, I would like to have my son in another class while we are there. As I mentioned, he is really naughty for me, which will affect my teaching. In addition, my little girl will be there too.  After careful consideration, I don't think this is good choice for me and my little family to make.  I am sorry but I can help you in other ways such as mentoring the Chinese teachers on teaching strategies.

Monday       Tues        Wed         Thurs       Fri

                    MOM                       MOM

Morning off                                                  Sub

12-3                            12-3

Try it until December and go from there. If it don't work out. Not obligated to stay.

September

October

November

December

7th Again

Same Class, Same jr.high

I am totally a elementary teacher. These kids are just a whole other beast talking about relationships and laughing about everything and anything. I was a bit nervous at first and you can sense some knew that and were smart mouthing.  "One said we are not second graders" and I said I don't want to treat you like one, one said then we can do easier math like 1+1.  Most were respectful, I think if I were at a at risk school might be worst. Good school.

Enjoy every moment

I hear this phrase a lot "Enjoy every moment with your kids, because it pass very quickly". I will one day look back on this post and wish I still stayed home with the kids and how little and precious they were. Tomorrow off to work out and take kids to swim.

Chopped

After a year of growth, I went for a haircut today.  Gong was around so I decided on spur of the moment to get a cut. For $10 I feel good. It's not the best cut I've had but its okay.  I do like my hair short, however, its got a lot more gray hair now.  Can't believe my last cut was last May, it grew about 3 inches.

Tomorrow, last assignment of the year, Jr. high, same class, same teacher, same hour. WooHoo!

FUnny phrases

We were outside playing in the back yard when Ari sees Cho Cho approaching...

Ari: Mimi (pointing at Cho Cho)

Wes:That's not Mimi, thats Cho Cho.  Cho Cho friend, Mimi angry.

19 months- she says 

car, hua (flower), oh (yes), where are you?, please, get down

3.75 years- he says

a lot.

describing situations. I'm sad. I don't like it, please stop.  No bath mama!  I want this please. Mostly responds in English. Some words he only knows in Chinese such as (pi gu-butt, fang pi- fart, ma so- dried meat)

Funny Boy

Wes you are going to turn four years old. Mom dad I am not four years old I am Wes.

Talking in English sentences. Plus even told me to shut up when I was nagging him. Instantly he lost his iPad privilege for the night. I'm shocked because he is only 3 years old.

Mom Party

All day I worked to get ready for mom party. Made tuna salad, fish tacos, apples with granola, calamari. Total in attendance 9 kids 3 adults. Our little kiddos love it both are sound asleep. What a relief!

May Day 8th Math

Sub an hour in 8th grade math today. These kids were good, even corrected my spelling attendence for attendance. Going back next Frid