Last Day of Summer Camp

Today was a nice and easy day. We review family words and had children present their family tree posters. What I liked most about this year's camp was that it was more low key compare to last year's big song and dance show.  I also taught 4 weeks last year, but only 1 week this year because that's what Utah State of Education/ University of Utah offered.  Great oppurtunity for easing in to working full-time and brush up on my teaching skills.

Day 4 Camp

One more day of teaching and mentoring new Hanban teachers then I am done. IT has gone by really fast actually. Day 4 they seem like my kids.  I am going to love, love having a homeroom class again.

Day 3 Camp

Today was a good day. One Hanban teacher complimented my teaching and asked how I could do it so effortlessly. 10 years I've been doing this Yo! Anyhoo, its good to be back and brushing up my skills. They taught me these kids needs movement and more culture integrated into my daily lessons. Things such as number kung fu or having more visuals and acting out (drama).

Let me just say it is so nice to have them there because my own teaching time is only 2.5 hours and I have two teacher assistants!! Woo Hoo.

A and W is getting used to me dropping them off at 8:45 and picking them up at 3:00. That is seven hours of their day I missed. But I do have to admit, time with them seem more precious.

Day 2 Camp

I had a parent volunteer today and 2 Hanban teachers, it was so great!!

We did whiteboards, calligraphy, and the Hanban teachers took turn to teach.

Nice day for mama.

Kids were better knowing what to expect.

Orginally, had plan to sell gorgeous brown boots for $10 but canceled it the night before. My thought was it was not worth my time. Fortunately, I did this because when I pick up the kids at 3pm they had just come out for outdoor play. they did not want to go home. I end up staying with them for 45 minutes and talked with Ms.Linda.  Will donate, gluesticks, glue, and crayons to her classroom.

Summer Camp Day 1

Long day. Got there an hour early to get all the technology set up. Surely, it took 40 minutes to get everything set up.

Kinda got a little flustered and didn't take roll. Had an extra student in class all day. Oops. Some of the kids were turds. Must intergrate more games for tomorrow, they can get lots of academics at school.  Let's have fun!

Took a siesta at six while the kiddos were watching minion movie.

My little A didn't even cry when I dropped them off. Pick them up at 3 and was informed that both nap and were happy.

Counting Down the Days

My babies and I have only a handful of days together, then mama is back in the grind. I find my self more irritable around them because I'm stressed that I am stretch thin (work, kids, being a mom). B suggested we hire a maid but I don't want that! I feel this change is good for me, but I must also think of my little family and not let my job take over everything.

Sold our pack n' play we inherited from Paul and Judy for $20. They got it back in 07 for Alisha.

Here it comes

So I got curriculum for camp and its doable. I think I am just stressing myself over it. It's a topic about family legacy and sharing stories about their families. What's unique this year is that teachers will have 2 Hanban teacher working with you.

Value lesson: Spent 76 on walmart.com and applied for mastercard to get 25 cash back. Didn't read fine line but have to pay your bill in store for $1 or by phone for $6. You have to pay service fee. B says I should cancel the MF.  Went to store to pay bill , but they said it must be on the statement.
New card so no statement yet.

On the home front, our little is no longer a baby, she is a outspoken toddler. Who if she does not have her way, she curls her lip and throws a tantrum. But when I say "Tang Guo/ candy" She automatically stops.  Such a cute stinker! Her latest words are bird, da xiang(elephant), and minion.

Preschooler W, is now getting the hang of going to school at Linda's. Teacher even says he will join in on the discussions now.  This is showing progress that he has adapted to his new routines. They have harder time at daycare now, since it is not structured.  A is slowly getting better at good byes, she still cries but according to teacher it is only a little bit.

Pintrest is Cool

Collecting so many ideas for W 4th bday party. Have to remember to keep it simple and making it easy on me.

Took kids to classroom for 20 minutes. We played in the playground next to it. They made a big mess in the classroom and we had to leave fast.

Can't believe we have 2 more days of calm and its going to get busy!

Settling IN

This is their 3rd week in Preschool. Teacher says that W participates during class discussions now and A has less detachment issues. She seems happy.

RV Glamping

Camping in comfort. Idaho Castle Rock and City of Rocks

City of Rocks

Day 1 Hanging out with the W's. Then Judy and Paul made lunch and dinner for us.

Day 2 Went hiking in Castle Rock, then went back to camp for shower.

We saw jack rabbits, lizards, big birds, and deer.

Getting ready to camp

Tomorrow we travel with my wan fam to castle rock idaho for a 2 day trip. It's a circus but love getting the families together. Now on to the packing.

Chosen Ones

Due to low enrollment now I am teaching a 2/3 split Chinese Summer Camp class. I am honored to be one of the chosen ones to move forward, I am excited to learn some new ideas for my homeroom class.  They had to cut 10 people off the list. what a great learning oppurtunity mama!!

Busy Thursday

We took Sadie to little park and came home to read minion seek and find. Later we went to Pre-school and again A was sad to see me leave. Later teacher told me she was fine after 3 minutes.

Then went to salon to get my hair done and eyebrow tweeze ahhh pampering for mama. This took about 30 minutes total.

Last took husband to lunch at Olive, had coupon for free appetizer.

Pick up the kids and by 1:30 everyone is taking a nap.

Just Say No

I am seriously considering not working on the classroom tomorrow.  You see I have been there for 8 days about 15 hours of work.  And I am not even being paid.

I'm going out to lunch with hubby while kids are at Preschool.  Then go get my hair done.  That sounds like a great plan to me.

In other news, A's new phrase "Mom, look!" what she mean is mom look at what I can do. Especially, when she is on her brother's scooter. My little girl.  Also, she had a rough day at daycare, since her usual care giver went home sick.  This was the first time in 2 weeks that I was called back to pick her up early. It goes to show that children as little as 2 needs consistency and structure.

With W, if we are in a serious conversation such as when in daycare no hitting, he will change the subject and say "Mom, stop talking, I'm eating  my food." This child.

New words A

Today when W was calling A, she said "What?!" So cute.

Daycare Mishaps

So while kids are in child watch I went to classroom for 1.5 hours, to give me sometime to run on treadmill.  When I went to pick them up teacher said Ang again got in a fight. She said after one reminder he did obey about not hitting.  Later on tonight during bedtime talk, he tells me the boy scratch his face and he hit him because of self defense.  There is always two side to every story.

4 Weeks

I'm beginning to see our lives changing.  You see in 4 weeks, I will start to work full-time and the kids will be with the caregiver longer than with me.  It is a little sad to know that they will soon bond with someone else outside the family.  I really do hope it works out, so I don't have to worry about child care in the middle of working full-time.

Today was the first day this week, we didn't have anywhere to go. It sure was nice. I end up cleaning and organizing in the morning, took kids to the local park, and we play until lunch.

At the end of this month I'm teaching Chinese camp and August is pretty much booked with medical, dental appointments and work obligations.  I'm missing my kids already, but I am doing what's right for me and my family.

I did the math and by December would have spend 4000 on child care, so basically child care is about 10,000 a year!

Gong Gong House

Sign Papers

Today went to district office and signed papers. Even with my 9.5 years of experience I am paid at 7th year experience.  At the spot, she changed it to 8th year for me which means I would be making $48,000/year includes benefits.  She said to call lane change specialist two add on two more endorsements so I can get Masters Plus 20 hours.

Humor

Tonight during bed routine, I played mcdonald's toy with him and have him choose a book to read.  He picked a big dictionary picture book.  We were looking at  F words such as fork, food, fruits, and I got to think if he understand play on words.  I said " Ang, please don't eat popcorn, eat cat" and he's smiling and said no, no eat cat.  We could have go on for hours...3 years to 4 is a "fun" and messy stage.

Obsession

B is concerned that I would be obsessed about school work and not look after the kids. Told him I am getting the class ready so there is a lot to do.  He said you must be able to cut that off at a certain time for the kids.

A valid concern

1st Day Child Care

So W and A went to first day child care for 3 hours while I clean classroom.  W managed to have accident in number one and two.  Ari was happy to see me and Wes didn't like me picking him up. He was upset because of snacks?

Mini Hike with Wan

Today we took zhe hao to hike big cottonwood and he hike with them for 9 miles! and didn't meet us back at parents house until 2:30pm.  Wan was really nice to take him to Gong.

We had a good time chatting with my family and hang out.

22 months

Dear A,

Mom and Dad are astounded at your oral language development, you say and understand so much!
Just today when we were watching the fireworks out your window, you said excitingly "Mom look, dad watch!"  I love seeing the world through your eyes!!

At 22 months old, you love everything brother can do.  Some of your favorite things through out the day includes, drawing, painting, reading books, play in the kiddy pool, dig dirt, ride your push car, and sample food.  We love how you will try everything and eat enough for you and your brother.

Since you are a active toddler you also get into things that makes dad and mum very frustrated, like, Sadie's water dish, Cho Cho's cat litter, the toilet, our drawers, the kitchen utensils drawer.  You really are good at moving furniture and climbing on it to get to what you want.

While we are out, I noticed you still prefer to play alone and take everything in.

Favorite things- reading books, food, water, painting, playdough, anything that makes a mess

Words- yes, no, where are you?, are you okay?, bug, watch, look, bao bao (to hold), and  a lot more...

food- anything we eat

We love you to pieces.

Love Mum.

Almost Four

Dear W,

You will turn four next month, how fast a year has gone by.  You are not a baby anymore and hates it when Gong Gong treats you like it.  You are a master of the minion ipad game, good at riding a scooter, bike and loves being social at the splash pads.  I love how you can walk into a new place like Ms.Linda's daycare and say "Hi Guys!" Go right to playing with the others.

I told you, you are about to go to a big school/ Ms. Linda's. Must be a good listener with nice hands and take care of your little sister.  You understand very well both Chinese and English but prefers to speak English.

Favorite thing- ipad minion game/ youtube surprise eggs videos, playdough, lego blocks, mcdonald toys, companionship, playing with mom/ dad

Favorite words- I'm so excited!

Frustrated word- you stupid thing

Favorite cartoon- scooby do, curious george

Love, Mum

Happy 4th

So I let the kids stay up until 10pm to watched the fireworks and Ari's room actually had good views.  It was amazing to see how much she liked it.  She was in awe and kept asking B and I "dada watch or mama look".  She is 22 months and this was her first experience watching fireworks.  Cute as a bug. On the other hand, the boy watched for about 10 minutes and said I want this to stop so I can play with my toys.  Funny kids!!

Miss A

Today at 2am when you woke up with a nightmare and woke brother up.  He was crying and you said "goe goe, sad" twice.  I didn't know you knew what sad means or the word. You are smart.

Fun Morning

Bry and I took kids to rec centre pool and swam for an hour and then we went on to go shopping at costco. Needless to say both kids are taking naps now....He knows how busy it is for me to get them ready to swim and get ready to go home. At costco even saw old teacher friend she is pregnant with third baby.

Fun morning!!

Classroom

While the kids were at daycare, I took my excercise time and went to my classroom for the first time in one year.  Let's just say there is a lot of work to do.

Today I worked on cleaning out the storage closet, putting away all manipulatives, organized the storage room.  This took about 1 hour and 40 minutes.  Good news is there is a lot of school supplies, folders, so I wont have to buy many more out of own funds.

Taking a classroom after new teachers is often time it will be unorganized.

My goal this year is making the classroom as much mine as the children's.  In addition, simple and organized is better than decorated and fancy.

Raising a Reader

Tips-

Fit reading into your schedule
Engage with ebooks (especially with boys) however, bad for comprehension
Funny is fine
Comics are ok
Find books about things your kids love
Favorite author addiction
Grab onto a genre
Read Aloud to them

Picky Eater

So A will try everything! But W is another story. Based on what I have read, it is best to try the 3'R's

That is...

Repeat- the food
Role Model- You eat it too
Reward- incentive