Monday, March 17, 2008
Childrens' Magazines and Censorship
So, we signed Parker and Kira up for National Geographic Kids (for Parker) and National Geographic Little Kids (for Kira) because we love NG and thought these would be kid versions and awesome. Well, we got Kira's first, and it is pretty good. Obviously very watered down, but we appreciated it for a young toddler age. Then we received Parker's first issue. WOW. It was so totally the opposite of what we were expecting! Not classy at all, and filled with all sorts of "crap" for lack of a better word that didn't seem in the vein of National Geographic at all.
You open it and see the table of contents, and the next page is a huge full page advertisement for "The Water Horse" movie. Move on and see a full page on video game tips opposite silly pictures of athletes and stupid captions for each of them. The back cover and inside back cover are advertisements for Goosebumps of some such and some food product, both just BLARING at you visually. And one of the two-page articles is about "Stupid Criminal Tricks" or similar. There was one VERY awesome article about lions in the whole things with NG-like photography, but all in all it was just shocking and disappointing to both me and Jeff. So, what were we going to do?
Luckily, we saw it before Parker, and were debating on whether or not to even give it to him. We both really liked a few things in it, and were torn on what to do. So -- here comes the censorship -- we opted to glue pages together and cut the back cover off completely. Isn't that terrible???? But, if we are not having cable in this house because of the commercialism, does it make sense to subject him to it in a magazine? I am still not sure we did the right thing, and when the next issue comes, I'm just not sure what we'll do. I am just rather appalled at how anti-NG this magazine seemed!!
Labels: homeschooling, parenting, Parker, Pop Culture
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Thursday, January 24, 2008
"I wanted the green knight to win"
Parker was in the newspaper:
Parker Stevens, 6, was among a few children dressed in medieval costumes at the event.
"I wanted the green knight to win," Parker said after the last battle.
We had an awesome time at the Medieval Knights display, and Parker was able to learn more about medieval weaponry (not that he needed to at this point!!), and the actual weight of it all.
Labels: cute phrases, homeschooling, Parker
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Monday, January 14, 2008
My Kingdom for Teeth!
Parker finally lost his second tooth today. He's had three loose teeth (bottom right incisor and top two middle incisors) since forever, and even back when he saw the dentist he was predicted to have them all gone by Christmas. That didn't happen and today was finally the day to lose the bottom one. The top two are so loose that they've moved together and outward to be kinda buck-toothed.
Now, Parker has always been a sensitive child, and I am a-okay with that. But it is heartbreaking when he cries because he's lost the tooth. He wants it back, even though he's amazed that this same little tooth was able to help him chew all of that food! He is currently going to sleep very sad, and crying intermittently, and I don't know how to help him through this loss.
Hopefully, the tooth fairy will be extra sweet to him, and he'll have that to look forward to!!
Labels: milestones, Parker
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Thursday, December 27, 2007
Family Gems by Aunt Shelli
Parker and Kira were excited to watch Grampa grilling pork chops tonight. We went downstairs and looked out the window with the lights off so we could see them cooking. Grampa scared them first because it was dark outside and they couldn't see him. As Parker was watching the pork chops flare up as they cooked, he said, "It looks like there are dragons under there!"
A little later, Parker was playing with hangers and having a mock battle. Kira had a tube from gift wrap and said "Watch out for the 'pew' stick!" I had no idea what she was trying to say...until she pointed it at Parker and said "pew, pew, pew" making shooting sounds...I barely restrained myself from actually rolling on the floor.
It has been great seeing my nephew and niece this holiday...and these are just a few of the gems that remind me how special these visits are...oh and seeing Kristin and Jeff was nice too. (Aunt Shelli)
Labels: cute phrases, family, Kira, Parker
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Wednesday, December 05, 2007
What Goes Around ... Goes Around.
While Kira, then Parker, then Jeff get obviously sick, I've been feeling slightly under the weather, but fending things off reasonably well. Until today. Right now, it hurts to talk. My throat doesn't hurt per se, but if I continue talking, it'll get more sore.
So, as the kids are playing with toys, asking me to come play with them, my attempts to play silently are met with disdain. As I tried doing it without talking, but he keeps saying, "Say this, do that, go "awwwhhhh-urrrgh!!"." Even when I started playing Christmas music, Parker keeps asking, "What song is this?" -- "Deck the Halls" -- "Sing it, Mama." -- Touches throat. -- "Please sing it, Mama. Sing!!"
Now, a little earlier, Parker and Kira were playing together; Kira was a sick baby pig, and Parker was Dr. Wyatt (our pediatrician). Parker/Wyatt asked Kira/baby pig, "How's your asthma? Are you hungry?" They continued to act out Parker's most recent visit/hospital stay. A friend shared that it is good that he's acting it out, as it means he's processing the whole thing.
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Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Little Drummer Boy
Today, Parker had his second drumming lesson at Studio Percussion. It is interesting to sit in the waiting area and hear Parker play along to his music of choice, Sweet, and sometimes match the rhythm and feel of the song, and then sometimes seem to go completely crazy. Still, he loves drumming, loves being there, and is calming down enough at times to match rhythms and read the music, so it is definitely a good thing. We are still in our evaluation month, so we'll have to see how he continues to do, and go from there, as the lessons are pricey.
Labels: homeschooling, music, Parker
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Friday, November 30, 2007
Following Up
Well, I just got off the phone with Jeff, and Parker is doing so much better. They are moving him up to the main floor out of the ICU, only because he's been there so long, otherwise they might have just released him. He's not on oxygen, hasn't had a breathing treatment since 4 am, and is tolerating food well. Apparently no wheeze either. I wish they would just release him, but I also don't want a relapse, especially with Kira sick at home.
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Thursday, November 29, 2007
To Expound.
Parker is sick ... now. Wasn't yesterday.
Woke up at 2 am said he had a sore throat. Listened to lungs, and they were clear. Woke up at 7:30 am, and he was wheezing. Used rescue meds, and wheeze was gone. Started a slight wheeze in lower right lobe, had some diminished breath sounds on left side. Gave 1 of the two puffs of rescue meds, and all sounded better.
Went in for Kira's followup/Parker's appt (we called to add Parker into the check-up) at 10:30a, and he threw up on way, and didn't really respond to two DuoNeb treatments, sats started to decrease on room air, put on O2 and trip in ambulance (our first time!!) to Pediatric Hospital. Sat in ER from noon to about 5:30p, on continuous albuterol nebs which sometimes seemed to help sometimes seemed to do nothing. Sometimes his lungs sounded completely clear, then congested with wheezing. No method to the madness. IV, steroids, magnesium, and more O2.
Now in ICU, great sats, but still has wheeze, great inspirations, not so great expirations. Seems to be "the mystery" .... fun, fun!! NOT!
So yes, it is true that Parker wasn't sick yesterday. Oh, and he had a chest Xray, doesn't have pneumonia, so it is likely that Kira actually didn't either, just a viral bronchitis.
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Update.
Kira? All better.
Parker? In ICU.
Freaking sucks.
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Thursday, November 01, 2007
Kira Kitty and Park Ranger Parker
Last minute costume changes made this a stressful night, but I think it came out fine!
Parker, originally planning to go as Robin Hood, changed his mind to go as Luke Skywalker again when I was getting materials to make costumes. As luck would have it, right before going out, we couldn't find his black dance pants needed for his costume, so he agreed to wear the great Park Ranger costume his Oma and Grampa brought back from Alaska for him. Presenting Park Ranger Parker:
Kira was originally going to go as Curious George to Jeff's Man with the Yellow Hat, but decided she didn't want to do that either, on the day we went to get outfit supplies. Instead, she decided she wanted to be a cat. We convinced her to go as a black cat, as I knew we had black dance pants for her, just recently hand-me-downed from a friend. Introducing Kira Kitty:
We found the top at the Goodwill -- it is originally one of those skin-tight shirts, sized 10 girls (can you imagine??), and the tail is a boa, tied around her. The ears -- well, they were supposed to be something easy, and instead they took quite a while as I ended up making a head piece instead of just ears. Still, it made her look more like a cat, no? Hopefully you can't tell what it is made from ...
For Jeff, we abandoned previous plans for him to go as Little John to Parker's Robin Hood and also the Man with the Yellow Hat to Kira's Curious George. So, it so happened that his coworkers were going as Alice in Wonderland and as "Evil Alice", so he and I brainstormed, and decided to make him the 3 of Clubs from the Queen of Hearts' deck of cards, notorious for "Painting the Roses Red". Considering it was done in record time, I think it came out great!
With all of the craziness, we actually had to wake Kira up to go trick or treating, and both kids were exhausted just walking around our neighborhood. So, it should have been a sign when we started out like this:
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Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Happy Dentist Visit!!
Kira had her first dentist visit, and Parker went in for a check-up -- on Halloween!! (Yes, a little cruel, no??)
I was really impressed with how well they both did! Kira was a little more scared, and didn't get as much done, but she did finally let the dentist examine her teeth.
Brave lad:
A little more apprehensive:
Labels: Kira, milestones, parenting, Parker
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Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Home Again, Home Again ...
We finally made it out of the hospital this afternoon, and are all back at home. Parker went to the ER on Friday night, was admitted to the PICU Saturday early morning, left it Sunday evening, and the hospital on Tuesday afternoon. May we never be residents there again.
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Monday, October 22, 2007
Hospital Update
Well, just heard from the doctor, and honestly, it isn't encouraging. He is on room air now, but still has a wheeze in both lungs. So .... another night.
On top of that, she said that the "preventative meds" isn't recommended for him, as it will not do anything for these virus-initiated attacks. So, instead, her recommendation is that as soon as Parker gets sick, to go in to our pediatrician and get the oral steroids. Sounds so crazy, and I'm a little sad that there isn't some miracle medicine out there that would prevent these outright. And a part of me knew that there wouldn't be, and that this can and may happen again. Totally sucks, and I really, really hope he out-grows this and soon.
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More Asthma Reflections
I can't pinpoint any trigger except that it only happens when he's sick. Never had one otherwise, and doesn't seem to have any allergies (never gets a runny nose except when sick, no itchies, nothin'). The day it happened was honestly exactly like the day before, it seemed. I think that is what is most terrifying -- not knowing WHY it happened all of a sudden, not seeing any trigger.
We're just weaning him off the oxygen now (he's down to 0.5) and watching him to make sure his pulse ox stays at or above 93 (I'd like it higher before he leaves, though -- kinda scares me to have it still that low!!).
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Sunday, October 21, 2007
Update on Parker's ICU Visit
Hey all -- short update. Well, Kira and I are home again for the night, but Parker is doing much better and is staying overnight again but up on the children's wing, as they wean him off of the oxygen supplementation, decrease the spacing of his nebulizers to once every 4 hours, and switch from IV steroids to oral steroids (a different kind). He is a ton better, and now we have to try to figure out what exactly happened this time, and how to be more proactive than before -- and we thought we were! So, I'm hoping this was a one time fluke and the only time he ever must be admitted into the hospital, though I totally understand it may not be.
As for what caused it -- I really couldn't say, and the doctors pretty much said that they could put him on maintenance medications, but as this isn't an allergic reaction, but rather one to the virus, those maintenance medications just don't work on it. They also agreed that it is concerning that he has intermittent asthma, but when he does get sick it is so severe -- it doesn't fit a category, and I could tell they really didn't want the responsibility of figuring it out, as I don't think I'd heard our pediatrician's name mentioned at all before then, and it was mentioned at least once a sentence, sometimes more than that! Too funny!!
So, I'm already resolved to purchase a stethoscope and pulse oximeter for here, and we'll see what else we can do. It seems his chest was getting tighter and tighter, but he wasn't coughing like normal, so he had a ton of congestion and then had the constriction. Luckily now he's doing tons better, and will continue to improve.
His patience is wearing super thin, as he's said the TV is boring (and yet wants to buy whatever the commercials are selling), he's played one of the video games from start to finish, played cards, and has simply lost the joy in an adjustable bed. It is sooooo boring when you have to be in bed with only the "electronic interaction substitutes" around you!! Shoot, even WE bored him! LOL
I am hope-hope-hoping that tomorrow morning he'll be released. On the PICU, they pretty much didn't tell us anything in terms of what they wanted to see, and how it would all progress, but up on the standard floor (what do they call those?), they seem to be more wanting to get him discharged (hallelujah!!). It is an odd feeling to have what we've been able to handle pretty much out-patient (with occasional visits for oral steroids) turn into something MUCH different. So very scary, and yet all the other patients in the PICU seemed to really be doing tons, tons worse, including one little girl that they essentially said they can do nothing more for. She is less than 2 years old. And yet, it could have BEEN Parker (I just can't grasp that right now).
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Now the ICU
Parker has spent today in the pediatric ICU. We are hoping to bring him home tomorrow, but it may be Monday.
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Saturday, October 20, 2007
To the ER They Go ...
Parker and Jeff are at the ER right now. Of course, when they got there, the doctor said he couldn't exactly hear a wheeze .....
Again, there is a question of if this is an allergic asthma. See, I can't figure out what the trigger is, if it is allergic. It only comes when he's already got a cold. We'd talked with Dr. Wyatt about doing seasonal meds just to prevent these high boluses of steroids (which he'll no doubt be getting tonight).
Labels: health, milestones, parenting, Parker
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Friday, October 19, 2007
Here we go again ....
Here we are, yet again, in the middle of an "asthma" attack for Parker. He doesn't fit any of the molds, as he only ever gets attacks when sick, so it is rather intermittent. However, the only intermittent that is recognized is "mild", and Parker's "attacks" aren't mild. :( He was sick for a few days and then, WHAM!!! In the course of 3 hours, he goes from normal to wheezing and about to vomit (all due to an increase in coughing).
So, we'd been doing albuterol breathing treatments since he got sick 2-3 days ago, every 4 hours, to see if we could stave off this part of it. All looked great! He even got through his normal "feel very nauseous/no eat" day, which normally coincides with an attack. That was yesterday. Started eating again last night, and ate today. Treatments at 8 am, 12pm, 4pm, then he starts running around and playing, and I try to get him to be a little more sedate in his play (poor guy!!). He does a little, but is still coughing.
A little coughing leads to a little more coughing (these are non-productive coughs), and at 7 pm, I give him his next treatment a little early, just to get him to stop coughing!! It worked, temporarily, and he's tired, so I coerce :rolleyes him to take some Motrin (to lower his temp, which was elevated a little from the coughing, and can exacerbate the inflammation process, supposedly), and at 8 pm Jeff gets home and we decide to give him a cough suppressant for the first time ever (it says it won't work at all on asthma coughs, so we figure no harm, no foul).
I gave him another breathing treatment at 9:30, because of wheezing in his sleep, and it immediately got better. But, now we are here at 11pm, and it seems to be getting worse again. WHAT GIVES!!! And, of course it is a Friday night, which means the ER if this progresses.
This just totally sucks, and I want to cry and have it magically made better, but I can't, and he's miserable, and there is nothing to do!! Our pediatrician doesn't recommend daily meds (and we agree with that), as he doesn't have constant asthma at any level, and yet when these attacks come, they scare me to death. I'm tired, but I can't sleep!!
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Parker's First Baby Tooth Lost!
Yeay!! After almost two months since his permanent tooth started showing, Parker's baby tooth got pretty, loose, hung in there a day or two, and today, thanks to the help of two peaches, back to back, it came out! At first I thought Parker swallowed it with the peach, but it was on the floor, looking like a piece of lint. I was surprised -- it seems hollow inside, with almost no root. A quick look of two on Google, and my fears are allayed -- no partial tooth still stuck in his mouth. Thankfully, now, that permanent tooth can start to fill in to its own space, and not continue to grow sideways!!
Oh, and Parker claims the tooth next to this one feels loose too! A true sign that he's moving on to that more awkward middle adolescence age ..... help!!
Labels: milestones, Parker
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Thursday, October 18, 2007
Other Dimensions
Yesterday, Parker out of the blue said, "There could be another Earth where there are still Vikings!! Or even pirates!"
I, of course, tried to explain the theory of multiple dimensions, while Jeff told Parker about the existence of a television show of the same theme (SciFi's Sliders ... back when it was good, of course!!).
Labels: homeschooling, Parker, Pop Culture, science
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Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Counting by 10s
Jeff and I recently reviewed the Florida Sunshine State Standards for Kindergarten, to see what skills specifically we would need to work on to be sure Parker is "up to snuff" with the expected public school system, and one thing we noted he hadn't done before was the counting by sequence (you know, count to 100 by 2s, 5s, and 10s), though they specify doing it with a number chart.
Well, color me thrilled when today, when Parker and I were adding up some numbers (he asked me, "How much is 15 plus 16?" and I made him do it with me), and he started adding 10 to 10, then 10 to 20, etc. all the way to 100. I was so excited, I called up Jeff at work, and had Parker do it for him as well. And we never specifically sat down and taught him, just like we never taught him to read. A child's ability to simply grasp concepts without having them drilled in to them continues to astound me.
Labels: homeschooling, math, Parker
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Wednesday, September 12, 2007
I Love Our Pediatrician!
I was really fretting Parker being put on constant steroids. He has intermittent asthma/RAD/whatever, and the maintenance meds are only intended for individuals with persistent asthma. However, when he does have an attack, it isn't mild, it is moderate to severe. So, he doesn't fit any classification. Many doctors would say, "Ah, put him on it. No harm!" even though that isn't necessarily true. Dr. W, instead, says, "Let's monitor it, and if it is something we choose to pursue in the future, we can do it part-time, during the 'peak season' for viruses only." (You see, Parker only gets these attacks when he's already sick -- it is virus-triggered.) We are really, really lucky to have a respectful, responsive pediatrician who sees himself as an advisor for our team rather than an iron-fisted ruler.
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Monday, September 10, 2007
The Barracks (with only pikes)
oral story by Parker, transcribed by Mama
The Barracks (with only pikes)
Once upon a time, there was a barracks and it had a village and a castle. But then, the village disappeared. And the people did, too. The only people left were inside the barracks and the castle. And they were the only ones left.
And the bad guys didn't return again. Ever.
The End
Labels: castles and soldiers, homeschooling, Parker, writing
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The Battle's Fight
oral story by Parker, transcribed by Mama
The Battle's Fight
Once upon a time, a castle with knights inside it had a king coming out. The king says, "The bad guys returned!"
"The bad guys are coming in shuttles," said the king.
"We must destroy the bad guys and keep them from coming to our planet," said the king. The knights have to go to war and attack them.
"They have to go hunting first. Hunting for deer, fish, rabbit, wild boar, and dolphins. After the knights get them all," said the king, "the villagers go to build a village."
The people did what the king said.
The End
Labels: castles and soldiers, homeschooling, Parker, writing
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Saturday, September 08, 2007
Another Asthma Attack
This one was pretty scary. Parker was just coughing a little yesterday, so we started preventative nebs of albuterol (2 on Friday), but were woken up in the wee hours on Saturday with Parker in pretty bad shape, vomiting phlegm and mucus, sweating and feeling like he had a fever. He couldn't stop coughing. So, we give him an albuterol treatment followed by 2 DuoNebs, and and take him to the peds office. He was ill on the way there, ill several times there, and is finally on the mend. It was scary for a little while, and Dr. G suggested that they might want to put him on meds for it, even though his isn't persistent. We'll see our regular Dr. W on Tuesday to discuss ...
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Monday, August 27, 2007
First Permanent Tooth Making Appearance
So, about a week ago or so, Parker said something about his front left bottom tooth hurting. When I went to look at it, I noticed that behind it, it looked like another tooth was coming up. Well, yesterday, his baby tooth in front of it is loose!! I think he'll lose his first tooth soon, which is pretty exciting stuff around here.
I'd been a little concerned, since the permanent tooth is coming up behind the baby one, but apparently it isn't unheard of, and the recommendations range from leaving it be to pulling the baby tooth. This can also lead to what is called "shark teeth", which looks more than a little disturbing. I think we'll go for the wiggling frequently manuever. He's eating an apple right now, so I'm sure that'll help.
Labels: milestones, Parker
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Sunday, August 26, 2007
Scouting or Similar
I've been thinking a lot lately about finding some kind of Scouting group for Parker, since he's getting to an age that it seems appropriate. Growing up, I was a Girl Scout, and Jeff was a Boy Scout. And yet, nowadays, I don't think I like the concept of Boy Scouts, considering their well-publicized stance on exclusion based on religion or sexual orientation. Girl Scouts still has the motto: For Every Girl, Everywhere with the only limitation being one of gender.
And so, I've been investigating alternatives out there, though none seem as well established, at least not here in Florida. The ones we've come across are: Camp Fire USA, Earth Scouts, Navigators, Roots & Shoots, and Spiral Scouts. All of these are co-ed, which I don't necessarily think is a bad thing. Of course, none of them are established here in Gainesville, which means if we want an alternative, we'll have to start it. Of the options, I'm leaning towards Earth Scouts, using Roots & Shoots within it.
I guess the next step is to talk to Jeff about them all, and then see if there is any interest in local families. I'm hopeful to find something great, but hesitant because I know it is a lot of work.
The easiest thing to do would be to just suck it up and join the Boy Scouts regardless of our reservations, but when have we done the easiest thing?
Labels: community, homeschooling, Parker
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Friday, August 03, 2007
Follow-up to Parker-love
Yesterday's exclamation was the first time to really see that type of behavior in Parker. He has several other girl friends and holding hands and all is often part of friendships at this age, but this was .... different. There was a kind of possessiveness involved which was a little creepy to see. I don't know. He seems to have forgotten her name today, which I'm fine with.
Labels: milestones, parenting, Parker
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Thursday, August 02, 2007
Parker loves Alivia
Oh man am I in trouble!! We had our homeschooling group yesterday, and Parker told Alivia that he loves her, she kissed him, and then they did everything together holding hands or with their arms around each other. We got in the van at the end of the day to leave, and he told me "Alivia's dress was really pretty". When we got home and I was talking on the phone with my sister, he told me to tell her that he loves Alivia. AAACCCCKKKK!!!! Five-and-a-half!!!!!!
I am not going to survive parenthood.
Labels: community, homeschooling, milestones, Parker, playgroup
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Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Kindergartner Speech
Parker's speech is not perfect by any stretch of the imagination. We've just started actively working on individual sounds so as to avoid the need for speech therapy. We are using this site: http://www.uiowa.edu/%7Eacadtech/phonetics/# which works really well at isolating each sound. He seems to be missing "sh", "j", and a few others. He also still has some of the cute mispronunciations, like aminals. I adore it, and I refuse to correct it. He knows the right pronunciation, so that isn't an issue.
Some well-meaning friends suggested I get him hooked up with a professional for services, which should be paid for by the state/county. In terms of qualifying for services, I'm sure it wouldn't be an issue. To be honest, I would prefer to not do it through the county, especially considering things I've heard about how it is done here, and also because I've been working with Parker on it for only 3 days, and he now has "r" and voiceless "th" and he knows we're working on a new sound tomorrow, so I'm surprised about the progress!
Here is what he seemed to be missing, in detail:
"th" in both thing and that;
"sh" like shoe and "zh" like vision;
"ch" like watch (I think he may have this one, but since it is the same general placement as the next, which he doesn't have, I'm not 100% sure);
"dg"/"j" as in job or cage;
"r" like in rope and far.
I plan to keep working with him on it, keeping it laid back, and go from there. Maybe I'll decide later to get professional help, or maybe he won't need it. He's still only 5, though!!
Labels: homeschooling, parenting, Parker
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Tuesday, July 10, 2007
How To Create A Village
Here, Parker describes the parts of a village, in preparation for all out battle. Gotta love the creativity and violence of young boys.
Labels: castles and soldiers, homeschooling, Parker
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Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Chalice Camp Fun
Parker, experimenting at Chalice Camp. Apparently, soda and mentos causes a BIG explosion!
Labels: Chalice Camp, Parker, Unitarian Universalism
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Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Parker LiteBrite Art
I thought this was a volcano or teepee, but Parker informed me that it is a house with a person on top.
Labels: artwork, homeschooling, Parker
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Friday, April 13, 2007
Pipes Are Moving Again ...
Well, the pipes are working again. After all the popcorn this morning, chopped dates put in a PBJ at lunch, and a very miserable little boy, I gave him one dose of milk of magnesia, and in about 20 minutes, he was HAPPILY announcing he had to go poo! This was our first experience with it, and Mama handled his discomfort really badly.
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Thursday, April 12, 2007
Child Constipation
I'm sure this is directly related to the vast number of jelly beans he ate the beginning of this week, but Parker has his first bout ever of actual constipation -- went to bed whining last night because of it, with me rubbing his belly & back while he went to sleep. He eats lots of fiber (like several apples a day some days) normally, but I've already given him applesauce and popcorn today. Trying to get him to drink is harder, though. I'm just worried if he goes more than a full day without pooping that it is just going to be worse!
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Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Family Ties
I have to say that I am glad that we have two kids, and that one is a boy and one is a girl. It really is cliche, but this way, we get to experience parenting a child like each of us (abstractly, at least) and also the sibling relationship that we both had as well.
Having had a boy first was something that seemed to be a challenge for us, at least when we were first told. I have to say that we were pretty lucky to have the opportunity to make friends with other new moms who also had boys. It really helped us through the tough, insecure times.
Now Kira, she really does seem to be a mini-me. Heaven help me. She is a little scamp, can be as sweet as possible, and is really starting to develop her own ideas of the world.
We have to see how her personality continues to develop. So far, she's pretty amenable to most things that Parker wants to do. But if family history is any indication, that will change, as it did for me with my older sister, and then all bets are off.
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He's Got Mad Skills
I promise that I haven't been showing him Amadeus over and over. Apparently, it is incredibly fun to change your perspective while playing the piano.
I have to say that although I know that both my family and Jeff's family are musical, it is still pretty surprising to me how well Parker picks up on things. And, he really seems to like playing music, so it was obviously a good decision on my part to bring out my old, but nice and complex CASIO ToneBank (notice the prominent branding?) for him to have fun and learn on.
Ironically, I received that keyboard for Christmas back in 1991. It is apparently still worth almost $100!!
Labels: homeschooling, music, Parker
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The Samson Treatment
Parker agreed to get his haircut again. This time, I think we took it too far. It is so short that it looks weird! We have become so used to the longer hair look on Parker, that he no longer looks like himself.
When he looked in the mirror, he thought he looked funny at first, but then said he liked it. Still, I'm not sure how long it'll be before his next haircut, and then, I'm not sure if I'll be doing it (as I can only cut to one length), or if we'll take him to a professional for a trim.
Can you believe he's never had anyone but me cut his hair yet??
Labels: Parker
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Saturday, March 24, 2007
Creativity ....
An overheard conversation from Parker, 5-1/2 yo:
"Star Destroyer, are you okay out there flying around all crazy?"
"Yes"
KABOOM!!!!!