Conspiracy Theory

at 02/09/10 11:13AM *
I have decided that my boys are conspiring against me. Here is what I believe happens every night:

8pm: Put the boys to bed. Let the conspiring begin.

Nicholas: Austin, let's plan how we're going to do it tonight. This time I'll start off at 10pm. I'll get up because I either have to go potty or I had a bad dream.

Austin: Good idea. I'll take the midnight shift - just after Mommy has fallen asleep. I'll cry because my teeth hurt. Maybe I'll even wet my diaper, so they have to get me out of bed to change me.

Nicholas: Excellent. Next, I'll wake up around 2am with a coughing fit. I'll cough for a good five or ten minutes until one of them finally brings me some water.

Austin: That leaves the 4am slot. I'll whimper loud enough to wake up Mommy, but not too loud so I don't wake Daddy. I'll do it just long enough that I'm sure she's awake. I'll stop just as she's about to get out of bed.

Nicholas: Perfect. Then we both will listen for Mommy and Daddy. When we hear their alarm clock we will wait about ten minutes and then start talking. That will give Mommy time to get her coffee, but not enough time to shower and get ready.
I think we are all set. Now let's pretend to sleep so we fool them into thinking it's going to be a good night.

How do I know they are doing this? Because every night is some variation of this routine. It is far too common for it to be a mere coincidence. Little do they realize that Mommy and Daddy are on to them and will soon break up their scheming ways when we move into the new house and put them in separate rooms. Then, finally, I will sleep through the night. I can hardly wait.
  • lifeisgoood
    There can be no other explanation other than "conspiracy theory" :) This well-written comedy reminds me: You owe me an article! (THAT was the last thing your sleep deprived brain wanted to hear, I'm sure ;)
    by lifeisgoood at 02/09/10 12:09PM
  • jennrichardson
    Haha! I am sorry you aren't getting good sleep, but the way you wrote this is hilarious! I think "conspiracy theory" is the best way to describe your nights.
    by jennrichardson at 02/09/10 2:27PM
  • beavermom
    LOL!
    by beavermom at 02/09/10 2:35PM
  • stylinmama
    Haha. Sometimes you really wonder, don't you? :) I, too, am anxious to move into our house so Anna's sleeping habits change. I definitely understand!
    by stylinmama at 02/09/10 3:38PM
  • sarahmarcelle
    This cracked me up. I shared a room with my sister when we were younger...maybe elementary age? Anyways, we stayed up talking quite a bit and I'm sure it irritated my parents.

    In regards to my meeting...I hope we're the Jedis...Financial Planning is certainly as snarky as Sith Lords...
    by sarahmarcelle at 02/10/10 12:21PM
  • beavermom
    Cindy, couldn't this count as her article?
    by beavermom at 02/10/10 8:14PM
  • niffer
    :)
    by niffer at 02/10/10 8:44PM
  • kaceyatthebat
    Splitting them up is definitely a great idea. Divide and conquer is what we say.
    by kaceyatthebat at 02/11/10 7:59PM
  • linz_foster
    :) I'm considering investing in muzzles and straightjackets for this type of future situation. :)
    by linz_foster at 02/11/10 10:17PM

Kindergarten Question

at 01/29/10 12:35PM
Question for parents/teachers who have dealt with kindergarteners and their transition to school: All day kindergarten or half-day?
Nicholas has been in preschool for two years and is used to 3 hrs/day x 3 days/wk.
We have a choice of 1/2 day kindergarten for 3 hrs/day or full day kindergarten for 6 1/2 hrs/day.
1/2 day seems like it is not too different timewise than preschool and since we'll be driving 20 min to take him to school, 3 hrs will likely go by too fast. But the full day seems really long and pickup time will fall right during Austin's nap.
I'm kind of wishing there was a 3/4 day. :)
Anyone made the transition from preschool to kindergarten? Thoughts?
  • kaceyatthebat
    I have seen both as a teacher, so here's my take on it. They are still very young to be in school and many cry for their mothers and say that they don't like being in school so long. It does take a while, but they start getting used to full day and it's no big deal after the first few weeks. As far as curriculum, you can expect the morning hours to be spent focusing on reading and a few minutes on math. After lunch, they will do a lot of playing (good playing that encourages learning), either outside or in the room during centers. Most classes still do a "quiet time" where some younger ones do take a short nap. The social learning part of the full day is great. If that's something you feel like he gets elsewhere anyway, or even at home with others, then the half-day will still help him with reading fundamentals and early addition.
    by kaceyatthebat at 01/29/10 12:43PM
  • robynbobm
    Obviously I have no experience, but I remember when this topic has come up before seeing a study saying kids did better in/after half day kindergarten than in full day. It was in the Mothering group like a year ago.
    by robynbobm at 01/29/10 1:07PM
  • stylinmama
    We didn't go from preschool to kindergarten, but either way I don't think I would have considered full day something that was for us. Kids that age get tired so easily and a full day is so much for them. Especially everyday. This is my opinion, but I really don't think a full day of kindergarten is necessary. Caleb has learned so much from going half days. And anyway, they have 12 years going to school full days, being able to spare them one year is nice. :)

    I do understand your driving dilemma though. That would be rough to have to drive 40 min. round trip for only a few hours. Whatever you decide I'm sure Nick will adjust just fine. One just might take a little more adjusting than the other. Go with your gut.
    by stylinmama at 01/29/10 6:24PM
  • spinningbee
    I'm not a mom but I like the idea of a full day.
    by spinningbee at 01/29/10 7:03PM
  • linz_foster
    I vote for half day. I don't know why. :)
    Well, I guess I know why. I think baby naptimes are difficult to interrupt, so the full day falling during Austin's nap is no fun. Also, having Nick transition from 3 half days to 5 half days this year, then 5 full days next year seems like a better transition than the alternative.
    But, I would venture to say that you'll quickly tire of driving 20 minutes only to turn back around and drive it again after you get home and just get a couple of things done. I think you're right in saying that 3 hours will pass very quickly!
    by linz_foster at 01/29/10 11:42PM
  • catlady
    My vote is for half day also. I know Addie was tired tired at the end of a half day of Kinder. It''s a bit of a transition going from three days a week part time to five full days and full time. It's a bit of a transition going from Preschool to Kinder too. It's not only the academic learning part but learning all the school rules and routine too. I think Kinder. is a stepping stone to get kids ready for a full day of school when they start in first grade.
    by catlady at 01/30/10 5:43PM
  • jennrichardson
    I vote for half day. I worked with a lady in Arizona and her nephew went to full day kindergarten. She said he was so worn out when he got home everyday that he went to sleep and would sleep until dinner. She thought he was too young for the full day and wasn't quite ready for it. Do you know if their is a carpool?
    by jennrichardson at 02/01/10 9:30PM

He Makes Me Laugh

at 10/06/09 11:55AM
I love my little boy. His hilarious comments make me laugh almost every day.
So, as posted on FB, here are some Nick-isms from yesterday.

- He was discussing his options for a potential wife. Apparently a little girl at school said she's going to marry him and he's not so keen on the idea. So he's trying to come up with an alternative. I asked what traits are important in a future wife. I suggested that she be nice. He said "and that she not be a Philistine. And not like Delilah. And not a spy."

- Later, he was working on math with Daddy. Aaron said "if you have 8 cookies and I take away 4, how many do you have?" Nick replied "8. Because I will find where you hid them and take them back."
  • ryan_s
    LoL. that is In Fact good advice on a future wife not being a Philistine. I will remember to ask that question :-).....(but seriously, it's really cool he remembers the story of Sampson, it shows the teaching is sticking.)
    by ryan_s at 10/06/09 1:46PM
  • robynbobm
    lol!
    by robynbobm at 10/06/09 6:02PM
  • lifeisgoood
    :)
    by lifeisgoood at 10/06/09 6:49PM
  • beavermom
    Tell Nick thanks for cheering me up! lol!
    by beavermom at 10/07/09 2:36AM
  • stylinmama
    Ha!
    by stylinmama at 10/07/09 6:14PM
  • sarahmarcelle
    LOVE the cookies thing! Sooo cute!
    by sarahmarcelle at 10/09/09 1:32PM
  • sarahmarcelle
    Hey, thanks for your comments. I replied to you on my blog because I wanted to clarify some things for other readers that weren't clear before. :)
    by sarahmarcelle at 11/04/09 1:41PM
  • jessbme
    He's adorable.
    by jessbme at 01/28/10 11:56PM

Finding Peace

at 07/24/09 12:31AM
If you want to find me on a regular basis, I'm on Facebook or you can send me an email. I'll check in here periodically, read a few blogs, lurk around some groups, and maybe even post occasionally. I just cannot guarantee anything too regular.
  • robynbobm
    see you when you're here :)
    by robynbobm at 07/24/09 12:49AM
  • luvbnamom
    That pretty much sums me up on here lately, too!
    by luvbnamom at 07/25/09 7:43PM
  • stylinmama
    D I T T O
    by stylinmama at 07/26/09 1:42AM
  • beavermom
    See you in the funny papers! ( as my dad says)
    by beavermom at 09/10/09 6:41PM

Random

at 07/11/09 5:49PM *
Do the "older" "newer" buttons on the bottom of each post feel backwards to anyone else?
Maybe it's 'cause in Pleo 2.0 they were opposite. I just keep wanting to click the right one to go back a page.
Confusion.

  • beavermom
    I'm not sure I like the one entry at a time thing, either. I must be getting old- I don't like change! ;)
    by beavermom at 07/13/09 4:27AM
  • niffer
    ^ i don't like change either.
    by niffer at 07/18/09 8:57PM
  • sarasponda
    THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!
    by sarasponda at 07/22/09 1:23PM
  • sarasponda
    I am paranoid about people seeing Emily's picture too, I only felt comfortable doing it since I am one of 500 Sarah Phillips' and I don't have any info about me (ie where I live, went to school, birthday etc) where people can see it.
    by sarasponda at 07/22/09 1:24PM
  • star97
    I like it old and new way.
    by star97 at 07/23/09 9:18PM