It's Time

1. To resume gymanstics! Actually the session started last week. Since she missed that class, she'll be attending a make-up class at some point. Most Wednesdays we're going to go to a library program at 10:00 that's just a few minutes away from her 9:00-9:45 gymnastics class, but the preschool story hour at that library won't resume until next week. The kids will be going to two library story times each week as we'll continue to go to our library's on Fridays once our story hour resumes. Speaking of make-up gymanstics classes, today's class actually didn't happen. I admit I was pretty frustrated when I saw the sign on the door saying the class was cancelled, especially as it has been taking longer than usual to get around that town due to road construction. We had been really rushed trying to get out the door on time this morning (which is a nice problem to have because it means the kids are waking up later - we never used to have trouble being out the door by 8:30am), and all we ended up doing was going shopping. Oh well just a tiny glitch in our day.

2. To put away our swimsuits. I took the kids to the pool yesterday afternoon since the temperature was in the low 80's. The high on Monday had only been in the 70's, and I think it's too cool to swim when the air temp is less than 80 degrees. It turns out that the rain from Irene on Saturday lowered the water temperature by 5 degrees. BRR! Nadia lasted in the pool a lot longer than Ian or I did, but even Nadia didn't last nearly as long as usual. I think that was our last hurrah for the summer as I doubt the water temperature will rise over the next few days even though the air temperature is warm enough (it's back in the 80's). The pool closes after Labor Day. We didn't get to swim at our pool very much in August, but we made good use of the pool in June and July. In the beginning I was willing to swim when the water temperature was this cold, but the novelty of swimming has worn off some, and I got spoiled as most of the summer the water temp was between 80-86 degrees.

Rachel (age 2) and Susie (age 7)

3. To start preschool. Since the kids in our area went back to school on Monday, I decided to gradually switch into "preschool" mode with Nadia. I told her that I'm her teacher, and she did two sheets (four sides) of "schoolwork" yesterday that had to do with grouping objects into sets and also matching and today we worked on matching footprints to the type of animal that would make that footprint. We also did some math flashcards that involved counting. She loved it! I gradually want to add more "preschool" activities into our day. It does amaze me how many people are *shocked* when they hear that I have not enrolled Nadia in a preschool class. I truly am amazed that people think it's strange to keep your 3 year old at home. If they are shocked at keeping a 3 year old at home, what are they going to think when she's 4 or 5? Oh. My Goodness. Neither Paul or I attended preschool. Both of us (and our siblings) stayed home until we went to Kindergarten. Evidently that's not the norm these days. I have no issues with people choosing to send their children to preschool, but I do have issues with people thinking all children MUST attend preschool when they are 3 years old.

Adam (age 4)

4. To start ballet classes. The ballet classes begin on Thursday, but since I signed Nadia up for a Monday afternoon class and next Monday is a holiday, her class won't start until September 12.

5. To start AWANA! Nadia will be a Cubbie this year. I am so excited for her as I loved being in AWANA when I was a child, although I didn't join the program until I was in the 4th grade. She'll be attending AWANA on Wednesday nights (starting in a couple of weeks) from 6:30-8:00pm at a church really close to our house. I'll be dropping her off on my way to choir rehearsal, and Paul and Ian will pick her up at 8:00 as my choir rehearsal goes until 8:30. In case anyone is worried about Nadia not having time for "socialization" due to not attending preschool - she will be with kids for 3 hours on Sunday mornings (Sunday School and Children's Church), 45 minutes for ballet on Mondays, 2 hours on Tuesdays while I am in ladies Bible study, 3 hours on Wednesdays (gymnastics, library, and AWANA), and 1 hour on Fridays (library). Plus sometimes she gets to play with other kids when we're at the playground.

6. To get back in the habit of serving vegetables every night. I gave Nadia a break on vacation (which in all reality was a break for me as I don't like the battles over eating veggies). This meant that it didn't go very well on Monday night or Tuesday night when I insisted she eat some corn. Fun times (NOT!). The dinner table can be a very unpleasant place between her wailing over eating veggies, and Ian wailing over eating anything. Daddy gave Nadia a break this evening from veggies (I was at a choir picnic at church), but my goal is to have her eat veggies almost every night again.

7. To start counting! Last night after dinner I put 3 crackers in front of Ian. I was washing dishes and stopped in my tracks as I heard him say "one, two, three, four, five." I thought I must be hearing things, but Paul confirmed that Ian had just pointed to the crackers and counted to five. WOW! Two months ago he wasn't saying ANY words, and last night he said five words right in a row! I have a list of 75 words I've heard him say. I bet his speech therapist will be impressed tomorrow!

At the Rainforest Cafe

8. To find our fall clothes. It was actually a bit nippy when we walked to the park yesterday morning. Now that we're done going swimming, I'll probably move our walk to the playground to the afternoon when it's a bit warmer so we don't need to wear jackets quite yet. This is the time of year when the temperature swings are quite large over the course of one day. It was in the 50's when we first left the house for a CVS run yesterday morning, and it was in the 80's when we went to the pool and recycling center in the afternoon.

9. To get back in gear with cleaning. I have not been doing well with following my motivated mom chore lists although I did clip the kids nails today! I always keep up with the dishes, laundry, and cleaning the kitchen floor, but the other stuff needs to be accomplished as well. Thankfully I did vacuum the whole house right before we left on vacation.