This Mom is (crazy) organized. I thought I was doing pretty good by planning two weeks at a time!
Friday, January 22, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Learning about Race
I saw this interesting article on the New York Times website.
It really does make me wonder what James has already learned. I mean, he's got his colors down pat. In Spanish too! But what about skin color? Kids who look different than him? I know he has a pretty diverse classroom (see his class picture) and I've tried to reinforce beauty and differences at home but I just wonder what else we're supposed to do. Well, he's only three and he has yet to say anything about race. I don't worry too much about this but I'm trying to be prepared if anything ever happened with James. Baby Jesus help any child who harasses our Sweet Baby Nene!
My only worry was another student Abube (sp?) who has maybe pushed James in class. Abube is African, so I just hope it hasn't made a racial impact on James. (And yes, Grandma Rosie, we did talk to the teachers about Abube! The little boy is only at daycare on Tuesdays, so he doesn't interact much with the kids.)
It really does make me wonder what James has already learned. I mean, he's got his colors down pat. In Spanish too! But what about skin color? Kids who look different than him? I know he has a pretty diverse classroom (see his class picture) and I've tried to reinforce beauty and differences at home but I just wonder what else we're supposed to do. Well, he's only three and he has yet to say anything about race. I don't worry too much about this but I'm trying to be prepared if anything ever happened with James. Baby Jesus help any child who harasses our Sweet Baby Nene!
My only worry was another student Abube (sp?) who has maybe pushed James in class. Abube is African, so I just hope it hasn't made a racial impact on James. (And yes, Grandma Rosie, we did talk to the teachers about Abube! The little boy is only at daycare on Tuesdays, so he doesn't interact much with the kids.)
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Baby James
Yeah, I know he's not a baby anymore. He'll always be my baby though. Just some random pictures and things.
Here James is getting a ride from his Dada. He loved this. Poor Jim!
I call this picture "School is cool!" This is how I found James when I picked him up from daycare on Tuesday afternoon. He was happily coloring and chatting with his dear friends.
I thought this survey was pretty funny. The teacher Raina told me that they like to write down exactly what the kids say. Yes, James has marbles but we don't play with them... ? I like Shane's answer the best!
James dragged me over to the wall to look at the cool snowmen. His is the bottom right snowman. I suspect it will make its way home to us soon.
I wasn't feeling well on Tuesday. I think its a stomach flu like thing. James wanted to pretend he was a "baby" and drink his bottle. I was glad to cuddle with him, even if I had to watch Little Einsteins too.
Do I look sick? I think so. I was not in good shape! James looks HUGE in this picture.
Jim thinks he's coming down with this too. Ugh! We'll try and not breathe on James...
Here James is getting a ride from his Dada. He loved this. Poor Jim!
I call this picture "School is cool!" This is how I found James when I picked him up from daycare on Tuesday afternoon. He was happily coloring and chatting with his dear friends.
I thought this survey was pretty funny. The teacher Raina told me that they like to write down exactly what the kids say. Yes, James has marbles but we don't play with them... ? I like Shane's answer the best!
James dragged me over to the wall to look at the cool snowmen. His is the bottom right snowman. I suspect it will make its way home to us soon.
I wasn't feeling well on Tuesday. I think its a stomach flu like thing. James wanted to pretend he was a "baby" and drink his bottle. I was glad to cuddle with him, even if I had to watch Little Einsteins too.
Do I look sick? I think so. I was not in good shape! James looks HUGE in this picture.
Jim thinks he's coming down with this too. Ugh! We'll try and not breathe on James...
Sunday, January 17, 2010
The Elmo Show
On Sunday we had a fabulous day planned! We had brunch at Restaurant Cru (really good) and then we headed to the big city for what we told James was "the Elmo show". All week he's been looking forward to it! Unfortunately, it was at the same time as the big Vikings game but Jim insisted he wanted to go. He couldn't miss it. He did peek at the game before the Elmo show, here he is with James looking into the NBA bar and its TVs.
James and I went to our seats while Jim watched the game a little. We were there plenty early and got this view of a near empty stage and theater. James, when he saw the stage, said, "Mama, what is THAT?!"
We had incredible seats. We were to the side of the stage, on the floor, about four rows back. We were near the aisle so the characters were walking and running up and down the stage and its stairs, right by us!
James was entertained for half an hour with popcorn. Sweet popcorn!
This is James' first reaction to the characters and show. I wonder if it was overwhelming?
The stage looks much farther in this shot, but here's what we saw first.
Fascinated!
Yay! This show is great!!
James sat on our laps every once in a while.
The entire show was about using your imagination. Here, James followed the directions and closed his eyes to imagine visiting a jungle (or something).
I bought James two souvenirs. The first was this Elmo spinning toy. It lit up and it was the toy that James picked out. I think it was a perfect souvenir. Lots of kids had them.
Jim is asking James if he likes the show.
The second souvenir was one of these balloons. During intermission the balloon guy came out with a huge huge handful of these balloons. I just automatically went up and bought one. I brought it back to James and he held it for a minute and then became terrified of it. I don't know why! So we put it on the other side of me and let James calm down.
The balloons were very popular too. I think every parent felt obligated to buy one! Even though they were $10! I felt bad for the kids and the parents who accidentally let go of their balloons. James watched them go "way up high!" and laughed. Yeah, not really funny :) I quickly tied ours to my purse handle.
James later told us that his favorite part was the Elmo's World part. It was just like the TV show.
Jim kept track of his Vikings game. Handy iPhone!
It was such a wonderful time! We're now thinking of taking James to the circus because it went so well!
James and I went to our seats while Jim watched the game a little. We were there plenty early and got this view of a near empty stage and theater. James, when he saw the stage, said, "Mama, what is THAT?!"
We had incredible seats. We were to the side of the stage, on the floor, about four rows back. We were near the aisle so the characters were walking and running up and down the stage and its stairs, right by us!
James was entertained for half an hour with popcorn. Sweet popcorn!
This is James' first reaction to the characters and show. I wonder if it was overwhelming?
The stage looks much farther in this shot, but here's what we saw first.
Fascinated!
Yay! This show is great!!
James sat on our laps every once in a while.
The entire show was about using your imagination. Here, James followed the directions and closed his eyes to imagine visiting a jungle (or something).
I bought James two souvenirs. The first was this Elmo spinning toy. It lit up and it was the toy that James picked out. I think it was a perfect souvenir. Lots of kids had them.
Jim is asking James if he likes the show.
The second souvenir was one of these balloons. During intermission the balloon guy came out with a huge huge handful of these balloons. I just automatically went up and bought one. I brought it back to James and he held it for a minute and then became terrified of it. I don't know why! So we put it on the other side of me and let James calm down.
The balloons were very popular too. I think every parent felt obligated to buy one! Even though they were $10! I felt bad for the kids and the parents who accidentally let go of their balloons. James watched them go "way up high!" and laughed. Yeah, not really funny :) I quickly tied ours to my purse handle.
James later told us that his favorite part was the Elmo's World part. It was just like the TV show.
Jim kept track of his Vikings game. Handy iPhone!
It was such a wonderful time! We're now thinking of taking James to the circus because it went so well!
Saturday fun
I was a judge at the Anoka-Hennepin science fair on Saturday morning. It was a nice experience!
Tia ChaCha and Uncle Rich came over on Saturday afternoon to play, cook, and hang out.
ChaCha specifically asked for steak and eggs. James has been cooking up a storm lately. Apple pies, oranges, eggs, cake.
Uncle Rich helped to build a tall tower. Its James' favorite thing to build!
Thank you ChaCha and Richie for so much fun!
Tia ChaCha and Uncle Rich came over on Saturday afternoon to play, cook, and hang out.
ChaCha specifically asked for steak and eggs. James has been cooking up a storm lately. Apple pies, oranges, eggs, cake.
Uncle Rich helped to build a tall tower. Its James' favorite thing to build!
Thank you ChaCha and Richie for so much fun!
Learning
I took these pictures at daycare last week. I forget to look at the weekly/monthly curriculum so I took these pictures to study them closer. I thought you might want to check it out too, to see how James spends his day at "school".
I think these are their daily art projects.
Oh, this is a sheet that came home with James from his Spanish class on Wednesday. It says that James circled the words that he heard in Spanish. Jim tested James himself because we just knew that James did NOT circle those himself. Much too neat of circles. But we did discover that James knew this vocab pretty well. I think its such a small class that maybe they did it one on one with him and the teacher circled them for him.
I made the mistake (kinda) of letting James look at my iPhone with me. I discovered that he really caught on to "swiping" the screen to advance the photos. So he scrolled through about one hundred pictures on my iPhone and so I quickly downloaded these cute games for James.
This first game is a matching game. I took a screenshot so you can see that he managed to find the matches in about three minutes, with little help from me!
I was really amazed by his ability to do this game. He had to drag the pieces to the "puzzle" and fit them in. After the pieces were all there, it would do a little animation and music, and he would giggle.
So now I have to hide my phone from James or he wants to play with it. I just don't want him to break it or hide it!
I think these are their daily art projects.
Oh, this is a sheet that came home with James from his Spanish class on Wednesday. It says that James circled the words that he heard in Spanish. Jim tested James himself because we just knew that James did NOT circle those himself. Much too neat of circles. But we did discover that James knew this vocab pretty well. I think its such a small class that maybe they did it one on one with him and the teacher circled them for him.
I made the mistake (kinda) of letting James look at my iPhone with me. I discovered that he really caught on to "swiping" the screen to advance the photos. So he scrolled through about one hundred pictures on my iPhone and so I quickly downloaded these cute games for James.
This first game is a matching game. I took a screenshot so you can see that he managed to find the matches in about three minutes, with little help from me!
I was really amazed by his ability to do this game. He had to drag the pieces to the "puzzle" and fit them in. After the pieces were all there, it would do a little animation and music, and he would giggle.
So now I have to hide my phone from James or he wants to play with it. I just don't want him to break it or hide it!
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Bedtime
"I want that sticker."
No pee. No sticker.
"I have an owie right here."
Time for the bath.
James was standing beside the bathtub, just about to get in, when he peed on the floor. Ooops. I quickly sat him on the toilet but that was it. Oh well!
Charmer.
We read two books and then "Good night!" Pretty smooth bedtime tonight.
No pee. No sticker.
"I have an owie right here."
Time for the bath.
James was standing beside the bathtub, just about to get in, when he peed on the floor. Ooops. I quickly sat him on the toilet but that was it. Oh well!
Charmer.
We read two books and then "Good night!" Pretty smooth bedtime tonight.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
TMI
This is a laminated sign in the daycare's bathroom. I guess the staff need to know this.
So now you know too!
So now you know too!
Monday, January 11, 2010
Technology
An interesting read about kids and technology:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/10/weekinreview/10stone.html?em
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/10/weekinreview/10stone.html?em
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Elmo Love, again
Old tricks still work! I came downstairs this morning to James and his Dada playing with Elmo the puppet. Its amazing that James has such a good memory about things.
Puppets are James' new thing. His school has the same Multicultural puppets that we have at home, and he's also got Elmo, Tickle Monster, and a Frog that Grandma Laura gave him.
Puppets are James' new thing. His school has the same Multicultural puppets that we have at home, and he's also got Elmo, Tickle Monster, and a Frog that Grandma Laura gave him.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Tia Kiki
At the risk of making my sister cry I am re-posting this blog entry from May 2007. Tia Kiki is far away and missing her familia, but she has lots of memories to remember and lots more to still come! I mean, she can't stay in Japan forever :)
I read this entry and wanted to cry! Just thinking about how time flies and how much older James is and how many milestones he's had in his three years of life. Wow. Just wow!
Dear Tia Kiki (Kristina),
My Mommy is writing this for me because I can't type yet. I'm just learning my letters.
I wanted to thank you for the best time ever! I'll have lots of fun memories:
Remember when...
you sang me the elefante song?
you offered my Mommy the "2 for 1" deal?
you would greet me with "Good morning, Handsome!"?
you grabbed my chubby thighs and called them porkchops?
and then you grabbed my tummy and called it applesauce?
you played the butt drums?
you sang the Baby Croki songs to me?
you helped me with my sore gums and "toofers" (teeth)?
you tickled me and made me scream with laughter?
you introduced me to my first cats?
you took me shopping and bought me my Polo outfit and drum?
you taught me how to roll over and crawl (still trying this, Tia!)?
And there's probably lots of other things that my Mommy can't remember!
Well, I will miss you. I know you'll always be there for me and loving me from wherever you are. I hope you come to visit me whenever you can and I'll be waiting with many, many kisses!
Oh, Tia, get on my Mommy to send you a video soon. I know you'll want to see me crawling and take credit! And those top teeth are going to pop out any day now!
Te amo, Tia Kiki!
Besos,
James "Handsome" Landon Tauer
I read this entry and wanted to cry! Just thinking about how time flies and how much older James is and how many milestones he's had in his three years of life. Wow. Just wow!
Dear Tia Kiki (Kristina),
My Mommy is writing this for me because I can't type yet. I'm just learning my letters.
I wanted to thank you for the best time ever! I'll have lots of fun memories:
Remember when...
you sang me the elefante song?
you offered my Mommy the "2 for 1" deal?
you would greet me with "Good morning, Handsome!"?
you grabbed my chubby thighs and called them porkchops?
and then you grabbed my tummy and called it applesauce?
you played the butt drums?
you sang the Baby Croki songs to me?
you helped me with my sore gums and "toofers" (teeth)?
you tickled me and made me scream with laughter?
you introduced me to my first cats?
you took me shopping and bought me my Polo outfit and drum?
you taught me how to roll over and crawl (still trying this, Tia!)?
And there's probably lots of other things that my Mommy can't remember!
Well, I will miss you. I know you'll always be there for me and loving me from wherever you are. I hope you come to visit me whenever you can and I'll be waiting with many, many kisses!
Oh, Tia, get on my Mommy to send you a video soon. I know you'll want to see me crawling and take credit! And those top teeth are going to pop out any day now!
Te amo, Tia Kiki!
Besos,
James "Handsome" Landon Tauer
Visit to Eagle's Nest - by guest blogger Dada
Today I took James along with grandma Laura and uncle Joe, to visit the Eagle's Nest indoor playpark in New Brighton. Lisa and I had been here before several times with James, but I think the last time was last winter - so there was a lot more James could do this time.
Closely guarding his bouncy ball.
We're way up high!
Joe and Grandma take a break.
James (surprisingly) went down this huge curly slide. I was looking for him at the top, and before I knew it, he magically appeared at the bottom!
As James would say, "We had a great day!" Grandma took us all out for lunch at Bunker's Grill afterwards. It was kind of weird because nobody was in the place, but it was quiet and we got a good lunch in before naptime. Now off to watch some playoff football!!
--Dada
--Dada
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