Simi's first day of first grade went well. He brought home an empty folder, a skinned knee and no homework.
The highlights of his day included making a new friend and playing freeze tag at recess.
So...there it is...
Showing posts with label Simi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Simi. Show all posts
Monday, July 14, 2008
First Grade
Today is Simi's first day of first grade.
It's been an auspicious start to the year. Simi is not in the classroom we anticipated and the school is completely unorganized this year. For example, we haven't received any word on bus routes/times, so we had no idea where to wait for the bus, the bus number, or what time to be at the stop. Teachers said that last minute changes occured to cause students to be moved around as late as last Thursday. It's just a mess.
Simi's Kindergarten teacher speaks very highly of his first grade teacher and she has certification in teaching academically gifted children. She and the assistant teacher seem very nice.
As I was driving Simi to school on his first day, I flashbacked to his first day of Kindergarten exactly one year ago. Simi seemed nervous today, but much less nervous than he did last year. Simi also didn't seem as excited about the experience as he did last year. Although I didn't cry this year, I certainly felt like I wanted to.
As we entered the classroom, the teacher very nicely introduced herself to Simi and told Simi to choose a seat wherever he wanted. Simi just stood there and froze. I helped him find a seat. Simi introduced himself to the other children in the class and I watched him get started in putting his name on his bookmark. He wasn't as engrossed in the activity as he was last year.
I passed by the computer lab on my way out the door and was quite impressed by the equipment. Shiny new-looking Apple computers awaited students use. Nice.
Interestingly, just a short while ago, a charter school where Simi was waitlisted contacted me. Simi has a spot at their school - to begin in two weeks - if he wants it. Sigh...
I can't wait to hear how his day went.
It's been an auspicious start to the year. Simi is not in the classroom we anticipated and the school is completely unorganized this year. For example, we haven't received any word on bus routes/times, so we had no idea where to wait for the bus, the bus number, or what time to be at the stop. Teachers said that last minute changes occured to cause students to be moved around as late as last Thursday. It's just a mess.
Simi's Kindergarten teacher speaks very highly of his first grade teacher and she has certification in teaching academically gifted children. She and the assistant teacher seem very nice.
As I was driving Simi to school on his first day, I flashbacked to his first day of Kindergarten exactly one year ago. Simi seemed nervous today, but much less nervous than he did last year. Simi also didn't seem as excited about the experience as he did last year. Although I didn't cry this year, I certainly felt like I wanted to.
As we entered the classroom, the teacher very nicely introduced herself to Simi and told Simi to choose a seat wherever he wanted. Simi just stood there and froze. I helped him find a seat. Simi introduced himself to the other children in the class and I watched him get started in putting his name on his bookmark. He wasn't as engrossed in the activity as he was last year.
I passed by the computer lab on my way out the door and was quite impressed by the equipment. Shiny new-looking Apple computers awaited students use. Nice.
Interestingly, just a short while ago, a charter school where Simi was waitlisted contacted me. Simi has a spot at their school - to begin in two weeks - if he wants it. Sigh...
I can't wait to hear how his day went.
Friday, June 06, 2008
The First Grader
Simi is - officially - no longer a kindergartner. Today was his last day in the kindergarten class. He officially joins the first grade class when he returns to school.
Simi ended the year reading at a level 30. I think that's a third grade level. The expectation is that children finish kindergarten reading at a level 4. Shucks, he STARTED the year reading at a level 14!
He has been doing first grade math all year. Simi's teacher tells us that during math time, Simi will always create math equations where he has to subtract. I think he's already mastered addition and likes the challenge that something new, like subtraction, brings.
To celebrate, Simi and Asher got to go play at Monkey Joe's. They had an absolute blast.
My baby is growing up WAY too fast. Pretty soon, he'll be moving off to college. Sob....
Simi ended the year reading at a level 30. I think that's a third grade level. The expectation is that children finish kindergarten reading at a level 4. Shucks, he STARTED the year reading at a level 14!
He has been doing first grade math all year. Simi's teacher tells us that during math time, Simi will always create math equations where he has to subtract. I think he's already mastered addition and likes the challenge that something new, like subtraction, brings.
To celebrate, Simi and Asher got to go play at Monkey Joe's. They had an absolute blast.
My baby is growing up WAY too fast. Pretty soon, he'll be moving off to college. Sob....
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Gymnastics Finale
Last night was "Last Class Blast" for Asher's gymnastics class. Simi's is yet to come. Each class performed a short skills show for the parents, then they were treated to a cook-out (except Asher), then they were given a full hour of open play on any of the supervised equipment.
Asher did GREAT in the skills show. He did a backwards somersault by himself - something he has never been able to do before. He also did a cartwheel by himself. During open gym, he walked on the balance beam - even walked quickly on the balance beam - by himself. He's never done that before. He jumped on the trampoline and brought his knees into his chest - 10 times in a row. And then he did it again and again. My jaw stayed on the floor in utter amazement.
Asher and Simi really enjoyed themselves during open gym. They sprinted about 50 feet before launching themselves into the foam pit. They climbed up 4 feet and took a running jump into the pit. While Simi's never been afraid, until yesterday Asher never just launched himself into the pit. He always jogged slowly up to it, stopped, then climbed in. Yesterday's display, on Asher's part, was completely out of character. And it completely surprised me coming from a kid who couldn't balance on his own two feet just days ago. What changed?
Simi was a sight of speed, strength, and grace last night. During his games of cat and mouse (the cat chases the mouse into the foam pit), he was never caught while he was the mouse and always caught the other child (even the much older ones) while he was the cat. I'd come to expect seeing this during his gymnastics class, but it surprised me to see him running faster than children much older than he. And when jumping into the pit, he flings himself MUCH farther than any of the children - even the ones much older than he. There were times when I had to climb into the pit to rescue Leila and I never realised the strength needed to climb out. Yet Simi makes it look effortless. I had visions of him exceling at long jump, pole vault, distance and sprints during high school track. Luckily for him, that's more than a decade away and I'll have likely forgotten that vision by then. I'm so incredibly grateful to Dr. Pigula and Children's Hospital Boston for fixing Simi's heart. I just can't believe how great he's doing.
Leila was a toddler full of frustration last night. She wanted to follow her brothers in their activities and let everyone know her disappointment when she was stopped. She would have run the 50 feet and flung herself into the foam pit if I let her. In fact, towards the end of the night after most of the children left, I did help her do that. She also would have independently flung herself into the foam pit from a four foot height. Kristin, Asher's teacher, helped her do that. The girl is fearless. If her brothers can do it, she insists on doing it too and won't take no for an answer. That's my girl.
Asher was so proud of the ribbon he earned in gymnastics yesterday (the one that EVERY child receives). He brought it into school today for show and tell.
All three children poured themselves into bed in sheer exhaustion last night. They woke up tired. And they can't wait until Simi's last class blast so that they can do it again.
Asher did GREAT in the skills show. He did a backwards somersault by himself - something he has never been able to do before. He also did a cartwheel by himself. During open gym, he walked on the balance beam - even walked quickly on the balance beam - by himself. He's never done that before. He jumped on the trampoline and brought his knees into his chest - 10 times in a row. And then he did it again and again. My jaw stayed on the floor in utter amazement.
Asher and Simi really enjoyed themselves during open gym. They sprinted about 50 feet before launching themselves into the foam pit. They climbed up 4 feet and took a running jump into the pit. While Simi's never been afraid, until yesterday Asher never just launched himself into the pit. He always jogged slowly up to it, stopped, then climbed in. Yesterday's display, on Asher's part, was completely out of character. And it completely surprised me coming from a kid who couldn't balance on his own two feet just days ago. What changed?
Simi was a sight of speed, strength, and grace last night. During his games of cat and mouse (the cat chases the mouse into the foam pit), he was never caught while he was the mouse and always caught the other child (even the much older ones) while he was the cat. I'd come to expect seeing this during his gymnastics class, but it surprised me to see him running faster than children much older than he. And when jumping into the pit, he flings himself MUCH farther than any of the children - even the ones much older than he. There were times when I had to climb into the pit to rescue Leila and I never realised the strength needed to climb out. Yet Simi makes it look effortless. I had visions of him exceling at long jump, pole vault, distance and sprints during high school track. Luckily for him, that's more than a decade away and I'll have likely forgotten that vision by then. I'm so incredibly grateful to Dr. Pigula and Children's Hospital Boston for fixing Simi's heart. I just can't believe how great he's doing.
Leila was a toddler full of frustration last night. She wanted to follow her brothers in their activities and let everyone know her disappointment when she was stopped. She would have run the 50 feet and flung herself into the foam pit if I let her. In fact, towards the end of the night after most of the children left, I did help her do that. She also would have independently flung herself into the foam pit from a four foot height. Kristin, Asher's teacher, helped her do that. The girl is fearless. If her brothers can do it, she insists on doing it too and won't take no for an answer. That's my girl.
Asher was so proud of the ribbon he earned in gymnastics yesterday (the one that EVERY child receives). He brought it into school today for show and tell.
All three children poured themselves into bed in sheer exhaustion last night. They woke up tired. And they can't wait until Simi's last class blast so that they can do it again.
Monday, May 19, 2008
A Visit to the DAN! Doctor
Last Monday, we took Asher to a DAN! doctor. A DAN! doctor is a doctor who specializes in biomedical treatments for autistic children. Asher does NOT have autism, but there are a lot of similarities between Asher's symptoms and symptoms of autistic children. For example, autistic children have a lot of allergies - food and environmental - very similar to Asher. DAN! doctors call it "Leaky Gut" and have methods to "heal the gut" which are very different from the methods doctors use who specialize in Eosinophilic Disorders. Autistic children also have poor balance and coordination. It seems to this untrained, uneducated mind that autistic children have a lot of the same symptoms as Asher, but that they have MORE. They also have the extreme neurological issues which Asher, thankfully, does not have.
Because there are A LOT more children with Autism than there are with EE, there is more research. Over the past few decades, families with autistic children, physicians with autistic children, and interested researchers have been coming together in conferences to confer about ways to heal children with autism and they've come up with some great protocols to test for different things and treat those issues. Children with autism are being helped now. But they're not being helped in the traditional pediatrician's office because pediatricians get their direction from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the AAP needs decades of stringent research (except for, interestingly, vaccine protocol) before they provide recommendations for treatment. Our goal in bringing Asher to a DAN! doctor was to do the analysis and subsequent treatments in the hopes of helping him heal.
We had already started Asher on some of the biomedical treatments. We introduced probiotics into his diet and "yeast killer" to bring his intestinal track into balance. I personally believe we have seen some positive benefit from the yeast killer. We also introduced vitamin supplements (multi-vitamin, zinc, co-enzyme Q10, carnitine and creatine), which has made tremendous difference in Asher's health.
On Monday, the DAN! doctor mentioned that the learning disability identified in January by the Early Intervention Program is usually a "connection issue" and usually an indication of a lack of essential fatty acids in the diet. Upon examining Asher's diet, it's absolutely true that Asher has NO essential fatty acids (EFA) in his diet. Your body can't make EFAs on its own; they must come from the diet. Thing is, EFAs come from fish, soy, and other things we can't possibly give him. What a conundrum.
The DAN! doctor also says that lack of balance and coordination are generally a sign of excess heavy metals in the body and suggests supplements to help the body expel the heavy metals naturally. This past Thursday, we introduced one of those supplements into Asher's diet. We chose the oral supplement DMG with Folinic Acid and B12.
Interestingly, shortly after Asher's futbol game on Saturday, he suffered an incredibly watery bout of diarrhea. Please pardon me if that's too much information. Us parents, especially us parents who have children with gastro-intestinal issues, are unusually preoccupied with our children's stools.
The questions are:
Because there are A LOT more children with Autism than there are with EE, there is more research. Over the past few decades, families with autistic children, physicians with autistic children, and interested researchers have been coming together in conferences to confer about ways to heal children with autism and they've come up with some great protocols to test for different things and treat those issues. Children with autism are being helped now. But they're not being helped in the traditional pediatrician's office because pediatricians get their direction from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the AAP needs decades of stringent research (except for, interestingly, vaccine protocol) before they provide recommendations for treatment. Our goal in bringing Asher to a DAN! doctor was to do the analysis and subsequent treatments in the hopes of helping him heal.
We had already started Asher on some of the biomedical treatments. We introduced probiotics into his diet and "yeast killer" to bring his intestinal track into balance. I personally believe we have seen some positive benefit from the yeast killer. We also introduced vitamin supplements (multi-vitamin, zinc, co-enzyme Q10, carnitine and creatine), which has made tremendous difference in Asher's health.
On Monday, the DAN! doctor mentioned that the learning disability identified in January by the Early Intervention Program is usually a "connection issue" and usually an indication of a lack of essential fatty acids in the diet. Upon examining Asher's diet, it's absolutely true that Asher has NO essential fatty acids (EFA) in his diet. Your body can't make EFAs on its own; they must come from the diet. Thing is, EFAs come from fish, soy, and other things we can't possibly give him. What a conundrum.
The DAN! doctor also says that lack of balance and coordination are generally a sign of excess heavy metals in the body and suggests supplements to help the body expel the heavy metals naturally. This past Thursday, we introduced one of those supplements into Asher's diet. We chose the oral supplement DMG with Folinic Acid and B12.
Interestingly, shortly after Asher's futbol game on Saturday, he suffered an incredibly watery bout of diarrhea. Please pardon me if that's too much information. Us parents, especially us parents who have children with gastro-intestinal issues, are unusually preoccupied with our children's stools.
The questions are:
- Does the watery stool have any connection with the lack of balance/coordination?
- Does it have any connection with the DMG supplement?
- Has the new supplement caused Asher to be super-clumsy?
- If so, does that mean that it's helping or hurting?
- How long do we give him the supplement?
- Is it heavy metals or is it something else?
- Are we looking in the wrong direction?
- Can the supplementation help?
- Is this the right supplementation?
- Is there something else we should be doing for Asher?
So, if you have the answers to these questions, please let me know. If not, join the club and stay tuned while we figure it out.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Soccer Finale
The Spring Soccer Season has come to an end. Yesterday, Simi and Asher played in their final game. They each received a really cool medal, which has a flame coming from a soccer ball. Too cool.
Simi did absolutely fantastic in his game yesterday. It was sheer beauty watching him navigate his way up and down the field with the ball, passing the ball to his teammates, and scoring goals. I know I'm biased, but it certainly seems like he has a lot of talent on the soccer field.
Asher was the complete opposite. In Thursday's soccer practice, he did FANTASTIC - better than he has all season. He raced up and down the field and kicked the ball and even passed to his teammates. Yesterday was different. Before the game even began yesterday, he said to me that he wanted to play goalie. Asher couldn't play goalie because the four year-old division doesn't play with goalies - they have four or five children on the field - with small fields - and they don't keep score. Truthfully, at that age, if a child kicks the ball into ANY goal, all the parents cheer. It doesn't have to be the right goal. I told Asher to play like he played on Thursday and marched him off onto the field.
Asher tried to play hard. He played as hard as he could. Something got in his way. He was completely unbalanced and uncoordinated in a way I hadn't seen him in several months. He could barely run in a straight line and any light tap from a teammate sent him sprawling onto the ground. In fact, the playing field became downright dangerous for him because other children fell on top of him or kicked his head accidentally when he fell down. He has a great big lump on one side of his head from one of these occasions. Asher knew before he started that he was feeling uncoordinated.
He wasn't just off-balance at soccer. While playing catch with him in the afternoon, his throws were super-wild and he couldn't catch the ball - the same ball he caught with ease just last week. He also couldn't hit the wiffle ball while playing baseball in the backyard yesterday afternoon - something he could also do with relative ease over the past few months. Not to mention, it's just not "normal" for a four year-old who exercises as hard as Asher does five times a week to be as uncoordinated as a two year-old. Something got in his way yesterday.
My question is, what caused him to be so incredibly amazingly off balance yesterday?
I have asked this question to both his pediatrician and the Occupational Therapist and Physical Therapist at different times over the past six months and they said, "he lacks the muscle tone". But that doesn't add up. He had plenty of muscle tone when he walloped the ball at age 2 on Simi's t-ball team. He had plenty of coordination just last week - and the week before - while playing soccer and playing catch. What happened yesterday?
I'm going to continue this post tomorrow, since it's already very long. To be continued...
Simi did absolutely fantastic in his game yesterday. It was sheer beauty watching him navigate his way up and down the field with the ball, passing the ball to his teammates, and scoring goals. I know I'm biased, but it certainly seems like he has a lot of talent on the soccer field.
Asher was the complete opposite. In Thursday's soccer practice, he did FANTASTIC - better than he has all season. He raced up and down the field and kicked the ball and even passed to his teammates. Yesterday was different. Before the game even began yesterday, he said to me that he wanted to play goalie. Asher couldn't play goalie because the four year-old division doesn't play with goalies - they have four or five children on the field - with small fields - and they don't keep score. Truthfully, at that age, if a child kicks the ball into ANY goal, all the parents cheer. It doesn't have to be the right goal. I told Asher to play like he played on Thursday and marched him off onto the field.
Asher tried to play hard. He played as hard as he could. Something got in his way. He was completely unbalanced and uncoordinated in a way I hadn't seen him in several months. He could barely run in a straight line and any light tap from a teammate sent him sprawling onto the ground. In fact, the playing field became downright dangerous for him because other children fell on top of him or kicked his head accidentally when he fell down. He has a great big lump on one side of his head from one of these occasions. Asher knew before he started that he was feeling uncoordinated.
He wasn't just off-balance at soccer. While playing catch with him in the afternoon, his throws were super-wild and he couldn't catch the ball - the same ball he caught with ease just last week. He also couldn't hit the wiffle ball while playing baseball in the backyard yesterday afternoon - something he could also do with relative ease over the past few months. Not to mention, it's just not "normal" for a four year-old who exercises as hard as Asher does five times a week to be as uncoordinated as a two year-old. Something got in his way yesterday.
My question is, what caused him to be so incredibly amazingly off balance yesterday?
I have asked this question to both his pediatrician and the Occupational Therapist and Physical Therapist at different times over the past six months and they said, "he lacks the muscle tone". But that doesn't add up. He had plenty of muscle tone when he walloped the ball at age 2 on Simi's t-ball team. He had plenty of coordination just last week - and the week before - while playing soccer and playing catch. What happened yesterday?
I'm going to continue this post tomorrow, since it's already very long. To be continued...
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Two Sides of a Coin
Simi and Asher had their first soccer games this past Saturday. They were both so incredibly excited about it. They had talked about it for days! Saturday finally arrives. When the day begins, it's roughly 60-70 degrees outside and sunny. Simi's game begins at 9 AM. I tell him to dress in shorts and a t-shirt and off he goes with Raj to the field.
As the rest of us are getting ready for Asher's 10:15 AM game, Raj telephones. It's freezing outside. Cold and very windy. Better dress more warmly.
OK, so off we go. We get in the car and drive to the fields. As we start out, drizzle begins to fall. Not a good beginning. As we get closer to the fields, the rain gets harder. By the time we get to the fields, it's a good soaking downpour. I look at the temperature gauge on the car (which is surprisingly reliable); it reads 40 degrees. Cold. Rain. Simi's playing in this weather. Asher, who is newly recovering from his latest asthma/allergy attack, is scheduled to play. Right.
As I tell Asher that he can't play in this weather, he begins to cry. He's so disappointed. He wants to play soccer so badly. I know how badly he wants to play. I'm dissappointed for him. I feel so terrible that for a moment I almost let him out of the car to go play.
The other part of me is thrilled. It's raining. That means the pollen - the thing that's causing Asher to be unable to breathe - is being washed away. It means relief from the asthma attacks. It means more energy for the Asher-boy. So what if he can't play soccer; he'll be able to breathe. We'll find some fun thing to do indoors.
Two sides of a coin. You just can't lose. Or win.
Simi, by the way, did great in his game. He absolutely loved it.
As the rest of us are getting ready for Asher's 10:15 AM game, Raj telephones. It's freezing outside. Cold and very windy. Better dress more warmly.
OK, so off we go. We get in the car and drive to the fields. As we start out, drizzle begins to fall. Not a good beginning. As we get closer to the fields, the rain gets harder. By the time we get to the fields, it's a good soaking downpour. I look at the temperature gauge on the car (which is surprisingly reliable); it reads 40 degrees. Cold. Rain. Simi's playing in this weather. Asher, who is newly recovering from his latest asthma/allergy attack, is scheduled to play. Right.
As I tell Asher that he can't play in this weather, he begins to cry. He's so disappointed. He wants to play soccer so badly. I know how badly he wants to play. I'm dissappointed for him. I feel so terrible that for a moment I almost let him out of the car to go play.
The other part of me is thrilled. It's raining. That means the pollen - the thing that's causing Asher to be unable to breathe - is being washed away. It means relief from the asthma attacks. It means more energy for the Asher-boy. So what if he can't play soccer; he'll be able to breathe. We'll find some fun thing to do indoors.
Two sides of a coin. You just can't lose. Or win.
Simi, by the way, did great in his game. He absolutely loved it.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
The Tooth Fairy
Simi's loose tooth fell out! It happened at night while we were all sleeping. I learned about it at 5 AM, when I went to check on Asher and Simi woke up to check under his pillow to see what the Tooth Fairy left him. He was VERY disappointed that the Tooth Fairy hadn't shown up yet.
A few weeks ago, Simi had read a book on Sacajawea, the Indian woman who led Lewis and Clark on much of their expedition. Her image (and that of the baby she carried on her back) was imprinted on a gold dollar coin in the year 2000. Somehow, a long time ago, Raj managed to get one of these coins. He also managed to keep track of it all these years. So, when Simi told me about his lost tooth at 5 AM, I woke up Raj and asked for the gold coin.
After the 5 AM check-in, Simi fell back to sleep. Asher was wide awake. He called me in to fix the bed sheet that hangs off the bunk bed between the bed and the closet. That sheet keeps the monsters (who lurk in the closet) from reaching his bed in the middle of the night. With Simi snoring away, I fixed the sheet and tucked the gold coin under Simi's pillow. Perfect.
So there we were, at 6 AM (It's true, NOBODY sleeps at our house!), when Simi woke up, found the gold coin and starting shouting with glee! He was absolutely thrilled that the tooth fairy had left him such a great treasure!
Asher, who was awake when the tooth fairy visited, told us all that. And he said he SAW the tooth fairy. She looked just like a sprite in the Spiderwick Chronicles, with wings that fluttered quickly.
I wonder where we can get more gold coins.
A few weeks ago, Simi had read a book on Sacajawea, the Indian woman who led Lewis and Clark on much of their expedition. Her image (and that of the baby she carried on her back) was imprinted on a gold dollar coin in the year 2000. Somehow, a long time ago, Raj managed to get one of these coins. He also managed to keep track of it all these years. So, when Simi told me about his lost tooth at 5 AM, I woke up Raj and asked for the gold coin.
After the 5 AM check-in, Simi fell back to sleep. Asher was wide awake. He called me in to fix the bed sheet that hangs off the bunk bed between the bed and the closet. That sheet keeps the monsters (who lurk in the closet) from reaching his bed in the middle of the night. With Simi snoring away, I fixed the sheet and tucked the gold coin under Simi's pillow. Perfect.
So there we were, at 6 AM (It's true, NOBODY sleeps at our house!), when Simi woke up, found the gold coin and starting shouting with glee! He was absolutely thrilled that the tooth fairy had left him such a great treasure!
Asher, who was awake when the tooth fairy visited, told us all that. And he said he SAW the tooth fairy. She looked just like a sprite in the Spiderwick Chronicles, with wings that fluttered quickly.
I wonder where we can get more gold coins.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Loose Tooth
One of Simi's best friends is a girl named Christian. Simi and Christian have known each other since they were three months old. Every chance they get to be together, they're inseparable.
Simi has another best friend named Alex. Whenever Simi and Alex see each other, they run and play and play and play.
Simi also has a lot of friends at his new school.
Christian and Alex - and many of Simi's friends at his new school - have something in common. They have all lost a tooth. They are at that age when their permanent teeth come in.
At school, they make a big deal when a child loses their tooth. The teacher writes their name on the "lost tooth" chart and the child stands in front of the class and shows the class what the tooth fairy has brought them.
Thing is, Simi hasn't yet lost a tooth.
Since the beginning of the school year, Simi has been hoping and begging for a loose tooth. He very much wants to join the "loose tooth" club. He asks quite frequently when he's going to lose a tooth. Every once in awhile, he states that he thinks his tooth is loose, and he points to one of his big molars in the back or some other very stable tooth. And he looks heart-broken each time I tell him that the tooth isn't coming out - just yet.
Until tonight.
Simi runs downstairs after his bath with a great big smile on his face. He thinks one of his teeth are loose! Sure enough, he's right! It's the front tooth on the bottom. Simi is losing his first tooth! He's so excited, he's jumping up and down for joy.
My heart is melting as I watch my baby reach this Very Important Milestone. Slow down, Simi. Don't grow up too fast. Stay my baby for just a little while longer. Please....
I can't wait to see what the Tooth Fairy brings him.
Simi has another best friend named Alex. Whenever Simi and Alex see each other, they run and play and play and play.
Simi also has a lot of friends at his new school.
Christian and Alex - and many of Simi's friends at his new school - have something in common. They have all lost a tooth. They are at that age when their permanent teeth come in.
At school, they make a big deal when a child loses their tooth. The teacher writes their name on the "lost tooth" chart and the child stands in front of the class and shows the class what the tooth fairy has brought them.
Thing is, Simi hasn't yet lost a tooth.
Since the beginning of the school year, Simi has been hoping and begging for a loose tooth. He very much wants to join the "loose tooth" club. He asks quite frequently when he's going to lose a tooth. Every once in awhile, he states that he thinks his tooth is loose, and he points to one of his big molars in the back or some other very stable tooth. And he looks heart-broken each time I tell him that the tooth isn't coming out - just yet.
Until tonight.
Simi runs downstairs after his bath with a great big smile on his face. He thinks one of his teeth are loose! Sure enough, he's right! It's the front tooth on the bottom. Simi is losing his first tooth! He's so excited, he's jumping up and down for joy.
My heart is melting as I watch my baby reach this Very Important Milestone. Slow down, Simi. Don't grow up too fast. Stay my baby for just a little while longer. Please....
I can't wait to see what the Tooth Fairy brings him.
Saturday, March 08, 2008
Epoca de Futbol
Spring time means that it's soccer season here in North Carolina. Which makes me wonder...why in the world is it called "soccer"? I mean, what does that word mean? It's called "football" (or futbol in Spanish) everywhere else in the world, so why not call it that? We can differentiate it between "North American football" - that sport that's played using some weird oblong ball and by hitting your opponents as hard as possible - by using exactly those words.
It's been a long time since the boys played futbol and they're really enjoying it. Gotta love a healthy activity...
It's been a long time since the boys played futbol and they're really enjoying it. Gotta love a healthy activity...
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Simi's Kindergarten Presentation
At Simi's school, each year, each grade level has a presentation for the other students and parents in the auditorium. The Kindergarteners sing songs and each child takes a turn to say one sentence in the microphone.
Simi's presentation was today. It is absolutely adorable. All the children wore the same thing: blue jeans and the same t-shirt. They wore bandannas around their neck and some children wore straw hats. The theme was: "A Day At The Farm". They sang songs like "Old McDonald".
Simi's growing up too fast. When he's with his friends, he doesn't want to pay attention to me. He's only six years old and he's already too busy with his friends. It breaks my heart. Soon, he'll be going off to college and moving away (to an Ivy League school, of course, on full scholarship). Thankfully, I still have Asher and Leila who don't mind hugging me and having me hold them and love on them still.
Simi's presentation was today. It is absolutely adorable. All the children wore the same thing: blue jeans and the same t-shirt. They wore bandannas around their neck and some children wore straw hats. The theme was: "A Day At The Farm". They sang songs like "Old McDonald".
Simi's growing up too fast. When he's with his friends, he doesn't want to pay attention to me. He's only six years old and he's already too busy with his friends. It breaks my heart. Soon, he'll be going off to college and moving away (to an Ivy League school, of course, on full scholarship). Thankfully, I still have Asher and Leila who don't mind hugging me and having me hold them and love on them still.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Jump Rope For Heart
Yesterday, Simi and I jumped some rope to benefit the American Heart Association. It was quite the fun event! Sponsors, thank you VERY much for your support. Together, we raised $100 to benefit the American Heart Association.
The event was done during Simi's gym class. The gym teacher had five stations set up within the gym. The stations were: traditional jump rope, hippity hops, individual trampolines, hop scotch pads, and "new-fangled" jump ropes. The children did the activity in each station for five minutes while the teacher played some fun music. The music stopped, then the children stopped, returned the item to its proper location, then did some gross motor skill (skip, roll, crab crawl, etc.) over to the next station. The music played and off they went. In this particular classroom, about five mums showed up to participate (me included) and all of us children and mums got our heart rates up for the half hour class. It was really fun!
The event was done during Simi's gym class. The gym teacher had five stations set up within the gym. The stations were: traditional jump rope, hippity hops, individual trampolines, hop scotch pads, and "new-fangled" jump ropes. The children did the activity in each station for five minutes while the teacher played some fun music. The music stopped, then the children stopped, returned the item to its proper location, then did some gross motor skill (skip, roll, crab crawl, etc.) over to the next station. The music played and off they went. In this particular classroom, about five mums showed up to participate (me included) and all of us children and mums got our heart rates up for the half hour class. It was really fun!
Sunday, February 03, 2008
Jump Rope For Heart
In honor of Heart day/week/month, Simi's school is raising money for the American Heart Association. On February 15th, during gym class, Simi and his classmates will be jumping rope. And since parents are encouraged to jump rope with the children, I'll be joining Simi in jumping rope during his gym time. I can't wait!
Since it's a fund-raiser, we have to raise money. Would you like to donate to a worthy charity (the American Heart Association) and support Simi in his jump-roping efforts? If so, you can do it online by clicking here.
Update: 4 PM: At the link above, go to "Sponsor a Student" and type in Simi's first and last names in the box.
Since it's a fund-raiser, we have to raise money. Would you like to donate to a worthy charity (the American Heart Association) and support Simi in his jump-roping efforts? If so, you can do it online by clicking here.
Update: 4 PM: At the link above, go to "Sponsor a Student" and type in Simi's first and last names in the box.
Monday, December 31, 2007
The Bad Haircut
Simi just got the worst haircut on the planet.
Simi and Asher have been in need of a hair cut for a while now. With all the extra stuff going on during the holidays, I haven't had a chance to make an appointment where I normally take them. Simi's hair is so long, it was in his eyes. So, a few days ago, while Simi and I were out running errands, we found ourselves near one of those "no appointment needed", "walk in and get your hair cut for cheap" places.
"Simi", I said, "Would you like to get your hair cut while we're here?",
"No" Simi replied. "I like it just the way it is."
"Come on, let's get your hair cut. You need it." Into the store we went.
The stylist asked how we wanted it cut. "A trim", I said. "Just keep the same shape but make it a bit shorter." To my horror, she got out the buzz cutter and started shaving Simi's head. As I was watching the "hair stylist" do her thing, I was reminded of all those horrible haircuts I got as a child. I'd ask the hair stylist for a trim and I'd walk out with the shortest hair imaginable. I remember crying and crying and crying after each terrible hair cut. And here I was, inflicting the same sort of punishment on my own child. I cringed with each stroke of her hand.
As I was watching, I kept thinking that perhaps it wouldn't look so bad, that the change in hair styles might be a refreshing one. Wishful thinking, perhaps, but it wasn't meant to be. It really and truly is a crappy haircut. Deep, deep sigh.
I'm pretty sure we won't be going back there.
At least Asher escaped the trauma. I'll make sure to take Asher to our regular hair stylist.
Simi and Asher have been in need of a hair cut for a while now. With all the extra stuff going on during the holidays, I haven't had a chance to make an appointment where I normally take them. Simi's hair is so long, it was in his eyes. So, a few days ago, while Simi and I were out running errands, we found ourselves near one of those "no appointment needed", "walk in and get your hair cut for cheap" places.
"Simi", I said, "Would you like to get your hair cut while we're here?",
"No" Simi replied. "I like it just the way it is."
"Come on, let's get your hair cut. You need it." Into the store we went.
The stylist asked how we wanted it cut. "A trim", I said. "Just keep the same shape but make it a bit shorter." To my horror, she got out the buzz cutter and started shaving Simi's head. As I was watching the "hair stylist" do her thing, I was reminded of all those horrible haircuts I got as a child. I'd ask the hair stylist for a trim and I'd walk out with the shortest hair imaginable. I remember crying and crying and crying after each terrible hair cut. And here I was, inflicting the same sort of punishment on my own child. I cringed with each stroke of her hand.
As I was watching, I kept thinking that perhaps it wouldn't look so bad, that the change in hair styles might be a refreshing one. Wishful thinking, perhaps, but it wasn't meant to be. It really and truly is a crappy haircut. Deep, deep sigh.
I'm pretty sure we won't be going back there.
At least Asher escaped the trauma. I'll make sure to take Asher to our regular hair stylist.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
The Little Chef
Asher loves to cook. Not surprisingly, he identifies with Remy, the chef rat, in the movie Ratatouille. He walks around saying, "I'm the little chef. You can call me Remy." To which we sometimes reply, "OK, Remy, go make a pee-pee on the potty before you go off to bed."
Since Asher loves to cook so much, we decided to make some allergen-free cookies and bring them to the local Ronald-McDonald house. There may be some children there who have food allergies and may appreciate having cookies made for them.
So, off we went to make cookies. Asher and Simi both participated. Raj created the recipe. I still can't believe that Raj figured out this simple yet delicious recipe. Rice is the main ingredient: rice flour, rice milk (cooked rice processed and filtered), sugar, potato starch, canola oil, and water. Oh, and a bit of Featherweight (corn-free, aluminum-free) baking powder. Mix it together, drop bits of dough on a baking sheet, stick it in the oven for 18 minutes or so and ...voila, you have some delicious Asher-safe cookies. I sincerely mean it that these cookies are quite delicious!
Once the cookies were made, we put them on a paper plate, covered them with plastic wrap, and went to deliver them to the sick children. Asher was a little sad that we couldn't keep them, but was very excited at the idea of giving them to children who need them more than he does. So, then, off we went.
We didn't get to meet any of the children who were staying at the RMH, but we were still very happy at the idea that they may enjoy the cookies. And we can't wait to do it again sometime soon.
Since Asher loves to cook so much, we decided to make some allergen-free cookies and bring them to the local Ronald-McDonald house. There may be some children there who have food allergies and may appreciate having cookies made for them.
So, off we went to make cookies. Asher and Simi both participated. Raj created the recipe. I still can't believe that Raj figured out this simple yet delicious recipe. Rice is the main ingredient: rice flour, rice milk (cooked rice processed and filtered), sugar, potato starch, canola oil, and water. Oh, and a bit of Featherweight (corn-free, aluminum-free) baking powder. Mix it together, drop bits of dough on a baking sheet, stick it in the oven for 18 minutes or so and ...voila, you have some delicious Asher-safe cookies. I sincerely mean it that these cookies are quite delicious!
Once the cookies were made, we put them on a paper plate, covered them with plastic wrap, and went to deliver them to the sick children. Asher was a little sad that we couldn't keep them, but was very excited at the idea of giving them to children who need them more than he does. So, then, off we went.
We didn't get to meet any of the children who were staying at the RMH, but we were still very happy at the idea that they may enjoy the cookies. And we can't wait to do it again sometime soon.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Bravo Simi!
Simi participated in his first violin recital. He did GREAT! I'm so proud of him on how well he did and how much he practiced for his special day.
Most of the students of this violin teacher participated in the recital. It was really neat watching everyone perform at their particular level of skill. And watching the violin teacher interact with each student was also very heartwarming. She's very good with the children.
Asher's so excited; he really wants to play violin. So after the recital, he and Raj went to the violin store to be measured for his own violin (Simi's violin is too big for Asher). So now that he knows what size he is, he knows what to request of Santa (wink).
Most of the students of this violin teacher participated in the recital. It was really neat watching everyone perform at their particular level of skill. And watching the violin teacher interact with each student was also very heartwarming. She's very good with the children.
Asher's so excited; he really wants to play violin. So after the recital, he and Raj went to the violin store to be measured for his own violin (Simi's violin is too big for Asher). So now that he knows what size he is, he knows what to request of Santa (wink).
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
More Simi Update
Simi has also begun violin lessons and is preparing for his first violin recital. It will take place this week-end. How exciting!
Monday, December 10, 2007
Simi Update
Simi is in a K/1 combination class, where 9 of the children in the class are in kindergarten and the remaining 10 are in first grade. This is an ideal classroom for Simi and I was thrilled at the thought that he would be in this room for two years - through both kindergarten and first grade.
From day one, Simi has been working with the first graders. So it was no surprise when he brought home his first report card and it showed he was working above grade level in every item. The lowest "grade" he received was a "satisfactory" in music and art classes. I can't remember what he got in Physical Education (gym class); perhaps he got a satisfactory in that too.
About a month ago, I had my first parent-teacher conference with Simi's teacher. Ms. Teacher and I sat down and she began to describe how she tested Simi in his reading and math skills. Her description of the evaluation seemed very logical and thorough and fair. Turns out that Simi is reading on a mid-second grade level (level 24?). He has surpassed all the books in the room, so she had to go to the 2nd grade classes to get some books for him to read. So now, for homework, the kid brings home a 2nd grade level book, along with corresponding questions to answer and reports to write. Right now, my kindergartener is reading about Abraham Lincoln.
Next, Ms. Teacher dropped the bomb: if Simi were to stay in her room next year, it would be a complete review for him. He would be bored and may become a behavioural problem in the classroom. She recommends that he go into a different first grade classroom - of this one particular teacher who takes a project-oriented approach. The school year is divided into quarters. In one quarter, for example, they will look at chicken eggs and watch them hatch and grow. Then everything they do revolves around that project. They'll do reading about chickens and eggs, math about the number of chickens, eggs, etc. And so on. And they do it on their own level.
I asked Ms. Teacher about having him tested so that perhaps he could just go straight into second grade; she didn't recommend that. Simi is slightly built, skinnier than a toothpick, and cries at the slightest thing. She said that as children get older, they get meaner and it would be better emotionally and socially if Simi were to stay in first grade next year.
So, I'm a bit nervous about all of this. I don't like the idea of him "repeating" first grade, particularly since he is already working on a second grade level. I can only imagine how boring it would be for him. On the other hand, staying with his age group is a good thing. Is it possible they could challenge him enough to stay engaged in school?
Then, on Friday, I took him to his first gym class. I signed him up for the Kindergartener class because, well, he's a kindergartener. The next level up is the first-6th grade boy level. After the class, the teacher comes up to me and tells me that he's already ready for the next level. Sigh....
So...if you have any suggestions on what to do for this kid for next year, please let us know.
From day one, Simi has been working with the first graders. So it was no surprise when he brought home his first report card and it showed he was working above grade level in every item. The lowest "grade" he received was a "satisfactory" in music and art classes. I can't remember what he got in Physical Education (gym class); perhaps he got a satisfactory in that too.
About a month ago, I had my first parent-teacher conference with Simi's teacher. Ms. Teacher and I sat down and she began to describe how she tested Simi in his reading and math skills. Her description of the evaluation seemed very logical and thorough and fair. Turns out that Simi is reading on a mid-second grade level (level 24?). He has surpassed all the books in the room, so she had to go to the 2nd grade classes to get some books for him to read. So now, for homework, the kid brings home a 2nd grade level book, along with corresponding questions to answer and reports to write. Right now, my kindergartener is reading about Abraham Lincoln.
Next, Ms. Teacher dropped the bomb: if Simi were to stay in her room next year, it would be a complete review for him. He would be bored and may become a behavioural problem in the classroom. She recommends that he go into a different first grade classroom - of this one particular teacher who takes a project-oriented approach. The school year is divided into quarters. In one quarter, for example, they will look at chicken eggs and watch them hatch and grow. Then everything they do revolves around that project. They'll do reading about chickens and eggs, math about the number of chickens, eggs, etc. And so on. And they do it on their own level.
I asked Ms. Teacher about having him tested so that perhaps he could just go straight into second grade; she didn't recommend that. Simi is slightly built, skinnier than a toothpick, and cries at the slightest thing. She said that as children get older, they get meaner and it would be better emotionally and socially if Simi were to stay in first grade next year.
So, I'm a bit nervous about all of this. I don't like the idea of him "repeating" first grade, particularly since he is already working on a second grade level. I can only imagine how boring it would be for him. On the other hand, staying with his age group is a good thing. Is it possible they could challenge him enough to stay engaged in school?
Then, on Friday, I took him to his first gym class. I signed him up for the Kindergartener class because, well, he's a kindergartener. The next level up is the first-6th grade boy level. After the class, the teacher comes up to me and tells me that he's already ready for the next level. Sigh....
So...if you have any suggestions on what to do for this kid for next year, please let us know.
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Simi Update
Simi just completed his first quarter of school. Now he has three weeks of vacation. How cool is that?
Simi is absolutely loving school. He's doing incredibly well. He has math twice a day, which he loves. He also does a lot of reading, writing, and listening comprehension. Every day they have a different special: either gym, art, music, computer, or one other thing which I forget right now. He loves it all.
His reading is amazing. He's reading very fluidly right now. He's on level 16 of books, if that means anything to anyone. He is also working on his writing and doing first grade math. I'm so incredibly grateful that he's in the K/1 combination class and can do the math with the first graders. He is just absolutely loving it.
Simi also just started violin lessons. We just got Simi a little Suzuki violin - it's teeny tiny! Both boys continue to take swim lessons on Saturday mornings.
So now Simi is on vacation for three weeks. We enrolled him in one camp this week and a different one next week - just to see which (or both) he likes the best. There are lots of camp options, so we'll try a bunch and see which he likes the best. I've checked out these camps and they look like a lot of fun. In fact, I'd like to participate!
And that's our latest Simi update.
Simi is absolutely loving school. He's doing incredibly well. He has math twice a day, which he loves. He also does a lot of reading, writing, and listening comprehension. Every day they have a different special: either gym, art, music, computer, or one other thing which I forget right now. He loves it all.
His reading is amazing. He's reading very fluidly right now. He's on level 16 of books, if that means anything to anyone. He is also working on his writing and doing first grade math. I'm so incredibly grateful that he's in the K/1 combination class and can do the math with the first graders. He is just absolutely loving it.
Simi also just started violin lessons. We just got Simi a little Suzuki violin - it's teeny tiny! Both boys continue to take swim lessons on Saturday mornings.
So now Simi is on vacation for three weeks. We enrolled him in one camp this week and a different one next week - just to see which (or both) he likes the best. There are lots of camp options, so we'll try a bunch and see which he likes the best. I've checked out these camps and they look like a lot of fun. In fact, I'd like to participate!
And that's our latest Simi update.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
School of Choice
When I was a child, there was no doubt which school I was going to attend. I went to the public school which was located closest to my house. End of discussion.
Here in North Carolina, we have choices. There is the base school option, which is the school closest to one's house which operates on the traditional calendar year (September to June). Then there are the year-round schools. Those schools have sessions which last for nine weeks, then everyone gets a three week break. Next are the magnet schools. Those are generally schools in "low performing" areas. The magnet schools are generally renovated VERY nicely and pumped full of resources and given a theme to entice folks to send their children to that school. For example, here in Durham, we have a gifted and talented magnet school, an arts and humanities magnet school, one for languages, and several more which I can't think of right now. And then there are the charter schools. They are free for all residents of North Carolina but operate like a private school. And, of course, there are private schools, but students' families have to pay for those.
So last year was the start of the search for the proper elementary school for our children in preparation for Simi's transition to Kindergarten. After a lot of research and attending each school's open house sessions, I narrowed down the choices to five and applied to those. Simi was accepted to the second choice school and wait listed for the first choice school.
As you know, he started the year at the second choice school. It's an excellent school and we all love his teachers, his fellow students, and are very satisfied with the education he's getting there.
And then we get the call from the first choice school: we have a spot there if we're interested. Of course, we have to let them know in 24 hours otherwise they will offer the spot to the next child on the list.
Raj and I went to visit the school. It's absolutely a phenomenal school. It has Spanish instruction, amazing art program, excellent music program, a Montessori approach to learning, and very close to our offices. One of his best friends from pre-school is also in Kindergarten there. Plus, it goes through middle school. Most of the children there are learning two or three grade levels above their age. But, we like where he's at too. So...which do we choose?
This decision is one which will affect all three of our children's elementary and middle school education. It's one which will influence their education, friends and environment for nine years of their lives. It doesn't get more important that this.
Durham public schools generally have a bad reputation. Can it be possible that we would choose a Durham public school over one of the most coveted public schools in the area?
It was an agonizing decision, but we chose to keep Simi at the school he is currently in. While we'll never know the impact of the decision, I just hope we made the right choice.
Here in North Carolina, we have choices. There is the base school option, which is the school closest to one's house which operates on the traditional calendar year (September to June). Then there are the year-round schools. Those schools have sessions which last for nine weeks, then everyone gets a three week break. Next are the magnet schools. Those are generally schools in "low performing" areas. The magnet schools are generally renovated VERY nicely and pumped full of resources and given a theme to entice folks to send their children to that school. For example, here in Durham, we have a gifted and talented magnet school, an arts and humanities magnet school, one for languages, and several more which I can't think of right now. And then there are the charter schools. They are free for all residents of North Carolina but operate like a private school. And, of course, there are private schools, but students' families have to pay for those.
So last year was the start of the search for the proper elementary school for our children in preparation for Simi's transition to Kindergarten. After a lot of research and attending each school's open house sessions, I narrowed down the choices to five and applied to those. Simi was accepted to the second choice school and wait listed for the first choice school.
As you know, he started the year at the second choice school. It's an excellent school and we all love his teachers, his fellow students, and are very satisfied with the education he's getting there.
And then we get the call from the first choice school: we have a spot there if we're interested. Of course, we have to let them know in 24 hours otherwise they will offer the spot to the next child on the list.
Raj and I went to visit the school. It's absolutely a phenomenal school. It has Spanish instruction, amazing art program, excellent music program, a Montessori approach to learning, and very close to our offices. One of his best friends from pre-school is also in Kindergarten there. Plus, it goes through middle school. Most of the children there are learning two or three grade levels above their age. But, we like where he's at too. So...which do we choose?
This decision is one which will affect all three of our children's elementary and middle school education. It's one which will influence their education, friends and environment for nine years of their lives. It doesn't get more important that this.
Durham public schools generally have a bad reputation. Can it be possible that we would choose a Durham public school over one of the most coveted public schools in the area?
It was an agonizing decision, but we chose to keep Simi at the school he is currently in. While we'll never know the impact of the decision, I just hope we made the right choice.
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