Tuesday, September 22, 2009
I just have to brag!
Yesterday, Rusty met with Caitlin's Kindergarten teacher for our first parent/teacher conference. Caitlin is doing well now in her class. I think she has the discipline part down better. She doesn't always get green but she does most of the time and she hasn't had a black or brown since that first week. But the part I have to brag on is something the teacher told Rusty. She gave all of the kids a test to test their reading skills and Caitlin got the highest score in the class. Not that she can read - I guess she's just getting close. So that is exciting!
Friday, September 18, 2009
Destin, Florida
A friend was getting married in Florida and I was SO happy to get to do the pictures!! Rusty and I took Caitlin and we got to have a little vacation too.
Caitlin playing her Nintendo DS on the way down.
This was our view from our condo. Could anything be better than an ocean facing balcony?
We got there around 4 and Caitlin could NOT wait to see the beach. So we went for a little walk just to play in the sand. Then she put her feet in. She just kept inching her way and by the time we left, she was soaking wet in her clothes. But she had fun!!
Marisa came with us to help out with Caitlin while we did wedding stuff. Caitlin LOVED having her there!!
Rusty playing in the sand.
Marisa buried Caitlin in the sand and made her a mermaid.
Caitlin playing her Nintendo DS on the way down.
This was our view from our condo. Could anything be better than an ocean facing balcony?
We got there around 4 and Caitlin could NOT wait to see the beach. So we went for a little walk just to play in the sand. Then she put her feet in. She just kept inching her way and by the time we left, she was soaking wet in her clothes. But she had fun!!
Marisa came with us to help out with Caitlin while we did wedding stuff. Caitlin LOVED having her there!!
Rusty playing in the sand.
Marisa buried Caitlin in the sand and made her a mermaid.
Some family pictures were LONG overdue. The last picture of us was when Caitlin was 2.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Baby Room is Almost Done
As soon as we found out we were having a girl, I started looking for bedding. I just knew we were having a boy and already had the room all planned out, so I had to start over. I finally found this ABC Toile bedding from Pottery Barn. How can you not love Pottery Barn? So with almost everything completed in the room, I decided to take some pictures this morning.
We got "new to us" furniture. I found this set on Craigslist for $300. I thought it was a steal and I just love it. We got the crib, changing table and armoire.
Under the bed are 3 dark wicker storage baskets from Target.
Inside the armoire are books and movies, a small TV and VCR/DVD player.
I got the storage baskets from Target. On the closet's top shelf, I have the matching square boxes - 2 pink and 2 brown.
I got this bassinet from Penney's for the first few months. That way we can just roll the baby to where ever we are.
I LOVE the gloder rocker I found at Walmart. It is a PERFECT size for me and is so comfortable. I know it will come in handy in the middle of the night.
We got "new to us" furniture. I found this set on Craigslist for $300. I thought it was a steal and I just love it. We got the crib, changing table and armoire.
Under the bed are 3 dark wicker storage baskets from Target.
Inside the armoire are books and movies, a small TV and VCR/DVD player.
I got the storage baskets from Target. On the closet's top shelf, I have the matching square boxes - 2 pink and 2 brown.
I got this bassinet from Penney's for the first few months. That way we can just roll the baby to where ever we are.
I LOVE the gloder rocker I found at Walmart. It is a PERFECT size for me and is so comfortable. I know it will come in handy in the middle of the night.
Some little details from Target.
So the only other things I'm thinking about adding are the baby's name (once we decide). I am going to put the name above the crib. Then I might add some pinboards over the changing table like I have in Caitlin's room. But for now, the room is done enough for me to not be obsessing over it anymore. I love to go in there and sit and rock and just relax. I am looking forward to December!
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Kindergarten Update
Some mornings Caitlin wakes up and is ready to go and others are like this morning. I have an alarm clock in her room set for 6:30. By 6:40, she wasn't up so I went up there. The music was playing and she had her blanket over her head. I kept moving her and telling her it was time to get up. She said, "But my brain is telling me it is still time to sleep." Funny girl!
Anyway, she struggled with the first week of school. The teacher gives them a daily grade of how well they listened and behaved. They start on green each day and throughout the day may be moved down to yellow, then brown and then black, if they are really bad. Last Monday, she was Green. Tuesday she was Yellow. Wednesday she was Brown. Thursday and Friday she was on black. We were so frustrated by the end of the week. We consistently took away all the things she loved. By Thursday, she had lost her blankie, TV and movies, her stuffed animals, Nintendo DS, etc. We didn't let her go play with anyone and any time she asked to do something fun, we told her not until she was better at school. We talked with her teacher and she said that Caitlin just had a really hard time focusing and also not talking. Neither one surprises me. She is a motor mouth and at home when we have her go do something, she sets off with good intentions, but usually gets sidetracked. So we've really been drilling her on listening and doing first. Whatever we say to do, do it immediately, before anything else.
This week, we were crossing our fingers. Monday, I got a call from Caitlin around 2:30 and she told me she had stayed on Green all day. I was so relieved and told her how proud of her I was. She said, "Mom, I really tried my best." So Monday, we definitely gave her some positive reinforcement. Rusty took her to Sonic for a slushie, one of her new favorite treats. She got to play her DS, watch a show, go to the YMCA to play with her friend Alli, slept with her blankie and got her stuffed animals back.
Yesterday, I get another phone call around 2:30. She had done it again. Green all day! I think now that she knows what is expected from her, she is more likely to do it. We told her if she could get green all week, we would take her to Chuck E Cheese. So that's what she's working towards. We'll see. Hopefully, Saturday, I will be eating pizza and playing games with a big mouse. :)
Anyway, she struggled with the first week of school. The teacher gives them a daily grade of how well they listened and behaved. They start on green each day and throughout the day may be moved down to yellow, then brown and then black, if they are really bad. Last Monday, she was Green. Tuesday she was Yellow. Wednesday she was Brown. Thursday and Friday she was on black. We were so frustrated by the end of the week. We consistently took away all the things she loved. By Thursday, she had lost her blankie, TV and movies, her stuffed animals, Nintendo DS, etc. We didn't let her go play with anyone and any time she asked to do something fun, we told her not until she was better at school. We talked with her teacher and she said that Caitlin just had a really hard time focusing and also not talking. Neither one surprises me. She is a motor mouth and at home when we have her go do something, she sets off with good intentions, but usually gets sidetracked. So we've really been drilling her on listening and doing first. Whatever we say to do, do it immediately, before anything else.
This week, we were crossing our fingers. Monday, I got a call from Caitlin around 2:30 and she told me she had stayed on Green all day. I was so relieved and told her how proud of her I was. She said, "Mom, I really tried my best." So Monday, we definitely gave her some positive reinforcement. Rusty took her to Sonic for a slushie, one of her new favorite treats. She got to play her DS, watch a show, go to the YMCA to play with her friend Alli, slept with her blankie and got her stuffed animals back.
Yesterday, I get another phone call around 2:30. She had done it again. Green all day! I think now that she knows what is expected from her, she is more likely to do it. We told her if she could get green all week, we would take her to Chuck E Cheese. So that's what she's working towards. We'll see. Hopefully, Saturday, I will be eating pizza and playing games with a big mouse. :)
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