SR has been very difficult though, this summer. She gave up her nap and come mid-afternoon to evening she cries and screams and throws tantrums when she doesn't get her way. I'm reading "How to talk so kids will listen and listen so kids will talk" which I found in my teaching collection from teacher's college days. I also know that she's 3 and trying to find her way. We have just finished her first sticker chart and taken her first trip to the local Disney Store. But the crying continues. I started a new sticker chart. Any advice will be welcomed greatly. She is just so sweet and articulate and funny, but it's like dealing with Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde lately.
Today J-Bear turned 13 months! I can't believe how grown up my little man is becoming. He now can communicate using SEVERAL signs: more (he does this one perfectly with his fingers together, not just clapping anymore), book, cheese (his favourite), dog. He can sometimes sign berries and please.
He knows the parts of the face and can touch them when named. He also knows that SR's underwear goes on her body - he picked it up and put it on her, just as he tries to lay his shoes and socks on his bare feet.
He's so sneaky - putting things in his mouth he shouldn't and waiting to be told not to - then smiling and putting it back in his mouth.
Tonight while I was doing SR's bedtime routine - J-Bear roams around SR's room and plays and sometimes joins us for a story - J-Bear crawled over and was giving kisses and hugs to his big sister. So affectionate. I just love this boy.
He's on the verge of walking. He walks with a walker and struts around as if saying, "That's right, I'm the man!" He often let's go of things when standing up and just stands unassisted, but then he crawls.
Today, we were out at a shoes store and had quite a scare. I was looking at shoes, and SR was watching a TV screen in the store beside me. She pulled J-Bear's stroller to come closer to her, and it TOPPLED backwards onto her, knocking her down and pulling J-Bear down. Luckily he was wearing a seatbelt and didn't really notice something happened until there was a commotion. And SR was a little freaked out saying "I didn't mean to pull him down." I'm so glad no one was hurt and it just had my heart racing for a little while.
I've been staying up WAY too late this summer. We all have, but me especially considering I am up nursing all night. I've been watching webinars and reading about Whole Brain Teaching (WBT) and I'm ready to take the plunge fully in my classroom when I return in September. I also started drinking iced coffee (and I'm a non coffee drinker). I love the caffeine and how it helps me get through my days. But I should not be having my second one at 5ish at night. I'm like a motor in the nights now.
And I didn't have one this late afternoon, but I really wanted to blog instead of going to sleep early. It's August 2nd. I return to my classroom exactly one month today. Actually I return the last week of August to set up my room, but the kids arrive one month today. I'm hoping to enjoy this last month of summer, but it will fly considering J starts daycare August 18th and I'm in the classroom starting Aug. 25th.
Here are a few pictures (all shot with my cell and saved to FB so not the best quality:
 |
| First day of dance class. Kids can wear anything they want. Mine insists on a skirt every time. I love this picture. |
 |
| Our favourite splash pad - J-Bear loves the water. |
 |
| Don't let this picture fool you. He's not a great eater. I love that my friend captured us (with my prompting him to take the picture) sharing my apple. |
 |
| I don't know if I posted this one before - it was taken at the end of June - but I think this is my favourite picture of SR. It just captures everything about her perfectly. |
 |
| Yes, I have learned how to French Braid. Usually I give her two (Anna) braids. This time she wanted one braid (an Elsa braid) but because she has curly hair, it didn't stay in as well, not long enough. If you don't know who Anna and Elsa are, you don't know enough young children. |
