Adam and I both went to the dentist today. Ugh..... I hate going to the dentist. I love the scraping part, it's about as close to a massage as I am going to get, but I dread the possibility of being told, "You have a cavity." And even after being told by the hygienist what beautiful healthy teeth I have..... how do you have the time, I still ended up with a cavity..... two in fact. Double ugh! And Adam owes me 10 bucks. Looks like we'll both be coming back in to see Mr. Drill.
Dennis continues to amaze us everyday. Who knew he could be such a ham....... a turkey....... my little tomato. Honestly, what I would give to know what is going on his mind. He is just so smart and to watch him explore and do so many new things, I shudder to think how he would be exactly the same as when we first met him back on June 23, 2008 had we not brought him home. I guess thinking about that is water under the bridge now... what matters is that he is home.
He thought to stand on this basket so that he could get a better view of the piano keys. He might just be the best two year old pianist I know.
Andrew when given good direction can play and play and play and focus on doing whatever it is that he sets his mind too. I just have to remember to redirect him more or he will quickly turn wild and get into mischief. Christine, make a mental note to self------- have a new activity for Andrew to do everyday and he will not drive you crazy.
Homework is done immediately after school in our home. As soon as the kids get home, I expect all of them to sit down and work on it. Sure, they will have a snack--- yogurt, top ramen, peanuts, or something, but their focus has to stay on homework. Every day I go over everyone's homework and sign progress reports. I often give numerous spelling tests to Rachel and Sveta. I initial all of the younger kids' homework in the upper right hand corner so that the teacher knows I looked it over. I read with Andrew, Sveta, Anna, and sometimes Rachel. We are still learning this school's homework routine, but it is getting easier each day. I like that Anna and William have the same packet. I like when the kids will bring home one packet for the whole week for them to work on a little each day. Now that Wednesday night church is starting, I can have them do that night's homework on Tuesday.
Despite Dennis' cleft palate, he is such a good eater. When we first brought him home he would sit completely still with both hands flat on his highchair tray as if he was trained to do this. It was sad how he didn't even want to try to pick up a spoon or cookie even when we encouraged it. Thankfully this didn't last and now he is feeding himself Vanilla Wafers, graham crackers, Cheerios, and even small Cheetos Puffs. I know I am a bad Mommy for feeding him that junk, but he sees the other kids eating it and wants some too...... is there really any harm? I used to worry about it getting caught in his cleft, but it is actually pretty shallow and small and he sogs up his food real good before he swallows, that all I can say is Dennis is one amazing eater.
25 comments:
I love reading your blog. It brings so much into perspective for me. We require our boys to do their homework right after school also. Dennis is one amazing little guy and I can't wait to hear what the surgeon has to say and what's being planned. I know God is giving his team the wisdom to treat him. I am praying!
We have Brian do his homework asap, and because he wants to play with his friend, or have computer time, he jumps right in... I often have to SLOW him down or he gets too sloppy. Honor needs wind down time when she gets in though. She doesn't have much written work, but they like 20 minutes of reading each day. She needs time to settle or she can't sit still for a book right away. I guess that will get easier as she gets older. Must be great to just have the kids come in and get busy fairly independently!!
oh.. meant to ask, do Jonny and Dennis want to do homework too?? Honor always joined Brian during homework - still does sometimes. I loved that! I think Brian did too.
Living in southern NE, it got dark early so when my daughter came home, she changed and went right outside to play for an hour. Then she came in and did homework while supper was cooking. As she got older (Jr and Sr high school), she had hours of homework and would spend all evening up in her room doing it. When she was younger, I'd look it over but as she got older, I never had to.
It sounds like your kids have a good routine and how you keep on top of it all with 9 to check amazes me. Do the little two "read" a book during homework time?
How Dennis has fit in and progressed is wonderful. Doesn't he go this week to the doctor?
Clearly, you care about your kids' academic success. However, you might have forgotten that it is not your homework, it is your children's homework. They can check it, manage it, do it, etc. How will they ever be independent learners if you are micromanaging?
Homework is the bane of my existence. Because I have my own "homework" - especially at this time of year - it is hard to "get in" dinner, homework, baths, let alone any "nice" time. And teachers are sometimes so clueless! Anastasia has a brand new teacher this year - and had two HOURS of homework last night. I just have to be glad it is her and not Zhen. She is SO self-directed; she just heads right out and does it herself, only asking for help when she really doesn't understand. Thank heaven for one like that!
Responding to Angela's post.... As a teacher, I have to say that teachers give homework for different reasons. And many of these reasons focus on support form home.
In the Religion class I teach, for example, one main POINT of the homework is for the parents to not only see the work, but to contribute to it, discuss it, have that opportunity to share faith. The assignment is often "Read this to someone at home... or Ask someone at home..."
In the Speech class I teach, often I give homework so that students can practice in front of other people - presumably their family members.
When I taught elementary school, I would really expect that students would learn how helpful it is to study [spelling words, for example] with a partner....and ordinarily the "partner" for an elementary child will be a parent.
There is the hope that children will learn regularity in their schedules and habits but usually that comes from being trained by parents. In addition, teachers hope parents will be there to support and enforce standards that they hope to inculcate - neatness, following directions, checking their work, etc.
I think of parents and teachers as working as partners. And making that partnership work is part of the reason for giving some homework.
Furthermore, some children simply need some extra help that they cannot get during the school day.
Now. There IS also the expectation that children will learn to take responsibility for their own work, but this just one goal of homework, and it is so much easier to teach when there is someone who cares a LOT about the child, who can give him/her the individualized attention that it takes to help children develop responsibility. As I say, some kids seem to have it naturally - I know I did; my daughter Anastasia does - but for most of them, study skills are learned much better with some prodding from mom and dad.
Finally, there is nothing like parental attention to homework to let children know that school is important.
Ha! All that said - as a mom - I STILL hate it! I see it is valuable, but I hate it.
Angela you are so right. Perhaps I didn't make clear, but I do not micro-manage all of my kids. Some need it like Andrew who is still learning to be responsible. Some need more some need less looking after but even my junior highers have to have their homework signed. It is a requirement here.... I guess it is a safeguard to make sure the parents are involved. Ultimately my kids are responsible for their grades, but at this age, they are still being taught how to manage their schoolwork and I feel that no one else should teach them but John and I.
Thank you for your prayers and leaving comments for Darren.
We were friends as kids...
My heart is in a million pieces for him.
Christine, I'm a retired teacher and a mother who didn't always manage homework as diligently as I should have. 20/20 hindsight tells me that you're handling the homework situation PERFECTLY!
JEB
Atlanta, GA
UGH--homework! We get what Julia missed in class on Friday and she works on it over the weekend. We do have to review it with her since she is learning to develop her reading and writing skills.
Regarding Dennis' cleft--awesome eating!!! And if he ieating "helathy" stuff too--who cares what else he eats?? Actually those aren't bad foods he is eating. If you are concerned about stuff getting caught--I know parents that use water piks to rinse the clefts--or even just a bit of wet guaze. Sounds like he is clearing it fairly well though.
Homework...I too have the kids get it done asap. I must admit for us if the sun is out I do let them play for 30 min then call them in. It seems to help them focus better, getting that bit of a break, but only on sunny days which will soon be few and far between. Don't 2 year olds amaze you? Their desire to learn and experience things is sometimes overwhelming, sounds like Dennis is really a typical 2 year old in many ways! And he has only been here since June?? Amazing!!
Hi,
You live in CA, right? I know that was random, but I was just wondering. :)
That is really great that Dennis is advancing so much! I think feeding yourself definitely counts as homework for the little guy. :D
I cannot even imagine how much checking of homework you must do. I have a friend who has five kids, but you've got double that. Wow!!
I hate cavities too, only thing worse is crowns.
First off, I love that you call the drill, Mr. Drill. We call him Mr. Whistle. Cuz it whistles. =) lol But onto the food thing. He's a kid and as long as he's learning to pick things up and enjoying himself, a snack like that isn't going to hurt him right? If your a bad mom, I'm terrible. =) You are amazing, never doubt yourself. I'll pray for Anna's MRI. I hope it goes well. I love that you are so organized and connected to each child.
K- this is weird, but last night I had this dream that I found 3 little kids, 2 girls and a boy in a terrible terrible living condition. The oldest girl was 7, the boy 5 and the youngest girl 3. They were living in filth. I just woke up heart broken. I've been having a lot of strange dreams lately, my daughter dying. Things I wake up sobbing over. But anyway, I was just wondering if you ever had any dreams of your kids. I don't know if this was a weird dream or something I am suppose to pay close attention to. I would love your input. Love your face. Sorry for the novel. =)
I don't see any harm in Dennis eating those things. I think the texture is really good for him. I wish I was as organized as you are. Sometimes I feel it is chaos around here.
That is amazing all Dennis can do now and I believe as you do, he would be still the same sitting in that orphage. So sad for all those children. So does his clef thingy keep him from talking? I dont konw anything about that health problem.
Great job on all the kids homework. How long do you guys spend on hw?
your amazing
Hey Christine! I Can so relate to the title of your blog. My son Graham occasionally ask me, "Can Eating a cookie count as my chore today?"
I enjoy reading your post.
Melissa Carter
The changes in Dennis since you brought him home is amazing!... Just goes to show how important love and attention are. :D
I love reading your blog, too. We found this thing called blurb, it is a program that makes your blog into a book. Is that what you are using for your other blog? I am impressed at your mothering, I'm sure your kids are so glad to get that homework over with! And Dennis is so great! I love the picture at the piano!
The piano photo is darling. In a few years you will be telling tales of the little maestro's accomplishments. I can't wait for the videos!
When I see your kids sitting at the table(and Anna in the chair), I wonder what the noise level gets like when a few all need help at once.
I love to read about Dennis's progress and seeing him doing new things. He is such a little cutie! That is an adorable picture of him standing on the basket playing the piano! Does anyone at the orphanage have access to your blog so that they can see pictures of him with you guys?
Praying for Anna and her MRI tomorrow. That Dennis sure is a smarty pants :o)
Boy Christine!
I can hardly manage helping homework with TWO!
One likes noise while he is working, the other needs complete silence and NO distractions! UGH!
Does Jonny get a little "homework" too? My 3 year old likes to do "homework" while one of her brothers is... usually it becomes an alien family picture - which she proudly puts on the fridge!
hehe!
Amy
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