celebrations Family Time field trips preschool Tiny & Buba: Father's Day fire truck wash gymnastics playdate strawberry picking zoo
by reanbean
4 comments
Wednesday to Wednesday
It’s been a bit of a challenge to sit down and write up all the fun things we’ve been up to. Here are some highlights from the last week…
Last Wednesday: We returned to the zoo for the first time since last summer. We went with some friends, and the kids had a great time running around and reacquainting themselves with all the animals around the park. It was our first visit without the double stroller, and both Tiny and Buba did a great job walking through the zoo like big kids. (I did take a single umbrella stroller in case anyone was unable to handle the privilege of walking, but we didn’t end up needing it.)
Thursday: We went for a playdate with some twin friends who live about 20 minutes north of us. We hadn’t seen them in a while, so it was fun connecting with them again. The kids played mostly in the back yard. There was a water table and a kiddie pool, and Buba and Tiny had the best time playing with both. They stayed outside almost 15 minutes longer than the other kids, because they just didn’t want to stop all the fun. We’ll definitely be needing a kiddie pool of our own in the near future.
Friday: Tiny and Buba had their last mommy and me gymnastics class in the morning and spent the afternoon playing outside and riding their tricycles.
Saturday: We got an early start on our spring/summer tradition of Saturday yard sale shopping to be sure we’d have plenty of time to wash the fire trucks in town.
That night we had a delicious Indian food dinner to celebrate our beloved Daddy (we let him choose a special dinner on Saturday, because we had plans to celebrate with Grandpa on Sunday).
Sunday: Buba, Tiny and I got up and ready and snuck out of the house while T was still sleeping. We went and picked up a dozen donuts and a coffee for Daddy, and then snuck back in as quietly as we could. When T woke up, we presented him with his coffee, the Sunday paper, and the gift the kids had made (a picture frame that they painted and decorated with sparkly jewels). Later that day, we went to Grandpa’s house and give him the same gift. The kids rode bikes around the circle, and then we all had a nice dinner at Macaroni Grill.
Monday: We went back to the zoo with another set of friends. Even though we had just been there a few days ago, the kids were just as excited as the first time we went. After our zoo visit, we headed back to our town for a popsicle party at the playground. It was technically for kids headed to kindergarten in the fall, but since I was in charge of the event (I am now the special events planner for my town’s family organization), my kids got to go and have popsicles too.
Tuesday: Tiny and Buba had their first day of summer gymnastics. They were in a class with kids who were all younger than them, and the level of gymnastics was definitely lower than the class they had just completed. So, we dropped the weekly mommy and me class and signed them up for two days of gymnastics camp (one in July and one in August). In camp, they’ll go for 3.5 hours at a time and ALL BY THEMSELVES. Tiny can’t wait. Hopefully Buba will be okay with this. We also switched their classes for the fall, so Tiny will definitely be going in the more advanced class, and Buba will be in an all boys class. Lots of changes coming up for them.
After gymnastics, we headed to a playground where T’s class was having an end of the year celebration. Buba and Tiny were treated like kings and queens, with all those big kids carrying them around, pushing them on the swings, and just doing whatever it was that they wanted. They were in heaven.
Wednesday (Today): The weather wasn’t great today. It sprinkled on and off all morning, and then poured all afternoon. But that didn’t keep us from getting out and having some fun. We headed out early to go pick Strawberries at a nearby farm. Tiny was all about getting the biggest, red-est berries she could find. Buba spent his time picking all the tiny, white ones and then throwing them across the field (which I may have done once when I told him to only pick the red ones). Either way, they both had a good time.
Then we headed back down to a playdate at the kids’ preschool. Over the summer, regular playdates are scheduled on the school’s playground so the kids (and parents) can get to know each other before the school year begins. And, hopefully, this will lead to a smoother transition when September rolls around. Buba and Tiny had a great time playing on the structures and in the massive sandbox. Even when it started to rain, they didn’t want to leave. We stayed until the very end. They left soaking wet, filthy, and begging to go back.
Gymnastics Class & My Summer Schedule
Today was the last day of gymnastics class for the current school year. We started our Friday morning class way back in September and stuck with it all year. It’s amazing to see how much both Tiny and Buba have learned and grown from this experience. They’re definitely both stronger and more spatially aware than they were when they began the class last fall. And they both appear to be more confident when trying something new. They love all the coaches they worked with throughout the year, and are both very excited to begin the summer session (which starts Tuesday!)
Here’s my little daredevil riding the rope swing one-handed and then upside down.
Buba loves the rope swing too…
but he’s always preferred jumping off of things (like that big yellow platform behind him).
Thanks so much for the comments you left about whether or not to put Tiny in the advanced four year old class or not. After T and I discussed it, we were all set to just leave her in the regular three-year-old class, but then one of the coaches pulled me aside today and again encouraged me to let her move ahead. After a bit more explaining, it sounds as though there may be an advanced 3/4 class, where she would not be the only 3 year old, and that there is an all boys gym class that meets at the same time (so I wouldn’t have to take Buba at a separate time). I’m still waiting for a bit more information, but at this point, I think I’m leaning towards the new options. The only thing really giving me pause right now is that the class will be at 1pm, and I’d prefer a morning class so as not to interfere with nap time. But it’s only once a week, and who know if they’ll even be napping in the fall. I really hope so, but I already consider myself lucky that they’re still napping at this point.
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My “me” thing this week wasn’t something super great. I didn’t splurge on anything new, treat myself to a massage, or leave the kids with a sitter so I could go off and do something on my own. But what I’m considering to be my “me” thing this week involves my summer schedule. Last summer, when I set up my tutoring schedule, I was seeing kids at all times of the day 5 days a week. I took on too many kids and too many hours. I was constantly going from one place to another, and it was really, really exhausting. So, this time, I set up some parameters around my tutoring schedule: 1) I will only tutor in the morning. 2) I have a set number of hours that I will work each week. Once my hours are full, I will not take on anymore students (and I only have two hours left to fill!). 3) I will not schedule tutoring sessions during my power dance class. This, I think, is one of the biggest gifts I am giving myself this summer.
So far, I’ve managed to stick with all three rules while scheduling my summer students. It means that I’m starting my sessions some days at 7am (Ugh!), but at least I know I’ll have all afternoon to be with my kids as they enjoy time with friends and summer activities.
8 more reanbean things
I really enjoy reading little bits of information about the bloggers I follow. I wrote my first post of random facts about myself back in December on my birthday. Today, you get 8 more little bits in honor of my half birthday.
The short version…
1. I only drink cold coffee.
2. I love to sing.
3. As a sophomore in college, I spent 10 weeks in Lyon, France.
4. I’ve recently thought that I might enjoy being a fitness instructor.
5. I had a lot of pets growing up, but don’t really want the same experiences for my own kids.
6. I took dance lessons for about 11 years.
7. I’d rather be cold than hot.
8. I have answered to the nickname of reanbean since I was in Jr. High.
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The slightly longer version…
1. I only drink cold coffee. I don’t really like the taste of coffee. But if it’s cold and mocha flavored with whipped cream and chocolate sauce drizzled on top, I’ll drink it.
2. I love to sing. I don’t have the greatest voice in the world, but I think it’s decent enough if I stay within my range (most likely an alto). I try not to be offended when my kids tell me to “please stop!” when I’m singing while driving.
3. As a sophomore in college, I spent 10 weeks in Lyon, France. During my first week there, I understood so little of the language that I didn’t even realize I’d been given a homework assignment in my first class. (Oops!) By the time I left France, I was pretty fluent. I’ve lost most of what I learned (now roughly 10 years ago), but I could probably carry on a conversation in French with a small child who spoke very clearly and with a very simple vocabulary.
4. I’ve recently thought that I might enjoy being a fitness instructor. Just 6 month ago, I was someone who dreaded going to the gym. I did it because I had to- to lose weight and be healthy, but it was never something I looked forward too. Somewhere in these last few months, all of that has changed. I look forward to going to the gym and especially to the classes I take (both dance and strength training). It’s made me so very, very appreciative of those who teach the classes and has given me the idea that it’s something I might like to do too. I have no plans to act on this right now, but maybe someday.
5. I had a lot of pets growing up, but don’t really want the same experiences for my own kids. As best I can recall, I had several hamsters, numerous fish, a couple of birds, a rabbit, and a cat (of course, not all at the same time). All the caged pets weren’t all that much fun, and I don’t remember it being me who was in charge of caring for them. So, if my kids ever request these types of pets, I will find plenty of reasons why we will not have them. We have a cat. A very nice cat. And that’s plenty.
6. I took dance lessons for about 11 years. I started taking dance lessons when I was 3, but then I took a little break from the time I was 10 until I was 13 or so. I took mostly tap and jazz, but did join a ballet class for a short time once in elementary school and then again for my last year of dance. Until recently, I’d forgotten how much I love dancing. I’m nowhere near the point of calling myself a great dancer, but I still think it’s lots of fun.
7. I’d rather be cold than hot. I’d prefer not to be either, but if I’m cold I can always put on a sweatshirt or snuggle under a blanket.
8. I have answered to the nickname of reanbean since I was in junior high. The rean part was given to me by a junior high school friend’s dad (he was teasing me). The bean part came just a little later, but I’m not sure who was the first to add it- probably another junior high school classmate. I never capitalize reanbean, and to this day, some of my closest friends still call me bean.
reanbean Tiny: gymnastics class me time shopping splurge
by reanbean
4 comments
Natural Talent & New Earrings for Me
It was last August when we took Tiny and Buba to their first ever gymnastics class. It was a tryout class to see whether or not they would like gymnastics and whether or not we would like that particular gym. Throughout the class, the coach kept praising Tiny, and before we left, she asked which gym we were transferring from. I told the coach that my children had never taken a gymnastics class before, and she responded by telling me what a gift Tiny had for the sport. I suppose that should have made me feel proud or excited, but again, this was a tryout class, and I wondered if the coach might be saying that just to ensure that we would sign the kids up for some lessons. Which we did. A whole academic year’s worth of lessons.
And it turned out that the coach was completely sincere in her comments. Tiny happens to be naturally talented when it comes to gymnastics. She walks the low beam like it’s four feet wide (and has even attempted some jumps and forward rolls on the beam), she performs skills on the trampoline exactly as the coach demonstrates without further explanation (tuck jump, half jump turn, seat drop, stand up, ta-da!), and she can jump up to a low bar and flip herself over (or just hang upside down for a while) all by herself. She has amazing confidence when it comes to learning new gymnastics skills and will try, try again until she gets it.
Still, today, I was caught a little off guard when the coach suggested that we switch Tiny to a different class for the fall. She and Buba are currently singed up for a three-year-old class (they’ll be 3.5 in September), and she recommended that Tiny go into a class for advanced four-year-olds. The coach didn’t push it, but she did suggest that Tiny might be bored in the three-year-old class (something we’ve seen just a little bit of in her current class, but I haven’t found it to be a big problem).
I think it’s great that Tiny is so capable when it comes to gymnastics, but I’m not sure I believe that at three-years-old she’ll be better off grouped with older kids who are similar in ability that she would be with her own peers who still need assistance with skills that she’s mastered. I can’t quite explain it, but something just doesn’t sit right with me about putting her in that advanced class. Perhaps, if the class was multi-aged, I’d feel differently. I just don’t know. What would you do if this was your situation?
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My me thing this week was completely unplanned. I took the kids with me to Kohl’s on Wednesday to pick up just a few things- a Father’s Day gift, a graduation gift, and a few cards. But while looking for the graduation gift, I spotted a pair of sterling silver, daisy-like stud earrings. They were 40% off (isn’t everything always on sale at Kohl’s?), and I had an additional 30% off coupon (yay!). I didn’t need them. I haven’t worn earrings on a daily basis in years. But there was something so simple, and beautiful about these earrings, that I decided to splurge and treat myself to them. Now I just have to remember to put them on in the morning when I put on my other jewelry. No sense in having pretty, new earrings if they’re just sitting in a box!
No More Naps?
My kids have always been pretty good nappers. We’ve had a nap routine in place almost since the very beginning, and we rarely mess around with skipping a nap or changing the timing in order to attend an event or extend an activity. I know that Tiny and Buba are now at the age where kids begin giving up the afternoon nap for good, but I still hoped with all my heart that I would be lucky enough to have two kids who napped at least until they turned four.
So it was all kinds of upsetting when, very suddenly, they just stopped napping a few weeks ago. It wasn’t like one day they took longer to fall asleep, or one day they just napped for a shorter amount of time. One day they were napping roughly 1-3pm and the next day, almost no nap at all (they fell asleep around 2:45, but then I woke them at 3 (which is when I always get them up) so it wouldn’t completely mess up bedtime). Then for a day or so, they napped as usual, and then the next day, no nap again. But on the no napping days, it was clear that this was not really the best way to go. Buba (who was the one fighting the nap most and then bringing Tiny along for the ride), was so crabby and cranky when he didn’t nap. So, I reached out to my mother of twins club message board, and the advice was almost unanimous: start nap time later.
T and I agreed to give it a try and decided that a 1:45-3:15pm nap might work best. We hoped they’d be tired enough to fall asleep at 1:45 and also hoped that waking them by 3:15 would mean we wouldn’t have to push back bedtime at all. We’ve been using this nap schedule for about a week and a half, and so far, it’s been working well for us. Now, hopefully, I haven’t just jinxed it all by reporting it to the world. They really do need nap time! (And so do I.)
If You Can Walk You Can Dance
I started taking dance lessons when I was around 3 years old. As best I can recall, my first class was a tap class, or maybe a tap/jazz combination. I still have the photos my mother snapped of me in my first dance recital. I wore a red leotard with white fringe around the waist, red tights, and black tap shoes. We danced to “It’s the Bump”. And if the photos are accurate, I had a pretty good time. I continued with dance until I was 10, took a few years off, and then started up again when I was in high school. I had my last recital just before I headed off to college.
I’ve always enjoyed dancing. Though, I’ll say with absolute certainty that I am not a particularly great dancer. That is to say, I do not have any natural talent. My arms and legs don’t always work well together, and I don’t have the kind of confidence required to just let it all flow without really thinking about it.
Still, this past spring when I was starting to feel like I needed to change up my workouts, I was so excited to see that there were some dance classes on my gym’s schedule. I started taking Zumba, and then joined Power Dance shortly after. I’ll admit that I felt really, really lost for the first few weeks and probably looked like the biggest fool ever. But now that I’ve gotten the hang of most of the basic steps, I’m finding both classes to be really good workouts and a nice change from my routines on the treadmill and elliptical machine.
Power Dance meets mid-morning on Tuesdays, so the kids come along and play in the gym’s playroom while I do my workout. Recently Tiny asked about what my class was like, and after I explained that we spent the hour learning a dance routine (similar to what you might see performed at a half-time show for a sporting event), she decided that she needed to see it. So, today, I checked with the teacher* to make sure it would be okay, and then agreed to pick up Tiny and Buba early from childcare so they could see the last 5-10 minutes of the class (when we usually run through the whole routine 2-3 times before ending). They sat very quietly in the front corner and watched as we performed our routine several times.
When the class was all over, Buba announced, “I want to do that. Just me! With no other ladies dancing.” The instructor was about to start an abs workout and put on some pop music for background noise. Both Buba and Tiny took to the floor and started dancing their little hearts out. It was mostly just jumping and spinning, but they seemed to be having such a great time. The teacher joked that she might have to steal some of their dance moves for her next routine. And perhaps a dance class of their own might be necessary in the not too distant future.
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*side note about the teacher: I’ve been taking her zumba and dance classes for about 3 months now and just recently discovered that not only does she know my husband (T taught her oldest son), but she’s the generous woman who gave us crib mattresses, bedding, and a scheduling template for twins when she learned through T that I was expecting twins (way back in January of 2008). She is also a mother of twins (hers are now 8 years old) and was so nice to pass along good advice and the things her boys no longer needed. It really is such a small world.
Preschool Fair
It’s been almost six months since I last wrote about preschool. Although there was a bit of drama surrounding the final decision, by early February we had sent in our deposits to a Reggio Emilia co-op school. Both T and I are very happy with this decision and are confident that our kids will have a great experience there.
This past Saturday, the preschool had it’s annual fair- an event that is lots of fun for the little ones and a great fundraiser for the school. After spending $40 on tickets for the games, the only thing Tiny and Buba wanted to do was play on the playground. So, we headed there first, and when they grew tired of that, I convinced them to try some of the activities. They walked the plank (a balance beam), threw bean bags through some holes, fished for yellow ducks, pulled lollipops, played mini-golf, rode the plasma cars, decorated small canvas bags, and jumped their hearts out in the bouncy house. (Sadly, I did not remember the camera.)
Needless to say, Buba and Tiny had a blast! They both have already asked when they can go to the fair again (next year!), and I’ve been doing my best to explain to them that, no, there will not be a bouncy house there when the start preschool in the fall. Fortunately, there are parents who organize playdates at the school’s playground throughout the summer, so we’ll have several chances to go back and see the school as it will be when they join the three-year-old class in September.
reanbean teaching: caterpillar to butterfly me time science
by reanbean
6 comments
Science Project (part two) & Me Morning
There was all kinds of excitement at our house this week. We’d been waiting and waiting for the butterfly to emerge from its chrysalis….
and on Wednesday, it finally happened! Unfortunately, it was during Tiny and Buba’s nap time, so they missed it. I saw it happening, but just couldn’t get my camera working fast enough.
At first, it just hung out at the top of the container.
Then it eventually moved on to the stick we had placed in the cage when it was just a caterpillar.
That’s where it hung out for the next day and a half while we waited for its wings to dry out. Then, this morning, we decided it was time to release it.
As soon as we took it outside, it began to open and close its wings, while still sitting in the container, as if it was practicing its next move. Buba and Tiny were fascinated.
When I removed the lid, the butterfly continued to stay put for a minute or so. I explained to Buba and Tiny that this butterfly had never flown before, so it might take it a little while to get going.
We were all so excited and amazed when it finally took off. It flew only a few feet and then landed in our grass. But as we approached it again to take one more look, it flew off into the clear, blue sky. Tiny and Buba cheered and waved. And we wished it luck as it went off to make its way in the world. Not a bad way to start our day.
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I made a conscious decision to participate in the Me Challenge this week. I hired a fabulous sitter (a retired elementary school teacher who was just amazing with the kids), and spent Thursday morning shopping by myself. I had hoped to do a bit of shopping by myself, but I spent most of the time at Target just picking up the everyday things we needed. My trip to Kohl’s was a complete bust, unfortunately. But it was still so nice to shop, and get errands done without having to manage the kids, their snacks, their behavior, and all that comes with running errands with 3 year olds. However, the next time I hire a sitter, I plan to do something more indulgent.