My mom always said she hoped that I had a child that acted like me (pay back I guess).... I think her hopes came true! Most days Ella is an angel. She is polite, soft spoken, creative, and a pleasure to be around other than her slight bossiness and whining. Her babysitters seem to have less trouble from her than we do here at home. I'm not sure if that is a good thing or not. However, there are times... usually the same type of situation that will send our sweet angel over the edge. Today was one of them!
Ella loves her cousin Ava and usually is never ready to leave when the time comes. She and Grayson both go to Ava's house once a week while I am at work. There for a while she would scream like a mad woman when it was time to go home. Unfortunately, that made me almost dread those afternoons. On the other hand, she has gotten better at controlling her tempers on Thursdays which makes my life much easier! Today, for Father's Day, Kermie's family came to our church. I had a talk with Ella before we even got there about how she needed to leave without a fuss and that if we decided not to eat with Ava then there shouldn't be any moaning or groaning. She agreed and I had hoped for the best. Things didn't turn out quite so nice.... When lunch was mentioned, she threw a fit and literally threw her things at me, stopped the ground, screamed at the top of her lungs, and refused to move. The whole time she was throwing her tantrum, I had Grayson in the other hand as well as all of our raincoats and bags, so taming her wasn't an easy task. Finally, some lady came to help and Kermie got Ella out of the door!
To say the least, I always feel like a total failure on these kind of days. My child is acting crazy, I can't get her to be quiet, and our talk before hand had no affect on the situation. She literally drives me batty when she acts like this and drives me to tears which I hate because I am supposed to be the adult. We had a very long talk in the car about her behavior and had initially decided not to go eat with everyone, but I didn't think that was fair because I wanted to get to spend time with my own dad on Father's Day as well. So, we agreed that she would lose her tv in her room as well as a few toys and would have to sit in her chair while we were in the restaurant. She ended up doing really well while we were eating which made us happy to be able to enjoy our meal.
Kermie and I have decided that we are going to have to get tougher/more consistent with our parenting and discipline with Ella. This poor child is going to be sitting in time out for a majority of her summer, but I'm hoping that she realizes the correct way to act at home and out in public.
I'm not sure if anyone else has dealt with this, but if you know of things that work please share!!! I really enjoyed reading these sites: http://breezymama.com/2011/03/21/your-three-year-old/ and http://planningwithkids.com/2009/11/17/characteristics-of-three-and-a-half-year-old-behavior/.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Bath Time Fun
I am almost certain that Ella and Grayson's most favorite part of each evening is bath time. Ella usually is undressed and standing in an empty tub before I get there and Grayson screams of excitement until we finally get him undressed! They LOVE bath time and have so much fun playing! Tonight, I snapped a few pictures so we would always remember how sweet and fun bath time was when they were this age.
Not sure what she was doing here.
Standing in the tub! Oh no! He is nonstop and makes me nervous!
Ella letting her pony ride on Grayson's back.
Grayson reading a book.
Still reading.
Ella has called "shotgun" on the front of the tub, but Grayson has decided he likes the water spout and wants it too!
They finally came to a happy medium and shared the front.
Not sure what she was doing here.
Standing in the tub! Oh no! He is nonstop and makes me nervous!
Ella letting her pony ride on Grayson's back.
Grayson reading a book.
Still reading.
Ella has called "shotgun" on the front of the tub, but Grayson has decided he likes the water spout and wants it too!
They finally came to a happy medium and shared the front.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
This and That
Well, the school year is officially over! The students' last day was June 1st, so we said our farewells for the summer. This year was a different year for me. I think being on maternity leave the first 1/4 of the year had a lot to do with that. I LOVED not having to start off the school year and getting an EXTRA long summer, but at the same time I don't feel like I was able to form the same type of relationships with as many of my students as I feel that I normally do. Trying to get these students motivated was a struggle for me almost every day. On the other hand, I had more students crying about leaving for the summer than any other year! It breaks my heart knowing that some of these kiddos would rather stay in school all year than face what is at home. I am hoping to have some of my students come hang out with me and kids this summer. :)
So, while the students have been out since the first, I will be working until the 17th!!! Teachers actually had their last day today, but I am part of the deconstruction team for the district and am working on that for the next week and a half. I have really enjoyed it so far and love the group of teachers that I am getting to work with. Doing this content work has gotten me very motivated about the upcoming year! I am excited to be getting to welcome three new teachers to my team as well!
Poor baby Grayson is having a hard time lately! Right before Bekah's wedding he was diagnosed with another ear infection. We started Ammoxicillin, but (winning the worst mother of the year award) I got off track while on our trip and wasn't sure how to get him caught up. About 2 weeks later, he started with a runny nose and cutting another tooth. Three or four days later he ran a low grade fever. Two days later his fever rose to 104. My mom took him to the doctor on Monday and they said that he had fluid on his ears again. We put him on a stronger antibiotic. When I picked him up today he was covered in a rash. My initial thought was that he was maybe allergic to the medicine, but the doctor said it may be Roseola which makes perfect sense. I don't remember Ella's case of Roseola being as bad, but Grayson's back is covered. So, the poor baby has a double ear infection, is cutting another tooth, and has Roseola all at the same time. None of it keeps him from smiling though. :(
As for the rest of the Donovan Clan, we are enjoying our time together! Kermie just got back from a work trip to Florence. Ella is enjoying summer to the fullest by going to bed with nothing but a pull-up, staying in her bathing suit 24/7, and getting quite filthy outside. And, we are all (me and the kids at least) looking forward to sleeping in come June 18th! I will post some fun summer pics soon! :)
So, while the students have been out since the first, I will be working until the 17th!!! Teachers actually had their last day today, but I am part of the deconstruction team for the district and am working on that for the next week and a half. I have really enjoyed it so far and love the group of teachers that I am getting to work with. Doing this content work has gotten me very motivated about the upcoming year! I am excited to be getting to welcome three new teachers to my team as well!
Poor baby Grayson is having a hard time lately! Right before Bekah's wedding he was diagnosed with another ear infection. We started Ammoxicillin, but (winning the worst mother of the year award) I got off track while on our trip and wasn't sure how to get him caught up. About 2 weeks later, he started with a runny nose and cutting another tooth. Three or four days later he ran a low grade fever. Two days later his fever rose to 104. My mom took him to the doctor on Monday and they said that he had fluid on his ears again. We put him on a stronger antibiotic. When I picked him up today he was covered in a rash. My initial thought was that he was maybe allergic to the medicine, but the doctor said it may be Roseola which makes perfect sense. I don't remember Ella's case of Roseola being as bad, but Grayson's back is covered. So, the poor baby has a double ear infection, is cutting another tooth, and has Roseola all at the same time. None of it keeps him from smiling though. :(
As for the rest of the Donovan Clan, we are enjoying our time together! Kermie just got back from a work trip to Florence. Ella is enjoying summer to the fullest by going to bed with nothing but a pull-up, staying in her bathing suit 24/7, and getting quite filthy outside. And, we are all (me and the kids at least) looking forward to sleeping in come June 18th! I will post some fun summer pics soon! :)
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Sibling Love
Ella and Grayson remind me so much of my brother and me when we were little. While I don't remember being 3 years old, I do remember playing with my brother for hours and having a blast. We would play Ninja Turtles, play in the sandbox, make potions, build tents, wrestle on the bed, etc. until I laughed so hard it hurt. I probably wasn't the nicest at all times, in fact, I could be quite mean, but we sure did have a lot of fun when we were small (Plus, aren't big sisters supposed to be a little bossy??). I really hope that Ella and Grayson stay as close as they appear to be now because their relationship is just precious.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Solo Recital and a Wedding
Life here at the Donovan household has been busy to say the least!
Last Thursday night, Ella had her first "solo" recital. She was very excited as was everyone who came to watch. Parents were not able to watch during this new session so it was neat to see what the kids had learned. I was excited to see how she did in a class without mommy since we had only done the Mommy and Me class last spring. Overall, she did terrific! She was so excited to show off her moves in front of family and Daddy's roses made the night even better.
On Friday, we left for Gatlinburg for my sister's wedding. We all really enjoyed our time away and the wedding turned out just perfect! I was excited to see everything fall in place as I know my mom was too! Destination weddings are so ideal in terms of not having to do everything yourself. I loved how smoothly everything ran and Bekah looked stunning. Ella said that her favorite part of the weekend (options being: riding up the Sky Lift, riding Go-Karts, swimming, and being a flower girl) was definitely being a flower girl! She was the most precious and perfect flower girl I've seen! Mommy is a tad proud! Congrats to Bekah and Casey. We love you and are so happy to have shared in your special day! f :)
Last Thursday night, Ella had her first "solo" recital. She was very excited as was everyone who came to watch. Parents were not able to watch during this new session so it was neat to see what the kids had learned. I was excited to see how she did in a class without mommy since we had only done the Mommy and Me class last spring. Overall, she did terrific! She was so excited to show off her moves in front of family and Daddy's roses made the night even better.
On Friday, we left for Gatlinburg for my sister's wedding. We all really enjoyed our time away and the wedding turned out just perfect! I was excited to see everything fall in place as I know my mom was too! Destination weddings are so ideal in terms of not having to do everything yourself. I loved how smoothly everything ran and Bekah looked stunning. Ella said that her favorite part of the weekend (options being: riding up the Sky Lift, riding Go-Karts, swimming, and being a flower girl) was definitely being a flower girl! She was the most precious and perfect flower girl I've seen! Mommy is a tad proud! Congrats to Bekah and Casey. We love you and are so happy to have shared in your special day! f :)
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Look Who's Nine Months!
On May 6th, Grayson turned 9 months! Yes, 9 months! I just can't believe how "big" our little guy is getting.
I took him to the doctor Tuesday for his check up and Dr. Hoddy said Grayson is growing perfectly. He measured 29 1/4 inches which puts him at 75%, he weighed in at 21 lbs. 14.4 ounces which puts him at 74%, and his head was a whopping 49 cm which puts him at 99%.
Here are a few more of Grayson's latest achievements:
I took him to the doctor Tuesday for his check up and Dr. Hoddy said Grayson is growing perfectly. He measured 29 1/4 inches which puts him at 75%, he weighed in at 21 lbs. 14.4 ounces which puts him at 74%, and his head was a whopping 49 cm which puts him at 99%.
Here are a few more of Grayson's latest achievements:
- He pulls up on everything and can stand without support for a few seconds before becoming wobbly!
- He has 4 teeth now and is loving all table food!
- He babbles all day, but we were excited to hear him say "Ella"! He yells for her all the time.
- He is a happy, happy boy, but can get fiesty at times too! He loves to hit (hopefully playing!) and pull things out of your hands. I consider him all boy as opposed to his sister who was all girl!
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Rising Above Circumstances
Being that this is week one of the KCCT, I am finding myself yet again full of emotions (both negative and positive).
I guess my biggest "beef" with the whole testing process is the idea that some students just have it so much harder than others. We, as educators, are expected to hold all students to the same expectations (which I agree with), but in all honesty, how can you expect a student who was taken from his mother, has never seen his father, doesn't get enough sleep or food to eat, and struggles to fit in at school to perform at the same level of the student who lives in a "normal" household?
This raises another question: what is normal? Growing up, I always thought that I came from a normal family with normal goals and aspirations. However, this belief appears to be quite jaded the older I get and longer I teach. I am realizing that I have always been "abnormal" in the sense that I was "normal." There are more students in my classes that come from broken homes than those that live with both parents. There are more students in my classes that have seen things I have only heard about in movies. There are more students in my classes that know and understand more about struggling to make ends met than their own parents because they are the ones responsible for making dinner at night. I have actually had students tell me when responding to my questions about why they do or believe certain things, "My family is crazy. That is just how we are." There are days that I wonder how I can even contend with all the baggage they bring to my classroom door.
It is so hard to feel pity for these students and to lower expectations when you know how hard they have it outside of the classroom, but I also know that my job is to teach them to rise above their circumstances. God didn't make us all alike and He hasn't allowed us to all travel the same path, but He did give us each unique characteristics that make us exceptional in some way and the freewill to exhibit those qualities. So while a student may come to school in tears because dad was taken to jail that every morning, it is my responsibility to show him or her that there is a positive way to look at the situation: Everyone is given a choice and it is up to us to make the right one. Her daddy may not have made the right one, but that doesn't mean she can't.
I am always so proud of my students this time of year because I know how hard they have worked and how far they have come (whether it is to proficiency or not). Deep down I know they all have it in them to be "distinguished" students, it's just getting them to see it for themselves and rise above their circumstances.
I guess my biggest "beef" with the whole testing process is the idea that some students just have it so much harder than others. We, as educators, are expected to hold all students to the same expectations (which I agree with), but in all honesty, how can you expect a student who was taken from his mother, has never seen his father, doesn't get enough sleep or food to eat, and struggles to fit in at school to perform at the same level of the student who lives in a "normal" household?
This raises another question: what is normal? Growing up, I always thought that I came from a normal family with normal goals and aspirations. However, this belief appears to be quite jaded the older I get and longer I teach. I am realizing that I have always been "abnormal" in the sense that I was "normal." There are more students in my classes that come from broken homes than those that live with both parents. There are more students in my classes that have seen things I have only heard about in movies. There are more students in my classes that know and understand more about struggling to make ends met than their own parents because they are the ones responsible for making dinner at night. I have actually had students tell me when responding to my questions about why they do or believe certain things, "My family is crazy. That is just how we are." There are days that I wonder how I can even contend with all the baggage they bring to my classroom door.
It is so hard to feel pity for these students and to lower expectations when you know how hard they have it outside of the classroom, but I also know that my job is to teach them to rise above their circumstances. God didn't make us all alike and He hasn't allowed us to all travel the same path, but He did give us each unique characteristics that make us exceptional in some way and the freewill to exhibit those qualities. So while a student may come to school in tears because dad was taken to jail that every morning, it is my responsibility to show him or her that there is a positive way to look at the situation: Everyone is given a choice and it is up to us to make the right one. Her daddy may not have made the right one, but that doesn't mean she can't.
I am always so proud of my students this time of year because I know how hard they have worked and how far they have come (whether it is to proficiency or not). Deep down I know they all have it in them to be "distinguished" students, it's just getting them to see it for themselves and rise above their circumstances.
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