I also made a model that the kids could use to see what is possible. Zayd is not apt to jump right in so I think it is imperative that I give him a clue as to the "right" way to do something (his words, not mine...we are working on that). I brought in Zayd's favorite book (of all time?) National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Dinos to give him some inspiration and it worked perfectly. By the way, if your kiddo likes dinos, just go by the book now. We read all 130+ pages twice a day, every day UNLESS someone stops by in which case we take the time to read it to them as well.
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
Dino Shapes and Learning Through Play!
I also made a model that the kids could use to see what is possible. Zayd is not apt to jump right in so I think it is imperative that I give him a clue as to the "right" way to do something (his words, not mine...we are working on that). I brought in Zayd's favorite book (of all time?) National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Dinos to give him some inspiration and it worked perfectly. By the way, if your kiddo likes dinos, just go by the book now. We read all 130+ pages twice a day, every day UNLESS someone stops by in which case we take the time to read it to them as well.
Friday, November 14, 2014
Zayd is drawing!
Well we still have an hour of crying everyday when it comes to school, and I know I keep saying this but I really see such a difference in Zayd since he started Montessori. Here's the Mammenchisaurus he painted today.
P.S. Those splotches are poops.
Monday, November 10, 2014
Halloween 2014 featuring Toddlers and Waddlers
All I can say is that I have two dynamic amazing kids. Seeing these photos makes me swoon. I am so lucky to be so in love.
Beyond that, truly, this neighborhood is awesome. We have made such an amazing life for ourselves here in Mahncke Park. It is one I can't bear to part with. The grass just isn't greener anywhere else. (Drought notwithstanding.)
Because it bears some mention, Zayd and Zahra wanted to be Robin Hood and Prince John from Disney's the Robin Hood. Thus, Zayd is a fox AND Robin Hood and Zahra is a lion AND a prince. Goodness. I know. Everyone said he was a very cute Peter Pan. :)
And here is about 1/5 of our Toddlers and Waddlers trick or treat parade. Don't you wish we came a-knocking on your door?
Sunday, November 9, 2014
Back in business!
I love seeing Zayd back into full play mode versus watch Muppets and cough up a lung mode. (I should say we are at play and cough mode, actually, but why taint what is DEFINITELY progress.) More than anything, I feel he has emerged from this "mono" with a new creative spirit that is taking his Legos all around the world and back. Each of these little creations has a name ("Subturboship" was my favorite) and a purpose ("get badguys" is popular).
This weekend, I happily completed a one hour Occupational Therapy intake interview about Zayd and they asked me about 100 questions about this little lentil. I knew most of them but after yesterday, I think I missed one big one. "How long can Zayd play independently?" I said 15 minutes. Um, no, not this new Zayd. Not the Zayd that is just so happy to be able to make voices and robot noises and sound effects. He played all morning with very little guidance and just a little bit of audience neediness. :)
Can you spot the rocketship that shoots for the stars with two turbo engines? What about the main badguys house with flames on top?
Friday, November 7, 2014
Sick Day, dive five.
Thursday, November 6, 2014
Mono. Really.
This poor sweet boy of mine has mono. If you read up on mono online it says that they don't have symptoms. Well, that is not true for the little lentil. He is very very sick despite everything I have read on every website. In fact, it is likely she has mono too with no symptoms.
I suppose the only silver lining is that any tiny friends we might have an infected with mono will likely only have a cold four weeks from now and will be incapable of getting mono as teenagers or adults.
The black lining is that I feel like I have spent nearly four years chasing a diagnosis that will explain why Zayd always seems just a little bit different. We are embarking on a new journey next week to see if we can solve the food issues and maybe that will bring us some answers. For now it's humidifiers, rest and honey. That's right, we are treating mono with honey.