Bringing us up to speed....

Ok, so I know it's been quite a while since I've posted, but's it's not from a lack of material -it's from a lack of time. New Year's Resolution #6 - Update Blog weekly.... we'll see.

So, the last time I posted it was to let everyone know that Brayden had started the Big "K", ...Kindergarten. So, we're 4 months in and he's doing great...well intellectually he's doing great. His behavior the first few months was lacking, but he's finally started to get that under control. It's not that he's really misbehaving, he just won't quit talking...(imagine that, my kid likes to talk). Mom says that was always the number 1 complaint that my teachers had about me. His teacher says that it's very hard to get on to him because he's so funny and he's just trying to put his 2 cents in and participate. She encourages participation but not when it means he's talking more than her. I guess there could be worse things, he could be mean and hateful...instead he just has alot to say.

As far as his school work, he amazes me. His little brain has learned and absorbed so much in the past 4 months. His latest accomplishment is being able to count by 5's to 100. He can actually keep going but his attention span is gone by the time he gets that far. He can spell about 20 words and he is beginning to recognize words that he sees in his environment. I'm looking at his latest Interim report right now and he has a + (means mastered) by all but 1 of the 25 skills. The 1 not mastered reads "Locate 2 dimensional figures within 3 dimensional objects". I'm not sure I can do that :)

Ok, so I've talked about behavior and intellect...that leaves me with social skills. Any of you that know Brayden, knows that he is quite the social butterfly. He never meets a stranger and he will talk to anyone that gives him the time of day. He switches best friends as quickly as he switches his underwear. Everyday I hear about a new friend that he's made at recess. Not just Kindergarteners but 1st and 2nd graders too. We went to Wal-Mart last night and we saw 4 kids that he called by name and said hi to. It's like that everywhere we go. Brayden also switches "girlfriends" about once a week. He has talked about girlfriends since he was 3 years old. In preschool, he seemed to keep them for a lot longer, I guess that's because he only had a handful to choose from. Now that he's at a big school, he's sorting through them much more quickly. I asked him about a girl the other day and he explained to me that they had "breaked up". Where does he get this stuff??? I think he just says he has a girlfriend for the sake of having one, because when you ask him what he thinks about girls it's usually negative. I just called him in here and asked "what do you think about girls" he said " (with his thumbs down) they're yucky and they cram the food in their mouth when they eat at lunch". So even though he's always talking about his girlfriends, I don't think I have anything to worry about...yet!

So that's a recap of how school is going. I mentioned in my last post about an incident he caused at school that almost involved the police. I really will get to that...but right now motherhood is calling. Actually it's screaming... "mom can I go outside and play".

Long time, no post...

Ok, I know, it’s been forever since I’ve posted. I keep thinking about and putting it off. But I’m at work today and my mind is wandering, so I decided to catch up on some of the blogs that I used to read; that inspired me to post something. Well, the biggest thing that has happened since my last post is that Brayden started Kindergarten. Remember this post?? Well after a lot of thought, we did decide to keep him in a Pre-K program for one more year. The pediatrician recommended waiting simply because he was a boy and so close to the cut-off, my co-workers said to wait, and my fellow bloggers said to wait…so we waited. We didn’t base our decision solely on everyone’s opinion, but they were definetly a factor. We did however choose to put him into a new preschool, one that was more academically challenging. A few days into the new program, he began to have some major behavioral problems. This was new to us; we had never once been told he was behaving badly at the old school. In hindsight, that’s probably because they let them run around like banshees all day anyway. So we would address it with him and things would get better for a day or so and then he’d have a rough couple of days again. At first, I thought it was because it was a new school and a lot more structure than he was used to. Well, 3 weeks into it, his new teacher called me and asked if my husband and I could come meet with her. So we went the next day expecting to hear that she was expelling him or something. But, it actually turned about to be a great meeting. Her first question was “who told you to keep him from going to kindergarten this year”. We explained how we had come to that decision and she basically told use (in the nicest way possible) that in her opinion (as a teacher for the past 20 years) that we had made the wrong decision. She said that he was so smart and well beyond where he needed to be to start Kindergarten. She said that she felt like the bad behavior stemmed from being bored. She said he would finish his “work” within 5 minutes of sitting at the table. Therefore he was left to twiddle his thumbs while everyone else finished. Well I’m sure you can imagine how long a 5 year old boy can sit still and keep to himself. She said that he would try but that after 15 minutes or so he was going nuts just sitting there. She said that she was willing to let him stay and that she would try to give him more advanced work, but that he was way beyond the other children and would probably struggle all year and maybe even regress. That was on a Wednesday. We thought about it for a while, but I think my husband and I both immediately knew what we needed to do. So I registered him the next day and he started Kindergarten on that Friday. He only missed 3 weeks, and his new teacher said that he would have no problem catching up. Well we are on week 3 and he LOVES it. His behavior has been great (well except for one little mishap on his third day that almost involved the police – more on that later). He is excelling and has already learned so much in this short amount of time. I got an email from his teacher today and it said, among other things, “I really enjoy having him in class, he’s very entertaining! He’s also very quick to learn what I am teaching and he enjoys learning as well.” I’m so proud if him. He’s becoming such a big boy and continues to amaze me everyday.

Stayed tuned – I know I have a lot more stories and Braydenism’s from the last few months that need to be posted before my memory reaches capacity. I’ve just got to do some brainstorming first and dig them all up.

Mixed up feelings?

On the way to preschool this morning Brayden says (in his most sad voice)

B: Mom, I'm a little shy today.
T: Your shy??? (this boy has never been shy, so I had to confirm that's what he said)
B: Yeah, I'm just a little shy.
T: Why are you shy today?
B: Because I want daddy (he had to go to work early, so Brayden didn't get to see him)
T: Do you mean that you are sad because you didn't get to see him.
B: No, I'm just shy.


Lately Brayden has been on this kick where he calls his nana, "your mom" when he talks about her to me. Papa is "your dad" and Uncle David has just recently become "your brother".

For example, he was sitting at the dining room table tonight coloring and he came across a picture that Nana had done. He calls me into the room and shows me the picture. He says "Your mom used to draw these when she went to school" We also went out to my brother's house tonight. As we pulled in he says "Your brother is in the backyard, I can see him". When addressing them directly he calls them by name though. It's so funny!


Ok, one last "Brayden Story" as mom and I call them...

Did you know that the Lion King has a Lion Queen?? Well if you discuss the movie "Cars" with Brayden you will hear lots of talk about the Lion Queen. If you haven't seen the movie, Lion Queen (known to most as Lightening McQueen) is the star of the movie. :)

Works For Me Wednesday

HAPPY MEAL MINUS THE MEAL

There are several times throughout the year that McDonald's will offer toys that I really would like for Brayden to have. For instance, they currently have the "Cars" cars. There are 10 of them I believe. I wanted to get all of them for him, but I didn't want to feed him 10 Happy Meals in the process, so I just buy the toy. I think it's like $1.14 per toy. I run by McDonald's like once a week during the series and see which new ones they have. Most of the time, I buy them while Brayden isn't with me and stash them. They make great little rewards for good behavior. It's hard to find toys that your kids will really like for less than 2 bucks these days. He loves getting his cheap Mickey-D toys though. I assume other fast food places would sell just the toy as well, I've just never asked.

One last thing, I usually buy 2 of each of the Disney Series ones. I keep one in the original package and stash it away for good. I thought it would be cool to give them all to Brayden one day when he leaves the nest. I wish I would have saved some of mine from my childhood. Have you seen how much those things go for on Ebay??

Click on over to Shannon's for some more great WFMW tips!!

On the menu...

Peachy Delight (somewhere between a peach cobbler and peach crisp)

1 - 29oz can of sliced peaches in heavy syrup
1/4 c - of water
1 - package of butter pecan cake mix (you can use other flavors of cakes mixes)
1 - stick of butter
1/4 c - sugar
1 tsp - cinnamon

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Pour canned peaches into a 9x13 inch baking pan; make sure juices cover peaches. Add water, sugar, and cinnamon. Stir in pan.

3. Cut stick of butter into dry cake mix using a fork or pastry blender. Pour evenly over peaches. Do not mix into peaches.

4. Bake in preheated oven for 45 to 55 minutes, or until the juice mixture is bubbly and the top of the cake mix topping is crusty and golden brown.

(you can use fresh peaches as well, but you will need to increase the sugar to 3/4 cup)

Brayden came in from outside and informed me that him and his buddy from next door were "having a sundae". I naturally think ice cream. So I ask him where he got it? He says outside, so I must go out to inquire. I walked out the door and saw something I definetly wasn't expecting.....

Wanna see a sundae??

Works For Me Wednesday

I'm not feeling very creative today, so I'm keepin' it simple....

What are you doing with all of the WFMW tips that you really like?

Well if you haven't come up with anything yet, check out my very first WFMW tip. It works perfectly for keeping up with all of the wonderful ideas that are shared each week.

Check it out here!!

For more WFMW tips, click on over to Shannon's

According to Brayden...

Cupcake with Sprinkles = Pupcake with sprinklers
Jimmy Neutron = Nimmy Neutron
Ranch = White Sauce
Guitar = Bittar
Power Rangers SPD = Power Rangers Cass-Pa-Dee
Lightning Bugs = Lighty Bugs
Cartoon = Kid Movie
Dr. Pepper, Coke, Sprite, etc = Root Beer
Computer = Pewter

The funny thing is that for most of these is that he truly knows how to say them, and sometimes he will slip up and say them correctly and not even realize. But for the most part he makes a point to call them the incorrect name. The bad part is that me and my husband have now picked up his version and began using them.

I know there are more, but those are the only ones I can thing of right now...

Enter To Win...

This weeks WFMW involves labels. Whenever I go to an expo or fair or some type (baby fair, home expo, craft fair…etc) I take a sheet of labels with me that have my name, address, phone, and email. Why? Because these type of venues always have several booths that have drawings and contests. I like entering these types of things, but I hate filling out the little forms every time, so I usually would just skip them. But now it’s easy, I just peel off a label and stick it on. I actually won something at the last one!!

For more great WFMW tips click on over to Rocks In My Dryer!!

Recent Conversation

Radio: Yeeee-Haaaww
B: Mom, when I grow up I want to be a cowboy.
M: Maybe you can be a cowboy for Halloween
B: Awesome! Do you know where to buy a cowboy suit?
M: I can order one off of the computer.
B: How?
M: I will pay the computer and it will mail us one. (Ok, that’s not exactly how it works, but I just didn’t want to get into all of that this morning)
B: Oh cool, that’s awesome.
*pause*
B: (sounding doubtful) Are you sure mom?
M: Yes, I’m sure.
B: Yea! Awesome.

WORKS FOR US WEDNESDAY

Washing my son’s hair at bath time has always been quite an event for us. He can play in the water outside all day and get it in his ears and face, but if it happens at bath time – let the screaming begin. One night during the hair washing battle, I wondered what we had done with the little hair washing visor I had purchased a few months back. I hadn’t seen it for months; I assume we trashed it because it was worthless. It was one of those visors that is made specifically for washing hair. It was very flimsy and it didn’t cover his ears. We had trouble keeping it on too. As I sat wondering what we had done with it, I thought of his Spiderman visor. So I went to get it and we’ve been using it ever since. It works perfectly. The wide band covers his ears and the cardboard visor is strong and withstands the water. I start by putting it around his neck and then bringing the front and sides up under his hair. I hang it on the shower nozzle when we are done so that it can dry. This definetly works for us. Now my husband and I don’t argue about who has to wash his hair.

We purchased this one at Wal-Mart in the Infants/Toddlers department.

Note: The strange brown mark on his neck is a batman tattoo.

For more WFMW tips, click on over to Rocks In My Dryer...

Wish Update

The same evening as the "wishing star" question was asked, we went outside to see if in fact there was one. According to Brayden there was. There were millions of stars, but he set his eyes on one and claimed it to be the famous star. He whispered his wish and then we went back inside. He did later tell me that he wished for a "tiny baby dog that wouldn't scratch him when he jumps and a teddy bear". (he has a dozen already). The funny part is that he got up the next morning and started looking around the living room like he had lost something. I asked him what he was looking for and he said "where is my wish from the wishing star"? He thought that he would wake up and find what he had wished for. I explained that the wishing star doesn't actually bring you your wish. It tells your parents what your wish is and then they decide whether or not you can have what you wished for. He said "oh" and went along his merry way.

Yesterday he was watching some shows that we had DVR'd a few weeks ago and a Berenstein Bears episode came on and it was titled "The Wishing Star". Ah-ha, that's where he came up with the idea. Sister Bear wishes for a teddy bear that she sees in a store window. She got her wish. Maybe Brayden will get a bear this week from the wishing star! (He won't be getting a tiny baby dog though)

By the way, I'm leaving for San Francisco today for a business trip, so I won't be posting until next Thursday.

Recent Conversations...

While laying in our bed this morning watching TV…

B: Is there going to be a wishing star tonight?
T: I don’t know. Why?
B: Because I have a wish.
T: What is it? (knowing that I’m not supposed to ask)
B: I can’t tell you, it’s a secret.

It’s been driving me crazy all day. I want to know what it is. I told him we would look for a wishing star tonight. Maybe I can con him in to telling me his wish if I tell him one of mine.

On the way to school…

B: When do people get to have girlfriends?
T: When they are 16.
B: When am I gonna be 16?
T: In 11 years. Why? Is there someone that you want to be your girlfriend?
B: Yes
T: Who?
B: I don’t know their names yet?

Notice he says “their names” - as in more than one!

This WFMW isn’t really that exciting, but it definetly works for me, so I thought I’d share it.

First, let me begin by saying that I am a very messy cook…but then again aren’t all good cooks? :) At least I always clean up my mess! That’s where my tip comes in. I hate to have wet or messy hands and have to run all over the kitchen dripping until I find the dish towel. So, I take a clean dish towel and fold it in 3rds lengthwise and tuck about 2 inches into the waistband of my pants. The towel is always right there when I need it. I take the dirty dish towel from the previous day and throw it in the floor. If I drop something on the floor while I’m cooking, I just grab the towel with my foot and wipe it up. At the end of the day I toss it into the laundry. Tomorrow, the regular dish towel goes to the floor, and I get a clean one to use for my hands or to tuck while I’m cooking!

For more awesome WFMW tips go to Rocks in My Dryer and check out the other participants ideas.

The ABC's of ME

Accent: I don't think I have one, but all my northern friends swear that I do - they would probably describe it as southern.

Bible Book that I like: Psalms

Chore that I don’t care for: Laundry. I H-A-T-E it with a passion

Dog or Cat: Definetly Dogs, we don't currently have one but we are on the lookout.

Essential Electronics: DVR - I really can't don't want to live without it. It's the only way I can ever fit my favorite shows into my schedule. I can squeeze a lot of commercial free TV into Friday nights between 10pm and 2 am!

Favorite Cologne: Couldn't pick one favorite, so here are my top 4 - Mary Kay Belara, MK Journey, Clinique Happy & Marc Jacobs

Gold or Silver: Silver or White Gold only.

Handbag I carry most often: My black purse from Target.

Insomnia: I wish! I might could stay awake long enough to get some things done

Job Title: Official - Juvenile Product Category Manager / Unofficial - Mom, Wife, Daughter & Friend

Kids: 4 yr old son Brayden

Living Arrangements: Me, the hubby and Brayden in a 3 bedroom one story home with a huge backyard that takes forever to mow!

Most Admirable Trait: My friends would say generous or helpful. I will go out of my way to volunteer to help or give to anyone that ask, no matter what. That's not always a good thing for me. Sometimes it gets me in over my head.

Naughtiest childhood behavior: I was always the goody goody kid. There wasn't alot of naughty behavior, but probably the worst thing I ever did was steal a stop sign.

Overnight hospital stay: The birth of my son and last year's 3 day stint due to viral meningitis.

Phobias: I'm not really afraid of anything like heights, water, snakes, etc. I'm probably most afraid of speaking in a large group or afraid that I will never be or do what I was destined to do.

Quote: "If at first the idea is not absurd, then there is no hope for it" - Albert Einstein

Religion: I try not to get wrap up in the word "religion". You can have religion all day and end up in hell. I'm a Christian that believes the bible...all of it. I have a living, breathing relationship with Jesus Christ, my Lord and my Savior.

Siblings: 1 brother, David 6 yrs older than me

Time I wake up: Supposed to - 6:15 / Really do - whenver I decide to quit hitting the snmooze button

Unusual Talent or skill: I can tie a cherry stem in a knot with my tongue and I make really good sound effects (train whistle, sirens, cats fighting...)

Vegetable I refuse to eat: brussel sprouts

Worst habit: Oh I'm sure my husband could give you a whole list, but I would say my worst is leaving my clothes all over the bedroom. That would definetly be #1 on his list.

X-rays: just my teeth

Yummy stuff I cook: cookies, cakes & casseroles

Zoo animal I like most: Chimps - I could sit and watch them all day. I used to collect stuffed ones when I was younger. I always swore that when I moved out on my own I would get a real one. Well I did about 5 years ago - his name is Brayden! :) He jumps around and acts just as crazy as they do!

I'm tagging Tiffany

Sing me a song...

As Bobby and I listened from our room, we could hear Brayden singing this...

"We are people"
"We are animals"
"*loud* WE ARE BIIIRRDDS"
"We got a new house" (which we didn't, not sure what that's all about)
"We got a new house"
"We got a new house"
"I got a big truck"
"I got a big pick me up truck"
"I got a big truck"
" I got a big - *paused while thinking* - nothin'"
"I got a big nothin"

Then he just hummed the rest of the time. We were cracking up. He's got such an incredibly creative imagination. You should hear some of the stories he makes up. It's also a lot of fun listening to him while he is in his room playing. He uses different voices and plays 2 or 3 characters all at one time. It so funny.

Out of the blue while riding in the car yesterday…

B: Did you and Daddy make me?
M: Well, Jesus made you, but me and daddy kind of helped.
B: *gasp* You were in Jesus when I was in Jesus?
M: Um, not really.
B: So Jesus made my head and you and daddy made the rest?
M: Uh, something like that.

Horrible answers, I know… but I was driving in very heavy traffic when this conversation took place and I was barely listening.

This recipe has been around for years, but I'm surprised by how many people have never heard of it, so I thought I'd share it.

Quick Peanut Butter Cookies

1 c Creamy Peanut Butter
1 c White Sugar
1 Large Egg
1 tsp Baking Powder

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Mix all of the ingredients together until well blended. Roll dough into 1 inch balls and place on ungreased cookie sheet. Use fork to make criss cross on top of each cookie, flattening just slightly. Sprinkle lightly with sugar. (you can also roll the balls in sugar) Bake for 7-8 minutes. Cool on cookie sheet until set, before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Makes about 25-30 cookies. Enjoy!

If you post a "On the Menu Monday" recipe on your site, let me know and I'll link to you.

THANK YOU ALL!!

I just wanted to say a big THANK YOU to all of you that stopped by and offered the much need advice I needed in regards to my son and kindergarten. After discussing it with my husband and praying about it, we have decided to wait. Some of you had some really great points and really helped make the decision easier. I even read your comments to my husband. It also helped that Brayden had some really immature moments this weekend... a lot more than usual. There were several times that I looked at my husband during one of those moments and said "and that's why he's not ready". I feel 100% at peace with this decision and that feels good. Now we just need to figure out the whole new preschool thing. Thanks again!

I need your help...

I have a dilemma. Brayden will turn 5, 6 weeks before the kindergarten cut-off date. Do we start him this year or wait?

We have been going along this whole year with the intention of enrolling him to start. However we had his 4 yr old check up last week (yes, it's a bit late) and the pediatrician seemed surprised. He said he usually recommends that children that turn 5 after June should wait...especially boys. So, now that this kink has been thrown into our plan, I'm struggling daily with the decision. The Dr. made some very good points and when I weigh the pro's and con's, waiting definetly wins. I've done a lot of internet research and have found great arguments for both. Based on most of the info I found...

If he starts now, he will always be the little kid, the young one, the follower. He will be 5 the entire time he is in kindergarten, where as most others will have turned 6 sometime in the year. As for athletics in his future, he will usually be the smallest on the team.

If we wait, he will be taller than most of the kids, the older one, the leader. He will be 6 the entire time he is in kindergarten, right along with most of the other kid's in his class. As for athletics, he will most likely be the bigger kid on the team.

If we decide to start him now, we take the chance that maybe he isn’t ready and that it’s a struggle for a year and then he has to redo kindergarten.

If we decide to wait, then we have to find a new preschool program for him. We love the place he is at now as for being safe & nurturing, but they just don’t teach them anything. Well they try, but here is the issue with that. They have 3 “circle times” a day. These are the times where actual skills are learned. (writing, word recognition, etc) They cannot force a child to attend circle time though, they are given a choice. If you were 4 would you choose “sit and listen” or “run wild and play”? Exactly. Half the time he says that they didn’t have circle time that day because none of the kids wanted to. Who’s running this show?? I have spoken to 2 other centers and they say that, yes it is true that circle time cannot be forced, however both also said that they very seldom have a child that does not want to attend. Do I keep him where I know he is definetly loved and cared but not necessarily learning anything or do I try to find him a better learning environment and hope that he is cared for just a well? (the pre-k program I am looking into is highly recommended)

As for Brayden, I don’t really think he cares. He’s been really excited about starting kindergarten, but I mentioned maybe “Pre-K” instead and he gets excited about that. He doesn’t know that pre-k is just my term for “a new preschool”. Most of the kids in his current class are leaving to start Kindergarten, so he fine knowing that he will leave too. We have 8 K-5 schools, so he’s already prepared for the fact that he probably won’t be going to school with any of his current classmates. The new preschool is actually inside the high school, so he will get to go to a “big school” too.

I’ve gone back and forth on this for a week and it’s driving me insane. I need opinions from moms who have already been there. Please!!

By the way, according to the kindergarten readiness check list, he meets or exceeds every single learning skill that he must have to attend. It's the socially and behaviorally ready that I'm concerned about. Naturally he is going to be less mature than anyone else in his class.