Austin was recently tested for the ALPHA program in his school district and qualified. I may have already said this but it is a program for gifted/talented students that is self-contained, instead of the kids being pulled out of regular class to do enrichment work.
Tony and I went to a meeting for prospective parents last night and learned a lot, go to meet the 4th grade teachers and a few of the other parents (that we don't already know). After the meeting, we finalized our decision to send him to the program. We really think he will thrive in that type of environment, and while I am sure there will be frustrations (esp. in the beginning) he will end up really liking the harder work. His teacher this year is amazing, but he is still bored a lot in class. They just can't teach to all the different levels of learning at once. In the ALPHA program all of the kids in the classroom are fast learners, and the teachers make the students go more in depth when answering, always asking "why" instead of just filling in the blanks on a worksheet.
So next year, he will be doing 5th grade math, 6th grade language arts, reading novels in class, finding Greek and Latin stems every day (yay!) and going deeper into social studies and science.
Oh also he will probably come home and cry when he walks into the door the first few weeks. He has such high expectations of himself and is very critical of himself (where does he get that? no idea) and the cutest thing to me is he will NOT let himself cry at school when he is frustrated. So he walks in, I say "How was your day?" and the floodgates open. Last night the teachers were talking about the kids being overwhelmed at the beginning, especially since 4th grade is a big adjustment no matter what school the student goes to.
Feel like I am rambling but let me wrap this up. He is going to ALPHA next year, which means switching schools (again). He is not so happy to leave his new best friend behind, but I told Austin they will be together again in middle school. Another friend from soccer and basketball has been accepted into the program also, so I think that will help Austin adjust. The principal and teachers seems great at the new school and although he will be pushed, I know he will excel once he gets into his groove.
Totally unrelated - I FINALLY turned in my application for the nursing program! I should find out mid to late May if I got in. I'm not really worried about it since I have all A's in the pre-reqs, but then again you never know. We will just have to wait and see. In the meantime, Drew and I are going to the zoo tomorrow for the first time this year. He has only been asking to see his horse (the draft horse at the farm) every day for about 2 months! Tomorrow should be a beautiful day to visit the animals. :)
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Monday, April 5, 2010
To Preschool or Not to Preschool
UPDATE:
We have decided to wait on the preschool. The church I was looking at is more than I want to pay for 2.5 hours a week, and others I have checked out start at age three. Guess we will have to play with more friends instead!
Original post:
I saw the other day at a church near our place that they offer preschool to 2 year olds. Drew misses the 3 year old cut off by 7 days, but no problem there. It will get him around kids he will be in elementary school with, and he will always be one of the oldest kids in class.
I haven't called for prices yet, but Tony and I think it could only be a good thing for Drew. It will get him around more kids on a regular basis and he will learn new things. The church is also only about 5 minutes from us. We can choose one or two mornings a week.
My only reservation about sending Drew to preschool now is that he is still so young. I know we waited another year to start Austin, so he had only 2 years of preschool and Drew would have 3.
Will update when we decide . . .
We have decided to wait on the preschool. The church I was looking at is more than I want to pay for 2.5 hours a week, and others I have checked out start at age three. Guess we will have to play with more friends instead!
Original post:
I saw the other day at a church near our place that they offer preschool to 2 year olds. Drew misses the 3 year old cut off by 7 days, but no problem there. It will get him around kids he will be in elementary school with, and he will always be one of the oldest kids in class.
I haven't called for prices yet, but Tony and I think it could only be a good thing for Drew. It will get him around more kids on a regular basis and he will learn new things. The church is also only about 5 minutes from us. We can choose one or two mornings a week.
My only reservation about sending Drew to preschool now is that he is still so young. I know we waited another year to start Austin, so he had only 2 years of preschool and Drew would have 3.
Will update when we decide . . .
Sunday, March 21, 2010
March Updates
Watching Straight No Chaser on PBS right now. They are an amazing a capella group that started when the guys all went to IU Bloomington. Love them, just wish they had a tour date closer to Fort Wayne!
This year has been a weird one. A lot of people have passed away that are relatives/friends of friends. The most important one to us is Tony's grandma, who passed away at the beginning of February. She was a wonderful 90 year old lady who left behind a family that loves her very much. Although she was older it was still a shock because she hadn't been sick or anything like that. I am so glad we had dinner with her every week since we moved back, it is good to know we spent time with her and our boys got to know her well. Drew still asks where she is when we are at her house (Tony's mom lives there still). I am also glad I was able to spend some time getting to know her as I interviewed her about her life for my nutrition class last semester. We love you Grandma Lucas!
On the other end of the spectrum, our friends had their first baby this past week. He is such a cutie pie and I am very happy for them. I know they will be great parents and their son will grow up to play football in the NFL (right Brian?).
I am applying to the IPFW nursing program for next semester. I am a little freaked out about it but don't really know why. I have all A's in my prereqs and I'm sure will do well on my TEAS test. I guess because it really sets my academic path in stone once I get in. I listen to others who are in their first semester of clinicals talk about them and I know I will enjoy it and learn a lot, it's just the unknown I guess. But I have been here before and every other time I've started something new it has been better than I thought.
I asked Austin the other day if he likes his school (since he has been there almost a full year) and he said "No." Pause. "I LOVE it!!" I am so glad he likes his school and I know a lot has to do with his teacher. She is loving and kind but firm when needed and she teaches to the higher acheiving students instead of the lower ones. (I get to watch her teach when I'm volunteering) She is probably the perfect teacher he could've had to move back to a traditional school setting. He will either stay at this school for the next 2 years or move to the gifted program which is housed at another of the elementary schools. We will know after April 15 if he gets in.
Andrew is loving the warmer weather. His favorite things are to play at a playground or play chalk or blow bubbles outside. He has started actually tracing the letters in his dry erase marker book and sometimes asks me what they are. I love that something can be so fun for him and he is learning (but doesn't see it as work!). We haven't even started potty training yet, we may try this summer but I am not interested in any kind of power struggle or backsliding like we had with Austin. He is always amazed if he sees his dad or brother go to the bathroom- hopefully that will help him want to go like a big boy. His brother didn't get potty trained until after age 3 so if it happens before it will be a nice surprise!
I got the opportunity to spend some girl time this past Friday night with a great group of ladies. I have known most of them for about 5/6 years but since we lived out of town we hadn't spent much time together lately. It was a great evening with no kids, no husbands and positive people around. I am looking forward to the next time we can hang out together.
Well my wonderful Andrew has decided he isn't going to nap so getting him ready to go to Granny & Papaw's for dinner later. Oh and GO BUTLER! Beat Syracuse!
This year has been a weird one. A lot of people have passed away that are relatives/friends of friends. The most important one to us is Tony's grandma, who passed away at the beginning of February. She was a wonderful 90 year old lady who left behind a family that loves her very much. Although she was older it was still a shock because she hadn't been sick or anything like that. I am so glad we had dinner with her every week since we moved back, it is good to know we spent time with her and our boys got to know her well. Drew still asks where she is when we are at her house (Tony's mom lives there still). I am also glad I was able to spend some time getting to know her as I interviewed her about her life for my nutrition class last semester. We love you Grandma Lucas!
On the other end of the spectrum, our friends had their first baby this past week. He is such a cutie pie and I am very happy for them. I know they will be great parents and their son will grow up to play football in the NFL (right Brian?).
I am applying to the IPFW nursing program for next semester. I am a little freaked out about it but don't really know why. I have all A's in my prereqs and I'm sure will do well on my TEAS test. I guess because it really sets my academic path in stone once I get in. I listen to others who are in their first semester of clinicals talk about them and I know I will enjoy it and learn a lot, it's just the unknown I guess. But I have been here before and every other time I've started something new it has been better than I thought.
I asked Austin the other day if he likes his school (since he has been there almost a full year) and he said "No." Pause. "I LOVE it!!" I am so glad he likes his school and I know a lot has to do with his teacher. She is loving and kind but firm when needed and she teaches to the higher acheiving students instead of the lower ones. (I get to watch her teach when I'm volunteering) She is probably the perfect teacher he could've had to move back to a traditional school setting. He will either stay at this school for the next 2 years or move to the gifted program which is housed at another of the elementary schools. We will know after April 15 if he gets in.
Andrew is loving the warmer weather. His favorite things are to play at a playground or play chalk or blow bubbles outside. He has started actually tracing the letters in his dry erase marker book and sometimes asks me what they are. I love that something can be so fun for him and he is learning (but doesn't see it as work!). We haven't even started potty training yet, we may try this summer but I am not interested in any kind of power struggle or backsliding like we had with Austin. He is always amazed if he sees his dad or brother go to the bathroom- hopefully that will help him want to go like a big boy. His brother didn't get potty trained until after age 3 so if it happens before it will be a nice surprise!
I got the opportunity to spend some girl time this past Friday night with a great group of ladies. I have known most of them for about 5/6 years but since we lived out of town we hadn't spent much time together lately. It was a great evening with no kids, no husbands and positive people around. I am looking forward to the next time we can hang out together.
Well my wonderful Andrew has decided he isn't going to nap so getting him ready to go to Granny & Papaw's for dinner later. Oh and GO BUTLER! Beat Syracuse!
Thursday, February 25, 2010
5 Things about today, Thursday Feb 25.
1. I was thisclose to Martina McBride at one point during her concert tonight.
2. Trace Adkin songs either are either rockin' or make me cry.
3. I am so glad the Canadian skater Joannie won a medal.
4. I got a call from Austin's principal.
5. Martina McBride's voice is amazing! (already knew that but just had to say it)
2. Trace Adkin songs either are either rockin' or make me cry.
3. I am so glad the Canadian skater Joannie won a medal.
4. I got a call from Austin's principal.
5. Martina McBride's voice is amazing! (already knew that but just had to say it)
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Taking a Break
Thinking of taking a break for awhile. I know this will affect my 3 readers greatly! I have a lot on my plate right now and so I'll be back later. For now I need to get my rear in gear and do really well in my classes.
This may be a short break, may be longer. . . who knows???
This may be a short break, may be longer. . . who knows???
Friday, January 15, 2010
One week down . . .
The first week of the semester is over. I must say that I really enjoy only having class Tues, Wed, and Thurs. There are quite a few people I have all of my classes with, and one gal I even have both labs with. She is also applying to the nursing program for the fall. This semester is looking pretty good, I think it will be interesting and hopefully I will get good grades, although the subjects are difficult (anatomy/physiology, microbiology, and pharmacology).
This weekend I am watching my friend's youngest son. He is such a happy boy and Drew absolutely LOVES him! It also makes things easier for me most of the time because I don't have to be the playmate all the time for Drew.
Although I am keeping my resolutions for 2010 that are in a previous post, I am adding another one that I think is even more important. ~BUT~ I am keeping it to myself. I would rather look back on this year and know that I accomplished it without anyone else knowing what I am doing.
Tomorrow Austin has his second basketball game. He did a great job at the first one and I am looking forward to watching him play!
This weekend I am watching my friend's youngest son. He is such a happy boy and Drew absolutely LOVES him! It also makes things easier for me most of the time because I don't have to be the playmate all the time for Drew.
Although I am keeping my resolutions for 2010 that are in a previous post, I am adding another one that I think is even more important. ~BUT~ I am keeping it to myself. I would rather look back on this year and know that I accomplished it without anyone else knowing what I am doing.
Tomorrow Austin has his second basketball game. He did a great job at the first one and I am looking forward to watching him play!
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Happy New Year 2010
2009 ended with a little bit of fun for us - we went to my brother's new girlfriend's house and hung out. She has two kids and my sister and her son were there also so the kids had a (loud) blast! We stayed only until 11:20 or so, wanted to stay until midnight but Drew was NOT going to make it. We got home with about ten minutes to spare and Drew was fast asleep when 2010 came around! Tony, Austin and I toasted with some apple juice and then watched a little more TV before going to bed.
New Year's Day was a good and calm day. We just hung around the house and Austin played the Wii and read a new book, while Drew and I played with his "farmer" (little people) toys and his choo-choo tracks. We had a tasty dinner and I was very glad the little fire that happened didn't turn into a bigger fire! Surprise - Tony was doing the cooking, not me. He had a pot that was too little to fry the potatoes and it overflowed. (I won't even mention I wanted them baked instead . . .)
I do have a few Resolutions for 2010. One should be a definite and others complement each other.
1. Apply and get into the nursing program. Don't see any problem with this.
2. Find a home church! This one has proven to be more difficult than I would've thought when we moved up here. Our church in Greenwood is so wonderful, I think we have very high expectations for a new church. But - we need to just bite the bullet and go for it.
3. Lose some weight/inches. This will happen by watching what I eat more and exercising more often. I have this thing about other people seeing me exercise (even family) so I need to either start getting up earlier or figure out a time when Tony will definitely be working and not come out of his office. When the weather gets warmer my mom and I walk together two times a week and that is fun and good for both of us. Until then I need to get out my DVDs and just do it!
4. Less TV. I want to institute one night a week when we leave the TV off. This involves participation from others so I need to work on them a little bit. I personally would prefer to leave the TV off during the week but I don't think that will float in my household, at least not yet :)
5. Eat healthier. This goes along with #3. It also is for the entire family. I don't want Austin to keep going for chips and other junk when given the option to choose his own snack. This may be painful for awhile, because I know how much we love the foods that don't love us, but it will lead to healthier lives overall. Especially since I am going into nursing and I just took a nutrition class I think I should use my knowledge to better our lives. More whole foods, less processed foods is my new motto.
I know that some of these resolutions are pretty lofty, but I figure any steps we take in the right direction are a good start. This past year Tony has started voluntarily recycling cardboard and I could stop asking him everytime , so I know the new year holds great things for us. It can be done!
New Year's Day was a good and calm day. We just hung around the house and Austin played the Wii and read a new book, while Drew and I played with his "farmer" (little people) toys and his choo-choo tracks. We had a tasty dinner and I was very glad the little fire that happened didn't turn into a bigger fire! Surprise - Tony was doing the cooking, not me. He had a pot that was too little to fry the potatoes and it overflowed. (I won't even mention I wanted them baked instead . . .)
I do have a few Resolutions for 2010. One should be a definite and others complement each other.
1. Apply and get into the nursing program. Don't see any problem with this.
2. Find a home church! This one has proven to be more difficult than I would've thought when we moved up here. Our church in Greenwood is so wonderful, I think we have very high expectations for a new church. But - we need to just bite the bullet and go for it.
3. Lose some weight/inches. This will happen by watching what I eat more and exercising more often. I have this thing about other people seeing me exercise (even family) so I need to either start getting up earlier or figure out a time when Tony will definitely be working and not come out of his office. When the weather gets warmer my mom and I walk together two times a week and that is fun and good for both of us. Until then I need to get out my DVDs and just do it!
4. Less TV. I want to institute one night a week when we leave the TV off. This involves participation from others so I need to work on them a little bit. I personally would prefer to leave the TV off during the week but I don't think that will float in my household, at least not yet :)
5. Eat healthier. This goes along with #3. It also is for the entire family. I don't want Austin to keep going for chips and other junk when given the option to choose his own snack. This may be painful for awhile, because I know how much we love the foods that don't love us, but it will lead to healthier lives overall. Especially since I am going into nursing and I just took a nutrition class I think I should use my knowledge to better our lives. More whole foods, less processed foods is my new motto.
I know that some of these resolutions are pretty lofty, but I figure any steps we take in the right direction are a good start. This past year Tony has started voluntarily recycling cardboard and I could stop asking him everytime , so I know the new year holds great things for us. It can be done!
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