Fast times and wild living with (the former) Baby Whozit…
Posted in First Grader, Jessica, Kindergartener, Simon says... on Dec 18th, 2013
No, I didn’t go anywhere. I’ve just been over-committed everywhere, mostly not of my own doing. (Out-of-town guests stuff, PTA stuff, household emergency stuff, and zoning battle stuff.) 2013 is looking like it’s going to be a race to the finish. Herewith are, with just two weeks left, some of the funnier things Simon has […]
Posted in Friends, Jessica, Kindergartener on Jun 3rd, 2013
Twice in the past week, Simon has done something he shouldn’t. In both instances, I could have easily gotten angry and thrown a fit. In both instances, I chose not to because while the specific action was not OK, the motivation or thinking behind it was actually kind of awesome. I’ll start with the little […]
Posted in Kindergartener, Matthew on May 29th, 2013
If there’s one thing Americans know about Soccer, it’s that it’s a low-scoring game. It is not uncommon for a ninety-minute game to produce a single goal. Think that’s bad? Plenty of games end with no goals at all (or nil-nil, as we like to say), draws being perfectly acceptable in most matches. Consequently goals […]
Posted in Jessica, Kindergartener on May 24th, 2013
Well of course that’s how everything would work out. I should have guessed as much. Earlier in the year, Simon was stuck in a troubled triangle friendship. He and the one boy remained close friends and the other two boys remained close to each other, but Simon and the third boy were proving not to […]
Posted in Jessica, Kindergartener on May 20th, 2013
There’s this parenting maxim that nearly everyone hears at some point. It goes like this: “You’re not their friend. You’re their parent.” Or, inversely, “My job isn’t to be your friend. You have lots of those. I’m your parent.” Parent or not, I’m sure you’ve heard it. You may have even said it. I’ve probably […]
Posted in Jessica, Kindergartener on May 14th, 2013
After my little chat with Mr. Sowder about Simon’s lack of assertiveness a few weeks ago, I got to thinking about Simon’s basic temperament and how different it is from most of his classmates. He’s always stood out—and apart—from many of his peers. That led me to see, on a whim, whether I could guess […]
Posted in Jessica, Kindergartener, Simon says... on May 7th, 2013
Ever been shopping and found yourself suddenly overtaken with a strong desire for chocolate-chip cookies? Here’s how to get some for free, without waiting in line or—for that matter—without even having to ask. Take your 6-year-old shopping for his best friend’s birthday present. It’s really that easy. Here’s the scoop. The Lovely Caroline (TM) had […]
Posted in Kindergartener on May 3rd, 2013
I’ve previously alluded to Mr. Sowder asking me to class to discuss Simon’s assertiveness. Or, rather, his lack thereof. When another boy in class or on the playground gets too rough with Simon, he dutifully says exactly what the school counselor taught him to say: “No. Stop. I don’t like it when you do that.” […]
Posted in Jessica, Kindergartener, Simon says... on Apr 28th, 2013
Simon’s reading has officially exploded. Just before bedtime on Saturday night, he announced plainly: “I am a reading machine!” Screamed it even. And he was right. Simon is recognizing ever more words, is doing better at sounding out new words, and is just excited as can be about the whole thing. So excited that he […]
Posted in Jessica, Kindergartener, Simon says... on Apr 22nd, 2013
You know that dream you have where you are outside on familiar streets or inside a familiar building, but somehow can’t find your way? The streets or halls all seem to go on forever and don’t lead where they are supposed to, presenting a surreal and very frustrating version of streets and buildings you navigate […]