Parent Teacher Conferences

Our preschool is amazing. Jackson has flourished there - he has grown by leaps and bounds and enrolling him there was one of the best decisions we've made for him and his developmental needs. The teacher (who, by the way, should be a saint, she's amazing!) holds conferences but doesn't require you to come - if there's a concern, they call you to set one up, otherwise, they tell you to schedule one if you'd like.

They didn't request a conference (yay!!) but we wanted to see where Jackson stands, how he's progressed this year, and what he needs help with to be ready for 4 year old preschool.

They have an assessment sheet and grade with an M, E, N structure - M means mastered, E means it's an emerging skill, and N means it needs improvement. I'm ok with him having areas that need improvement, I'm totally aware that not every kid develops at the same rate. The most frustrating part of the entire conference for me was that things he told her he doesn't know, he does know - he knows it, I know he knows it, and SHE knows he knows it. For example, they count the days on the calendar each day. So, logically I reason he can count to 31, right? When tested, he only counted to 7. WHAT?! She asked him to count as high as he could and he stopped at 7. She said, "Then what?" and he said, "I don't know." She showed him shapes, he named them all except a rectangle. He knows what it is, he told her later that same day! He just didn't want to do it at the time.

The main things he needs to work on was matching sounds that are the same (that was his only N.) Basically, they say, "Today is Wednesday, what else sounds the same as Wednesday?" The correct answer is stuff starting with W - usually they do the names of kids in the class, so Will and Whitney. Jackson knows all his letter sounds, but just decided not to answer... He also needs to work on his grasp with the pencil and his scissor skills. But, on the upside, there is SO much he has mastered. He knows all his colors, can sort items into categories, he can identify his name in print, he knows what letters are in his name, has excellent motor skills - running, hopping, coordination. He follows directions, is easy to understand when he speaks, can sit for stories and participates in group activities. He knows his full name, can separate from his parents (he can - the paper even says so!!), plays well with his peers, asks for help when needed, and takes care of his potty issues himself.

My main concern was that he was not on target with other 3 year olds but it seems he is, if he can just get past the stubbornness. I don't know how much is him being stubborn, how much is his SPD, how much is typical... Apparently, he's doing well, he just needs a little work in a few areas. So, we'll practice things that need practice. She stressed that we shouldn't stress about it and don't stress him out about it. So, I feel better about it, but frustrated at the same time...

Earth Day 2009

At our house, we discuss things like recycling - we put our "monkey juice" containers in the red box and we give our old toys to kids who don't have toys. We work on not letting the water run while we brush our teeth, turning off lights when we leave the room, and not flushing the toilet 1000 times just to get the pee to go away!

I wanted to do something really important and memorable for Earth Day since Jackson learned about it at school and because it's just one day. As it turns out, the universe apparently had different plans. We started the day with a picnic at the park followed by feeding the ducks and going for a Nature Walk. Then, the rain started!! So, there went our plans, but we had good intentions. (We did have the lights off for hours today using just the sunlight to light the house.)

Sick Babies are No Fun!

Parker has been sick for a week now... poor little guy! Jackson picked up some sort of tummy bug last Tuesday and so graciously shared it with his brother. Parker was only sick for about 6 hours last Wednesday, but his appetite hasn't been the same since. He is not eating very much - he usually eats 36-42 oz. and now he is eating 16 oz. at most. He is not feeling well in general.

We went to the doctor yesterday and they pretty much said there's nothing they can do, it's still the virus. He's pretty little - how long can a virus last?!!

We're hoping he's on the mend soon - send us good thoughts!

Parker is a Little Piggy!!

Parker had his one month appointment today (yes, I know he's 6 weeks old - that's when they scheduled it.) My dad and I were making bets this morning about how big he is - my dad voted 8.5 pounds, I said 10 pounds. Yeah, he weighs 11 pounds, 5 oz.! And, he's 23 inches long. I can't believe how fast he's growing!

And, before anyone criticizes me, I promise I won't let him get a complex from the name Little Piggy - we called Jackson "Chunky Monkey" for years and he's ok. Parker is "Little Piggy" because he makes a snorting sound when he's trying to eat but is too overly enthusiastic - it's really rather cute. Add to that the fact that he's growing like a weed and there you have a nick name!!

I will post some new pictures later, hopefully tonight.

A Brother's Love is... a Brother's Love

(Can you name the movie that quote came from??)

Anyway, Jackson has adapted really well to being a big brother - he helps change diapers and Parker has yet to pee in Jackson's big brown eyes. (That was a source of major worry before Parker was born.) Jackson gets a little worried that people are going to keep "his" baby because people always say, "Can I just keep him?" We've been working on that and now Jackson says, "They're going to give him back, right, Mom?" It's a 2 way street with the affection already - Parker adores Jackson, too, he always smiles when Jackson talks to him.

Here are some new pictures from this past week...

March for Babies

So, it's that time of year again - the March for Babies is coming up and we're participating for the second time. We really look forward to raising money to help the March of Dimes research prematurity and hopefully one day, all babies will be born healthy.

For those that don't know, my nephew Hunter was born 10 weeks early and thanks to the amazing work of the March of Dimes and all the research they've done, Hunter is now almost 2 years old and had no ill effects from being born so early. The March of Dimes saves babies every day and I'm so glad they're around...

Everyday, I am glad that my boys were born healthy. I am thankful that I never needed the March of Dimes. So, for that, we'll be walking this year, and next year, and the next...

If you'd like to help, please make a donation today!

Parker Liam Anderson

He's here, he's here, Baby Parker is finally here!! Here are the basics - born Friday, December 26 at 1:28 PM by repeat c-section. He came out screaming and has been amazing ever since! He weighed 7 pounds, 7 oz., was 21.5 inches long.

Jackson is in love, he has never been more proud or more excited about anything in his life!!! So far, we're doing pretty well adjusting to life with 2 boys.

And, now for the good stuff... the pictures!