So I figured it's a slow news day here (just me working on Halloween costumes and everyone being bums in our pj's), I'd post mini updates on the kids. Pictures will come later, as one faithful reader told me recently: "Hey slacker, post some cute pictures of the kids, will ya?" Or something like that. *winks*
Zach: He just was tested for the gifted program at school and is now in advanced 2nd grade reading and math. The gifted coordinator and I had several long talks about this and it took a bunch of rearranging of teachers and schedules (Zach's the only 1st grader in both advanced classes) but I think he'll be much more challenged now. A bit of background, Zach began reading before kindergarten and tested at 2nd grade level at the end of kindergarten. The school's gifted program seems very good, it continues all the way through high school so he'd never get stuck at a slower level in any grade (potentially he'd take college classes in high school). He's loving it so far, the smaller class size and tougher work are perfect for him.
Hockey is also going well for him. He's much steadier on skates and his puck handling is decent. Last practice he blocked all the shots while playing goalie.
Emily and Ally: I hate lumping them together but they are so on the same wavelength lately. Alphabet-wise, we're still working on it. The biggest problem is they freeze up when quizzed. If I just hand them the flashcards or alphabet magnets, they can talk their way through all of the letters. But if I pick one out, "what's this?" then they forget and become frustrated. Hopefully more practice will help. Math-wise they are doing very well, they know all their numbers (although they both often skip 13, no clue...) and simple addition up to 10.
Their first indoor soccer practice was last Tuesday and they love it! Their first game is next Saturday. I wish the weather wasn't so crappy (42 degrees, windy, and spitting rain) because I'd love to take them outside with a soccer ball and practice.
Kyle: He's finally coming out of the terrible 2's! Whew! Overall he's generally a cheerful happy go lucky kid. He does have a bad habit of climbing gates and sneeking into the fridge for yogurt. His biggest thing is that he so wants to keep up with the Big 3. He wants to play hockey, he wants to play soccer. I think the Y might have a sports class for 3 year olds, I should check into it.
Kelly: So Kyle's going out of the terrible two's, Kelly's jumping in head first. Her temper tantrums are so funny, it's hard to keep from laughing. She's one of the dramatic "hold her breath for several seconds and then scream!" plus "throw herself completely on the floor (check to make sure everyone's watching) and kick and flail." It's almost official, she's not a baby anymore. *sniff* Other than that, she's learning more words every day and often puts 2 or 3 together into sentences. She's also been trying to go potty in the toilet. I'll set her on at diaper changes and she's gone a few times. I'll probably wait until January to try her in underwear though.
Greg: Okay so he's not a kid. Sometimes... But he did just have a review at work and received a hefty raise. Woohoo, Greg! He's also still traveling about half the month as well (he's home at the moment). His latest interests: sleeping through NFL Sundays and reading/watching stuff about climbing mountains (and he has a fear of heights, go figure).
Ranger aka "the dumb dog": He's completely free of heartworms (after $300 worth of arsenic shots last spring) and has dug up most of my mulch along the back of the house. *sigh* But he's a goofy happy-looking yellow lab so it's hard to stay mad at him.
So that's a quick run-down of everything happening here. Now I need to go work on Halloween costumes. I've been promising myself if I finish them this weekend, I'll scrapbook this upcoming week.
Quote of the Day: "I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by." -Douglas Adams
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