Friday, April 8, 2011

Dormant Faith

I finished the other blog and should get to bed now, but I want to record this moment from today before I forget.

Faith and I went to see my best friend and her daughter (who is Faith's best friend) and newborn son today. It's about a 40 minutes drive from our house to hers.

On the way there, Faith wanted to spell. She was spelling words for about 20 minutes. I would sound them out for her and then did rhyming words so she can see the pattern. She is great with color and number patterns and I was interested to see if she would catch on as quickly with word pattern.

We started out with cat. Then bat, hat, mat, sat. We did the same thing with dog and then bog, fog, log. And next to pen, hen, etc.... She just kept going. Then she wanted to spell bridge because we were passing under one. We haven't worked with blends and digraphs yet. I had to break it down a lot for her. We also haven't done the long vowel sounds either. Even though it was a tough word, she wanted to take a stab at it. She did really well. Her word patterns are not as quick as her color and number pattern, but we just started doing this recently. I'm sure she pick it up quick, she always does.

After 20 minutes and finally being bored with that, we started talking about the landscape of our drive. We were noticing how lush, me explaining to her, another word for green, it was. I asked her why she thought it was so green right now. We do a lot of gardening so she knows that it requires dirt, sun, and water for plants to grow. We talked about the spring weather lately and how that is optimal for the lush landscape. The I mention the word dormant because she is loves trees that don't have any leaves. I explained to her that when a tree is dormant, it means that the tree is asleep for the winter. I didn't get any response from her. I thought that was strange so I called her name...no answer...so I called again...she giggled and then said, "I was pretending to be dormant." Of course, big smile across my face. The girl took a brand new concept and used it with her own flair to show me she gets it.

After that we turned on some music and the song Forget you by Cee Lo Green was on. Once again, she couldn't just sing the words as is, she came up with, "I see you driving around town with the Faith I love and I said, can I get a ride." Such a funny kid! Love her!

She loves big trucks. I saw a cool one that carries liquid and it had a tube that looks like a drinking straw wrapped around it and I asked her what she thought was in the container. She initially said air and then I asked her what else it could be in there. I told her to look at the tube that was wrapped around and asked her what it reminded her of. She thought it look like a hose, so she said water could be in there. Then we had a discussion about liquid and air (I didn't use the word gas). We talked about all our senses with liquid and air. It was an interesting conversation. Before I knew it, we were almost to our destination.

That little girl never cease to amaze me. I often forget she is only 3 1/2. I looking forward to our many future conversations.

Masters in Education with emphasis on Gifted Education

It's been a long time since I've blogged. I always have the intention of doing it, but my follow through doesn't always follow through. Once again, I should be sleeping, but instead I'm sitting here typing in hopes of getting my thoughts down and quieting my mind to go to bed. I haven't had the opportunity to follow any of my blogs and decided to tonight because I tried going down with Faith at midnight, but was unsuccessful. I took some Excedrin Migrane around 7 to get rid of my Migrane and forgot how much caffine is in those pills. My heart was racing and that nervous shaky feeling kept my exhausted body up. I logged on Raising Smart Girls to and clicked on "Gifted Families" and found Life Among the Gifted. I was reading Melanie's bio and all of a sudden got the urge to look up masters program in education with the emphasis on gifted education.

When I quit teaching and decided to stay home with Faith, I always knew I wanted to go back for my masters one day. I just didn't know what I wanted my emphasis to be on. Now, it feels so clear that I should go back to learn more about Gifted Education. I remember only briefly reading and discussing gifted education when I got my credential. Just like most of the teaching population, our focus as teacher, was to help the struggling students and move them up. Why would the gifted students, need any support, they are already "smart!" Now having a gifted kid myself, I definitely understand that not only do the gifted child needs the support, but the whole family needs the support.

I would love to learn more on how the gifted minds work. Along the way, I hope to pick up strategies and shine some light on how my highly sensitive faith.

I requested some information from some online programs. We'll see what becomes of this quest. I still need to talk to husband about it.

Friday, September 3, 2010

Daily to Weekly Gratitude

I'm totally behind on my gratitude journal. I might have to change daily to weekly or even monthly. It gets difficult to keep up daily, but that doesn't mean I'm not grateful for all the daily blessings.

Husband bought me a EFX bracelet and I'm not sure if it's the bracelet working it's magic or if my shift in attitude. YOu can go to the link for more information on it. Either way, you can't convince me to take off the bracelet.

I've been sleep deprived this week because Faith is sick again and having a hard time sleeping. I figured since I can take naps during the day and husband can't, it's wiser to have me sleeping with her. Most morning I wake up exhausted, but after my afternoon nap, I've been feeling really good.

Also, as President of Faith's preschool, Campbell Parent Participation Preschool, I was part of the board member team conducting three seperate Orientations for the 4's, 3's, and 2's class. It's a while since I stood up in front of a bunch of adults and presented, it felt great! I forgot how much I missed it. I'm sure that is helping with the mood lately as well.

It was a tough day at my therapist visit, because she called me out on some stuff that I really did need to hear. However, you never one someone else to lay out your faults, especially if it's regarding your spouse or your child. She is correct no matter how hard it is to hear. I need to be more considerate and thoughtful of my husband. He is an extraordinary husband!

So here are my gratitude for this past week:
1. Having an amazing husband who spoils me and loves me unconditionally. I will work on not neglecting him and putting him first!

2. Thankful that Faith has amazing uncle and aunt. Thank you guys for baby sitting her this week so I can either rest, go to my doctor appointments, or orientation.

3. My EFX bracelet. Thank you husband for always being so considerate.

4. The incredible grandmas for loving Faith unconditionally even though she can be bossy at times.

5. My amazing Faith who ever cease to surprise me. Thank you for putting a smile on my face each and every day.

6. Amazing friends who are always there to lend an ear.

7. Finding a wonderful preschool for Faith. I'm looking forward to a great year!

8. Having a great board team at Faith's school. Everyone has been so wonderful and pitching in to help one another.

Saturday, August 28, 2010

Daily Five- August 26 & 27th, 2010

Daily Five- August 26, 2010

1. Good night's rest

2. Cuddle time in the morning

3. Spend the day at Happy Hollow with the kids

4. Able to vacuum and mop the floors

5. Faith going to bed without a fight, it was probably because it was so late.


Daily Five- August 27, 2010

1. Another good night's rest

2. Faith's hilarious comment today: "Look at my teeny boobies, when I grow bigger, they will grow bigger too." I don't know where she comes up with this stuff, but it's so funny

3. Had a chance to work at Faith preschool and send the time with one of the other parent and child who are great friends of ours. The girls but on a great puppet show about horses today. Also, I finally finished my job.

4. Spending the afternoon shopping with husband. We spent way too much on retail therapy, but it was so much fun. Of course, most of it was for Faith. I couldn't resist. Gap and Old Navy had huge sales and then another 30% off with the friends and family coupon. Also gave us a great opportunity to work out some of our issues lately. I need to work harder on showing him that he is appreciated!

5. Able to have some quiet time to take care of some work I had to caught up on.


Can you tell which daily fives I write the day of and which ones I'm recalling from memory?

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Daily Fives-August 22,2010 thru August 25, 2010

Daily Fives-August 22, 2010
(Sunday)

1. My grandma's yummy spring rolls. She doesn't make it often, but it's totally worth the wait. I was close to my own record of 10 rolls. These rolls were pretty big so even though I had 7, I 'm going to count it as 10

2. Faith's first time miniature golfing. She had so much fun! Daddy even own a free game.

3. 2 hour nap

4. Crunchy fried noodles

5. Buying groceries to make the yummy cabbage salad.

Chinese Cabbage Salad

1 med. head cabbage
4 stalks green onions, slivered
2 pksg "nissen" Ramen (crushed)
4 Tbsp chopped almonds
4 Tbsp sesame seeds

Dressing:
1/4 C salad oil
1/4 C sesame oil
4 Tbsp sugar
6 Tbsp vinegar
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp accent

"accent" means Ajinomoto which means MSG! I don't usually use it...I substitute 1/2 tsp white pepper. It doesn't seem to make much difference.

Add Ramen to salad and dressing just before serving.



Daily Fives-August 23, 2010

1. Thank you Uncle Loi for coming over and playing with Faith so I can rest

2. Wii Fit, Thanks Nancy, this is my exercise now, I know, it's sad

3. Yummy Sweet Tomatoes. We love this place!

4. Playing at the park in the dark. Love summer nights.

5. Getting to sleep by myself


Daily Fives-August 24, 2010

1. Faith sleeping through the night with daddy

2. Wonderful cuddle time with Faith this morning. I love our cuddle time.

3. Had a good physical therapist appointment. He did some tractions on my neck and relieved some of the neck pain

4. Great bike ride with Faith and daddy

5. Got to finally make the yummy cabbage salad. Thanks, Tania!



Daily Fives-August 25, 2010

1. Got to see my therapist today. It's always great to talk it out with her. She helps me not take everything and myself too seriously. She also gives me great ideas.

2. Able to get some work done at Faith's preschool today. It was nice to have the school to ourselves. Faith and I enjoy the peace and quiet.

3. Was able to get some relief from this crazy heat at one of our friends house.

4. Finally did a Costco run

5. Got to spend quality time at the park with Faith. Love summer nights. We were playing in the dark.

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Daily Five-August 21, 2010

Daily Five-August 21, 2010

1. Went to my amazing acupuncturist and he was able to get rid my migrane.

2. Having quiet time after my appointment with my Jamba Juice waiting for Faith and husband to pick me up.

3. Celebrating a baby shower with a couple from high school. They are the last couple in our high school group of friends to have a baby. They are going to be great parents.

4. Was able to have quality adult conversation.

5. Spent some quality time with husband,

Friday, August 20, 2010

Our Charts

We created a few charts the last two days. I've been meaning to do a fancy one with actual photographs of her doing all these actions, but have never found the time to do it. So, finally this morning, I just drew it by hand. I'll have to post the pictures once I download them.

We make a Mommy Wellness Chart to encourage her to sleep with daddy and let me sleep on my own so I can get some quality rest. I drew a picture of myself and told her I was only at about 40% and so I highlighted 40% of my body in green highlight. I told her that each time that I'm get a great night sleep on my own, we can color in a strip of my picture. When I'm completely green and at 100%, then I can sleep with her again. She was really excited to color a portion of it this morning.

The next chart was a Morning Chart. It's everything that she has to do get herself ready for the day. We brainstormed all the task and then I drew boxes in the different colors of the rainbow for each task. I also numbered all boxes in order, drew an illustration, and wrote the description. 1. Go Potty 2. Wash face and hands 3. Brush Teeth 4. Change Clothes 5. Eat Breakfast

Our last chart was a Bedtime Chart. 1. Take a bath 2. Drink milk 3. Take vitamins 4. Brush and Floss Teeth 5. Bedtime Stories 6. Go to sleep

We'll see how helpful these charts are going to be.