Playdough

This will be a winter staple around here.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups flour
• 2 cups warm water
• 1 cup salt
• 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 Tablespoon cream of tartar (This helps elasticity, but can be left out)

Directions:

1. Mix al ingredients in a heavy pot.
2. Warm over low heat, stirring frequently.
3. When thickened and no longer sticky it is ready!
4. Let cool.

Tips:

• Mix in food coloring or koolaid packets for color.
• It will last for a bit in a sealed container but does have a tendency to get sticky so it may need to be cooked down again or flour added.

Home

I was so relieved when Freddie decided he'd rather stay home than ice skate on Sunday.  The temperature was 26 degrees with a bitter cold wind!  And it wasn't going to warm up much at all during the day.

We've actually been home a lot when the boys aren't in school, and I am really enjoying it.  Something tells me that come February I'll be over this feeling, but for now I love hearing them play with their trains in the bedroom, walking past their room and seeing them sitting in a pile of books reading, baking and cooking together, and just generally enjoying each other and our home.  

They're at a sweet spot right now.  It's good to be Mama these days.

Children's Museum of the Arts

The Children's Museum of the Arts has been on my list of places to check out for quite some time, and we finally decided to take advantage of a family pass I was given this weekend.

The museum has odd hours for a children's venue in that it doesn't open until noon during the week, so I haven't been able to take the kids on a weekday adventure and our weekends have seemed quite full lately with travel and swim lessons and everything else that seems to get pushed into Saturday and Sunday.  We made it to the museum after swimming on Saturday, and arrived around 1130am, which is a late start for us.  Thankfully it wasn't crowded, my biggest fear with arriving later on the weekends in the city especially since the weather is cold and people are looking for indoor entertainment.

The museum is a space for kids to engage with different media and create.  There were several projects and supplies set up with staff available to help and guide.  Freddie spent some time at the "clay bar" and made a little bowl with macaroni in it.  The boys also spent some time making mosaic collages with paper and "sculptures" with clay and buttons.  And they got to paint, Freddie's most requested art activity.

A little loft area filled with balls provided a physical outlet while we waited for paint to dry.

But Freddie's favorite part of the museum….

Washing his hands.

When we move to a house can we have a sink like this, Mama?

P.S. I promise to get out my real camera and get back to taking pictures soon.

Mama + Hansie Days

We have some days, just us.  Right now it is Tuesdays.  While I'm sad to have lost a couple days with you during the week when you started school, I am happy for you to have the opportunity to grow on your own and be your own person, but that means we have to make the most of our time.  Right now we're spending our Tuesdays at the Central Park Zoo.  We ride the tram, visit the animals, have lunch, and participate in the education center's "Toddler Time Zoo Class."

Seeing you in the class makes me realize how far you've come out of your shell in the last year.  You're quite  shy guy, but you've grown confident in your surroundings, joining in at the playground, calling out to friends, chatting with friends and adults.  You're timid at class, but after a few weeks you are leaving my lap, exploring the materials, interacting with the teacher all on your own.  I like to think this is building your experience and raising your confidence, but really I am just thankful to share this time with you.

The 9th Year of Forever

Happy Anniversary, Charlie.  Thank you for this life.  I love you.

While Mama's Away

On their way to school

• Swim lessons for both boys
• Pool time
• Playground visits
• Making it, although "not graceful"
• Pizza
• Pancakes for supper
• Only a few "miss Mama" moments
• Library visit
• Peter Pan
• Football!

Weekend Away

Thanks, Jessica, for a great weekend!

• Matching PJs, unplanned, and oh so funny
• Massages
• Peppermint Mochas
• Pedicures
• Wine
• Ordering in
• Movies
• Shopping
• Chatting
• Laughing
• Lounging
• Beers
• People watching
• Catching up
• Planning

A Trip to the Circus

Checking out the fountain at the Lincoln Center before the show

I won tickets to the circus!  All of my time "liking" random posts on facebook has paid off.  Freddie has been asking to go to the circus for some time, and I have been debating on whether to attend the "Big Apple Circus" or the traditional "Ringling Brothers Circus."

The tickets I won were for a Wednesday night performance of The Big Apple Circus.  It is held in a small tent set up at The Lincoln Center Plaza.

The boys were thrilled to have cotton candy and popcorn for supper.

The circus is more of a variety show with a clown, magician, acrobats, and some animals.  Hans was thrilled to see the horses and dogs come out to do their tricks.

Freddie was most impressed with the trapeze performers and the acrobats flipping off the teeterboard.

All four of us LOVED the show.  The boys were tired, but watched everything with amazement.  We didn't get in until 9.30pm but it was worth it.  There is something extra special about staying up late for a midweek outing in the city.

Carousel

I started out by saying "no" to a ride.  It was late.  We had to get dinner.  We cannot ride every time.  We cannot do what you want every single time.  Lessons, you know?!?  But then we slowed it down and stopped for simple pleasures.

Such joy.  So glad we stopped.  Although I made a point of telling him the whining had absolutely no part in changing my mind.  {wink}  I need to remember these babies are only babies for so long and these opportunities will soon be gone.

Sunday Skate

Freddie's ready for winter and all it brings, including ice skating.

Bryant Park rink opened earlier this month and we finally got in a visit.

Freddie did so much better this year.  He let go of the wall and our hands on the first loop and pretty much insisted he could do it on his own.  He shuffled around but he's getting the hang of it.

He had a few spills and asked that we bring his helmet next time.  Good idea.

Hans had to get out there too.

He has his own skates so he doesn't have to be left to watch.  He wants to keep up with Freddie at all costs.

He slipped and slided all the way around but wanted to keep doing it.  

Charlie passed him to me because he couldn't skate hunched over much longer.  I liked having hold of his hands and skating him around.

Looking forward to more Sunday skates with the guys!

A Date

Freddie and I had another date this weekend.

We have one a month planned through February.  This date was to lunch and a concert.

He picked Panera for lunch, after my request of "anything but Subway."  I think he was just trying to make Mama happy.

He held my hand all day

There were stories that began "When you were a little guy..." as well as those that began "When Mama was a little girl...." I love how much those sorts of stories capture his attention and prompt so many questions.  "When you were a little guy you only ate the M&Ms and left the cookie..."

"When Mama was a little girl my grandmother would give me the soft center of the french bread and she'd eat the crispy outside, and now I eat the crispy outside and leave the squishy center for you."  It makes me smile to think I have taken on my grandmother's role.

After lunch we window shopped a little at Bryant Park and Freddie has his eye on a few things for his teachers.  "Please, Mama, I just want to make them happy."

And we watched the ice skaters a bit.

The concert was "Gospel Meets Jazz" at the Lincoln Center.  Freddie was particularly afraid of being close to the balcony so he didn't try to see too much.  I may have to see if our other tickets can be exchanged for different seats.

The Rose Theater at The Lincoln Center

He clapped and danced, but the slow songs lost him.  He did chime in that the songs reminded him of Dada saying "Oh Jesus."  So funny!

A perfect date with my first born.  It is such a treat to be able to spend some time focusing on him.

Lovin'

He gets pool time and swim lessons too!

• Little boys (and big boys) in the pool
• Digger watching (trying to keep a positive attitude about the construction across the street)
• All four of us piled on a big couch
• Requests to snuggle in the morning
• A husband who tells me he's proud of me and my A at midterm
• Resources passed on to help crank out a 20 page paper
• Mama time on the calendar
• Family time on the calendar
• Thinking about the holidays 
• Refusals to wear certain undies because that little tummy is too pooch (not mine!)
• Baking with the boys
• Questions about Egyptians, pyramids, and mythology

Kindergarten Search: Public School, lottery admission

This morning we toured a public school that admits by lottery.

My notes:

• 1 block from Charlie's work and a door to door commute of about 25 minutes.  It would involve a tram ride and 7 block walk or a train ride and a similarly distanced walk.
• Admissions priority is given to families working in the area.  I am not sure of the numbers for kindergarten but we did try to get a spot here for PreK but there were 450 applicants for 36 spots.
• 325 students enrolled in grades PK-8
• Definitely diverse, with 40% of student body being Hispanic, 7% Asian, 32% Black, and 15% White.  
• Socioeconomic diversity seems to span middle to lower incomes.  We know a handful of families with kids here.
• 24 kids in lower grade classes with 2 teachers in each class most of the time.
• Housed in a LARGE, old school building.  It is fairly well maintained for a public school.  The "complex" houses several schools so there are high school students in the same building, as well as an "infant program" which serves babies of teen mothers in one of the high school programs.  
• The school is progressive.  There is little focus on traditional assessments.  Teachers are called by their first names which irks me.  Small detail but not feeling that.
• The principal and assistant principal came across as with it and committed to the school.  Our tour was given by a parent who really is not well spoken or informative, sadly.  She was nice and loves the school but really isn't a person to be giving tours.  
• Mixed grades by design...Kinder/1 combo, 2/3 combo and so on.  Students have the same teacher for 2 years.
• No G&T program, which I figure goes with the philosophy of the school that they are meeting the individual needs of students so there is not a reason for a separate program.
• The classrooms were busy, but there didn't seem to be a lot of high quality instruction going on, or instruction that I felt pushed critical thinking.  
• There was a general feeling of disarray.  This was partly due to the structure of the instruction but also because of the lack of appropriate facilities in public schools, something I experienced.  There was stuff in the halls, classroom didn't have storage space, things that are difficult to control in public school settings.  
• No extras.  The school does seem to partner with some community organizations to provide some extras to students, but it is minimal at best.  I know students are able to swim regularly at a nearby community pool (can you even begin to imagine taking 24 kindergartners to the pool during the course of a school day?!?).  By and large if the kids are going to get anything beyond the basics of school it is only because the teacher works to integrate it into the regular classroom lessons.  I've been there.
• Looking at "performance scores" given by the state this is an average to below average school (although they tell you they don't put much stake into formal assessments and do not prep the way other schools due hence the poor scores), but seems to be performing better than our zoned district school on the island.  

How'd we feel?

• Probably not a good idea to have gone straight to this school after sitting in the $35,000 private school yesterday.  The facilities just do not compare.  This school had a nice library, a space for dance and art, a gym, but unfortunately the funding is not there to utilizes these spaces appropriately or to their full extent.  There is a nice library and you'd think with all of the schools housed in the building it would always be utilized but it was empty.  There is no librarian.  There is an exceptional public library across the street that I imagine gets visited.
• The progressive philosophy has some overlap with the school we interviewed with yesterday, but the execution just does not compare.  The focus and discipline were not there in the same way they were at the private school.  I don't think that to be necessarily a reflection on the faculty or staff, but they just don't have the same resources.
• Neither of us felt crazy about it.  
• Neither of us felt it would challenge Freddie.
• Both felt there was a chance of Freddie being exposed to a little "street life."
• Both of us though Freddie would probably be fine here, for a few years anyway.   

Next steps:  Submit application before March and wait to see if we get a spot in the spring.  We're not certain we'll apply though, but we have some time to think about it.

Hans

A few things at 2 years 4 months...

• 31 lbs and 37 inches
• Size 7 shoe, size 2/3 shirts and pants
• You no longer require that I repeat everything you say, but you do end everything with "Okay?" Sounds like "Otay?"  "Otay, Mama. Otay?"  I must say "OK" for you to move on.
• You are so very shy with new people, even kids.  We've been going to a little class at the zoo and you are so timid to speak but you get involved in the activities.  You are very confident in familiar settings like with your play group.  It amazes me how comfortable you have become with adults and children we don't necessarily spend a lot of time with but see on a regular basis.
• A friend is beginning in your class this week.  Her mom visited the room last week and reported back that my calling you a challenge was not at all correct.  She said you listened, participated, waited your turn and although you really didn't spend much time talking to the other kids in the class you did chat with her, which surprised me.
• I still think you're pretty darn stubborn.
• Although you are stubborn, you have true empathy for others.  You will apologize without prompting if you can tell you've really hurt someone or done something to frustrate me.  It's very sweet.
• You still love cars, trains, and all wheeled vehicles.  Your pretend play is rapidly evolving as you spend lots of time with Freddie creating elaborate play situations.
• You're a bruiser.  Tough, rough, and you just go for it.  Always.  With everything.  And right now you want more than anything to swim.  Lord help us.

Kindergarten Search: Interview at Private School A

Today Charlie and I had an interview for kindergarten admissions at Private School A.  The interview was to be last week, but was rescheduled by the school because someone was ill.  So after a bit of shuffling childcare and Charlie's work schedule we finally settled on this morning as a good date.  Charlie and I had a little time together at Starbucks before making our way to the school which was nice since I was feeling a bit nervous.

Thankfully I prepped Charlie by having him read over the application we submitted as the interview questions were fairly similar to the 8 short answer style/essay questions on the application.  Charlie and I have spent some time talking about Freddie and talking about school in general, and I did at least read the questions to him and asked for feedback before submitting an application, but the actual responses were crafted by me alone.  So, I did want to keep him  in the loop before we had to talk to anyone who was making some decisions about our family based on those responses.

This school is the one where we felt like Freddie would fit best, although we weren't sure how well we'd fit with the other parents.  The program, progressive in approach, would really suit Freddie's verbal nature and overall interest in learning.  Today I felt a bit more "warmth" than I did on our last visit.  My perception during the tour and presentation was the school was really targeting a population that we didn't really fit into, it almost felt like a product was being marketed and they touted their product/program to be far superior to any other.  Now, I must say while this program does really align with my purely theoretical philosophy of eduction, I also have first hand experience working in settings which are very different an no where near align with my philosophy and for the most part kids with supportive families (and lots of kids with not so supportive families) come out the other side as productive, adjusted, and happy.  So, beyond my philosophy of education, I know there are many, many ways to successfully educate children.

The interviewer who is in the admissions department addressed my concerns about the diversity of the school.  The school really, really, REALLY lays out the importance of diversity in their school.  The admissions brochures devote a large section to outlining that diversity, even showing photos of current families to document their said "diversity."  I asked about the socioeconomic diversity of the school, because it is something hard to see from the photos and is something important to Charlie and I for so many reasons which I'll go into at another time. She responded that her job is to craft a diverse setting, which includes socioeconomic diversity, and all sorts of families are part of the school community and receive varying amounts of financial aid to help create that community.

I also asked that she comment on my second concern:  is this a "neighborhood school" where Freddie would somehow feel on the outside if not living within blocks of the school?  I asked this question of some current parents who were available after our tour a few weeks ago.  The parents gave the feeling that most of the families are close, with a few making a commute.  Her response seemed to indicate that many families are not necessarily within walking distance, and she felt the strength and inclusiveness of the community would mean there wouldn't be an issue with Freddie not living around the corner.

The interview lasted 25 minutes.  Charlie commented on it being the shortest interview ever, but their interviews are slated in 30 minute intervals, so I don't think that is a bad sign per se.  Overall I suppose the interview went well.  I left feeling even better about the school and program, although who knows how they felt about us.  We laid it out and were ourselves, and I really didn't want to do anything but that.  I did wear a dress and high heels though, and that NEVER happens in real life.  I was tempted to ask how many open spots they'd be filling and the number of applicants, but resisted.  Just knowing about the class sizes and the fact that there is a preschool program where most kids presumably stay on for kinder I'd say there are probably 5-7 spots available at best.  And given the population of Manhattan and the numbers of families who apply to private schools in the city I know that statistically there is little chance of us getting a place here.  And we're ok with that.

Next steps:  They'll send us a date for Freddie to visit and interact with teachers and other kids, which most will be sometime in early January.

Civics Lesson

I took my chances with taking both boys to the polling place.  Thankfully it wasn't crowded and all of the volunteers indulged our slow pace, 100 questions, and general poking about the place.

I do love doing these things with the boys.  We talked about the job of mayor and how the ballot works.  Great lessons, although I'm not sure either quite get it but one day it will all come together.

For now they know that today we gave our input on who we thought would be the next best leader for our city.

Freddie

Just a few things at 4 years 7 months..

• 41 inches and 35 pounds.  I don't know if you'll get out of the 30s.
• Shoe size 8/9, pants size 3/4, shirts size 4/5.
• You have conquered your fear of heights in certain situations.  While your knees still knock going up and down several flights of stairs with open railings, you have no problem climbing to the top of the play equipment or rock wall.
• A fear of the dark has emerged.  At first I thought it was just a manipulation technique to delay bedtime but I've decided it is a genuine fear.  I'm linking it to your recent knowledge of the "lost boy" from a nearby neighborhood.  I am not sure it was the right time to tell you about children being lost and all alone and in dangerous situations.  I know I cannot always protect you from the world but I want you to believe the world is good and people have big hearts and you are safe.  
• I love getting kisses from you lately.  Sometimes you quickly plant one on my cheek or arm or leg out of excitement and in the moment.  Sometimes you are so serious and reflective and want to kiss my nose or my forehead and give me a tight squeeze.
• We're talking about kindergarten and your excitement is so cute.  You'll love school.  I cannot wait for that part of your life to begin.
• Hans is really your friend.  You take good care of him, especially at school, reporting back when you saw him, how you comforted him, and if he was participating.  
• You still love pretending, but you have been spending more time building with blocks and legos.
• The ultimate type of play is anything physical and outdoors.  You are fairly coordinated and are showing more interest in baseball and team sports.  Swimming is great for you, although you like winning I don't think you'll ever push yourself competitively.  You love the social nature of sports.