We Heart NYC

 Santa's big present to the kids this year was a trip to NYC to shop.  

Since Ciara's entire letter to Santa consisted of the entire American Girl catalog, he decided that this was the best way to handle that.

So Grandma Jill met us there, and spent the day shopping in the freezing wind and snow.

 Caden with Jack Sparrow at the Lego Store.

 Ciara had her heart set on going to the Statue of Liberty.  Unfortunately, it is closed right now for refurbishing, and the weather was so horrible that we didn't want to onto the island at all.  Luckily, Lego Store had the next best thing!

  Caden at his favorite store: Nintendo World.

Ciara in the American Girl store, on our way up to our appointment with the personal shopper.

 Ciara, making a promise to Maria, the best personal shopper!

 With new doll, McKenna.

With her new baby, April.

We started the day at the 911 Memorial.  The museum is still not finished, but the fountains and the grounds are open.  It was so cold, and the kids didn't really enjoy it, but I was glad we saw it.  I would like to go back when the weather is better, and when the museum opens up.

Then we headed up-town to FAO Schwartz, where the kids began their shopping.

Then it was onto the Lego store, Nintendo World and American Girl Store.

If any of you are planning on visiting an American Girl Store, I highly recommend personal shopping.

The store is so big and overwhelming.

Our personal shopper, Maria, had Ciara tell her what she wanted, and brought it to us.

We didn't have to wander the huge store; we got to sit on some comfy couches and relax.

Maria was also great about helping Ciara figure out what she really wanted.

She made sure she didn't want the doll just for the clothes, had her look at their hair and faces, and also made sure it was something she "really, really, really" wanted.  (it had to be 3 really's, not just 2)

She also taught her how to properly take care of her doll's hair.

We had a great experience, and can't wait to go back to NYC soon!

Catch-Up

I just went through all the pictures on my camera, and realized I haven't posted any pictures since the end of school last year.  So here is a quick catch-up:

 Here are Ciara, Tate, and Miss Winder on the last day of school.  Ciara was sobbing so hard when I picked her up that day.

 We visited the Philadelphia Zoo with the Scotts.  It was so hot, but we had a blast!

 Ready to ride in the Christensen's annual 4th of July Parade.

 We made a few trips to Lake Tobias, this fun place with animals, convertible bus rides, and shirt-eating goats.

 First day of school!

 Ciara in her fall soccer game.

Halloween!

At the Christkindl market in Mifflinburg.  It was FREEZING!

Life of Crime

I know many of you have wanted to know more about my facebook post regarding Ciara and the forged signature.

Here is the whole story:

In her class, if you forget (or just don't do) a homework assignment, your name is written on the board.

For my perfectionist daughter, this is probably the worst punishment.

Not only has she made a mistake, but EVERYONE knows about it.

I think what happened is that she forgot to bring home her reading assignment one day, and instead of just doing it the next day, she chose to write her dad's signature on the paper so her name would not be written on the board.

I also think it has to do with the fact that she does not have a great teacher this year.

The teacher shows no interest in the kids, and doesn't seem to relate to them at all.

I have been very disappointed.

Because of this, Ciara doesn't see the need to try.

We have talked about it, but trying to explain to your 7 year old that you have to learn no matter who teaches can get tricky.

She is also having trouble with the kids in her class.

Some girls that she thought were her friends at the beginning of the year have become less nice.

Ciara gets very upset when people don't like her.

I blame this on the fact that my daughter has been raised to believe that everyone adores her.

(Because, let's face it, who doesn't?)

But with a teacher who doesn't care, and classmates that are not very nice, 2nd grade is becoming rather difficult for her.

Hence, her life of crime choice.

When I was informed that she forged a signature, my mind immediately flashed forward 10-15 years, and I was terrified that this was a pattern that was going to keep repeating.

I mean, if you are already forging signatures at age 7, what will you be doing at age 17??

I have tried to take a step back, and realize that this is not a pattern, just a one-time incident.

We just need a better teacher, and class.

I did beg her first grade teacher to just follow Ciara through all the grades.

We love her.

But since that probably won't happen, we will just have to figure out how to deal with difficult people.

Still, age 7 just seems too young to have to learn this.

Our Holiday

I was able to overcome my Grinch-y feeling before Christmas, and we had a wonderful time.

Santa's big gift to the kids this year was a trip to NYC with a stop at the American Girl store, Nintendo World, Lego Store, and FAO Schwartz.  

He did what he could, and wrote them a letter and filled their stockings.

But I think the kids were initially confused.

They came down expecting piles of presents, and instead saw a letter.

After they read it, they were more excited, but it was rather amusing at first to see the confusion on their faces.

For Christmas dinner, we met some friends for Chinese food, which was so fun!

I definitely would do that again, no worrying about cooking, or clean up.

New Year's Eve we went to a friends house as well.

Food, fun, a quick piano concert, and a rubix cube rounded out our evening.

And now we are already past the first week of January.

Time goes by way too quickly.

I hope we have a medically quieter year, no more cancer, tree crushings, or ear infections (or fractured fingers).

Grinch-y

I am feeling Grinch-y.

Tired of all the money being spent.

Tired of my never-ending list of things to get done before Christmas.

I am usually such a huge fan of this celebration, and I am shocked at how I feel this year.

It could be that just too much has happened in the past week.

(Ciara had a minor surgery yesterday, and we found out last week that my mother-in-law has breast cancer)

I just feel like I can't catch up with everything that is going on.

Maybe if I eat more chocolate . . . .

No, probably not.

My heart had better find Christmas soon.

The Silver Lining

I try to look at the bright side of things.

Even when I could be complaining (and believe me I do my fair share of it), I do try to look for the positive.

Complaint #1

Our family lives over 2000 miles away.

Silver lining-we are generally left out of the day to day family drama that goes on.  Also, I think we work together when it is just the 4 of us.  Being constantly surrounded by family makes our roles a little muddled-I am not just a wife and mother, but also a daughter, sister, daughter-in-law, etc.

Complaint #2

The plane ride home from said family was AWFUL.  The family in front of us had 2 small children, both of whom threw up all over, and one of which cried the entire 5 hour flight.

Silver lining-We were not that family.  Our kids were so good.  They entertained themselves (yes, the DS had a LOT to do with that), and at one point, Ciara was reading books to Caden.

Complaint #3

Ear Infections.

Ciara had 6 ear infections last winter, and we are already on our second in 3 weeks.

Silver lining-I have already scheduled an appointment with the ENT (who I like), we have health insurance, and good medical care available.

Complaint #4

Flat tire Monday morning.

Silver lining-Rocky had not left for work, so he was able to come to my rescue.  Also, I was very grateful that this happened on a Monday when I was just taking the kids to school as opposed to our 3 hour drive at midnight from the Baltimore airport

I think that is enough complaining for now.

We had a great trip to SLC for Thanksgiving.  I LOVED getting to see everyone (especially Anna, my new niece, and Kylie, my cousin's baby).  The kids had a blast, and didn't want to come home.

But we are now settled back into our routine, and looking forward to Christmas at home (in PA).

Parent Teacher Conference Time

Yes, it is that magical time of year when we get to go and hear how great our children are.

I always love hearing (from people not related to them) how smart and wonderful my kids are.

I am always thinking it, but, to be fair, I am pretty biased.

So when an impartial observer says great things about my kids, I feel like I have done something right.

However, I do have on worry.

Both of the kids graded in the "Advanced" criteria.

(For those of you unfamiliar with this grading, the options are A-Advanced, P-Appropriate Development, B-can't remember what this means, BB-Below Basic)

Now, where do we go from here?

Caden's teacher had a plan, which I like.  She said that he will start to do "Enrichment" activities that will be different than what the rest of the class does. 

She has a plan so that he can continue learning new things, and not get bored while the rest of the class does the curriculum.

Ciara's teacher had no such plan.

I asked about it (especially for math, since they are still adding simple numbers) and she did say she would send home some extra sheets that are "optional."

OK, but where is the plan to keep her advancing, and not just staying in the same place?

Where is the challenge?

I worry because things come a little too easy for her, and she doesn't have to try.

I want her to learn to work for things, not to give up if it is hard.

She won't be learning that at school apparently.

Yes, I know that this is not a real worry.

They are both doing very well in school, and for that I am grateful.

I just want to make sure they are working hard, and not just coasting though.