Press

Press+Hand+Stand+practice

I have finally got a video uploaded. (I hope it loaded.

 It's always interesting to see my kid learn a new skill. She is disciplined and committed to getting it.

Feel Better

Mr A and I had an interview at TR's future school. I left feeling great about her attending the school. I had been a bit sad that we did not get into the country club school but today's meeting made me happy my 2nd choice said no. (my first choice is in L.A.). The L.A. School was not a country club, it was city and playbased.

When we went to the country club school to tour we asked what accommodations could be made for a competitive gymnast. The director said none. She was firm with her response. She said in the upper grades, the student could skip taking p.e. Mr A and I were making plans to remove her from the country club school and do the homeschool if she got to the level that requires that type of time commitment.

I was very shocked at that response  because I thought a posh school would be flexible enough to accommodate students who may have different needs or even who may travel with parents. I know some schools accommodate bicoastal kid.

Mr A asked the Dean at the future school, the same question and the Dean knew that gymnasts trained 15 hours a week because they had made accommodations for a student gymnast in the past as well as a ballerina and other athletes. One accommodation can be to allow the gymnast flexibilty to do study hall while her classmates take p.e. The student would be allowed to participate in p.e if they wanted to be with schoolmates or the student can do study hall during times they needed more time for schoolwork.

The dean explained how the teachers met the needs of kids who are at different levels. Mr A has been doing informal interviews on this school, and we like what we have heard from others and from the school staff.

I have been school shopping for 3 years. I can finally refocus that mental space. I feel like falling to the groud and curling in a ball because this school search has been rough.  I want to send TR to this school. I am excited for her educational experience.

The dean showed us TR's kindergarten assessment. She did very well.  Her results showed she is developmentally above her chronological age. Her assessment results confirmed that 5 years of play, has her well-prepared for kinder and beyond,  When I read the assessment report it said kids who score in the 5 1/2 range and above have more success in kindergarten.  That was surprising since kindergarten is for people who are 5.  Perhaps this is why school cut off dates have changed. Kindergarten teachers want 6 year olds these days.

I suspect that soon students who attend religious schools will face discrimination. I notice that it's now the cool thing to call Christians intolerant, extreme and even ignorant for believing God created things. The theory of evolution and the big bang theory, are no longer viewed as theories. I have to make sure my kids are prepared to make their own path in light of the way things are going.  Denying God to be accepted cannot be an option.

Keep trying

I am still working on the office.

Today I did this.

The photos are helpful. I can look at them and ponder what I should do with the space. I need to look at more photos of other home offices.

Things

TR and I drove to San Francisco today. It was a beautiful day. I want to start exploring that city. The bridge toll is $6, so we will have to go during carpool times. I think I would enjoy living there if the insanely liberal residents weren't so busy.

TR and I drove through a S.F. neighborhood today and realized how white the city is. They claim diversity but it's just a claim. Being in a car gave me a totally different view of the areas we drove through.

I took a photo while stopped on a hill. TR said the hill was like a roller coaster. I agree. Going down such steep hills is a bit wild. The views were spectacular. I could see the bay and rolling hills from my position.

My office inspiration are desk 1 and Desk 2

our desk

Mr A brought the table he got me home. I love it! I have been searching for this type of table for a while. The home office is on its way to becoming the cozy space, I seek to create.

A day with the A's

This morning I made crepes for breakfast. I love crepes. They are light and easy to make. After breakfast we packed up the children and headed to the club. Mr A and I worked out, while the kids played in child care. The kids love wen they can go to child care. I suspect it's because they have never had to go on a daily basis. The county court has child care, and they demand to go to the child care center, when we go to court. I bring them along because I prefer bringing my kids to work. I have made attempts to take them to trials but QT starts talking so we leave. This reminds me that I told TR we can sit in on a court trial another time and leave QT at home.

Our workout today brought back good memories. Before the children, we would run around our neighborhood park in L.A. and then do lunges up the hill/slope. We used to be young! I still enjoy Mr. A. Our workout now occurs indoors but the club gym has great bay views. If we have to exercise indoors, it's great to look out and see bridges, the bay and the views of Oakland and San Francisco.

After our workout Mr. A gave the kids swimming lessons. I have done my best to contact the swim director for private lessons, but my emails and calls have not been returned. The private lessons are über reasonable in price, so the person probably prefers doing the group and hides out from private. We have other activities so the flexibility of private lessons is better for us. I digress, Mr A is teaching them because the swim instructor is invisible.

After the club, we came home and had lunch, and then naps.

I included photos from our April trip to L.A. The hotel was intentional in being kid friendly. The kids loved the kid sized robes, the gifts and how housekeeping dressed TR's dolls and put them on the bed. The hotel staff lit the fireplace when we went night swimming. Room service delivered complimentary cookies and milk. The kids have been taking imaginary trips to L.A. and staying in that hotel. We plan to return this summer and I know what hotel will see us. I had wanted to stay at one of the hotels that had a relationship with American Girl Store but we were happy with Kimpton.

I included a couple of photos of the home office. Mr A bought a table that is similar to one I had on my pinterest. Once he brings it home, I will do a little rearranging. I have a mental and a pinterest photo of what I want the space to look like. I am trying to make the space cozy to inspire myself to freely spend more time in there. I also think the last photo I uploaded was when it was messy. The room has been professionally organized since that last photo.

The Floor

TR did a quick floor exercise. It was short enough that I could upload the file without extra steps.

Now that we are at the phase of gymnastics where more skills are being taught, my nerves can barely take it. TR is an excellent gymnast at 4. When she turns 5 and gets to compete, I think she will be amazing. I also think my nerves might collapse. I cannot do a lick of gymnastics, but my body starts trying to pull her through skills.

Summer Loving

I was a fan of The Cosby Show, especially the early years.

There was one episode I was disgusted by. I thought it was the silliest episode. The episode when Rudy had to pack her summer clothes away and a drawn out episode dealt with her being sad about it.

I grew up in Northern California, where people can wear their clothing year-round. As kids our vacations occurred during summer, so I never knew of seasonal wardrobes. As an adult I was in D.C. and looked in my friends closet and realized all of her sweaters were in containers. That Cosby episode came back to my memory.

My sister and I went to the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. While there a guy told me California did not have seasons. I was confused by the comment, but in that moment in D.C. I understood.

California looks mostly the same year round. We get a few months of rain each year, if we are blessed.

While we were living in L.A. I realized that region has spring like wether and summer like weather. That weather made me appreciate a cold day or a rainy day.

I prefer moderate temperatures, but I like having a clearly defined and consistent summer.

I love a warm summer. I love mild seasons.

This summer will most likely be busy. TR will be off to full-day kindergarten in the fall, so I want us to get as much enjoyment from our weekdays as possible.

I don't know how I will manage the transition. I ponder just skipping kindergarten but she really wants to go.

So for the summer we will have ballet, gymnastics, football, museum visits, zoo visits, a couple of trips, time at the club, swim lessons at the club.

We will start QT in part time preschool this year. My little babies will both be in school. It's amazing that these little people have gotten so big. They are no longer park kids, they are school kids.

I loved being able to do things in the weekday morning or afternoon. With both kids in school, we will have to do our activities during the busy times, on weekdays and after school.

Once they are in school, I do plan to increase my workload. I won't have kids asking me for hugs, kisses, help or snacks. I will have to do something to pass my time. More for me than the kids, I am grateful that I kept them close these very early years.

Once QT starts kindergarten, I will have to wait for grand kids to get these types of moments again.

My mom told me she remembers being 4 and at her grandmother's house everyday and the family that would stop by. I hope TR remembers her 4th year as a happy time spent with folks who love her.