sigh
That's how I feel about it. I don't like homework in general and I certainly don't like it in Kindergarten, but with changing standards I can see how some is necessary. And really, if P would stop arguing and just do it, it wouldn't take but 10 minutes.
write the 5 "spelling" (phonics) words one time each per night. Do part of a math worksheet (generally 3-5 items), do her flashcards and read one or two decoadable readers to me to practice her reading.
These are some of the online decodable readers I've found that have been helpful in finding books other than the decodable "take-home books" they get sent home from school. Different means she's not already bored with them and it means more practice with different word sets each week/day.
pre-decodable books from thinkcentral
decodable books from thinkcentral
starfall downloadable learn to read books with Zac the Rat
decodable books written by teachers (power point formats)
I've also put her spelling and sight words into lists at www.spellingcity.com for her to play games like bingo, matching and word search with for constant exposure in a different setting.
Some other suggestions I recieved were starfall (learn to read is free, other subject areas are not), abcya.com (my kid is not impressed but I know others who love it), khanacademy (for math), essential skills advantage (not sure on this one yet how she'll do)
I'm looking into abcmouse, particularly for this summer to continue learning between school years and brainjogging since it's specifically for "different" learners to help their processing of information.
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Monday, March 9, 2015
Crying Babies, at home, in the car, everywhere
P, my middle child has been diagnosed with what would have been PDD-NOS years ago, now the diagnosis is simply ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) mild (so she's very-high functioning autistic). With this diagnosis comes SPD/SID (Sensory Processing/Integration Disorder). How our journey towards this diagnosis began, starts with infancy, in particular, her constant screaming over seemingly nothing and our inability to soothe her.
At first she seemed like any normal higher-needs baby, she just liked to be held and comforted, but it turned into being overstimulate by everything and crying constantly. In particular, the car seat made her totally inconsolable.
She had a Graco SafeSeat1 (similar to the current Graco Snugride 30 and 35, it had a 30lb, 32inch limit on it so I thought I would surely use it until she was a year old--boy was I wrong). Even with the infant insert in it she cried constantly.
So...what we tried:
We tried with the insert, without the insert, with the strap covers, without the strap covers (nothing aftermarket allowed, only those that came with her seat at the time of purchase). It made no difference with P at all. It did however make our next child, B, much happier to be in the seat without the infant insert and strap covers (check your manual to see if any of the inserts or covers are required).
We also tried having the air cooler and warmer. Still she cried, though not quite as hard when she was cooler...so we always made sure not to overdress her and keep the car fairly cool, This held especially true for days when she was already upset as she would work up a sweat as soon as the crying and screaming fits started.
The doctor and I tried medicine for colic/gas and reflux, but they did little to help her, though it does seem to help some kids, particularly since infant seats have a sort of "C" shape to them that makes kids with reflux more uncomfortable, a more upright and "L" shaped convertible helps them normally.
We tried music, white noise (there are phone apps for this), rolling the windows down, me singing, toys that had bells inside a stuffed animal or doll, loveys, etc., all to no avail...still she cried every time she was in the car seat, no matter how tired or close to sleep she was, how awake and happy she was, still she cried.
We tried me sitting in the 3rd row of our van when possible, she already had an 8 year old sister sitting next to her that she could see and who tried desperately to console her.
Next we went with static cling window shades to block the sun, that did help some in the spring and summer, but really, still she cried.
At almost 7 months we decided to try a convertible seat. I don't know if it had to do with being up higher and seeing out the window more, the age, the more upright seating/"L" position or the fuzzy soft fabric, but we became a better rider at this point. Still, 70% of the time in the seat we were in hysterics...but hey, that 30% of the time reprieve from crying was very welcomed. Somehow over the next 6 months she slowly cried less and less.
Here's the deal though...I don't think people realize that some kids, regardless of what you do, are going to cry no matter what in the car seat. All you can do is your best: try anything and everything that's safe.
At the time we were dealing with this the Noggle (review by CSFTL.org) hadn't been released yet. I think it could have been a very valuable tool for redirecting air around her. I know that if I didn't have a van with rear air/heat I would buy one now to help cool the back of a car or SUV during our hot and humid summers.
Try it all, white noise, music, rolling the windows down, changing the temps, using a noggle, sshshing them, sitting in the back with them, toys that make noise or light up but are still soft and safe for the car, a mirror so they can see you (as long as it's well anchored and couldn't be a hard projectile to hurt your child in an accident--if you threw it at them would it hurt them?), changing how you dress them, a different seat, installing your seat more upright if it allows, or more reclined if it's very upright already, make sure your straps aren't too tight, but are just tight enough to pass the pinch test, swaddle them in their seat, and just know you aren't alone. Some kids will outgrow it in a few weeks, some a few months, some longer, but as long as they are strapped in correctly and you have places to go, you just go...do plan to make more frequent stops when possible, try to get them sleepy in hopes they'll fall asleep on your journey, and make sure they aren't hungry when you start. There are some essential oils (lavender and sweet orange or roman chammomile) that might be able to help calm your child by placing a drop on a bib or using an in-car diffuser...be careful with essential oils though, make sure what you choose is appropriate for young children.
As for the SPD/ASD, The constant screaming for us, since most things didn't help was mostly sensory related. She didn't like the feel of certain fabrics and would cry incessantly when she wore things that weren't cotton knit. She didn't like the feel of the motion of the car, she didn't like the snugness of the harness (still doesn't at age 5.5). Didn't like the bright sun, road noise, or anything near her head. She doesn't feel temperatures the same way (or pain) that normal children do. So I think a lot of her stopping the crying was learning how to navigate her world that was so crazy overstimulating to her.
At first she seemed like any normal higher-needs baby, she just liked to be held and comforted, but it turned into being overstimulate by everything and crying constantly. In particular, the car seat made her totally inconsolable.
She had a Graco SafeSeat1 (similar to the current Graco Snugride 30 and 35, it had a 30lb, 32inch limit on it so I thought I would surely use it until she was a year old--boy was I wrong). Even with the infant insert in it she cried constantly.
So...what we tried:
We tried with the insert, without the insert, with the strap covers, without the strap covers (nothing aftermarket allowed, only those that came with her seat at the time of purchase). It made no difference with P at all. It did however make our next child, B, much happier to be in the seat without the infant insert and strap covers (check your manual to see if any of the inserts or covers are required).
We also tried having the air cooler and warmer. Still she cried, though not quite as hard when she was cooler...so we always made sure not to overdress her and keep the car fairly cool, This held especially true for days when she was already upset as she would work up a sweat as soon as the crying and screaming fits started.
The doctor and I tried medicine for colic/gas and reflux, but they did little to help her, though it does seem to help some kids, particularly since infant seats have a sort of "C" shape to them that makes kids with reflux more uncomfortable, a more upright and "L" shaped convertible helps them normally.
We tried music, white noise (there are phone apps for this), rolling the windows down, me singing, toys that had bells inside a stuffed animal or doll, loveys, etc., all to no avail...still she cried every time she was in the car seat, no matter how tired or close to sleep she was, how awake and happy she was, still she cried.
We tried me sitting in the 3rd row of our van when possible, she already had an 8 year old sister sitting next to her that she could see and who tried desperately to console her.
Next we went with static cling window shades to block the sun, that did help some in the spring and summer, but really, still she cried.
At almost 7 months we decided to try a convertible seat. I don't know if it had to do with being up higher and seeing out the window more, the age, the more upright seating/"L" position or the fuzzy soft fabric, but we became a better rider at this point. Still, 70% of the time in the seat we were in hysterics...but hey, that 30% of the time reprieve from crying was very welcomed. Somehow over the next 6 months she slowly cried less and less.
Here's the deal though...I don't think people realize that some kids, regardless of what you do, are going to cry no matter what in the car seat. All you can do is your best: try anything and everything that's safe.
At the time we were dealing with this the Noggle (review by CSFTL.org) hadn't been released yet. I think it could have been a very valuable tool for redirecting air around her. I know that if I didn't have a van with rear air/heat I would buy one now to help cool the back of a car or SUV during our hot and humid summers.
Try it all, white noise, music, rolling the windows down, changing the temps, using a noggle, sshshing them, sitting in the back with them, toys that make noise or light up but are still soft and safe for the car, a mirror so they can see you (as long as it's well anchored and couldn't be a hard projectile to hurt your child in an accident--if you threw it at them would it hurt them?), changing how you dress them, a different seat, installing your seat more upright if it allows, or more reclined if it's very upright already, make sure your straps aren't too tight, but are just tight enough to pass the pinch test, swaddle them in their seat, and just know you aren't alone. Some kids will outgrow it in a few weeks, some a few months, some longer, but as long as they are strapped in correctly and you have places to go, you just go...do plan to make more frequent stops when possible, try to get them sleepy in hopes they'll fall asleep on your journey, and make sure they aren't hungry when you start. There are some essential oils (lavender and sweet orange or roman chammomile) that might be able to help calm your child by placing a drop on a bib or using an in-car diffuser...be careful with essential oils though, make sure what you choose is appropriate for young children.
As for the SPD/ASD, The constant screaming for us, since most things didn't help was mostly sensory related. She didn't like the feel of certain fabrics and would cry incessantly when she wore things that weren't cotton knit. She didn't like the feel of the motion of the car, she didn't like the snugness of the harness (still doesn't at age 5.5). Didn't like the bright sun, road noise, or anything near her head. She doesn't feel temperatures the same way (or pain) that normal children do. So I think a lot of her stopping the crying was learning how to navigate her world that was so crazy overstimulating to her.
Thursday, March 5, 2015
snow and ice again
I seriously hope they have school tomorrow, because after spending most of last week home and today home I'm not sure what else to do with them to entertain them!
Last week started as a rainy, freezing rainy, sleety mess...it was pretty, but it wasn't fun to play in and the roads were nasty!
P thought it was the greatest thing ever to stick her tongue out to catch whatever freezing precipitation was falling, I have at least 4 pictures of her doing it, two of them were accidents as she just started doing it as I was taking pictures and it was too cute to pass up. As you can see here she doesn't seem to be as effected by the cold as everyone else.
They tried desperately to get a little ice man to stay together in the first round of ice pellets...it didn't really work, and once the snow came on day 3, we did manage to build a snowman, but the dogs knocked it over before I could snag a picture of it.
A just liked the snow in her hair...thought she was too cool to play much in it.
I haven't really researched why this happened, but there was a big puddle outside that I thought would just freeze into a solid sheet. Apparently I was wrong. There grew in it's place strange, yet beautiful, muddy ice crystals, some straight and some curved...a whole tiny forest of them!
Snow/ice angels were fun, especially since they don't remember ever making them, they do remember making "leaf" angels in November when the oak dropped all it's leaves in the front yard.
And, while B was ok for a few minutes with heavy coat and ski bibs on, P didn't care how she was dressed as long as she was outside playing in it.
Ice driving, even for the kids was nearly impossible, if you went to fast you spun your tires or ran into something, but if you slowed too much or stopped you got stuck. They also found climbing the fort a difficult task as the climbing wall and the stairs were slick.
Like I said, the roads were nuts, but we did take a walk through the neighborhood and it was really neat to see all the changes the snow brought about. A very different perspective indeed.
Now, yesterday was a most entertaining day. The below photo on the left is from Tuesday, our high was 75 at 5pm that day. The comparison next to it is from yesterday, a high of 80 at 1pm, by 3 it was only down to 78, but it was down to 56 by the time I got everyone started on homework at 345.
I pray that today we are well entertained by kinetic sand, board games and crafts, because otherwise there's liable to be a war between B and P today
Monday, February 23, 2015
How do you sell?
In the process of cleaning up, I'm cleaning out. Out, Out, OUT! There is no reason to have STUFF here that we don't wear, can't wear, or in my 5 year old's case won't wear!
So, I've tried listing things on our swap boards and I've learned something (you'd think I'd already know it since I have a business degree). If I list large lots of clothing people always want something smaller and cheaper, but if I list things in smaller groups for higher prices per item people are willing to buy all your lots if you'll make them a "deal" on the whole set.
So, I've tried listing things on our swap boards and I've learned something (you'd think I'd already know it since I have a business degree). If I list large lots of clothing people always want something smaller and cheaper, but if I list things in smaller groups for higher prices per item people are willing to buy all your lots if you'll make them a "deal" on the whole set.
So lets say I list the above for $10
and the one above this for $15
and this one for $6
Then people don't want to pay $31 for them individually, but they are willing to buy them for $25 all together thinking they are getting a "deal" but really when I originally listed them I listed them for $20 so it's not a "deal" at all, though they perceive it to be. I guess I should just run with this since it's making me more money and getting rid of all the junk too!
Thursday, February 19, 2015
Getting healthy.
For many years I've struggled with my weight. I don't know why I can't stick with the healthy lifestyle, but I lose and gain, The constant yoyo like so many others. I really want to be healthy though, so this time I working towards small goals, in small increments. About 4 weeks ago I downloaded WW Diary (app for Android) and compared it to the actual WW program.
It's now 6 weeks after I started the WWDiary app and 2 weeks since I started this post but got side-tracked (as usual)...however, I am down 17lbs, feeling better not hungry, but not doing exercise as I should either. This will be a journey, a life-time journey.
It's now 6 weeks after I started the WWDiary app and 2 weeks since I started this post but got side-tracked (as usual)...however, I am down 17lbs, feeling better not hungry, but not doing exercise as I should either. This will be a journey, a life-time journey.
Getting rid of the CHAOS (per FlyLady)
I must confess to those who don't know me (those who know me know this already), but I live in chaos. Also know as Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome per the FlyLady.
Today I'm doing a modified Crisis cleaning. Instead of 45 minutes with a 15 minute break, I'm doing 15 minutes on and 15 off to play with my daughter, fix snacks, and sell stuff on the swaps (I need to hold a big garage sale and be done with anything that's left...it all needs to leave my house) So while I started this new post at 9:15 a.m. it's now 10:55a.m. and I'm still not even close to done with my post.
I'm multi-tasking and eating lunch with this paragraph and I must say that even though I've only worked 45 minutes this morning, I have made progress and I'm thankful that my hubby will be home for part of tomorrow to help me some more. I don't have anyone coming this weekend, but I do want to get back into the FlyLady habits and this can be a good way to start. My dishwasher has been run, my sink is clean and my cabinets have been started on the clearing off as well as the laundry that was on the couch folded and put away while I worked in the living room. Next is a cursory sweep of the bathroom that my kids call home and most visiting rumps use at some point.
And...therapy called to reschedule so I'll have more time to work before the kiddos get home. Let me explain that with 3 kids, 2 cats and 2 dogs, not to mention a husband things go kind of haywire and since I'm not programmed to be neat and organized if I don't actually set reminders to do things in my calendar app I wouldn't ever remember at all. Thankfully FlyLady has partnered with Cozi for a free calendar that you can sync to ALL your devices!
Slow progress is better than no progress, correct!
I have a ways to go to get back in order, however, I feel better about where I am today. I have a focus and I need to keep it. So...in order to that, I'm going to try blogging more about my CHAOS, my kids, everything.
Today I'm doing a modified Crisis cleaning. Instead of 45 minutes with a 15 minute break, I'm doing 15 minutes on and 15 off to play with my daughter, fix snacks, and sell stuff on the swaps (I need to hold a big garage sale and be done with anything that's left...it all needs to leave my house) So while I started this new post at 9:15 a.m. it's now 10:55a.m. and I'm still not even close to done with my post.
I'm multi-tasking and eating lunch with this paragraph and I must say that even though I've only worked 45 minutes this morning, I have made progress and I'm thankful that my hubby will be home for part of tomorrow to help me some more. I don't have anyone coming this weekend, but I do want to get back into the FlyLady habits and this can be a good way to start. My dishwasher has been run, my sink is clean and my cabinets have been started on the clearing off as well as the laundry that was on the couch folded and put away while I worked in the living room. Next is a cursory sweep of the bathroom that my kids call home and most visiting rumps use at some point.
And...therapy called to reschedule so I'll have more time to work before the kiddos get home. Let me explain that with 3 kids, 2 cats and 2 dogs, not to mention a husband things go kind of haywire and since I'm not programmed to be neat and organized if I don't actually set reminders to do things in my calendar app I wouldn't ever remember at all. Thankfully FlyLady has partnered with Cozi for a free calendar that you can sync to ALL your devices!
Slow progress is better than no progress, correct!
I have a ways to go to get back in order, however, I feel better about where I am today. I have a focus and I need to keep it. So...in order to that, I'm going to try blogging more about my CHAOS, my kids, everything.
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Re-purposed crib!
OK, so summer is approaching and as it does, well, that means more gardening. We planted a small garden, but it's hard to ever get enough organic matter into it to start our plants well, so--we decided it was time to start our own composting bins.
This is our tiny garden, we have tomatoes, peppers of all sorts, brocolli, chard, lettuce, eggplant and onions...I guess we'll see how it all turns out. This picture is from about 3 weeks ago, everything is much bigger now.
But, in an effort to not have to buy pre-made fertilizers and organic materials from elsewhere, we used an old drop-side crib to create our own composting bin at the back of our property (behind the fence where the dogs won't mess with it). So, if we do this right (trial and error at this point) then we should have some good rich compost to till into the soil before we replant for the fall! I'm totally excited to do this--we started about 3 weeks ago and it already smells so rich and is starting to get darker and has all sorts of worms in it!
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