I Can See Clearly Now...

So in an effort to truly get Harry ready for middle school, we are getting him braces and glasses. The crazy thing is that he is

really EXCITED to get them! I don't know how long that excitement will last...

He had been complaining for awhile that he was having trouble seeing distant things clearly. Like the good Mom that I am, I put off bringing him to the eye doctor until it was convenient for me. His vision wasn't terrible (20/60), but it did need correcting. When we picked up the glasses at the store, Harry laid it on pretty thick! "Oh wow, there are so many things I couldn't see before, " he said. You would have thought we had just cured blindness.

Anyway, his glasses are pretty cute. According, to the woman at the store, the current trend in eye ware is called, "geeky chic". Great! I told Harry if he broke them, we would use duct tape to fix them, since insurance only covers one pair of eyeglasses per year...

Braces, here we come, July 6th...

Think of your fellow man, lend him a helping hand...

A few years ago, I had a conversation with my children's pediatrician. I don't remember the exact conversation, but I do remember I was begging for advice on one of Becca's latest outbursts. Strong willed and adversarial since birth, I have had my share of parenting headaches with Becca over the years. Anyway, I clearly remember his advice, "Becca has all the characteristics to be a great adult; independent, motivated, strong willed. It's your job to guide her to adulthood." And I still clearly remember my response, "Ask me on any given day, and I'm not sure we are going to survive that long."



Raising kids with the thought that someday they will be adults can be challenging, but I do think it makes you see things differently. Suddenly, it becomes clear why angry outbursts and disrespectful comments need to be addressed right away. Someday it won't be me hearing those things, it will be a boss or a spouse. Along the same lines, I think it is also important to teach kids how to see outside of themselves. If they aren't taught as children, how can we expect them to learn that as adults? I'm sure we can all name people we encounter on a daily basis that never outgrew "the world revolves around me" attitude of youth.



Yesterday, Becca, Harry, Bella and I helped with a family service project for Becca's confirmation class. We volunteered at a Loaves and Fishes site. On the way there, I gave them a brief explanation of what we were going to do, explaining that we would be helping people who didn't have enough money for food. When we got there, we were given our job for the night, "food runners". It was our job to serve the trays of food to the people sitting at tables.



At first Bella was nervous to bring the trays out to the people, because she was afraid she might drop the tray. It probably didn't help that Harry kept telling her he was SURE she would trip and fall with the tray. She started by bringing out the silverware rolls and the bannana (that didn't fit on the tray). After a few minutes, she was a pro and started bringing out the trays. Everyone commented what a hard worker she was. Something I have known for quite awhile!



I was also very proud of Becca. She delivered the trays with a smile and looked all the people in the eyes. When there was work to be done, whether clearing trays or helping clean up in the kitchen, she was happy to help. At the end of the evening, she commented that we should do this every other month with our church. And that is the plan...



Harry also helped, but with a little less vigor than Becca and Bella. Perhaps he was tired from his track and field day at school. Perhaps he didn't think serving trays of food was very exciting. Whatever the reason, I think helping last night (and over the next few months), will eventually make a difference in what kind of adult Harry turns out to be. Understanding that not everyone's greatest worry is what Wii game to get next, is an important lesson at 11 years old.



Well I can only hope (and pray) that they will all turn into "great adults" someday...

Under My Umbrella (ella, ella, hey, hey)...

So as I write this, it is pouring down cold rain in 45 degrees. I was really hoping for rain because we just planted some flowers in the front last weekend. The bad news is that tonight, the weatherman is predicting snow with 1-2 inches of slushy accumulation. Looks like we will be buying some more flowers next weekend...


This week, I have been busy protecting the interests of Becca. As some of you who have been following me for a while know, Becca is headed to high school this coming fall. I'm still having a hard time wrapping my head around that fact, but it is true, despite my denial. The big issue has been where to send her for high school. As of last year there are two high schools in our district, Chaska and Chanhassen. Becca has been at a Montessori charter school for the last 8 years and wanted to go to Chanhassen to be with her friends. Unfortunately, the district is being very strict and not letting kids who are in the Chaska High School boundaries open enroll to Chanhassen this year. Some of her friends at school are going to Minnetonka High School and Becca also knows girls from her lacrosse team that will attend Minnetonka so...it looks like it will be Minnetonka. So next year, the school calendar will be a mess. Harry will be in Eden Prairie, Becca in Minnetonka, and Bella in Chaska for part of the day. 3 different Spring Breaks, yeah!

On Monday, Becca will leave on an 8th grade class trip to Chicago. They are taking the train and will be gone all week. I'm sure she will have fun, but having her leave and dealing with all of this high school stuff is making me reflect on the fact that we don't have our kids as kids very long at all. They can't always be "under our umbrella" of protection. We can just hope and pray that we do the best to teach them how to protect themselves out in the world when the time comes for them to go.

Tiptoe through the Tulips...

On Wednesday, Bella had a field trip to the Arboretum. It was a bright sunny day with some wind, but still pretty nice for April in MN. The highlight of the trip was the beautiful tulip garden that was in full bloom. There were so many people there to visit it when we were there. Some were having engagement pictures done, some were with family, and some were with schools like us. I was amazed at how many colors of tulips were in the garden. It made for a lovely sight. Bella knows that tulips are my favorite flower and she was eager to share that information with her classmates. She also kept saying how good they smelled. I never thought tulips had much of a scent, but when they were all together they did seem to give off a fresh scent. To me it just smelled like Spring...

It is always fun to watch Bella interact with her classmates. For this field trip, the class was divided up into groups and the parent chaperones were given a group of about 6 children to lead around and explore the Arboretum for the 1st hour. I had 6 girls including Bella in my group and they were all fascinated with the same things: water fountains (or wishing ponds as some called them), bridges over water, and lookout towers which you could climb. They were all very well behaved. It was fun to see Bella laugh and giggle with the girls about jokes and other things. Her teacher told me how far Bella has come this year both in her schoolwork and her interactions with others. She told me how amazed she is that Bella can come in half way through the day when everything is in full swing and blend right in, seamlessly. It made me feel very good about our decision to homeschool her half the day. It has provided her with what she needs in a lot of ways.

At the end of the field trip, the groups got back together and they explored the Japanese garden together. The children learned about the different lanterns and their meanings. One thing I learned was that one lantern is designed with a flat top so that in the Winter it can look like a flower with snow piled on top. I must say, I am a much bigger fan of the bright flowers in April than the icy snow flowers of January!

First Communion

Last Sunday Harry celebrated his First Communion. It was almost his Second Communion, but luckily Erick snatched the wafer out of Harry's hand (a few weeks ago) after the Pastor had given it to him thinking he was old enough. Pheww... Anyway, it was a very nice Spring day and we had family with us to witness the special event.

For Harry, the First Communion experience was a little bit disappointing. Sure he got new clothes and was the center of attention. Yes, he got to go out to a nice brunch and receive some presents. The disappointment came in that when he received the Communion meal he was given grape juice not wine. It was the first thing he said going back to sit down and I have heard about it many times since. I'm not sure what it says about my parenting that my son's anticipation of First Communion was more like being excited to turn "21". Oh well, we do our best, right?

When Becca had her First Communion, I established a tradition of having family and friends writing notes to her and putting them into a scrapbook for her to reflect on when times are hard and she feels unloved. I created a book for Harry too and below is the note I wrote to him...

Harrison-

When I think of what makes you special and different from others, I think of your drive and dedication to learn new things. You have always had a passion for learning, which I think will serve you well your entire life.

One thing that I want you to remember is that you don't have to learn new things overnight. Attaining new skills takes time and practice. You have a tendency to want to know how to do things "right now". When you were 4 years old and learning to write your whole name, you were very frustrated that you couldn't make your "W' in Rowe correctly. You told me (in a very serious 4 year old voice) that you were going to change your last name to "Rome". I explained that in time you would be able to make a "W" and I didn't think changing your name was necessary. And in time you learned...

At the tender age of 5, you began to play the piano. You have always had a love of music. When you were a baby, you loved watching the mobile above your cradle, while listening to the music it played. I can remember how frustrated you became when you first started playing the piano. It was hard to remember the notes, it was difficult to stretch your little fingers to play the chords, and it never seemed to sound like when your teacher played the song. And in time it became easier...

Over the last 11 years you have created high expectations for yourself. You set your goals high and you go after what you want. When you went to Clover Ridge Elementary, you set a goal of getting all A's (only A's no A-'s you said) and you achieved that by your second report card. Keep in mind that some goals might take longer to achieve than others. That doesn't mean you should get angry and give up. Remember to learn along the way. Losing and failing can sometimes provide the biggest life lessons. And in time you will succeed...

As you approach your teen years, it is important to remember the lesson learned in "The Tortoise and the Hare": Slow and steady wins the race. Life is not about how fast you learn how to do things, it is about HOW you do them. Do what you do with passion. Do what you do with a commitment to quality. Do what you do with a focus on how it will help others. Keep this in mind with school, with friendships, and also family. And in time you will understand...

My little boy is growing up!

iHad a great day...

Who would think that getting up at 5am could be so much fun? You may not know this about me, but I am not really a morning person, but on Saturday I decided to wake up super early and wait in line for a new toy. Another thing you may not know about me...I am never the first to get new electronic gadgets. Our tv is not HD (or flat), I have only had an ipod for about a year, and I am surviving just fine with a regular dvd player. We are practical and dare I say thrifty in most cases, but on Saturday I ditched that image for one that is a lot more fun and spontaneous. I waited in line for the new iPad! I arrived at Southdale mall at 6am, scoping out where to wait. I was a little surprised that I didn't see a line of people outside since I had heard a lot of hype of Mac crazed enthusiasts that will camp out when new products arrive. I picked a door and began to wait. Within a few minutes, others began to arrive. I was surprised how friendly the people I met were. We began to kill time by chatting about what the new iPad would be like, plotting how we would beat possible people who might be camped at other doors to the Apple store when the mall doors opened, and discussing what lines were like at other Apple locations such as the Mall of America. At one point, our little group formed a pact and I felt a little like a contestant on Survivor. The second person in line said when we ran down to the apple store when the mall doors opened we would stay in the same order as we had arrived at our door. And that is how I became first in line (of the non reserved) for the new Apple iPad.



7am- Now as we waited directly in front of the Apple store inside the mall, the anticipation began to grow even stronger. People waiting had now been divided into two distinct lines; those who had pre-ordered and those (like me) who had not. The people who had preordered looked relaxed, yet excited. They knew that they would receive an iPad for sure. Our line was a little more anxious. Sure, we were at the front of the line, but the Apple employees wouldn't disclose how many iPads they had for people who had not reserved. The Apple employees stood in front of the two lines and held their morning rally meeting saying, "Look at our loyal customers who have reserved our product and look at others who want a chance to purchase our product." I knew I was with people I didn't normally associate with when the man in line on the reserved side said, " I haven't waited in line for something for awhile. Not since the 'Fellowship of the Ring' movie came out." I think I might have been the only one in line on either side who has never seen those movies. Also, did I mention I was one of 4 women in line? Definitely not the majority.

8am- More Apple employees come marching down the mall hallway clapping and hollering. Now there appears to be about 50 employees in front of the store! I guess if you work in an Apple store there were no requests off allowed for April 3rd. The Apple manager announces that in 25 minutes the store would be unveiled (all this time there are black curtains hung over the windows of the store so you couldn't see inside) and everyone would have their first look at the iPad. Who knew there would be such dramatic buildup?

8:25am- The black curtains are released from the windows and the iPads are visible in the store. There are two iPads hanging from wires in the display windows and there are numerous posters throughout the Apple store identifying the iPad's cool features. The Apple manager makes another loud announcement stating that in just 35 minutes they would be selling a device with the most outstanding technology currently available. All of the Apple employees march through the open glass doors of the store clapping and cheering. Okay, now I officially feel like a geek...

8:58am- The Apple employees approach the reserved line and begin to let people into the store to make the iPad purchase. They let in about 35 people. I can see now that the ratio of reserved to non reserved iPads will be great.

9am- I am guided into the Apple store and hailed as the first non reserved customer allowed to purchase an iPad. My line cheers. I must admit, I felt pretty special. But like I told Bella after she had her fingers and toes painted at the nail salon, "It's only a very special treat. Don't get used to it..."

A Long Time Ago...

Ask Harry how he has spent Spring Break and he will tell you that he has spent most of it going to school. That is not entirely true, but it does carry a flavor of the truth. On Tuesday, he shadowed at his new school for next year, Eagle Ridge Academy. I am happy to say that he thought it was a good school and that he is looking forward to going next year. He is still a little turned off by the uniforms you have to wear, but I think that will go away in time. He did tell me that he saw many kids with their shirts not tucked in and he plans to NOT tuck in his shirt too! Ahh..the small rebellions of kids...

Yesterday, Harry and Bella spent the morning at a one room school house learning what it was like to attend school as a pioneer child in the late 1800's. Bella was very excited to wear her "Laura Ingalls" costume that her Grandmother made her for last Halloween. Harry wore one of the vests they had available at the school for boys to dress up in. The kids had so much fun! It took place at the Gibbs Museum in St. Paul. The teacher was "Miss Lake". She taught the kids lots of things in short amount of time. The children learned how to stand up properly by their desk when they answered a question, how to make recite a reading from the board, and they had a reading lesson on the front bench in school by grade. The science lesson for the day was outside and they learned about making maple sugar from maple trees with sap. At the end of the program the children did a spelling bee for the parents. One thing I noticed is that Bella seemed to have a much harder time hearing with the bonnet on her head. It covered her implants and I'm sure it cut down on the sound getting to her. Also, the one room schoolhouse didn't have very good acoustics. Still, she loved it. I was thankful that it wasn't where she really went to school!

Minnesota has been having a bit of May this week. Temps have been in the mid to upper 70's. On Wednesday the kids and I went to the park and they played. It was so nice to read a book outside in shorts and a t-shirt! I think it's going to be a warm summer...