little teacher

Madeleine has a few things she wants to be in life - I believe at this time her desires are either:  artist, writer, ballerina/dancer, actress or teacher.

She has the love of each and talent in each area, and as she is only 8 (almost 9 next month!) - she really has plenty of time to decide!  However, I had to share my favorite experiences with her during the past two days where I have called her my little teacher for the incredibly way her bright mind worked in two teaching moments with Jacob.

First was Monday night - I was helping Bryson Jr. get finished for bed, so I had Madeleine lay down and read to Jacob.  She has down this for me regularly and I love that it gives them some special time together...while also getting in reading for each one!  I came in at the end of the book she was reading - it had been a book on counting, and she turned to the back pages where it listed the numbers from 1 - 10 repeated on 4 different lines on both sides of the page/back cover.  She started to count with Jacob starting at 1 and then when they got to 10, she had them count backwards.  I was happy - but she didn't stop there!  She then started to point to any number on the page and ask Jacob what it was - seeing that he knew the numbers out of order, instead of just going up the ladder and doing rote memorization, but really testing his skills.

After they were finished, she came out from his bunk bed and I gave her praise and told her that was a fabulous way to work with Jacob on his numbers to be sure he knew them.  She beamed and gave me a hug  and then went up to her loft bed to read her own book.  As I sat down to read with Jacob, I was still amazed and happy with Madeleine's display of creativity in working with Jacob.  This reading together was even better than I had planned on!

Last night (Tuesday), we ran into a similar situation at bed time.  I needed to work with Bryson Jr. on the piano, so I had Madeleine start reading through the pile of books on Jacob's bed.  When I finally came into the room, they had just started reading the final book.  "Here mom, this is where I'm reading to him.  Oh, and just a suggestion for you on something you should do so that Jacob likes the book more.  There are 2 raccoons in the book, so I named one Bryson and one Jacob - he really likes hearing his and Bryson's name in the story."

And with that, she was climbing up her ladder.  I looked after her in even more amazement than the night before.  How did she know to do these things?!  I know they are doing a lot of higher level thinking and reasoning with their reading in school, but would this fit under that category?  Did she just know to change the names around, because she noticed Jacob's attention was drifting....or that she just knew that he'd love to hear his name in a book?!  I was completely in awe of her!

As I snuggled in with Jacob and we started to read again 'A Pocket Full of Kisses' {same author as The Kissing Hand} - and I realized how perfect this book was for my boys.  A story of learning that a mom's love is not limited to one child - and that to share means that love is spread.

I need to learn from my daughter more often.  What a treasure she is - and how lucky are we are to have her in our family.

Love you Mademoiselle Madeleine!
xoxoxo
Mom

what little boys are made of....

While cleaning through Bryson Jr's drawer the little rhyme 'what are little boys made of' was dancing around in my head.  I found bags filled with treasures that Bryson Jr. has found during adventures outside.  I found a few things he must have been "borrowing" from his siblings - and made sure to return those to their rightful owners.  I found bags of candy - some left over from Halloween, some from the "Candy Man" - a member of our ward that hands out candy every Sunday to the children...okay, and the adults too!  And then I found a piece of paper with a sweet little note about our little boy's hero....his dad ~

'What I like about dad...is that I get to restle with him on his bed!  I also get to snogle with dad in the morning when I'm suppost to go to school.  One day he also got me a suprise tha(t) was....a hot coco cup!!' *

*One day Bryson Sr. came home from work with surprises for all of us.  A company had been at work doing an insurance sales pitch.  Of the surprises, he gave Bryson Jr. a mug (probably for coffee) - and honestly you would think the child had been handed a cup filled with magic!  He loves that mug!  No one can drink out of it but himself, and it is the cup of choice at most of our meals for little B to drink from - it's not just reserved for Hot Chocolate, but that is his favorite reason to pull out that very special mug of his! 

It's always sweet to see how much this little boy loves his dad....and the simple gifts and time that they have together.

Here are to my two Brysons!

little bit of this and that....

I wasn't joking in our Christmas letter that life is not always glamorous living here in the city.

Jacob threw a snowball at a pigeon the other day that wasn't moving fast enough for him. Since then, I've been ducking as the birds fly overhead as I'm sure they are planning revenge. Tonight I'm pretty sure one of them got me...or I have toothpaste at the top of my head.

It was pigeon cucky (our own word we use...it rhymes with lucky so I'll spell it that way) that was in my hair the other night. AND, just a little a few minutes ago, I went to pat Jacob on his head while we were talking and I realized there was something hard in his hair...and what is that?! Oh, looks like a pigeon got Jacob too. EWWWWW!!! These pigeons really are out to get us!

We did a quick into the bath and washed the hair...and I had to laugh a bit that we seem to be getting our pay back for that one little snow ball to the pigeon.

Hopefully the bird community will forgive us very soon and we can be put back on the nice list. Maybe I should show them little Bryson's great bird report that he did for his class....do you think this would get us off the hook?!

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Jacob decided to try on my new rain boots I got. I haven't been able to find any winter boots I like - so I at least decided to be normal and wear shoes that don't get my feet wet. I've been walking around in ballet flats even with the snow. People....you have to understand shoes and purses are not my forte in the fashion department. I seriously need a class just on those 2 accessories.

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Madeleine started to sell her Girl Scout Cookies tonight. Thankfully we have very generous neighbors that must be forgiving to how loud and boisterous we are.

Between 3 neighbors on our floor, and a couple downstairs - she sold 11 boxes. And was thrilled! I'm still not sure on all details of the program, and how fantastic it is here on the island as it is so new and is still getting its' feet under it...however, her self confidence tonight rose a very significant amount as she went on her own door to door and introduced herself (well - they knew her, but we came up with a modified intro) and then explained a bit about Girl Scouts and asked if they would like to buy a few boxes of cookies.

Bless others' hearts for being so generous and helping a young girl in her dreams and the small steps of taking on responsibility as she becomes older and more accomplished.

******

A friend of mine and I are switching weeks to watch each other's child while we have a more full day to run errands or do things around home that we don't get done. Her daughter and Jacob are in pre-k together, and so we had Miss P here last week, and Jacob went over there today.

I put in a full errand schedule trying to do the Christmas take backs. I did well at Target staying on task with my returns and then doing the monthly errands to stock up on basics and getting a few things we need.....like new cookie sheets. I ruined both of mine the last month, along with my Pyrex pan the month before. I let things cook too long both times, and the items were so old that I just decided it would be easier to throw them out and get new ones, then try to clean up something in such a pathetic state.

As I was putting all my things in the truck at Target, and ready to get in...I remembered. Vacuum. The little vacuum we got when we moved here stopped working - so I need a new one. I was a little bit ready to just get in the truck and get over to my next errand, but then I realized part of my goal is sticking with something and getting it done. Often times I'm in such a rush that I'll not go back and get something I need - I think taking the extra few minutes will set me too far behind, when in reality NOT doing the thing sets me further behind and really usually gets me out of my groove of what I want to accomplish.  In I went, got the vacuum and all is the better for it! :)  

catching up

I am trying to catch up - it is a long process!  Like everyone else in the world (or so it seems) our December was busy and fun filled.  Well, the appendicitis attack was not fun, but aside from we had a few fun times!

Getting caught up is taking extra time because this new blogger set-up is crazy.  I have posts back dated for when something happened, but then when I go to post it, it pops up to the current date.  I don't get that!  So, now I'm spending time trying to figure out how to try to get posts at least sometime around the date that something happened.  At least then I won't think that we went sledding in July if it takes me that long to catch up.

Check back - there will be more.

Eventually.

Redefining a Date Night...

On Friday night, Bryson and Madeleine had a daddy/daughter date.  Madeleine was SO excited to have a special night with just Daddy to herself.

Part of our resolutions with the New Year is that we can spend more quality one-on-one time with each of the children.  Madeleine was able to go first - probably as oldest, but also because we had tickets to an amazing show which I wanted Bryson to take her to...okay, I wanted to go as well, but Bryson Sr. had promised Madeleine last year that he would take her to a show for her birthday.  The promise only took 11 months to come about - but she didn't care, she finally was going with her Dad!  Also, we have noticed that one of the only memories Madeleine has of Daddy/Daughter date was back when we lived in Florida and she turned 4.  Bryson took her to Burger King for dinner, and let her play on the inside play area.  She STILL talks about that day with great excitement and has expressed that she really wants to do another event like that.  Well - luckily for her they don't have a lot of Burger King restaurants in NYC....instead there are incredible shows!

They went to see a Chinese New Year show at the Lincoln Center.  We found out about the show when a friend of ours at the school came to sell tickets to the show during our International Dinner last November.  She had a TV set up showing scenes from the production, and Madeleine was completely mesmerized.  With studying about China and the culture of the country last year in 3rd grade - she really does have a new love and understanding about the people.  We saw how excited she was with the "previews" and decided to go ahead and get the tickets.

{a late night - home at 11:30pm!  I'll have to talk to her Daddy about that one! ;) }

Thankfully all worked out so that she and Daddy could go on their date - we actually had more snow on Friday, although it ended up being more of a dusting than a storm.  Bryson has had some extra work this week, and has a big presentation on Monday....he had to work later than he had hoped, so they didn't quite get to go out to eat at a restaurant like we hoped...but Madeleine did get to eat dinner ordered in and enjoyed up on the 24th floor of his building with sweeping views of the city and over into Times Square before they went off to get the subway and head over to the show.  Perhaps that was a better eating experience anyway!  

Bryson Jr. of course wanted to go.  He was a little sad that he didn't get his turn, but I told him we already had the date set for he and Daddy to go at the end of the month...how exciting that they get to start their hang-out time at the Dentist office with back to back appointments!  He truly doesn't care what they do, however he has started to talk about different options, and asking Bryson Sr. what he might be able to do with his stomach still mending from the surgery/appendectomy.  As we drove home from dropping Madeleine off at Bryson's (Sr.) work, Jacob fell asleep and Bryson Jr. said from the back seat....'So maybe this can be like Madeleine and Daddy's date, and then you and I can have a date at the house, right?'  It was the sweetest request and melted my heart.  Which was a great thing.  This was a very hard week emotionally with that little boy.  He DID NOT want to wake up any morning and go back to school.  He was tired after the day and we had a few too many meltdowns - we both did.  I had a moment one day where I realized I really needed to find ways to enjoy being a mom to this boy - because it was a down in the trench moment and I could not think of anything to be particularly happy about at the moment.  So, I was thrilled to have our own one-on-one time together, that would be a much more positive experience than the previous week!

We enjoyed a little movie together once I got Jacob tucked back into bed (forget a transition going from a Parking Garage, walking over 3 buildings and bringing and elevator home!).  We popped popcorn, snuggled under a blanket and enjoyed a little show together.

All in all.....2 very happy children that got to spend extra time with their parents.  Moments of parenting where you get to have delightful and enjoyable moments with your children ---- priceless and very welcome!  I'm looking forward to more of our Date Nights or Special Hang Outs throughout the year....and I know 3 children that are as well!

2 different peas in a pod

While getting the boys dressed this morning, I realized a stark difference in their personalities and preferences.    I always work to give each child their own space and be their own person...I don't expect them to be the same.  However, they are both boys, they are siblings - they do have the same parents.  So some things are the same - and I try not to be too surprised the other times when they are complete opposites!}

*Bryson LOVES comfy pants - he'd prefer to live in sweat pants, and so I've ended up buying him more "gym" looking pants (our favorite are the pants that Gymboree puts out - he loves that they are soft and I love they are durable and comfy without looking totally tacky). He'll wear jeans and church pants when needed - but his first preference is comfort!

*Jacob wants jeans - or as he calls all of them no matter the brand - "Levi's".  When he gets dressed each day, his request is Levis each and EVERY morning.  The funny thing is that I bought a lot of "levi's" this summer when we were out in Utah, and then I came home and noticed that we had more pairs of jeans than I had remembered from Bryson's previous wardrobe.  I thought there would be no reason to need the 4 extra pairs of jeans I had purchased, so I set them aside to give away.  Because Jacob won't wear the many comfy pants that we have from Bryson from last year - he is going through jeans at a fast rate - more than half of his jeans have holes in the knees!...and we are already using all 4 of those pants that I had thought about giving away.  I hope that boy will love cut-off jean shorts this summer, because I am fairly certain that will be the main part of his wardrobe. :)

They are the same - they are different ---- and there is a very strong between these brothers!

What fun boys we have!  

New York Living Perks & Quirks!

We live on Roosevelt Island, located in the East River between Manhattan & Queens. 
Perks: We have {almost} everything we need within walking distance – Post Office & Grocery Store (although they charge triple price!) are across the green from us, and the library, dance studio & favorite pizzeria are down the street. The Dry Cleaner is in our lobby and the school is 3 buildings away - yet we are consistently late! Parks for the children to play and have a “yard” experience, and open spaces to zoom around on their scooters, and the Costco is across the river and about a ½ mile walk. 
Quirks: If the subway and tram are out, you could swim to Manhattan if needed! And Bryson jokes our “governing” board and buildings on the island give a feel that communism is alive and well!

Apartment living - we can and did adapt! We are nearing the end of our lease on 880 sq. ft. of living - we admire our ancestors much more for raising families in 1 room cabins! 
Perks: Our View –we didn’t get space, but we look out at the East River, the span of the Queensboro Bridge and the top of the Empire State Building. I finally got front loading washer & dryer - aka: the Laundry Room. 
Double-perk: having all  the laundry done in 2 hours! The children love having friends in the building, I love having “walking-pools” to school and dance classes, and Bryson loves not having any yard work. 
Quirks: Using ½ the hallway for storage so it’s a ONE-WAY travel zone. Storing items wherever possible although usually random – which means losing things more than I thought possible for such a small space and keeping the extra toilet paper in our bedroom closet.

Recycling. Perks: The children noticed people recycling bottles & cans at Costco & getting money. They realized with all the apartments around us, they could make extra money for savings & spending money. Each time we walk by a recycling room on a floor in our building, they look for bottles or cans (and BOX TOPS!). 
Perk: They are on a first name basis with the lady at Costco and are thrilled to earn a few dollars. 
Quirk/funny story: The school children in our district were invited to participate in an Art Show at Sotheby’s. On the appointed day we went and saw the art work on display. As we were leaving, little Bryson looked at the garbage and realized they were THROWING OUT the plastic water bottles which had been served. He would not have that! He handed me the bottles which I quickly tucked into my bag or under our coats. Little Bryson was definitely more ecstatic about recycling and that he just made 20 cents, than he had been about his art work on display at Sotheby’s!

This is a place where everyone has a fashion statement and you create your own look. Jacob creates his own statement by wearing his cowboy boots EVERY day! He has been my cowboy side-kick at the school both this and last year during many PTA events, and became well known and loved by students and staff. Perk: This year when he started the Afternoon Pre-K class, he walked right in without a worry to his other “Home on the Range”. Quirk: There is only one NYC Cowboy in our book, although he doesn’t want to be called that or any other nickname! He continually states: ‘Just call me Jacob’!