October 13: Griffin's Parent Teacher Conference

What Griffin knows (or doesn't) as of 9/29/10

I can't say I was surprised by the gaps in Griffin's knowledge, but I guess I was a bit surprised that he hasn't filled them in already in the first couple of months at school.

So, he doesn't know what a square is.  Can't recognize the number 8 (among others) and has a handful of letters he doesn't know the sounds for.

We were sent home with lists of things to practice/memorize/teach.  I am a little resentful, I'll be honest.  We spent $550 a month all last year for him to go to a Montessori preschool and he should have learned this basic stuff there.  I know if he had been in the city run Tiny Tots program (that both Zoey and Aidan attended) he would know this stuff, but we couldn't send him there because of my work schedule.

The learning process that was joyful and exciting with Zoey is now tired, old and exhausting with Griffin.  I work 30 hours a week and need time for my blog, making it even harder to find time to work with Griffin on these things.  I have enlisted the help of everyone (Bill, Liane, Zoey, Aidan) in teaching him these things but I still have to be the project manager.

Maybe there is an Xbox game that can teach him these things for me...

Oh yeah - Griffin also has some social control issues.  Can't keep his hands to himself, thinks carpet time is good for a slap fight or wrestling match.  As the oldest, tallest kid in the class, Mr Swanson would like to see him in a leadership role.  Hm.  Not sure if he is up to that.

October 12: Griffin's New Hair Cut

THE HAIRCUT!

FAUX HAWK!

This is what a $25 haircut looks like.

This is what it looks like 5 minutes later when the product stops working...

After years of taking the boys to KidsKuts for hit-or-miss haircuts - while in between waiting MONTHS before the next haircut, letting them get long, shaggy and girl-ish - I decided to try a SALON.  Zoey found a great hairdresser this year (because I asked a customer at B&N who did her hair) and she recommended Sarah for great kid's haircuts.  Cool at first, but once the product wears off it looks a lot like the cheaper, vaguely military haircuts the boys always ended up with in the past.  I told her I wanted it short on the sides and long on top because Mommy likes long hair and Daddy likes short hair.  This is what we got - Daddy won.  He loves it, too.

The long hair before  the cut...

October 5: Aidan's Glasses

So, picking out Aidan's glasses was a very rewarding experience as a parent.  I know that my kids all have unique, sometimes obscure tastes and I value that and want to support it, but I also don't want them going out in the world looking like dorks.  With this in mind, we began the selection of the GLASSES.  I tried not to influence Aidan and also let the technician make suggestions.  The first pair he tried on is the pair we went with - with about 20 other pairs tried on in the process.  I am thrilled with is choice and think that it is unique, handsome and expressive of who he is as a person.  He wears them mostly for distance and at school, but he has been wearing them at home when he plays Xbox.  

Of course, Griff had to try them on...  Maybe he will be able to go 7 years before he needs specs.

September 27: Back to School

Bill and the kids leave the house at 6:30 am every day to catch the bus at 6:45 am.  They get to school about an hour later.  It exhausts all of us and we all try to be to bed by 9:30 at the latest.  We all loved having last week (and Monday) off.  Tuesday came bright and early and, as I was helping the kids load up the car and get ready to go, Griffin ran outside with the camera and took this picture.

September 26: The Beach

All summer was gloomy.  We barely went to the beach AT ALL.  Now, end of September and we are having a heatwave.  Carlsbad, here we come!!!  Sadly, the water was FREEZING.  Seriously!  My extremities were numb!  That didn't keep the boys and Liane from staying the water the whole time, though.

September 26: PANCAKES!!

Bill is a great pancake maker.  Buttermilk, to be exact.  We had a big spread on Sunday to celebrate Aidan's return.  Griffin decided to make a bridge of pancakes and put a Lego guy in it.

September 24: Griffin Entertains Himself

Griffin got a new book in the mail (Skippyjon Jones by Judy Schachner) and decided to make himself a sort of casbah in the middle of the kitchen.

He really missed Aidan the week that he was gone.  When asked if he missed his brother, he responded, "It's like he never existed!"  He said this to two people...