What just happened?

In January (for reals, I'm a planner) when I started making plans for the summer I had no idea what I was getting myself into.  I usually consider a few activities and follow through on one or two.  This time I was on the "sign us up" program.  Gone are the lazy, quiet summer days, my kids have something going on all the time. If I complain, remind me that I signed up for it and I love 97% of it.  The hardest part for me is adjusting to a new schedule that accommodates our activities and the rest of life (cleaning, teaching, Junior League, blogging, pedicures, Scrabble, working out, and plenty of tv viewing).

We are now in Week 4 of summer break and here's what has been happening.  {If you follow me on Instagram, sorry you've seen most of this}

1. Swimming
The little kids have had swim lessons most days with Aunt Katy.  Lauren is my little fish.  She will swim until she is exhausted.  Keith is coming into his own in the pool. 

Patrick is doing swim and water polo every evening.  He made his first goal last week at the polo scrimmage and shaved 3 seconds off of his freestyle time.  He's even talking about joining swim club this year.

2. Wrestling
Keith wrestles Monday and Tuesday evenings and he loves it most days.   The other day in the middle of practice Keith told his coach, "You used to coach my Uncle Ben!" He was on cloud 9 after that declaration.  His coach calls him Mr. Fox, which he loves.

3. Vacation Bible School
Our church had VBS the second week of summer and we were all there.  Lauren in the nursery, me volunteering, the boys attending.  It was an amazing week and the program was really fun for the kids.  I was so glad that we were there.

4. Teaching
I started teaching a new online class just as summer started.  My class was one of the first classes on the new online platform and it has been a lot of work.  This is the first week that my students seem more comfortable and I get to focus more of learning.  I'm taking a break at the end of July and I'm looking forward to it.

5. Working
Kevin changed shifts and finished at the academy when summer started.  We celebrated the Fresno Policy Academy Class #129 graduation last Friday.  Kevin was once again a superstar recruit training officer.  Under his mentorship, there were 5 cadets who graduated in uniform (they were hired by an agency) and another handful are in the process.  We are rolling with graves for now, who knows what next week will bring.

6. Weekends what?
The new shift and the academy mean that Kevin has weekends off for the first time in a very long time.  We've enjoyed our weekend time together. 

7. This girl

She is really good at waiting for her brothers.  Lauren goes back to My Gym for July and maybe August before her promised gymnastics classes start.  This picture in 10 pm one night.  I love-hate the sporadic naps.  Evenings can be a little touch and go without a nap but she doesn't go to sleep at night when she has a nap.  I think I prefer the non-nap day.  She crashes at 7:30 when we get home from swimming and it is perfection.

Only 47 more days of summer and we have lots of fun planned!

Done

Last day of school! 
Here are my sweet kids this morning before school.

Here they are right now. 

We did the awards circuit, we partied at the park, we watched movies at school all week, we ate donuts and candy, we said farewell to our awesome teachers, we played at the pool with our buddies, and now we are having the two hour chopstick dinner.  life is good.

Our plans for the summer are pretty close to being set.  Between golf, wrestling, swimming, gymnastics, VBS, and day camps we will be on the go a lot.  But my goal is to make sure the summer learning gap never gets opened.   Summer is only 72 days long so it is important to be realistic.  So here are my goals:

1) Read READ read Read READ read READ

If we do nothing else, we will read.

This is Keith's stack of books for the summer.  We won't make it through all of these books, this stack is just his chapter book-read aloud selection (he's very proud of it).  All of these books were recycled from Patrick's personal book stash.

Patrick will likely plow through library books on his Kindle Fire again this summer.  Our library system updated the ebook website and it is really fun to use.  I love free.

Both boys will also work on writing.  Patrick at night before he falls asleep, Keith in the morning.

Lauren is going to start working on her Phonics.

2) Math

Welcome to laminated Math Facts.  Just for practice for a few minutes after breakfast.  Everyone loves using a dry erase pen.  Patrick still has a little work to do on his multiplication to make it stick and Keith is so close with addition.

3)  Art (aka teaching Keith how to cut)
Coloring, cutting, gluing, painting.  I love having these kids at the kitchen table together creating.  And Keith really does need to learn how to cut.

4) Quiet Time/Free Time/Individual Reading

This hour or so will be our break before heading out to the pool deck in the evening.   They can do what they want but reading will be encouraged.  This accordion file is full of easy read books for Keith, organized by level.  Mom will spend her free time enjoying the quiet.  Hopefully Lauren starts napping again.

5) Play and have fun
I know you don't think there is any time left but there is plenty!  All of this only adds up to a couple of hours.  The kids will be up later than their normal 7:30 bedtime.  Electronics and television time will be limited. Legos are at the top of the list for all three kids.

We also have some fun excursions to fit in.  The only thing that will slow us down is 100 degree heat.  Wish us luck!  Have a great summer!

Almost

Since Memorial Day Keith has been quizzing me each day about his status.  "Am I a first grader now?"  We are now one step closer to his dream of being in the first grade!  Today was his Kindergarten performance and I didn't cry! 

That's because I cried when he brought this home last week.  He volunteered for a (small) solo part in the performance.  "I don't know but I've been told!"

I wasn't sure why it was emotional for me (still is) until I finally realized what it meant, this kid who used to ask his brother to speak on his behalf volunteered to talk in front of everyone!  I am so proud of him.  His confidence isn't always the best so it is awesome to see him volunteer and perform. 

Also, he is just a really great kid.  Today was our annual meeting for his Individual Education Plan for Speech and he has just come so far.  It is easy to loss sight of the growth when you are entrenched in the dailiness of life.

He has worked really hard this year on speech and in school so it is great to see his team give him praise.  His speech teacher thinks that he might be done after next year. 

I am so proud of him and his hard work.  And I love the fact that he is a true original (he has a drum and he can hear the beat).

 His memory book.  We are so blessed to have an amazing Kinder Team!  One more Callahan kid to go!  And she is READY.

He's going to miss his BFF Cameron this summer.

Good-bye GG

Yesterday we celebrated the life of Kevin's grandmother, Virginia Mugrdechian.  I love that everyone in the Mugrdechian family gets nicknames!  We always called her Bedgie and she always took care of Kevin and his sister Katie like they were her own grandkids.  Bedgie was Kevin's step-mom's mother and she was such a kind and wonderful woman.  We will miss you Bedge!  Give Chuck a hug for us! XOXO

From the Fresno Bee:
Helen Virginia 'Bedge' Mugrdechian, age 88, entered into eternal peace on Friday, May 17, 2013, at Mission Gardens in Merced, Ca under the care of Hinds Hospice. Virginia was born on July 10, 1924, a daughter of the late Sam and Aroxie Bedrosian. She graduated from Fremont High School in Los Angeles, Ca. in 1942. She worked as a hair stylist with her sisters in her dad's barber shop. She also was a member of the Armenian Church Youth Organization at Saint James Armenian Church in Los Angeles, Ca. She married the late Charles "Chick" Mugrdechian in February 1946. Together they lived in Fresno, Ca. where she worked for Gottschalk's Department Store in the fine jewelry department for more than 30 years. Virginia was a member of Saint Paul Armenian Church. She was a very kind and gentle soul. She had a loving and generous heart, and was always giving to others. We all will miss her sense of humor that she shared with her sisters, Flo and Gloria Thomas. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 50 years, Charles in 2005; and her sisters, Gloria Thomas from Los Angeles, Ca. and Florence "Flo" Thomas from Fresno, Ca. She leaves her loving memories to be cherished by her loving daughters, Janet Dix and her husband Clay, of Santa Rosa, Ca. and Roxine Callahan and her husband Patrick, of Chowchilla, Ca; and her son Charles Mugrdechian, Jr. and his wife Rima of Monrovia, Ca.; adoring grandkids, Katie Torosian and her husband Brian, and Kevin Callahan and his wife Lindsay; along with her seven great-grandchildren; and the whole Mugrdechian, Bedrosian and Thomas Families. A Graveside Service will be held at Ararat Cemetery, 1925 W. Belmont Ave., Fresno, Ca. 93728 on Saturday, June 1, 2013 at 1:30 p.m. Friends and relatives are invited to a Memorial Luncheon which will be held at Pheasant Run Golf Club, 19 Clubhouse Drive, Chowchilla, Ca. 93610, (559) 666-3411 on Sunday, June 2, 2013, at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, Remembrances may be made to Hinds Hospice, 1616 W. Shaw Ste. A5, Fresno, Ca. 93711. Yost & Webb Funeral Home, 1002 T Street, Fresno, California (559)237-4147

Read more here: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/fresnobee/obituary.aspx?n=helen-mugrdechian&pid=164963113&fhid=18468#fbLoggedOut#storylink=cpy

GG with Baby Keith and Grandma Callahan

GG's Great Grandkids

 

 

Sibling Discord

"Ow. Quit it. Ow. Quit it. Ow. Quit it." Bart Simpson to his sisters poking his sore arm.  The Simpsons Episode 1: Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire

Seriously?  When my children are interacting like the Simpsons we have gone completely off the rails.  I am so used to my kids getting along most of the time.  Not a lot of screaming, playing nicely and quietly together.  They have been fighting for weeks and we are now only three weeks away from Summer break.   I'm scared.

problem #1
The girl and her girl shrieking (making my ears bleed).  I very well may go crazy if I hear my articulate 2.5 year old shriek at her brothers again.  USE YOUR WORDS!  BETTER YET, USE YOUR SENTENCES!  Also, try napping.  It works for every other toddler on the block.  The nap is your friend.

problem #2
control
Patrick needs to be the boss.  Keith needs to be the boss.  Lauren needs to be the boss.  Notice a theme here?


problem #3
I'll have what he/she's having.....  My children are capable of fighting over one dumb toy that they have successfully ignored for months.  Today its my old cell phone (like old old old older than they are old).  Keith wants to hoard it in his pile of things, Lauren wants to make phone calls.  There will be blood.

They get alone fine when they are glued to the TV.  So the TV is dark until they figure this out.

Now that's more like it!....  This lasted about 15 minutes before the fighting restarted and the little kids were sent to their rooms.  If we can break through this wall of bickering we can take on anything. 

On the shoulders of giants.

Source: Michael Noyes

And boy oh boy is it nice in the shade.  Over a decade ago when I started my career in education reform I had a dear friend who was old enough to be my mother.  We hung out all the time and when I would make presentations or give speeches she would distract me with her beaming smile.  She was super kooky but she taught me a really important lesson about life.  She smiled at me because I was living the dream, her dream and the dream of so many women.  I was enjoying her shade.

Junior League of Fresno Past Presidents

And here I am, once again basking in the shade.  In less than a month I will be the President-Elect of the Junior League of Fresno, following in the footsteps of some amazing women who helped make Fresno a better place to live.  From the Ronald McDonald House, to the Blood Mobile, to the Volunteer Bureau, to the Discovery Center.... the list goes on and on. 

Over the last two months, we lost three of our past presidents.  The way they lived their lives (in service of their community and having an absolute blast!) was such a pointed reminder for me.  Why I do this and why I want to do more.
Frances Mosgrove President 1961-62
Lyla MonPere President 1964-65
 Muriel Walton 1969-70

I am so lucky to come behind these women to continue their work in Fresno.  And I continue to be amazed at the caliber of women in League today.  Busy, smart, generous, and gracious women who make the time to make a difference.  What an honor to be part of this organization.  I am in the company of some great women. 

Source: Markologie

We are going to do great things.  Have you ever witnessed the power of a group of determined women?  That's what we are. Stand-by.  We aren't afraid to get our hands dirty.

So over the next year, I will watch, plan, listen, think, train (Wh-what?  I get training!?!  I've NEVER had a job that included training!), and stretch to prepare myself for 2014-15.  But more importantly, I'm going to be tapping a whole bunch of smart women on the shoulder and calling on them to be a part of history in the making.  This isn't about MY presidency, this is about the trees we will plant together.

My PEE (President-Elect-Elect) Orchid {flowers always sweeten the deal}

This is for the 2 year olds, This is for the hustlers

Or hustlas if you are Snoop.  Point being, there's not a lick of difference between a 2 year old and hustler.  They are cunning, smart, and scary.

That's pretty much the whole reason my 2 year still used a pacifier up until this week (true confessions).  I'm scared of her....  I need my nap break to work and breathe and not wipe tiny butts.  I need her asleep all night long so I can drink wine, work, and actually have an adult conversation.

Several months ago we put a moratorium on the pacifier venturing out of the crib (or the house).  In extreme situations I let her have it but 98% of the time it stayed in the crib.  Except when she used her little hustler ways and appeared in the family room sucking on the thing.  So I started clipping pacifiers that made an appearance outside of her room.  Between the clipping and pacifier vortex, we were down to one pacifier.

When she took her single pacifier to Grandma and Grandpa's house last weekend I thought about warning her that it was the last one..... I didn't and it didn't come back.  Sunday night at bedtime she begged to call Grandma and get her pacifier back.  I suddenly grew a backbone and said no.  It. Has. Been. A. Long. Week.

Cold turkey.

No naps, save this one (the shop 'til you drop nap, not the most effective nap but a tried and true strategy)....

Naps have become a parade of excuses: I have to pee, I have to poop, I have an owie, I need some water, I not sleeping.

Yesterday she sat in her room talking to herself and when I opened the door she grinned at me and said, "I talking to myself." little hustler.  So she got up and did this...

Lots of whining and squealing in the afternoon.  She's not sleeping as long at night either.  This morning my early morning time is being interrupted by requests for milk.  Toddlers should not be allowed to wake at 6:00 am.  Oh well, this too shall pass.

But hopefully not too fast.