Todd the visitor
At work we're required to sign in visitors, including friends and family members. Todd got a badge he proudly wore. This is his blurry webcam photo that's on his badge. Not the clearest thing in the world, but good enough to identify him. After all, how many other 5-year-olds will you see roaming the building? ;-)
Santa Claus forgot something...
While Todd was away in LA during winter break, Allan and I spied some cool gifts at Borders we thought he might like: a little magic set and an origami set. We bought the presents and stashed them away, unwrapped and still in the Borders bag, until Todd returned.
Having gotten wind of the fact that Santa had delivered some presents that were waiting for him in SB, first thing Todd did after we arrived home was search for the presents. Daddy went into the closet and pulled them out, and Todd delighted in his new gifts for a while.
Later that evening, it dawned on him that he didn't have to unwrap anything (I hope he didn't notice that Mommy and Daddy even left the price stickers on! Oops!) and asked me this:
"How come you unwrapped the presents that Santa left here?"
I hastily explained that when Santa dropped off the presents, he was in such a hurry he didn't have time to wrap them, and asked us to. We, of course, subsequently dropped the ball and neglected to wrap them as well.
He seemed satisfied with that explanation. Sure beats thinking that we denied him the fun of unwrapping Santa's gifts!
Having gotten wind of the fact that Santa had delivered some presents that were waiting for him in SB, first thing Todd did after we arrived home was search for the presents. Daddy went into the closet and pulled them out, and Todd delighted in his new gifts for a while.
Later that evening, it dawned on him that he didn't have to unwrap anything (I hope he didn't notice that Mommy and Daddy even left the price stickers on! Oops!) and asked me this:
"How come you unwrapped the presents that Santa left here?"
I hastily explained that when Santa dropped off the presents, he was in such a hurry he didn't have time to wrap them, and asked us to. We, of course, subsequently dropped the ball and neglected to wrap them as well.
He seemed satisfied with that explanation. Sure beats thinking that we denied him the fun of unwrapping Santa's gifts!
Funny glasses
Todd proudly models some of the zany glasses that Grandpa gave us for Christmas. He had fun "disguising" himself! :-)
Long-awaited updates
At long last (and just in the nick of time-- 2009 is just about over!) I've managed to update this blog, with 17 (that's right, SEVENTEEN) new posts, not including this one. I'll have to strive to do better at keeping this up, alongside my regular blog.
In between all the activities I've written about, Todd's made steady progress with his reading (where not just the reading but even (and more importantly so) the comprehension is at an advanced level) and we visit the library nearly every week to pick up a stack of books to tide him over for a week.
His karate got off to a bit of a slow start in the fall. Although he practiced his moves well over the summer, he didn't practice his kata, so it took some time for him to get back into it. He's learned the 2nd kata as well, and is starting to master it.
His intensive swim lessons over the summer have vastly improved his skills. Oma had him in a variety of group and private lessons at various facilities, and the constant practice helped a lot.
When he returned to SB, I enrolled him in private lessons twice a week, where he was able to refine his strokes and improve his endurance. In January I'm going to try to put him in group lessons once more, at the YMCA, to see if being around more advanced kids will help propel his motivation to improve himself, esp since he seems to be stagnating a little with the private lessons.
Well, I think that about concludes the updates for now. Whew! Sorry about the long delay. Don't forget to scroll down... FAR down, for all the updates since my last post on June 15! :-)
In between all the activities I've written about, Todd's made steady progress with his reading (where not just the reading but even (and more importantly so) the comprehension is at an advanced level) and we visit the library nearly every week to pick up a stack of books to tide him over for a week.
His karate got off to a bit of a slow start in the fall. Although he practiced his moves well over the summer, he didn't practice his kata, so it took some time for him to get back into it. He's learned the 2nd kata as well, and is starting to master it.
His intensive swim lessons over the summer have vastly improved his skills. Oma had him in a variety of group and private lessons at various facilities, and the constant practice helped a lot.
When he returned to SB, I enrolled him in private lessons twice a week, where he was able to refine his strokes and improve his endurance. In January I'm going to try to put him in group lessons once more, at the YMCA, to see if being around more advanced kids will help propel his motivation to improve himself, esp since he seems to be stagnating a little with the private lessons.
Well, I think that about concludes the updates for now. Whew! Sorry about the long delay. Don't forget to scroll down... FAR down, for all the updates since my last post on June 15! :-)
No library card
Todd spied a sign in one of the LA libraries, saying that kids under 5 could get a special card, with parental permission, of course. So Oma took him there the next day to sign up. Alas, since she is his grandparent and not his parent, they wouldn't let her sign up for a card for him. They were quite firm on this, and Todd went home sad and dejected.
After pitching his usual crying fit, he settled down and wrote a note:
Dear Oma and Opa,
I am sad. I don't feel like doing anything today.
Well, that's a step up from noisy tantrums, isn't it? Pouting on paper... ;-)
After pitching his usual crying fit, he settled down and wrote a note:
Dear Oma and Opa,
I am sad. I don't feel like doing anything today.
Well, that's a step up from noisy tantrums, isn't it? Pouting on paper... ;-)
Merry Christmas 2009
Yay, we got to go to Aunt Debbie and Uncle Ron's house! Todd was excited. Everytime we go there, he makes improvements in his sociability, and his timidness decreases. He now has no problem going outside into the backyard by himself, even if neither Allan nor I are there to accompany him.
He had TONS of fun playing with Uncle Ron! I think he had more fun with Uncle Ron than with Daddy, and Uncle Ron was always his first choice for playing with his new toys together. He'd eagerly seek him out and call out, loudly: "Uncle Ron! Let's build something else" (ref: his new erector set).
Todd even enjoyed teasing Uncle Ron, much to Aunt Debbie's delight ;-) And of course, once egged on, Todd ramped it up even more!
What fun to see Todd eagerly interact with Allan's family, unafraid. Christmases just keep getting better :-)
He had TONS of fun playing with Uncle Ron! I think he had more fun with Uncle Ron than with Daddy, and Uncle Ron was always his first choice for playing with his new toys together. He'd eagerly seek him out and call out, loudly: "Uncle Ron! Let's build something else" (ref: his new erector set).
Todd even enjoyed teasing Uncle Ron, much to Aunt Debbie's delight ;-) And of course, once egged on, Todd ramped it up even more!
What fun to see Todd eagerly interact with Allan's family, unafraid. Christmases just keep getting better :-)
More on reading
Todd is continuing to read while in LA. Oma's also working on his handwriting, as it's pretty messy, still.
He's gotten into the habit now of reading quietly to himself in bed while Oma showered. The book? A children's Bible. But not the preschool Bible that he used to read. This one is a book with much smaller print encompassing larger pages, and with fewer pictures between each chapter. It's a book meant for kids around 8 years old or so.
And when Oma told me this, pointing out it wasn't something you normally give 5-year-olds, Todd piped up with a reason why it was okay to give it to him:
"I'm five and a half!"
In this photo, Todd reads to a bevy of stuffed animals in bed:
He's gotten into the habit now of reading quietly to himself in bed while Oma showered. The book? A children's Bible. But not the preschool Bible that he used to read. This one is a book with much smaller print encompassing larger pages, and with fewer pictures between each chapter. It's a book meant for kids around 8 years old or so.
And when Oma told me this, pointing out it wasn't something you normally give 5-year-olds, Todd piped up with a reason why it was okay to give it to him:
"I'm five and a half!"
In this photo, Todd reads to a bevy of stuffed animals in bed:
Promotions and Christmas Concert
Last week Todd tested for his yellow belt. He had to learn not only his moves, but answer questions as well. The test went well, and today he got promoted to yellow belt!
That same evening was his school's Christmas concert, where he and his classmates plunked out two or three notes on the keyboards, and sang various Christmas tunes, including "Santa Claus is Coming To Town"... in Latin! Now there's a neat twist!
That same evening was his school's Christmas concert, where he and his classmates plunked out two or three notes on the keyboards, and sang various Christmas tunes, including "Santa Claus is Coming To Town"... in Latin! Now there's a neat twist!
Leaving notes
Now that Todd can read, we've found that it's convenient to leave notes for him to read in the morning, when he gets up and we might still be asleep. One time, I left a note on Daddy's door instructing Todd not to wake him (Daddy had gone to bed late the night before). He read it, and waited patiently for Daddy to get up :-)
The next night, Todd wanted to sleep in that room, and wrote a note for Daddy saying, "please don't wake me up. But you can come in quietly"
Another time, I set out cereal and water on the table for him to help himself when he got up. To make sure he saw it, I left a note on our door reminding him of what was on the table, the one he would have to go through to go into the living room. I also added bright colors on it to attract attention. Sure enough, when I got up, he had eaten his breakfast, taken his vitamins, and drunk his water.
Yet another time, I packed a corn dog into his lunch bag. Knowing he'd eat it more easily with ketchup, I included a small tupperware dish of ketchup. However, I was afraid that he wouldn't close the lid tight enough after lunch, thereby making the leftover ketchup spill into his bag, so I left a note on the lid of the dish, asking him to make sure he closed it tight when he was done. And sure enough, he did!
It's so handy being able to leave notes for the little man!
The next night, Todd wanted to sleep in that room, and wrote a note for Daddy saying, "please don't wake me up. But you can come in quietly"
Another time, I set out cereal and water on the table for him to help himself when he got up. To make sure he saw it, I left a note on our door reminding him of what was on the table, the one he would have to go through to go into the living room. I also added bright colors on it to attract attention. Sure enough, when I got up, he had eaten his breakfast, taken his vitamins, and drunk his water.
Yet another time, I packed a corn dog into his lunch bag. Knowing he'd eat it more easily with ketchup, I included a small tupperware dish of ketchup. However, I was afraid that he wouldn't close the lid tight enough after lunch, thereby making the leftover ketchup spill into his bag, so I left a note on the lid of the dish, asking him to make sure he closed it tight when he was done. And sure enough, he did!
It's so handy being able to leave notes for the little man!
Holiday parade
The annual holiday parade! All the kids in Todd's karate class dressed up in white uniforms and Santa hats and paraded down State Street. This was the first time I'd ever been to the parade. I made sure Todd was dressed warmly in thermals, long-sleeve shirt, vest, 2 pairs of socks and gloves all under his uniform. I dressed in a South Coast Karate sweatshirt and Santa hat and helped man the lines. As luck would have it, Todd wound up in the very first line, right behind our banner. And he was at the very far end of the line, too, enabling me to hold his hand and keep him company and guide him (mostly fixing his hat along the route!) as we made our way down the street.
We kept nice and warm with all the walking, and the kids wowed the crowd whenever we stopped and performed synchronized karate moves (katas) for the audiences :-)
Can't wait for next year!
We kept nice and warm with all the walking, and the kids wowed the crowd whenever we stopped and performed synchronized karate moves (katas) for the audiences :-)
Can't wait for next year!
Thanksgiving weekend
Todd was disappointed that we didn't get to go Aunt Debbie and Uncle Ron's house for Thanksgiving this year. He was really looking forward to seeing everyone, especially Grandpa. I guess he still remembered how much they'd bonded during their Oklahoma trip earlier this year!
On Saturday, though, Oma and Opa came up to Santa Barbara, and we had lunch together, as well as visited the sights downtown a bit.
Here we are at the top of the Courthouse, overlooking a gorgeous view of Santa Barbara, the mountains and the ocean all around us:
And here we are in the Sunken Gardens of the Courthouse. As you can see in the last photo, the little man was weary of having his photo taken. At least he moved his hands enough so that his face was uncovered when Opa snapped this picture!
On Saturday, though, Oma and Opa came up to Santa Barbara, and we had lunch together, as well as visited the sights downtown a bit.
Here we are at the top of the Courthouse, overlooking a gorgeous view of Santa Barbara, the mountains and the ocean all around us:
And here we are in the Sunken Gardens of the Courthouse. As you can see in the last photo, the little man was weary of having his photo taken. At least he moved his hands enough so that his face was uncovered when Opa snapped this picture!
Literal answers
Mommy was planning to go somewhere today, and, knowing that Daddy knew where it was, she asked him: "How do I get there?"
But before Daddy could answer, Todd piped up with a very legitimate answer:
"You walk downstairs and then (get in the car and) drive there!"
He is his father's son, indeed :-P
But before Daddy could answer, Todd piped up with a very legitimate answer:
"You walk downstairs and then (get in the car and) drive there!"
He is his father's son, indeed :-P
Halloween 2009
Little man dressed as a pumpkin for Halloween. That makes... the 3rd time in the 6 Halloweens he's lived through ;-)
We were in Sylmar for the weekend, and so Todd got to go trick-or-treating in the same neighborhood Mommy used to go around when she was little. As luck would have it, little Johnny (now 3) was getting ready to go out with his mom and grandma, and so the 5 of us trooped around the neighborhood. Todd was excited to have a little friend accompany him, and it emboldened him to go up steps and ring doorbells by himself. It was great for Mommy to see old, familiar faces in the neighborhood, and catch up with some of them. Todd's first trick-or-treat adventure was a success! :-D
We were in Sylmar for the weekend, and so Todd got to go trick-or-treating in the same neighborhood Mommy used to go around when she was little. As luck would have it, little Johnny (now 3) was getting ready to go out with his mom and grandma, and so the 5 of us trooped around the neighborhood. Todd was excited to have a little friend accompany him, and it emboldened him to go up steps and ring doorbells by himself. It was great for Mommy to see old, familiar faces in the neighborhood, and catch up with some of them. Todd's first trick-or-treat adventure was a success! :-D
Progress report
Met with Todd's teacher today for a progress report. He's doing fine in all areas. His reading is doing especially well. She tested him up until 5th grade, and he was still able to read well at that level. Not only his sight-reading but his phonics were good, too, enabling him to sound out unfamiliar words. So far so good!
Why is it funny?
Todd said something VERY cute today. What exactly, I don't remember. But I remember thinking it was so cute, I laughed heartily. Aloud. So Todd, in all seriousness, queried: "Why is that funny?"
When I explained that I thought what he said was cute, he pressed on: "Well, why do you laugh when it's cute!?"
...I had no answer!
When I explained that I thought what he said was cute, he pressed on: "Well, why do you laugh when it's cute!?"
...I had no answer!
Age timeline
Todd's class assignment entailed him taking a sheet of paper that had a row of ages written down, and to indicate what he was doing at those ages. A timeline of his life, if you will. This is what Todd had to say about the various stages of his life:
0 - 2: I was a baby
3 :I was a little boy
4 : I started kindergarten
5 : I started first grade
0 - 2: I was a baby
3 :I was a little boy
4 : I started kindergarten
5 : I started first grade
Making lists
Todd's class read the "Frog and Toad" story in which Toad makes a list of things to do that day. Inspired by the story, the kids set about creating lists of their own. Todd's list contained things like
Eat barkfust
Take callium (calcium)
Play on the conputer
Read stories to my mom
etc... all of it written by himself, with very little spelling help!
Since then, he's had fun making lists at home, too!
Eat barkfust
Take callium (calcium)
Play on the conputer
Read stories to my mom
etc... all of it written by himself, with very little spelling help!
Since then, he's had fun making lists at home, too!
Class photos, 2009
School has started. Todd is in first grade. It's a combined 1st/2nd grade class, so it's relatively "large".
My, how he has grown:
Here he is with his classmates:
And with the rest of the school:
My, how he has grown:
Here he is with his classmates:
And with the rest of the school:
You hurt my feelings more!
Talked to little man on the phone, where he at first refused to talk to me, because he was acting up a little. When he finally came onto the phone, reluctantly and sniffling, he explained that he was upset because Opa got mad at him for disobeying. As he put it: "Opa hurt my feelings!"
I tried to explain that disobeying Opa hurt his feelings, too.
Todd's response? "But Opa hurt my feelings MORE!"
Hehehehe...
I tried to explain that disobeying Opa hurt his feelings, too.
Todd's response? "But Opa hurt my feelings MORE!"
Hehehehe...
Oklahoma visit
Todd accompanied Daddy and Grandpa on a trip to Oklahoma to see Uncle Barry & family, and Uncle Wayne. Daddy's favorite part of the trip? When Todd and Grandpa went to the airport restroom by themselves, and came back out holding hands. Todd's favorite part? Fishing! And the part in the airplane where Grandpa, in the window seat, turned the tables on Todd and declared the window off-limits, as he was now the one in charge of it ;-) Fun times for 3 generations of Knight men!
Todd rides a bike
Todd got a bicycle from Oma and Opa for his 5th birthday. Here's a couple shots of him taking it for a spin on their driveway:
Annual checkup
Updates in droves yet again! Be sure to scroll all the way down for the latest.
Took today off work to take Todd to the doctor for his annual exam. Here are his current height/weight stats:
46 inches tall -- almost 4 feet!?!?
44 pounds
He got his hearing and vision tested and passed with flying colors. Then came the hard part-- receiving FOUR shots and then getting blood drawn. Todd was NOT a happy camper after the 2nd shot, and was definitely unhappy about getting blood drawn, but as soon as the needle was in, he realized it didn't hurt and he stopped crying, watching the blood flow through the tube in fascination. Whew! Glad we survived that ordeal!
Took today off work to take Todd to the doctor for his annual exam. Here are his current height/weight stats:
46 inches tall -- almost 4 feet!?!?
44 pounds
He got his hearing and vision tested and passed with flying colors. Then came the hard part-- receiving FOUR shots and then getting blood drawn. Todd was NOT a happy camper after the 2nd shot, and was definitely unhappy about getting blood drawn, but as soon as the needle was in, he realized it didn't hurt and he stopped crying, watching the blood flow through the tube in fascination. Whew! Glad we survived that ordeal!
Last day of school!
Wow. Todd is officially done with kindergarten. When he returns to school he shall be in first grade-- the first of the numbered grade levels. In other words, he's really in REAL school now. Hard to believe this school year is over-- where did the time go!?
Last night was Celebratio, the end-of-year school assembly and celebration. The classes performed various pieces of music and drama, and then awards were handed out-- Todd got one for excellence in Language Arts.
Today the kids went to Zodo's for some fun bowling action before getting dismissed at noon, whereupon everyone trooped to Goleta Beach for a barbecue. Todd enjoyed playing in the sand with the other kids, and before we knew it-- the school year was officially over! One final private karate lesson and then it was off to Oma and Opa's house for the summer!
Last night was Celebratio, the end-of-year school assembly and celebration. The classes performed various pieces of music and drama, and then awards were handed out-- Todd got one for excellence in Language Arts.
Today the kids went to Zodo's for some fun bowling action before getting dismissed at noon, whereupon everyone trooped to Goleta Beach for a barbecue. Todd enjoyed playing in the sand with the other kids, and before we knew it-- the school year was officially over! One final private karate lesson and then it was off to Oma and Opa's house for the summer!
Testing and another promotion
Tonight was a busy night-- Todd skipped his swim lesson in order to attend testing for karate during the same time. He and the rest of the young students participated in a series of kicks, punches and katas as a group, and at the end they received their promotions.
Now, typically the testing takes place one week and the promotions the following week, but this week everything was compressed, because the testing that should've taken place last week was postponed due to graduation.
In terms of the promotion: for many it meant an extra stripe on their belt, and for some it meant the next color belt. Todd received his third stripe, which means that, after some more training, he's eligible to test for the yellow belt. Hopefully this summer's karate classes in LA will prepare him for that when he returns to SB :-)
Now, typically the testing takes place one week and the promotions the following week, but this week everything was compressed, because the testing that should've taken place last week was postponed due to graduation.
In terms of the promotion: for many it meant an extra stripe on their belt, and for some it meant the next color belt. Todd received his third stripe, which means that, after some more training, he's eligible to test for the yellow belt. Hopefully this summer's karate classes in LA will prepare him for that when he returns to SB :-)
Student of the month
Guess who's the karate student of the month for June 2009? Here's the images for the newsletter (click for full-size images). You can also read the same article on the South Coast Karate blog:
http://southcoastkarate.blogspot.com/
http://southcoastkarate.blogspot.com/
