Tonight, Daddy went out to dinner with some co-workers. So by the time Mommy and Todd came home from swim lessons at the Y, the house was still dark, making it obvious Daddy wasn't home. Todd noted this, wondering why he wasn't home. I explained where he was. Todd replied, "But why isn't he home YET?" apparently thinking it was late at night and long past dinner time.
I said "Well, it's still early..."
"?!? It's not morning!!" came the reply.
Talk about literal interpretation!
Report Card
Got report cards today for the 2nd term of school. Todd's doing well in all areas. Doing okay in handwriting, which is no surprise-- he could definitely use some improvement there. It's amusing to read his teacher's comments praising his good listening. If only he would listen that well at home!! :-P
School Daze
Had an interesting conversation with Todd today about some of the goings on in school. In general, he's one of the better-behaved and more attentive students, but he's still a regular, easily-distracted 5-year-old, and having a teacher who's very soft on discipline doesn't help matters.
The kids' names are listed on the board one by one, and every day they rack up either checkmarks or stars. Stars if they did something well, checkmarks if they misbehaved. I asked Todd if he'd ever gotten checkmarks before, and he said yes, a couple times. Why? Because he kept talking. To his seatmate, Loftur, of course.
I remember seeing their seats together in the classroom the last few times I was there, and was a bit concerned that putting the 2 together wasn't such a good idea. When I suggested this, Todd explained: "Loftur wanted to sit next to me. Mrs. Markos (their teacher) told him he could, as long as he behaved". Knowing that she seldom takes disciplinary action against such misbehavior anyway, this wasn't such a good idea.
Then Todd told me how he didn't do well on spelling tests because Loftur kept disturbing. He kept asking Todd what the answers were. Todd, to his credit, so far has ignored his pleas, but even so, it's distracting enough to break Todd's own concentration. Never mind the fact that it's cheating! I'm sure Loftur just doesn't understand that, but it nevertheless leaves me concerned that their teacher overlooks or outright misses this kind of stuff all the time.
I instructed Todd to tell his teacher the next time Loftur did it again, so she could put a stop to it. They have spelling tests every week... let's see what happens with this next one!
The kids' names are listed on the board one by one, and every day they rack up either checkmarks or stars. Stars if they did something well, checkmarks if they misbehaved. I asked Todd if he'd ever gotten checkmarks before, and he said yes, a couple times. Why? Because he kept talking. To his seatmate, Loftur, of course.
I remember seeing their seats together in the classroom the last few times I was there, and was a bit concerned that putting the 2 together wasn't such a good idea. When I suggested this, Todd explained: "Loftur wanted to sit next to me. Mrs. Markos (their teacher) told him he could, as long as he behaved". Knowing that she seldom takes disciplinary action against such misbehavior anyway, this wasn't such a good idea.
Then Todd told me how he didn't do well on spelling tests because Loftur kept disturbing. He kept asking Todd what the answers were. Todd, to his credit, so far has ignored his pleas, but even so, it's distracting enough to break Todd's own concentration. Never mind the fact that it's cheating! I'm sure Loftur just doesn't understand that, but it nevertheless leaves me concerned that their teacher overlooks or outright misses this kind of stuff all the time.
I instructed Todd to tell his teacher the next time Loftur did it again, so she could put a stop to it. They have spelling tests every week... let's see what happens with this next one!
Saving turtles
As you may have read in one of my previous posts on my blog, I donated to the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center in Florida as they became deluged with turtles rescued from the waters of the southeastern United States, stunned from the sudden cold snap. I told Todd about this, and he wanted to help, too: he promised to donate money to such causes every year... once he grew up. When we pointed out that he already had plenty of money from which to donate from, he became a little less enthusiastic about the prospect ;-)
This weekend we got some more library books, and one of them was a book on animals which included a section on endangered and extinct animals. Featured amongst the endangered animals? The Kemp's Ridley sea turtle, of which there are only 900 in the world. When I explained to Todd what endangered and extinct meant, he grew very concerned. As he clapped his book shut, he declared:
"When I grow up, I want to work in a turtle hospital!"
:-D
This weekend we got some more library books, and one of them was a book on animals which included a section on endangered and extinct animals. Featured amongst the endangered animals? The Kemp's Ridley sea turtle, of which there are only 900 in the world. When I explained to Todd what endangered and extinct meant, he grew very concerned. As he clapped his book shut, he declared:
"When I grow up, I want to work in a turtle hospital!"
:-D
"You're so old!"
This from Todd just a few minutes ago:
"Daddy, you're OLD! You're an old man! We need to buy you a cane because you're so old!!"
"Daddy, you're OLD! You're an old man! We need to buy you a cane because you're so old!!"
Double Master Reader
Awards ceremony at school today for the Fall into Reading program. Daddy and I missed it, unfortunately. First graders had to read a minimum of 480 minutes by the end of the six-week program. Those who read twice that were deemed "Master Readers".
Todd, with his voracious reading, read 1968 minutes. He was a Double Master Reader!
Prizes consisted of books, pencils, candy, a certificate and ice cream.
Let the reading continue! :-)
Todd, with his voracious reading, read 1968 minutes. He was a Double Master Reader!
Prizes consisted of books, pencils, candy, a certificate and ice cream.
Let the reading continue! :-)
Storybook Time
Today marked the first day of "Presentation Week", whereby the kids did all sorts of presentations for parents and grandparents. Things kicked off with Storybook Time, in which the kids wrote their own stories and read them aloud to the class. Twice Todd was called upon and asked if he would like to come up and read his story. Twice he refused. I was surprised-- it seemed unusual for him to act so shy in school. Then came the real reason: "I want to go last!" he calmly declared. I see. And last he did go :-P
Todd's story was about "The meaning of Thanksgiving", in which one friend teaches another about being thankful. Written, illustrated, and narrated by the author :-)
The kids wrapped up their presentations with a recitation of a couple of poems. They had worked all last week to memorize their lines-- Todd, of course, working on them with Oma, as he was still there the first week back. It all went smoothly, and I was happy that I could be there to see my little man :-)
Todd's story was about "The meaning of Thanksgiving", in which one friend teaches another about being thankful. Written, illustrated, and narrated by the author :-)
The kids wrapped up their presentations with a recitation of a couple of poems. They had worked all last week to memorize their lines-- Todd, of course, working on them with Oma, as he was still there the first week back. It all went smoothly, and I was happy that I could be there to see my little man :-)
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:
