McGrath Moments

Ok, I must be just completely ignorant as to what is expected these days from preschoolers. We decided to send Braeden to a Montessori school because of all the wonderful things we have heard about the program. So, regardless of the cost, we really wanted to make sure that we gave Braeden the best possible start to his education. Well this Monday was Parent/Teacher conferences. Parent/Teacher conferences in Preschool? What? Really? Braeden's report was mixed. He is incredibly well-behaved and I am so proud of him for that, but he still needs to work on his letter and number skills. Apparently he should be able to write his name, write all of his letters, recognize all of the letters- upper case and lower case, know all of the letter sounds, know his phone number, know his full address, etc. There were about 5 full pages of objectives he needs to have mastered before he is ready for Kindergarten. After I realized how behind he was, I started making him sit down every night and do "homework". We have letter sheets to practice our letters and we practice writing our name every night (and FYI it is extremely challenging to teach a lefty to write). I wish I had named him something easy to write, like ED or BOB!! Our pantry door is filled with number flashcards, posters that have our phone number and address, and all of our shapes. I want him to be surrounded all of the time with what he should be learning, but I don't want to push him too hard so that he starts to hate schoolwork and resent me. When do kids have time to be kids w/o all of this pressure? I know my mom thinks I'm crazy for being so worried about Braeden at this stage. Am I? What is a mom to do?

Attention Ladies!! My sister and I have started going to a new exercise class at Carol Byrd's Dance Studio on Saturday mornings. It is called Zumba and we dance while exercising for a full hour. It is exhausting, but in a good way. I think it is a class that many women would love. We look pretty silly doing some of the dance moves, but it is all in fun. Our cousin Kim teaches the class and she does a great job! We hope more ladies will come join us on Saturdays at 9am. It is only $5. Swimsuit season will be here before we know it!

Yesterday Ed and I took Braeden and Brenna in for their well visits at the Pediatrician's office. Our chunky-monkey Brenna, is still in the 90th percentile for her weight. Braeden is just in the 25th-50th percentile for his weight, but after starting out at a birth weight of just 3.1 lbs., I am so thankful that he is average weight today.
They both passed their exams with flying colors and Miss Brenna received 2 shots. She took the shots like a trooper, but once we got home, the tears didn't stop until almost bedtime. Her thigh was really hurting her. Thank goodness for Tylenol!

Braeden did the KISSING and his teacher did the TELLING! I was informed tonight by Braeden's teacher that him and another little girl have been too affectionate at school and she said it was inappropriate. Apparently they were trying to kiss each other all day. OMG! My son is only 4 years old. The only girl he is supposed to be kissing is me! So, we had to have the uncomfortable discussion of, "it is okay to be friends with a girl and to play with her at school, but there will be absolutely no kissing." I could tell he was embarrassed and that broke my heart, but kids grow up way too fast today. I want to keep my kids "innocent" as long as I can. I'm sure I am making too much of this, but I think it is just the "mommy" in me!!

We have two vacations planned for this year. We are going to Cancun in May and St. Croix for my 30th Birthday. I have been really bad about my eating habits lately, so now I must begin the task of preparing to wear a swimsuit--working out and eating healthy. It is not fair to have to stand in a swimsuit next to girls who have never been pregnant. I do have a secret weapon on my side though. Well, I guess it is not going to be a secret anymore, but I am faithfully using the Mary Kay Cellulite Cream. It promises you will lose at least one inch total on your thighs. Now, I am not naive. I'm sure this will not work, but I am willing to try. I took a before picture and I am interested to see the difference in 3 months. Do NOT expect those pictures to be published on this blog...too embarrassing!!

Dear Braeden,

Four years ago today you came into the world. You were born 10 weeks early, so your Daddy and I were feeling a lot of different emotions. We were overjoyed, excited, scared to death, worried, and thankful all at the same time. You spent 5 weeks in the NICU at OPRMC and I spent everyday with you. I loved each and every time I was able to hold you, bathe you, and change your diaper. We were so blessed to bring home a healthy baby boy on February 14, 2005. Valentine's Day will forever be a special day for our family.

Today you are such a sweet boy. You play so well with Brenna and you are always there to comfort her when she is sad. She is lucky to have you as a big brother. You are doing so well at Pre-school and your teachers say you are so well-behaved. You make Daddy and I so proud and we look forward to watching you grow and mature.

We had a great Christmas this year. It was so much fun to see Braeden so excited. I think this is the first year that he actually understood the "true meaning" of Christmas, as well as understood all about Santa. We always spend Christmas Eve at my Grandma's house with all of my aunts, uncles, and cousins. It is quite a large group and we always have such a great time together.

Braeden was so excited to come downstairs Christmas morning and find that Santa left him a Wii and a Knight Rider car (the one thing he really wanted)! I loved seeing the excitement on his face. Brenna received a kitchen from Santa. It has an ice maker as well as a grill attached. The toys they make these days are nothing like I had growing up, but it didn't impress Brenna. Of all of the gifts she got, all she cared about was the cheap little red ball from Toys 'R' Us!

After mentioning all of the "things" we got for Christmas, I just want to say that I am so thankful that our family was all able to be together and that we are all healthy. God has blessed our family in so many ways. Family and celebrating baby Jesus is what makes this time of year so special.