Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Colin: 5 Years

Dear Colin:

How can it be that you are five years old? I can't believe it was 5 years ago that you were placed into my arms. I still can so vividly remember so many specific details of that journey of labor and delivery and your scary birth. Even more vividly, I can remember the feelings of joy that quickly changed to sheer panic and fear when you weren't breathing and the swarm of medical personal ran into the delivery room back to pure bliss when you were finally placed in my arms. 5 years seems so long ago and such a milestone for you. 

Your dad and I are amazed daily by how intelligent you are. Reading, math and your mad memorization skills are your biggest intellectual strengths. Just before you turned 4, you started reading sight-type words. A year later, you read everything. Books, bulletin boards, standard manuals, credits on a movie. If it has words, you stop to read it. Not only are we amazed by how fluently you can read, we are actually more surprised by the actual words you read with ease. Words like technology, obedience, audience. Words like sacrifice, unnatural, disinfecting. Given the opportunity you would read most of the day. Math is another "subject" that you are getting really excited about. You love doing addition and subtraction. You love numbers, dates, knowing how far away something is. We often call you "Rainman" because you definitely have my memory. You remember everything. It's freakish how quickly and the great lengths of time you remember things.

You have taken your role of "Big Brother" very seriously and with great pride. You love showing him new things, teaching him animal sounds or new words. You are quick to tell him "no" or let me know when he's getting into trouble. You love to hug, kiss, and hold each others' hands. You love introducing your little brother and proudly share both your names and Elias' latest milestone. You clap and make a big deal when he does something special. You are his biggest cheerleader and he is yours. I hope you both always stand in each other's corner rooting each other on. Colin, I've been so impressed by how you've handled someone "stealing the spotlight." Over the past few months, Elias has commanded more of our attention and charmed it from others. You have your moments of not always wanting to share your toy immediately or getting frustrated by Elias ramming his head into yours - yet again, but for being only 4, you handled it better than most. 
                                     
It's been so amazing to watch your faith grow this year. Daddy and I jokingly refer to you as Pastor Colin. You love reading your Bibles and ask the most profound questions. The biggest joy has been watching your prayer life explode. When I think back over the year, I have seen a huge change in how you pray. We used to say "thank you prayers" and like most children, you'd say the first thing that either popped into your head or the first thing you saw. As the year progressed, we have changed to "special prayers" where we take turns saying whatever is on our heart or mind. And while there are still times where you'd pray like a 4 year old, there are times you pray way beyond your years showing your heart for others. I pray you love for God and your heart for others never diminish. 

Colin Isaac, you are such a special boy. A boy who often puts others feelings and needs above his own. You love so deeply, so openly. You are affectionate, complimentary and loving. It is my prayer that you continue to explore this wonderful world; that your mind continues to absorb and question all that enters your mind; that you never lose your joy, laughter or the ability to love others. I am so proud to be your Mom and look forward to seeing what this year has in store for you. 

Love Always,
Mommy
Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Lesson Plans - Colin

And Colin's lesson plan for the week - same formatting issues. 


Teacher(s): Ms. J, Mr. K
Monthly Theme: Building
Weekly Theme: Recycling
Monthly Concepts: Square, 5, Dd, Jj, Ss
Author: George McClements
Book: Dinosaur Woods
Baby Sign: NA
Colors: White
Character Trait: Patience
Woodland Focus Friend: Terance and Faris

AM Circle
MonTueWedThuFri
Can you use something in a new way? What is litter? What should we do? Why do we recycle?  Is there anything else we want to know about recycling   Review Recycling 

Creative Arts
MonTueWedThuFri
Robots Robots Sensory Bottles Sensory Bottles Use up recycling items 

Writing/Journaling
MonTueWedThuFri
HWT: S Write two words from class Name Writing Use Recycling to write words HWT: Square 

Music/Movement
MonTueWedThuFri
Gymnastics Instruments "Simon Says" Free Dancing Follow the leader

PM Circle
MonTueWedThuFri
What does it mean to be Patient? Good things come to those who wait. The patience game. Role Play:
What should I do, if I want what you have? 
Introduce a talking stick to circle time.Share Chair 

Language/Cognitive
MonTueWedThuFri
Crazy Pizza Day Hush Peter's Chair Sam Helps Recycle Something From Nothing 
I haven't posted the boys' lesson plans in awhile. I know I've love looking back at these in the years to come... Unfortunately I can't format it to show the entire week :( 

Teacher(s): Ms. C, Ms. R, Ms. C, Ms. H
Monthly Theme: ABC'S
Weekly Theme: The Letter C
Monthly Concepts: Review All
Author: Bill Martin
Book: Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
Baby Sign: Thank You
Colors: Red
Character Trait: Otis
Woodland Focus Friend: Helpfulness

Morning Circle
MonTueWedThuFri
zoo-phonics, shapes, colors, counting, helpfulness zoo-phonics, shapes, colors, counting, helpfulness zoo-phonics, shapes, colors, counting, helpfulness zoo-phonics, shapes, colors, counting, helpfulness zoo-phonics, shapes, colors, counting, helpfulness 

Art
MonTueWedThuFri
Hand print cats Writing the letter C Whisker chalk printing Cat Plate Paw printing  

Sensory Exploration
MonTueWedThuFri
Paint Colored Pencils Chalk Plate Water bottle 

Music/Movement
MonTueWedThuFri
He got the whole world in his hands Jesus Loves Me Jumping up and down Rock-a-bye baby How much is the puppy in the window  

Learning Center Activities
MonTueWedThuFri
Meowing like a cat Name object that begin with the letter C Jumping up and down to songs Packing snow together Digging in the sand 

Afternoon Circle
MonTueWedThuFri
songs and stories  songs and stories  songs and stories  songs and stories  songs and stories  

Language/Cognitive
MonTueWedThuFri
What's the movement for letter C? Spanish What is something that begins with a C? Spanish Baby sign for Thank You
Monday, January 7, 2013

Year 32: December's Update


  1. Lose {at least} 32 pounds (10.5/32) {Weight loss is as of today, not January 1st}
  2. Sell the house
  3. Read 1 Book per month (Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug)
  4. Do 1 Service Act per month  (Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug)
  5. Do 1 Random Act of Kindness per month  (Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug)
  6. Have 1 Family Planned Activity per month  (Sept, Oct,Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug)
  7. Donate 32 articles of clothes
  8. Fund a well 
  9. Have Family Pictures taken
  10. Do {at least} 32 new pins (12/32)
    1. Cheesy Shell Lasagna 
    2. Chocolate Chunk Peppermint Pudding Cookies - Loved these so much I made these twice
    3. Santa Pancakes - the boys loved these pancakes I made on Christmas Morning
    4. Candy Cane Dip - would half the receipe next time
    5. Cheddar Spirals - this was alright. not bad but not great. 
  11. Join a Life Group at church
  12. Mail at least 1 Card per month (Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug)
  13. Create a 1 Month Menu Planner and see if it works {tried for Dec but failed miserably}
  14. Ride the train to Chicago with the boys
  15. Create an art project or treat with the boys for all major holidays (Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, NY, Easter, 4th of July)
  16. Go on a date with Mike once {at least} once a quarter (2/4)
    1. School offered a Parents Night Out/Kids Night In, so Mike and I could enjoy a few kidless hours together
  17. Go on a date with just Colin (1/4)
  18. Go on a date with just Elias
  19. Make Christmas Cookie Platter for Mike's work
  20. Create a service project {preferably ongoing} at work
  21. Do my own version of 7 
  22. Allow Colin to have a sleep over with a friend
  23. Increase ING account by $X
  24. Pay for Disney in 'cash' {have a day paid for all of us with loose change/survey 
  25. Twice A Month At Home Dates with Mike (0/14) {start in Feb}
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