I forgot to post this picture last weekend. The girls got these glasses at a birthday party, and thought they were hilarious. We've been laughing at them all week.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Thursday, February 5, 2009
A Great Post
I have a bunch of blogs on my sidebar; some are personal friends, but most are just interesting blogs that I keep up with. Today there's a guest post at Zen Habits, and I love it! 30 Simple Family Pleasures is what my blog is really all about - spending time with the family, creating memories and strengthening our family bond. Check it out, and enjoy your family!
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Introvert versus Extrovert
If you know me and my family, you know that Perry and I are very different. He has never met a stranger and could carry on an hour conversation with a wall. I, on the other hand, have a very short list of people I consider friends, and feel like an outsider with almost everyone else. Small talk is not my gift.
With Sarah and Abby, we have one of each of us. Abby is very self-confident, independent, friendly, and outgoing (like her daddy). She makes a new friend everywhere we go, and can’t wait until she’s old enough to go off to camp for a week by herself. At church, she goes up for Children’s Moment and then leaves the sanctuary with the other kids, even if she doesn’t know anyone. At parties, she plays with all the kids, even the ones she doesn’t know. Basically, she’s a social butterfly. Sarah is very shy around strangers, clings to me in every new situation, tries to hang onto her sister or a friend she knows at parties, and is generally uncomfortable in social settings (like me).
Until this year, when they started kindergarten in separate classes, S&A had done everything together. Preschool, mommy and me classes, dance classes, birthday parties – they had basically lived identical lives. So I strongly believe in the nature versus nurture argument – they are who they are because they were born that way, not because I made them that way over the years. But my question is, how can I teach my Sarah better social skills?
I know that lots of kids, and many adults, are shy. But honestly I've always wanted to be more secure, more outgoing, more friendly, more like Perry! So if there's a way to bring out that side of Sarah, I'd like to try to help her. Of course I encourage her to try new things, and push her out of her comfort zone (ever so gently, of course) so that she won’t stay in her little safe cocoon. And she’s very lucky to have a twin sister to help her through those uncomfortable situations. But what else can I do? How can you help a shy child blossom?
With Sarah and Abby, we have one of each of us. Abby is very self-confident, independent, friendly, and outgoing (like her daddy). She makes a new friend everywhere we go, and can’t wait until she’s old enough to go off to camp for a week by herself. At church, she goes up for Children’s Moment and then leaves the sanctuary with the other kids, even if she doesn’t know anyone. At parties, she plays with all the kids, even the ones she doesn’t know. Basically, she’s a social butterfly. Sarah is very shy around strangers, clings to me in every new situation, tries to hang onto her sister or a friend she knows at parties, and is generally uncomfortable in social settings (like me).
Until this year, when they started kindergarten in separate classes, S&A had done everything together. Preschool, mommy and me classes, dance classes, birthday parties – they had basically lived identical lives. So I strongly believe in the nature versus nurture argument – they are who they are because they were born that way, not because I made them that way over the years. But my question is, how can I teach my Sarah better social skills?
I know that lots of kids, and many adults, are shy. But honestly I've always wanted to be more secure, more outgoing, more friendly, more like Perry! So if there's a way to bring out that side of Sarah, I'd like to try to help her. Of course I encourage her to try new things, and push her out of her comfort zone (ever so gently, of course) so that she won’t stay in her little safe cocoon. And she’s very lucky to have a twin sister to help her through those uncomfortable situations. But what else can I do? How can you help a shy child blossom?
Saturday, January 31, 2009
A Beautiful Day for a Hike
Despite the fact that I had a migraine, again, I wanted us to get out of the house and enjoy this gorgeous day. So we packed a bag and headed out to my favorite place in Birmingham - Oak 
Mountain State Park. The weather was perfect, a little on the cool side, but not cold, and not a single cloud in the sky. We decided to try a new trail today so we headed to the north side of the park, and let the girls choose the trail. Heading down the White trail, with the girls leading the way, I knew it was going to be a great hike. We stopped for 
lunch and to practice our balancing skills on a few fallen trees, and we really enjoyed the hike through the barren trees, with the sunlight streaming through. In the summer, the trees block the sun and make the forest seem so dense, but in the winter, you can see for miles across the valleys. It was spectacular. Much of the hike was along a stream; it was nice to see water in the park because everything was so dry this summer.
We reached Maggie's Glen and decided to take the Yellow trail back to our car. This trail took us through a couple of groves of young pine trees, and Abby called these the fairy forests. This hike was about 3 miles, and I really expected the girls to get tired and start complaining, but they never did. Abby went fast the whole time, with Perry trying to keep up, and Sarah and I kept a slower pace, enjoying the scenery and listening to the birds.
We were all very happy to cross the bridge back at the beginning of the trail, and get into our car. But we were also very proud of ourselves and happy that we'd had such a beautiful walk.
Mountain State Park. The weather was perfect, a little on the cool side, but not cold, and not a single cloud in the sky. We decided to try a new trail today so we headed to the north side of the park, and let the girls choose the trail. Heading down the White trail, with the girls leading the way, I knew it was going to be a great hike. We stopped for 
lunch and to practice our balancing skills on a few fallen trees, and we really enjoyed the hike through the barren trees, with the sunlight streaming through. In the summer, the trees block the sun and make the forest seem so dense, but in the winter, you can see for miles across the valleys. It was spectacular. Much of the hike was along a stream; it was nice to see water in the park because everything was so dry this summer. 
We reached Maggie's Glen and decided to take the Yellow trail back to our car. This trail took us through a couple of groves of young pine trees, and Abby called these the fairy forests. This hike was about 3 miles, and I really expected the girls to get tired and start complaining, but they never did. Abby went fast the whole time, with Perry trying to keep up, and Sarah and I kept a slower pace, enjoying the scenery and listening to the birds. 
We were all very happy to cross the bridge back at the beginning of the trail, and get into our car. But we were also very proud of ourselves and happy that we'd had such a beautiful walk.Friday, January 30, 2009
Friday Flashback - Sarah's Turn
Of course I want Sarah to get equal billing, so here are my top 50 Sarah pics. For some reason this was even harder than picking Abby pics - Sarah has such a unique personality, I wanted to be sure to capture it.
Sarah is smart, generous, loving, considerate, funny, creative, serious, concerned, beautiful, conscientious, friendly, and incredibly unique.
I LOVE YOU SARAH!!!!
Sarah is smart, generous, loving, considerate, funny, creative, serious, concerned, beautiful, conscientious, friendly, and incredibly unique.
I LOVE YOU SARAH!!!!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Poor Little Say
Getting off the bus today, Sarah told me she was getting a little headache. I had one too, and even Abby said she had one this morning. I think it's the weather. I've never really had a weather issue before, but today was a weird gray day that started out in the mid-60s and quickly headed to the low 40s, and it just made my head feel weird.
Anyway, by the time we got home, she said it was starting to hurt BAD. I got her some Tylenol and put her on the couch with an ice pack, hoping she would go to sleep. I headed upstairs with Abby to help her build a fort in her room, and when I came down 15 minutes later I found Sarah curled up on the couch in tears. Why does a 5-year-old get migraines? Why?
I moved her into my dark bedroom and tried to help her fall asleep, but she felt nauseous and sure enough she threw up just minutes later. It hurts me to see her suffer with migraines. I know, all too well, what she's going through, but I was 19 when I started getting them. To think that she's only 5, and facing this already. It makes me so sad.
The good news is that she did finally fall asleep, and she said she felt a little better before bedtime. She still didn't want to eat, and the lights were bothering her, but I think the worst of it has passed, and I'm hopeful that she'll be fine in the morning.
Anyway, by the time we got home, she said it was starting to hurt BAD. I got her some Tylenol and put her on the couch with an ice pack, hoping she would go to sleep. I headed upstairs with Abby to help her build a fort in her room, and when I came down 15 minutes later I found Sarah curled up on the couch in tears. Why does a 5-year-old get migraines? Why?
I moved her into my dark bedroom and tried to help her fall asleep, but she felt nauseous and sure enough she threw up just minutes later. It hurts me to see her suffer with migraines. I know, all too well, what she's going through, but I was 19 when I started getting them. To think that she's only 5, and facing this already. It makes me so sad.
The good news is that she did finally fall asleep, and she said she felt a little better before bedtime. She still didn't want to eat, and the lights were bothering her, but I think the worst of it has passed, and I'm hopeful that she'll be fine in the morning.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
The Other Side
Those of you who know Abby KNOW that all those things I wrote about her are true, but she also has a dark side on occasion. This morning she showed that side of herself in full force.
On school mornings, the girls go upstairs around 7:00 to brush teeth, make beds, and get dressed. I know I'm very lucky because they are usually able to do all of those things by themselves with no issues. But today...well, Sarah came downstairs to tell me that I needed to go check on Abby. I started up the stairs and saw the problem: Abby had on white tights with pink and purple hearts, a sleeveless blue dress with flowers, and a sleeveless white shirt with a pink pattern OVER that dress. I wish I'd thought to get the camera, but trust me, her seasons, colors, and layers were all wrong. I'm really not picky about what they choose to wear, generally speaking. The tights don't have to match. The colors don't even really have to match. But this was just WAYYYY to much. So I told her to change, and I think that's when her head spun around. She pitched a royal fit for the next 20 minutes. I had to mark her behavior chart twice (which upset her even more, of course, but what's a mom to do?!!!) Ultimately she went to school in a pink short-sleeved shirt, a pink fur-lined vest, and pink pants. I don't think it was a win-win or a lose-lose. We'll just call it a draw. As she was walking out the door, she gave me a big kiss and said "I'm sorry Mommy. I love you." And so of course all is forgiven. But to avoid another difficult morning, we've decided to pick her clothes out at night.
On school mornings, the girls go upstairs around 7:00 to brush teeth, make beds, and get dressed. I know I'm very lucky because they are usually able to do all of those things by themselves with no issues. But today...well, Sarah came downstairs to tell me that I needed to go check on Abby. I started up the stairs and saw the problem: Abby had on white tights with pink and purple hearts, a sleeveless blue dress with flowers, and a sleeveless white shirt with a pink pattern OVER that dress. I wish I'd thought to get the camera, but trust me, her seasons, colors, and layers were all wrong. I'm really not picky about what they choose to wear, generally speaking. The tights don't have to match. The colors don't even really have to match. But this was just WAYYYY to much. So I told her to change, and I think that's when her head spun around. She pitched a royal fit for the next 20 minutes. I had to mark her behavior chart twice (which upset her even more, of course, but what's a mom to do?!!!) Ultimately she went to school in a pink short-sleeved shirt, a pink fur-lined vest, and pink pants. I don't think it was a win-win or a lose-lose. We'll just call it a draw. As she was walking out the door, she gave me a big kiss and said "I'm sorry Mommy. I love you." And so of course all is forgiven. But to avoid another difficult morning, we've decided to pick her clothes out at night.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Friday Flashback - Abby
Abby was the star student this week, and I had to send in 8 pictures for her to share with the class and hang on the board. This was a very difficult assignment - 8 pictures, out of seven or eight thousand? (no joke!) I've put together a slide show of my 50 favorites.
Abby is magical, sensitive, smart, hilarious, beautiful, loving, friendly, outgoing, adventurous, determined, confident, cautious, trusting, graceful, and very, very special. And I'm not saying all that just because I'm her mom.
I LOVE YOU ABBY!!
Abby is magical, sensitive, smart, hilarious, beautiful, loving, friendly, outgoing, adventurous, determined, confident, cautious, trusting, graceful, and very, very special. And I'm not saying all that just because I'm her mom.
I LOVE YOU ABBY!!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Math Savant?
Abby has really been showing a special aptitude in math lately. It started this weekend, when she picked up a money workbook I'd found at the Dollar Store. She asked me to help her with it, and I explained that pennies were 1 cent and nickels were 5. With that information, she worked the first five pages in the book without my help. She could look at a picture of 3 nickels and 2 pennies and write 17, fairly quickly, without counting out loud or using her fingers. She just does it in her head. She did it again tonight. I bought some linking cubes to help Sarah count to 100 (Abby has been doing that for a long time, but Sarah still gets stuck). At the dinner table, I used 10 of them and asked a few math questions. I could put any number of them on the table, and then ask how many more I needed to make another number, and she'd get it immediately. Sarah didn't have a clue. I've always been good with numbers so I'm thrilled that Abby seems to enjoy math, and I hope with a little work we'll get Sarah on board soon!
Monday, January 19, 2009
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