March Madness

Everyone is Okay!!! We have had a rough, rough winter but a quick trip to Barcelona where Chris booked us at a lovely spa for 3 days really helped. Layne and I couldnnt shake bad colds, so spending 3 days in big, fluffy, white bathrobes really was what we needed!!!! Jacuzzi, swimming, facials, massages...just what we needed. We are always super busy-Scouts, band, Choir, football, birthday parties, lacrosse-never ends! We are heading to the Middle East at the end of March in search of more sun and rest--cant wait to see my ladies!! Hoping that APril will slow down a bit for us (I'm working on that!) Here are some pics of March!

Barcelona

Pasta and Paella

Webelos Pack 13

Luke, Hunter and Christopher at Luke's 10th!
Luke is 10!!!

OR>>>>

...maybe I just need to back off and let go?????????

Square Pegs in Round Holes??

So....I just got my children's progress report from school. They actually are great, but its the little things that concern me.

Layne- academically doing great. She doesnt really like going to school though. She is extremely creative and expressive and loves to do this through drawing and writing stories. Her teacher, who I like, has been pushing her to write her stories down instead of drawing first. Layne says that she has a picture in her head and wants to get it on paper before the words. She then is scolded for "not following directions". As a Montessorian, I am feeling her frustration. Why should she not be allowed to continue with her work as long as she completes it?? She can even bring it home. This leaves her frustrated and irritable. She also is in a very small class and while I think socially she is struggling with a few of these children, intellectually she is not with her peers either. She's not interested in Hannah Montana and the things that these other FIRST GRADERS are interested in...she prefers the boys because they are funner! Where that leaves her is roughed up a bit by some rambunctious little guys and in tears from that. She's in a tough position--highly intelligent but not up to speed with pop culture enough to really hang with the other girls ( and there ar only 4)

Luke- is also doing great academically. He got perfect grades in most subjects. For his self esteem I think he needs some kudos for this (no praise, god forbid). He's not always interested in what is going on at school, but he does his work-on time and as directed. He got a lot of comments from his teacher that he could and should "do more". I can only feel that he would if he were interested in the material. He is in Scouts and is just thriving there...exploring his interests, setting goals, earning badges. WHy the need to push push push?? Its stressing him out!

Those are my thoughts. I very much miss homeschooling and meeting their academic needs while also giving them plenty of time to explore their interests. Luke likes nothing better than a sick day when he can build Legos and listen to Jim Wiess "Story of the World" on CD ( HISTORY) . He will sit for hours!!! Layne will hang out in our Montessori room and also "work" for hours. Now, they are gone all day, tired, stressed and in return what do I hear--"They are doing great but need to do more....Layne needs to follow directions....Layne gets easily frustrated."

Let me tell ya, mama is getting pretty damn frustrated herself!

Random Thoughts on a SNOWY evening

Yesterday we had a snow day...it was unexpected so exciting for the kids. The German schools were open, but because so many children live so far out and our school radius is about 60 miles, I feel the decision was appropriate. Surprisingly, my children are OVER the cold snow and ice and spent most of the day inside...Luke designing and building a new Lego ship and Layne reading, baking and just "being". The cats enjoyed the extra snuggles and we all took Angel on a short walk down to the market for some TP ( why do we always run out of tp when it is snowing??) Anyway, overall a good day. What I found interesting was all the people complaining on FB about how this messed up their schedules! For me, a lazy day at home is always welcome. Everything can wait...be present in THIS moment. We didnt need to get together with anyone, we didnt need entertainment. We talked about this and I just said to Luke and Layne I felt that US just being together is the most important thing...we have always had that motto. Its really about the 4 of us, wherever we are, that is the most important consideration. I like that.

SICK Days

The kids have both been sick this week. Layne really gets knocked out and had a fever for 5 days! Luke had one for 3. Nothing serious but just felt yucky. lots of TLC from mom, tea, rest, books on CD, Jim Weiss stories, a few movies etc. When they were feeling a bit more energetic we worked on Homework and some things that their teachers told me they were doing in class. Ive been accused of making sick days too fun--who cares! its NO fun being sick and being home is the place to be. I dont send them to schhol when even a "little sick" because as my amazing pediatrician says "a little sick is like being a little pregnant!" All are well and we are back to school this week.

Homework

Relaxing foot bath

Its a cold snowy day here in Wiesbaden. Sipping a cup of coffee after my yoga practice and cathcing on on some cyber reading. Not looking forward to Monday when the kids are back in school...I'll miss them! I am so lucky that they go to a school that doesnt measure their success with "grades" or punish them if they "forget", but rather gives them the power to think, create and take their interests and run with it. This quote made me think of ISW today:


"Of course, the more choice, movement, action, freedom, cooperation, talk, variety, energy, excitement, and joy there is in a classroom (home…family…), and the less invidious comparison, testing, gold-starring, grading, pecking-ordering, humiliation, coearcion, threat, punishment, and fear, the better it will be for the children…" J HOLT

IN our home we avoid punishment, never use the "charts" for good behavior and try to give the "L's " ( as Joey calls them) as voice to be respected and recognized. I especially like being able to tell them "Hey, mom's cranky, and annoyed" instead of just directing poor behavior at them which could really has nothing to do with them. As always, striving to be the parent they deserve. Authoritative without being Authoritarian.....

CHristmas markets, Ice SKating and SNow

Luke ready to attack!
Ice Skating

Layne waits in the treefort for the counter attack!

Wiesbaden Christmas Market

Gleuwein and Hot Chocolate in Wiesbaden
Nativity at Rudesheim Christmas market
Layne at the ISW CHristmas concert
St Nicholas in WIesbaden
Hot Chocolate break at Rudesheim