Popular Science, and 600 Pieces

YESTERDAY...
We played at the lake with cousins. He must have played hard because even his beloved Popular Science magazine couldn't keep him awake on the drive home.

Another really cool thing about yesterday was the 45 minute conversation we had about evolution, extinction, and the Earth. He is also fascinated with "outer space" and dinosaurs and about how we become who we are. I adore these conversations and hope to have many more of them. My son is generally pretty scatterbrained, so I am always shocked when he actually remembers what I tell him - that's how I know he's really interested in something. 

TODAY...
Neither of us felt like doing much of anything outside. Miraculously, I found the instructions to this off-brand Lego contraption, so we were finally able to put it together - all 600 pieces. This was a whole lot of fun to build with Aidan, but I seriously question the 5+ rating on the box. Sure, he's not going to choke on the pieces, but I am doubtful that there are many five year olds capable of putting this thing together on their own.

We're busy with lots of big changes, but it's been a while since I've posted an update, so this is the best I have. I'm definitely loving this new stage of Lego building, having spent a large portion of my own childhood building "theme parks" out of them (before they came with directions). 

Onward!

Happy 5th Birthday, Aidan!

Spring Lake, NJ

One very happy boy, super excited to play at the beach. Never mind that it was 50 degrees outside, or that the water was who knows how cold. Nothing was going to slow down this Wisconsin boy! I guess it helps when you normally live in a climate 30+ degrees colder....

Matching Pajamas

Wordless Wednesdays

What to do when the mercury drops?

I believe the high today was 7°F. What to do?

11:30am

4:30pm

Cardboard boxes are a 4yr old's best friend when it's too cold to go outside.

Lullabies

When I was in high school, I absolutely loved this song. I promised myself that, where I ever blessed with a child, that this would be his or her lullaby.

In 2008, I was blessed with a little boy, and started singing him this lullaby.

Tonight, he asked if he could sing it to me all by himself.

And my heart was filled with joy over this simple act.

I love you, Aidan Ryan, my fiery little king.

Always.

Kid Portraits

All the Bowman Grand Kids! 

Alan Robert & Aidan Ryan - 4yrs

Clara Jean - 2yrs

Elsie Marie - 2 days

Winter Silliness

This is how we roll over at our house when the mercury drops. Apparently, Aidan has inherited my love of playing with water. I remember, quite vividly, being chastised as a young girl for playing in the sink and making a mess with the water. Of course, by my recollection, I never actually made a mess. Funny how selective memories can be ;-).

The kitties also make an appearance in this video. Can you tell it's just about dinner time?

Trouble at School

My son has always been gregarious. He talks to anyone who will listen, and will play with anyone who'll take the time. He's generally pretty good with his please and thank-yous, and does a pretty admirable job of explaining his feelings with words.

So when school conferences came around last month, the last thing I was expecting was to be told that my son was rude and that he was having trouble making friends. His teachers had absolutely nothing nice to say about his character. It was clear that this teacher was not fond of my son, but my biggest concern was how this year could start off so differently than the last.

Yes, I realize my son has trouble following directions and staying on task, and he can be antsy. We work with him on this, and I'd love any tips his teachers might discover that work for him. These traits can drive me bonkers, but you know what? My son is also sweet and sensitive and silly. He says the craziest things, and he's so much fun to be around. So, what's so different about school? I felt the conference feeling rather defeated, and sad for my son. While I certainly don't expect every teacher to like my child, the fact that he's dealing with this in 4K is very unfortunate. I'd hate for him to be put off school before it even begins!

Then last week, Aidan started coming home from school every day complaining that the kids were mean to him. He reported being hit by one kid, pinched by another, and that one kid was saying mean words to him. We talked about ways to deal with mean kids and hurtful words, and meanwhile, Aidan was getting clingier and clingier at home. Still, he was excited to go to school every morning, so I couldn't imagine it was really that bad.

On Thursday, Aidan came home again reporting a bad day. He said one child sat on his back and pinched him, so he hit him. He then said another kid was yelling in his ears. At this point, I knew there'd probably be a note in his bag, and sure enough there was a Red Light letter telling me Aidan hit one child and bit another. He bit another kid? Where did that come from?! When I asked Aidan why, he said the boy was calling him stupid. He also said his teachers called him "stupid bus" when he was put in time out.

And my heart broke.

So I wrote a letter to the school asking if something was going on with Aidan and the other boys. I wanted to know - from her - what circumstances led up to the hitting and the biting. Instead of writing me back, she forwarded the message to the Director. I also sent another note asking, "I am curious why Aidan told me you called him a stupid bus." I got a single line response staying she has never and would never use that word in her class, but still didn't answer my question. Why? 

So the Director sent me an email letting me know she'd be sitting in on his classes this coming week to see how she could help make Aidan feel safe in school. She advised me to let Aidan know that she'd be there, so he'd be comfortable talking with her. I wrote her back laughing that Aidan is not shy, and that she'll have no trouble talking with him.

So fast forward to the end of this week. The first thing I noticed was that Aidan came home every day telling me that everyone was nice and that no one said mean words. This was odd, because he's never come home talking about what a great day he had. I was worried that he might be coached, but I realize now that things really were better. When my mother-in-law picked Aidan up from school on Tuesday, she said it was the first time Aidan's teacher smiled at her. Obviously, these teachers are acting very differently while being observed by the Director. Integrity aside, at least my kid had a great week.

Then came the meeting with the Director. I can honestly say that this woman learned more about my son in three days than his teachers have learned in two months. She was expecting the "rude boy who has trouble making friends" not the outgoing boy who tends to get so focused on an activity that he tunes out the rest of the world. She gave an example of catching him picking his nose during story time. She brought him a tissue and asked him to use it. Aidan ignored her, so she put the tissue in his lap. Aidan pushed the tissue off to the side, and continued listening to the story. When he picked his nose again, the Director returned and put his hand on his shoulder to get his attention. She said he jolted, and looked up at her. She asked him again to use the tissue, and he said "Sure!" and started using it. She realized that Aidan wasn't being rude and ignoring her; he was simply so focused on the story that she had no idea she was there, let alone that she'd asked him to do something. She said the ability to tune out distractions is a very valuable tool for learning.

She witnessed Aidan making very mature choices, and working through problems with his classmates using words. She once observed Aidan taking some blocks that he didn't realize another child was using. The other child asked for them back, and Aidan said "Oh, sorry!" and complied. There is one little boy who tends to be a bit more scrappy, so the Director is advising the teachers to avoid seating them at the same table. Apparently this child once shoved Aidan for taking his blocks. He has older brothers and has trouble using his words - he is also the likely source of the nasty S word (though were the "bus" comes in is still a mystery).

We discussed the Red Light letters, and how vague and unhelpful they were. We also talked about how important it is on the other end of the spectrum to know when my child is the one being picked on. If another child does something to mine that deserves a Red Light letter, I would like know about it. Aidan will tell me one way or the other, but without adult perspective, I'm forced to assume the worse. If Aidan gets pushed by another kid for taking blocks, he's going to come home and tell me this very sad and exaggerated story. To him, that was a Very Terrible Thing that happened, and I don't want to cheapen his feelings by making light of them. Getting the teacher's perspective will allow me to more effectively discuss the situation with Aidan, so that it doesn't escalate.

As an added bonus, the Director was impressed with Aidan's storytelling skills. In particular, Aidan was telling him all about how his mom and dad go SCUBA diving with sharks, and that he once ate an octopus, and that he likes eating sushi with his mom. All of these things are actually completely true, but the Director was understandably skeptical until I confirmed that he was not just telling her about the latest Nat Geo special.

The Embodiment of Dug

Every time I see this scene, I think of my son.



He's still so innocent in many ways, so trusting and honest, so full of energy and life. I hope he never looses that spirit, that love for people. Though, he could stand to work on the attention span a little bit :-).

I want to remember him this way, as the pure soul who came and knocked on doors with me in St. Paul with MN United for All Families for 4 hours in the cold. Aidan didn't understand what we were doing, and I don't know that he'll remember it. But one day, perhaps not so very long from now, I'm going to be able to tell him what we did and why it was so important. Best of all, MN citizens succeeded in defeating that hurtful amendment. 

Politics are exhausting, but worth it for the greater good. 

We love you, Aidan!

Stuff On My (Bengal) Cat

Tolerant? Saintly? Or just plane lazy?

You decide. 

First Day of School!

THIS happy dude had a great time during his first day of 4K!

Aidan's Birthday Party

 Swimming, playing in the sandbox, and MarioKart were the top activities of the afternoon. Congrats to baby Noelle on her first successful trip in a pool! Dessert was a Dirt Cake as well as Frrrozen Hot Chocolate, a recipe from Serendipity in NYC (thanks to Jane for the book!). BTW, did you know that jello doesn't set when you add Swedish Fish to it? Neither did I. Oops!

I am especially appreciative of my mother-in-law, who always thinks of all the things I don't, and whom is far more talented at hosting a party than I am.

Thank you also to everyone who made it out to celebrate with us; we had a blast!

German Wheel and Low Casting

Two new videos of Aidan at Circus Juventas.

German Wheel - his favorite! He finally got to go upside down.

Low Casting - not his favorite, but he's getting braver! Even though he was scared, he did it anyway. Three times.

Circus Juventas Updates

Now that Aidan has been taking classes at Circus Juventas in St. Paul for a year, I thought I'd post some updates on his progress. He LOVES going to class and is getting bolder and much more willing to try new things. He's also much stronger and has much better balance than when he first started.
Here is a video of a recent go on the trampoline - he's really perfecting "stick it!"

--
And, some photos!
Aidan is perfecting his bear walk during warm-up.

The tumble track is always a big hit.

Lately, so has the silks!

As we head off from circus class to our weekly trip to Coldstone, Aidan shows off his wild hair (and new car seat - thanks Auntie Lola!).

Fridays are awesome!