Having four year old twins is crazier than something out of a Yo Gabba Gabba show. No matter how much you enjoy it, or not, the creative differences in each of them is so outlandish sometimes that you can't believe they're twins. Mackenzie is a genius. No, I'm serious. Her math skills are stupid. She reads, she writes, she can count, she can spell and the kid can tell time. SHE'S FOUR! But, the downside of having a genius four year old is that she's overly emotional, she argues EVERYTHING and she thinks she's always right. (wonder where she gets that.) My little bundle of twinkie joy has grown from a crooked headed little smiley delight, to a kid wonder, and I love her.
I have only one word to describe what Rayla has become; Passionate. That child is passionate about everything. Now, this is good, and this is bad. On the upside when she is positively passionate about something it's one of the cutest and most endearing things I encounter. She gets involved in what she's reading, listening to or watching. She analyzes everything and makes her own creative stories or endings to whatever she has dived into. The down side to a passionate person is when that passion comes out in anger, frustration or orneriness. In trouble? You'd think we're nailing her to the floor. Mad at her sister or brother? You'd think they had beat her in the head with a pan. Upset that she can't do something right? Oh, boy.....That takes patience, and I'll be honest with you, I almost lost it a few times. But, she is growing and learning and her passion is a trait that is going to serve her well in her life. And, for those of you who have followed her health issues I can update that, too: Her asthma had gotten so bad that her albuterol inhaler just wasn't enough anymore. She is now on a daily steroid inhaler and, although it wouldn't have been my first choice, she's so much better now. She breathes. She sleeps. And, so do I........
Cooper has had a rough go in Kindergarten. He's been in trouble a few times, mostly for being distracting in class. When the teacher is talking he seems to drift his eyes away from her and focus on something completely unrelated to what he's being taught. But, when asked to repeat what the teacher had said, not thinking he'd be able to do it, he'll recite back what was taught almost word for word. Of course, when he gets distracted with something, it becomes a domino effect, taking down any suspecting children who follow in his footsteps, because, in all reality, most kids will NOT be able to remember what they're being told while looking at something else. So, that, on top of a couple of NON malicious acts of naughtiness, and he's been labeled already. Now, as a mother who is very on top of things in general when it comes to my kids, I see a Kindergartner who is testing boundaries, using creative outlets to get attention and maybe even suffering from a little boredom when it comes to the end of his school day. I never would have thought he would get labeled, and it's a little frustrating that he has been - He's wonderful at home, so it was quite a surprise to get the calls. At the same time, I suppose that his desire to be class clown has been pushed too far, and the teachers have to put their feet down before it gets out of hand. I KNOW kids can be ornery, even naughty. But he's smart, does his work, is loving, helpful and has such a great personality. Cooper has made a turn around and is making efforts not to be so distracting, and we're so proud of him. I never told my husband this, but in Kindergarten I got so mad at my teacher for making me sit with my head down so much that I got up, walked out of the classroom and headed out of the school to go home. The principal saw me at the front door and stopped me. My mom got called and I got in a little more trouble that I would have had I just chilled out. I still turned out pretty good.
He turns 6 next week.
Finally 15, Katie is now old enough to learn how to drive. Unfortunately for her, fortunately for us, her grades aren't good enough for us to allow that luxury just yet. I am confident in my belief that Katie just thought her work would do itself, turn itself in, and it would all be 100% correct. This last report card made it obvious to her that it takes a lot more than wishful thinking to make a good grade happen. She seems a little more focused this past week. As much as I want to say that it's because she's come to a revelation, I do think that some of it has to do with the fact that at conferences last week some of her teachers showed me some secrets to help me keep a closer eye on work that's due that makes it so she CAN'T miss anything. Ever. Teenagers are, for lack of a better word, dumb. Don't dog on me just yet......You all know you wanna say it. I believe this because I was one once, too. They think they know everything and their parents know nothing. They think that their way is right and parents are too controlling. They think that when we take away their electronics their lives are over. Ugh......that's a whole blog in itself. Anyways, as immature as teens are in most decisions they make, I've discovered that they surely aren't stupid. Meaning, they know right from wrong - Katie still makes choices sometimes that makes me wonder what's going on in that head of hers. And that makes for some interesting conversations in this house.
What have I learned the past few months?
1. I know all about my daughter. Yet, I probably know nothing.
2. 50/50 are decent odds. Unless it's a chance you're taking that could turn out really bad. Then your chances of bad things happening increases ten fold.
3. I never anticipated my children finding other ways to say "I forgot" or "I never heard you say that" once I banned those phrases from our house.
4. No shoes in the house, (kids) has been a rule in my house for years. They actually think I'm stupid enough not to notice when they are clomping mud through the house or flopping on the couch with their shoes on.
5. Speaking of shoes, I've decided that when my children decide to take their shoes off, they place them with the sole intent of seeing if I can fall on them. They usually succeed...Must be my punishment for making them take their shoes off.
6.Morning breath happens to everyone. But, when my children come in my bed, crowd me in, then tell ME to roll over because my breath smells bad is just not fair. But because I love them, I do it.
......................Or I breathe hard on them and scare em' back to their own rooms. Depends on how I feel.
So, enjoy your children, learn from their curiosity, and hope that whatever you say, do and teach to them will sink in and that eventually they'll know that whatever you've done was always in their best interest.
