Thursday, May 19, 2016

Random Tid Bits

  1. There was one little boy that's parents apparently couldn't get him to Isaak's party last weekend. The little boy said, "Travis can I go with you to Isaak's party?" Travis replied with, "If your parents call to RSVP and ask, we'll take you." 

  2. This kid has parents that aren't on top of things. They have him call to invite himself over to our house. I feel bad for him. I so would have caved, and took him to the party. Travis on the other hand is like, "Ummm...no! His parents need to call and ask. We're liable for him." I'm like, "But it's not his fault his parents aren't all there." Poor kid! I feel for this kid. Are you a softy like me, or more stern like my husband?

  3. Did you read that by taking Tylenol you kill the headache, or pain. You also kill that spot in your brain that empathy is at. If you don't believe me read about it in the Washington Post, Newsweek, Health Newsline, or just google it and you'll come up with a lot of other sources.

    I find it to be fascinating because I've talked for awhile now about how generations now seem less empathetic, and mean to one another.  

  4. My mom had Polio when she was about the age of 4. Just a year or two later the vaccine came out. She's had to get 2 pair of shoes her whole life. One had to be built up because one side of her body is shorter than the other. Her foot got deformed as she aged because Polio attacks your body later in life much like you can get Shingles after having Chicken Pox. She had to get her ankle fused. Then her toe nails were full of fungus after her surgery. We're lucky she's not in a wheel chair, but it's not easy for her either.

    A break through has happened with Polio. On 60 Minutes they talked about how the Polio Virus can treat people with cancer. It kills cancer cells. It will take 3 to 5 years to make this happen. If it persists YAY! Polio has two sides: Good and Evil. 

  5. I also read here that 3 farmers are suing Monsanto because they now have cancer. Roundup, which is blamed for bee population problems says on the bottle that it will kill weeds. It also says that it's safe for humans. Think again! 

  6. After I contacted the kid's school about the girl that's been crushing on Mica for a few months - it was crazy! I just told the councilor what was going on, how she was giving him small toys, a flower in class, how she asked him for help on her Science Fair Project and Talent Show. I mentioned the 2 year age difference. For elementary age that's a lot. I told her that it's so close to the end of the year that they could just let it go, but how I wanted them to be aware of it. Keep in mind I've only contacted teachers/the school maybe 3 times the whole time the boy's have gone there. Not all the times were concerns.

    The councilor took it to the extreme: She was going to talk to Mica, to the girl, to their teachers, to the principle, and to the girl's parents.

    I'm like, "Really? It's not that big of a deal." It was in the school's hands, not mine. I didn't even email the councilor back. Maybe the girl's parents should know. I know, and I'm the other parent. I wouldn't have gone to that extreme though. I would have just talked to the kids, and if another situation came up then I would have gone a step further to resolve the situation.

    Travis was like, "I wouldn't of even contacted the school." Other people were telling me that I should. Mica was getting to the point where it was bothering him. I was torn. 

Dear Isaak,

You turn 8 years old today. 


For your birthday you didn't really know what you wanted. I got you a scooter, a few building toys and we picked out flowers at Trader Joes.


Roses are something you wrote on a list for me. I wanted to get you a Lego rose, but found out it's not something that you put together. It's already assembled, and glued.


You are the type of kid that would box up all your toys just to give them to someone else.

It's great except that you expect everyone else to be just like you.

You are a very giving child. You gave me a flower for my hair on Mother's Day, along with a card, and coupons that you made sure I used.


Things you enjoy:
  • listening to Mica's stories
  • Telling jokes
  • Playing basketball
  • Playing outdoors
  • Cutting paper up
  • Eating: Mac and Cheese and Chocolate are your favorite foods. I'm making Mac and Cheese for dinner, since I hardly make it.
  • Board games
  • Playing games on your Kindle
  • Pokemon: I know nothing about it. It became popular after I grew up. If anyone understands how to play Pokemon I'm all ears. He's into it, I've watched videos on how to play it, and I don't get it.
You keep growing up and up. You're just now 8, but wear size 10 pants. Your features are still small, and you have a young sounding voice. You are just really TALL.


Things you dislike:
  • Having your picture taken - You were only good with these photos because you knew I was making a book for you.
  • When Mica doesn't want to play with you - You enjoy people.
  • Smoothies - You complain about my smoothies when I make them different every time. 
  • Kids that are rude at school - You have actually gotten in trouble because you try to correct other kids. 




Things you're better at this year:
  • Reading - You have to read a book every day at school. You may not love reading, but you're good at it now.
  • Writing stories
  • Riding your bike
  • Hanging up your clothes
  • Trimming your own nails
Right now you're in a really honest phase. You tell people exactly what you are thinking. I've talked to you about thinking positive in a given situation, and watch what you say to not hurt people's feelings. I thought you were getting it, but then you said at the end of our conversation, "Mom can we stop talking about this now. I don't get it."

Things you could improve on:
  • Wanting to read
  • Washing your hands - On your own accord.
  • Eating with your silverware - You can. You just choose not to. 






Mica both annoys you, and you look up to him. You both fight, and you're the best of friends. You'd say that Jacob is your best friend though.




I love you Zeek! Happy 8th Birthday!

Mom

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

WW: Hummel Park Birthday Party {Linky}

Isaak had his friend birthday party this weekend at Hummel Park. It was super fun! The only downside is that I wasn't specific enough in letting people know it was at the Nature Center. We had some people get lost. We even put a sign up, but they somehow missed it's bright red lettering.

Isaak got to pick 3 things to do. He picked:
  • A Scavenger Hunt
  • Making S'mores 
  • Archery
If that wasn't enough sugar we went back to sing Happy Birthday, and ate brownies.

It's fun watching kids shoot an arrow. They have their game face on. They get really serious, but most of the time miss altogether. A few kids couldn't stop smiling even though they missed every time. Isaak, Mica, my nephews Evan and Elijah have been to Hummel Day Camp different years. This wasn't their first time shooting. They mostly hit the target.

Isaak's game face:



Mica's game face:


My nephew Elijah is super competitive, so he really gets into shooting.


 My nephew Evan really wanted to get a bullseye, but it didn't happen.


At the end we waited, and waited for parents to come pick up their kids. Since we were just waiting and waiting, we decided to go pay the park birds a visit. This is really exciting for kids that live in the city. The boys gave all the turkey's a school title.

Meet Mr. Principle
Check out his feet. He looked the smartest with all his colors. He kept hiding in his office.



Meet Mr. Bus Driver
I guess they titled him bus driver because he was always on the move. Bus drivers are often males.


Meet Mrs. Cafeteria Cook
She just looked like a cook the boys said.


Meet one of the Students
There was a lot of them.



The boys enjoyed passing the time this way. 

If I had this party over again I'd be more specific about where it was at in the park. I just assumed people would go to the Nature Center because it's the main office at the park. Assuming isn't the best thing to do. I'd make the party for a 1/2 hour earlier than the party actually started. That's about how long we waited for different people to get there. I'd tack on an hour of us just hiking with the kids on our own. I know they would have enjoyed that. 

What's the most interesting party you've attended, or given?




 

Monday, May 16, 2016

Follow Up of Swimming Lessons @Swimtastic_Swim

We just got done with swimming lessons at Swimtastic.



Super Swimming Lessons!




What I think...

I loved the fact that I could see progress with my kids in swimming. They actually got the strokes down that were being taught to them. The instructor is in the pool, and shows the kids the correct strokes.



Another place we had lessons at before said, "They'll get it eventually." There were times then that the coaches never even got into the water. I was super impressed that Swimtastic didn't take this approach.

Swimming lessons always started on time. That's a huge perk for me!

They have their rules posted. Not all kids shower before lessons. I feel like the staff should enforce that more. I wasn't sure what the rule was for lightening. There was a storm here. We called to see if they were still conducting lessons. They were. I'm not sure how safe that is.


They take more of a personal approach. There's a board in the hallway that has the instructor's name and picture on it. There's also a screen in the waiting room that has the instructor's pop up to see their names, and what their interests are. The screen wasn't always on, or working, but I liked when they had that going.

I liked how they have everything you need there. The boy's goggles were leaking, so we bought some at Swimtastic. The girl at the front helped us pick out the correct size, and adjusted them. They have shirts and bags to. 

I don't like that they have a glass counter full of junk food when it's a place to get fit. Snacks are great! Have nuts, seeds, and trail mix. There are healthier options for snacks. 



The Pool taken with my fisheye lens.

What does Mica think?

Mica was the least excited about starting up lessons. He was so into it once he began. Mica is actually bummed it is over.

He liked how Swimtastic works more one on one with him. He was really getting his strokes down! He was more serious about learning this time around. I don't know if it was the coach, the place, or possibly he's more mature.

There was only one thing that Mica didn't care for. His coach said that she'd have Mica's progress report one week, didn't have it, and had it the week after. Mica remembers stuff like that. I didn't think it was a big deal.



Pretending to hold his breath underwater. Taken with my fisheye lens.
What does Isaak think?

Isaak was excited to start swimming lessons. He laughed at every lesson.
He loved their flippers, and learning the frog kick.
Isaak did miss the previous place's deep end. Isaak loved how the place before would get out a pole, put it in the deep end, and he'd have to swim to reach the bottom. That apparently was his favorite part of swimming lessons. We heard about him missing this aspect of swimming lessons each and every time. He's at this stage where he thinks everything needs to be fun. The practical application is what I care about.

Taken with my fisheye lens.

Swimtastic is a hidden gem that's behind PE 101 in Omaha, Nebraska.

If you don't live in Omaha, Swimtastic is in other spots in the US: Lincoln, Nebraska | Captive, Florida | Fox Cities, Wisconsin | Waukesha, Wisconsin | Franklin, Wisconsin

Everyone was happy every time we went. The staff was eager to help.



Overall the kids enjoyed their lessons. Their skills really grew. I wanted to continue them. They are fairly pricy, and I have the summer booked with camps already.

Swimtastic also has birthday parties that you can book there.

It was a great experience overall!

Follow Swimtastic on twitter, and like their facebook page.

Disclaimer: I received free lessons for the purpose of this review. The opinions are 100% mine. 

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The opinions on this blog are my personal take on products and topics relating to motherhood. This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me.

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