When Good Stuff Happens

In my previous blog "Stuff Happens," I detailed the plumbing disaster at our house. In the midst of that craziness, I heard something very non-chaotic. I had asked the Queen to entertain the Boss while Dad and I cleaned. She had grabbed a book and was reading to the Boss. He was riveted. I was impressed.

As a teacher, I always stress the importance of reading. As a mother, I struggle to find the time. Still when parents ask me how to improve their child's reading fluency, I tell them to read and read often. I tell my students that you can't be a star football player sitting on the bench. You have to practice. The same is true about reading. Great readers...read.

My Five Tips for Developing Great Readers

1. It is never too early to start. No, they don't know the words...yet. They do love cuddling and listening to your voice though, so don't discount the good reading ju ju you are creating.
2. If your child doesn't like one book, try, try another genre. Children each have their own style and their books should reflect that. The Queen loves mysteries, but the Monkey loves princesses and scary stories (preferably together). Who knew?
3. Don't stop the read aloud when your child can read. A child can listen on a higher level than they can read. Imagine the great discussions not to mention the stellar vocabulary development. Remember you are your child's most important teacher. For more on reading aloud, check out Jim Trelease's Home Page or enjoy an excerpt from Jim Trelease's Read-Aloud Handbook. 
4. Illicit the help of older siblings (if they are willing) when reading to younger ones. You will enjoy the hands free time, the younger child likes the positive attention from big brother or sister, and the older child is getting more practice. It's a winning situation.
5. Always be sure to have plenty of reading material. We have books and magazines stashed all over the house, but our favorite place to go for books is the public library. You can't beat free! Check out your local public library. The trip is free, the cost is zero, and the kids will thank you.

For more fun facts visit Ten Facts Parents Should Know About Reading by Jim Trelease.

Try these sites for great lists to get you started:

New Children's Literature Reviews

Reading is Fundamental Reading List

Jim Trelease's Book List

The Treasury of Read Alouds

Reading is Fundamental Home Page

Notes From the Boss

I listened to the Queen, and I was inspired. I decided to try out that reading thing myself. The only thing I had handy was Mom's LL.Bean catalog. I figured why not. Mom started reading on a Sears catalog. My conclusion, interesting information and tasty illustrations, but it didn't hold up to multiple readings. I think I might try something sturdier next time. Maybe I should pick up one of those board books Mom keeps on the bookshelf in the hallway. Now, I just got to figure out how to get to the hallway. Hmmm...

Stuff Happens

So, I'm washing dishes as I prepare to cook dinner, and I step in a puddle.
"Good grief!" I say thinking, "Did those girls spill something?"
I check my anger and think logically. "It could be me. I am washing dishes."
I begin to investigate. The lip of the sink is dry. I bend down to the floor and see dripping from the cabinet. Still in denial I think,"Maybe it is dripping down the cabinet front."
Closer inspection finds that area dry as well. I know that I need to open the cabinet, but I'm frightened of what I might find. I take a deep breath, unhook the child safety lock and swing the door open. A lake greets me with my cleaning supplies floating in pools of water. My well managed evening has been washed away.

It turns out that one of the pipes had been knocked and then loosened. This was probably done by me as I'm the only one who would voluntarily clean anything. Then when the dishwasher emptied, the force of the water flowing through the pipes separated the offending pipe and water cascaded from it into the cabinet. Thus a tiny waterpark was born.

Needless to say, my dinner prep was forgotten as I quickly emptied out the cabinet. Before long every counter space/chair was full, and I had a toddler size dehumidifier parked in the floor in front of the only counter available for food prep. I did manage a dinner of sorts that night. I don't have a meaningful message though about overflowing pipes other than to say,"Doesn't it just stink when 'stuff' happens?"

A Note From the Boss

I remember that night well. There I was swinging in my farm swing thinking about cows and chickens. I really like cows, but I'm not still not sure about chickens. All of sudden there was a loudly spoken word I don't think I'm allowed to repeat. Then the Sisters were being called. Dad walks through the door and the barnyard was buzzin'. Later I explained to Mom about pipes overflowing. I told her that's why they make diapers and drool bibs. I think she'll take my advice. I'm tellin' you people...Listen to the Boss because the Boss knows.

Reaching Milestones

Everyone was reaching milestones last week. The Queen had another visit from the tooth fairy. The Monkey participated in a one hour Trike-a-Thon for St. Jude's Hospital. The Boss learned to pull hair and went to his first movie, Hop. He doesn't remember much because he decided he was hungry. He conked out before the opening credits finished.

But the biggest milestone reached last week ...no not Congress passing a budget...the Boss finally rolled over! Like Congress, the Boss had been working on it all week keeping the house on edge. The Sisters tried to help by showing him how easy it was to roll. He watched, but wasn't convinced. We waited to see the outcome of all the grunting, complaining, and pleading. Would he roll over before the country shut down? The tension was maddening. Then Saturday morning came. As the country breathed a sigh of relief we clamored in excitement for a front row seat as the Boss finally rolled over.

Notes From the Boss

You know what can I say. I worked hard and I trained everyday. I want to send a special thanks to the Queen for helping me improve my technique. I also want to send a special shout out to the Monkey for all her encouragement. It was her excitement that kept me going. Of course I can't forget to thank Mom and Dad for pushing me...really sometimes I got stuck. What do I plan to do next? Well, the Queen and I have talked about starting a band. I'll play the maracas.

The Cold

It finally happened. The Boss caught his first cold. It isn't surprising considering the germ buffet the Sisters bring home from school. We had turned our house into a bubble dosing every living thing with hand sanitizer, but when the weather changed, the Queen graced our bubble with her cold. I fell victim first and the little man quickly followed. Despite the nose suctioning, steamy showers, tons of TLC and lively puppet shows by the Monkey, the Boss got worse. After a quick trip to the doctor, the cold turned out to be an ear infection and RSV.

According to about.com "RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, is a virus that causes cold-like symptoms in most people but can cause serious illness in infants." Because the symptoms are very similar to a cold, it can be hard for parents to know that their child has it. I can vouch for that. Both my girls had RSV when they were infants, and I still can't recognize it. The symptoms are runny nose, coughing, wheezing, listlessness, apnea, retractions (pulling in) of the chest wall, rapid breathing, and coughing. It was the coughing that prompted to take The Boss into his pediatrician. After a day or so with a stuffy nose, he started coughing to the point that he couldn't catch his breath also he was sleeping more. My kids don't sleep...ever. Other than that he was still happy and never ran a fever. My advice, when in doubt always check with your doctor.

Treatment for us has always been breathing treatments with a nebulizer three times a day. The Boss hates his breathing treatments. But despite his loud protests, the treatments have done wonders. Modern medicine is amazing! Plus, his little mask looks like a dragon. Isn't that manly! We are glad he is feeling better and look forward to when his treatments are done. Maybe he won't get sick ever again? Yeah, but I can hope.

Notes From the Boss

My mom is making it sound nice, but I know the truth. RSV is a really small virus. What kind of virus? A dragon virus! Yep, it is the virus that turns little boys into dragons. Of course I hate my stupid breathing treatments because it is a dragon's breath and that kills the very small dragon virus. Mom says it will help me breath better, but what about the dragon virus. That's right. My dream of being a little dragon is being squashed. Just think of it, flying through the air and breathing fire. I could have a marshmallow roast while flying around the world. That would be so cool. I know, I know who could ever love a dragon. But, the monkey read the book Who Wants a Dragon to me, and the mommy still loves her dragon. So, the way I see it I'm good.