Not great pictures but you can get the gist...
She looks so tiny in such a big bed!!!
Thursday, March 22, 2007
What's New
1) Leah is now potty trained and sleeping in a "big girl bed"... she's not our little Baby Le anymore! She's doing okay with the bed... but asks where her other bed is (it's in the living room, disassembled, hoping to find a new home!) and has started to express some fears of butterflies (?) and bees (?) at bedtime. We're working through it and hopefully she will be fully acclimated soon! It is SO cute and looks perfect in her room. I will get some pictures up soon. Promise Meg!!
2) Logan is doing great. Such a little boy now. He loves playing with all his friends and is always having "playdates" with school and neighborhood kids. Such a little social butterfly. He is coming along with pre-reading skills and knows letters and letter sounds! Today as we were reading an alphabet book, he said, "Look, there's an uppercase M and next to it is a lower case m." It was pretty cool and he continues to amaze us with how fast he picks up things.
3) Spring is here and the kids are playing outside in full force when it's nice out. Our yard seems to be the gathering place for all the neighborhood kids- which is great for me and Lo and Le. We are debating about getting a wooden swing set... I'm checking them out and deciding what would be good for us!
2) Logan is doing great. Such a little boy now. He loves playing with all his friends and is always having "playdates" with school and neighborhood kids. Such a little social butterfly. He is coming along with pre-reading skills and knows letters and letter sounds! Today as we were reading an alphabet book, he said, "Look, there's an uppercase M and next to it is a lower case m." It was pretty cool and he continues to amaze us with how fast he picks up things.
3) Spring is here and the kids are playing outside in full force when it's nice out. Our yard seems to be the gathering place for all the neighborhood kids- which is great for me and Lo and Le. We are debating about getting a wooden swing set... I'm checking them out and deciding what would be good for us!
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Monday, March 12, 2007
The Million Dollar Kid
An article I discovered...
$1 million to raise a kid today? Get serious
By ROBERT L. JAMIESON Jr.
P-I COLUMNIST
A brand new Porsche? Or a runny-nosed kid?
That is the choice a lot of my single guy friends were joking about after a recent Wall Street Journal article burned across the Internet like a raging forest fire.
The piece called "The Million-Dollar Kid" talked about how government figures have put the cost of raising a child at $279,000 -- a conservative estimate, the paper argued.
In our culture of conspicuous consumption run amok, that figure can easily top $1 million.
Think about it, folks: a million bucks to raise a child from birth to age 17!
I was gobsmacked.
This being America -- home of the free, land of the crazed -- I've come to realize resistance might be futile.
I might be pressured to keep up with this acme of mindlessness because, well, everyone else is doing it -- or taking out second mortgages trying.
Junior will have nothing but the best, starting with his first wheels -- a Bugaboo stroller for $900 -- no need to pimp that ride. Surely it already has urban terrain wheels to mimic SUV cruisin'? What about hookups for his iTod to play "The Wiggles" greatest hits?
advertising
And we'll need a nanny -- my future wife and I. That will set us back 12 grand a year. (Yes, I'm cheap. A No-Frills Nanny will have to do).
Junior's Baby Gap wardrobe until he turns 6 will set me back $15,000, according to the March 3 article in the Journal. When Junior ditches the crib, I'm eyeing the $2,000 big-kid bed at Pottery Barn.
The kid's annual supply of organic oranges will cost $2,500 a year.
The price tag at the Bush School in Seattle is $15,000 a year -- given the state of the Seattle public schools, the kid will have to go private.
Junior might need braces for three or four grand -- if I don't have insurance.
And college is a must. It's $2,000 for the SAT prep course as soon as the kid shows promise by acing his "Farsi for 4-year-olds" class.
If I want the kid to see how real Chinese people live -- not just those plasticized stiffs at "The Bodies" exhibit -- I'll need to take him on a trip to China.
If Junior fails to thrive, a dose of child therapy -- topping $11,000 -- would be in order.
And if that fails, back to retail therapy.
None of the above takes into account tutoring, bottled-water delivery, nightly takeout, home electrical bills and guilt payments for spending more time at work than at home.
Add it up and there's something seriously wrong with this picture.
A serial case of affluenza has put society's priorities grossly out of whack. The Beatles got it wrong -- you can buy love.
Seriously, what kid really needs a stroller that costs more than a 20-year-old Volvo listed on Craigslist?
When I read the Journal piece, the thing that kept gonging in my mind is how so many kids in Washington are going without the basics.
More than 138,000 children between the ages of 5 and 17 -- about 13 percent -- lived in poverty in 2003, according to the latest available figures.
That means in an average school classroom of 30 kids, a handful are hungry, said Paola Maranan, executive director of the Children's Alliance, a Seattle-based statewide child-advocacy group.
In 2004, 36 percent of students in the state qualified for free and reduced lunches, up from 31 percent in 2000.
While some parents deluge kids with luxuries they don't need, other parents struggle with children in dire need.
Forget the Porsche. I choose the kid -- one who will be showered with parental love, not a love of material things.
The only million-dollar baby I'll pay for is the flick by that name. It rents at the local video store.
For four bucks.
My thoughts:
I do admit that I go a little (well, maybe a lot) excessive with the clothes and toys for my kids BUT first and foremost, I want to raise my kids with love! I want them to be happy, healthy, confident, and secure individuals. I want my kids to have morals, values, and beliefs. I want my kids to be comfortable with who they are, not with what they have. Much more important than all the material stuff, is spending quality time with my kids as a family, exploring the great outdoors, going to the beach, taking a walk in the rain, doing science experiments, singing and dancing to Johnny Cash, coloring and writing stories together, digging for treasure in the backyard, and just laughing and talking about our day!! This to me, is what being a parent is all about... who needs S1 million when you've got love???
$1 million to raise a kid today? Get serious
By ROBERT L. JAMIESON Jr.
P-I COLUMNIST
A brand new Porsche? Or a runny-nosed kid?
That is the choice a lot of my single guy friends were joking about after a recent Wall Street Journal article burned across the Internet like a raging forest fire.
The piece called "The Million-Dollar Kid" talked about how government figures have put the cost of raising a child at $279,000 -- a conservative estimate, the paper argued.
In our culture of conspicuous consumption run amok, that figure can easily top $1 million.
Think about it, folks: a million bucks to raise a child from birth to age 17!
I was gobsmacked.
This being America -- home of the free, land of the crazed -- I've come to realize resistance might be futile.
I might be pressured to keep up with this acme of mindlessness because, well, everyone else is doing it -- or taking out second mortgages trying.
Junior will have nothing but the best, starting with his first wheels -- a Bugaboo stroller for $900 -- no need to pimp that ride. Surely it already has urban terrain wheels to mimic SUV cruisin'? What about hookups for his iTod to play "The Wiggles" greatest hits?
advertising
And we'll need a nanny -- my future wife and I. That will set us back 12 grand a year. (Yes, I'm cheap. A No-Frills Nanny will have to do).
Junior's Baby Gap wardrobe until he turns 6 will set me back $15,000, according to the March 3 article in the Journal. When Junior ditches the crib, I'm eyeing the $2,000 big-kid bed at Pottery Barn.
The kid's annual supply of organic oranges will cost $2,500 a year.
The price tag at the Bush School in Seattle is $15,000 a year -- given the state of the Seattle public schools, the kid will have to go private.
Junior might need braces for three or four grand -- if I don't have insurance.
And college is a must. It's $2,000 for the SAT prep course as soon as the kid shows promise by acing his "Farsi for 4-year-olds" class.
If I want the kid to see how real Chinese people live -- not just those plasticized stiffs at "The Bodies" exhibit -- I'll need to take him on a trip to China.
If Junior fails to thrive, a dose of child therapy -- topping $11,000 -- would be in order.
And if that fails, back to retail therapy.
None of the above takes into account tutoring, bottled-water delivery, nightly takeout, home electrical bills and guilt payments for spending more time at work than at home.
Add it up and there's something seriously wrong with this picture.
A serial case of affluenza has put society's priorities grossly out of whack. The Beatles got it wrong -- you can buy love.
Seriously, what kid really needs a stroller that costs more than a 20-year-old Volvo listed on Craigslist?
When I read the Journal piece, the thing that kept gonging in my mind is how so many kids in Washington are going without the basics.
More than 138,000 children between the ages of 5 and 17 -- about 13 percent -- lived in poverty in 2003, according to the latest available figures.
That means in an average school classroom of 30 kids, a handful are hungry, said Paola Maranan, executive director of the Children's Alliance, a Seattle-based statewide child-advocacy group.
In 2004, 36 percent of students in the state qualified for free and reduced lunches, up from 31 percent in 2000.
While some parents deluge kids with luxuries they don't need, other parents struggle with children in dire need.
Forget the Porsche. I choose the kid -- one who will be showered with parental love, not a love of material things.
The only million-dollar baby I'll pay for is the flick by that name. It rents at the local video store.
For four bucks.
My thoughts:
I do admit that I go a little (well, maybe a lot) excessive with the clothes and toys for my kids BUT first and foremost, I want to raise my kids with love! I want them to be happy, healthy, confident, and secure individuals. I want my kids to have morals, values, and beliefs. I want my kids to be comfortable with who they are, not with what they have. Much more important than all the material stuff, is spending quality time with my kids as a family, exploring the great outdoors, going to the beach, taking a walk in the rain, doing science experiments, singing and dancing to Johnny Cash, coloring and writing stories together, digging for treasure in the backyard, and just laughing and talking about our day!! This to me, is what being a parent is all about... who needs S1 million when you've got love???
Question of the Day 1
Today's QOTD is:
How well do you know your next-door neighbors?
Answer:
We are lucky enough to live in a great neighborhood and have close relationships with pretty much our whole block! I am reminded of when I grew up, when all the kids were out playing and over at each other's houses, when you could call up a neighbor to borrow eggs or butter, or call them in a pinch to watch the kids for a bit. In fact, our neighbors across the street came over to use our washing machine when theirs was broken and they lent us their extra car when ours was in the shop! Talk about friendliness!
Our neighborhood is filled with kids ranging in ages from 6 months up to 14 years old- who love to babysit Le and Lo! We have built in playmates and babysitters! In fact, our neighborhood just planned a progressive dinner where we have drink and appetizers at one house (ours), then move to the main course at another house, and end with dessert at yet, another house. We have 9 families involved and everyone signs up to bring a dish to one of the host houses! The party will take place on March 24th! We even got the older kids to babysit all the younger kids after the meal so the parents can have some fun adult time! I'll let you know how it goes.
As Anthony says, we're not moving until Sara and Clare, and Ivy and Shawny (the girls who babysit for us) go off to college! And I must say, I'd have to agree!! We are pretty lucky to have such great neighbors.
How well do you know your next-door neighbors?
Answer:
We are lucky enough to live in a great neighborhood and have close relationships with pretty much our whole block! I am reminded of when I grew up, when all the kids were out playing and over at each other's houses, when you could call up a neighbor to borrow eggs or butter, or call them in a pinch to watch the kids for a bit. In fact, our neighbors across the street came over to use our washing machine when theirs was broken and they lent us their extra car when ours was in the shop! Talk about friendliness!
Our neighborhood is filled with kids ranging in ages from 6 months up to 14 years old- who love to babysit Le and Lo! We have built in playmates and babysitters! In fact, our neighborhood just planned a progressive dinner where we have drink and appetizers at one house (ours), then move to the main course at another house, and end with dessert at yet, another house. We have 9 families involved and everyone signs up to bring a dish to one of the host houses! The party will take place on March 24th! We even got the older kids to babysit all the younger kids after the meal so the parents can have some fun adult time! I'll let you know how it goes.
As Anthony says, we're not moving until Sara and Clare, and Ivy and Shawny (the girls who babysit for us) go off to college! And I must say, I'd have to agree!! We are pretty lucky to have such great neighbors.
Pink No More
I, personally, kinda liked the pink format but too many people shot me down! It's back to the blue and green tones! Let me know what you all think!
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Education Issues
I have two things to report:
1: Should etiquette/manners be taught in school?
Situation: We have a 5th grade teacher who is starting a unit on etiquette/manners to her class. Now, I'm all for being polite and respectful but we're talking about boys standing up when a girl approaches their table, bowing when an adult enters the room, etc. To me this is a little over the top. I understand some things: proper table manners, holding the door open, and of course, the good old please and thank-you. Which bring me to another question. Should this be taught in school? I mean, if it doesn't start at home and the parents don't value it, then are the kids going to? I guess it "can't hurt" and some kids may not have appropriate adult role models (not the case in my school) but, I personally feel that this teacher is over-stepping her boundaries. What do you all think? Maybe I am, again, being to sensitive and yes, the basic rules of manners and respect in context need to be addressed but a whole unit on etiquette???
2: Second Graders performing Shakespeare.
Situation: My "favorite" second grade teacher- the one who has done the crazy, inappropriate assignments in the past, is having her second graders perform Shakespeare. Yes, Shakespeare. I barely understand Shakespeare. This has NO meaning to their lives and no connection to the second grade curriculum what-so-ever!! Making a bunch of second grade students memorize lines that they do not understand is pointless to me! Why not have the kids work in groups to create, write, and perform their own plays? Why not have the class write a play for a book they are reading??? So, I spent my 45 minute session with these little guys rehearsing lines today that included:
"Helena, love me so. I can not let you go."
"I can not love you, I will not love you."
"Marry me, please. I cannot part without you."
And on and on and on...
Yes, second grade reading lines about love and marriage?!?!?!?!
1: Should etiquette/manners be taught in school?
Situation: We have a 5th grade teacher who is starting a unit on etiquette/manners to her class. Now, I'm all for being polite and respectful but we're talking about boys standing up when a girl approaches their table, bowing when an adult enters the room, etc. To me this is a little over the top. I understand some things: proper table manners, holding the door open, and of course, the good old please and thank-you. Which bring me to another question. Should this be taught in school? I mean, if it doesn't start at home and the parents don't value it, then are the kids going to? I guess it "can't hurt" and some kids may not have appropriate adult role models (not the case in my school) but, I personally feel that this teacher is over-stepping her boundaries. What do you all think? Maybe I am, again, being to sensitive and yes, the basic rules of manners and respect in context need to be addressed but a whole unit on etiquette???
2: Second Graders performing Shakespeare.
Situation: My "favorite" second grade teacher- the one who has done the crazy, inappropriate assignments in the past, is having her second graders perform Shakespeare. Yes, Shakespeare. I barely understand Shakespeare. This has NO meaning to their lives and no connection to the second grade curriculum what-so-ever!! Making a bunch of second grade students memorize lines that they do not understand is pointless to me! Why not have the kids work in groups to create, write, and perform their own plays? Why not have the class write a play for a book they are reading??? So, I spent my 45 minute session with these little guys rehearsing lines today that included:
"Helena, love me so. I can not let you go."
"I can not love you, I will not love you."
"Marry me, please. I cannot part without you."
And on and on and on...
Yes, second grade reading lines about love and marriage?!?!?!?!
Monday, March 5, 2007
Going Green
My friend Karen is SO on top of "living a greener life" and taking action to make changes that will positively impact our world! She even started a website/blog with her sister-in-law. Check it out at Green Girl's Guide. I am inspired to do what I can do in our little part of the world to make a difference. This can be a but overwhelming at first, but once you get going, the change is easy... and it makes a big difference!
To begin with, I signed up to reduce our "junk mail" and "credit card offers". A company named "Green Dimes" will do this for you for a minimal fee.. and will plant a tree in your name for each month that you are a member. Check it out! Green Dimes
Other simple things Team Robinson has done:
- I bought 4 reusable grocery bags from Trader Joe's and use these when I go shopping! No more plastic bags that are a pain to begin with!
- We switched all of our cleaners to non-toxic, environmental friendly cleaners. I LOVE the Mrs. Myers brand along with the simple.pure.green. products!
- I now bring my own coffee mug when getting a latte/mocha before work and I purchased a non-leaching water bottle to use instead of buying plastic water bottles.
- We switched to the more energy-efficient light bulbs and make sure to turn off all lights when we are not in a room. We also turned out heat down by 1-2 degrees.
- In addition, we turned down our hot water heater and only wash clothes on the cold cycle!
My next step is to look at environmental friendly make-up and facial products that will positively benefit myself and the enviroment!
So, a BIG thanks to Karen and Laura for jump-starting these efforts and making us all aware of the little things that we can do to make a difference! I did it... what will you do????
To begin with, I signed up to reduce our "junk mail" and "credit card offers". A company named "Green Dimes" will do this for you for a minimal fee.. and will plant a tree in your name for each month that you are a member. Check it out! Green Dimes
Other simple things Team Robinson has done:
- I bought 4 reusable grocery bags from Trader Joe's and use these when I go shopping! No more plastic bags that are a pain to begin with!
- We switched all of our cleaners to non-toxic, environmental friendly cleaners. I LOVE the Mrs. Myers brand along with the simple.pure.green. products!
- I now bring my own coffee mug when getting a latte/mocha before work and I purchased a non-leaching water bottle to use instead of buying plastic water bottles.
- We switched to the more energy-efficient light bulbs and make sure to turn off all lights when we are not in a room. We also turned out heat down by 1-2 degrees.
- In addition, we turned down our hot water heater and only wash clothes on the cold cycle!
My next step is to look at environmental friendly make-up and facial products that will positively benefit myself and the enviroment!
So, a BIG thanks to Karen and Laura for jump-starting these efforts and making us all aware of the little things that we can do to make a difference! I did it... what will you do????
New York Trip
Best Things about our Trip
1: Catching up with old friends
2: Playing in the snow!
3: Dinner at Mrs. B's
4: Target with Meg
5: Strong Museum of Toys
Not so great things about our trip to NY
1: Traveling and airplane ride... need I say more???
2: Adjusting to new time zone and new setting
3: Sleep!
4: Leah's moodiness
5: Logan's business
BUT it was a great trip!!!! And thanks to everyone who helped make it successful!!
1: Catching up with old friends
2: Playing in the snow!
3: Dinner at Mrs. B's
4: Target with Meg
5: Strong Museum of Toys
Not so great things about our trip to NY
1: Traveling and airplane ride... need I say more???
2: Adjusting to new time zone and new setting
3: Sleep!
4: Leah's moodiness
5: Logan's business
BUT it was a great trip!!!! And thanks to everyone who helped make it successful!!
Is Spring Here?
We have spent the last few days outside... in our bare feet with no jackets on. Anth and Logan got fresh sand for the sandbox, new mulch for the garden, and the weeding has begun. Playing the the sandbox, water table, jumping on the trampoline, and riding bikes galore! Does this mean that spring is here? We'll see... I don't want to "tease" the kids but it is so nice to spend time outside! I open the back door, make sure the fence is locked, and the kids are free to roam.. I mean, play! They love it! Logan was so excited about the warm weather that he pulled out the pool, got his bathing suit on, and is ready to swim! I told the little guy that we still have to wait a few months until we can swim. Luckily, he was satisfied with the sandbox!
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