Multiplication

Apparently kindergarten is NOT too early to start learning how to do multiplication!

Every afternoon, Carter's class has RTI before getting ready to go home for the day.  During RTI the kids get to do quiet, independent activities.  This is also the time when students can get a little one-on-one time with the teacher.  Kids can be pulled because they are struggling or because they need an extra challenge.

Carter told me that last week and this week on Tuesday, he, two other kids from his class, and 2 kids from other classes have been getting pulled out of the class to work on math because they are so good at it.  Carter's teacher hasn't told me about this so I only know what Carter has told me.

Today they worked on multiplication.  We went over these worksheets and he seemed to understand what he was doing!

Recent Pictures

"In 2015, I want to Play with my Brutr (brother)."  Aaawwwww :)

All grades in Carter's school are making pottery right now.  Because it's a bit hard on the day the kids are working with the clay for the art teacher to help everyone, parents were invited in for this one class to help out.  I was lucky that Brian was able to watch Rylan and Grayson so I could help.

The kindergarteners are making hearts.  Carter got to pound out the clay, draw a heart in the clay, cut it out, and then decorate it by pressing items into it (like nails and straws) to make indentions.  In future classes he was going to paint it and finish it up.

Last week Rylan, Grayson, and I met Missy and her kids at the Adventure Science Center.  These two almost look like they know what they are doing!  Rylan actually has gotten pretty good at playing checkers against me.  He basically understands the rules and doesn't make a lot of mistakes.  He seems to have a little bit of strategy when playing.

Grayson is starting to chew on Sophie a little bit.  He still doesn't take a paci but chews on his hands constantly so I figured it was time to get him out some toys.  He's able to grab ahold of Sophie and put her feet in his mouth.  He's becoming a lot self aware lately!

Since Carter is in school full time now, he doesn't get to go to library storytimes anymore.  I finally noticed that the Brentwood Library has a program called "After School Explorers" for K-2 on Tuesday afternoons.  I took Carter for the first time last week (Grayson slept through it and Rylan worked on his letters and then played with the iPad).  During the class, Carter said they read a couple of books, talked about the awards the books had won, played some games (like Simon Says), started making their own books, and got a snack.  Carter finished his book at home.  I helped a little by providing the facts from the internet :)

Carter said he really liked the class and is excited to go back tomorrow.

I also took Carter to "Lego Mania" on Friday at the Brentwood Library.  It is help once a month and is for ages 6 and 7.  After talking about a theme, the kids were able to free build with huge buckets of Legos.  They could built based on the theme or just make whatever they wanted.  It wasn't very structured but Carter still enjoyed it.

Carter's creation ...

Brian now works from home.  He often will go to a library or coffee shop for part of the day to work.  On Friday he was at Einstein Bros. Bagels when it closed at 5 pm and they gave him a bunch of bagels there were just going to throw away.  Score!  I told Brian he needs to work there every Friday afternoon :)

Before Carter's basketball game on Saturday, he had a birthday party to go to for a girl in his class.  He could only stay 40 minutes, but he had a blast.  It was a Pancakes and Pajamas party so the kids got to wear their pajamas and bring a stuffed animal.  Carter got his face painted to match his pajamas and made a Fruit Loop necklace (which came in handy because we left just before breakfast was served and I didn't bring anything for Carter to snack on before his game!).

Today after gymnastics, we took the kiddos bowling.  We always have to hit up the arcade for a few games.  Rylan hit the jackpot on one game and scored 71 tickets - he was so excited!

Progress Report

Carter's progress report for the 3rd quarter ... 

He's still doing great!!!

Marcella Vivrette Smith Park

A new park opened in Brentwood just a couple of miles from our house about 3 months ago.  It took forever to build the entrance to the park because a new bridge had to be constructed over a set of train tracks but phase one is finally done.  There isn't too much there yet - mainly just some hiking trails.  There is an old mansion (almost 200 year old) on the property where weddings are held and the park connects to the extensive greenway system that I typically use.  I now have a place to park that is closer to the house which is great!

A lot more is planned for the park and hopefully it will get funded.  It's supposed to have 4 multi-purpose fields, some picnic shelters, a playground, and maybe even some mountain bike trails (PLEASE!!!).

We had a relatively mild weekend and decided to check out some of the hiking trails this afternoon.  Since dogs are allowed on these trails, we took Charlotte with us for once!

We started with the red trail since it goes up to the top of the ridge.  With it being winter it's probably the best time to do that one since all the foliage will block views when it warms up.

The trails aren't always very distinct and packed yet but we still didn't have any trouble staying on them.

Grayson stayed awake for the first part of the hike.  I had him all bundled up though because it was super windy in clearings and all that warmth probably helped him eventually pass out.

Carter walked Charlotte most of the hike.  Luckily she was too tired to pull much and send him flying!

There is a large clearing at the end of the red trail on the ridge.  Looks like it'll be a great place for a picnic when it warms up!

Grayson passed out on the way back down trail.

About half way down we split off the red trail and took part of the blue and black trails back to the trailhead to add on a little length.  In all we hiked 1.8 miles.  The big boys did awesome with almost zero complaining from Rylan (and we didn't have to carry him at all).  We are super excited to have such a great new park so close to the house and are excited to try the other hiking trails soon!

Vanderbilt Basketball

Grayson attended his first college sporting event yesterday!  We went to the Vandy basketball game against South Carolina.  I got tickets off Stubhub last week.  Our seats were in the rafters again but the arena is so small, there really aren't bad seats.

The weather was so nice yesterday that we didn't mind the walk from the parking lot to the arena.

Our view ...

Grayson took a nap for about half of the first half.

And then was up the rest of the game.

Vandy started off quick but then slowed down and trailed for most of the low scoring game.  But they rallied at the end of the game and had a great comeback.  It got pretty exciting (which Grayson wasn't loving - it got really loud).  The big boys were really into the game for awhile and still did great after they got over the initial excitement.

Grayson Update

Grayson is already 3 months old.  And he's awesome :)

The biggest difference between him and the other boys is that he sleeps so well at night.  For the last several nights, he's slept through the night until sometime between 4:30 and 6 am.  He's been falling asleep in his bouncer after we put the older boys to bed and then we just move the bouncer with him in it upstairs when we go to bed.  I'm sure we're still going to have plenty of nights when he wakes up to eat but when that happens, he's still falling asleep while eating and staying asleep with I move him to the bouncer or to our bed.  I promise I'll put him in the crib soon :)

Grayson's still a great eater but he doesn't seem to be getting as big as fast as he was before.  Basically he's not as crazy huge as Rylan was :)  He's still spitting up and spitting up and spitting up.  But we're all getting used to it.  I don't even notice all the splotchy stains all over my clothes anymore :)

Grayson has the SWEETEST smile.

He makes up for all his fussiness when he looks at you like this!

Grayson is less fussy but still pretty demanding.  He has good days when I can get stuff done around the house, but there are a lot of days he just fusses.  He's usually great when we are out and about though.

Grayson doesn't like a paci and I've stopped even trying to give him one.  He does like to chew and suck on his hands though.

Grayson does not cuddle at all.  He's just too active.  His arms and legs are always going when he's on his playmat or in his bouncer.  He's only still when he's sleeping.  He reminds us a lot of Carter.

We love this little guy and can't imagine not having added him to our family!

3 Months Old

Happy 1/4 Birthday Grayson :)

Chatty

Grayson is starting to make a lot more sounds - he can be quite noisy sometimes!

2 pts = $2

Carter had another basketball game yesterday.  His team played the 6U commissioner's team, and we knew they were really good.  We gave Carter a little warning that it was going to be a tougher game than the week before.  Carter then asked if he could get a dollar for every point he scored (apparently a lot of his teammates have deals with their parents).  I honestly didn't think Carter was even going to have a chance to get a shot off so I agreed.

Carter has gotten so much more confident after last week's game.  He actually wanted to bring the ball up the court and instead of trying to pass the ball right away, he'd turn his back to the kid guarding him to protect the ball and continue dribbling.

Carter got close enough to the goal to take a shot in the first quarter and got fouled.  Unfortunately he didn't make either free throw.  But then he took another shot in the second quarter and it went it!  Those were the first two points for our team of the game and I owed Carter $2.

Carter didn't score anymore during the game but he got a couple rebounds and was trying to take the ball away on defense.  He even got called for two fouls!

Carter seems to be having so much more fun now that he has a little confidence.  It's a lot of fun to watch him!

Star Wars

Over the Thanksgiving break, Brian introduced the boys to Star Wars.  They watched Episodes IV, V, and VI.  And they LOVED them.  I tried to watch them too but I usually would be nursing Grayson and we'd both pass out :)

For Christmas the boys got a playset of characters from each movie.  The boys have since watched the movies a couple more times and now they like to act out the entire movie while it's on with their characters.  They are just as entertaining as the actual movie!