In lieu of holiday cards by snail mail this year, I've decided to go digital. Quick notes on our year:
Shane- Our baby turned seven this November! He continues to be the major athlete, loving soccer and baseball and trying roller hockey with his big brother this winter. He also started piano lessons this fall and played his first recital. He adores his first grade teacher and continues to be a sweet and loving boy. The kid is obsessed with all things Lego, Pokemon and video games.
Bobby- Bobby has been a busy eight year old! He has played roller hockey all year and has improved on his skills tremendously. This is his second year of playing piano and he has been doing awesome! He wants to move on to guitar next. Bobby is doing great in third grade, loves Lego building, collecting Pokemon cards and playing with his friends.
Kelly- With this fickle economy, I had to say goodbye to my writing gigs for a few publications in print and online. I stayed busy with the boys and by joining the school PTA board and working as a crossing guard and yard duty this fall. I also started piano lessons with the boys! I'm hoping the writing picks up in 2012, but meanwhile you'll find me keeping the kids safe in the school crosswalk and playing soccer/baseball/hockey mom!
Robbie- Robbie continues to manage two garbage company shops in the East Bay. He works long hours but enjoys the challenge. He has also done quite a bit of work on our house, installing new floors and doors and lots of painting.
We want to wish all of our family and friends a peaceful holiday season and a wonderful new year. And for a final laugh, the boys wanted to send you all this holiday video:
http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/9bTQZWgLNYeQvJSn9Nji
Happy Holidays!
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Monday, February 28, 2011
Further Impressions on "The Race to Nowhere"
I wrote about the documentary by local film-maker Vicki Abeles in the March issue of Bay Area Kids. The honest and eye-opening interviews with parents, teachers, education advocates and the film-maker herself were so rich, I couldn’t possibly include all the information in my article.
One subject I didn’t have the space to dive into is the tragic suicide of Bay Area thirteen year old Devon Marvin in 2008.Her mother Jane made the brave choice to share her experience in the final cut of the documentary..
Devon killed herself over a bad math grade. This tragic act demonstrates the immense pressure our students face. Devon’s mother attended a screening of a rough cut of the film. After witnessing the audience’s response to the message, she offered to be interviewed in the hopes of informing other families struggling against our culture’s pressure toward high achievement.
The footage of her vibrant daughter is heartbreaking. Of her interview, Vicki says “I’m grateful she had the courage and trust to share her story. She reinforces the message about the importance of talking to our kids, stop pressuring them to have good grades.”
Marvin shares her daughter’s story to show what happens when things go to far, how life can fall apart in an instant.
“We want parents to be aware of this type of silent suffering. Suicide is a complicated issue, it’s hard to point to one cause as a culture. We need to examine the unhealthy environment and how it contributes to mental health,” Abeles says.
Pleasanton teacher Lennis Sadler, who also has three children, adds to this sentiment.
When I asked her if she questions any of the movie’s claims about education in America, she said:
“Not for a moment. I am living it. My friends are living it. The messages that really made an impact were:
Students doing everything possible to get an A, and forgetting subject matter the minute the test was over.
Students staying up really late to finish projects.
Students learning how to cheat.
Students taking drugs to stay up.
Students being expected to have above 4.0 GPA if they want to get into a good college.
Suicide.”
She continued:
“I think we are obsessed with competing in a global market. ...All we are doing is robbing them of their freedom, their childhood, and making them into stressed out young people who feel they have to do whatever is necessary to be successful.”
What happened to instilling the love for learning, just to absorb the world around us? Opening children up to possibility, creativity and open ideas?
Kerry Dickinson, a Danville mom and homework advocate, says schools should be teaching children how to be ‘world citizens’.
What can we do to protect our children from the pressure and this society of high expectations?
Abeles said all the little changes add up. Lennis Sadler reducing her homework in her second grade classroom is one of them. Kerry Dickinson scheduling an appointment with a school administrator to question the normal standards of homework in her district is another. Jane Marvin opening a door into her grief in order to help others is another.
Take a stand in your home, your classroom, your community.
“It was not until college, when I chose my own career, that I took ownership of my future, and that I started learning for myself, not others,” Sadler says. “That message has been lost. We are forcing students to try to achieve so high so early that we are burning them out before they even get to college.”
Vicki Abeles says it’s so important for parents to jump off that treadmill of what is expected, to question everything. No one else will advocate for your children’s rights but you.
If you are reading this now, you may want that change. Go to a screening of the movie. Share it’s message with other parents and with your child’s teacher. Talk to your child about school and learn to back off when it’s clear she is overwhelmed. After watching the film and talking to other parents and to Abeles, I want more than ever to protect my children from those high expectations and pressure to be perfect. I want them to love learning and school, but I don't want them buried under piles of worksheets after logging in six hours at school. I want them to stay children for as long as they can.
To learn more, visit www.endtheracetonowhere.com.
One subject I didn’t have the space to dive into is the tragic suicide of Bay Area thirteen year old Devon Marvin in 2008.Her mother Jane made the brave choice to share her experience in the final cut of the documentary..
Devon killed herself over a bad math grade. This tragic act demonstrates the immense pressure our students face. Devon’s mother attended a screening of a rough cut of the film. After witnessing the audience’s response to the message, she offered to be interviewed in the hopes of informing other families struggling against our culture’s pressure toward high achievement.
The footage of her vibrant daughter is heartbreaking. Of her interview, Vicki says “I’m grateful she had the courage and trust to share her story. She reinforces the message about the importance of talking to our kids, stop pressuring them to have good grades.”
Marvin shares her daughter’s story to show what happens when things go to far, how life can fall apart in an instant.
“We want parents to be aware of this type of silent suffering. Suicide is a complicated issue, it’s hard to point to one cause as a culture. We need to examine the unhealthy environment and how it contributes to mental health,” Abeles says.
Pleasanton teacher Lennis Sadler, who also has three children, adds to this sentiment.
When I asked her if she questions any of the movie’s claims about education in America, she said:
“Not for a moment. I am living it. My friends are living it. The messages that really made an impact were:
Students doing everything possible to get an A, and forgetting subject matter the minute the test was over.
Students staying up really late to finish projects.
Students learning how to cheat.
Students taking drugs to stay up.
Students being expected to have above 4.0 GPA if they want to get into a good college.
Suicide.”
She continued:
“I think we are obsessed with competing in a global market. ...All we are doing is robbing them of their freedom, their childhood, and making them into stressed out young people who feel they have to do whatever is necessary to be successful.”
What happened to instilling the love for learning, just to absorb the world around us? Opening children up to possibility, creativity and open ideas?
Kerry Dickinson, a Danville mom and homework advocate, says schools should be teaching children how to be ‘world citizens’.
What can we do to protect our children from the pressure and this society of high expectations?
Abeles said all the little changes add up. Lennis Sadler reducing her homework in her second grade classroom is one of them. Kerry Dickinson scheduling an appointment with a school administrator to question the normal standards of homework in her district is another. Jane Marvin opening a door into her grief in order to help others is another.
Take a stand in your home, your classroom, your community.
“It was not until college, when I chose my own career, that I took ownership of my future, and that I started learning for myself, not others,” Sadler says. “That message has been lost. We are forcing students to try to achieve so high so early that we are burning them out before they even get to college.”
Vicki Abeles says it’s so important for parents to jump off that treadmill of what is expected, to question everything. No one else will advocate for your children’s rights but you.
If you are reading this now, you may want that change. Go to a screening of the movie. Share it’s message with other parents and with your child’s teacher. Talk to your child about school and learn to back off when it’s clear she is overwhelmed. After watching the film and talking to other parents and to Abeles, I want more than ever to protect my children from those high expectations and pressure to be perfect. I want them to love learning and school, but I don't want them buried under piles of worksheets after logging in six hours at school. I want them to stay children for as long as they can.
To learn more, visit www.endtheracetonowhere.com.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
My Goof Off Son....A Leader???
I'm blown away by this one. But then again, not really.
I just published a column about how my 7yr old son has been going through this painful (to me) phase of outrageous goofiness. I'm talking goofy expressions paired with silly, high pitched voices and weird, galloping walks around the house. He's like a zoo animal.
Except, apparently, at school.
This is the kid that has spent his last few years in school losing recess time on several occasions and one memorable trip to the principal's office for his behavior, mostly stemming from his clownish nature.
Second grade has him turning over a new leaf. His teacher has come up to me a few times, complimenting Bobby on his focus and his natural tendency for academics. She pulled me aside yesterday at the playground with yet another rave. She called him the "L" word. I had to peel my jaw off the pavement it had dropped so far.
He's a natural born leader, she says. My son, my crazy son, with a rap sheet that includes mooning his preschool class during circle time and making raunchy armpit noises and calling his classmate a nimrod in the first grade.
My son is a LEADER and an ACADEMIC. I'm in shock still....
I just published a column about how my 7yr old son has been going through this painful (to me) phase of outrageous goofiness. I'm talking goofy expressions paired with silly, high pitched voices and weird, galloping walks around the house. He's like a zoo animal.
Except, apparently, at school.
This is the kid that has spent his last few years in school losing recess time on several occasions and one memorable trip to the principal's office for his behavior, mostly stemming from his clownish nature.
Second grade has him turning over a new leaf. His teacher has come up to me a few times, complimenting Bobby on his focus and his natural tendency for academics. She pulled me aside yesterday at the playground with yet another rave. She called him the "L" word. I had to peel my jaw off the pavement it had dropped so far.
He's a natural born leader, she says. My son, my crazy son, with a rap sheet that includes mooning his preschool class during circle time and making raunchy armpit noises and calling his classmate a nimrod in the first grade.
My son is a LEADER and an ACADEMIC. I'm in shock still....
Monday, October 11, 2010
A New Start, New Determination
This is my vow right now to start blogging again about life in the trenches with my crazy little men. With one in kindergarten, the other in second grade, this promises to be another season of fun, mishaps and tons of love. I hope you'll follow along!
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Competition and Homework?
Bobby and Shane both have a serious competitive streak. Life is a game to them and they are determined to win it! Usually this levels to a mild annoyance in my everyday life when seeming insignificant things take on massive dramas. And then, those competitive tendencies will shock me.
Take Monday, as an example. Bobby brought home his homework packet for the week. Instead of grudgingly taking out his homework at the normal time, he initiated school work on his own.
Strange.
He worked through two worksheets, the minimum allowed before I'll excuse him to play. Then he breezed through another two worksheets.
Very strange.
I told him he could stop. He just shook his head. Apparently, one of his buddies in class mentioned last week that he had finished his entire homework packet long before the last minute scramble to get everything done.
Aha! The motivating factor: he wanted to beat his friend at homework. I think I'm liking this!
Take Monday, as an example. Bobby brought home his homework packet for the week. Instead of grudgingly taking out his homework at the normal time, he initiated school work on his own.
Strange.
He worked through two worksheets, the minimum allowed before I'll excuse him to play. Then he breezed through another two worksheets.
Very strange.
I told him he could stop. He just shook his head. Apparently, one of his buddies in class mentioned last week that he had finished his entire homework packet long before the last minute scramble to get everything done.
Aha! The motivating factor: he wanted to beat his friend at homework. I think I'm liking this!
Wednesday, January 06, 2010
Cheers to a New Decade!
Here I am, stumbling out of the haze of Christmas madness and New Year's party mode. And I can't believe I'm starting a new decade in my lifetime with two healthy boys and a husband in tow. Who would have thought? While the 2000's (is that what we call them?) were dominated by my Cinderella wedding, two births stacked very close together and years of fumbling with diapers, potty training and sleepless nights, I can say that 2010 feels like the freshest start I've ever had.
Shane will start elementary school in August. My freelance career is slowly blooming and can only grow as the boys log more hours at school and me at my cluttered computer desk. No longer can I blame colicky babies and midnight feedings for my lack of pitching articles. Surely I can come up with other excuses: sports commitments, sick kids and saying yes too often to working in the classroom. But I'm determined to start this decade with a kick.
I cringe even thinking of this: at the end of this decade, my boys will be teenagers. So where will I fit in all of this morphing as they grow into adults and move toward independence away from me. So much of the last decade was defined by me meeting every need. How much longer will i get away with checking off that handy box of caregiver on those summons for jury duty?
I'm not sure what shape our lives will take on over the next ten years, but I'm thrilled to jump on the ride and I can't wait to post updates here...hopefully more regularly than I have been lately. My excuses are running out!
So I hope everyone enters this new decade with inner peace, health and enthusiasm of what is to come. I know my family will!
Shane will start elementary school in August. My freelance career is slowly blooming and can only grow as the boys log more hours at school and me at my cluttered computer desk. No longer can I blame colicky babies and midnight feedings for my lack of pitching articles. Surely I can come up with other excuses: sports commitments, sick kids and saying yes too often to working in the classroom. But I'm determined to start this decade with a kick.
I cringe even thinking of this: at the end of this decade, my boys will be teenagers. So where will I fit in all of this morphing as they grow into adults and move toward independence away from me. So much of the last decade was defined by me meeting every need. How much longer will i get away with checking off that handy box of caregiver on those summons for jury duty?
I'm not sure what shape our lives will take on over the next ten years, but I'm thrilled to jump on the ride and I can't wait to post updates here...hopefully more regularly than I have been lately. My excuses are running out!
So I hope everyone enters this new decade with inner peace, health and enthusiasm of what is to come. I know my family will!
Monday, December 07, 2009
Where has the time gone?
I can't believe I haven't posted since October. Since then, I've managed to survive Shane's birthday party (a success), hosting Thanksgiving and putting up the Christmas decorations. The boys are thriving in school and are finally into the new routine and I'm even thinking of adding an extra half day of school to Shane's schedule. What we are looking forward to this month:
*My dad visiting from South Carolina and an early Christmas celebration with him.
*Christmas break from school! Ok, more like the boys are looking forward to this and I'm wondering what I can plan to keep the fighting to a minimum. Baseball camp perhaps?
*Another year of both the boys fully believing in the magic of Santa. How many more years can I get away with the "Santa is watching" bribery?
*Celebrating the season with my awesome family and friends.
*My dad visiting from South Carolina and an early Christmas celebration with him.
*Christmas break from school! Ok, more like the boys are looking forward to this and I'm wondering what I can plan to keep the fighting to a minimum. Baseball camp perhaps?
*Another year of both the boys fully believing in the magic of Santa. How many more years can I get away with the "Santa is watching" bribery?
*Celebrating the season with my awesome family and friends.
Friday, October 16, 2009
My Soccer Fanatic
Ever since Shane joined our family, he's existed in his older brother's shadow. It was never intentional. Bobby just has one of those outgoing, hard-to-ignore personalities. What can I say? Older brother provides pages of writing material.
Midway through soccer season, the sibling dynamic has changed. Both boys started soccer this year, though Bobby could have played for the last two years. And while Bobby still lacks that aggression to steal the ball away from the other team, Shane has been a soccer dynamo since day one.
The kid averages three goals a game.
He dribbles with both feet.
He insists on wearing his soccer cleats and shin guards to all of Bobby's practices as well...and actually scrimmages with the older boys, holding his own.
Shane falls apart when the fields are closed due to rain. Stomps the ground if the soccer ball sails wide of the goal. He would play day and night if he could.
And I'm thrilled my little guy has found something that he excels at, that he even outshines his brother at. As my mom said at the beginning of the season, "Shane needs this."
I couldn't have put it better myself.
Monday, August 24, 2009
First Day Anxiety
Bobby started first grade this morning. How come I have been the one so anxious, anyway? I've had anxiety dreams for over a week. Me forgetting to pack his lunch. Me forgetting he was in school and not picking him up, having the poor kid wait in the office for hours as the secretary tried to track me down. Then last night, me taking the wrong kid to school and realizing at lunch time that Bobby was supposed to start.
Bobby was brave and had no such cases of the jitters. He marched right into class without looking back, a repeat performance of him starting kindergarten last year. He has several good friends in the class, which doesn't hurt.
Another repeat performance: Shane once again stealing the spotlight on his big brother's first day. A huge tantrum while I tried to get everyone dressed and fed this morning. Another meltdown as the parents walked their kids into the classroom and hovered around the desks like vultures to listen to the teacher explain the routine for the day. Did I hear anything? Not really. I was too busy trying to shush Shane while he whined that there were no cars in the classroom like last year. Ya, this isn't kindergarten anymore dude. First grade is serious business.
My anxiety has yet to go down. Will Bobby behave in the cafeteria? Will he listen to the teacher? Did I do enough work with him over the summer so he won't be totally lost in class. I don't know. And I have all day to worry about it....
Shane in his first tantrum of the morning...
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Dodging Warrants from the Mommy Police
Summer is still going strong, but apparently, my discipline skills and household routine has all but deteriorated. I've been breaking rules left and right, some that I realize are okay to let slide over the lazy days of summer. Others I rules I never thought I'd break. Combined, I'm feeling a bit like a mommy outlaw....
*Firm 8pm bedtime is a haunting memory. Now it's giving in to allow just one more movie, in hopes they fall asleep to the hum of the television (another broken rule!) Bobby had to be forced into bed after 10pm last night and I actually felt guilty about it. Wow. Just last year I had them bathed and read to by 7:30 with lights out after.
*House filled with sugary cereals. Ack! I never thought I'd be the mom to buy Cocoa Puffs and Fruity Pebbles for an actual breakfast option.
*I failed to convince Bobby to sign up for the Library Reading Game, the one thing his kindergarten teacher advised us parents to do to keep the kids up to speed on their school skills.
*I just recently busted out the workbooks I optimistically stocked in early June with hopes of working every morning with the boys on their letters and numbers.
*I have not made one batch of play dough, slimy goop, fingerpaint or homemade cookies.
*I constantly nag the boys to clean their rooms, yet my own room is total disaster. And the nagging is really only getting toys shoved from one end of the room to the other, so it is futile.
There is more, oh so much more, that I someone could report to the mommy police. We haven't made it over to the cool swim center downtown this whole summer. Video games are taking over my front room. No regular bike rides or trips to the beach. Have barely taken advantage of the East Bay Regional Parks pass I was so gung ho about a few months ago.
But I'm letting myself off the hook, I suppose. I still have a month to whip things back into shape over here. I'm sensing a trip to the library is in store today. Or maybe I'll just set a good example and clean up my own room!
*Firm 8pm bedtime is a haunting memory. Now it's giving in to allow just one more movie, in hopes they fall asleep to the hum of the television (another broken rule!) Bobby had to be forced into bed after 10pm last night and I actually felt guilty about it. Wow. Just last year I had them bathed and read to by 7:30 with lights out after.
*House filled with sugary cereals. Ack! I never thought I'd be the mom to buy Cocoa Puffs and Fruity Pebbles for an actual breakfast option.
*I failed to convince Bobby to sign up for the Library Reading Game, the one thing his kindergarten teacher advised us parents to do to keep the kids up to speed on their school skills.
*I just recently busted out the workbooks I optimistically stocked in early June with hopes of working every morning with the boys on their letters and numbers.
*I have not made one batch of play dough, slimy goop, fingerpaint or homemade cookies.
*I constantly nag the boys to clean their rooms, yet my own room is total disaster. And the nagging is really only getting toys shoved from one end of the room to the other, so it is futile.
There is more, oh so much more, that I someone could report to the mommy police. We haven't made it over to the cool swim center downtown this whole summer. Video games are taking over my front room. No regular bike rides or trips to the beach. Have barely taken advantage of the East Bay Regional Parks pass I was so gung ho about a few months ago.
But I'm letting myself off the hook, I suppose. I still have a month to whip things back into shape over here. I'm sensing a trip to the library is in store today. Or maybe I'll just set a good example and clean up my own room!
Thursday, July 16, 2009
San Diego Road Trip: The Awful and the Awesome
"This isn't awful, guys, this is totally awesome!" ~ Bobby, age 6, said right before a historic, Shane tantrum at the San Diego Railroad Museum in Balboa Park.
San Diego Animal Park, Day 3
How would the Pollard Family's first official vacation go down? During all the planning, I honestly didn't give a thought to the reality--being, the boys' unpredictable behavior. I was more concerned with lining up tickets and hotels and building itineraries. But this is what happens during a seven hour road trip and five nights, six days away from the comforts of home.....
* Legoland, Day 2, totally awesome. Highlights were the Technic roller coaster that scared the pants off Shane and gave the rest of us a thrill, the intricate Lego buildings in Miniland USA, the water rides and the apple fries in the Knight area.
*San Diego Wild Animal Park, Day 3, totally awesome. Because of so much advise from San Diego locals and frequent travellers, we hit the park on a whim before heading down to La Jolla for our third night. I'm always one to get slightly depressed at zoos, peering at wild animals in cages who always seem to be generally pissed off. Ya, I know that zoos do important work of preserving species, but the Animal Park was way cool. It's basically a breeding ground for endangered species, that they can ship around the world and to the San Diego Zoo. My only regret was that we didn't splurge extra for the jeep ride to get even closer to the animals roaming around.
*Minivan meltdowns, Day 1-6, totally awful. Why is it that two boys can't keep their hands and feet to themselves? Punching each other, stealing toys, throwing toys, kicking the back of Dad's seat (not a good idea!) and generally ignoring the box of DVDs and the Nintendo DS. No, it's much more fun to make obnoxious farting noises on your arm for an hour nonstop. Duh.
*Seaworld, Day 4, somewhat awful. Although Dad and Bobby hit the massive water rollercoaster while I stayed back with Shane who was still damaged from his ride experience at Legoland, the rest of the park was a bust for us. We arrived and barely missed the afternoon Shamu show (what I wanted most to check out) and had all intentions of hitting the 5pm show on our way out. Every single exhibit has a gift shop that you must walk through to get back to the exit. Tantrums, trauma, oh my! Let's just say we missed out on Shamu.
*La Jolla, Day 3 and 4, total mixed bag. Smack in the middle of the trip was when Team Pollard started to become unhinged. Luckily we scored an amazing room at Hotel Parisi right in the village. Not so good, the boys were too unruly to take down for dinner. Hello takeout. Good--our hotel was walking trip to La Jolla Cove and Children's Beach with the softest sand I've ever touched. Not so good, the boys were even more unruly and we were whisking them off to Seaworld. Should have just stayed in La Jolla for the day, my bad!
*Gaslamp Quarter, Day 4-6, mixed bag again. The cleanest and coolest downtown I've been to in awhile. We stayed at the historic Keating which was close to all the main attractions. We hit Hard Rock Cafe (barely---Shane and Dad almost had to stay in the room due to another meltdown). As the boys slept right after in our room, my husband and I stared longingly at all the adults walking the streets and stepping in and out of hip bars with live music. Next time, we'll check it out without the kids!
*San Diego Zoo/Balboa Park, Day 5, meltdown day. There were highlights for sure: who can not be amazed by the adorable pandas? The skytram in the zoo was also fun. We hit the Natural History Museum, Railroad Museum, the train and carousel, but it was an all day event of the boys trading off whining sessions or games of hide and seek (from us, not good!).
I own up to some of the drama. Maybe if we would have skipped Sea World and allowed more down time, the boys wouldn't have driven us so completely insane. But I think it was also a case of bad timing...Bobby and Shane simply have not been listening to us lately, making outings like this tough. After coming home Sunday, the tired parents agreed that we needed a vacation from the boys just to recover. On the plus side, we were able to reconnect with some extended family in the area and also just spend time together as a family.
Ah, but it is so great to be home!!!
San Diego Animal Park, Day 3How would the Pollard Family's first official vacation go down? During all the planning, I honestly didn't give a thought to the reality--being, the boys' unpredictable behavior. I was more concerned with lining up tickets and hotels and building itineraries. But this is what happens during a seven hour road trip and five nights, six days away from the comforts of home.....
* Legoland, Day 2, totally awesome. Highlights were the Technic roller coaster that scared the pants off Shane and gave the rest of us a thrill, the intricate Lego buildings in Miniland USA, the water rides and the apple fries in the Knight area.
*San Diego Wild Animal Park, Day 3, totally awesome. Because of so much advise from San Diego locals and frequent travellers, we hit the park on a whim before heading down to La Jolla for our third night. I'm always one to get slightly depressed at zoos, peering at wild animals in cages who always seem to be generally pissed off. Ya, I know that zoos do important work of preserving species, but the Animal Park was way cool. It's basically a breeding ground for endangered species, that they can ship around the world and to the San Diego Zoo. My only regret was that we didn't splurge extra for the jeep ride to get even closer to the animals roaming around.
*Minivan meltdowns, Day 1-6, totally awful. Why is it that two boys can't keep their hands and feet to themselves? Punching each other, stealing toys, throwing toys, kicking the back of Dad's seat (not a good idea!) and generally ignoring the box of DVDs and the Nintendo DS. No, it's much more fun to make obnoxious farting noises on your arm for an hour nonstop. Duh.
*Seaworld, Day 4, somewhat awful. Although Dad and Bobby hit the massive water rollercoaster while I stayed back with Shane who was still damaged from his ride experience at Legoland, the rest of the park was a bust for us. We arrived and barely missed the afternoon Shamu show (what I wanted most to check out) and had all intentions of hitting the 5pm show on our way out. Every single exhibit has a gift shop that you must walk through to get back to the exit. Tantrums, trauma, oh my! Let's just say we missed out on Shamu.
*La Jolla, Day 3 and 4, total mixed bag. Smack in the middle of the trip was when Team Pollard started to become unhinged. Luckily we scored an amazing room at Hotel Parisi right in the village. Not so good, the boys were too unruly to take down for dinner. Hello takeout. Good--our hotel was walking trip to La Jolla Cove and Children's Beach with the softest sand I've ever touched. Not so good, the boys were even more unruly and we were whisking them off to Seaworld. Should have just stayed in La Jolla for the day, my bad!
*Gaslamp Quarter, Day 4-6, mixed bag again. The cleanest and coolest downtown I've been to in awhile. We stayed at the historic Keating which was close to all the main attractions. We hit Hard Rock Cafe (barely---Shane and Dad almost had to stay in the room due to another meltdown). As the boys slept right after in our room, my husband and I stared longingly at all the adults walking the streets and stepping in and out of hip bars with live music. Next time, we'll check it out without the kids!
*San Diego Zoo/Balboa Park, Day 5, meltdown day. There were highlights for sure: who can not be amazed by the adorable pandas? The skytram in the zoo was also fun. We hit the Natural History Museum, Railroad Museum, the train and carousel, but it was an all day event of the boys trading off whining sessions or games of hide and seek (from us, not good!).
I own up to some of the drama. Maybe if we would have skipped Sea World and allowed more down time, the boys wouldn't have driven us so completely insane. But I think it was also a case of bad timing...Bobby and Shane simply have not been listening to us lately, making outings like this tough. After coming home Sunday, the tired parents agreed that we needed a vacation from the boys just to recover. On the plus side, we were able to reconnect with some extended family in the area and also just spend time together as a family.
Ah, but it is so great to be home!!!
Monday, June 15, 2009
Welcome to Camp Pollard
I can't believe I haven't posted in over a month. May is always hectic for us, and this year especially, when I turned the big 3-0. I celebrated all month with my wonderful family and friends and honestly feel like the luckiest girl alive, though I wasn't so lucky on our Tahoe trip...
The boys are officially on summer break so this will be my space to brag, vent, laugh and sigh at the crazy things we are up to this summer. Will I survive two+ months with the dynamic duo underfoot? Let's just see how creative I can be in keeping them entertained without leaning too much on television, video games and McDonalds bribery.
On tap:
--both boys have FREE bowling all summer long at the bowling alley in town. They figured out today on our first trip that real bowling is very different from bowling on the Wii.
--tour of the East Bay Regional Parks. I splurged on a parking pass so intend to get my money's worth. Although there will be plenty of trips to Del Valle and Shadow Cliffs, I'm determined to hit as many parks in the area as possible. If only the weather would cooperate!
--July trip to San Diego. This is our first family vacation that lasts longer than a weekend. I am stoked to soak some rays at the awesome beaches, hit the touristy spots like Legoland and the zoo, and catching up with family that lives down there.
--library reading game. Free events all summer. Need I say more.
The boys are officially on summer break so this will be my space to brag, vent, laugh and sigh at the crazy things we are up to this summer. Will I survive two+ months with the dynamic duo underfoot? Let's just see how creative I can be in keeping them entertained without leaning too much on television, video games and McDonalds bribery.
On tap:
--both boys have FREE bowling all summer long at the bowling alley in town. They figured out today on our first trip that real bowling is very different from bowling on the Wii.
--tour of the East Bay Regional Parks. I splurged on a parking pass so intend to get my money's worth. Although there will be plenty of trips to Del Valle and Shadow Cliffs, I'm determined to hit as many parks in the area as possible. If only the weather would cooperate!
--July trip to San Diego. This is our first family vacation that lasts longer than a weekend. I am stoked to soak some rays at the awesome beaches, hit the touristy spots like Legoland and the zoo, and catching up with family that lives down there.
--library reading game. Free events all summer. Need I say more.
Saturday, May 02, 2009
Signs Your Son Is Growing Up
Bobby's sixth birthday has come and gone. It seems like I blink and he grows at rapid pace. Examples are:
*Declaring that he is too old for baths now. He wants to shower every morning like Daddy
*Losing his two front teeth in the space of a month
*Reading his kindergarten sight word books with more fluency
*Selling his train table and Thomas the Train sets at our garage sale to spend the earnings on video games, Legos and action figures.
*Ditching the yellow blankie he's slept with since he was a newborn, saying that I need it more than he does. (At this point, I think he's right!)
This big guy continues to amaze me with the phrases he picks up at school, questions he asks me and projects he conjures up. Hard to believe this kid is the same one that refused to gain weight as a baby.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Bloody Noses
I am endlessly blessed with two healthy, strong, often stubborn sons. Sure, we have issue around bad boy behavior and general terrorizing, but physically, the boys are perfection. Except for this lovely trait they both seem to have inherited from their father: recurring nose bleeds. They started when the boys were toddlers and the bleeds flair up during the height of allergy season and in the dry heat of summer. So, yes, like right now when the winds stir up the pollen and the jumping and dropping temperatures tweak all of our bodies.
Last week, Bobby had nine nosebleeds in a five day period. Yes, nine bleeds. This included one every night without fail at bedtime, a couple on the playground and some in the morning. Ironically I had just spoken with the boys' pediatrician about Shane's recurring nosebleeds at his well-check, so I was reminded of the best way to stop the bleeds, when to be concerned, etc. By Friday, I was pretty concerned and took Bobby in. This doctor blamed it on allergies and a scab in his nostril that refused to heal and prescribed a whole arsenal of remedies I'd never thought of: swiping Vaseline in his nostrils several times a day, saline spray two times a day, allergy meds if they seem to help and the big guns: qtips saturated in silver nitrate to stop the bad bleeds.
So far, so good. She also ordered a blood test, just to rule out any clotting disorder. But I believe his clotting is just fine, as evidence to how quickly we can usually stop the bleeding. He hasn't had a bloody nose since that doctor visit on Friday.
Shane, however, seems to have taken the bloody baton and has had two bloody noses: one in the middle of the night, another this morning. Never a dull moment with these guys. Now if I can only remember to keep my car and purse stocked with baby wipes and tissue!
Last week, Bobby had nine nosebleeds in a five day period. Yes, nine bleeds. This included one every night without fail at bedtime, a couple on the playground and some in the morning. Ironically I had just spoken with the boys' pediatrician about Shane's recurring nosebleeds at his well-check, so I was reminded of the best way to stop the bleeds, when to be concerned, etc. By Friday, I was pretty concerned and took Bobby in. This doctor blamed it on allergies and a scab in his nostril that refused to heal and prescribed a whole arsenal of remedies I'd never thought of: swiping Vaseline in his nostrils several times a day, saline spray two times a day, allergy meds if they seem to help and the big guns: qtips saturated in silver nitrate to stop the bad bleeds.
So far, so good. She also ordered a blood test, just to rule out any clotting disorder. But I believe his clotting is just fine, as evidence to how quickly we can usually stop the bleeding. He hasn't had a bloody nose since that doctor visit on Friday.
Shane, however, seems to have taken the bloody baton and has had two bloody noses: one in the middle of the night, another this morning. Never a dull moment with these guys. Now if I can only remember to keep my car and purse stocked with baby wipes and tissue!
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Summer on the Horizon
This sweltering weather is yet another reminder that summer is racing towards us and both boys will be out of school for almost three months. Yikes! Last year when I had more writing assignments lined up, I kept Bobby and Shane in preschool through the summer. Then I felt vaguely irritated when we had vacation plans and I still had to pay for the school days they missed. But it was sure nice to have those three mornings a week to write and take care of business without the wild guys harassing me.
This year, summer school is not an option. So now I'm burying my nose in the rec departments summer programs to fill up the calendar with sports, science and any other camps that will keep them stimulated and active. Yet, how do I decide? The boys are not much help. When asked, they say yes to nearly everything. It's up to me to narrow the field and decide just how scheduled our summer will be, and just how much we can afford with what we're saving in preschool costs.
At the same time, it's kinda fun crafting how our summer will play out. The weeks I leave free are for us to roam around the Bay Area and beyond, to take advantage of the beaches, museums and zoos. And the boys are finally at the age where I'm not terrified of taking them to the zoo by myself. I can't believe how much they are growing up!
This year, summer school is not an option. So now I'm burying my nose in the rec departments summer programs to fill up the calendar with sports, science and any other camps that will keep them stimulated and active. Yet, how do I decide? The boys are not much help. When asked, they say yes to nearly everything. It's up to me to narrow the field and decide just how scheduled our summer will be, and just how much we can afford with what we're saving in preschool costs.
At the same time, it's kinda fun crafting how our summer will play out. The weeks I leave free are for us to roam around the Bay Area and beyond, to take advantage of the beaches, museums and zoos. And the boys are finally at the age where I'm not terrified of taking them to the zoo by myself. I can't believe how much they are growing up!
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Bobby's Tooth
He lost the tooth in appropriate, boy fashion: a pillow fight with his older cousin. Other front tooth is loose, so he'll only get goofier!
Monday, April 13, 2009
Easter Traditions
Anyone who knows me personally may know that the Pollards do not belong to what is called a typical family. We don't go to church on Easter morning and it's been years since we've cooked a formal Easter dinner.No, the last few years have been all about family softball games on Easter Sunday. So we gather with my quirky, extended family at the sports park for bbq hot dogs, cold beers, an egg hunt for the youngsters, and a highly comical softball game played by the adults.
This year was picture perfect (see right) when a relative brought her bunny, named Turtle, to hippity-hop in the shaded grass. Bobby, who has been bugging me for a pet bunny, happily spent the afternoon chasing Turtle around the park. The adults managed to survive a fun game of softball with no major injuries--last year one suffered two black eyes and a near-broken nose--so all is well.
After regrouping at my house, we called five different pizza places to order our Easter dinner. All in all, a perfect holiday for our bunch!
Monday, April 06, 2009
Boy Updates
I've been seriously blocked when it comes to blogging lately, which is a shame, since the boys have been very busy. Here's the latest news:
Shane is officially riding a two-wheeler! My timid, cautious Mama's boy sucked up the fear and mastered the bike without training wheels one Sunday evening a couple weeks ago. I'm so proud, and a little sad, because my baby is growing up. The downside--my camera hasn't been functioning, so no pictures.
Bobby was top in his class at his school's Mile Long Fun Run. I think I have a future track star on my hands. He beat out the top runners in all the kindergarten classes. Again, I am so proud and amazed by another big accomplishment for him. The downside--yeah, no camera for that event either.
I promise to come back to the blog more often and snap out of my writing funk.
Happy Spring!
Shane is officially riding a two-wheeler! My timid, cautious Mama's boy sucked up the fear and mastered the bike without training wheels one Sunday evening a couple weeks ago. I'm so proud, and a little sad, because my baby is growing up. The downside--my camera hasn't been functioning, so no pictures.
Bobby was top in his class at his school's Mile Long Fun Run. I think I have a future track star on my hands. He beat out the top runners in all the kindergarten classes. Again, I am so proud and amazed by another big accomplishment for him. The downside--yeah, no camera for that event either.
I promise to come back to the blog more often and snap out of my writing funk.
Happy Spring!
Monday, March 02, 2009
Bringing Playfulness Back to my Writing
Taking a cue from my boys, who literally played with homemade play dough all day yesterday while being shut in from the stormy weather, I decided my latest writing slump needed some attention. I've been way too serious lately with my writing. A string of freelance editing gigs on other people's projects filled my inbox. Endless revisions on my first YA manuscript (submitting to agents again, wish me luck!) started to feel mechanical as I continually scraped through pages for misplaced punctuation or too much wordiness. My confidence lurched then plunged after nearly hooking an agent with my book. The prospect of revising my second YA manuscript which is in the very messy first draft stage felt overwhelming. Then there were magazine deadlines approaching and all I wanted to do was hide under the covers.
Yet watching Bobby and Shane construct elaborate monster truck jumps out of a huge glob of play dough triggered something in my head. Play dough is fun, but it's also educational for young children. Where was my fun? Creativity is supposed to be playful and freeing, yet why was I leaning more toward the tortured artist role than playful child? Sure, all the left brain editing is important for churning out some polished prose or bringing in some extra income and each rejection (supposedly) brings a writer closer to finding a home for her baby, but why was it all becoming such a downer? Well duh, nobody likes to be rejected. And it's tough editing other people's work when you are itching to start your own, or in my case, when you'd rather curl up with a juicy (and perfectly edited) novel by someone else.
So this morning, seated at the kitchen table still littered with tiny green fragments of clay, I whipped out my notebook to face my latest project...an essay for my Suburban Queen column. Instead of the usual free writing I do to spark ideas, I revisited an old technique I used in my school days: clustering.
Come on, we've all done this as students. Take your main idea (mine was t-ball season), write it in the center of the page and circle it. Then free associate ideas into a network of bubbles surrounding the main idea. In the space of about ten minutes, I filled my page with tons of ideas. I remembered the chaos of lost baseball socks right before a game, snack duty for the team, the chill of early Saturday mornings on the bleachers as my baby raced around the bases. The first draft came naturally then and I know it'll only grow as it sits in the back of my mind before I shift back to that trusty left side of my brain for rewrites. You'll see the finished product in the April/May issue of Bay Area Kids Magazine, be sure and check it out!
Yet watching Bobby and Shane construct elaborate monster truck jumps out of a huge glob of play dough triggered something in my head. Play dough is fun, but it's also educational for young children. Where was my fun? Creativity is supposed to be playful and freeing, yet why was I leaning more toward the tortured artist role than playful child? Sure, all the left brain editing is important for churning out some polished prose or bringing in some extra income and each rejection (supposedly) brings a writer closer to finding a home for her baby, but why was it all becoming such a downer? Well duh, nobody likes to be rejected. And it's tough editing other people's work when you are itching to start your own, or in my case, when you'd rather curl up with a juicy (and perfectly edited) novel by someone else.
So this morning, seated at the kitchen table still littered with tiny green fragments of clay, I whipped out my notebook to face my latest project...an essay for my Suburban Queen column. Instead of the usual free writing I do to spark ideas, I revisited an old technique I used in my school days: clustering.
Come on, we've all done this as students. Take your main idea (mine was t-ball season), write it in the center of the page and circle it. Then free associate ideas into a network of bubbles surrounding the main idea. In the space of about ten minutes, I filled my page with tons of ideas. I remembered the chaos of lost baseball socks right before a game, snack duty for the team, the chill of early Saturday mornings on the bleachers as my baby raced around the bases. The first draft came naturally then and I know it'll only grow as it sits in the back of my mind before I shift back to that trusty left side of my brain for rewrites. You'll see the finished product in the April/May issue of Bay Area Kids Magazine, be sure and check it out!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
He Giggles in his Sleep
Shane's turn....
I feel like the kid is always shortchanged when I'm sharing silly stories about the boys. Bobby's precociousness and overgrown self esteem provides pages of funny material for my writing. Then poor Shane is left in the background. Maybe it's because Shane is more cautious, more affectionate and cuddly...how much can you rave on about that, you know?
Well, not today.
Shane has taken up the unfortunate habit again of crawling into bed with us before the sun comes up. I admit I'm horribly out of practice from those toddler daze when I marched him back to his own bed with his firm hand. He's just so darn cuddly and I generally enjoy it, as long as Robbie is already out of bed for work.
So as the gloomy day began this morning and I snuggled into his lanky body, just on the edge of wakefulness, Shane startled me awake by an attack of full blown giggles. That's not unusual, especially if Bobby has snuck into the bed as well and they are wide awake and telling gross, little boy jokes to each other as I will them to stay in bed a few more minutes. But this morning, it was just Shane and me (and the dog, of course), and the giggles were followed by a drawn out, sleep-sigh. Light snoring. The kid was dead asleep. So I watched him for awhile and his sweet little mouth, turned up in a smile, allowed a few more guffaws.
What a way to start my rainy morning of rushing two kids to two different schools before 8:30.
When I asked him what he had been dreaming about, I didn't exactly get the adorable response to put the finishing touches on my blog. He claims he was dreaming about poop and hot dogs.
Hey, he's still a gross boy and all that...
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