Happy Birthday Shayna!

Shayna is 9 years old today! We made cone cakes: cupcakes in ice cream cones for Shayna to bring to her class on her birthday today. They came out really cute! Here is a sampling, there were 28 of them, enough for her class and Mrs. Welch and Timothy.

Math Problems

Manny likes to give Shayna math problems for her to do in her head. He is also great at teaching her all kinds of tricks and methods to do math and think logicly.

On the way home from VA after Christmas, almost the entire last leg if the trip was spent with him giving Shayna (and me) percentage problems. Until we begged him to stop. LOL Honestly, there is nothing I hate more then having to do math in my head.

So recently Shayna mentioned how she would like Manny to ask Timothy (the boy in SIP who is the "great mathematician" according to Ms. Welch) some percentage problems at her party. I said, well the party will be pretty busy and very quick, so maybe it would just be better if he wrote out the problems and you gave it to him as part of his take home favors.

Manny said, "well they are meant to be done in the head, so maybe I will get up and say the problems on the microphone for everyone, and they get a prize if they get it right."

So I said " yes, but only Shayna and Timothy would be interested."

Shayna said "no...Nancy would too...and Annie*."

I said "and your Uncle Mike, but he won't be there."

Then we all laughed!

* these are Shayna's 2 best friends, who are very smart girls. Shayna and Annie used to make each other math problems in 1st grade.

Shayna and Cousin Alexis

When I was pregnant with Shayna, Manny's brother Rob, his wife Daisy, and little girl, Alexis (then maybe 15-18mo or so) were visiting from California. We all went to the pool. Daisy was playing with Alexis by balancing her on her feet and lifting up her legs. She was telling me (and Rob too) how if I have a girl that they would be best friends, and someday when they are teenagers Alexis would pick Shayna up in her car to go out.

Now its over 9 years later. Its been a year since Shayna and Alexis have seen each other. Both families have been busy. us with a new baby/toddler, work. Thier family: a new marriage in 2004, new house in 2005 and new baby born Dec. 2005. I promise from now on to make sure they stay in better touch.

The last few days Shayna and Alexis have been calling each other on the phone. Tonight they were talking on the phone. Alexis must have said "You are my best friend now." and then Shayna said "We have been best friends since we were born."

Then Shayna said "I wish we could have our houses next to each other, and they would be connected...so we could live together." then she thought and added "and I would include Nancy and Annie too." *

*I am sure I got this wrong..so most likely Shayna will correct me in a comment.

PA Youth chorale

Shayna auditioned for the PA Youth Chorale and attended her first rehersal on Tues. Jan 17th. She got in. The chorale is very professional and that night I got everything explained to me by the manager while Shayna was in the rehersal. Shayna is in the Jr. Choir which is 2nd-4th graders. They have 3 concerts in the spring and one of those is a "touring" concert, which will be in Ocean City, NJ on May6th. She has her 1st concert in March and then the big official Spring Concert at the end of May. One nice thing is when you sell ads in the program 75% goes towards her tuition. So around March we will ask everyone we know (ie relatives- you know who you are!) and local businesses and politicians to place ads. The chorale is a great way for Shayna to learn proper singing techniques without private vocal lessons (she will learn the same things). They also have uniforms which remind me a bit of madeline (very classy school girl type). They even have a "dress" and "touring" uniform.

After she auditioned the director (teacher- not sure what she is called here?) , Ms. Fields. came out with Shayna and the other girl who auditioned. She explained about how she told them how important it was not to miss rehersals, not for other activities and not even of your birthday is on a Tuesday. So Shayna said "My birthday is on a Tuesday!" LOL

School and Education Update

Shayna and I have decided for her to stay at Valley.

We learned a few key new facts today (Friday). I went to the school and actually filled out an application for her for 3rd grade. BUT then spoke with the principal. She told me:

1. There is now a sibling of a current student on the 3rd grade wait list, so therefore, if a spot opens it will go to that student. So that means we would be applying for the Fall/4th grade.

2. Shayna can NOT continue with gifted & talented (unlike if she were to switch to private or parochial) nor would she be allowed to leave early to get the programming at the District (say valley). It would be an unexcused absence.

When I went to pick up Shayna from school today she had lost her scarf somewhere en route from 3rd grade to the car. So we went back in the school to get the scarf. Since we were in the school...I decided to see her Portrait Project from SIP which was hanging outside the 4th grade pod. Since we were then outside the 4th grade, and SIP is in the 4th grade pod, and I have never actually SEEN the SIP room/area, we decided to go to the SIP room. Mrs. Welch was still there, and to get there you walk through the entire pod. Which gave me the opportunity to SEE what they are actually doing in 4th grade. and while it will never be on par with the pricey private schools and still lacking foreign language, it appeared to feature more writing. I saw students essays on the wall. Then we chit chatted with Mrs. Welch for a while. I could talk to her for hours- she is a vast wealth of information on all subjects from the gifted curriculum, regular curriculum, students, and even info. on where she coincidentally went to high school (one of the good private/parochial all girl schools that has full academic scholarships). had to leave because not onyl did we not want to monopolize her time as I am sure she wanted to get home but I wanted to make a business call before 4:30pm.

So on the way out (I had already told Shayna what I found out in regards to the charter etc.) I told Shayna to do some research. Ask her 4th grade friends, especially Ariel (who is in G/T), what they are learning & doing in 4th grade. When she goes into SIP she can look and see what they are doing by what is out and on the walls.

Then Shayna told me that she wanted to stay at Valley, and didn't want to go to the charter school. I said what what made her decide? She said talking to Mrs. Welch. When we got home she told me she didn't want to give up Mrs. Welch (and the SIP program).

Mrs. Welch mentioned some exciting things coming. In feb. sometime all 3 children (Shayna, Timothy, Anne Marie) will present thier Portrait Porjects to the entire 3rd grade, and to another class. the project is not only the life size painted portrait but a story and filmstrip. Then in late spring/May there will be some kind of festival with food and presentations of thier inventions.

I spoke with Shayna tonight about taking advantage of the free music instrument lessons, and she will choose an instrument next year in 4th grade. this year she is learning to read music and play the recorder in music special (and in PA Youth Chorale was well) and she applied what she learned to the piano and now will sit and play simple songs from a piano book!

Also for now we'll try and continue our home enrichment, as time allows. She hasn't even touched the 2 new French workbooks* but has been working on Vocab. and math at school when she finishes her normal work before the other kids.

*I got her a bunch of enrichment books at Becker's and we have been reading "Story of the World: Volume 1" about ancient history. She also has mutiplication, division, and a vocabulary enrichment workbook...not sure what else is in our collection.

Shayna and I are both starting the "Artemis Fowl" book series. We are only on page 7 of book one but it sounds good. Its a fun mix of realism in present day (lots of references to everything modern from web to Gameboy etc.) with fantasy (fairies, elves, etc.). The main character is a 12yo super intelligent child prodigy who goes on worldly adventures (so in a way culturally enriching). Her A/R shelf had Book 2 and she chose it for A/R but then I suggested she read book 1 first so it would make more sense.


Some food for thought:

Did famous genius' such as Albert Einstein, Edison, Leonardo Da Vinci, Isaac Newtown, etc. go to good schools? Did they go to private or public schools? What kind of education did they recieve as children and pre-teens and young adults? If someone has the potential of Einstein but gets a lousy education, can they still achieve the same things on thier own? Would they?

On the air

Today Shayna and I heard her on the radio while we were driving to see School Lane Charter school. We heard her interview with Skyler Rodgers, the ice skater who plays Frozone in the Disney on Ice show. We heard her right as she finished opening up mail from Radio Disney- tickets to Curious George.

Also, my mom heard her twice on Tuesday (she heard both interviews) and Nancy and her mom Olga heard Shayna on the radio as well!!!!

Charter School

I started looking into schools for Shayna during the Fall and more detailed research after the new year. Since discovering that financial aid for the 2 good private schools in our area only cover part of tuition, I started looking into charter schools.

Last week I visited the School Lane Charter School in Bensalem, and went back again after school on Wed. Jan. 25th with Shayna.

I found out from Joanne Dwyer, Student Services, that while the 3rd grade is currently full, there is a child leaving at the end of this month. There are 9 children on the waiting list but NONE from Bensalem. Since Bensalem residents get put to the top of the list, this means that if we decide we would like Shayna to switch to this school and apply ASAP=she would get in. If we wait to try for a Fall 2006 start (4th grade) there is no garantee she would get in, because there would have to be an opening.

So I have been faced with this very important decision over the last week and the last few days. I also found out just today that if she switches, she will not be able to stay in the SIP-gifted and talented program- but she would if she was switching to private or parochial.

From what I have seen- this school is much better academically. They do so much more, including Spanish as a weekly special. They do projects, daily writing, humanities and science (much more then her awful school), have a co-teacher for language arts and math, will give her harder math and work with her in math (very similar to how it was last year at her private school where mrs. Buckley taught Shayna long division), after school clubs including educationally enriching ones like sign language and chess, teaching them to write (none of that in current school) and have a writing portfolio, oral presentations in front of class, basically just more. No classrooms in rows. They have video monitors and you can watch your childs class at any time to see what they are doing. Classroom size right now is 25 kids per class but next year they plan on lowering the sizes.They teach the kids about various cultures and cultural diversity. After much thought my gut tells me that this is right. and we can always switch back if it doesn't work out...so we can't lose.

IF we switch her and like the school and she winds up staying and not switching back for 6th grade when gifted/talented becomes 100% curriculum...then Skyler can go there for kindergarten because siblings get 1st priority.

Also, everyone I met and spoke with at the school was extremely friendly, open and accomodating...opposite of her current school where the secretary is extremely rude, cold and unpleasant and the Principal is a domineering control hungry nasty woman and difficult to deal with from day one.

I also found out while talking with Ms. Dwyer last week that some private and parochial high schools have FULL academic scholarships. I had NO idea this existed! So this is definately something I will pursue for Shayna and look into for her when she is in 6th grade.

The school day is one hour longer and school year ten days longer, and Shayna will have to ride the school bus.

School Lane Charter school's web site:
www.schoollane.org

The Insanity Begins

every year I throw a very different birthday party for Shayna. She decides usually within a week or two of one party what she wants for the next year. She has chosen what she wants (ie choses the place, theme, concept, idea etc.) for her 5th, 7th and 8th. Somehow I manage to throw it all together even when its a crazy theme, like for her 7th when she wanted a WITCH SCHOOL party or last year for her 8th when she wanted a CHOCOLATE party. Well this year I was a little daunted at first and we almost had to succede to an arts and crafts party but at the last minute I found the PERFECT venue for....

the DANCE party...not just any ordinary dance party in a room somewhere but a dance club type party. We decided fairly early that we liked the concept of doing a ravey-clubby-concerty type flyer invitation (toughest yet) and CD's as favors (should be easy b/c we have most of the songs already downloaded just tough part will be making the CD art and figuring that part out because I lost my software that does that). We also decided to call it "CLUB VFD" to throw a bit of Lemony Snicket nostalgia in there..so those who "get it" get it and those who don't get the literary reference- well tres mal (too bad)! VFD works wonderfully because we came up with "Very Fun Dance Party." Then all we need to do is pick up some 48" round tablecloths, order balloons to be delivered, order and pick up cake, and bring snacks (very simple like popcorn and cheese doodles) and drinks, and give out cool glow in the dark stuff. Maybe throw in a guest book and some polaroids and VOILA! you have the party of the year for the 6-11yo set. at least we hope.

here is the website to the AWESOME venue-Shayna's party will be at the Backsteps*:

www.beatstreet.net

*but we are hoping to have her Sweet 16 at Beat Street (backsteps is behind beat street- same building, same owners etc. blah blah blah...)

Stool

Skyler won't sit on his stool the normal way but instead he turns it upside down and here is how he likes to sit:

Best Birthday Gift

Saturday was my birthday. Every year (well almost every year) I go out to a restaurant of my choice with my parents and my immediate family (ie husband, children). This year I debated on whether I should still go to one of my usual preferred restaurants I would normally go to - i.e. before Skyler aka rambunctious 17mo BOY existed. With just Shayna, this was never even an issue because she was always so demure and well behaved (but maybe I blacked out the pre-age 3 years). So I rused over the options of going to a very boring but family friendly restaurant....or going to one of my favorite trendy city restaurants but SANS Skyler...or GASP! going to one of my preferred restaurants but WITH Skyler. I decided, although a gamble, on the last option, because I didn't want to go to a plain old boring restaurant and I didn't want Skyler left out. Plus- he has been to a handful of the latter- already at age 17mo he has been to Brasserie Perrier twice and amazingly very well behaved- although both times were pre walking time.

So off we went to Bistro St. Tropez...which I figured was a good candidate because its not too formal but loud and still trendy and French, plus it has paper tablecloths and Shayna loves drawing on them. and it has easy on street parking since its not the busy center center city section but near 30th street station. Also I knew that on the 4th floor where its located there is a HUGE carpeted floor area with cute little sofas and if he got antsy he could run around out there. Also has a great view of the Art Museum and boathouse row if you get there for the sunset which we didn't (wanted to leave after naptime) but oh well.

well the birthday gift was that Skyler behaved perfectly the ENTIRE meal!!! This was in spite of the slow service (seated by 8:20pm didn't finish until maybe close to 11:00pm). He lasted until just before coffee & dessert and then we took him out to run around on the 4th floor area only because SHAYNA was getting antsy. LOL He even drew on the table a bit. Manny thinks it was his french fries that got him through the main course. He got through dessert because of the ice cream.

I think he's ready for Buddakan!! Thats my boy!*



*but in all reality I think he behaved because he was just THRILLED to be going somewhere and getting out of the house!!

Helping

Skyler likes to help out around the house. He likes to hand you clothes from the laundry basket to put into the washing machine. As he hands you each item he says "dat." He also likes to unload the silverware from the dishwasher and he takes the utensils out one at a time and walks them over to the drawer where the silverware tray is, and puts them in. he will even open the drawer if you haven't. Since he just throws them in rather then place them in the appropriate spot for fork, spoon, or knife you then have to place it in the right spot. Or you can just let him hand them to you one at a time. He also likes unloading the dishes, bowls, etc. and handing them to you. It takes much longer this way but he is so cute and proud of himself that you just let him do it his way.

Here he is handing Shayna a utensil:

Pottery Wheel

Shayna got to use her new pottery wheel for the first time on Saturday January 14th. Here she is using it:

The finished product. Now we wait 24 hours for it to dry and then she will paint it.
After she finished I had her pick a topic from her enrichment bag and ironically she chose Art History. I try do do some kind of enrichment with her on weekends. Last weekend we did some ancient history and she learned about the Code of Hammurabi (1st written laws), the story of Joseph and his 11 brothers in Egypt (origin of 12 tribes of Israel), Sargon the Great (1st military dictatorship), how mummies were made and Cheops and the great pyramid. We even caught a show about Cleopatra in Alexandria...Shayna thinks she may be Cleopatra for Halloween this year.

We also got to do the snow dance because it snowed- we had planned on going to the constitution center for Ben Franklins 300th birthday party but will have to catch another event some other weekend due to the weather.

Art

While Shayna was doing her velvet art frame Skyler used the same markers to create his own art. he also was very intrigued with getting the caps on the markers.

Hat

Skyler seems to really like Shayna's furry winter hat. We always leave it on the blue bench by the front door and he will grab it and either put it on, try to put it on and miss (instead placing it around his shoulders) or walk around with it.

Science Experiment

As part of our home enrichment...we finally got around to doing the Crystal Growing Experiment on Saturday that Shayna got for her 7th birthday. The kit came with all the supplies and included a study guide with lots of great information like the chemical equation for crystals. Here is Shayna doing the first part- melting the "sucrose." Then she put the sucrose/water mixture into the "vessel." After putting the "seeded stick" into the vessel/jar we wait about 7 days and get to watch the crystals grow. The best part is at the end Shayna gets to eat the experiment!

what it looked like right after putting in the stick:
what it looked like the next day:

Creative Playing

Skyler found a way to make use out of the suitcase Grandma gave him for his 1st birthday last August. We don't travel much so he has only used it for its intended purpose only once. His clothes are not snapped in the bottom photo because after I changed him I rushed back to finish watching "Surface." He doesn't seem to mind. He also likes to "throw" his blocks into the basketball net. Sunday Shayna and I discovered ALL his blocks in the kitchen missing, and we were about to go through the trash when I found them all lodged inside his basketball toy.

Winter/Spring Activities

Here is what Shayna is doing this semester:

Tuesday: Pennsylvania Youth Chorale - rehersal*
Wed.: girl scout brownies
Thursday: tap
Friday: Jazz/Hip-hop

She is also still doing Radio Disney as a kid caster (various events) and is in line for the next celebrity LIVE interview.

*she will go for her 1st rehersal and audition on Jan. 17th

Girl Scout Cookies go on sale starting January 18th!

No live theater scheduled for Shayna until Summer...Bucks County Playhouse has auditions around March/April....hopefully she will get a speaking part!

Also... we will more actively pursue getting her an agent in Phila. and hopefully some film & TV auditions on our own (I started submitting her resume & photo to a few feature films casting)

1st Test

I am pleased to announce that Shayna scored a perfect 6/6 on her 1st Continental Math League* test!!!

She has 2 more tests, one in Feb. and one in March.

We will see then if she not only can be the best in the District but in the REGION as well (all PA/OHIO/VA).


*Shayna is on the Continental Math League team representing her school

Good enough to eat

Skyler decided the roasting pan would be a great place to sit!

Stacking

Skyler likes stacking things. Here he is proud of a tall tower he made, topped off with playdough.

Cousins Playing

Enjoying what Santa brought them!

1. Shayna and Pete playing Zathura. I read them the instructions on how to play and Shayna remembered them better then I did. This game is perfect because its a team effort- i.e. both players vs. the game itself.
2. Sam and Skyler playing with Sam's toolbench. Sam is just 8 months older then Skyler so they play real nice together.
Other highlights from that weekend:
*Shayna climbs tree at playground
*Skyler drinks from straw for 1st time (thanks to Christy who suggested we try)
*Skyler hides little people and various toys in kitchen cabinets so that Aunt Christy can fondly remember he was there

For Sam- Mr. Happy

Gas and tolls: $60
Christmas Presents: $70
Time spent traveling: 8.5 hours
2 yo nephew acknowledging me ("aunt obin")
and loving his Christmas gift I gave him: PRICELESS

Sam is always happy and has the biggest sweetest smile and laugh