[mokeydoke]

I feel like I'm losing the battle to keep j interested in reading he sees it more as homework now and is teetering on reading fluently he can read well but still gets stuck sometimes so his patience is very limited sigh its so important but i just dont know what to do.

Get him to read instructions to put things together/play a game, get him to cook from a recipe, get him to write the shopping list or read the shopping list when shopping (write his own and send him on his way), write him a letter, go through old birthday cards and read through them together, google things that he is interested in (Olivia googled how long it would take for our tadpoles to turn into frogs last week), give him a break with the readers/story books and take turns reading for different characters or read a page each, give him a tv guide and get him to read it to circle shows he'd want to watch, find the lyrics for songs he likes and give them to him to read along with the song.

Oh I am so full of ideas The main thing is, he has to find the reading relevant to him. If he is interested in the topic/story, or it has a purpose to him, it won't be homework. Olivia's reading level is still above her comprehension so while she can read anything (she is off levels now), it doesn't always mean a lot to her.

Boys have come alive here. Oh the noise!!

[ThatsNotMyName]

Bon when our school had a reading workshop on for the parents they stressed that it's really important to let them read something they enjoy regardless of what it is (abviously not completely inappropriate content) & suggested all kinds of things like toy catalogues, sport magazines, cook books. They said nobody ever developed a love of reading from school readers Caelan does the readers somewhat under duress but he LOVES his books from the library, currently we're reading Zac Power books & he's enthralled

Cheeks that's interesting about skeeter syndrome. i get really strong reactions to mozzies too, perhaps not quite that severe but not far from it.

[mamaknits]

Go Zac Power! Alex loved Zac Power and we ended up buy a whole set of it for him. I recently discovered that there are more than the set I bought and will try to find them in the library.

[mokeydoke]

Can you check SK if you have time, I need some advice on a schoolyard issue. It's not urgent though, I'm more just interested in what others would do/suggest their child do.

My whole house has such a good vibe now it's holidays. I wish I could bottle it to take swigs from towards the end of every term!

[thebell]

Hi!
I'm reading along.
First week of school holidays are done. We've been pretty lazy, really. Just kept to ourselves a bit, recharging batteries. This second week, we'll hopefully get out a bit more so we don't go stir crazy. The circus is in town and I want to take the kids to that, we also wanted to check out the new themed play centre. I took Raife and his friend but the older kids want to see it too. It's got a room that is pirate themed, with a pirate ship, hats, swords, treasure and a little cave, for example. There are also a couple of staff members who are dressed up and walk around engaging the kids, playing with them. It's pretty cool really.
If you had older kids you could pretty much just sit and read/drink coffee while they played. Unfortunately I have Pepper She likes to climb. Oh, there's also someone who can do face painting around. So, anytime there's someone who wants their face painted, they can do it.
Any Melb girls who want to come for a play, let me know!! LOL

Pepper is nearly 2, into everything, miss independent, oh so cheeky, but very cute. The top of her hair just will not grow, so she has a rocking mullet atm. Hence the pigitails. Or as Raife says curly tails.

Raife is 4, has settled into kinder beautifully. Has 2 great friends, one a boy who's brother is Hunter's best friend and one a girl who is one of Levi's best girly friend's sisters. We pick up his glasses this week which he will wear all the time to help his long sightedness. This is going to be a longterm forever type thing as it doesn't look like it will ever get better.
He's excited about it though and can't wait to get them.

Levi has settled into school really well, bit slow with learning to read, I think he would have suited the sounding words out better than the memorising them way to learn. But other than that he seems quite settled. I think it really helped that he has some friends from kinder in his class and that his teacher was Hunter's teacher from last year.

Hunter is doing well too, loves doing his readers. Prefers books with pictures than just words still, but hopefully he will get there. I think with his Asperger's he is a very visual kid and prefers pictures. I hope he starts to read real books, I'd hate for him to miss out on that "world".

Brad is working alot. (Alot, alot) So he's tired. Me too! LOL
He is taking a couple of weeks off in May and we are planning on taking a weekend away in the Macedon Ranges so that should be nice. We've never been away before and he's never taken any time off so it will be brilliant. I'm almost counting down the days. Almost!

Mandy- That would be brilliant! I love this relaxed vibe. I loved the Hunger Games books, and bought my Mum a kindle for her birthday so she can read them too! Lol. The movie was good too.

Celia- Sounds like business as usual at your place! LOL At least you don't get bored. Hope you are enjoying your parents' visit. x

BLR- Yep, agree with you there. Everything is so expensive. I can't believe petrol prices!

Better get off here. Took forever to update. (Just goes to show I should pop in more!)

[mamaknits]

I hope all our Perth families stay safe. i saw that there has been an earthquake off the coast of Sumatra and big waves are expected?? All the best, guys. Stay safe!!

[Mulan]

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This post has been edited by Mulan: 15/04/2012, 10:28 AM

[mamaknits]

I am an aunt again!Sister-in-law has just had her baby. Mum and bub are both well. Baby's name is Harrison. Looking forward to getting some newborn cuddles soon!

[ThatsNotMyName]

Congrats Aunty Celia!

[azalia]

Hi Ladies!!!

I feel terrible I havent been in here, I remember it dropped off a while ago, and so I presumed that no one was positing, and have been so busy I havent checked much, popped in here today, and was so excited to see the thread moving

Life, well life is so hectic I am really struggling. I MUST get a better balance. I have found the adjustment to 3 really tricky, 3 little people who dont do much for themselves is draining, especially with Gareth away all the time and with the amount of work I have taken on lately. Wondering if its worth it? I suppose there isnt a huge amount of choice, like you said BLR cost of living is extreme, and only going to get worse for us with extra taxes and things. Work is going well though, I am just coming to the end of wedding season thankfully, 3 more weddings (including Nats!!!) and then I have some downtime till September to catch up on Albums and editing. I still enjoy the work, its just a fine balance, and I miss just sitting, or reading or watching a tv show once the kids are in bed, I am always working.

Byron is going super, he has a very driven teacher, and Im surprised by the expectations on preprimary students, but he is learning so much Im so proud. Teacher has pulled me aside a couple of times to try to get me to take him to OT, but Im holding off - to which Ive been told It may be too late then, but Im willing to chance it. Im a bit over how much we are pushing everyone with expectations in society. They are already writing sentances and this term start diary writing. Because he is still a bit sloppy with the pencil she says he will fall behind. He is still lovely in personality though, and I thoroughly enjoy his banter. Hes so considerate and caring. Mason hasnt changed, he is still very defiant and strong willed, Im sure it will help him later in life but for now it drives me nuts. If I could curb his yelling at me I would be happy. He still wont sleep in his own bed, and mucks around till he finally falls asleep somewhere near me. I suppose he will grown out of it.

Indi is high maintanance. I love her to bits but my god this child is full on! Not only is she more of a tornado than the boys were she is so sooky and clingy as well. She only likes Mum, and screams if I dont hold her all the time. She has the strongest will too, and doesnt give up. I drove down south for easter and she screamed for 4 of the 4.5 hours because she wasnt in my arms. In the last week she has dined on dexters dog sh*t as I missed a piece when picking them up and fallen and smashed her mouth open so her gums around her front teeth were all hanging. They are wobbly but hopefully wont fall out or go discoloured. I have to watch her like a hawk she is into everything. Going to have to cut this short as she is sitting on me crying.

I will try to post more and be back with personals!

This post has been edited by azalia: 16/04/2012, 03:50 PM