Conversations with the kids

Andrew asked me when his teeth will come out- He's surrounded by 6 and 7 year old kids who's starting to lose their milk teeth. I told him when he is about 6 or 7
"Mom- when my teeth come out then I will sleep in my room with the light of"- Aah man how sweet.
Carmen has a mis day at school yesterday- crying for everything and nothing. She told me in the evening.
"Mommie- I cry by Agnella" (Agnella is the assistant in her class- Carmen adores her)
Why Carmen?
"It rain all day- dont like the rain"- Ag poor pumpkin

Update on the kids

I haven't done an update on the kids lately- so I thought it is high time.
Carmen is growing like a weed- and eating like a horse as well- she will gladly come home- have something to eat,come dinnertime have some more and just before bedtime- after we have brushed teeth (Murphy's Law) she wants some more.
She is also talking very well- and it sounds too cute when she says PARDON ME- she says - PARDE DIE-ag cute man
She can shake her little finger at you when she tells you how to do things- and will in no uncertain terms tell you to go sit in the "Naughty Corner" if you are being naughty- in her opinion.
She is quite happy at school and has settled in nicely, She didn't get a "glowing" report from them- but then they are expecting her to recognise shapes and colours- For a 2,5 year old I think it is a bit much.
She loves her dresses and her dolls dearly.

Andrew is quite the litttle man now- refusing to play with girls. He has had some adjustment issues with his new big school- but everyday- he seems a bit more settled.
He knows that to deflect bullies- you do what they do to you- and then tell the teacher. This seems to work well for all involved- friends,school and parents. The only thing that happens is that he tends to scratch those friends of his list then.

He is starting to share more and more what happens with him everyday at school- and seems to really enjoy the arts and crafts- everyday he comes home wanting to "decorate" something.
He has started to write the first letter of his name- much to me and Pierre's amazement.
Given that he still calls letters, numbers-we think he is being very clever.
He started to suck his thumb again- but we are tackling that issue one step at a time.
He loves his tv- not his cars so much anymore. Any toy/game that lets him interact with other people is now a firm favourite.

My munckins

I haven't shared any of the kids sayings lately.

Andrew told me that when he is older he needs a computer on which he will play a Cars computer game. And the Lightning Mcqueen's wheel wil break, mom, and Hudson Hornet win the Piston Cup. LOL

Carmen stands next to me every morning when I put on my make-up and says "Lippies"- and after I've applied lipstick she says "lipsicks"- og cute man

The Digital Age

The Digital Age: Keeping Tabs on Technology


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For parents with children ages 0 to 5

* Pay attention to the messages you model—stay off the cell phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), and other electronic devices when you’re driving or engaged in other activities that deserve your full attention.

* When you’re spending time with your kids, turn off the devices. That’s what voice mail is for! Your kids need, want, and benefit from your full attention.


For parents with children ages 6 to 9

* Make sure your kids know what your limits are for cell phone, computer, and other device usage. Many, for example, know (or can figure out) how to access the Internet to play games online or on cell phones and PDAs.

* Don’t let your kids use the Internet unattended. It’s easier and more practical to monitor their usage if you have the family computer set up in a common space in your home. You can “watch from afar” or just regularly glance over to see what they’re up to.

* Online social networking communities such as MySpace and Facebook are very popular, even with elementary-age kids. If your kids use these sites, know whom they allow access to on their pages and make sure they know why you’ve set up limits on this access.


For parents with children ages 10 to 15

* Let your kids know that you will regularly check their e-mail, phone, and text messaging content on both incoming and outgoing lists, and that they should limit those lists to friends and family members, not people they meet online. If you see names you don’t recognize, find out who they are and how your child knows them. Consider whether this oversight should apply to MySpace and Facebook online communities, as well.

* Have rules about when and where your children and you will use handheld communication devices. Suggestions include not using them at mealtimes, when visiting family or friends, when driving or operating other machinery, or when in the middle of another conversation.

* Know the school rules for cell phones and PDAs in class, and consider limiting their use to before and after school only.


For parents with children ages 16 to 18

* Understand that regardless of the way you use technology, it’s part of how young people today build their social networks and their community. Be sure that your teens understand the degree of public and private access that others have to their communications. Talk with them about what’s inappropriate to share publicly, and why.

* Keep computers out of teens’ bedrooms and in central family areas of your home.

* Let your teen know that some employers and colleges search the Internet for information related to applicants who apply to their institutions. Discuss the kinds of information that may compromise their chances of acceptance.

* Find out what technologies are being used in your teen’s school. Do teachers keep blogs? Are student groups organized on MySpace or Facebook? Do teachers use digital whiteboards? If so, check these out periodically.

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Dinner was braai at friends