Mommys little helper

When Dylan was really little he would ALWAYS help me with cleaning. Well you could almost call it "helping" When I would vaccumn he would sit on it and hold tight, I would wash dishes he would play in the water but he thought he was helping, He had a small broom and dust pan he would "help" clean up a dirt pile (and when he wasn't watching I would redo it.) As he has gotten older he has gotten more chores and expected to do a better job. He unloads the dishwashers putting the dishes on the counter in stacks of what they are (plates on plates, pans on pans...etc) He sorts the laundry (doesn't fold them BC chances are I would refold them) he puts dads clothes in front of daddy's closet, Mommy's clothes in front of moms closet, towels on the toilet lid...etc A couple other chores he is expected to do is set the table, dust, clear the table, sweep the floor, vaccuumn (not riding on it) room is to be tidy, take care of his pets (Duke,Bella, and his turtle).He has always loved to help with chores and he loves being in charge of taking care of his own responsibilities.
      Growing up I never got an allowance and either did my husband, we feel the kids need to learn responsibilities and pitch in without getting paid. However we have decided to teach Dylan how to save money and how to handle money so he gets paid 3 dollars a week. I have to admit its weird to hear him say "Is it pay day yet?" On Friday's he has 3 dollars taped to his chore chart. cha ching.
      Today Dylan told his friend he had to do his chores before he could play and his friend told Dylan he gets 9 dollars a week but he doesn't want to do his chores bc there isn't anything he wants and his grandma sends him money to buy things. Unfortunately for Dylan he doesn't have a choice but to do chores and getting paid is a bonus. :)


Chore Chart:
A calender frame
hooks with sticky backs
In the frame is scrap book paper (I did red to match my kitchen)
Scrap book paper cut into squares with holes is what the chore is on

Everyday he has different kind of chores so the ones I want him to do are faced forward for him to read, the ones he doesn't need to do are flipped over...when he completes his chore he flips the card over
total cost: $7.00

Earning for learning

Every week Dylan has to learn up to 25 sight words/spelling words and takes a test every Friday. This can seem like a LONNNNGGGG process to learn. Dylan and I used to sit down and with a pen I would point at the word I would want him to read over and over AND OVER until he got them. I would hear the typical "awww agaaain?" "When am I going to be done?" and then the negotiating "If I get 5 more right can I be done until tomorrow?"
Bottom line I disliked it as much as he did.
     Dylan's routine is after school he does homework, has some play time, dinner, bath then in bed by 7. I know 7 seems early but he has a tv in his room and he is allowed one movie before bed (its the only tv time he has in a day, and it relaxes him) which puts him to bed about 8-8:30. For a while Mike and I were talking about letting him stay up a little longer because he is almost 7 which gave me an idea.

I sat Dylan down with these cards (in the picture below) and explained to him. "mommy has come up with a plan. On the back of these there are your spelling words for the week"

I continued "there is also a number on the bottom, the number is minutes you can earn if you get these words correct. His "lay down time" is 7 o clock but he can earn to stay up. The clock starts at 7 o clock and he does 10 of these cards an evening that hold up to 5 words. If there are words he struggles with I write them a few times on different cards and give him extra points. The points don't normally add up to more then an hour. When he earns his minutes he can choose in that time he gets what he wants to do however after 8 o clock there is no movie in his room but he can choose to watch a movie in his free time.

The minute I pick him up for school he says "Can we go home and earn minutes?" I feel like a genius. He is thrilled to work on his words, he gets straight A's, and he doesn't mess around. He has to get the words right or he doesn't earn his points which takes away the "I don't know what this one is" He takes his time and gets the job done. Genius I tell ya Genius! : )

Dilan?

      At the top of Dylan's homework he wrote his name, although he spelled it Dilan. I said "Hey bud you spelled your name wrong" He looked at me like no i didn't, and said "No that's how I spell it now." I asked him why and he replied with "Because I like it this way better"
      I had to tell him the story when he was born. I had Landon and Dalton picked out for names but after Dylan was born Mike said "Dylan" I looked at him shocked because through out the pregnancy he never mentioned that name. Bright red hair and blue eyes, Dylan was perfect. I wanted to be creative and spell it Dillion, so we did. We got the birth certificate it said Dillion Michael Killion. I was pleased with it. We ran it through the newspaper.

      My aunt called me and said "people are asking me why you named your son Dillion (our last name is pronounced Kill yon, so naturally people were saying Dill yon) "oh boy" I thought. I brought it up to Mike and he couldn't sleep that night. He kept saying we just put a target on our son for bullying. He woke me up a few times and said "We have to change the spelling, tomorrow!"
      The next day came I asked the nurse if we could get the birth certificate changed. The lady who notarized the birth certificate was less then amused. She said she had been doing that job for 30 years and not once had to have a spelling changed. We didn't care what she said we got it changed.
      Dylan loved to hear that story. His dad calls him "Dill E yon Kill E yon" its our inside joke and now Dylan knows why. After this story he erased his name and spelled it Dylan.

First Grader

      "Mom can I walk to school with my friends?" Dylan asks. Where did the time go? This kid thinking hes all grown up. Cant believe he is in first grade! Every birthday I always say "Cant believe my baby is ONE!" "Cant believe my baby is TWO" Every year is a new chapter.
      No he cant walk to school but I do let him walk INTO the school from my car at the drop off line. haha. baby steps baby steps. Dylan has a great teacher who he looks forward to seeing everyday which makes school easy for him.

Everyday when I pick him up he has to tell me 3 things he learned, 3 things he did and his high and low of the school day. (that way I get more then the typical answers "school was fine, I learned nothing")
Some of his "highs" of the day would be:
LOVES eating school lunch
LOVES music class
LOVES science (right now they are studying reptiles so OF COURSE he loves it)

Some of his "lows"
When he has a yellow day (Its basically a warning and he gets it because hes a talkative little guy)
When he got sent to the nurse because his tummy hurt
Too much homework

Dylan has lots of friends and is ALWAYS yelling out my car window leaving the school "Whats Up Johnathon?" "HEYYYY LUCAS"

Everyday when I drop Dylan off for school he walks away wearing his bright blue crocks, Mario backpack and hollers "Have a good day!" and off he goes to first grade! I'm still trying to get used to it but so proud of this smart, friendly little guy! :)
      One evening we were laying out Dylans clothes for school the next day. It was a red Mario shirt and some jeans, he said "OMYYYY Don't you know I cant wear red?" I looked at him clueless on what he was saying, he continued with "I have a bad day when I wear red I have to wear blue!" HA HA! So the red shirt went back on the hanger. No more red shirts for Dylan.

Thats a wrap!

      Its official... Dylan has graduated Kindergarten and is moving on to grade school. Typical mom emotions, sad, proud, and happy. It seems like nothing changes from day to day but as I look back EVERYTHING changes. I was putting on my heels, and makeup getting ready to watch my baby graduate kindergarten. As his teacher says his name to get his diploma I look at that huge smile, tears fill my eyes. I look at this little man who has become just that, a little man. He is smart, creative, the friendliest 6 year old I know, loves life and everything about it. He has reminded me everyday since he graduated he is in first grade now, Im still not thrilled but I am beyond proud!

Its Soccer time!

Dylan started playing soccer this spring. He LOVES soccer. When he scores or even steals the ball from another player he stops, and looks at Mike and I. He forgets he needs to continue to run and get the ball.He loves to hear his cheerleaders I guess. One day at practice Dylan kicked it in the goaly, put his hands in the air and started doing a dance saying "oh oh oh yeaaahhh" ha ha! We couldnt help but laugh. After a practice he will tell us that he got kicked in his shin guard but it didnt hurt. Mr. Tough guy.

A baby is a flower from Heaven sent to blossom here...

Looking back...where did the time go?

Making time...

      When I first became a mom I was done with college, working days, nights, and weekends. I never imagined staying home being a stay at home mom. When I would drop Dylan off at daycare I was miserable. I came to work crying often. I was mortified what was going on when I wasnt around, and didnt want Dylan to be laying around (even though he was just a baby) I had scheduled eatings, tummy time, play time I wanted maintained. A friend joked around with me and said "No one is going to be good enough to watch Dylan." She was absolutely right. I dont think anyone is as good as the childs parents.
      I became a stay at home mom when Dylan was almost 2. It was great he got a lot of one on one time with me, and learned alot. He was my shadow and my little pal. He would ride on the vacuum when I would vacuum, help me cook, he would have chores like putting silverware away, and dusting (granted I would redo his work but it was the idea.) We would go grocery shopping I would tell him what to grab and he would put it in the cart. Trips to the park, walks, pool days,play dates library trips is what my life turned into.
      I guess I forgot that he would soon grow up and need his mom less. Hes now 6 he goes to school and the minute he walks in the door his friends are ringing the door bell. I never had to make time for one on one so it is new to me. We came up with day dates...mom and Dylan date, and daddy dylan dates. I sit down with Dylan and make a list of fun things to do on our date. If we have a little extra money we will do something extra fun like the zoo. He will circle the ones he wants to do and we will mark it on the calender when our date is going to be. Dylan looks forward to every date.
      With dad being in the military being gone often and tired when he is home this was a good way to spend time together. Also Dylan being a big brother of a child with special needs its difficult to have that one on one time in the home. I have decided to make an extra effort to make Dylan feel just as special and important when he was our only child for 5 yrs. Story time is not a combined story time with both the boys. Mike and I switch off from one bedroom to the other. We have always read to Dylan before he could speak and it is his favorite time of the day.
      I also try to make Masons doctor appointments in the morning when Dylan is in school so his life doesnt feel like it is centered around Mason. Dylan has become the sweetest, kindest person and I honestly believe its all the attention, love and one on one time with both his parents. No matter how busy, or complicated life gets we will continue to make that effort. Even if its one on one time getting groceries! : )

Bare feet and Bugs

       When we lived in Alaska Dylan wasn't completely in love with it because it was cold ALOT and hes not a fan of the cold. We moved to Colorado and barely had a winter. Its now been 80 degrees. Dylan wakes up and the first thing he asks if he can go outside and play. We have rocks in front of our house you know for decoration and Dylan moves them to look under them to find bugs. Any kind really. 

      One day he runs inside and says "Mom you are going to be SO excited and SO proud of me, I got something for you." Knowing he came from outside I wasn't sure what to expect. He opens his hand and there they are...a handful of bugs. I said with a smile "ohhh how niiiiice...maybe we should find them a jar and take them outside" He replies by saying "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" At this point I highly doubted it. ha. He carried on saying " They can sleep in my room in the jar." Nope that was NOT what I was thinking. 

      He has ALWAYS had a fascination with any kind of bug. Spiders, Ants, worms, butterfly, Caterpillar, ladybugs. He is PURE boy that's for sure. He will be outside on his hands and knees alot this summer collecting, and naming bugs. 

    BOYS WILL BE BOYS

     

Out with the naps in with the equations...

     Kindergarten isn't what it used to be. In kindergarten I remember naps, learning my alphabet, playing dress up. Now kindergarten is a whole new world. Dylan comes home with Homework! That's right homework in kindergarten. Not the "have your mom and dad read a story to you" kinda of homework. This weeks homework included: patterns on a hundred chart (counting by 10s on the hundred chart and write the numbers) not trace them, write them. Another assignment was counting by 2s and writing the numbers, counting by 5s and writing the numbers, counting by 10s and writing the numbers, another one was equations 5+blank=12, he had a problem solving assignment example: 18,17,16,15 blank,13 blank (fills in the blanks) also had a multiple choice math assignment, For writing I tell him a word (teacher gives 8 a week) and Dylan has to sound it out, and write it. The teacher sends home a book DYLAN has to read. I sign a paper saying he read it. Dylan counts money, tells time (to the minute), has computer lab time in class.
       Mike and I were joking by the time Dylan is in 5th grade he will be above what we know.
Teacher conferences I was told Dylan does a Great job on his work. I said I think him having that much homework is CRAZY! She said she isn't half as bad as other kindergarten teachers on giving homework. I said I think its Crazy they have ANY homework! She told me when she first started teaching she thought she would be teaching the kids their alphabet, colors and that sort of stuff but she said she teaches first grade stuff. I BELIEVE IT!
      I don't have a problem with the things he learns but he is 6 he is in school 3 hours a day does nothing but homework there then comes home with all this homework. He doesn't like school like he used to. Hopefully first grade when he is in school full time and he can play, and socialize more it will be better.

Dylans first bus and train ride

I have been asked a lot how Dylan liked the bus ride, and train ride to Iowa so I thought I would tell you the story...

      Recently moved from Alaska to Colorado the first thing on our list was to go to Iowa to see our family. Everything fell into place when we found out our car was going to get shipped from Alaska to Texas and Mike had to fly to Texas pick up the car, and drive back. I remember a friend saying that there was an Amtrak that went from Denver into our hometown. The prices were great, and I thought it would be a fun experience. I would take the boys, Mike would fly to Texas, and drive to where we were dropped off at and we would be home for Thanksgiving. Or so I THOUGHT it was going to be a fun experience.
      We drove to Denver 5am to drop Mike off. Off to Texas he went. Which left me, 2 kids and NO idea what I was doing. I have never been on a bus or an Amtrak and to add I am a small town girl. We took a cab, who brought us to the bus station. Dylan started his friendly chat and said "My name is Dylan, and I am going on a bus, then on a train. Have you been on a train?" The cab driver wasn't really into small talk so he ignored Dylan. No tip for him. ha ha. We got dropped off at the bus station (which was going to bring us to Denver where the Amtrak was) My hands were full.
      We walked in and I could tell right off hand it wasn't a high class bus station.We walked in, there were guys who stood there staring. They were wore bagging pants, do rags, and they had no luggage.They kept staring. Dylan says " Hi, I'm going to Iowa are you riding on the bus." I quickly grabbed his toys and said hey buddy lets play. I distracted him. Not for long though.A couple guys came in very loudly and one was bleeding. Dylan's mouth dropped open and said "What HAPPENED!?" The guy looked at Dylan and went back to telling a group of guys he was stabbed and the guy is going to pay for it. The group of guys ran out the door. I was thinking WHAT DID I GET MYSELF INTO???
       Dylan started asking alot of questions and again I distracted him and bought him a drink. Later on a guy walks in with sleeping bag, canteen, long hair, dirty clothes. So naturally I came to the conclusion he was homeless. Again something Dylan was not familiar with so he stared at this guy for a while then says "I'm going to Iowa to see my family where are you going?" He replies " My family hates me. I'm not going anywhere." Ohhhhh boy. Dylan's eyes became big, his mouth dropped and he looked at me. Later on that guy asked another guy for a ciggerette he started digging in his boots, pulls out 15 cents and says " I will buy one from you I have 15 cents."
      Not to long after Dylan says "Mom can I buy a candy?" I told him no we were going to eat on the train and I  don't have much money. He replies (annnnd I should of known.) "but mom remember we went to the bank and you got 100 dollars... that's 5 20 dollars. The hair on my neck instantly stood as I was waiting to get jumped. I grabbed the kids, went in the bathroom, switched what was in my purse in Masons diaper bag and visa versa Brilliant I thought.
       Dylan continued to talk to anyone and everyone that walked in the bus station doors I leaned down and said "Dylan whats a toy you reallllllly want? If you don't talk to a stranger I will buy you that toy." His eyes lit up, I had a sigh of relief thinking...this may work. WRONG. Dylan starts talking again and says "you like my race car? You can keep it." Just then the bus arrived and It was time to board. THANK GOD!
      We loaded the bus, there wasn't 2 seats side by side available. I asked a few people if they double up with someone so my 5 year old could sit with me. No one would. OMG now what? So I found seats where one was open right behind the other. Dylan says to this lady I am so excited to ride the bus. I'm going to Iowa where are you going? This lady replies "My husband told me to get the f*** out of the f***** house so I told him to go to h*** and now I'm on the bus and he doesnt know where the f*** I'm at. Once again Dylan looks at me with his eyes great big and mouth open. Ohhh boy this is going to be a long hour I thought. Dylan eventually fell asleep. I had never been so happy for him to sleep. We arrive in Denver, we passed the bus station and everyone on the bus started raising their voices "Excuse me bus driver where the h*** are you taking us." He ignored everyone, pulled up at the Amtrak, walked back to help me. People started to complain "ohhhh lil Princess and her babies are going to take the Amtrak, we are going to miss our connecting bus because this princess has got money." ahhhhhhhhh I grabbed Dylan's arm and yanked him off the bus, people continued to talk.
      As we were in the Amtrak station I was scared out of my mind because the train ride was going to be a 13 hour ride and after experiencing an hour on a bus I wasn't hopeful to say the least. Dylan was SOOO excited, he picked out where he wanted us to sit. There was no one for Dylan to talk to because the train was huge and not alot of people so I was beginning to feel a little more relaxed. I decided to take the kids to walk around the train.We walked up the stairs, down the stairs, from car to car, into the lobby, and into the dining area it was pretty amazing. Dylan picked out what he wanted to eat and stood in line to pay. A lady grabbed a drink and budged in front of Dylan. Was he going to say something OH OF COURSE.
"Excuse me, Y did you just budge?" he said. She said she was sorry and told Dylan to go ahead. We took our food back to our seats (6 dollar hot dogs that is) we ate, looked out the window.
      Wasn't long all 3 of us fell asleep. We woke up and arrived in Creston Iowa. OMG I DIDN'T THINK WE WERE GOING TO MAKE IT! I was one happy girl. We unload and there is my grandparents, and husband to pick us up. whew! Did I mention my phone died and I forgot the charger at the bus station? WHAT A TRIP! Dylan informed me he loved the train and wants to do it again.
hmmm we will see about that. :p