Summer Goals

At the end of MOPS last year, my sweet, smart friend Laci challenged us to set some goals for our summer.  My goals for my children were the following: 

Alexander     Ride a bike                                                        Addition facts                                                        
Tie a shoe       

 Count money                                 

Audrey                    

Swim 

Read 

Owen                                            No pacifier 

Potty train

Swim 

 


It is the end of July and here is the status of meeting our goals. 

Alexander can ride a bike.  He still needs help getting started and sometimes has trouble turning.  Mommy got a little frustrated with teaching him how to ride.  After a few google searches I found some strategies.  Going down a grassy hill with his feet on the ground, then on the pedals was how he finally learned.  After using these techniques he was riding within an hour.  He is so proud and we are excited about riding bikes together.  He also enjoys taking his bike to Nana's and riding around her block.  There isn't much traffic there, so it is very safe.  He is doing well with addition facts and money. He can tie his shoes, but it is not easy or pretty.  


Audrey learned to swim with the help of Trey.  He bribed her with ice cream.  She jumped in and swam across the pool.  That boosted her confidence and she bloomed from there.  She soon learned to put her face in the water and swim the length of the pool.  Just recently has she learned to go to the bottom of the pool and retrieve toys.  She too is so proud.  It feels great to have another independent, safe swimmer.  Auj is currently on lesson 81 of Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons.  She knows all her letters and sounds and can read short and long vowels.  She is not as interested in school work as she initially was.  I think this is because it is getting a little harder.  We went through this book twice before Alexander became a fluent reader.  

Owen is pacifier free.  It took a few days of him asking for paci and saying, "I want paci, Mommy.  I love paci."  Nap and bed time have become much more difficult.  He often plays or screams for hours instead of sleeping.  Daddy is the only one who can get him to sleep easily.  Owen doesn't have any interest in swimming independently.  He prefers to play on the step of hang out in his Puddle Jumper.  He is proud that he can go under up to his ears while wearing his goggles on his head.  He currently has swimmers ear so is limited on his swimming.  Owie is doing fairly well potty training.  He now tells me after he has pooped in his diaper.  He will go pee pee on the potty when prompted.  Adam kindly reminded me that Auj and Alexander were much older before they mastered this skill.  

We have made a lot of progress this summer so we are going to Holiday World for a reward!