I love this time of year for the dinner rolls. I eat them for any meal, any snack. All of them -- the special seeduction ones that Whole Foods only does in the scrumtious moisty dinner roll format for Thanksgiving and the challah bread eggy ones that Central Market makes like a row of four little baby bums all plump and round. (that's how Ev's bum got it's nickname, it is just like two of those little squishy morsels)
Put a piece of sausage in them or scrambled eggs for breakfast. Proscuitto and arugula for lunch. I like to slather my dinner rolls with the seasonal preserves for a treat. We are still enjoying the last of Aunt Cathy's raspberry jam, but we'll soon move on to some gorgeous armenian preserves of apricot and white cherry that called to me today at the market. What's your fav flav?
I DISLIKE the tone of things for 5 yr-olds right now. There is a lot of unspoken pressure to perform well, to know their stuff, to compete for a precious few spots at a precious few schools. Of course I want them to go to a (the?) top school in our hood, but I really dislike the friction I feel with other mothers. It reminds me of that "frenemy" term from Friends. You know, the friends who make you feel inferior in "casual" conversation that your child doesn't wax poetic about the wonders of slicing an apple and finding the star inside? This is just a false example, I've not experienced that exact one but I don't want to reference a real conversation and have it turn into something this is not.
I much prefer to dig in the dirt with these little people, eat our cucumbers, dream about the clouds, and do chalk art in the driveway. Yes, I am working on the shoe tying thing, the alphabet thing, the "go togethers" as Paige calls them, etc, etc...but I wish we didn't have to feel the pressure. It is palpable. Graham is chewing his cheeks and I wonder what that's all about. I have never spoken to him about anything that smacks of evaluation.
Today I was glad it was raining for the first time in a while -- actually only the second grey day we've had since Ike that I can recall. We used the opportunity to do free form art in their playroom. No pressure. No abc's. No quizzing.
9 comments:
I know what you mean by the pressure....and as a mother of two college students, I can tell you that it is unfortunately only the beginning for your little ones. In early elementary school there is pressure to be in the 'top group' for reading, math, etc. Then, test well to make it into the gifted program. Middle school brings honors classes, quiz bowl teams, science fair and history day winners. High school 'must make-its' include National Honor Society, AP classes, varsity athletic teams, and high SAT scores. I won't even go into the pressures of applying to the 'best' universities. The competition and pressure can be excruciating--and most of it comes from their peers and themselves. Enjoy the little moments like free form art while you can.
You are allowing your children to be children - that is all you are supposed to do and all that they are supposed to be doing! Keep having fun now-they WILL learn to read/write/stay still/wax poetic/run countries when they are ready! You won't be able to do these things with them again until they have kids. - Allison
oh - we are luvin' apricot preserves right now-allison
God I sooooo agree with you Cousin, the pressure that Luke and his classmates are under at the moment is outrageous ... so don't agree with it all, he has two lots of homework every week as well as a reading book! He has been having to get to grips with learning about "forces" i.e. friction, push, pull etc when the only force that he is interested in is the one that Luke Skywalker talks about!!! That is as well as the reading, writing, math etc etc. Sooooo wrong. I want him to learn obviously but hate to see him getting stressed as he doesn't feel he is picking it up as quickly as his little mate who is almost 11 months older than him and yet they are in the same class. XX
Do not fall for all the school pomp and circumstance -- let them be them. They are PRECIOUS -- most of all (SJS) looks for is a CONFIDANT CHILD -- yours are blossoming in that dept
I think the "top school" thing is overrated -- you want them to be HAPPY
There is too much pressure in adult life -- we should not feel we need to shove it down their throat at 5
keep up what you are doing
I had one friend that one of hers got into SJS and the other did not -- she was DEVASTATED
it made me sad for the one that felt he dissapointed his parents
Though there's not pressure here for "top schools", I still think there's a lot of pressure to grow up faster than I'd like. And the frenemy thing too -- esp over extra-curricular activities. Music lessons, swim class, hockey teams (and skating lessons), soccer teams, etc., etc., etc.... There aren't enough hours in the day to "enrich" them and also let them be kids. I'd honestly rather see them grubbing around in the garden, playing in the leaves, sledding, etc., than spending every moment in classes...
And on your other subject, I LOVE ROLLS this time of year too -- have a batch of potato rolls in the fridge rising as I type. My current favorite spread is black raspberry/black currant jelly that we made this summer with our first currant harvest.
Josie
i found your blog thru another and am thoroughly enjoying it. your children are adorable.
i like everything in whole foods(although we call it "whole hundred dollar foods" cause a bag of groceries is usually a $100! the bread there is great.
i would say something to your little boy about chewing his cheek. one of mine did that,for no reason at all,they just get into goofy habits. but she got an infection and was on antibiotics, dr. said she had broken the skin and food or something got in it. just say "honey you could hurt yourself doing that" that's just a momma talking. i'm a grandma now and i so sometimes miss some of the nonsense believe it or not.
my daughter has a rule only 2 activities /per child. she wants them to play.it seems like everyone wants their kids to be experts at everything. you're smart in letting them be more free.
school wise-- i had kids in private and public.it all depended on the individual teacher and the child. my youngest needed more individual attention and the smaller classes were better for him. the oldest was in public all the way and did great.
thanks again for this wonderful look at your family.
just wanted to chime in and say keep your eye open for the Hawaiian sweet rolls. pretty mind blowing.
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