"Now in Spanish Mommy!" says Alex as we count

Looks like we are going to have a bilingual kid on our hands in a few years!  We applied to two magnet schools in the area- one that focuses on science/engineering/arts (SEA) and Robbinsdale Spanish Immersion (RSI).  There is a lottery system and we got a seat in the Spanish Immersion school.  We attended both Open House nights for these magnet schools and were pretty disappointed that we didn’t get into SEA.  We were taken back by the idea of immersion and how kids could succeed if only spoken to in Spanish right off the bat when they didn’t know the language.  Initially we thought we would decline the invitation.  Luckily, we sat on it.  We stewed it over.  We talked to friends whose kids have gone through immersion.  We talked to our daycare providers.  We went online.  We did lots of research and the bottom line is that Robbinsdale Spanish Immersion is a fantastic school.  The student test scores are higher in all subjects than the public school he would be attending (and tests are given in English – same tests for state).  The public school is actually getting federal funding because it is failing and over populated.

 

Robbinsdale Spanish Immersion ranks 8 out of 10

Forest Elementary ranks 4 out of 10

 

We have some reservations about this decision – is Spanish practical to learn; is it marketable?  Will he retain the information?  Will he have an interest/aptitude for Spanish?  Will we be able to help him with homework?  All of that being said, why would we send him willingly to a school that is failing when he has the opportunity to attend a school that is excelling? 

 

Alex will be starting kindergarten in Fall 2014.  He is growing up.  It’s our job as parents to make the best possible decisions for him.  Anna will be going to RSI as well thanks to a sibling clause.  This was a tough decision, but a no brainer based on the statistics alone.  Alex is a bright, fun, kind boy who deserves the very best life can offer.  So… time for mom and dad to brush up on Spanish!     

Pictures!

So far in 2014....

Alex has had a fun 2014 so far.  His precious Georgia Emo was with us until mid-February, and he got to go see his Grandma Penny and Grandpa Walter who live "soooo far away."  If anyone reading is familiar with the book Guess How Much I love You, it's all about Little Nutbrown Hare trying to outdo Big Nutbrown Hare's love.  Now Alex says, "Daddy, I love you all the way to the North Pole!"  Or "Mommy, I love you all the way to Grandma Penny's house!"  It is just adorable.

Alex has been having a bit of trouble in school playing the class clown.  As a result, he is going to bed earlier and only 30 minutes of video games per week.  The child is his father's son.  He LOVEs video games.  It is a huge bargaining chip for us. 

We've also changed supper time.  For months it has been a struggle to get Alex to eat.  He eats breakfast and lunch with no trouble, but come supper time, it is a fight!  We read an article that explained the mentality of a 4 year old... budding independence and strong wills.  We started serving meals family style and letting him takes what he wants.  If he doesn't want what we are eating he has to sit at the table until everyone else is done.  If he is hungry later, he gets offered his cold supper.  Believe it or not, he is ready to eat it an hour later.  Something just clicks.  (Unless his little sister climbs up and starts stealing his food).  Now that we've adopted this, Alex generally eats what he takes while everyone else is eating.  It has worked so well.

Enjoy the video from Valentine's day.  Not sure where Alex got those moves but they sure are awesome!

)


I apologize for no pictures, the blog is not loading them.  I will try again some other day.

Preschool!

Goofball!

On Tuesday, September 3^rd, Alex started at the YMCA.  He is enrolled in their preschool program and is a Fabulous Fish!  His teachers are Mandee and Lori.  They have a Safety Swim Class every week on Tuesday and Show-N-Tell every week on Friday.  This is a vastly different environment that what he has known from 6 weeks old in an in-home daycare environment.   One thing we noticed right away was that he missed his sister during the day.

Alex loves other kids.  The idea of there being so many kids around for him to play with made the transition easier in my mind.  The reality is that just because there are more kids, doesn’t mean that they will make room for him in play.  I have noticed that Alex is starting to say his new best friend is Marty, a taller boy in his class.  On the first day Alex arrived, I overheard Marty’s mom say “It’s his first day of school here.  You should play with him!  Do you remember how scared you were on your first day?”  Apparently Marty took his mom’s advice and they became quick friends.  Then yesterday, Alex told his dad on the way home that Marty wasn’t his best friend anymore because he didn’t want to play with him.  He said his real best friend is his cousin Jack.  Then he asked if he could go over to Jack’s house to play with him.

(Sigh)

Alex is so sweet.  Some of that is changing within him because of his environment.  He has lost some of the protection a small setting affords.  More kids equal exposure to more adversity.  Conversely, he will be much more prepared for kindergarten next fall. 

He is already talking about the days of the week, singing more, and is in I-need-more-information mode.  Everything ends in “Why Mommy?”  He is learning more at school now and it is seeping into his little mind.  I just love it.

The thing I didn’t expect is how much I worry now about Alex fitting in.  How he is dressed, his back-pack that I bought for 25 cents then sewed back together… perhaps he shouldn’t bring that one!  J  If he needs to be enrolled in speech therapy for the trouble that he has with pronouncing ‘R’ and ‘L.’  If the other kids are being mean like kids often can.

I want more for him than I had.  Some of this anxiety is a direct reflection on my childhood insecurities and I get that.  I went to speech therapy for 5 years, starting at his age, and grew up with little money.  We also moved a lot so it was just difficult to be accepted.  I want so much more for him.  I don’t want him to feel anything like I did at his age. 

But looking at his shining smile when I get home for work, I know that is not Alex’s reality.  The reality is that he is adjusting to his new situation.  He is excited to go to his new school every morning, slightly overwhelmed when we arrive initially, and then worn out from playing when he gets home.  This is a new stage in his young life.  And he’s doing so well.  My Alex is growing up.  

Alex playing at a park

At Wings and Wheels enjoying the air show

The Johnson Kids in May 2013

Alex, age 3.  Will turn 4 on July 23rd

Anna, age 11 months.  Will turn 1 on June 11th

Ashley, age 6.  Just turned 6 in March.

Jack, age 2.  Will turn 3 on July 24th.

I didn't include Jessi with the "Johnson Kids" because she is no longer a kid, she is a full-fledged, thriving teenager that all the younger kids idolize!

Pictures from the last few months...

Video taken tonight of the kids...

Thanksgiving in Grand Forks, in Uncle Erik's basement.

Sledding with cousin Jessi

Fun car trip

Alex ADORES his cousin

Mom and Alex went on a date to the Science Muesuem

Christmas

Disney on Ice with good friend Abby

Holidazzle

Christmas at the Johnsons

Playtime

Leaving on the Amtrak with Emo

Christmas in Kentucky.... in February!!

We went on daily hikes

Snow Angels

Alex really liked holding this book to his bosom at night

Hiking after all the snow melted

Back in Minnesota, at Emo's Birthday Party with Olivia

At the Mall of America

More Sledding!

First Day of Swim Class!