Little did I know!

For those of you who know me well, know that I like to be in control.  I am sure some of you think that is an understatement when it comes to my kids.  It is actually something I have been working on for a while now, but I am not sure how much progress I am making.  I guess I will have to ask my husband to chime in on that one.  A very general example would be when my husband is making a snack and I would say something like "maybe (he hates when I phrase things like this by the way) they would like such and such to eat."  I am sure whatever he was going to give them would be just fine, it's just not what I would have done and that's what I am trying to work on. 

Back to the point.  When I first started teaching the girls I thought for sure I had their learning styles down to a tee.  Addison really likes structure and would rather sit down and do her work at the same time every day.  She likes to know what's coming.  Laney on the other hand would rather jump around while doing flashcards than sit at a desk.  Little did I know!

So, me and my controlling ways thought I knew what I was doing.  Then one day, everything I thought I knew, changed.  I asked Addison a couple of times to work on writing her letters and she wasn't really into it.  I randomly handed her her paper and asked her to go sit down and write her letters.  Then and there she dropped to the floor and started writing.  I know it isn't the best way to learn to write, but she sure did her best and loved every second of it with no complaints.

At this point I knew I needed to let her lead the way.  While doing math flash cards, she likes to lay on the coffee table and just listen to what I am asking, and yes, that is her counting her fingers.  I was certain she liked to look at the numbers and digest the information that way, little did I know!

As far as her reading, she will read anywhere and everywhere.  So, it wasn't a big surprise to me she was standing up reading a couple of days ago.  We went to the bookstore today and she even tried to read while walking through the mall, but I had to put a stop to that one =)

As for Laney, she is still my ball of energy.  I thought for sure she would be the one who didn't sit still for school, little did I know!  When she is reading, she loves to sit nice and close on the couch and cuddle up while she reads.  Very structured.  She sits down, reads her story, answers comprehension questions and moves on with her day.

I am also amazed at how long Laney will sit still while doing crafts, coloring, play dough, anything like that.  She will sit up at the counter all day if I let her.  Look at her focus while doing a collage.

And just because I don't get to talk about Max very much, I am going to predict that he will like having his own space.  I am sure there will be a future blog in about a year letting you know how wrong I am, but I thought I would go ahead and give it a shot.