Interview With My Boys 2014

I'm so excited to do this again this year! Last year I asked my boys these same questions, (Lincoln was five and Asher was two), and their responses were great! Here is the link from last year http://pacefamilyplace.blogspot.com/2013/07/interview-with-my-boys-2013.html They didn't disappoint this year either. Loved hearing their perspective and how much has changed or stayed the same since last year. Lincoln looks so much more grown up and Asher is still obsessed with Batman but talks much better. I also noticed Lincoln's responses are more grown up, after having been to kindergarten he understands more about bullies and how people can be mean. He didn't want to answer these questions originally either because he hates being "drilled" on questions, it reminds him of school and he gets anxious. Love these dudes, maybe next year at this time I will be able to include Marsden since he will be talking more and understanding more at that time! Enjoy. :)

Lincoln Age 6 years 4 months

• What is the meaning of life?

I dont even know that. If we dont breathe, we will never get to breathe. Because God made our world. He made trees and everything for us to live.

• What do you want to be when you grow up?

An underwater person.

• What brings you the most happiness?

People make me happy by saying good things to me.

• When do you feel the most loved?

Sometimes, I see girls I like, and I feel like I like them.  

• What are you afraid of?

Im afraid of bad guys. Bullies.

• If you had one wish, what would you wish for?

I would wish for a boat and being superman.

• What is the funniest word?

Funny.

• What is the hardest/easiest thing to do?

Coloring a shirt is the hardest thing to do. Yeah, i did that before in school, and now Im just telling you. Easiest- coloring trees, legos are super easy too.

• What is the best/worst thing in the world?

Best- Looking at glasses. Worst- Looking at eyeballs.

• What makes you mad?

People being bullies at me. When Asher hurts me. Looking at Asher being crazy.

• What is the meaning of love?

True love.

• If you had all the money in the world, what would you do with it?

Put it in my piggy bank. I would keep it then sell it to other people.

Asher Age 3 years 8 months

• What is the meaning of life?

Um, because of our blood. Our blood makes us alive.

• What do you want to be when you grow up?

Batman. I’ll get a batman that has real batarangs and I’ll be back and you will see them.

• What brings you the most happiness?

When I smile.

• When do you feel the most loved?

You. with mommy.

• What are you afraid of?

Ghosts. Bad guy ghostes, not good guy ones.

• If you had one wish, what would you wish for?

A toy.

• What is the funniest word?

He giggles. The funniest word is this “hahahhahahaha”

• What is the hardest/easies t thing to do?

Um, play a hard game. Playing on the Nook.

• What is the best/worst thing in the world?

Best- Reading a book, I like you to read, I want you to come and I want Kullin’s house 100 days. Worst-bad cookies. Bad cookies that have smoke in them!!

• What makes you mad?

Baby Marsden throwing toys at me.

• What is the meaning of love?

You are going to be married. To get married.

• If you had all the money in the world, what would you do with it?

Um, Get a flying spiderman toy. And a bicycle that can fly without wings. And then gives the other moneys to somebody.

Why my son is the smelly kid in class.

Yes. I think my son may be that stinky kid in class.
But, hold up. It is not because he does not bathe!
Lincoln does not smell bad, at all. He smells like oils, and I think he smells marvelous!
Every morning before school we have a routine where I roll an essential oil blend on specific points on his body. We are doing this as a way to help him with his attention issues in class, along with a few other things that have been known to increase attention span in children.


Let me also set the record straight, I am not trying to diagnose my child. I know that he has attention span issues. It is very, very evident. But, I also know that kindergarten nowadays can be ridiculous and I do not agree with their expectations set upon my child. While we are in school there I will do my darndest to make sure Lincoln has whatever advantage I can give him so he does not feel labeled or left behind.


 I read an article that over viewed the symptoms, causes and ways aromatherapy can help with Behavioral Disorders. I am not a doctor, but I can read and be proactive now while he is young! This article was very, very informative.  ~
"Where psychopharmaceuticals can provide immediate relief to difficult symptoms, the body provides the door for healing and protecting itself, and given the right environment, it is able to thrive and heal from outside influences.  We hold the key to opening that door of healing through natural nourishment.  Awareness, education, and finally our nutritional choices, provide the body with the keys to heal and protect itself.  Psychoaromacology is a very promising method of treatment and provides immediate relief as well as long term healing.  Mental health and nutrition are not a separate entity.  They are interlinked and one in the same body (literally), therefore need to be treated as such and nature has provided so many solutions. The research is there, and it is scientifically proven.  Practical application takes education and dedication, however the results are life long and invaluable." (Danielle Daniel https://www.aromaticscience.com/source/behavioral-disorders-adhd-causes-essential-solutions/)

I have been doing these oils now for almost a month and we are absolutely noticing a difference. We are doing many other things like: probiotics, decreased grains and sugars, taking dha/fish oils, doing yoga and doing more one on one time for homework in the evenings. So, it is hard to say if one thing in particular is helping more than the other things. I just know that he really is able to relax and we enjoy our morning ritual of putting the oils on. He likes to call them his "thinking oils". :)


My friend, Hillary, that gave us the blend told me what was in it:

"Oils in your blend are- Balance, Patchouli, Serenity, Lavender and Vetiver
Balance is a grounding blend, it contains Spruce, Rosewood, Blue Tansy and Frankincense. It's to bring a feeling of calmness, peace and relaxation. Aid in Harmonizing the various physiological systems of the body and promote tranquility and a sense of balance.
Serenity- Lavender, Sweet Marjoram, Roman Chamomile, Ylang Ylang, Sandalwood, and Vanilla Bean Extract. Relaxing blend to help calm and soothe feeling of stress, excitement, and anxiety to help the body maintain its natural state of health."

Here are some studies I have found on the science behind essential oils, for any skeptics out there.
This one is my favorite, about the use of Vetiver EO and how it suppresses the decline in attention https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/biomedres/33/5/33_299/_pdf  

Matricaria chamomilla may also help improve symptoms
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19097772 

Just the abstract here, but it looks interesting. How our olfactory system can effect our moods and behavior
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20923005

I like this because it simply describes how essential oils work and is not a .com website, or endorsed by a company http://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/explore-healing-practices/aromatherapy/how-do-essential-oils-work

I love the fact that everyone is jumping on board this essential oil train. I am not loyal to a brand, nor do I love the pyramid stuff associated with some of the brands of oils. I do think it is a great tool to use if you have any ailments, especially to try before reaching for man made medicine. We have had lots of luck healing up cold sores, ear infections and tension with essential oils as well. And on that note we NEVER ingest the oils, only apply topically. :)

I will go on letting my kid be the smelly kid in class. At least it is a beneficial and pleasant aroma.

Interview with my boys 2013

I had a blast asking my older two boys some deep questions about themselves today, and I just LOVED their answers. It is so cool to hear things from the perspective of a 5 year old and a 2 year old. I would love to ask them these things every year to see how the answers change. Enjoy some hilarious and heart-warming answers from my little dudes. I wrote everything down word-for-word and did not change a thing. 

Lincoln Pace age 5 years 3 months 

• What is the meaning of life?
• That is to be alive forever, to stay alive forever, to be the most good guy forever
• What do you want to be when you grow up?
• A hero!
• What brings you the most happiness?
• Asher. He makes me happy, and he is pretty funny. He makes jokes. 
• When do you feel the most loved?
• When I sleep
• What are you afraid of?
• The dark
• If you had one wish, what would you wish for?
• A spiderman guy-like my age
• What is the funniest word?
• A joke
• What is the hardest/easiest thing to do?
• Hardest- to eat some foods
• Easiest- to PLAY
• What is the best/worst thing in the world?
• Best- My toys
• Worst-Bad things that make me say AHHHHH
• What makes you mad?
• My friends when they make me upset and angry
• What is the meaning of love?
• I love YOU mommy, because my strength told me 
• If you had all the money in the world, what would you do with it?
• Keep it in my piggy bank and sell it to people so they can give me their cars. 

Asher Pace*  age 2 years 7 months

• What is the meaning of life?
• Ah, Lincoln
• What do you want to be when you grow up?
• Ah, a he-yo (a hero), Babeen (Batman) 
• What brings you the most happiness?
• Ah, Babeen. Little babeen. (batman, little batman)
• When do you feel the most loved?
• Ah, yeah. YOU. 
• What are you afraid of?
• Ah, gark. (dark). Chyea- gark. 
• If you had one wish, what would you wish for?
• Ah, cake. 
• What is the funniest word?
• Ah, you. 
• What is the hardest/easiest thing to do?
• Hardest- ah, me. My strong arms. 
• Easiest- Playground
• What is the best/worst thing in the world?
• Best- Ah, bebe Marsden, No, not bebe Marsden. Ah, me! 
• Worst- Ah, ugh. When daddy goin at da work.  
• What makes you mad?
• Lincoln, taking my toys
• What is the meaning of love?
• I love his Lincoln self
• If you had all the money in the world, what would you do with it?
• Ah, big money. Put in bank with daddy. 

*Ash asked me for mama milk in between each question. I, of course, said "not right now baby" but it was funny that he kept asking me questions too. 

 

PS. Got the idea from http://crappypictures.com/interview-your-kids/

Why public school Kindergarten is not happening this fall

Disclaimer: This post is written by a very hormonal and emotional new (again) mommy. I am sleep deprived, running off caffeine, worn out from tandem nursing, and very upset about this whole school situation. 

Last Wednesday was a big day for the Pace family! 

It was Lincoln's Kindergarten screening day at our local district public school. We had an appointment set up with the school for 3 pm. According to our paper we received in the mail we would get a tour, see classrooms, see a dentist (!?) and Lincoln would be "screened" to see what he needed to work on this summer in preparation for Kindergarten.   We made it a family affair. All five of us went to Lincoln's big day. I wore Marsden in a wrap, and we had Asher in a little umbrella stroller. We walked in and I already started getting misty eyed. Going to his first school is such a big milestone for our oldest son. 

In a word the entire experience turned out to be AWFUL. A teacher came to take Lincoln to his screening while Zack and I went into the parents information session. During our session Zack and I were astonished to hear that kindergarten is now a rigorous, hard core grade that focuses on preparing the kids for passing the the state tests and getting everyone to the exact same level. Not once were the words CREATIVITY or IMAGINATION used. They explained that in the past there has been too much play time and craft time and that they had to focus and set rigid goals. The whole time I am sitting here thinking IS THIS MILITARY SCHOOL!? I could not believe that they start this right off the bat in kindergarten with little kids who many have never been to any school in their lives before. 

So, after our information session which was about 10-15 minutes long we were taken by a teacher and the school principal into a small room. There they proceeded to tell us about her screening with Lincoln. She explained that he just would not work right with the school this year and they recommended holding him back a year. Basically this was all they said in a nutshell. They told us "he couldn't even hold the pencil or write out his name" and asked if he had any school before this. I was so upset that I was not able to ask more questions at that time, I got up, grabbed Lincoln my awesome special boy and left, crying as I walked out the door. 

Why was I crying? What made me so crazy upset? Well first, I think it is insanely unfair to judge a child's development based off a 10-15 minute meeting in which he is sitting in front of a teacher asked to perform tasks, when I am sure he was incredibly intimidated by the situation in the first place. I first felt embarrassed and ashamed that I had not prepared him well enough for kindergarten. Then I got angry. I was furious that this was our option. I was beyond mad that they take away play time and hands- on, fun learning and make school such a strict rigorous program right from the get go. Not all kids learn that way, and not all kids do well at taking tests or performing for teachers. 

I want a place for my son that is SPECIAL like he is. I want some place that can nurture his strengths and help me to find the very best way in which he learns things so that I can foster that. I want him to feel empowered about every thing he learns, not feel like he has to catch up to be on par with the test level the school desires so they can get more funding!!! My son is NOT A ROBOT. My son will not fit into this box. He is amazing, smart and talented in so many other ways, who gives a damn about how well he writes his name (which btw he does very well with me at home while I direct him, and can point out the letters and their names, and is very amazing at coloring and staying in the lines) 

I am searching for the very best option for Lincoln this fall. I will be starting school as well and Lincoln is such a social child that he was really REALLY looking forward to starting school in a couple months. Back to the drawing board we go. Ive already sending out emails and frantically trying to make sure that my son has a place that he will LOVE and that will love him as well. 

The hazy daze

  It has taken me more than a week to actually write this post. These newborn days and weeks are flying by so very fast. I am trying to get into a groove with my three littles these days. My first four weeks all I did/wanted to do was lay in bed and snuggle and soak up my sweet newborn. I received a lot of help from some amazing friends and family. My boys have watched too much tv these past few weeks but I am working on getting us out of that habit. Id love to write a little on each of my 3 little birdies and what life is like for them at this stage. Because, I really do feel like I am coming out of a fog and I know it will be hard to remember all these sweet details about life after baby number 3!

Let's start with Marsden~

• As you can tell I take SO MANY PICS of my little munchkin 
• He is slowly transitioning from having his days and nights totally mixed up
• Sleeps so so much
• Doesnt seem to react differently when I drink caffeine, YES! 
• Has has a pretty bad gassy tummy issue some nights, and we have to burp him a lot and do little baby sit ups and bicycles
• Some nights are horrible and he screams hours on end, other nights he sleeps so long and only wakes to eat! 
• I love the wrinkles on the bottom of his feets and how incredibly soft his head is. I cant stop smelling him all the time and staring at this beautiful creation. 
• Has an amazing smile, reacts to our voices and smiles so big with his scrunched up top lip 
• Is 5 weeks old, still fits in newborn, and starting in some 0-3 month clothes 
• His life is well documented via Instagram ;) 

Asher~ 

• 29 months old!
• Full on into his "terrific twos". Head strong, and likes telling me NO these days. 
• He is OBSESSED with drinking mama milk whenever he can since Mars was born. He has his special side and it comforts him and lets him know mama still loves him. 
• Says the cutest and funniest things. I am trying to record him more and more because he really sounds so adorable. 
• Working on counting more and talking about all that he sees. He especially likes to show his muscles and how fast he can run, just like his big brother

Lincoln~ 

• Has awesome style, likes to dress himself everyday
• Can be the most loving sweet man to me, hugging and all
• Has really come into his own independence these past few months. He eats when he is hungry, knows what he wants and is getting so self sufficient. 
• Totally excited for school this coming fall, we talk about it a lot these days and work on little things like word recognition and counting money
• Has some really great friends and he talks about them all the time. He is such a social butterfly and would choose to see friends everyday if we could. I love that about him. 

Prepping for a transition

I am not sure of how typical it is, but both my boys seem to be going through new "phases" as we prepare to welcome this new baby any day. Let me go a little more in depth.

Lincoln-

has recently started this very odd oral fixation thing. Hands in his mouth constantly, biting and sucking on random things here and there. He has never been like this, did not even take a paci for very long as a baby. Now I am constantly asking him to take his fingers out of his mouth, and he is getting red irritated marks around his lips from doing it so often! I know there has to be some "reason" behind the whole thing. It seems very unusual for his age~ almost 5, to start something like this. Thoughts? What can I do other than ask him not to do it?


Asher-

Where can I start with Asher? Things have been really difficult with him lately. He is in this new "NO" phase and while I definitely know this is normal, it is just not in line with his usual personality. He does not and will not listen to me at all lately. He acts insanely defiant and pushes me to the verge of tears almost daily now. This whole thing was just so sudden and I am having a difficult time with holding my patience together dealing with him. Its this whole HUGE struggle to do our daily things like diaper changes, getting dressed or anything thats not his number one priority at that time. This may just be a coincidence that it is coming out right before baby, but it may also be him asking for more attention because he senses all the time I am putting into "baby Mars" already. Whew, I don't know!!!!!

Lincoln-isms version 2012

This is Lincoln's year in review, mostly from facebook updates, and random pictures from Instagram. He says the silliest things. He is so observant and hilarious. This year has been so fun with him. Have a giggle. 

• "mom, tell Asher to stop hulk-ing me"

• Lincoln embarrassed me beyond belief today when we were out in greensboro... We has walked past an Asian man and Lincoln yells pretty loudly, "LOOK MOM, he is from Gangnam Style." I just stared at him open mouthed and quickly walked away, hoping no one heard him. :o

• We have been laying around and snuggling all day after Lincoln being sick and throwing up all night. The three of us woke up from an afternoon nap and Lincoln turned over to me and said, " You are so beautiful mommy. I love you more than SuperWhy." ;)

• We pulled up to drop Sarah off at her work and I was explaining that Sarah works there to Lincoln he responded with, " but she can't work, only daddies work." *facepalm 

• Lincoln wished on the blue moon tonight over and over. He said he wants a Woody doll. :) silly boy.

• Lincoln's adorable quote for the day: " mom, I wish I wanted to woosh away into outer space".

• Lincoln's new thing- Me: Lincoln why did you do that? or how come you didnt want to do this? Lincoln: Because it doesn't say so in my story. thanks SuperWhy.

• "Lincoln, who was mad at me for not sharing the last bite of yogurt, told me that a policeman was going to come and poke me in the eye...."

• Lincoln just made me one teary eyed sappy mama... he laid his head on my belly and said "mom can I tell baby Mars good things?" And I said of course. He started rubbing my belly and said " baby you are beautiful!" :) tears. Lots of sweet emotional tears. Night y'all. That just made my year.

• Me: Lincoln get your seat buckled so we can go to the store. Lincoln: I'm not Lincoln, I am a princess. Everyone will know me now. Hahaha he found the headband on the floor as won't take it off. Insists in wearing it into the store. I can't make this stuff up. LOL.

• "he is the king of the spidermans"

i love this kid.