We love to read with both of our boys and thanks to the Parent Bloggers Network we have found a new way to strengthen and advance their reading skills through the Leapfrog Tag Reading System. Head over to the Ebonymom Reviews to read all about it. There’s also review of the Savvy Source quiz system you see in my right side bar which supports parents in all aspects of learning for their preschool to kindergarten age child.

EDad sent me this cool visual search tool earlier. It reminds me a bit of an iphone- very sleek and modern. Try it out and see what stack you fall in.

After paying a premium for EBoy’s school supplies last year (prepurchased via the PTA) I decided to take things into my own hands this year. So many stores have so many great sales it’s easy to get all of the supplies at minimum cost. I was so proud of all of the 22 cent items I purchased on his list, skipped through finding inexpensive markers and glue, only to wind up stopped dead in my tracks by what is apparently the holy grail of school shopping here: 12×18 construction paper.

Last summer I remembered hearing multiple mothers lamenting how difficult it was to get their hands on 12×18 construction paper so I vowed to start early. I was successful! Found a great deal on EBoy’s multicolored paper when I went to my next item on the list: 12×18 bright WHITE construction paper followed by: 12×18 solid colored construction paper. We also require some sort of velcro pocket which you place in a 3 ring binder which none of the office supply stores I visited have ever heard of. So I google that and find one single retailer that carry this exact product. Where is that retailer you ask? Why, Canada of course.

I’m convinced his teachers must think that we are starring in some sort of school supply edition of the Amazing Race. I haven’t given up yet, but poor EBoy has lost of all his faith in the Easy Button. No matter how many times we pressed that lying little button, the paper could not be found. I feel like a woman obsessed, but I won’t sound quite so crazy when I’m chilling with my stacks of paper in August while everyone else frantically embarks on their mysterious magical paper quest.

July 13 was the celebration of a new year of life for EBoy. It’s still so hard for me to believe that he is really 6, well planted into school age and learning all he can as quickly as possible. Here’s a birthday letter to commemorate the year of 5.

Dear EBoy,
It’s still so hard for me to believe that my first born baby boy is now 6 years old. Earlier today you asked me to tell you about the first time that you smiled when you were just a baby. You couldn’t have been more than just a few days old when we realized that after a contented session of nursing you’d stretch your arms, curl up tighter into a little snuggly ball in my arms and sweetly smile as you drifted off to sleep. Even now as you have surpassed the height of my elbow and are trying to get as tall as my shoulder you still climb into my lap, curl up as small as you can and snuggle and smile just as sweetly as your newborn self did.

This year has been a momentous year with your successful completion of kindergarten. We watched you blossom from an unsure cautious worrier to a kind hearted fun loving entertainer who has no problem making friends, especially if those friends have any interest in your favorite subjects. The two top subjects of this year? Science and Marvel Super Heroes. It amazes us to see your logic and love of science multiple faster than fruit flies- and your memory of each topic is just as sturdy as the structures we watch being built on How It’s Made and tested on Myth Busters.

Computers are another favorite hobby- who could blame you for that since you do come from 3 generations of computer scientists and programmers. We’ve just discovered Webkins and when you received 2 for your birthday you made sure to let the family members that gave them to you “I really appreciate getting this webkin VERY much”. Appreciation for technology is something I’m sure we’ll have a long future of.

You’ve matured into a wonderful big brother who ETot can’t get enough of following around and wrestling. Sometimes as I watch you calmly allow Etot to plant his body on top of your head while twisting your arms apart I’m grateful that your calm and even temperament is just fine with his constant puppylike antics. Running and swimming are your favorite sports, and as the situp and push up champion of your class you are always glad to have an excuse to walk around flexing your muscles.

Church has become one of your favorite places to be from learning about the Bible to singing your favorite song “The Jesus in Me.” Your only complaint about church has been on the family fun Sundays when the Dads take over and play games with all of the kids in children’s church. You insist everyone needs to be learning something, not just playing around. Your teachers constantly compliment how sweet and polite you are even when your brother is trying to tackle you out of your seat as you work, you keep focused on the task at hand.

I’m proud of you and how far you’ve come in the past year. Each day I grow to love being your mother even more. Thank you for being the sweetest cuddliest 6 year old a Mom could ever want. Happy 6th Birthday EBoy.

As EDad was getting ready to head to work this morning I overheard a conversation between him and ETot:

ETot: What are you doing Daddy?

EDad: Getting ready for work

ET: Ohhh…Daddy I can’t go to work with you

ED: Why ETot?

ET: There’s too many sharp things at your job. I might get hurt.

ED: Really?

ET: Yes I’m going to stay here and play with my Easter eggs.

This is definitely an improvement over his usual wailing and crying about EDad heading to work, however we’re still not sure of 2 things- 1. what he thinks EDad’s job is (whenever I ask him he just keeps talking about knives and scissors) 2. exactly where he keeps getting all of these Easter eggs from in July!