And Then There Were Two.

Two

Back-to-school is in full swing around here. 

Now instead of one kid at the table there are two. Instead of one kid's reflection in the table during homework-time there are two. 

There's the boy, diligently working on his homework: 

Boy

And seriously, someone forgot to warn me about the jump in homework from first to second grade. It seems like there is a lot more to do compared to last year. 

And the there's the girl, taking it all in:

Her

For her right now she is literally taking it all in. Everything goes right in her mouth. 

Another thing I am loving with her right now is her fascination and delight with all the photos we have up around the house. Her favorite is one that is hanging in her room of her and her cousin Gabrielle. She totally smiles and wants to stop there each time we walk by. It's been fun to see her reacting with such joy to the images. 

Crazykids

After Simon finishes his homework, or as we take a little break between subjects, he usually likes to check out whatever has been entertaining her for the last few minutes. On this day it was some felt food. I think she is asking politely for her hamburger back. 

And then there were two. 

Dottedline

Just one more reminder that Yesterday & Today - my online workshop with Big Picture Scrapbooking - begins tomorrow. I can't believe it is finally here! I am nervous and excited and am looking forward to getting started. Registration will remain open until October 7. 

Dottedline

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Evalicious, one of my long-time blog sponsors, is celebrating this week with a complete re-design of her shop and blog. Check out her new blog here and her shop here. In celebration she is offering 10% off all orders through October 11. Just mention "shopevalicious" when you checkout. 

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51 thoughts

  1. tara pollard pakosta says…
    09/30/2009

    Warning now: 3rd grade is alot more homework! LOT MORE! Ava has: Spelling words, Spelling sentences, Math facts to memorize(multiplication now), Science tests to study for, Math tests to study for (we give her problems from the book, she gets study guides from school to fill out and we print out the chapter test from the back of the book to have her complete), Reading (they say 20 minutes a night, but she does more like 30-60), at least 2-3 math pages per day. Seriously, she is doing at least 1-2 hours of homework every single night, if I count reading with it!! It gets crazier! I hear 4th grade is even worse, but Savannah hasn't had that much yet and she's in 4th, we shall see how that ends up!
    Tara
    CUTE PICTURE~!

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  2. (Lisa) Jonnysmommy says…
    09/30/2009

    My son isn't yet old enough to go to school, but I know that will happen to me soon. The photos are great. I'd like to check out that workshop too.

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  3. Elizabeth Esther says…
    09/30/2009

    My sons both struggle with their homework (1st & 3rd grade). They get so frustrated and upset about having to sit and do worksheets after school--when they already sat and did worksheets *during* school. Sometimes I make them do it. And sometimes if it's just completely counterproductive--I write a wee note to the teacher explaining that my sons needed outdoor/unstructured time and that we were unable to complete it.
    Simon seems to be doing wonderfully, though. Perhaps this isn't as frustrating for your family as it is for ours! :)
    p.s. the pictures look so warm and cozy. love it!

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  4. tracey m. says…
    09/30/2009

    So much to love in this post:
    -the whole concept of "and then there were 2"
    -your awesomely "reflective" table
    -your sense of humor
    -knowing that someone else shares my shock over the jump in 2nd grade homework
    -the four cool thingies on the wall in the last shot(are they match holders?)

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  5. Lauri says…
    09/30/2009

    Hi Ali - I feel just like Shara who posted earlier...I was sitting in a (corporate) meeting this morning daydreaming for some reason (no idea why...!!) and realized that tomorrow is Thursday, Oct 1st which means it's the 1st DAY of ALI's class!!! Whoo hoo!! I almost squealed right there in the conference room! Thanks for giving me so much to look forward to! Oh, and my Scrapbook.com order arrived today with your Technique Tuesday kit...can't wait to go home and work on it!! Have a great day and keep hugging those babies!!

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  6. Ali Edwards says…
    09/30/2009

    We do the same thing Elizabeth :). It is actually very frustrating. I am finding that giving him free time right when he gets home for at least an hour - he wants to play video games - has worked so far before focusing on the homework. I try to have some sort of "good thing" for him to look forward to after he finishes (either before or after dinner). It is a challenge here too.

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  7. Annette says…
    09/30/2009

    Sorry to ruin everyones delight with the homework try 4th grade with a special needs kid Ugh!!!!!!! We had an hour last night and that was before the nightly reading. My husband, just can't believe it all. His first kid. Can't wait for jr. high. Counting the hours until class tomorrow, hope I can keep up :)
    Annette

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  8. Mama Veg says…
    09/30/2009

    As a teacher, I was always mindful of how much homework I sent home. I'm not sure how productive it really is and some kids don't even get help and are left to struggle alone. Not to mention trying to fix a misunderstanding that a child has reinforced by doing it wrong at home. It can be a battle for teachers. You would be surprised how many parents complain if you don't send those worksheets home. I think the most productive evening activities are reading, spending time together, helping with chores, and getting some physical activity.

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  9. Carrie P says…
    09/30/2009

    As a second grade aide, and past teacher and mom, glad the homework stage is over, one in college. Thanks for takeing the time to let him have some fun first. Our kids have 20 minutes of reading, a math fact paper and math concept paper and spelling words.
    Hang in there!
    Love the photos!

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  10. sarah says…
    09/30/2009

    adorable photos!
    my eye also went to the wall behind the kids. are those vintage match holders lined up above that fabulous red stool? i LOVE the look of them (and the stool too!)!

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  11. Allie says…
    09/30/2009

    A lover of photographs already? I wonder where she got THAT from?? :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. Linda says…
    09/30/2009

    Awesome pictures Ali--the homework just keeps going and going--my oldest says it is even worse in Med School!! :)

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  13. Rebecca Brigham says…
    09/30/2009

    Just wait until you get to third grade. Tonight it was the metric system! I never learned the metric system.... not really. Unfortunately, not much of a help to my daughter.

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. Jeni says…
    09/30/2009

    Did I mention that I am really excited to start the course tomorrow. Wish it was today!!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. Jeni says…
    09/30/2009

    I was curious about that too.

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. prazdance says…
    09/30/2009

    thanks for the fresh take on...well....Everyday! LOL! Enjoy Life!

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. sarah kristiansen says…
    09/30/2009

    just love that we aren't the only folks who refer to our kids as "the boy" and "the girl". After all that time we spent picking out perfectly nice names.... ;)

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. Elizabeth Dillow says…
    09/30/2009

    I just this afternoon commented that second grade homework is kicking this mama's rear... Maddie is working on a week-long project about clouds that involves lots of art supplies, and child #2 and #3 aren't really that into leaving her alone to do it. On top of everything else there is to do :)

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  19. KatherineB says…
    09/30/2009

    What a beautiful post Ali - love seeing Simon working so well on his work and Anna doing some serious study of her own - such a photo of bliss.....oh yeah ...just wait until Simon has his first project to do - wompah that was a doozie in our place this year but as expected a child with ASD did it PERFECTLY!!!!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. Sue says…
    10/01/2009

    Isn't it great that your kids get along so well? Simon is growing up so quickly and obviously working so hard on his homework and your little sweetie is just too cute! Thanks for sharing your every day with us.

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. amber says…
    10/01/2009

    thank you

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  22. Lauren says…
    10/01/2009

    Catching up on my blog reading, and just read this post. Thought I'd share with you what my daughter's 2nd grade teacher told me when I asked about the huge increase in homework. "Second Grade is all about preparing them for Third Grade, and in third grade they have to do more work, on their own and be more responsible for their own work" I found this to be quite true, and the jump from 3rd grade to 4th, which we made this years is just as big. Have fun and enjoy them, they are beautiful kids!

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  23. Genevieve says…
    10/01/2009

    Thanks for the reminder about Evalicious. Just scooped up some of her dazzling button embellishments. :-)

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  24. Kathy Besser says…
    10/02/2009

    Hi Ali!
    Have you seen the felt food by BeckyM over at Etsy? She makes the most amazing things and I always order baby shower or baby birthday gifts from her... so cool! Interestingly, her listing is just below yours on my Cool Links page. Here's her Esty shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5128266
    All the best,
    kathy

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  25. Ali Edwards says…
    10/02/2009

    Kathy - that is an awesome link!!! I had not seen her before but will add her to my favorites.

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