Bookworms

The research about literacy indicates that 20 percent of Americans read below a sixth grade level by the time they graduate from high school. Even worse, for those who were not exposed to reading at an early age are likely to drop out of high school. Don't let this scare you? It is never too late to start reading with your children, grandchildren, or someone that you love.

After I took Deaf Literacy class during my graduate program, I vowed that I would read books to my children. I already started reading many varieties of books to my sons from the time of their birth every single night. Despite my hectic days and occasional preschooler resistance, I’ve read a wide variety of books to my sons every single night from the time of their birth. It takes a LOT of patience to get them to fall in love with the books, but persistence pays.

Dylan started reading books during his spare time when he was fourteen months old, a month before his brother Ryan was born. Even at age six, he still likes reading books. (Thank goodness!) His favorite book of all times is Ten Little Fish. Besides reading books, he also learning to enjoy other written media. The comic character Garfield is a special favorite. Thanks to his dad who always likes to read the newspaper. He learned to love books and the newspaper from his dad. I am so proud both of his teachers from pre-school and kindergarten said that his reading comprehension, including writing sentences, recognizing simple words and spellings, is a lot higher than his classmates.

Like I said that it takes a lot of patience to teach your child to love books, it took a while to have Ryan enjoy reading. At age three and a half, he finally started liking books since he sees books everywhere: his bedroom, his pre-school, and bookstores. He asks me to read books to him every single night. Mostly, he prefers me to read any Thomas books. This was also one of Dylan's favorites so I am bored sick with reading the series, but I know that it is critical to encourage him if he is to continue to enjoy the books.

Just a few months ago, he astounded me that he does read few words from the book on his own. His teacher from his pre-school said that he is the only ones who know how to spell the month without looking at the calendar and is the only one in his general education class that could read the English print "three!" Boy, I was stunned but yet proud!

Without a doubt, the investment of my time is paying off well. I will continue to read books to them any time they ask me to even when they can read for themselves.

Smart Alec or Competitor

During breakfast time, Dylan said out of blue. From there, we started the competition between us (Mother and Son?? Oh my goodness, why did I start this?) The conversation began:

Dylan: Mom, I can run faster than you because you are too old to run (What an insult! So the war began with "tit for tat!")

Mom: Oh really? I think a lot faster than you such as Math.

Dylan: (Giggling) What is 1300 plus 600?

Mom: 1900

Dylan: (Stunning) How do you know?

Mom: I told you I think fast.

Dylan: Alright, BUT (his famous motto) I can talk a lot faster than you, "blah, blah, blah" Who knows what he had said?

Mom: (Laughing) I can sign a lot faster ( So I began signing REALLY FAST without using my voice or even whispering, "I can sign a lot faster. You sign slower than me. Hahahah."

Guess what? He interpreted 100 percent accuracy. GULP !

Does this sicken you when your own child win the competition?

School Photos

We finally got our sons' school photos back last week. We have been eagerly waiting for a month! Both of them had handsome smiles! We were relieved. You never know with kids how it's going work out!

The photographer at Ryan's Pre-School was great! He positioned Ryan just perfectly. He had Ryan turn his head this way, tilt just a little that way and bend his knee slightly back that way. So when Ryan was perfectly posed.. The Photographer's ready to capture the moment.. Ryan started singing, "Head, Shoulders, Knee, and Toes, Knees and Toes.." Yup, he had them rolling ! Thank Goodness, his picture came out ok!

Dylan's picture was great! What a little ham! The way he was posing in a few of them makes him look like a junior model! The photographer at his school complimented Dylan. He told Dylan he had the best smile! And after seeing Dylan's picture I have to agree!

Brotherly Love

Is it a miracle having siblings bonding so well? My sons seem to be siblings who get along at most of the times, though they are fifteen months apart. I think this helps a lot because they have similar interests. At times, though they have love/hate relationship.

Dylan is a great role model for his brother, Ryan, who was diagnosed as Persuasive Development Disorder Non-Known Syndrome (PPD-NOS as known on the Autism Spectrum.) He has taught him communication skills, interaction skills, etc. Daily, monthly,yearly, I see their relationship growing!

Last year, Ryan only spoke one to two words per sentences. With Dylan constantly yammering Ryan, he has leaped from two words to eight words per sentence! Wow! There are times I have seen them talking to each other: bathtub, reading books, trains and so forth next to each other. Dylan occasionally even interpreted for us what Ryan had previously said including teaching him signing (Of course, Ryan sometimes signs.) What a love!

I love to watch Ryan's emerging expressive and receptive skills. I know that Dylan also has been a great teacher with those skills as well as how Dylan is Ryan's Idol! Ryan also learns to interact with the family members, classmates, and even strangers such as at Carl's Jr. or McDonald's indoor playground set. They also like to wrestle and play hide and seek together. Ryan is learning to stay hidden until I find them both. They are lucky ducks that I didn't hear their giggling and scampering from hiding place to hiding place, or I would have caught them sooner! I love seeing them smiling and giggling together, it touches my heart. I have also enjoyed watching them playing with their Thomas the trains in their bathtub, sandbox, or even taking trains to their beds. I must admit that I am getting sick of their Thomas and his Friends obsessions! Unfortunately, they had agreed to stick together by ignoring my encouragement to try other toys. If you have any thoughts on how to evict Thomas and gang in lieu of other toys, I'm all ears!

I love their commodore! They hug each other and show affection toward each other! It kills me on those rare occasions when they fight! At times, I have seen them slapping each other's back (ouch!) or even yelling at each other. Thank goodness, I can't hear their angry voice, but their facial expressions display their emotions loud and clear. Yep, sometimes their down right nasty to each other! I can't wait until their older... NOOOOO!!!!

No matter where their relationship stands, it considers themselves as a gift from God-their love for each other!

Home Improvement

Over the past four days, it had been totally CRAZY at the Casa de McClellan! First of all, we finally hired four professional painters to paint our fort. It took them two full days to complete the walls. This is far better than having my husband, David hanging like a monkey painting the walls. Otherwise, I would have videoed him to put on youtube! When it was finally completed, the walls look so sophisticated and high class! Wow, we're no longer having plain walls!

Well what's even worse with all of the chaos I haven't been able to keep up on the laundry.. yep the piles of filthy clothes are starting to look like Mount Everest ! For the last two days, David and I had to be careful not to let our kids' tiny hands leave their "trademarks" on the walls. Thank goodness, they were well behaved ! We still have more painting to complete inside.. it feels like I'll never get my house back!?!

So.. since we were literally waiting for the "paint to dry," we decided to "spice" up outside as well by adding more flowers, plants, fountain, and a new patio set. Toiling under the Hot Chula Vista Sun, I worked on our front yard by putting more redwood bark. Of course, I was in too much of a hurry to put gloves on. The redwood barks gave me a new "look." Yep, red stain all over my hands! Good grief, it washed it off.

We even put the water fountain in by our front door entry, the new tree will be of bright and beautiful flowers handing into front patio area. Yep ! Spring is in the air ! Time for new plants and flowers ! The only thing left is to purchase a small patio set for our front entry--to make a complete set. This would be a relaxing area for people to sit and listen the water flowing smoothly from the water fountain!

We finally got our patio set for our backyard. It is so nice to have swivel chairs and lazy Susan table. Of course, we are looking forward to many B.B.Q's, family get together and parties for family and friends !
So even though our house is under construction, you're still welcome! We can hardly wait to share our paradise with you.

Spaghetti !

Yummy! Does this sound good to have for dinner? Well, it is our "Scroogies" favorite meal. They were bragging in a front of the camera, eating a big scoop of spaghetti! You know how little and big men are !

Mowing Day

Even though it was a beautiful day to spend the day to relax, but we continuously had long listing things to do. David still found his time to mow the lawn while I did some of the front yard work. Then, Ryan hurriedly rushed out to the backyard to get something. Guess what he got? His toy lawn mower ! He acted like as if he was assisting his dad. Isn't that cute?

After Ryan did one part of the lawn side, Dylan followed Ryan's footstep. They both idiolized their loving, hard-working dad.

Did You Know?

This evening, my family and I went to a nearby bookstore for an hour. While I was there, I found a Science book with a lot of interesting facts. So, I thought to share it with you all of what I have learned.

1. Your body temperature rises slightly as you digest a large meal.

2. Every time you lick a stamp, you've consuming one tenth of a calorie.

3. Six year olds laugh an average of 300 times a day.

4. Adults laugh 15 to 100 times a day. Laughing lower levels of stress hormones and strengthens the immune system.

5. A nondairy creamer is flammable because it contains so much palm oil.

6. Most lipsticks, nail polish, artists' paint and ceramics contain a silvery substance called a "pearl essence" obtained from the herring and other fishes.

7. A rat can survive longer without water than a camel.

8. When bats fly out of a cave, they always turn left.

9. It takes lobster about 7 years to grow to weigh one pound.

10. Sharks have one of the best immune systems in the animal kingdom. Studies show that they resist every disease, including cancer.

11. All clams start out as males but they change into females later in the lives.

No Pictures :-(

I have to apologize for not having any pictures of our recent news... My blog is not showing any icons (Sob!) Still, I will put the pictures once the picture icons appear. Please bear with me.

Honoring Our Mothers

Please forgive me for not sending messages to honor our Mothers on Mother's Day. As usual, I have an excuse, was out for the day to Sea World with my family.

Mom: First and foremost, this is a woman who made a huge difference in my life. When she discovered my deafness, she rolled her sleeves up and worked with my education from the started until I've completed my Master's Degree. I have to thank you for putting your entire amount of patience into this process; although, we have gone through thick and thin. Not only you teaching me with the academic, you also used your creativity in teaching me macrame' to garden. Too bad, I don't have your green thumb! Yet, I know you care and love for me. I am returning the same.


Cathy: Over the last ten years, I have appreciated your talents in decorating interiors. Believe me, I have learned a lot from you. Not only that you are a wonderful mother-in-law, you are also a strong-willed woman I admire (that's where The McClellan Clan got it.) My all time favorite activities with you are when the family gets together for un-birthday and getting variety stuff from Christmas stocking. That has brought me closer to the meaning of having family gathering.

Connee: From the moment, you entered my dad's life, you had changed mine! I love the way you use your high energy and how considerate and kind you are of others. You always made sure everyone is filled with love and happiness. This is my lesson from you.

Deby: I have always admired how you manage your schedule. You do all of the errands and emergencies that come up while you were a full-time working mom. You sure have impressed me that you still have any energy even you have three kids left to do things like; sending a thoughtful messages to others by e-mail or mailing a letter. This has taught me to share with others. Since I was an only child, I never really learned to share with others until now.

There are many others I would like to include. Each of you are in my thoughts. I have always loved each of you though I may not say I love you very often.

A Trip to Sea World

On Mother's Day, I chose to go to Sea World for a day instead of having a pedicure or massage. That is because I love to spend time with my family.

On our first ride was "Journey to Atlantis, it felt like we were on a water roller coaster. Thank Goodness, Ryan was tall enough to join us ! When we got off the ride, our wet pants looked like we had an accident! We also joined other daring riders on the "The Wild Artic" ride. It was like we were riding on a real fast helicopter. Both times, Dylan had his teeth clenched because he thought he would fall off from Journey to Atlantis, the water roller coaster and The Wild Artic. Ryan, on the other hand, just giggled and laughed at the whole time. It made other adults laugh at his laugh.

While we were at the Shamu's Happy Harbor, the kids' area, we unexpectedly bumped into Dylan's Kindergarten teacher. The boys were soaking wet from the squirt up waters and running through the water tunnel for an hour. At the end, they were shivering and their teeth were chattering !

Unfortunately, we didn't get a chance to see all of the rides and adventures! There will be more visits in the future, but this was a perfect Mother's Day Gift for me!

Underwater World

If you guess it was Conseteau, you are wrong ! It is David! He does idolize Consteau. He went with his friend to San Clemente Island. David was brave enough to jump at the 55 degree water, and made it down 95 feet ! BRRR !! Of course, he gets a lot of ear pressures but it didn't bother him because the cold water invigorate him.

Since 1991, David has gone out to the dive more than 300 times. This time he decided to make an effort to be in the San Diego Deaf Scuba Web Site-- that is because he's SO VAIN !! With his newest camera, he was excited because he can video his underwater world and share it with the boys and me. Yet, I need to learn how to upload to 'youtube." Maybe I can make him famous like Jacques Cousteau, the Next Generation ! While he was filming and taking pictures, he was stunned to see over 100 yummy lobsters clinging to the underwater cave. Too bad, he was unable to take tons of lobsters home for dinner. That would have made me so happy, but knowing it is off-season and a hefty fine. We will just wait until the season begins.

The next day after he finished his diving, he used his whatever energy he had left over to go out to Sea World for my sake's (Mother's Day.) We saw the scuba divers cleaning the Mantee's pens. Dylan told his dad that he should be in there. Isn't that cute?

Crazy Friday

Oh boy, I can't believe I had survived my three special events! Of course, they are all on the same day! First, I need to wear a yellow shirt to represent for the Jaguar. We get spirit points for the Jags; this helps us to beat the other 3 teams. Unfortunately, we are on the last place. BUMMER !

Right after my first event, I attended Ryan's first Mother's/Grandmother's Day at his pre-school. I had to change my clothes from Jaguar yellow to 50's cool ! While we were there, we had bubble gums contests, hula-hoops, dances, ice cream, and ate hot dogs. Ryan loved trying to do his hula-hoops.

As soon as I finished Ryan's event, he and I had to meet Dylan and David at McDonald's. Once again, it was a quick-change time. This time the theme was Hawaiian outfits. Dylan's school was having a special event: Beach Spring Fling Party. The boys and I were ready for sand, surf and fun! Too bad, David had to Scuba Dive or he could have participated the Limbo. (Just make a picture of David doing the limbo along with the kids.) Truthfully, the boys cheated on their limbo contest: Ryan lifted the limbo stick and Dylan just bend his back and walked under the limbo.

When night fell, we were all sleepy from our fun day full of parties! I started off as a Jaguar, changed to a 50's sock-hopper and ended playing beach party lingo ! I kind of felt like the "Three Faces of Eve" for a while there! Well Sunday will be over "Water World" Day! That's on way this Mother will beat the heat and have a day with my family.

Break Through !

For those of you didn't know Ryan had broke his left leg at 19 months old while riding down on a closed tunnel slide with me at McDonald's restaurant,he since had refused participate this hazardous activity. It has been three and a half years since we, including Dylan, had tried to encourage him to be brave and to go on the slide. He would happily climbed up and down along with other kids all over the play equipment! He would even encourage them and welcome them at the bottom of the "Monster." I always feel so guilty when I see him playing on everything but the slide.. Oh a Mother's guilt! It's a beautiful thing ! While wallowing in my grief, unexpectedly, Ryan decided, "enough was enough!" And he confronted that evil slide once and for all, slowly creeping up the kid friendly steps to the mockingly "kid safe" plot for him. As he stared down into the black abyss, he leaped... and Ta-Da conquered the Dragon! Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating a bit but relief I felt watching him overcome that obstacle. It came a long way in helping me relieve a little bit of mommy guilty.

Sure enough, I ran them like dogs! There were down for the night. It was a precious moment to see such a break through for
Ryan !

Healthy Snack

I bet you thought I was a copycat of Amiee, and her amazing pictures of delicious healthy meals. Frankly, I wish I were a chef !

While we were in the fruit and vegetable section at Vons, I caught Dylan out of the corner of my eye! Know what he did? He nibbled one of his favorite vegetables ! Yep right there in the middle of Vons, he grabbed some broccoli, took a healthy bite, then put it back where it belonged. I was floored! Of course, I ended up buying this healthy snack.

Just before the boys went to bed, Ryan came up to me, "I'm hungry!" Dylan then made the same comment. I guess their energy had run out while playing at McDonald's. At first, I thought Dylan said that he wanted a Chocolate Donut. I told him, "No way, you are not going to eat junk food." He got furious at me because I didn't understand him. "I said, 'broccoli' not 'chocolate', he angrily stated ! Well, can you image I couldn't hear the difference between chocolate and broccoli? The mouth movement without hearing voice appeared to look similar. Try this in a front of a mirror.

You know most kids would prefer to eat junk food before they hit the sack. Of course, I refused and instead offered them a small amount of vegetables. Ryan had a few piece of carrots and Dylan had "the" broccoli from the fiasco at Vons. It felt good to be the boss by telling them, "NO!" They couldn't argue with me (Pat myself on the back!)

Desperate Needs Your Vote

For nearly ten years, I have begged my husband to grow his goatee. For years, he refused until he finally did this year. Boy wasn't I glad !? However, to my disappointment, it didn't last long.

While I was gone out to a scrapbook workshop for the day, David, my husband, sneaked it out and shaved his goatee without my "so-called permission." So, I am posting two pictures of David with and without goatee. I need your vote which do you like the best on him.

The Little Stunt

Besides literally speaking about Ryan, Dylan is an outspoken person. One beautiful afternoon, we all rode on our bikes to a nearby restaurant for lunch. Then, we all sat outside of Quizano's among with other people. There was a little cute girl who was learning to walk. Dylan asked her mother, "how old is she?" When he got an answer from her, out of blue, he then said, "I'm six years old. Ryan is four years old. BUT my mom is older than my dad." Immediately, I covered his mouth, but it was too late. Other people ,who sat nearby us, were laughing at his humor. Boy was I being humiliated!?!

This was not the first time he would dare to try anything including eating. One day, he had learned the benefits of Earthworms from his school. He even had "Dirt Cake" (crushed Oreo, chocolate pudding, and gummy candy worms)for snack. Without my knowledge that he had eaten the Dirt Cake, I then asked him what he wanted for dinner on our way home after picking both of my sons up. Guess what he said? He replied with pleading, "I wanted to have Earthworms for dinner. It was so delicious!" I was puzzled and then I had to have him explain it to me.

That was a valuable lesson for me and his teacher to explain the difference between the REAL Earthworms and the Gummy Worms before passing the Dirt Cake out. * I must warn you before you give it out to your children or students.

The Mischievous

Ryan is the little mischievous guy. He will be turning to five next week, May 10th. Recently, he learned more about plants and bugs at his pre-school. He once took the teacher's plant out of the pot because he thought the plant is finished growing. He kept saying, "I'm sorry" when he was being scolded. (Of course,the teachers laughed without letting him know.) Just last night, I assumed the boys were watching their favorite T.V. show after finished their homework and dinner. Dylan ran up and tattled tale about Ryan cutting his own hair ! I dashed off to downstairs. From upstairs, I was looking down to Ryan. He had his arm behind him with a scissor and acted like as if he was innocent. After he handed me the scissor, I found a bit of his brown hair on the carpet. Fortunately, he didn't cut more than once while I did my entire front bangs, just a week before Christmas when I was six and even did cut my doll's hair because I thought it would grow.

The next day, I learned from another teacher at his pre-school about Ryan's comment. His comment with a pride, "I cut hair with scissors." He was very impressed with himself that he did it ! (Groan!) I guess it was being paid back. Don't we all have our own experience either from you or your children?

Don't let this picture of Ryan fooled you.

Chaos

As many of you might be wondering what's happening with the "Zany" McClellan Family. Actually, right now, our home, with a beautiful view, is in chaos due to our painting project. We have decided to try it ourselves! David, the hard worker, wants to do the experiment himself by painting Ryan's and Dylan's room while their beds are in our room . Can you visualize the four of us with piles of the boys' clothes sharing the same master's room? Despite the suffering and the chaos, Ryan's room will be done with a "Thomas, the Train" theme while Dylan's room will be a "Cars" Theme. They have their bathroom between their room. So, I need your help with their bathroom's theme to coordinate their bedrooms. Of course, I will take pictures of before and after to show our success or failure in this endeavor. At the same time as upstairs chaos erupts, so does the downstairs, Luckily, we hired a professional painter due to the 20 feet high ceiling. Could you image David hanging like a monkey off a ladder doing this?

Traditionally, I am quite neat freak.. that of course was before David and the boys! I know many of you will agree with me, that children then to be bit messy! Toys on the stairs and floors, papers left on tables, and sand from playing with the sandbox all over the clean floor.. Maybe I will collect cans to pay for a maid ! Well as usual I have been busy ! Helping with the boys' homework, chores, dinner, blahh, blahh (fill in the blanks you know the demands involved) But I must confess.. I wouldn't trade it for the world!

Bizzare Weather

Happy Spring to All of you !

Can you believe spring has already arrived? The weather has been bizzare ! Does it mean that god is moody? I was actually looking forward to have ongoing warm weather-- so we all can sit down relax on our new patio table with our sons play a lot. Not only relaxing under the warm sun, we all enjoyed going out to the pool for a swim, or riding on our bikes.