Oct. 29, 2007 - The Frustrations of Early Learning
As happy as I am that Christian (3yrs) is starting to learn how to read and write, there are some downfalls that come with having an early learner.
Friday evening I was invited to a Stampin' Up party. I've never done stamping before and was really looking forward to trying it. It was nice to have an evening out with just girls as well (having 3 sons, I almost forget that I'm a girl sometimes, lol!). At the party we got to make a Christmas card. I was really impressed by how nice they looked - for a bunch of beginners! It's the nicest thing I've made in a long time! I really enjoyed the card making. I think I'm going to start doing it more regularly. Not only would it be enjoyable for me, but I love writing letters and this would be a nice way to encourage or bless people. There's just something about getting a homemade card that makes you feel good inside. 
The Stampin' Up supplies are all very nice! Some of them are quite decently priced, and some are more expensive, but I have no doubt that all of their supplies are of excellent quality. I know also that you can buy a lot of cardmaking supplies at Dollarama or other dollar stores as well as use many items from around the house. I think when I get back from Mexico I'd like to order some of the Stampin' Up inks though. The lady who did our party has been using hers for over a year (and using them LOTS) and hasn't had to replace any of them yet. And they come in a very child-friendly design (hard for little ones to open the cases!).
Anyway, I arrived home after the party feeling relaxed and refreshed and quite proud of my little Christmas card. I joked that I was going to display it in the trailer all winter because it's likely the only Christmas card we will "receive" this year (as we won't be able to get mail in Mexico). It was fairly late when I got home and the boys were still awake. Charles was quite tired because he hadn't had a nap in the afternoon so I decided to put him to bed first. I was in the bedroom for no more than 5 minutes. I came out to the living room to find Christian with a pen and my lovely homemade card writing his ABCs all over it! Even the envelope was covered with letters!
A little bit of background here - since Christian has been learning to read, he has become Obsessed with writing letters and short words. He probably spends around 3 hours a day, if not more, writing letters on paper. I'll give him a coloring book to color in, but find letters written all over the pages instead. He has written the alphabet all over my grocery list, my notebook, a children's story I've been writing, my prayer journal, some costly photo printer paper, Caleb's math notebook and even the wall beside his bed. I can't escape the ABCs, they are taking over the house!! He has had more than a few lectures about what is okay to write on and what is not, but it seems to escape him quite frequently. He even has several notebooks of his own that are designated for ABC writing. But sees any kind of paper and seems to forget everything I've told him in his excitement to write his letters yet again.
So, while I'm very proud of what he has learned already and pleased that he is so excited about learning, I am also a little bit frustrated at this point!
God, give me grace to survive Christian's love for the alphabet!!
Back of the Card
Front of the Envelope
Back of the Envelope
(I apologize for the poor quality of the photographs. They were taken on my mobile.)
