Keep Trying

AM has been playing the game Mr. Mouth for about 20 minutes now. It's that oldie but goodie where you put a bug on a little hand and pop it into the frog's opening and closing spinning mouth. He's whined and cried and walked away a few times already. I was putting JE down for a nap and overheard all of this. I shouted down from upstairs, "You haven't played in a long time, be patient, you need to practice." Then I heard his little voice yell "Yeah, mommy, remember, what do winners do? They keep trying!" I was so happy to hear those words! I've been telling him that for at least a year, whenever he gets frustrated. And he's shown that he has internalized it and actually believes it. Guess what? He's sitting there having fun in his usual way, making lots of "boy voice" pretend conversations. It's so funny having boys, because my play never sounded anything like his! There's always so much action: people falling, screams, rescue attempts, chases, etc.

Swimming's still going well. AM and his classmates had to "save" their swim instructor today to show that they knew what to do. Sounds good to me!

Today we have a babysitter coming over. My husband and I are shopping to redo our downstairs bathroom. I can't wait to get it looking better! This, mind you, is the one that had velvet wallpaper when we moved in!! Actually, I have a picture of a young AM helping me remove it.....

Swimming Lessons

Swimming lessons started on Monday, bright and early. We go 5 mornings a week for 2 weeks. I'm excited for AM to learn to swim because we have a pool in our backyard, and it makes me nervous that he can't swim! I can't really say much about what they're learning though, because parents aren't allowed to stay. As a teacher, I can understand why they don't want parents hovering. It really distracts the kids, makes them much more likely to whine and ask for help, and we would overreact if they struggled at all, even during the learning process (since after all, struggling in a pool can be scary to an untrained person!). As a parent though, I still was a little sad to plop 4 year old AM on the pool deck with a towel, give him a kiss, and leave for an hour! He didn't know anyone, and didn't even answer to his name -- another kid he met on the bleachers said (I heard later) "Yeah, that's AM, right there!" Oh well. He survived and has told me every day what he's learned. On the last day of class they let us stay to watch the culmination of all they have learned.

Now I have to decide if I should give up two more weeks straight to take him to level 2 swim lessons...

A funny story. Yesterday we went swimming at AM and JE's grandparents' lake house. AM needed to change into his swim suit. So he said to his grandma "I'm going to go in my room for a little privacy, isn't that a great idea?" The two of us were cracking up, but said yes, that it was a great idea. Then, about 30 seconds later, he comes out completely naked to ask for help with his goggles. He understands what privacy is on a very limited basis!! He knows it's something I ask for every now and then...but he (luckily) isn't preoccupied with his nakedness. Come on now, he's only 4! It's a little young to be getting bashful!

We're Back!

Well, the week away was fun. But it's always hard to be in someone else's house for an extended period of time. My parents are very accommodating, but being away with two small children just gets old after a while. So everyone is happy to be back in their own bed!! We did visit one HS friend who has a kid equipped house, so that was fabulous! So great, in fact, that I totally forgot to pick my husband up at the airport! What a bad wife....good thing he really didn't care. He used to work for an airline and he killed time checking out their old terminal.

The highlight of the trip was taking the kids to my childhood amusement park, Playland! Their kiddie land has lots of rides that are pretty safe....but I was still worried of course! But AM went on any ride he saw, with no fear! I reluctantly let him on the kiddie coaster (after checking the belt situation to make sure it was safe by my standards!) and he LOVED it. The funny thing is, it goes in one loop. I think the ride is about 12 seconds long. By the time I took his picture going up the big hill and I walked 50 feet back to the gates, he was finished!! I think the day was a little boring for JE, since he hardly left his stroller. But that's life being the second kid I think! Dad wanted to take him down that huge slide on the potato sack, but I didn't see any reason to do that.

We'll be making the trip again soon for a Christening for Mr.T! We can't wait!!

Oh, and here's my overriding memory of spending 8 hours in the car. AM had to go to the restroom with me MANY times on this trip. He desperately wants this question answered: "Mommy, why do you pee from your butt?" He knows enough to understand that I don't have a penis. But he can't quite comprehend what I DO have. It's especially amusing to him as he marvels at me squatting! LOL! Two things came to mind right about then: 1. I wish I had some privacy sometimes and 2. Oh, dear God, what else is he going to say out loud in this public restroom????? I told his dad he needs to go to the library and investigate the books available on the subject.