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.

Procrastinating

I should be packing for our trip to grandma and grandpa's tonight. We're visiting for the 4th. AM has his own suitcase for the first time and he's very into it! He's the only one packed so far! YIKES! Why am I blogging right now?? This trip is measured by DVDs -- this is a 5 DVD trip! Boy do I hope they sleep in the car. Breathe deeply, breathe deeply, inhale 1...2...3.. exhale 1..2..3..4..5...

I'm trying not to take too much stuff like I always do. I am bringing a little blank journal for AM. We started a summer journal the other day. It was intended to document our summer and get him interested in reading and writing. He loves it. But he makes me draw everything. I think we'll do a mixture of mine and his, but as long as he gets the point that writing is a way of communicating and sharing ideas. He then pretends to read when he looks at the pages and tells the story! We write about the everyday things we do. I think one day when he can really read he will enjoy looking back on those memories.

Onward. We have haircuts (buzz cuts) to get, a car to pick up at the shop, and a home equity line of credit to sign for.... (Yeah, we're replacing all of our windows!) And oh yeah, packing to do!

Adapting to life at home

This morning no alarm went off at 6:19. It was so nice! AM came in at 7:20 telling me he had to go potty -- this is his morning ritual, as if he has to ask permission to go? I told him to go play (so I could enjoy a few more minutes of laziness!) and he actually did play for about 15 minutes. Then JE woke up rearing to go, so that was the end of the slow morning.

I've decided to plan out our days for the summer. We'll see how well this goes! We all do better with a routine, so that's the theory behind it. I know myself, and I like to ease into my day...lie around a while, eat, maybe shower, then finally get going late morning. This doesn't work well with my kids for several reasons. First, they get bored. And we all know that "Idle hands do the devil's work!" Second, it's been really hot! If we go out and play hard in the (relative) cool of the morning, then when it's baking outside we can veg in the house.

So this morning AM was pulling on the dishwasher door while I tried to get breakfast ready. I snapped at him to stop, and he said he wanted to open it to put the dishes where they go. OMG! I couldn't believe it (and of course felt guilty for thinking he was being mischievous)! So he proceeded to empty the entire bottom and most of the top of the dishwasher and everything went exactly where it belongs!! I was so happy for the help and of course I want to continue this new behavior, so my natural thought was "encourage the new behavior with positive reinforcement," so I told him I'd give him a quarter for his piggy bank for being a big helper. His face lit up!!! We will see what the future brings. I think I've just introduced AM to capitalism.

Anyway, we were outside on the swing set at 8:30! I was very proud of myself. (And although unshowered, I had my bra on for fear the neighbors could stop by to say hello!!! LOL). We gave the sand box trucks a carwash, watered the plants, blew lots of bubbles, and did some landscaping with AM's help while JE napped. Herein lies the interesting nugget of the day: "Mommy, did I earn and more monies for helping you in the garden?" Have I created a monster? Or is this a good thing?? I can't decide. I told him we would have to talk to daddy about what would earn him money and what was just a nice thing to do to help mommy and daddy. He seemed ok with this.

I made it through lunch without having to call their babysitter to see why they won't eat for me! I know that sounds pathetic, but she seems to have some mystical power that makes them eat. For example, I give JE bananas from time to time and he smiles, squeezes hard, and then throws them on the floor. At daycare I have witnessed him eating bananas MANY mornings, so what's with that? Well, now they're both sleeping. The only reason this is noteworthy is because AM hasn't napped all school year! But in my infinite wisdom, I thought naps might be a nice addition to the summer routine. Wink, wink. He resisted, but alas, he is dreaming of emptying dishwashers for many mornings to come!

Solar Powered Boys: The Explanation

Some batteries run out. Others are rechargeable. Solar cells are very efficient and keep things running strong. Somehow my two children were born with built in solar power and they never seem to tire. Much like the super-human machine in "Terminator". My husband and I -- usually when we're at our wits end -- have been known to call them "Terminator", especially on long car rides when most any other child would have long since fallen asleep and ours are still babbling 100 miles an hour.

Having said all that, I will now give a little background on the boys. We have 4 year old AM and 15 month old JE, both born in March. They are amazing, bright, active, funny, and super cute (If I may say so myself!). They are sometimes referred to as mini-me and little-mini-me - they are clones of each other. I used to laugh at people who said they confused their children in pictures. Oh silly me. I now fully understand how that can happen, especially when they wear hand-me-downs, so you can't even judge by the outfits!!

Today marks day one of blogging because it's a very important day for me. Today was the last day teaching for the summer! So I thought it would be entertaining to tell the funny stories of our summer home together.
We said goodbye to the babysitter this afternoon, but let's be real, I'll be calling her to share funny stories and to ask her what magic meals she makes that somehow they eat for her and not for me! We'll still be seeing her every Thursday so mommy can get things done one day a week. Yeah!
Well, here's to a great summer! Stay tuned...