Semantics

We thought it was "reading a book." Jack has decided that it is "talking to the book."

"Talk to this book, Daddy!"

I guess she has enough teeth...

Maddy bit me today! I could even see the tiny, tiny teeth imprints on my arm. Here's to hoping this phase is a short one!

Hypochondriacs!

I've got to find out if it's just my class. They want to go to the nurse for everything! New shoes that are rubbing? They need the nurse! Rug burn? They try so hard to find a little bit of blood and point it out to me! Trip on the playground? They cry! Like they're... four years old or something! (Ok, so most of them are, but...) During the second week of school I took my class out one afternoon to play soccer. Big mistake! They seriously thought every time a ball hit them that someone else was doing it on purpose! Today a girl bit her own lip and every five minutes would announce that it hurt, even after several trips to the water fountain to get a drink. And this is both the girls and the boys!

I'm not completely cold hearted. If they claim to have blood which I cannot see, I let them go the sink and get a wet paper towel to put on the "wound." 99% of the time that fixes the issue.

ETA: I did have a chat with our school nurse. Apparently this is common at this age, and not just isolated to my class :)

My perpetual quest

Since I am determined that my son grow up and be versed in African-American culture/role models, I made him watch Chris Rock on Larry King this evening. Well, Jack is still colorblind... he didn't pay attention at all. He just wants to watch Superman! OK, Jack, but how will you understand the cultural viewpoint(s) of people who look like you and will expect you to be like them because of they way you look? Oh, that's right, you're only 2 (almost 3!). Well, I'll keep trying. Plus, Chris Rock is hysterically funny. We're TIVO-ing the HBO special on Saturday night. I haven't made Jack watch The Black List (also HBO) yet, but that's next on the list. At least Jack DID recognize "Ackobana" on the cover of Ebony a few issues back! And he does recognize him when he sees him on TV.

(Along these lines, we visited his future preschool on Tuesday afternoon and it does appear to be quite diverse (Asian, Indian, Hispanic). Although I think Jack's the only AA. But it's not all white.)

Legoland...

Maddy was too short for any rides (hard to believe!), & Jack was ok for the 36" ones but didn't make the 40" ones. That didn't matter, though, because Jack's favorite thing was the splash park at Pirate's Cove, & Maddy's favorite thing was the play area at the Castle. They were both completely exhausted on the drive home. We woke Jack up after an hour so he'll still go to sleep on time (well, crossing our fingers on that one).

Another Kindergarten gem...

"Mrs. Bruvold, C was in China and met my mother before I was born!"

What!??!?!

"Water-pops"

How Jack refers to Otter Pops. Heh!

Ouch!

After having only 2 bottom center teeth for a few months, Maddy now has FOUR coming in on the top center, and 2 MORE on the bottom. Ouch!!!!!! Infant Tylenol/Motrin is her new best friend.

Grandpa and his tribe of left-handed grandchildren...

We're 99% certain that Jack is a lefty... he eats (fork & spoon use), writes (well, scribbles), throws, and now cuts left handed. And now we're suspicious that Maddy is as well... we've noticed her a bunch over the past few months using both hands, but now 2 nights in a row I've seen her eat and pick up toys left handed. This should make my lefty dad very happy! :)

OK...

The Solo Parent Experiment, Part 2. Last night went well. Can we do another? Erik won't be back until at least 7:30 p.m. Fingers crossed... so far we've gone to dinner at Wahoo's, a stop at Gepetto's for a ball for Jack, and one last stop at Jimbo's. Jack & Maddy have been wonderful. Only 2 more hours until bedtime!

So far, so good...

I'm here flying solo with the kids for 2 days while Erik is in Denver.

We've been home for about 45 minutes, the kids have eaten (Wendy's chicken nuggets, don't judge me!) and are calmly playing with trains/watching Lilo & Stitch.

2 hours until bedtime. I think I can do this!

Ahhh.... kindergarten

A few of today's gems:

"Mrs. Bruvold, E almost hit me."

"Mrs. Bruvold, I was singing a song in my head and I didn't say the words."

"Mrs. Bruvold, today my snack is on top of my lunch."

"It's an onion." (One little girl's contribution to "sharing" time this morning. No wonder no one could guess what was in the bag!)

Maddy...

This morning at the daycare drop off, a cute little girl, L, toddled over and waved and smiled at Maddy. What did Maddy do? Stand there and scream at her until her face turned red! What is that about?!?! So Maddy's favorite caregiver and I tried to model nice behavior like waving back, but Maddy was having none of it. Maddy is usually so mellow, it was shocking to me. At least she didn't hit the girl.

I don't usually do drop off, so I hope this was an isolated incident! When I pick up, she's always playing nicely with other kids.

Maybe Maddy's just not a morning person, like her mommy?

Pinch me!

The kids are asleep (not just in their rooms) by 8 p.m. for FOUR nights in a row! (Sunday & Monday night they were asleep by 7:30!)

We actually got to watch Fringe last night!

Are we getting our lives back? Did I just jinx us?!?!

My Daughter, The Nun?

Today was the first time I brought Maddy to church since she was born. Yes, I know she's 15 months.

Maddy loved it! She loved the music, the singing, she would yell out when the priest was talking! I wish I had a camera then, because she was having a great time! She made a couple of little girl friends (10 & 19 months) and they would wave at each other and peek-a-boo at each other around the chairs.

Of course, she's still a toddler... around the 45 minute mark (of the mass, really she was there for an hour) she got super restless and we had to leave because she was really yelling (toddler boredom, I think, she had plenty of cheerios & apple juice during the mass).

Maddy news!

After holding steady at 2 teeth, there is a recognizable front-left tooth that is about halfway out! Maybe she'll have a set by the time they're due to be replaced by permanent teeth?!?! Well, this sure saves on toothpaste...! :)

Pictures from Sunday & Monday

Maddy & Uncle Don taking a walk (Maddy's wearing her new shoes!).

Uncle Les, Aunt Anita & Maddy hanging out.

Daddy & Jack on the merry-go-round at Seaport Village.

Maddy liked the merry-go-round!

P.S.

To last night's post... he had a #2 accident 15 minutes after I posted last night. But, still! A good day!