On Wednesday, M had a play date with Derek from school. We met at our pool and fed the boys lunch and then let them loose on the pool. Initially, M wouldn't play with Derek and B took over the social activities. As time went on, M began to play with Derek and before they could really start to have fun they started battling over toys.
I have to say that I was pleased to see M sticking up for himself and standing his ground. The boys were fighting over a toy fishing pole and each had a firm grip on one end. Both boys were screaming, "It's mine!", so I removed the toy from them and told them that the fishing pole needed a break. I told them that it the fishing pole didn't like being pulled, that it hurt its feelings.
M started crying and earnestly telling me, "Toys don't have feelings, Mommy! I want the fishing pole! It can't take a break because it's just a toy!" I started laughing so hard that I couldn't even answer M. Unfortunately, this made the situation worse, and we had to leave before he had a complete meltdown.
Overall, I guess it was a successful first play date.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
B - Potty Training Part 2
I have temporarily given up on trying to potty train B because he has entered an extremely defiant phase and our relationship may not survive the turmoil. As it is summer, the boys play in the backyard with water pretty frequently, and it's often times easier to let them romp around in the nude than bother with swim suits. They don't mind, so why should I?
Well, several weeks ago, we were outside on just such an afternoon and the boys were enjoying water play in their birthday suits. I focused on Scooby for just a moment, when B caught the corner of my eye. I looked up just in time to see him taking a crap on my patio. I am not kidding. The brat copped a squat and pooped on the ground like a dog. I flipped out. In hindsight, I suppose that it's not really that big of a surprise. He is, after all, that kind of a kid; if there's a way to surprise you, he'll find it. We had a big discussion about how we don't poop or pee on the patio and that if one has to go to the bathroom, one needs to tell Mommy immediately. One should never take matters into ones own hands.
Cut away to the next day. We were in the backyard again, and again the boys were partaking of the some fun in the sun. B came over to chat with me while I was sitting in a lounge chair, enjoying some time of relaxation. In the midst of our discussion, B just starts peeing. The kid was standing there talking to me and peeing everywhere. It was like he didn't notice that there was urine spraying everywhere. I flipped out, yet again. I could not believe that this was happening again. I supposed pee is better than poop, but still, both are disgusting to clean up off the patio.
B and I had another chat about the importance of not releasing one's bodily functions on the patio, and so far so good. Today, B took the time to tell me of his needs and after a brief discussion on where it was appropriate to pee, I finally let him pee in the bushes. I decided to pick my battles and at least I was able to convince him that the middle of the lawn was not acceptable. Is anyone else starting to think that I have absolutely no power?!
Well, several weeks ago, we were outside on just such an afternoon and the boys were enjoying water play in their birthday suits. I focused on Scooby for just a moment, when B caught the corner of my eye. I looked up just in time to see him taking a crap on my patio. I am not kidding. The brat copped a squat and pooped on the ground like a dog. I flipped out. In hindsight, I suppose that it's not really that big of a surprise. He is, after all, that kind of a kid; if there's a way to surprise you, he'll find it. We had a big discussion about how we don't poop or pee on the patio and that if one has to go to the bathroom, one needs to tell Mommy immediately. One should never take matters into ones own hands.
Cut away to the next day. We were in the backyard again, and again the boys were partaking of the some fun in the sun. B came over to chat with me while I was sitting in a lounge chair, enjoying some time of relaxation. In the midst of our discussion, B just starts peeing. The kid was standing there talking to me and peeing everywhere. It was like he didn't notice that there was urine spraying everywhere. I flipped out, yet again. I could not believe that this was happening again. I supposed pee is better than poop, but still, both are disgusting to clean up off the patio.
B and I had another chat about the importance of not releasing one's bodily functions on the patio, and so far so good. Today, B took the time to tell me of his needs and after a brief discussion on where it was appropriate to pee, I finally let him pee in the bushes. I decided to pick my battles and at least I was able to convince him that the middle of the lawn was not acceptable. Is anyone else starting to think that I have absolutely no power?!
Preschool
The boys both started their new school last week, and B went to preschool for the first time ever. They started on different days, and I worked at the school on each of the days to try to help ease them into this new situation.
B's first day was on Sep. 11th and he stuck to me like glue, and since I was in charge of the snack, he ate A LOT of food. The other moms were really nice and covered for me in the kitchen so that I could periodically take him to other areas of the school. About fifteen minutes before the end of the school day, he had a major tantrum and refused to cooperate. He was so irate that he temporarily refused to cooperate and when B is angry, one is smart to back off and walk carefully. He has quite the temper; can't imagine where he inherited that from. Anyway, teacher Patty was able to calm him down outside, and I was free to clean up the kitchen. Papa Bear then came on his bicycle with M in tow (he had the week off of work), picked B up and they biked home.
On M's first day, Sep. 13th, he was nervous and hesitant, but he is a seasoned pro at going to school and camps, so he warriored on through. He came to me occasionally for moral support, but for the most part played and enjoyed himself. The highlight of his day was when he got to see the school snake, a corn snake named Checkers, consume a pinky mouse. (A pinky is a baby mouse.) It was super gross, but he had a front row seat and stayed longer than any other child to watch the entire gastronomical experience.
Yesterday, both boys had school together and I was told from others there that they played together the entire time. I guess there's nothing like a new situation to help maintain the sibling bond. B did cry hysterically when I tried to leave, but I was told that as soon I walked out, the waterworks immediately ceased. Teacher Leslie also told me that about 20 minutes before the end of the school day, B went to his cubby, removed his school bag and declared that he was ready to go home. The kid sure knows what he wants.
Tomorrow, both of the boys go to school together again and I'm hoping that they enjoy themselves. There are so many stimulating activities for them, that eventually they will have to love it. I wish I were a kid again and could play there...seriously.
B's first day was on Sep. 11th and he stuck to me like glue, and since I was in charge of the snack, he ate A LOT of food. The other moms were really nice and covered for me in the kitchen so that I could periodically take him to other areas of the school. About fifteen minutes before the end of the school day, he had a major tantrum and refused to cooperate. He was so irate that he temporarily refused to cooperate and when B is angry, one is smart to back off and walk carefully. He has quite the temper; can't imagine where he inherited that from. Anyway, teacher Patty was able to calm him down outside, and I was free to clean up the kitchen. Papa Bear then came on his bicycle with M in tow (he had the week off of work), picked B up and they biked home.
On M's first day, Sep. 13th, he was nervous and hesitant, but he is a seasoned pro at going to school and camps, so he warriored on through. He came to me occasionally for moral support, but for the most part played and enjoyed himself. The highlight of his day was when he got to see the school snake, a corn snake named Checkers, consume a pinky mouse. (A pinky is a baby mouse.) It was super gross, but he had a front row seat and stayed longer than any other child to watch the entire gastronomical experience.
Yesterday, both boys had school together and I was told from others there that they played together the entire time. I guess there's nothing like a new situation to help maintain the sibling bond. B did cry hysterically when I tried to leave, but I was told that as soon I walked out, the waterworks immediately ceased. Teacher Leslie also told me that about 20 minutes before the end of the school day, B went to his cubby, removed his school bag and declared that he was ready to go home. The kid sure knows what he wants.
Tomorrow, both of the boys go to school together again and I'm hoping that they enjoy themselves. There are so many stimulating activities for them, that eventually they will have to love it. I wish I were a kid again and could play there...seriously.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
M Gets Married
Auntie P and Uncle K were married on August 22nd and, as one of the ring bearers, M has been very fascinated with all things wedding. As I mentioned in a previous post, M had asked his little friend Lauren to marry him. She said maybe. Well, at playgroup on Monday, he and Lauren constructed a wedding cake of sand and placed a ton of sticks in it for candles. (Because wedding cakes often have candles inserted in them.) Apparently, M spent much of the time delegating (telling everyone what to do) responsibilities for the cake's construction. I guess my personality is finally shining through.
After they were done making the cake, M, Lauren and Lilly ran over to one of the play structures. M yelled for everyone to come watch because he and Lauren were getting married. I started to walk over because I thought he wanted me to come and also this sounded cute. However, as I walked over, M said, "Not you, Mommy. Only the kids can watch the wedding." Bummer, that would have been super cool to see. Maybe I'll get invited to the next wedding.
After they were done making the cake, M, Lauren and Lilly ran over to one of the play structures. M yelled for everyone to come watch because he and Lauren were getting married. I started to walk over because I thought he wanted me to come and also this sounded cute. However, as I walked over, M said, "Not you, Mommy. Only the kids can watch the wedding." Bummer, that would have been super cool to see. Maybe I'll get invited to the next wedding.
The Squirrel
Last week a squirrel nest fell out of one of our trees and a baby squirrel was left lying on our grass. He was so cute, but not moving from where he'd fallen and I was worried that a neighborhood cat might decide that he'd make a tasty snack. I called the Lindsay Museum in Walnut Creek, and they said to put on gloves and put the squirrel into a shoe box and bring him/her in as soon as possible.
The boys were fascinated with the rodent and kept running outside to take a gander. I gave Grandpa, who was out visiting with Safta for Auntie P's wedding, a pair of gloves and asked him to put the squirrel on a little bed of towel in a shoe box I handed him. Grandpa reluctantly did this and then Safta held the boxed squirrel as we drove to the Museum, which is also an animal rescue hospital. We dropped off the squirrel and went to play at a nearby park.
The next day, M told me that we had to return to the Lindsay Museum to tell the "people" not to put the squirrel next to the eagle because the eagle would eat him/her. I told him that I would call the "people" instead of driving all the way back.
I wonder if our squirrel became a snack for the aforementioned eagle. I guess I'd better not mention that to M.
The boys were fascinated with the rodent and kept running outside to take a gander. I gave Grandpa, who was out visiting with Safta for Auntie P's wedding, a pair of gloves and asked him to put the squirrel on a little bed of towel in a shoe box I handed him. Grandpa reluctantly did this and then Safta held the boxed squirrel as we drove to the Museum, which is also an animal rescue hospital. We dropped off the squirrel and went to play at a nearby park.
The next day, M told me that we had to return to the Lindsay Museum to tell the "people" not to put the squirrel next to the eagle because the eagle would eat him/her. I told him that I would call the "people" instead of driving all the way back.
I wonder if our squirrel became a snack for the aforementioned eagle. I guess I'd better not mention that to M.
Crazy
Yesterday, Papa Bear prompted M to repeat a conversation that they had previously had, so that I could hear it.
P.B.: "What is Scooby crazy about?"
M: "Food."
P.B.: "What is B crazy about?"
M: "Lollipops."
P.B.: "What are you crazy about?"
M: "Cake."
P.B.: "What is Baba crazy about?"
M: "Mommy."
I LOVE that answer!!!!
P.B.: "What is Mommy crazy about?"
M: "Sleeping."
From the mouth of babes...
P.B.: "What is Scooby crazy about?"
M: "Food."
P.B.: "What is B crazy about?"
M: "Lollipops."
P.B.: "What are you crazy about?"
M: "Cake."
P.B.: "What is Baba crazy about?"
M: "Mommy."
I LOVE that answer!!!!
P.B.: "What is Mommy crazy about?"
M: "Sleeping."
From the mouth of babes...
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