Candy For The Needy

Every year the Livery, a cute little shopping center, in Danville has a Halloween Jubilee for the kids on the Saturday before the night of tricks-or-treats. Each year they have an art project (usually bracelet and necklace making), a face painter, a bouncy house, music and, of course, the requisite candy at each store.

Today was our third year of attending and the boys had a great time. Dressed as Darth Vader, M, and Spiderman (B), we went from store to store taking a candy from each basket. M and B took their time considering their options on the difficult decision of which cavity-delivery-system to choose. I'm not kidding, they pored over those baskets to find the perfect candy. In B's case he asked, pretty much every time, if the candy he chose was one that he was allowed to eat. Due to his peanut allergy, he wants to make sure that he'll actually be allowed to consume the spoils of his work.

We probably only went to about ten stores because the boys were thrilled with their loot after about only three stores, so we figured that enough was enough. I should mention that when we go to birthday parties and there are pinatas, much the same happens. As long as they get at least one or two candies, they're so excited. Others are shoving around trying to get as much candy as possible, but M and B don't seem to be interested in this. As Papa Bear points out, maybe they figure that we'll never let them eat more than a few anyway, so why bother?

Later in the evening, I was trying to figure out how to get the candy away from them as Halloween is next week and they should save some of their teeth for then. I remembered reading an article where a mom told her kids that there were some kids in the world whose parents couldn't afford to give them candy. She asked her kids to give up their candy to these other children. I told M and B about these "needy" children and asked if they'd like to donate their candy.

M blurted out, "Are these the kids with black skin?" I momentarily sat there stunned, not sure what to say or where that had come from. P.B. burst out laughing; thanks for the help, P.B. I remembered that about a month ago I had talked with the kids about P.B. going to work to make money so that we could eat food and live in a house. I also told them that some kids in the world couldn't afford food because their parents couldn't find work. For some asinine reason I used Africa as an example, which then led to an explanation of skin color and the slippery slope that I now found myself in. I quickly explained this to P.B. so that he'd stop laughing, and then turned back to my son with the elephant-like memory.

I asked, "M, are you talking about the kids in Africa that we talked about?"

M replied, "Yes."

I said, "Well, I'm sure there are many children in Africa that don't have candy, but there are also many in America who also don't have candy. I'd like to give our candy to those kids."

M responded, "Mommy, I want to give my candy to the kids who don't have any." This was a very proud moment for me.

Of course, I have another child who had been sitting there quietly soaking up the conversion.

B piped up with, "Mommy, I DO NOT WANT to give my candy away! I want it all for myself!"

Fifty percent is a failing grade, last time I checked.

Toys Don't Have Feelings

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.

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?!

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.

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.

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.

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...

Where Did the People Live?

Ever since I showed the boys the movie The Land Before Time, M and B have been obsessed with all things dinosaur. M has t-shirts with T-Rex's on them, both boys have pajamas covered in all types of dinosaurs and I have checked out every kid book in the library on the topic. They cannot get enough.

When questioned by M about where people lived when dinosaurs were around, I explained that people weren't in existence yet. Unfortunately, one of the books we read has a picture of a person next to one of the dinosaurs to detail the approximate height of brontosauruses. Things got squirrely from here. M asked me again where people lived when dinosaurs were around and I explained, once again, that people were not around back then. He then pointed to the picture in the book and said, "There's a person right there, Mommy. People were alive with the dinosaurs." (It sucks when your kids stop believing everything you tell them.)

I calmly explained AGAIN, that people and dinosaurs did not coexist and that the picture was just to show how large dinosaurs were in comparison to people. It was like I hadn't spoken. M asked me, "Did people live in trees to stay away from the mean dinosaurs?" Out of exasperation, I agreed with him.

This "lie" proved to be a bad idea, as M has continued to ask me time and again about people and dinosaurs coexisting and since I already agreed that people lived in trees millions of years ago, I'm stuck. Not to mention that I could pull my hair out over this same conversation over and over and over again. I guess the good thing is that his belief that people lived in trees to escape dinosaurs lends itself to future conversations in regards to monkeys and evolution.

The Four Cousins

One night, not long ago, the Yang family got together for dinner at the usual New Lim's Garden restaurant in Concord. We were able to get the four boys to sort of pose for pictures. How cute are they????

Monkey Suits

These are the suits that M and B will be wearing at Aunt P's wedding on August 22nd.

They will be ring bearers along with cousin N.

Potty Training B

We bought B some pull-ups, told him that they were his big boy diapers and that from now on he would go potty in the toilet like M. He was very excited and didn't have one accident for the first two days of wearing his "big boy" underwear. B was proud, I was proud, and a little smug that this was going to be so easy. I figured I would remind him to use the toilet for a few more days and then he'd just be trained.

Ha! I should have known that things would not be so easy...especially when I got smug about it. Yesterday morning I took B to the bathroom before we left to go out, and he peed. A few minutes later, I reminded him that he was wearing "underpants" and that if he needed to go poo-poo or pee-pee he needed to tell me.

B looked up from playing and earnestly queried, "I no go poo-poo in my underwear, Mommy?"

"That's right, B." I responded, "If you have to go potty we need to go the bathroom."

"Mommy, then I need to go poo-poo right now," B declared.

So, I rushed B to the bathroom, placed him on the toilet and heard him say, "Uh, oh. Look!" And he pointed to the floor. "Mommy, I missed!"

The little pooper had crapped on the floor! But that's not even the worst part. There was a little heal print in the poop and B had some poop on his foot. I almost screamed in horror. OMG! How disgusting.

A good mommy probably would have washed him off and laughed about it. I am clearly NOT a good mommy. I ran for the Clorox wipes and disinfected his foot and the floor. I tried not to act grossed out, but come on. Is there anything more horrific than poop on the floor and on your son's foot?

B was unfazed and after it was all cleaned up, B said, "Mommy, I didn't poop in my underwear so can I have a sticker?"

Technically, he was right, so I gave him some stickers. Rewarded by default.

Camping

A quick snooze on the beach.Digging for treasure.

My man with the huge jellyfish!

M with a smaller jellyfish.

Brothers on rocks.

Sleep time.

Story time around the campfire with Queen Teri.

Hangin' out.

M loves to climb trees.

B made a mess eating his s'mores.

The fun was in charring the marshmallows.

M and B (with Jeremy), having hot chocolate for the first time.

M had been asking to go camping all year, so we bought all the camping accoutrement and took the boys out in the wilderness twice this summer. By wilderness, I mean State Parks with bathrooms and showers, but it's as much of the wilderness as M are going to see if I'm along for the ride.

We went to New Brighton State Beach near Santa Cruz for our first trip at the end of May. The boys were so excited to play in the tent and jump on our air mattresses and they loved spending the days at the beach. They also enjoyed the camp fire and, of course, the hot dogs and hamburgers. Interestingly, they didn't seem to care for the roasted marshmallows all that much. They enjoyed roasting them, but not eating them...weird.

For our second camp-out, we went with the Judin's to Bodega Bay in Sonoma in the middle of June. M and B loved going with their friends and had hot chocolate for the first time. We found a beach that had a stream leading to the ocean that was just swamped with deceased jelly fish. The boys and the male parents from both families spent a good part of the second day hunting up jellyfish and they had a great time. Enjoy the pictures.

M and B Sing Happy Birthday to Grandpa

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-f_JJD_dDCQ

Proposals and Marriages

A week and a half ago, the family was in the car on the way to visit the Bay Area Discovery Museum in Sausalito. On the way there, M informed us that he was going to marry Lauren (one of only two girls in our playgroup), have one child (a girl) and that Papa Bear and I would not need to babysit as he and Lauren would be fine. B chimed in saying that he was going to marry his friend Jason and they would have four children. M told B that he couldn't marry Jason 'cuz "he's a boy", but he could marry Lili instead (the other girl in our playgroup).

After the conversation had ended, I got the video camera ready and asked them to repeat. Unfortunately, this time, B said that he wanted to marry Lily. I wish he had said Jason again, because it would have been great to have that on video for when he's older. Oh, well.

Papa Bear and I thought that this was super cute, and thought that this was the end of the conversation. However, several days later, M asked me if he could ask Lauren to marry him. I said sure, not expecting that he would remember this. But how cute is that!?! I still think that this is so incredibly cute.

Today we were at Teri's birthday party, at our pool, and Lauren was there as well. M and Lauren were playing together, when M ran over to me to inform me that he had asked Lauren to marry him. I asked him about her response and was told that she had said "maybe". Awe...well, at least it wasn't a "no".

I ask you, how precious is that????

Jump In The Shower

Several nights ago, as dinner was coming to a close, I asked the boys if they wanted to take a bath or quickly jump in the shower. As showers take less time and tend to be less of a hassle for me and Papa Bear, we were hoping the boys would choose the latter. After several minutes of debate, and no pressure from either parental unit, M and B chose to take a shower.

As per usual happenstance, both boys took their clothes off and ran around in the nude laughing hysterically. I'm not sure why being naked is cause for such amusement, yet each night they run around, free as birds, frolicking in enjoyment. Papa Bear and I were finally able to wrangle our nude monkeys into the shower and get the cleaning process started.

It was P.B.'s turn to deal with the bathing that night, and I was getting their pajama's, towels, diapers and lotion ready on our bed, when I heard P.B. talking sternly to B.

"B! Stop that right now!" Papa Bear raised his voice.
"But, Baba, Mommy said we could jump in the shower!" Little B cried plaintively.

At this point P.B. turned to me and asked if I had indeed told the boys that they could jump in the shower. Apparently, B had taken my earlier statement about quickly jumping into the shower, literally. I smirked. P.B. did not (smirk), as B continued trying to jump around on the slippery tiles of the shower.

I'm sure glad it wasn't my night to bathe the boys.

Grandpa...I have a Question

Grandpa came to visit last week. The boys were so excited and had a blast playing with him, jumping on him, climbing on him, tackling him...you get the picture.

Grandpa told me a funny story about a question B posed to him. Grandpa was in his room changing and B barged into the room, encountering the aforementioned in his birthday suit. (B does not believe in privacy. In his mind, there are no rooms in this house.) Anyway, B saw Grandpa in the nude and I guess he checked out the goods.

"Grandpa," B questioned innocently. "Why do you have hair on your penis?" Grandpa tried not to laugh and did not answer the question.

Fortunately, Grandpa told me so that I might record this for posterity.

Sports Camp

This week M went to a sports camp through the local YMCA. I was worried that he would be scared and wouldn't enjoy it since it was something new. I told him that his best friend J would be there and another friend, J2 would also be there.

On the morning that camp started, grandpa was staying with us and he told me that M seemed nervous. I didn't notice it at all. We walked into a room to meet the counselors and M left my side immediately to go play with the two J's. He barely even hugged me goodbye, which I have grown accustomed to at pre-school...so I was a bit sad.

At the end of the day he came running in from the field screaming and laughing about monsters coming...leading the other boys. It was AWESOME! He had a great time and loved going the entire week. He was so involved and outgoing and engaged; he was never like that in the entire two years at Diablo Hills Country School. (I've got to think that it's a great thing that I'm putting him in a different school next year. Clearly, the pre-school was not right for him.)

Anyway, the point is, M LOVED camp. Good thing, too 'cuz I've signed him up for three more weeks throughout the summer.

M Singing At End of Year School Performance.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiHiaDlsjpM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7C3oMEfsaRM
Here are both songs that M sang. It's sooooo cute, and I'm definitely NOT biased.

Little Fishy

Last summer, young B enjoyed splashing around in the pool, but would rather have sat by the side munching away on watermelon and strawberries. Although, he still maintains his propensity towards the gastrointestinal delights, B surprised us all at our first pool day of the season.

My spry two-and-a-half year old LOVES the pool. He insists on swimming "by himself"...of course with life vest on. Although, he tried to swim without his vest as well. (He does not have a healthy fear of what can happen to a non-swimmer in the pool.) Then, much to my delight/horror, after watching the "big boys" leaping from the diving board, B insisted that he be allowed to jump as well.

All of sudden, my baby was in line with the big kids, waiting for his turn to throw himself into the water. I treaded water beneath the board to "catch" him during his first few jumps. B laughed with glee as he flew through the air. Then, with great sadness, I heard the words, "Mommy, you go away. I want to jump by myself."

What!!!!!

Devastated, I dutifully moved away and watched my baby catapult himself off the diving board. As his body disappeared under the water and his head reemerged, I saw his satisfied smile of pride. My sadness was swiftly replaced with delight in the joy that B was clearly feeling...as he continued to fling his babyish body from the board; over and over and over.

"I do it myself!" B proudly proclaimed. My heart soared

B, the little fishy.

I'm Not Sick

Yesterday began normally. A trip to the park with some friends, lunch and then a nice long nap. I woke the boys up, so that they would be able to sleep that night, and we went to a friend's house for a play date. All seemed well.

Not long after our arrival at the J's house, M got a bit upset and started to look flushed. Then, he asked to go home. M never wants to give up fun, so I figured he really must not be feeling well. Then entire way home, I questioned how he was feeling. Invariably, M answered, "I'm not sick, Mommy! I just have a cold."

When we got home, I checked M's temperature and he was at 101 but still claiming that he wasn't sick. The boy was looking extremely flushed, his eyes were now a bit glassy and still claiming to feel fine.

I asked M if he was cold and he said, "Mommy, I am cold. Can I have a nice, warm, cozy blanket?" All I could think was that I must have birthed an eighty year old grandma! "Yes, of course," I told him. When I returned with his blanket, M thanked me for the aforementioned "warm, cozy, blanket".

No dinner and hours of mildly feverish temperatures later, and M was still insisting that he was not sick.

This morning, all traces of fever gone, appetite still missing in action, M is now claiming that he is sick...so that he can stay home and not go to school. What's a mother to do? Of course, let him have the day off!

M's Questions

M is starting to really observe things around him and ask questions that I don't always know the answers to. Here is a sampling from today's "out of the mouth of babes" menu.

M: Mommy, why are my lips pink and the rest of my skin isn't?
Mommy: Uh, good question. I don't know, so let me look it up.

I still have not found an answer to this...even after fifteen minutes of web searching. If you know the answer, please let me know.

M: Mommy! Where does the water from waterfalls come from?
Mommy: When snow melts at the top of mountains, it flows down the mountain and sometimes goes over ledges as a waterfall.
M: Do people bring a lot of ice up to the top of the mountain for this?
Mommy: No. In cold places, it's so cold that rain comes down as snow instead. Then when it warms up, the snow melts.
M: Okay.

My brain hurts.

Cesar Chavez Park

Today was a rare perfect January day in Northern California. It was sunny, moderately warm and held just a hint of briskness, so we decided to take advantage of the weather and go to Cesar Chavez park in Berkeley. (It's located right off the bay and people fly kites, walk their dogs, bike ride, sail, picnic; pretty much any kind of outdoor activity you can imagine.)

The boys ran around and just thoroughly basked in the freedom of non-confinement. I taught M how to roll down a hill and soon both boys were rolling away and having a blast...albeit rather clumsily. B collected rocks and stored them in his pockets and both boys wielded sticks like swords. At one point M pretended his stick was a broom, placed it between his legs as though he were riding a horse and proudly announced that he was a witch.

The boys took turns leading us through tunnels and caves created by overgrown brush and tried to chase squirrels. The squirrel chasing was quickly called to a halt by Papa Bear who seemed concerned that they may actually catch up with one. I'm guessing that will never happen, but one never knows.

We walked, ran and rolled around for about two hours until M realized that he was thirsty and insisted that we go back to the car and get some water immediately. All of a sudden the boys seemed to deflate, and their seemingly boundless reserves of energy evaporated as they each demanded to be carried all the way back to the car.

All in all it was a glorious afternoon, and though the boys will probably have no memory of it, it is forever imprinted in my mind. Of course, it is also here for you to read.

What an Imagination

Several nights ago I was reading a book to the boys about a young boy who loves to read. This boy gets so involved in his stories that they come to life in his dreams and just everyday imagination. One of the books that the boy is reading is about a knight in armor riding a horse. Both boys were fascinated with this and kept asking questions and would continually turn back to this particular page in the book.

The next morning, M went to his playroom and got out his knight costume. He then came into the living room, climbed on his rocking horse and said, "Mommy! Look! I'm a knight and this is my horse; just like in the book." How cute is that!

Private Parts

Papa Bear was drying off after a shower today when B walked into our room. I had just gotten into the shower myself.

B pointed at P.B.'s "special place"and asked, "What's that? Is that your big penis?"

P.B. responded matter-of-factly, "Yes." He then pulled back the shower curtain with a big, smug smile on his face to make sure that I had heard our son's comment.

Here are my two cents. Most things seem "big" to a two year old:)

I apologize for sharing too much, but this was pretty funny.