2012_05_28 Monday

Happy Memorial Day to all.

I was woken up at around 4am by one little boy asking to snuggle. Turns out that his room's AC was on way too cold.

We took the wagon into town today to watch the 14th annual duck races down the creek. The Boy Scouts were in the creek sending them off. Today was really hot, though, about 92, so we didn't want to stick around for all five 'heats' (haha). After a mobile breakfast (yogurt, thermos-ed milk, banana, etc) and two heats, we walked back through town for a bagel and then home to get Jonathan's bike to show Dad. Jonathan did a couple of passes and then Dad showed him how to push off by himself. That's still a little tough, but he's getting it.
The more I think about him riding a two-wheeler, the more a little piece of my heart breaks. It may not have helped that I found a bunch of infant (like 9 mos old) photos of J last night. My little man is getting to be a big and independent boy...and I have to be OK with him not needing me as much (or better yet, needing me in a different way). How bittersweet for me.

E went down for a nap as soon as we got home. Her naps are pushing four hours these days. I think she's growing.

2012_05_27 Saturday

Jonathan has been quite a little busy bee today. He got up before I did, but that's not that difficult on the weekends. He got dressed mostly by himself. After our typical visit to the bagel shop, we went to the book store and bought three more sets (#s 4,5, and sight words) of Bob's Books and special ordered set #3. Then, he and I went grocery shopping for our "big" Memorial Day BBQ tonight. When we got home, he helped Dave sweep the back patio and spray bug killer (he mostly followed around). THEN, Jonathan and I went to the elementary school's grassy yard and rode a two-wheeler -- WITHOUT TRAINING WHEELS!

It really only took him one pass to get the hang of it, and we did six passes (ie the length of the yard) before he was hot and tired. We kept picking out a target to look at; that seemed to help him steer straight. Then, he started to just ride wherever he (or the bike) took him. I was actually surprised that he got it so quickly (maybe we should have done this awhile ago!?), so I was probably an embarrassment, jumping, clapping, and whooping like a mad woman. I have a short video on my phone. He even rode on the pavement path home. Overall, just a few knicks and scratches, and with each fall (there weren't that many), "I'm OK, mom. Let's do it again!" I'm so proud.

We topped off our fun day with dinner outside! Dave grilled up drumsticks and corn on the cob; I made yogurt/cuke salad and garlic toast. We ate with our hands (except for the salad). J LOVES corn on the cob; E gave it her best try but wasn't very excited about it. Drum sticks were apparently a new thing for J, and he tried to eat it like a popcicle (top down), but when we explained it's like eating COTC, he got more into it. And, we topped dinner off with watermelon for all -- more finger-food. Everyone needed a dunk in the tub to close out the night.

2012_05_25 Friday

Jonathan did not have school today, so he and I had a breakfast date at the diner instead. As we were waiting for our food, he shocked me by sounding out "MUFFIN" from the menu! He is doing so well reading, it's incredible. I really want him to stop being 'shy' when strangers talk to him, though. It drives me nuts.

Then he had a playdate with a buddy, so I had time to run tons of errand alone including going to my favorite store. I got him more books (Find-It and Magic Treehouse series), some puzzles, a graduation shirt and two ties, and a John Deere baseball hat! Lucky kid!

And, what's grosser than gross? pealing your son's barely-on scab off his knee. ewwww, so gross. I nearly puked.

2012_05_13 Sunday

I woke up to a note saying to stay in bed. Soon, Jonathan and Dave delivered breakfast to me in bed. It consisted of: jello, oreos, raisins, cheese slices, an apple, a banana, blueberries, strawberries, scrambled eggs, and cranberry juice. Elise joined us after the tray was secured. What a wonderful breakfast! I also received a lovely glass paperweight that has Jennifer as the definition of Mother from Dave and homemade napkin rings from Jonathan. Awesome. But, then, I was told I'd get the morning to myself, and everyone disappeared. The house was so quiet, so I read for about three hours...still in bed. Then, I got coffee and a bagel delivered too (since most of my first breakfast disappeared before I actually got any). Then, we drove to Nannie and Grandpa's house for about an hour's visit, and we headed off to a Top 25 in the Nation German Restaurant for some spaetzle and jaeger schnitzle. Dave had a pork medallion of some sort. The kids split a wurst teller but didn't seem to dig the spaetzle (more for us)! To bide our time there (they make it all from scratch so service is slllllooooow), the kids cracked into some Kinder Eier. For the first while on the drive home, we all danced in our seats. Jonathan is a riot, making serious dance faces and showing us new dance moves (maybe from kids at school??) while Elise wiggles like a noodle. Both kids fell asleep on the way home. What a great day (oh, and the weather could not have been more beautiful).

2012_05_04 Friday

Elise insisted today on wearing "piggy shoes," and it took us (together) awhile to figure out what she wanted: sandals so she could see her piggy toes! So now, when it's warm, she can most certainly wear piggy shoes.

Here are some family shots:

2012_05_03 Thursday

We were having a lovely dinner of raviolis/broccoli/cheese and muffins when Elise barfed all over the table. That's the second time, now, that she's thrown up this week. The first time was in the car on the way home from the gym (on Monday?). That was awesome. She just let it rip and covered herself and her car seat, which I'm now battling to get the stench out of. I thought that episode was likely tied to her getting her Hep A shot. But, this time, I think she jammed food into her mouth -- not chewing or swallowing it -- and then gagging b/c there's too much in her mouth that causes the reflex. (She was chipmunking her eggs this morning too.) She's seemed completely fine before and afterward. I gave her a fruit/veggie pouch, some bread, and water and milk. She seemed fine with those.

Then, both kids took a bath. And, before he managed to get fully wet, Jonathan sprayed water out of the tub three times (after two warnings). So, off to bed he went at 7:15. That's more than an hour before he typically goes down! sucks for him.

Gesh, if only I had some work to do....