Pink Umbrella

Bean loves to play with my little pink umbrella when it’s raining outside.  And it rains A LOT here. 

But the amazing thing about this little pink umbrella….

… is that it was with me during a summer vacation in Venice, Italy.  That was when my little Bean was still just a *twinkle* in my eye.

Where does the time go?

Back to School

It’s “back to school” time.  It’s that time of year when kids say goodbye to their carefree days of summer and say hello to schedules and homework.  I see all the kids in my neighborhood standing at the bus stop again.  My sister sends her little girl to kindergarten tomorrow.  My brother sends his oldest daughter to middle school. Yep, it’s “back to school” time. 

But, not for me.  Not yet.

Nothing really changes in my world.  I still have the kiddies home with me all day.  I don’t have to look at the clock when we eat our oatmeal with bananas and chocolate chips.  I don’t have to rush around to get them dressed, comb their hair, or match their socks. I can brush their teeth when I remember to brush their teeth.  Sure, there are some schedules we like to follow like going to story time at the library or a walk around the block in the wagon.  But that’s about it. 

I think about the future when both of my little ones are in school full time.  I find myself smiling with the thought that the days will be ALL MINE again.  I will have some ALONE time.  I will have ME time.  I can go back to an office job where I can interact with ADULTS all day or I can work from home without interruption.  I can drink a cup of coffee without it going cold.  I can eat lunch without someone asking for something off my plate.

But that time will come.  It will come FAST.  So today, I will choose to live in the moment.  I will choose to enjoy it all.  I will remember why I wanted to be a stay-at-home mommy. I can be home with both of my amazing kids.  My kids who are NOT at school.  Not yet.

They are home with me - playing in the morning sunshine.

Catch Me If You Can…

One Dollar Fun

When Daniel was a little over a year old, I bought him some items from the Dollar Store to create a “busy box.”  I got this idea from his Gymboree class. The teachers always had a “busy box” time toward the end of class when all the babies would grab small little items out of a plastic box.  There were musical shakers and small books and little toys.  Bean loved it.   I decided to recreate this “busy box” idea at home.

So I got a plastic box and filled it with “Dollar Store items” like measuring cups and small boxes and the same musical shakers, books and toys.  Then I saw a string of colorful ”Mardi Gras” beads.  I grabbed those too.

Well, TWO YEARS LATER, the most popular item from that busy box are still those beads:

These beads have provided Daniel, and now Annabel, with so many hours (and days!) of playtime fun.  They wear the beads and play dress up. They twirl the beads around in circles and sing.  Daniel uses the beads as gas to fill up his play car.  Annabel places the beads in and out of stacking cups.  They both use the beads as pretend food ingredients and mix them and cook them in pots and pans.  These beads allow them to be creative and use their imagination.  

(I think there used to be some red beads and gold beads too, but there is always one that breaks in a moment of chaos.)

So I learned with my kids, a dollar still does go a LONG WAY.

 My husband says, “These better be the ONLY Mardi Gras beads she ever gets.”

Sugar And Extra Spicy

If little girls are supposed to be made of “sugar and spice,” then my daughter Annabel is definitely of the “extra spicy” variety.  She is sugary sweet, for sure, but in the past month she has developed this amazing little feisty personality.  I love it.

Annabel was a happy baby.  Where Bean was a bit sensitive about his day-to-day routine, Annabel always seemed more mellow.  I’m sure half of that was her actual temperament. The other half was because I was a more relaxed Mommy the second time around.  Annabel would hang out in her bouncer seat and stare at her brother running around the house and just laugh and coo.  She was a great eater and sleeper and really meshed right into the family dynamic.

She has an amazing smile and big laugh.  She is always the center of attention when we go out in public.  She will smile at all the strangers and sometimes wave at them.  Someone always ends up stopping me at the grocery store or the mall just to tell me how adorable Annabel is and, of course, I wholeheartedly agree.

But the funniest thing has happened.  Ever since she started to walk about a month ago, she has developed this strong sense of independence and stubbornness.  She definitely knows what she wants and when she wants it. And she always wants it NOW.  She will speed past her brother to grab a ball or book first.  I remember when she would just sit there and allow her brother to take away her toy.  She would simply look at him and then move on to something else.  Well, no more.  She will not have any of it.  She will scream at him and snatch it back.  I’ve actually put her in “time out” a couple times already and she is only 16 months old!  She also has a little tomboy emerging.  She loves to steal Daniel’s trucks and cars.  She even fights him for the ball when they are outside with the T-ball set.

When we were at the library last week, she not only pushed by Daniel, but also a  bunch of the OLDER kids, to grab an egg shaker during music time. It really is so funny to watch.

I definitely discipline my kids, especially in public places, but Annabel has these big innocent blue eyes combined with a gorgeous head of curls and squeezable cheeks, it’s just so hard to get upset with her.  I find that other people often giggle at her too.

I was always emotional about having a daughter.  It’s such an enormous blessing and worry at the same time.  I look around at the images of teen girls on television, in movies, and on the Internet. I can’t imagine what it will be like in 10 or 15 years. I just want Annabel to be happy, but I want her to be super strong and secure.  I like that she is already bringing out her spicy side.  I hope she keeps it.

Other People’s Kids (And Clifford the Big Red Diva)

When I was married and the thought of kids was still in the distant future, I would gaze quizzically at families when we were out at the shopping mall, grocery store or having dinner at a restaurant.  Sometimes I would think, “Aw, that family is really cute.”  But most times I would think,  ”Why can’t those parents stop their kid from screaming or acting crazy or crying or WHINING??”  I didn’t walk in parent shoes back then, so I would be so annoyed and often (stupidly) think “Man, I would NEVER let MY kid act like THAT in public.”

Well, then I had kids and two things happened.  First, my Mommy sympathy gene appeared and I am no longer annoyed if other people’s kids are screaming or acting up.  I actually feel bad for them because being a parent is hard.

But another thing happened.  I realized that there are still some things that you CAN control. You can discipline your child and teach them manners. It’s a lot of work and stress, but you can do it.   But some parents just DON’T.

I’ve already mentioned my non-judging rule.  It’s hard to do, but I try REALLY, REALLY hard not to judge other moms.   I don’t know their circumstances and they don’t know mine, so it’s best to leave it at that.

This wasn’t a problem when both of my children were babies.  But now I have a toddler boy who is months away from turning three.  He is at an age where he likes to interact and play with other kids.  Most of the time it is in a completely organized and controlled environment like a Gymboree class.  But there are times when we are out and I have to deal with other people’s kids, whether I like it or not.

One example is the train table at our local Barnes & Noble bookstore.  Bean really enjoys playing with the trains there and I have taught him to share with the other little boys or girls who also come over to play.  He gets a lot of  sharing practice at home with his little sister.  It was hard at first, but now he is definitely understanding that he can’t yank something out of someone’s hand or bop them on the head.

But what am I supposed to do when some other kid behaves badly?  On Friday morning, we were at the bookstore to meet Clifford the Big Red Dog** and Bean went to the train table.  A couple of little boys had grabbed up all the trains and were playing in one corner of the table by themselves.  Bean went over and tried to grab a train.  I told him to wait and please ask the boy for “one train PLEASE.”  Well, Bean asked and reached out for the train at the same time.  Those two little boys stopped and yelled “NO” in unison.  They shoved by Bean and kept playing.  The worst part?  Their moms said nothing.  Bean didn’t get upset.  He just looked at me and I said, “Let’s just go.”  He was fine with that because we went to get a chocolate milk. (Hey, I never said “bribe” wasn’t part of learning.)

On Saturday morning, we all went to the mall where we stopped to play in that germ-filled center court playzone.  My husband watched Bean while I played with Annabel.  There were a bunch of older kids running around as well.  Bean went to climb into the passenger seat of a play car.  A little girl was already in the driver’s seat.  When Bean hiked his leg over to get in, she said “NO!” and wouldn’t let him play.  Later, he went back to climb onto the car and some little boys actually SHOVED him off and said “NO!”  My husband stopped, and yelled at the boys, “Hey! No pushing! Do not push people.” It’s awful to have to discipline other people’s kids, but it’s even worse when their parents sit and watch you do it and do NOTHING.

This happens more than I like.  I don’t want my son to be pushed around and not stand up for himself, but I desperately want him to respect others and have manners.  It’s an interesting learning process with a boy versus a girl.  I feel like we should be teaching Daniel to defend himself a little more because he is a boy.  It’s not right, but I can’t help but to think that way.  It also makes me realize that we won’t always be there to protect him.  That’s really hard.

**So, Clifford the Big Red Dog was a Big Red Diva!  We had been counting down the days to his Big appearance at the book store.  We arrived and were told to sit and wait.  Thirty minutes later, he was finally escorted out from the back by a handler and walked up to a mini stage.  We were allowed to take photos of him for five minutes. 

Photos OF him. Not photos WITH him. 

They said ”No, Sorry” to personal photos because there was no time.  It was hilarious.  Who knew Clifford was such an A-Lister? Plus, I can download a photo of Clifford the Big Red Dog in two seconds from any website.  I don’t need a photo of him.  I want my kids to meet him so I can get a photo of that.  After five minutes, the handler told us to clear a path and stay to the side because Clifford was leaving.  Well, as Clifford walked by us, Bean ran up and gave him a high five!  And I got a photo!

I was so proud of my little boy. He didn’t follow the rules. Sometimes, there are exceptions

My All-American Kid

We bought Daniel his first toddler basketball hoop last Christmas.  He threw the ball at the basket a couple times on the back patio, but that was it.  He totally lost interest.

We also bought him a soccer ball.  He kicked that around the yard once in awhile, but there wasn’t a SPARK. 

Well, things have changed…he has discovered T-BALL! 

I am very excited that my little boy likes baseball (or rather a version of it).  We bought him this Little Tikes T-ball Set over the weekend and he has asked to play with it every day. 

The other exciting thing?  He’s pretty gosh darn good at it! 

(So I’ve started researching colleges with good Pre-Med AND baseball programs…)

For the love of Pinky

When Daniel was born, someone bought him this stuffed dog:

It’s an “asthma-friendly” stuffed puppy dog and it’s the softest, snuggliest little guy ever.  My husband has asthma, so I was excited to see that a company actually makes asthma-friendly stuffed animals.  Please note that Daniel has many other types of stuffed animals.  Many he received during our baby shower and plenty that we bought him ourselves.   I was just trying to encourage Daniel to snuggle with this special dog during his naps and bedtime, so he would have an asthma-friendly piece of cotton stuffed against his face and body opposed to something that was asthma “unfriendly.” (Ahem.)  Better to be safe, than sorry.  Well, it worked and Daniel still sleeps with “Puppy Dog” today. 

So when Annabel was born, we bought her this:

The same asthma-friendly puppy dog, but in PINK.  We call it “Pinky.”  Annabel is 16 months old, so she only says a few words here and there, but she does say “Pinky.”  Actually, it sounds more like “Inky,” but it works.  I understand her.  What makes Pinky different from Daniel’s Puppy Dog is that Annabel is OBSESSED with Pinky.  Daniel just sleeps with Puppy Dog. Once Daniel is up and out of his bed, that is the end of Puppy Dog for the day.  “See ya next time Puppy Dog.” 

But Annabel is quite different.

Pinky started out as Annabel’s nap and bedtime stuffed animal.  But then she started reaching for Pinky when she was on the changing table.  Pinky kept her quiet and STILL when I had to change her diaper, so that was no problem.  And then Annabel had to have Pinky in the car seat with her during our long vacation road trip.  Fine.  But now things are gaining momentum.

Annabel has begun to SCREAM for Pinky if we leave the bedroom and it’s still in her crib.  Just two weeks ago, Annabel could sit and play with her toys in the living room, but now she has to have Pinky clutched in one arm.  She’s just learned to walk on her own and she has to have Pinky in one hand while she teeter totters around the house. 

(I guess I should be glad she’s holding onto something soft in case she feels the need to slam her head against the coffee table or wall.)

Today, a new habit has emerged.  Pinky had to join her for lunch!  Ugh.  As soon as I put Annabel in her high chair, she screamed for Pinky.  I was holding my ground and just handing her milk and goldfish crackers, but the screaming just got worse and worse.  So I ended up feeding Annabel her chicken soup, yogurt and applesauce while she hugged Pinky against her chest. (And yes, Pinky now has to take another “bath” to wash that broth and pink goop off her fur.)

I’m not trying to be “Mean Mommy” and not let my sweet daughter have a “lovey,” but there is another issue with Pinky.  Annabel puts her thumb in her mouth when she holds Pinky.  Not all of the time, but I notice it right before she goes down for naps or down for the night.  She clasps Pinky in her arms and shoves her thumb in her mouth.  When I check on her an hour later when she is sound sleep, the thumb is out of the mouth, so that makes me happy.  But sometimes when she has Pinky during the day now, and she’s playing, I slowly see her try and creep that thumb in her mouth.

I managed to avoid any pacifier addictions with both Daniel and Annabel. Which was thrilling!  But now I might have to deal with a thumb AND Pinky addiction at the same time.

Leave it to my adorable little girl to shake things up.

Weird

Kids are weird.  My kids are weird.  I use “weird” as a term of endearment.  “Weird” really means “amazingly cute.”

We went to our downtown children’s museum this past weekend to check out their “Robotic Dinosaur” exhibit.  I thought Bean would go nuts.  He loves dinosaurs.  But he wandered through the display completely nonchalant, barely looking, and then begged to go play with the water tables.  Annabel, on the other hand, loved it and would “ROAR” loudly at all the really tall and scary dinosaur displays.

Weird.

Daniel spins around in circles in the living room because he LIKES to be dizzy. 

Weird.

Annabel already hates to wear pants or shorts.  She will struggle and struggle if I try to put a pair on her. 

Weird.

Daniel soothes himself to sleep each nap time by singing “B-I-N-G-O” at the top of his lungs.

Weird.

My kids eat their vegetables BEFORE their meat or potatoes.  Cool, but weird.  Annabel eats corn on the cob like it’s her last meal.  Hilarious, but weird.

This activity table has been sitting in my son’s room since we gave it to him the day Annabel was born a year and a half ago. 

He loved it then, but now he’s totally outgrown it.  He walks around it and ignores it.  The only time he touches it is when he needs to shove it out of the way to play cars and trucks.  Now that we got him his big boy bed, I was excited to move it out of the room for good and donate it to the “poor boy.”

ASIDE: I came up with the “poor boy” to explain to Daniel where things go when they leave our house or his eyesight.  His old T-shirts and pants? Well, they are going to the “poor boy.”  Those baby books and toys? “Poor boy.”  “Daniel, if you don’t stop throwing your cars across the room I’m going to give them to the poor boy!”  It is easier to say “poor boy” than explain Goodwill or Charity to him at this point.  His crib?  “Poor boy.” 

So I moved the activity table to the living room while we assembled and organized the new bed in his room.  I was only putting it there temporarily.  I was planning to move it out to the garage later that day so it could be donated…to the “poor boy.”

But guess who has been playing with the table every moment since:

Weird.

Fort Making 101

For my husband’s very first Father’s Day, I bought him this book as a gift from Daniel.  I have images in my head of them working together on soapbox derby cars, paper airplanes, and rope knots.  Mark would spend an afternoon teaching Daniel table football and coin tricks.  The two of them would bond over all these cool father and son activities.  And Mark would teach Daniel how to do all the little things that boys like (and should learn) to do.

What I did not realize at the time was that I would be spending A LOT of days at home with a growing boy.  By myself. No Dad.  And this boy is ACTIVE.  He wants to run and jump and build stuff.  I’ve already mastered the blocks and I know how to play trains but today, Daniel wanted to build a FORT.  Huh?

I remember my brother building blanket forts in his room when he was little.  But I never helped him make any of them.  But how hard can it be, right?  You need a blanket and then you tie it to something and voila! A fort! (Okay, where’s that book?)

Here is my first attempt:

And my second:

 Okay, how about this Bean?:

I know.  I know.  I need sheets and not one big brown blanket.  And chairs, I think.  Where is my husband??

Thank goodness I have a “girly girl”  daughter: