Fun Times for Labor Day Weekend

We started out the weekend visiting Connor's new school and meeting the teacher. When he was picked up from daycare, he told everyone it was his last day and basically said "SEE YA" as he left with daddy. He seemed to enjoy the visit and has remained excited about his "BIG BOY" school all weekend talking about the fish, Mr. White, the lunches, and the new friends he will meet. He keeps asking for reminders about what the name of the school is and what his teachers name is. I hope Tuesday goes well for the first day at the new school. He was at his last school for 3 1/2 years starting when he was 9 weeks old, so this is a big transition for all of us.

Saturday night, we had a great visit with Mimi, Papa, and Aunt Julie (even though the boys slept for half the visit). They really had a fun time showing things to the family, including one of their favorite shows, Little Einstein. The boys send a big Thank You to Aunt Julie for the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse books (which is another favorite show of theirs).

Sunday, we had a family get-together at Gma Darla and Papa Tommy's house. It was nice to visit with family (especially since we go SO LONG between visits). It's amazing how we can all live in Evansville, but yet life gets so busy that months can go by in a flash. We were very excited for my aunt and her pool project (and now her house remodeling that we gave her ideas for). We also finally got my mom set up on the computer - that was a challenge! The boys really enjoyed playing with their cousins - they were mainly playing with the slip-n-slide all afternoon.

Connor lecturing Tyler that he is too little for the toy!

Note the Redneck canopy over the Slip-N-Slide!

And the lesson of the weekend is...don't assume everything in nature is something for the kids to see. If anyone asks, this is daddy grasshopper carrying his baby! I have to give it to those two for stamina....long time spent on the boy's playset.

Conversations and quotes from the boys

• Connor got to visit his new school on Friday. He was telling Brady that he couldn't go until he was older and potty trained. Brady's response was "I am potty trained". I mean he knows how to go potty (in his diaper) and he knows where the potty is located. Yeah - sorry Brady - that doesn't count.
• At breakfast time, we were slicing grapes for Brady. He kept saying he needed more, then he said "I have a lot, but I don't have enough yet."
• As Connor was finishing off a bowl of ice cream, he then asked for Brownies. I said "No, you could have one or the other and you chose ice cream". His response was "Okay, then I will have the other".
• Connor used to always go to the grocery store with daddy - then Brady took over that role for a period of time. Now, when the boys are asked who is going with daddy to the grocery, their response is "Not me, (the other brother) can go with you or you can go by yourself". This is heard from both of them - so daddy now gets the privilege of going by himself.
• Brady talks very well for his age, but there are times when we (including Connor) have no idea what he is talking about. Connor kept asking me what Brady was talking about and I responded that I didn't know and for Connor to try and figure it out. Connor went through a laundry list of questions to Brady about what he could be talking about (do you want to go somewhere, are you asking for food, etc.) and finally concluded that he just didn't know. He said "Brady is talking about a bucket - that is all I know".
• I won't bore you with the details of the "Bathroom" talk that has started at our house - poopie head, you pooped in your pants (this is said to ALL of us, not just Brady), you farted, I farted, etc. What I will do is refer you to a link that sums up the direction we are headed...I was cracking up when I read this post because I could picture Connor saying it. http://funnymummyfiles.blogspot.com/2008/08/real-poop.html
• Speaking of bathroom, apparently I had spent a little longer than normal in the bathroom one day. Brady knocked on the door and asked "Are you okay Mommy?".

Changes for Connor to come...

We have recently made a very difficult, but I believe the best, decision regarding Connor's future (preschool future that is). Recently, Connor had changed rooms at his current daycare and moved from a teacher that we had loved. Based on some of the behaviors we have seen the last couple weeks, we determined it may be time to find a new environment for Connor. We decided that we wanted a more formal preschool that fostered education and the transition to kindergarten. We talked to various friends and toured Montessori Academy and determined this was a good fit for Connor. Montessori Academy has a unique philosophy on how children should learn which is primarily based on giving the children guidance and choices. In addition, they have some freedoms like transitioning a child off of naps when it is a good choice for the child.

This will be Connor's last week at his current daycare and he will start next Tuesday in his new "BIG BOY" school. He will be leaving some old friends for new friends. He will be in a room of mixed ages of 3-5 and the younger kids are assigned an older kid as a mentor. He will be in this classroom until he is ready to go to elementary school.

We told Connor tonight about the plans and played on the "BIG BOY" school concept. He is very excited and was only disappointed to learn that WE would still be driving him to school (as opposed to a school bus or airplane). He was also excited to learn that one of his classmates is also going to this school, even though they won't be in the same classroom. He said he is going to tell all his other friends that they need to look into the BIG school. He asked us a lot of questions about who will be there, what toys, books, etc. they have there. Afterwards, he asked Brady if he was going to cry when Connor wasn't at the old school anymore. Brady's answer was "Your friends - my friends". We will take that as an answer that he doesn't care that Connor is leaving the school.

Connor will have the opportunity to meet the teacher and tour the room on Friday afternoon. This will allow him to see the room and activities before the first day of school. The school day is actually 8:45-2:45 and outside of those times will be daycare with specific activities (e.g. art projects). We are really looking forward to this new experience for Connor (and hopefully prove to be successful for Brady when he is old enough).

Fun Plans Diverted - Sick Child

AM Couch Potatoes

We had all these plans to have some fun with the boys this weekend. We were to go to a water themed birthday party Saturday afternoon and then Sunday we were going to go to the zoo and possibly bowling. However, Connor woke up early Saturday morning with a high fever and the occasional vomit. We were sure it was strep and needed some meds, but the After Hours dr. said it is just a virus that has to run its course. Yeah for the virus that can't be treated with meds - how do you ensure he will be better in 48 hours??? Connor was very disappointed that the dr. did not give him better medicine which he concluded was because he wasn't big enough.

Connor was glued to the couch all day Saturday while Brady got to go visit with Mimi & Papa for the afternoon. When Brady returned home, he slept well past dinner time. After dinner, we let them stay up late since they had been sleeping all day. Needless to say they were both major couch potatoes and significantly exceeded the allotted TV time.

It is so heart-breaking to see your child sick. One minute, Connor was very needy and lethargic and the next he was proclaiming that he is all better. I did have a lot of cuddle time today, but it was like holding a fireball. Let's hope for a fast recovery on Sunday.

PM Couch Potatoes

Will the Behavior Change Stick?

Over the last few weeks, the boys have gotten really bad about getting out the door for “school”. They haven’t been listening, they argue, and sometimes throw tantrums. So, yesterday, we told that them that based on their behavior they were no longer getting TV before school until they could prove to us that they would listen. I reminded them again last night that they were not getting TV in the morning. I had a few grumblings and Brady repeatedly asking “Why?”.

This morning, Connor woke up early, visited with us while we were getting ready, and then he and daddy got Brady up. They were sitting on the couch waiting for their breakfast snack (and I assumed waiting for TV) when Connor said “We don’t get TV this morning, but we will listen when you tell us it is time to go to school and then we get our TV back”. They then went on to choose puzzles to work on while waiting. Connor repeated the “good behavior” throughout the morning while clarifying that they would get their TV back for listening. He even went to school and told every teacher he saw about the good behavior will earn his TV back.

They handled it better than I expected. Now the question is – will this behavior change stick? Do they understand that if it happens again, the TV is gone again? Should I force a day where they don’t get TV in the morning, since it allowed them to work on other things before school? There may be a follow up to come….

Family, Friends, and More

We had a lot of fun this weekend spending time with family and friends. Saturday, we hung out at home playing outside, waiting for our new washer & dryer, and looking forward to the evening when some friends were coming over for a get-together. The adults had a lot of fun visiting and watching the kids play together. The kids seem to all get along well and there was plenty to keep them entertained. We couldn't have asked for better weather for the evening either!

While Mommy had to work Sunday morning, the boys got to visit with Mimi & Papa. That afternoon, some of mommy's family came over for a visit. Connor was a little moody in the beginning, but never would go down for a nap (I need to know how everyone gets their kids to nap). The cousins decided to try out a cold swim in the pool - didn't bother them too much! Mommy's brother also joined in the visit, so that was nice to have him over.

We ended the evening with some family time outside for the four of us and the boys going to bed exhausted. Hopefully, we can have more weekends like this.

Stories from the bed..

Connor went from a crib to a twin bed in Nov 2007. We have been very fortunate all these months that he has never gotten out of his bed until he saw us coming down the hall (after yelling for us). Not once has he shown up in our room! We never told him he couldn't get out of his bed, but we never told him he could either. I did tell him that if he needed to go potty in the night he could go on his own (I don't think he has yet). More recently, however, he has now started venturing out of his bed in stages. First, it started out where we would find him on the floor next to the bed, then he was on the floor in the doorway, then he was in the hallway peeking into Brady's room. He claimed they were playing peek-a-boo together. This morning, I couldn't find him after hearing my name. I found him IN Brady's room sitting in the chair and he said they were "talking". It was so cute! I really hope that the venturing stops at Brady's room and not further into our bed... Brady on the other hand wakes up in his crib and locates all the toys and books he gathered the night before and entertains himself. He knows eventually someone will come find him (which is now Connor).

Olympics

Connor and Brady have really enjoyed watching the Summer Olympics, especially the gymnastics. Tonight, they were watching the floor part of the gymnastics where they dance and do flips. Connor would imitate the dance moves and legs and then do a floor flip when the gymnast flipped. It was so cute - perhaps we shouldn't have pulled him out of gymnastics after all. Brady was also spinning around and dancing, but he hasn't mastered the flip yet. They were really into it - they even commented when one of the US gymnasts got out of bounds.

Let the Games begin..

The brother to brother competition has gotten fierce lately. Daily occurrences...aggravating the other with the taunting..luckily we aren't to the wrestling stage (yet).

Connor:

"I'm not a baby like Brady...I don't wear diapers. I go on the big boy potty. I wear underwear."

"I'm not throwing a fit like Brady."

" I get to go to bed after my brother."

Brady:

"I'm getting out of the tub like you told me to. Not Connor."

"Mommy's holding me..na na!"

"I let Mommy help me. Not you."

And it continues..."I got chocolate milk." "Well, I got apple juice." Both think there is some superiority of theirs over the other. It is hilarious how they create competition out of simple things like the drink they have.

Connor also carries the games over to daddy - withholding information until he knows he has won. He suggested McDonald's to daddy last night for dinner and daddy thought it sounded like a good idea so he didn't have to cook. Connor waited until burger was in hand before announcing that he got to have McDonald's for lunch AND for dinner. (Daycare had a McDonald's picnic). He then said "It's okay daddy - I had chicken nuggets for lunch."

Cookout at Mimi & Papa's

Today, we spent a leisurely afternoon at Mimi and Papa's for a cookout and visit with the family. Papa's baby brother was in for a visit from Ohio. The boys had fun playing with their cousins, reading with Mimi, watching the ducks, feeding the geese, and eating all afternoon. Brady ate and ate and ate some more all afternoon! Not quite sure where he is putting it considering he is starting to slim down these days.

Connor had fun running from or running after his cousin, Danielle. He doesn't quite have the concept of hide and seek down, but he sure did have fun trying. He also tried out Danielle's Razor - uh,oh - does Daddy have his argument to get one now?

Connor's Quotes

8/2/2008...Mommy mentioned to Connor that she was ready to leave to get some lunch. (At the time, he was helping daddy put together a new bookshelf and I was trying to get them to go with me and we would bring it back home). Connor said "Mommy, you need to be patient". 7/27/2008...Connor was helping daddy cook dinner tonight. Brady came into the kitchen and dumped a pile of toys. Connor said "Brady, you're going to clean up that mess. I'm serious, you hear me." 7/24/2008...Connor was playing with some animals in the car on the way to school. He said “Look mom – each animal is on top of each other – there is one on the bottom, one on top, and one in the middle….like a PEANUT BUTTER SANDWICH (Giggle)”. Connor was sitting at school eating his morning snack and I was talking about how I needed to go to work. He said “One day when I get big, I will be a daddy and I will have to go to work too. I won’t be Connor anymore – I will be daddy instead just like Brady will be”. I asked him what kind of job he was going to have and he said he hasn’t decided yet.