Connor has been developing leaps and bounds lately, changing from my little toddler into a little boy. His imagination is starting to get a bit out of control though, which can be a good and bad thing.
Good thing:
Today we pitched some tents in the backyard and were playing around in them. We went on a ship from Las Vegas to China dodging sharks and aliens along the way. Oh how I missed the days of imaginary adventures!
Bad thing:
I put Connor in the Corner the other day for hurting Aaron. He barely hit his toe against the wall, and he cried like it had been broken. He continued the charade by hopping on it to try and round up some sympathy (I knew it wasn't truly hurt since he was actually hopping on the foot that was supposed to be hurt).
Either way it's exciting to see that he is starting to become a kid, but also sad that I'm losing my little baby.
Connor and I began his reading book this week. We are on lesson 4 of 100, and he loves it. It's the same program my Mom taught me to read with. Hopefully I will be reporting great successes in a couple months, but so far so good. He requests doing it every night, and it only takes about 10-15 minutes. Hopefully my little guy will be reading soon!
School has been great fun for Connor(even though he doesn't want to go until we step through the front doors). The teachers say he is very thorough, and I can see that he is learning a lot by being with the same children and teachers in a classroom setting.
I love my son, and I'm so happy that he is growing up so well. He's really a joy to be around, and I hope it always is this way.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Date Night!
Thanks to my Mom and Dad last weekend Brian and I got to go down to Tucson for a wedding, just him and I. Aaron and Connor had a blast with their Grandparents, and Aunt Shar and Uncle Thomas (Sorry for getting you sick Thomas). Connor began the weekend pretty rocky. We thought the weekend might be spoiled since Connor started to cough and got a runny nose. He was acting normal, and no fever. My Mom insisted that it would be ok to still leave him, so we waited until the afternoon to go down.
The wedding was beautiful, and it was nice to relax with Brian with no kids around. It's funny how each day runs into the next when you have kids. There are really no breaks except for after they go to sleep! But no going out, or doing anything without them. It gets even harder when you have two to find babysitters.
We came back and since being at home Connor has gotten much better. I'm thinking it might have been allergies. We have a couple months before another road trip, so it will be good to stay home for a while. I'm starting a reading program with Connor every day so it will be good to see what progress we make in that time.
The wedding was beautiful, and it was nice to relax with Brian with no kids around. It's funny how each day runs into the next when you have kids. There are really no breaks except for after they go to sleep! But no going out, or doing anything without them. It gets even harder when you have two to find babysitters.
We came back and since being at home Connor has gotten much better. I'm thinking it might have been allergies. We have a couple months before another road trip, so it will be good to stay home for a while. I'm starting a reading program with Connor every day so it will be good to see what progress we make in that time.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
It finally happened...
We were driving to school this morning, and Aaron was being his normal loud self. Connor was upset about going to school - of course he always makes a complete turnaround when we walk in the door - but at this specific point in time he was not happy. He wanted to stay home and ride his bike outside. It's a particularly beautiful morning in the high 70's here, so that sounded pretty tempting to me as well, but we have responsibilities and this morning it was making it to class on time.
So, as I mentioned earlier, Aaron was being LOUD. Screaming a little even, and Connor didn't have the patience for it. The last thing I remember was that Connor was looking out the window then I heard it...the thing that all parents dread...
Connor turned to Aaron and shouted, "SHUT UP Aaron!!"
My sweet, polite, and perfect 4 year old said his first (drumroll please) BAD WORDS : (. True, I would like to yell these words at both of my kids at times - especially when the screaming has lasted all day long and I just want some PEACE - but I have always tried to set a good example thinking that it would rub off on my kids. My tone sometimes turns into a yell, but I have never lost it and told either of my kids to shut up. Where have I gone wrong?
Now I know this might not even be considered bad words, and maybe I'm over-reacting, but I began to rack my brain of where he could have learned this from. After explaining that there are better ways to get Aaron to be quiet I started asking him where he heard those words from. He had just watched Madagascar this morning, so I am assuming that this must be it. Although, I think that they might say it once in Toy Story...
That movie is rated G ...
I guess SHUT UP is not really BAD words, and it could have been much worse. I think mainly it was the rudeness, that I have never seen come out of him that shocked me the most.
I remember in my own life experiencing this exact situation with both of my parents, and thought back to how they handled the situation with me. I once learned some "bad words" in a movie called "Beverly Hills Troop" when I was a kid (I LOVED that movie). My dad was talking badly about someone while I was in the room.
After a pause in the conversation I just blurted out, "Yeah - screw him!!"
Not even knowing what I was talking about. My Dad always had a good way of keeping calm when something surprised him, and he knew that I didn't really mean it. He explained to me how this was not something you say, even to someone you might not like. It's very harsh, and rude to say that.
My Mom, on the other hand, had a different technique when dealing with those little "surprises". I remember when I was young LOVING Goonies. I would watch it all the time. My friend across the street was a little devious, and she had convinced me that they put up their middle fingers in it. (Note: I have since watched that movie a gazillon times and I have never seen a flip off in it). She told me that this must be like a secret "handshake" and we would flip each other the bird every time we saw each other (ok - I was REALLY gullible as a kid - I think she had a bet with her older brother to see if I would actually go along with it). Anyway, I decided to show my Mom our secret "handshake" one day, but I decided the best time was in church. Oh yes - I flipped my mom off in church! She was HORRIFIED. She scared me out of doing it ever again.
She didn't really explain the situation like my dad did, at least when I was little. When someone called me a lesbian for holding my best friends hand in 5th grade, I remember my dad sitting me down in Denny's for a heart-to-heart chat about what being gay was. When I mis-pronounced the word Prix my mom shocked the pronunciation out of me, but I guess explaining why would have been a little difficult with a little one. I probably would have done the same thing.
After being shocked and telling Connor not to say that to his brother like my Mom did with us, I then took the same approach as my Dad did with me. I calmed down and explained that he is a polite person, and that is not a nice way of asking someone to be quiet. We practiced different polite ways of saying "Be Quiet" to Aaron.
I'm sure we will run across it again, and this is the first of many "surprises" in store for me. Normally I am very impressed with both my boys character already. Even Aaron is very polite saying Please and Thank you at 2. I couldn't be a prouder parent of my polite little boys!
So, as I mentioned earlier, Aaron was being LOUD. Screaming a little even, and Connor didn't have the patience for it. The last thing I remember was that Connor was looking out the window then I heard it...the thing that all parents dread...
Connor turned to Aaron and shouted, "SHUT UP Aaron!!"
My sweet, polite, and perfect 4 year old said his first (drumroll please) BAD WORDS : (. True, I would like to yell these words at both of my kids at times - especially when the screaming has lasted all day long and I just want some PEACE - but I have always tried to set a good example thinking that it would rub off on my kids. My tone sometimes turns into a yell, but I have never lost it and told either of my kids to shut up. Where have I gone wrong?
Now I know this might not even be considered bad words, and maybe I'm over-reacting, but I began to rack my brain of where he could have learned this from. After explaining that there are better ways to get Aaron to be quiet I started asking him where he heard those words from. He had just watched Madagascar this morning, so I am assuming that this must be it. Although, I think that they might say it once in Toy Story...
That movie is rated G ...
I guess SHUT UP is not really BAD words, and it could have been much worse. I think mainly it was the rudeness, that I have never seen come out of him that shocked me the most.
I remember in my own life experiencing this exact situation with both of my parents, and thought back to how they handled the situation with me. I once learned some "bad words" in a movie called "Beverly Hills Troop" when I was a kid (I LOVED that movie). My dad was talking badly about someone while I was in the room.
After a pause in the conversation I just blurted out, "Yeah - screw him!!"
Not even knowing what I was talking about. My Dad always had a good way of keeping calm when something surprised him, and he knew that I didn't really mean it. He explained to me how this was not something you say, even to someone you might not like. It's very harsh, and rude to say that.
My Mom, on the other hand, had a different technique when dealing with those little "surprises". I remember when I was young LOVING Goonies. I would watch it all the time. My friend across the street was a little devious, and she had convinced me that they put up their middle fingers in it. (Note: I have since watched that movie a gazillon times and I have never seen a flip off in it). She told me that this must be like a secret "handshake" and we would flip each other the bird every time we saw each other (ok - I was REALLY gullible as a kid - I think she had a bet with her older brother to see if I would actually go along with it). Anyway, I decided to show my Mom our secret "handshake" one day, but I decided the best time was in church. Oh yes - I flipped my mom off in church! She was HORRIFIED. She scared me out of doing it ever again.
She didn't really explain the situation like my dad did, at least when I was little. When someone called me a lesbian for holding my best friends hand in 5th grade, I remember my dad sitting me down in Denny's for a heart-to-heart chat about what being gay was. When I mis-pronounced the word Prix my mom shocked the pronunciation out of me, but I guess explaining why would have been a little difficult with a little one. I probably would have done the same thing.
After being shocked and telling Connor not to say that to his brother like my Mom did with us, I then took the same approach as my Dad did with me. I calmed down and explained that he is a polite person, and that is not a nice way of asking someone to be quiet. We practiced different polite ways of saying "Be Quiet" to Aaron.
I'm sure we will run across it again, and this is the first of many "surprises" in store for me. Normally I am very impressed with both my boys character already. Even Aaron is very polite saying Please and Thank you at 2. I couldn't be a prouder parent of my polite little boys!
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Soccer what?!?
Growing up, I only really tried playing a couple of sports (besides playing them in PE), and those were Softball and Tennis. Long before I had kids I decided that since I hadn't had the opportunity to try a variety of sports, that I would try my best to have my kids at least try every sport, even if it was only for one season. Sometimes I wonder if it's still too early for Connor - he's only 4 now...I've already started him with Piano Lessons, T-ball, and now SOCCER.
Brian and I collectively have VERY little experience playing soccer. In fact, I have zilch experience...never played, and hardly even watched it. Brian just has horrific memories of his soccer team including running...A LOT. So needless to say, we both have no clue about what Connor should be doing on the field besides kicking the ball into the goal.
This makes it a little more difficult to practice at home since we don't really know the rules. I didn't even show up to the first practice with a soccer ball! I still haven't bought a set of shin guards for him, and he is so lucky he hasn't been nailed in the shins.
Last practice was a little frustrating because he picked up on this little "trick", and that is falling. In fact, I think it's the thing he enjoys most about his practice! No matter where he is on the field (he could care less about where the ball is) and he will pretend to trip and fall wherever - even if he is in the line of danger from passing kids cleats, or even the ball. It should be interesting when game time comes around!
Also, he is a little TOO good at not using his hands. When he is goalie he doesn't think he can touch it to block the ball.
I asked Brian during the practice to get Connor to stand up and pay attention to what he was doing, but Brian just looked at me blankly, and said that he was pretty much just as lost as Connor was. Brian was a little annoyed that Connor wasn't more into the game.
So, we will see as the season progresses on whether this is something that Connor is actually interested in, but for now at least he is outside enjoying the fresh air playing a fun - falling - game with his friends!
PS Great Grandpa Louie LOVES watching his games. He came two weeks in a row to watch. He thinks it's pretty hilarious!
Brian and I collectively have VERY little experience playing soccer. In fact, I have zilch experience...never played, and hardly even watched it. Brian just has horrific memories of his soccer team including running...A LOT. So needless to say, we both have no clue about what Connor should be doing on the field besides kicking the ball into the goal.
This makes it a little more difficult to practice at home since we don't really know the rules. I didn't even show up to the first practice with a soccer ball! I still haven't bought a set of shin guards for him, and he is so lucky he hasn't been nailed in the shins.
Last practice was a little frustrating because he picked up on this little "trick", and that is falling. In fact, I think it's the thing he enjoys most about his practice! No matter where he is on the field (he could care less about where the ball is) and he will pretend to trip and fall wherever - even if he is in the line of danger from passing kids cleats, or even the ball. It should be interesting when game time comes around!
Also, he is a little TOO good at not using his hands. When he is goalie he doesn't think he can touch it to block the ball.
I asked Brian during the practice to get Connor to stand up and pay attention to what he was doing, but Brian just looked at me blankly, and said that he was pretty much just as lost as Connor was. Brian was a little annoyed that Connor wasn't more into the game.
So, we will see as the season progresses on whether this is something that Connor is actually interested in, but for now at least he is outside enjoying the fresh air playing a fun - falling - game with his friends!
PS Great Grandpa Louie LOVES watching his games. He came two weeks in a row to watch. He thinks it's pretty hilarious!
Monday, September 13, 2010
Birthday Toys!
Aaron is enjoying the new toys that he received for his birthday, and Connor has been so sweet with Aaron lately. He knows that the new toys are Aaron's and always chooses a toy that Aaron isn't playing with. Here are just a couple of the adventures we have had with the new toys:
BUZZ LIGHTYEAR
Yesterday I was folding laundry upstairs in my room with the door open and the kids were playing with Buzz in the playroom. I kept hearing, "To infinity and beyond!" and SMACK buzz would drop to the floor. About 10 minutes into this game I heard the familiar bump of a small toy hitting the downstairs tile. I knew they had chucked something over the edge so it was time to regulate - mommy style. As I'm approaching the door I hear again, "to infinity AND BEYOND" As I step out from my room I see the $40 toy we had given Aaron yesterday for his birthday about to be pushed over the side of our upstairs landing, which would then plummet towards certain doom. The other strange thing I notice is Connor standing next to Aaron (who was the culprit pushing buzz to his demise), excited to see the "big moment" of when that toy took flight. I couldn't believe Connor actually thought that the toy would make that 20 foot drop onto the tile below. He's a 4 year old, so I guess he can dream that Buzz might fly and not accept the reality of the situation. I screamed "Don't do it Aaron!!!" - thinking in my head that Buzz was NOT going to fly, let alone fall with style (as he did in the movie). Aaron immediately dropped the toy in shock, and flung his body onto the floor in a familiar style of tantrum that he has been throwing lately. Buzz was saved... for now.
Today Aaron had Woody for a change, and Connor had Buzz. They were playing some sort of game with them, and went outside shortly after beginning. I didn't put two and two together right then, but they had taken their BRAND NEW toys outside.
I know if you're a mom, you certainly know that outside is basically a death trap for toys. Electronics end up on the lawn, which ends up getting doused with water during the programmed sprinkler time. Toys with stickers end up getting sun-bleached and torn. Plastic ends up cracking, and ANYTHING ending up in the sandbox is haunted by the little grains that can never be removed.
So while I was washing the dishes I noticed Connor scurrying across the kitchen with Buzz. I also heard him say something about cleaning him off. I thought - oh good - he wasn't out there long, and at least he is responsible about cleaning him. Then I hear water running, which I immediately recognize is coming from the bathroom sink... then I yell, "Don't do that Connor!!!"... Thankfully I caught him in the nick of time. He responds to me by asking his usual, "But why??" I had to explain to Connor that if he put Buzz into water he wouldn't talk anymore. But I thanked him for not wanting Buzz to be dirty. He would be an indoor toy from now on. I helped Connor to pick the grains of sand out from between his buttons using a paper clip, but now Buzz is doomed with the internal rattling of sand that somehow crept into the cracks of his insides. Oh well. He still can talk!
WOODY
Aaron is obsessed with Woody's hat. If he doesn't have it on he looks all over the house yelling "HAT HAT HAT!" It doesn't help that the toy says, "You found my hat! Thank you, Thank you THANK YOU!!!" Aaron loves that, so it's quite the game to keep the cowboy's hat on that doesn't quite want to stay there.
BASKETBALL HOOP
I have kept the small basketball hoop inside for now, and the boys are loving it. Connor chucks the ball directly over his head with no arch at all, but since the hoop is shorter than him right now he gets it in almost every time. He almost sounds amazed when he says, "I LOVE this game, I'm so good at this game". Brian taught Aaron to pass, and his little face scrunches up with concentration when he does it. It almost seems like he'd rather pass the ball than get it in. He enjoys the game.
SOCCER BALL
We got Connor a new soccer ball to use at his practices. Today was his first practice and he liked having his own ball. Grandpa came with us to watch and at one point they were trying to score while the goalie blocked. Connor came up to score and the goalie was looking the other way. Connor kindly waited for him to pay attention, and as soon as he turned to look at Connor he kicked it with all his strength. I couldn't believe what happened. Connor kicked it completely OVER the goal, not even touching the top of it (it's a little kiddie goal - but still surprising). I don't think I've ever heard grandpa laugh so hard. He thought it was hilarious!
New toys are fun, and thankfully all of them have been very entertaining especially for Aaron. So glad we got him toys that he is really enjoying, and giving me some fun memories in return!
BUZZ LIGHTYEAR
Yesterday I was folding laundry upstairs in my room with the door open and the kids were playing with Buzz in the playroom. I kept hearing, "To infinity and beyond!" and SMACK buzz would drop to the floor. About 10 minutes into this game I heard the familiar bump of a small toy hitting the downstairs tile. I knew they had chucked something over the edge so it was time to regulate - mommy style. As I'm approaching the door I hear again, "to infinity AND BEYOND" As I step out from my room I see the $40 toy we had given Aaron yesterday for his birthday about to be pushed over the side of our upstairs landing, which would then plummet towards certain doom. The other strange thing I notice is Connor standing next to Aaron (who was the culprit pushing buzz to his demise), excited to see the "big moment" of when that toy took flight. I couldn't believe Connor actually thought that the toy would make that 20 foot drop onto the tile below. He's a 4 year old, so I guess he can dream that Buzz might fly and not accept the reality of the situation. I screamed "Don't do it Aaron!!!" - thinking in my head that Buzz was NOT going to fly, let alone fall with style (as he did in the movie). Aaron immediately dropped the toy in shock, and flung his body onto the floor in a familiar style of tantrum that he has been throwing lately. Buzz was saved... for now.
Today Aaron had Woody for a change, and Connor had Buzz. They were playing some sort of game with them, and went outside shortly after beginning. I didn't put two and two together right then, but they had taken their BRAND NEW toys outside.
I know if you're a mom, you certainly know that outside is basically a death trap for toys. Electronics end up on the lawn, which ends up getting doused with water during the programmed sprinkler time. Toys with stickers end up getting sun-bleached and torn. Plastic ends up cracking, and ANYTHING ending up in the sandbox is haunted by the little grains that can never be removed.
So while I was washing the dishes I noticed Connor scurrying across the kitchen with Buzz. I also heard him say something about cleaning him off. I thought - oh good - he wasn't out there long, and at least he is responsible about cleaning him. Then I hear water running, which I immediately recognize is coming from the bathroom sink... then I yell, "Don't do that Connor!!!"... Thankfully I caught him in the nick of time. He responds to me by asking his usual, "But why??" I had to explain to Connor that if he put Buzz into water he wouldn't talk anymore. But I thanked him for not wanting Buzz to be dirty. He would be an indoor toy from now on. I helped Connor to pick the grains of sand out from between his buttons using a paper clip, but now Buzz is doomed with the internal rattling of sand that somehow crept into the cracks of his insides. Oh well. He still can talk!
WOODY
Aaron is obsessed with Woody's hat. If he doesn't have it on he looks all over the house yelling "HAT HAT HAT!" It doesn't help that the toy says, "You found my hat! Thank you, Thank you THANK YOU!!!" Aaron loves that, so it's quite the game to keep the cowboy's hat on that doesn't quite want to stay there.
BASKETBALL HOOP
I have kept the small basketball hoop inside for now, and the boys are loving it. Connor chucks the ball directly over his head with no arch at all, but since the hoop is shorter than him right now he gets it in almost every time. He almost sounds amazed when he says, "I LOVE this game, I'm so good at this game". Brian taught Aaron to pass, and his little face scrunches up with concentration when he does it. It almost seems like he'd rather pass the ball than get it in. He enjoys the game.
SOCCER BALL
We got Connor a new soccer ball to use at his practices. Today was his first practice and he liked having his own ball. Grandpa came with us to watch and at one point they were trying to score while the goalie blocked. Connor came up to score and the goalie was looking the other way. Connor kindly waited for him to pay attention, and as soon as he turned to look at Connor he kicked it with all his strength. I couldn't believe what happened. Connor kicked it completely OVER the goal, not even touching the top of it (it's a little kiddie goal - but still surprising). I don't think I've ever heard grandpa laugh so hard. He thought it was hilarious!
New toys are fun, and thankfully all of them have been very entertaining especially for Aaron. So glad we got him toys that he is really enjoying, and giving me some fun memories in return!
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Friday, September 3, 2010
Growing Up
As Aaron's 2nd Birthday approaches, it makes me think about how different my two boys are. I always say how it's increadible how two kids, both boys, same parents, same upbringing can be so absolutely different. It really makes you appreciate every individual for who they are, because we are each unique in our own way, and I think that I appreciate life and people even more since I spend every waking moment with these two little guys. Let me give you some examples of the spectrum these little guys are on. I know these things can change, and these are absolutely just observations...I know that they can change over time and I know not to pigeon hole them into what I think they will become.
Aaron - 2 years old
Very social - loves to talk to people
Quick learner - can repeat any word you ask him to. Loves to read books, but gets frustrated with puzzles and games. Just wants to get to the point.
Creative with Artwork - Loves to color, paint, or do anything creative.
Pretend play - Loves to play with people and animals and walk them around in his pretend world. Loves to drive cars off the edge of...ANYTHING!
LOUD - doesn't know how to whisper yet - or just doesn't want to.
Risk Taker - Doesn't care what the risks are - he will jump off that 7 foot tall playground or into that pool if that's what he wants to do!
Connor - 4 years old
More Reserved with his communication - Loves to talk to people, but it takes some time to warm up.
Puzzle and Book lover - He can spend hours putting together puzzles, or "reading" books by himself. Loves to curl up with mommy and read a good book.
Organized mind - Loves to line up toys - like cars - and put them away in their proper spot.
Mazes - Although he's not big into coloring or artwork, he loves workbooks, mazes, writing words, and cutting with scissors.
Cautious - He loves making his brother do something first to make sure it's ok. Once Aaron made it halfway up the OUTSIDE of the stairs and Connor was at the bottom cheering him on SCARY!
Amazingly together these two little guys make a good team. Connor has learned so much from Aaron already, and they are such great friends already. It really makes a mom's heart melt seeing her kids play well together. I'm so glad that my kids are different, but one thing that they are the same is the amount of love they give. Connor says "I love you mom" for no reason at all at least 10 times a day, and Aaron gives hugs and kisses to everyone all day long. I'm glad that they have this in common!!!
Aaron - 2 years old
Very social - loves to talk to people
Quick learner - can repeat any word you ask him to. Loves to read books, but gets frustrated with puzzles and games. Just wants to get to the point.
Creative with Artwork - Loves to color, paint, or do anything creative.
Pretend play - Loves to play with people and animals and walk them around in his pretend world. Loves to drive cars off the edge of...ANYTHING!
LOUD - doesn't know how to whisper yet - or just doesn't want to.
Risk Taker - Doesn't care what the risks are - he will jump off that 7 foot tall playground or into that pool if that's what he wants to do!
Connor - 4 years old
More Reserved with his communication - Loves to talk to people, but it takes some time to warm up.
Puzzle and Book lover - He can spend hours putting together puzzles, or "reading" books by himself. Loves to curl up with mommy and read a good book.
Organized mind - Loves to line up toys - like cars - and put them away in their proper spot.
Mazes - Although he's not big into coloring or artwork, he loves workbooks, mazes, writing words, and cutting with scissors.
Cautious - He loves making his brother do something first to make sure it's ok. Once Aaron made it halfway up the OUTSIDE of the stairs and Connor was at the bottom cheering him on SCARY!
Amazingly together these two little guys make a good team. Connor has learned so much from Aaron already, and they are such great friends already. It really makes a mom's heart melt seeing her kids play well together. I'm so glad that my kids are different, but one thing that they are the same is the amount of love they give. Connor says "I love you mom" for no reason at all at least 10 times a day, and Aaron gives hugs and kisses to everyone all day long. I'm glad that they have this in common!!!
