Beating Around the Bush

I think Jake's growing up. How can I tell? He no longer needs me. He does, however, make sure I don't get too tired. "Mommy, I think you need a rest." Translation: "Mommy, I really need you to come cuddle and talk with me."
I guess growing up isn't so bad. As long as I can keep up with the lingo.

If You Give...

Have you read the "If You Give..." books, by Laura Numeroff? Well, they are some of our very favorites around here, and if you haven't yet experienced them, go do it! So fun!

So way back when we were living in Seattle - when my boys were two and three, instead of four and five - I tried my hand at writing like Laura. And then today I came across my little story. And since I think it is pretty clever - and Dan and the boys do too - I thought I'd share. And really, if you don't think it's clever, that's okay. Just don't tell me. I'd like to stay in my little dream world and think I'm great. Thanks.

Oh, and I guess it'll make more sense if I tell you this last little tidbit. It's all true. I promise, this was my life for most of Camden's two-dom. (And I know that's not a word. But you know what I mean). Okay, so here's my story:

If You Give A Camden A Muk-Muk

If you give a Camden a muk-muk, he'll want some duff to go with it. You'll give him two-eeze, a dog, and a monkey. He'll probably tell you it's too heavy, so he'll want to be carried. You'll carry him to the couch. When you sit on the couch, he'll probably ask you to read. You'll have to find his mazawine. The mazawine will remind him of baseball. He might want to play some. He'll want you to play, too. He'll look through the playroom for a batting helmet. Then he'll look under the bed. When he's under the bed, he'll find his brother. They'll decide to play outside. Camden will turn on the hose. Then he'll get all wet. So you'll have to change his clothes. When you put on his shirt, he'll ask you to fix the tag. Then he'll want you to fix the tag again. You'll have to do it ten or eleven times. He'll take off the shirt. When he takes off his shirt, he'll feel cold. You'll have to give him a blanket. The blanket will remind him of his duff. He'll probably ask you for it. And chances are, if you give him the duff, he'll want a muk-muk to go with it.

Vocab lesson:
muk-muk: milk
duff: stuff, as in Camden's collection of "lovies"
two-eeze: two silkies, the main ingredient in "duff"
mazawine: Sports Illustrated for Kids magazine

Busy Busy Busy

Camden and I have been keeping very busy while Jake is away at school. We have important things to do. Like being silly gooses. And we're pretty good at it, too, if I do say so myself.

Childcare

I had a phone conversation today that really got me thinking. Without going into details, I just want to share my opinion, and maybe you'd like to share yours...

Okay, I want my kids to do well in life. I want them to be well-rounded, smart, kind, healthy, happy, the list goes on and on. I want to give them every advantage to achieve all they are destined to do and to be.

But I think my methods are falling out of style. More and more, I'm seeing children who are expected to learn and do things younger and younger. Babies listen to Mozart (okay, so I actually like that one, but you get the drift). Daycares are turning into preschools. Kindergartners go to school for a full day. (Don't get me started on that one. It isn't pretty.) In short, there is a lot of pressure put on kids - and parents - to achieve, in my opinion, too early.

Whatever happened to kids just being kids? Can't we just let them play? Can't we just let them learn at their own pace?

Okay, now for my confession: I have never - not once - sat down and taught my boys their colors. Or their shapes. Or their numbers. Or their letters. But guess what? They know them! In the course of our day to day life we do chores, cook meals, visit with friends, read books, play inside and outside, and spend a lot of time together. And my children learn. At their own pace, and without any of the pressure to do it someone else's way. I think sometimes parents get so focused on "teaching" their children that they forget to really "teach" their children.

I'm glad to send Jake off to school. He is loving it and I am getting used to it. And there does come a point where more formal education is necessary. Jake is definitely at that point! So I promise this little rant has nothing to do with Jake's kindergarten experience, or any public or private schools. It's just my thoughts on a phone call. That's all.

Soccer, Take Two

So much better!

All week, Jake has been trying to remember not to throw a fit at his next soccer game. See, he really wanted to get a snack and play on the playground after the game - two things he lost out on because of last weeks spectacle. Well, I'm happy to report that he remembered! No fits!

And oh my goodness! Don't I have the cutest Boys! Sorry, that was totally inappropriate. Bragging isn't nice.

I just can't help it. They really are cute.

Sorry. Again.

Woo-Hoo! He's 32!

Yesterday was Dan's birthday! Happy Birthday Handsome! We celebrated by getting new siding put on the north side of our house. Oh, and the bug guy came to get rid of our ants. Then I ditched him to put the boys to bed alone while I went to a meeting at Camden's preschool. I know, I know, you all wish you could have been here for the festivities. We really know how to party! We did have yummy cake and even yummier ice cream and the boys and I gave him all three "Bourne" movies, so I don't think the whole day was a dud! I love this guy and I'm excited to see what 32 brings. I think it's going to be a great year!

Soccer

Well, that was fun.

The boys had their first soccer games of the season today. Camden was mad because his is very "babied-down" and he would much rather be out there with Jake's team. Jake threw one of his best fits ever because his team lost. I guess we need to work on sportsmanship.

Hopefully next week will be better.

PS. Sorry this post is so lacking in humor. I really can see the humor in it - buried way down deep - but it's just been quite a week and I'm not feeling it. Since I usually do enjoy my boys' great fits, please feel free to read about one of their greatest here.

Waiting

Waiting for Daddy.

His boys really like him a lot!
Me too.

Some Thoughts

1. I think my sister should play Bella in the "Twilight" movie. No, she's not an actress, and no, I don't think she's even read the books. But when I read them, I think Bella looks a lot like Amy.

2. Hurricane preparations around our house...let's just say we each have our own way of doing things. Jake woke up Saturday, sad that he wouldn't be able to play outside, and pretty worried about the rapidly approaching storm. Camden woke up, looked out the window, and said, "It's hurricane day! Yes!" Dan cleaned up the yard and made sure all the windows and screen doors were closed and locked. Me? I took a nice long shower. I certainly didn't want to start out dirty in case we lost water!

3. Hanna really didn't do anything but cancel Jake's first soccer game. Oh, and I guess we'll be replacing the siding on the north side of the house... At least we live on a hill and didn't flood!

Adjustment

I think somebody misses his big brother.

First Day

Today is the first day of school. And that means it's Jake's very first day of Kindergarten! As I write this, he should be lining up to go to PE. Yes, I am obsessively following along with the basic routine the teacher mentioned at orientation. Don't laugh at me!

So, our first school morning went well! Both boys woke up at 5:30. Maybe we should have gone to seminary... And we made it to the bus stop at 8:00 - with plenty of time to take those very important first-day pictures. The bus came, the kids got one, the bus drove away...and the moms cried. At least I wasn't the only one.

Now it's just Camden and Mommy. We're using brand new crayons and a brand new glue stick. And A LOT of paper. Keeping busy!