See? This is what happens when you're a second child. Sorry, kiddo, but you know that mom typically tells it like it is.
OK, this is more like what happens when your mom has a lot of craziness going on during the week and is only able to blog on the weekend while you're napping. By the way - keep up the whole napping thing. As long as you can. When you're a grown up, you start to miss it. Oh, and I get a lot done while you nap.
So, we did a small celebration at my mom's house before your actual birthday. On Thursday when you turned 2, you, me and Kieran all got to eat cake. Which was nice. Kieran made sure we sang to you (several times) and then you began singing to your cake. Right now when you see cake, you start saying "Happy...!" like you're going to begin the song. Seriously cute.
Anyway, I have no amazing wisdom to drop down from above. Just know that we all adore you, even Kieran who sometimes doesn't like what you do or gets annoyed by you. The cats have tolerated your attempts at petting quite well and your love of music is still strong.
This weekend with just you, me and your brother is fun. So far you two have been wonderful. Let me get the errands out of the way so that now all we have to do is play. The only thing I ask for your birthday is a little more sleeping in time. While your dad is gone, I set my alarm to 4:45 am. This is not an hour that my eyes should see, mind you. On Friday you did not even let me sleep that late. Today I managed a whole 15 minutes (enough time to shower and dress) before you awoke at 5. I guess, for now, I'll take it. But can you start imitating your brother and sleep in now and again?
That's all for now, my little girl. Happy second birthday.
Saturday, June 29, 2013
Monday, June 17, 2013
Magical Memory
I wanted to commit this memory to the blog before it faded too much. The weekend was wonderful celebrating Father's Day but really, my best day was Friday.
Kieran came to the office with me and was angelic. Did not complain or get upset for having to sit for 8 hours while I worked. We dropped off and picked up Amelia without incident. Ken got home just a tad bit before us and we all went for a walk after dinner since it was so nice outside. We stopped and got cat food and on the way back home walked past a new ice cream shop that opened about a block from our house.
They were having a kids night. Kieran begged for us to stay, even suggesting he'd give up going to the fireworks later that night (it was Flag Day) at Fort McHenry. We stayed for an hour or so when I told him it was time to go. I offered to still let him go to the fireworks which he was excited about. So, after talking with Ken, grabbing a few things from the house, Kieran and I set out. (Mia had already gone to bed by the time we'd gotten back from the ice cream shop)
We walked halfway there and waited for the bus to take us the rest of the way. The sun was setting and the fireflies started to come out. Kieran's been addicted to Wild Kratts and they had an episode on fireflies, so he's all about it. I taught him the trick to catching them (bring your hand up from underneath, not from the sides). We got on the bus and all he could talk about was the fireflies.
After we arrived at the Fort, I high-tailed it over to find a good spot, worried the fireworks would begin any minute. Luckily, I found a nice spot near a small batch of trees that provided excellent grounds for lightning bug catching. Kieran had a very smart plan and brought along a hat that lit up so I knew where he was in the dark. I let him wander pretty far away to go play and catch lightning bugs. Then, when the fireworks started, I showed him that if he laid down and looked at the sky, the fireworks would seem like they were coming right at him. He loved that too.
It was pretty late by the time we trudged back to the bus, but Kieran was nearly wired for sound (so was I). He'd had an amazing day - more excited by the bugs than the fireworks. The whole evening was just so magical. No fighting, no fussing - just enjoying each other's company and watching him have a blast.
Kieran came to the office with me and was angelic. Did not complain or get upset for having to sit for 8 hours while I worked. We dropped off and picked up Amelia without incident. Ken got home just a tad bit before us and we all went for a walk after dinner since it was so nice outside. We stopped and got cat food and on the way back home walked past a new ice cream shop that opened about a block from our house.
They were having a kids night. Kieran begged for us to stay, even suggesting he'd give up going to the fireworks later that night (it was Flag Day) at Fort McHenry. We stayed for an hour or so when I told him it was time to go. I offered to still let him go to the fireworks which he was excited about. So, after talking with Ken, grabbing a few things from the house, Kieran and I set out. (Mia had already gone to bed by the time we'd gotten back from the ice cream shop)
We walked halfway there and waited for the bus to take us the rest of the way. The sun was setting and the fireflies started to come out. Kieran's been addicted to Wild Kratts and they had an episode on fireflies, so he's all about it. I taught him the trick to catching them (bring your hand up from underneath, not from the sides). We got on the bus and all he could talk about was the fireflies.
After we arrived at the Fort, I high-tailed it over to find a good spot, worried the fireworks would begin any minute. Luckily, I found a nice spot near a small batch of trees that provided excellent grounds for lightning bug catching. Kieran had a very smart plan and brought along a hat that lit up so I knew where he was in the dark. I let him wander pretty far away to go play and catch lightning bugs. Then, when the fireworks started, I showed him that if he laid down and looked at the sky, the fireworks would seem like they were coming right at him. He loved that too.
It was pretty late by the time we trudged back to the bus, but Kieran was nearly wired for sound (so was I). He'd had an amazing day - more excited by the bugs than the fireworks. The whole evening was just so magical. No fighting, no fussing - just enjoying each other's company and watching him have a blast.
Thursday, June 06, 2013
The Bully and The Tooth
So my post yesterday was prophetic in a way, since there was a LOT of action with Kieran.
He lost his first tooth at school. They gave him a certificate, made sure it was in a bag and he got a sticker. He was the first one in his class to lose a tooth. He's very proud. So proud, in fact, that he required me to write a note to the tooth fairy apologizing, but saying he wanted to keep his tooth to remember. The tooth fairy thought that was a very nice thing, so she gave him $5. Hey, it's a first tooth.
After school, as many of you know, Kieran goes to an aftercare program called Fitness Fun and Games. He'd been having a lot of trouble keeping his hands to himself and showing off his martial arts skills (inciting others to not keep their hands to themselves) but that had mostly gone after a new director took over.
There is another after-care program that runs from the recreational center attached to the school. Yesterday on the playground one of the rec center kids came over to where Kieran and his friends were playing. This kid began stating that while "everybody else likes Gracie, I don't." (Gracie is one of Kieran's best friends) Kieran and his friends walked away but this kid followed them and then started saying "Stop following me." but Kieran retorted "You're following us." It sounds like the kid came over and bothered them off and on for awhile. Finally, the kid was looking at the friends and said "I could beat you and you and you.." pointing at each one. Kieran got up and basically told him to prove it, because he did not think that the kid could beat him.
The director told me she had to 'pull Kieran off' the other kid. She was not angry about the incident, stating that if someone had bothered her that much she'd probably react in a similar manner. After talking with Kieran about it the only thing I asked he do differently next time is to talk to an adult. He did everything else right. He tried ignoring the kid, he tried walking away, and finally he stood up for himself. He said he blocked the other boy's kicks and was able to kick him (from the description it was a front kick about waist high on the other boy).
Kieran originally told me the other boy 'started it' but while talking with me, he realized that he was the one who began the physical confrontation, however, I'm not entirely sure I blame him for the way he reacted. He had done everything (mostly) we asked of him and he was really just trying to get the kid to leave him and his friends alone.
The director has promised to keep an eye out for this kid and asked Kieran to come find her or another adult if that kid bothers him again.
He lost his first tooth at school. They gave him a certificate, made sure it was in a bag and he got a sticker. He was the first one in his class to lose a tooth. He's very proud. So proud, in fact, that he required me to write a note to the tooth fairy apologizing, but saying he wanted to keep his tooth to remember. The tooth fairy thought that was a very nice thing, so she gave him $5. Hey, it's a first tooth.
After school, as many of you know, Kieran goes to an aftercare program called Fitness Fun and Games. He'd been having a lot of trouble keeping his hands to himself and showing off his martial arts skills (inciting others to not keep their hands to themselves) but that had mostly gone after a new director took over.
There is another after-care program that runs from the recreational center attached to the school. Yesterday on the playground one of the rec center kids came over to where Kieran and his friends were playing. This kid began stating that while "everybody else likes Gracie, I don't." (Gracie is one of Kieran's best friends) Kieran and his friends walked away but this kid followed them and then started saying "Stop following me." but Kieran retorted "You're following us." It sounds like the kid came over and bothered them off and on for awhile. Finally, the kid was looking at the friends and said "I could beat you and you and you.." pointing at each one. Kieran got up and basically told him to prove it, because he did not think that the kid could beat him.
The director told me she had to 'pull Kieran off' the other kid. She was not angry about the incident, stating that if someone had bothered her that much she'd probably react in a similar manner. After talking with Kieran about it the only thing I asked he do differently next time is to talk to an adult. He did everything else right. He tried ignoring the kid, he tried walking away, and finally he stood up for himself. He said he blocked the other boy's kicks and was able to kick him (from the description it was a front kick about waist high on the other boy).
Kieran originally told me the other boy 'started it' but while talking with me, he realized that he was the one who began the physical confrontation, however, I'm not entirely sure I blame him for the way he reacted. He had done everything (mostly) we asked of him and he was really just trying to get the kid to leave him and his friends alone.
The director has promised to keep an eye out for this kid and asked Kieran to come find her or another adult if that kid bothers him again.
Wednesday, June 05, 2013
A Break in the Action
We've been going non-stop since February with activity after activity. From tournaments in March to a piano recital this past weekend. Kieran has been crazy busy and when we're not at his activities we're enjoying the benefits of living downtown - walking to the Science Center, enjoying the Urban Beach days (DJ, toys for the kids, food trucks, etc), festivals, and whatever else we can find to entertain ourselves (for FREE) on the weekends.
This weekend is the first in a looooong time that we have no real planned activities. Kieran has a baseball game on Saturday and Kendo on Sunday but there is no tournament, recital or family event to attend. I am hopeful this means we can get some of the house cleaned up since my mother-in-law is coming in a few weeks and the house is a complete disaster. Mostly that means picking up things and putting them away, recycling the five tons of paper we have from Kieran's worksheets from this school year and general cleaning. Oh, and giving the dog a bath. DEFINITELY giving the dog a bath.
Not much is new since my last post. Amelia is surprisingly slow at talking. She's got a lot of words but only recently started putting a few words together (Mommy, sit! Up, please!). I admit we've been bad about forcing her to use her words and Kieran just wants to help so he gets what she wants when she points or uses only one word. Now that I realize it, we'll fix that. I expect that she'll be quite talkative once she's got it down.
Her birthday is at the end of the month and I still don't know what I'm going to do. Ken will be out of town on her actual birthday and the weekend after that most folk are out of town for the fourth of July holiday. Don't know if I'll need to do two parties (one when Ken is here and one when he's out) or if we'll forge forward with the 6th knowing most folk won't make it. But I have to figure that out pretty quickly.
Kieran is looking forward to summer camp and we've got to get him set up quick too. I think he needs new shoes and possibly some swimsuits. I need to have him try those on this weekend. Hm. My weekend isn't looking so 'free' anymore...
After this weekend we have another crazy busy one next weekend, one more 'restful' weekend before true summer craziness sets in.
But I don't know that I'd trade the craziness of being busy for having nothing to do. While it can be frustrating to not have the time to get things done around the house, it is wonderful to be able to enjoy time with the family each and every weekend.
This weekend is the first in a looooong time that we have no real planned activities. Kieran has a baseball game on Saturday and Kendo on Sunday but there is no tournament, recital or family event to attend. I am hopeful this means we can get some of the house cleaned up since my mother-in-law is coming in a few weeks and the house is a complete disaster. Mostly that means picking up things and putting them away, recycling the five tons of paper we have from Kieran's worksheets from this school year and general cleaning. Oh, and giving the dog a bath. DEFINITELY giving the dog a bath.
Not much is new since my last post. Amelia is surprisingly slow at talking. She's got a lot of words but only recently started putting a few words together (Mommy, sit! Up, please!). I admit we've been bad about forcing her to use her words and Kieran just wants to help so he gets what she wants when she points or uses only one word. Now that I realize it, we'll fix that. I expect that she'll be quite talkative once she's got it down.
Her birthday is at the end of the month and I still don't know what I'm going to do. Ken will be out of town on her actual birthday and the weekend after that most folk are out of town for the fourth of July holiday. Don't know if I'll need to do two parties (one when Ken is here and one when he's out) or if we'll forge forward with the 6th knowing most folk won't make it. But I have to figure that out pretty quickly.
Kieran is looking forward to summer camp and we've got to get him set up quick too. I think he needs new shoes and possibly some swimsuits. I need to have him try those on this weekend. Hm. My weekend isn't looking so 'free' anymore...
After this weekend we have another crazy busy one next weekend, one more 'restful' weekend before true summer craziness sets in.
But I don't know that I'd trade the craziness of being busy for having nothing to do. While it can be frustrating to not have the time to get things done around the house, it is wonderful to be able to enjoy time with the family each and every weekend.
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