Three

Dear Ben,

Yesterday you turned 3. As usual, you first woke up around 5:30 AM. You are nothing if not predictable in that respect. In many other ways, you keep us guessing every day. You are full of character, that's for sure. The last few months your favorite insult, and you imbue it with as much scorn as your little voice could possibly hold, has been "baby girl". If Claire, me, or even the cats do something to bother you, you will give a big harrumph, and then exclaim, "baby girl." I think you like it most because it bothers your big sister so very much.

You are still very stubborn. Bribery and threats rarely work with you. This week I would often tell you that we had to go straight home from school because we had to get things ready for your party. You would tell me, "actually, I don't want a birthday party." No, you don't, you'd rather get whatever it was you wanted right then. But only a few minutes later you would change your mind again, "actually, I do want a party."

I love how much joy and enthusiasm you have. When I pick you up from school and you first see me you get the biggest smile, and you run to give me a hug. That makes my day. You are still such a loving little boy. Though you would correct me, "I a big boy now, I wear underwear!" You will sometimes come up to me as I sit on the sofa, and say, "Mommy? Can I snuggle with you?" How could anyone say no to that?

I love listening to you play with your sister. Tonight the two of you were playing with one of the new toolkits you got for your birthday. You were pretending to screw something in, while Claire manned the cell phone, and talked to your client, "Yep, we're just checking on things. Making sure it's tight. There's a leak? Ok. Uh-huh. Bye." You continued to work industriously. I'm so glad that you two can be such good friends to each other. That is when you're not driving each other crazy, because we definitely see that, too. You seem to have a talent for saying and doing exactly what will annoy Claire the most. I keep telling her that that is a little brother's job, but that doesn't really make her feel any better.

You love music so much. You will frequently put on concerts for us with the guitar that you got for Christmas. You almost always request to watch Imagination Movers on TV, or a Rocknoceros podcast on my computer. Sometimes you won't respond to me unless I call you Imagination Mover Dave or Coach Cotton. At your school's holiday concert whenever we could hear anyone in your class singing it was you. You may not be pitch perfect, but you are certainly enthusiastic.

Ben, you amaze me everyday with what a big boy you are becoming. You are growing up so quickly, and I love the new changes, but I will also miss the stages that you are growing out of. I worry that sometimes I don't pay attention and the "last times" slip by without me noticing. I didn't realize the last night that I put you to bed in your crib, or the last morning I got you out. I want to go back in time, and make sure that those memories are imprinted in my mind forever. I love you so very much. Happy Birthday!

Love,
Mommy

Ten on Tuesday - the Inaugural edition

1. Yesterday we celebrated Martin Luther King Jr.
2. For King's day of service, I've decided to participate in the Knit your Bit campaign.
3. King is probably best known for the "I have a dream" speech. I think today, that part of his "dream" is becoming a reality.
4. Today is about change.
5. I am grateful that my kids will grow up in a world where they won't understand why electing a president that is African-American is a big deal.
6. Unknowingly, but what a nice coincidence, Ben and Claire chose to wear patriotic colors today.
7. Me? Do blue jeans count?
8. At least my Starbucks cup has a patriotic cardboard sleeve.
9. No matter who you voted for, it is impossible to deny that today is a historic day for our country.
10. Yes we can!

Best Shot Monday - cousins

Every year sometime in the week before Christmas my husband's mother's family all gathers for a holiday party. I caught Ben and his cousin, Ryan, in a particularly "cheesy" mood while the older generation tried to watch football behind them.

Visit Tracey at Mother May I for more pictures from Best Shot Monday.

Where has my baby gone?

I rushed home from school yesterday to be here when Ben's bed was delivered, then headed back to school, ran some errands, picked Claire up and took her to dance class, and then finally returned home.

I found Ben and Brian in a storm of cardboard boxes and pieces of pine. Some of them resembled a bed.

About 45 minutes later, we had a twin bed, with rails set up. (We bought Ben a twin-over-full bunkbed set, but for the time being we are only using the top part.) I quickly heated up some dinner for the kids, they ate, and then we went back upstairs to put on pajamas. As soon as Ben had his pajamas on, and for every 30 seconds thereafter he said, "will you tuck me in, Mama?" Over and over and over again. Until finally it was time to get tucked in. I kissed him and hugged him, and put his stuffed elephant in beside him. He gave me a huge smile, and said goodnight.

This morning I was awakened by him calling me. I went in, and when I reached out to him in bed he realized where he was, and suddenly said, "oh, I can get out by myself." Then he told me, "The bedbugs didn't bite me. My elephant helped me sleep." By all accounts, a good first night. Let's hope it continues to go as smoothly. Or that maybe? Possibly? He will start sleeping later in the mornings. Ha!

Ten on Tuesday

1. I have been a terrible blogger lately.

2. My baby is turning 3 in 11 days. Scaaaaaaaaary thought.

3. He gets a big boy bed tomorrow. I'm excited and trepidatious.

4. Work has been a little crazy since we got back from the holidays. Hopefully things will get straightened out soon.

5. I was so tired this morning that when I got to Ben's classroom to sign him in I looked at my watch and thought the battery was dead again (it had just been replaced last week). I was frustrated, but just made up the time based on the last time I'd looked at the clock in the car. Today at 3:45 PM I realized I had put the watch on upside down, which was why the time looked all wonky when I checked it throughout the day. Brilliant.

6. I am sipping minty green tea out of a mug my office-mate gave me for Christmas. Lovely.

7. We decided that the cats were finally big enough to wear the collars that we had bought them when we first got them. I put Penny's on after dinner, and she has spent the last hour and a half trying to figure out how to chase the little bell on her neck.

8. Now we need to figure out where Papaya's collar is hiding.

9. Claire started a new dance class last week, and tomorrow is her second class. We got her tap shoes last weekend, and I can't wait to see her face when she puts them on and starts tip-tapping.

10. The kids and I have a four day weekend this weekend. Hooray!

Best Shot Monday - Santa

Every year the fire department lets Santa take a ride on the back of this fire engine, and he and his helpers hand out candy canes to any little ones who come out to greet him. There is a truck that drives ahead blasting sirens and Christmas carols, and carrying a big inflatable Santa to get people out of their houses. They came by our house Saturday about 15 minutes after we'd put the kids down for a nap. We ran up and grabbed Claire who hadn't fallen asleep and she asked for two candy canes so she could give one to Ben. A nice way to kick off her Christmas vacation!

Head on over to visit Tracey at Mother May I and see what other best shots have been posted this week!

Recipe for disaster?

One almost-three-year-old boy who is potty training who was:

• taught to pee standing up at preschool (minus)
• taught to lift the toilet seat and wipe up afterwards (plus)

Add:

• two curious kittens who love running water (or anything that sounds like it)

Results:

• one big mess
  

Let the caroling begin!

Well, Thanksgiving is over, which means the Christmas season is officially upon us. Some notables from the last few days:

1. Mom got her usual teasing for her love of Christmas - the Christmas mugs and dishes were out before most people were awake on Friday morning. Uncle Paul decided to protest yesterday morning and for breakfast used a non-Christmas mug, non-Christmas plate, and non-Christmas napkin. He's a rebel that one.

2. Sherryl got to hear some of the fun stories about Uncle Paul growing up - like when he ironed his hair because he was so upset to find out it was curly.

3. Ben playing air guitar to Rocknoceros and watching his reflection in the fireplace doors.

4. The kids dancing with each other at Eric and Jaclyn's party last night, they had more energy and enthusiasm (though a little less grace) than the rest of the people out there.

5. The Hokies won yesterday! Go Hokies!!

Now I'm snuggled under a blanket on my own couch with a kitty purring on my arm, trying to figure out how to get all the cleaning done that needs to get done today before the week begins! Maybe I'll listen to Christmas carols while I do it.

Gobble Gobble

That's what we did today! Gobbled up turkey (fried), stuffing, potatoes, cranberry sauce, green beans, salad, and much much more. Not to mention four kinds of dessert.

We have so much to be thankful for. The family and friends we had dinner with today, the family who we couldn't be with, but are always in our hearts, and our friends scattered all over the country.

The kids, in typical kid fashion, alternated between charming, mischievous, and whiny, but overall they were well behaved. Of course, because it's a holiday, they've been sick. Claire had a stomach bug yesterday, but was much better today, while Ben has a nasty cough that he can't seem to get rid of.

We hope everyone else had a similarly fabulous day. Hopefully I'll get photos from our day up soon.

Gobble gobble!

Time for Ten on Tuesday

I know, the excitement never stops around here!

1. I am very tired this week. And it is only Tuesday. This does not bode well.

2. Last night I made Citymama's Balsamic Roasted Brussel Sprouts. Mmmm, tasty.

3. According to Brian, kittens who have been basking in front of the fireplace make an excellent heating pad.

4. I wore a nice skirt today that made me happy, with shoes I really like, but with the amount of standing and walking I did, the heels were a bad choice. My feet say, "ow!"

5. Ben now repeats everything I tell him at bedtime. "I love you, buddy." "I love you too, Mama." "Have sweet dreams." "Have sweet dreams, too, Mama." "See you in the morning!" "See you in the morning, too, Mama." What a cutie.

6. I am looking forward to Thanksgiving. More for the chance to relax and spend time with family than for the food, but the food will be good, too!

7. This year the turkey will be fried. Mmmmm, fried turkey skin.

8. The kids were asking yesterday whether Christmas was before or after Thanksgiving, so I clarified that it was before. Then they asked about Easter. Seriously? I think we have a while before we need to worry about when the Easter Bunny is going to arrive.

9. And also, Ben told me yesterday that he wants to be a spaceship for Halloween next year. I'm sure he'll remember that next October.

10. Although he does play with the space shuttle toy at Claire's school every day when we pick her up. Maybe he really will want to be a spaceship next year.

Wasn't this fascinating? Ten things you really needed to know. I am so glad that I could help make your life more complete. Any time.

Too fast

This weekend Ben woke up grumpy from a nap, so I cuddled him in my lap, and as he rested his cheek on my chest I could look down and marvel at his thick dark eyelashes, the soft curves of his cheek and nose that tell me he is still more baby than boy. I looked at his hands to check for those little dimples at the tops of each finger. He gently reached up and put a hand on each of my cheeks, and pulled my face down for a kiss. My little man. My snuggly, loving, mischievous little boy.

And then yesterday he wore underwear to school. He made it all day until 6:30 PM without an accident. He cried when I made him take them off and put on a diaper for bed.

Where is my baby disappearing to?

Best Shot Monday - my boy

I had to go into my archives to find a photo for this week, as I haven't picked up the camera lately. Here's Ben who was only too proud to show off the delicious mess he made with his macaroni and cheese.

Head over to Mother May I to see what Tracey has in her heart, and other shots from Best Shot Monday.

already trying to play the system

Normally every morning when Ben and I come downstairs (before dawn has cracked) I make my coffee, he gets his cereal bar, we let Lucky out, and then he asks me if he can watch Imagination Movers. The other morning, he started talking to Penny.

B: Hi catty-cat! Good morning!
P: rrowr
B: What's that Penny? Oh, OK.
P: meow
B: I'll tell her.
B: Mama? Penny-Pen wants to watch 'magination movers.

Sure, blame it on the cat, buddy. That's sure to get you what you want.

kitties

Cute cats? Where?

Nothing to see here. Please disperse.


Oh alright. We're cute, we admit it. Purry and cuddly, too. Whatcha gonna do about it?

Ten on Tuesday

1. Since we've had the kittens I've heard Claire laugh more than I can recall recently. I'm glad that they are bringing our family so much joy.

2. Role reversal - Today I had to work, but Brian and Ben had the day off, so Brian also kept Claire home from school and was in charge all day long. And I mean all. day. long. since Tuesday night's I teach my class from 4:30-7:30.

3. I think they all had a pretty good day - a trip to Grandma's for haircuts, lunch, and to see the new puppies - how could that be bad!

4. Today near his mom's house Brian got gas for $1.92/gallon. The cheapest price I saw today around here was $2.25/gallon.

5. My awesome husband made my day today, because in addition to keeping the kids busy he made huge strides in picking up the house so it will be ready when the cleaning ladies come tomorrow.

6. It's been quite chilly here the last two days, so we've had a fire both nights. Cozy.


7. Even kitties love to bask in front of the fireplace.

8. Claire can now read on her own the first 6 Bob books. Everyday she is eager to try more.

9. I feel like we've had some really nice family time lately. It's been good to have that.

10. My husband and I have a date night this Saturday to go to dinner and see the new James Bond movie. Hooray! It's been a long time since we've had some quality "alone" time.

Best Shot Monday - frog

There was just something I really liked about the sun shining on this frog statue at the zoo. I feel bad I cut his little toes off, but I was doing this while holding my 35 pound son. I didn't have a lot of time to futz around.

See lots of other Best Shots when you check in with Tracey at Mother May I.

Meal Planning

I used to do my meal planning on Mondays, make my grocery lists, and have plenty of time to shop. Now that I'm back to work it's not that easy, so I meal plan on the weekend, we try to hit the grocery store together on Sunday, and hopefully we remember everything, or don't change plans too much. Here's what we're having this week:

Sunday -
butternut squash soup for the grownups
pumpkin waffles for the kids

Monday -
chicken cordon bleu (made these today and they're ready and waiting in the fridge)
rice
green beans

Tuesday -
I teach class, and Brian takes the kids out for pizza

Wednesday -
pasta w/pesto (a surefire way to get the kids to eat!)
salad

Thursday -
beef stew in the crockpot
roasted brussel sprouts

Friday -
taco salad if we're home, but maybe, hopefully, we're going out

What's on your menu this week?

having fun together

Two times in the last few days while having conversations with others it has come up that children that are close in age, like Ben and Claire, often play well together. I am happy that they normally enjoy playing together. Just this morning I came to the kitchen after being in the basement paying bills, and Ben showed me that they had set up "carseats" in front of the back door. When I asked where they were going he said they were going to the grocery store, but then I asked what they were going to be and he said, "Actually, we're not going to the grocery store. We're going somewhere else." Then he headed off to play with Claire and I overheard a bit of their conversation, at first Claire wanted to be the mommy, but Ben insisted on being the daddy, so he drove her to her "dress-up party". When he stopped the car he told her, "now let me open and close your door, so you don't hurt your fingers."

Moments like these I want to always remember. Especially when they're teenagers, and don't want to be in the same room with each other.

Once upon a time...

Ben spontaneously decided to tell a story at dinner (I think he was trying to avoid having to eat, he never did finish his dinner).

Once upon a time there was a little boy named Ben who was wearing a green shirt. Then a giant came. He started to cry. But then he ran away. He went to a picnic concert. Then he was happy because the bear didn't come. The End.

I'm not sure if it was a giant bear, or if there was both a giant and a bear. He didn't elaborate. Either way, given the other stuff I've seen out in the bookstores I'm pretty sure that we can find a publisher.

Mother's Night

One of my new favorite nights of the year. Once again I got to go to Claire's school after dinner, and she got to show me three kinds of "work" that she does during the day. This time we did the matching game, flag learning, and the sound box.

On the way there she told me, "Mother's night is not my favorite night because I can only do short work, and all the work I want to do is long." She seemed to recover her enthusiasm once we got in there. I was slightly mortified because her current favorite phrase is, "oh darnit!" and she said it over and over again. When the teacher said she needed to move on to show me something new because we'd spent nearly half the time on the first "work" on the list she said it, and then she was told there was only 7 minutes left and she said, "only 7 minutes left! oh darnit!" Then again when she dropped some colored pencils while carrying them back to the shelf. We had a little talk when we got home about it, so hopefully she's not teaching her entire class to say it. Or if she has it will start to subside.

Her teacher told me that everyday after lunch she and another 4 year old in her class that she's friends with decide together if they want to work with the kindergarteners or play. Apparently this other girl always thinks for a minute and then says that she wants to play, so finally this week Claire said, "You always just want to play! I'm going to work today." This is the second time this year that her teacher has noticed her making up her mind about something and standing up for herself, not just going with the flow - good work, Claire! Don't forget that lesson - you'll need it all your life.