I shared some of a juice I was drinking, forgetting that it had aloe pulp in it. Andrew got some pulp and held it on his tongue a little freaked out about what was in his drink. I told him it was aloe vera pulp. "Ewww! You put hair stuff in my juice?!" It took an extra second of thinking to realize daddy puts aloe vera gel in his hair and Andrew thought it was the same thing. I assured him I would never do that!
Daddy was quizzing mommy before her Anatomy and Physiology exam. One question asked what lines the ventricles of the brain. Andrew got excited, "Oh I know! I know! Pick me!!" We waited and he said, "Uhhmmmm..." as he thought. I said "cerebrospinal fluid" and Andrew hung his head and said, "That's what I was gonna say." lol
Nana and Papa came over Monday the 26th and kept Andrew until Thursday 29th. Andrew had an absolute BLAST! He tested all the toys and everything he could find to do. He got in the hot tub later with Papa and uncle Adam.. but he shed his swimsuit and asked them if they'd like to also and was puzzled when they declined. He said he loves to be in the water naked. (?) He didn't really like all the spa features of the hot tub though. They went to get eggs and he was told to stay away from the hen in the box because she bites if you try to get the eggs. So the next morning he wouldn't get the eggs with Nana because "the hen might have eggs." He told Nana that when his cat and two dogs die, he will have chickens in a chicken coop.
At one point he came up to Nana and said, "watching the news is SO boring for kids." (sounds like Papa might have been watching news and said that) and he wanted to watch kid movies. Nana showed him the bookcase and that got him excited. He immediately sat down to read.
Andrew got to drive the backhoe, go ride his bike in an empty parking lot, checked out the waterfall at WalterHill Dam and tried skipping stones on the water, went to McDonalds for ice cream afterward and told Nana and Papa not to tell mommy he went there because he knows their food is 'yucky', rode on a 4-wheeler with his cousins and Adam's friend Greg. He played in the pool at Adam's house. Nana and Papa reported that Andrew was cooperative, polite, and pleasant to be around. Papa was impressed that when he had to practice his Bible Reading for his public talk on Sunday - Andrew occupied himself and didn't interrupt or speak once and let Papa work. The only problem was that he wakes up SOOO early! Even before Papa! Once was 4:45. Another morning 5:15.
Nana told him he didn't have to have a nap but had to rest before the other kiddos showed up. She sat in bed with a book to read and he chose to sit up with a book. The second book he leaned back against the pillows for and soon fell asleep with the book leaning against his knees.
He was happy to see us when we showed up to claim him, but he didn't really want to leave. He said he likes living at Nana's house. He said he did miss me but didn't ever cry. We took him to Scotts Bbq down the road to get some dinner in us all. He ordered a grilled cheese, cole slaw, and slice of strawberry pie (we didn't think about it having food coloring - but I think he was able to sleep that off overnight since it was a late dinner). He barely stayed awake to finish eating. We got him in the car to leave and he conked out almost immediately. I stayed in the car with him while daddy made a grocery run through Kroger. He sat up for a second and slurred a few words I couldn't understand and then fell back asleep. When we got home he sleepily asked, "is this a 4-wheeler?" I told him it was a car but I'm not sure he even heard me. "I wish it were bigger. As big as a polar bear."
I asked Andrew what his most favorite part of being at Nana and Papas for 4 days was. "Driving the tractor." What was his least favorite part? "Playing with toys." Seems like he had a pretty perfect time.
Friday evening, San Francisco cousins McKenna and baby Bayden arrived for dinner. The boys skipped the entire dinner hours to play in the big dirt pile and on the playset. They tucked pool fanoodles into their shirts and made silly noises. They played really really well together and were very busy, very dirty, little boys. Once it got mostly dark, Daddy brought out some fireworks and let them burn off a bunch of sparklers.
Saturday morning Andrew was up early as usual. When I got up a little after 6, I couldn't find him. He was down in my studio in a little cave made of my backdrops, with a flashlight "seeing who can tell the most stories" by himself.
Andrew picked one of his magnetic poetry pieces and said, "I wish I could drink this." And he showed me the word coffee.
After service, we met the Pingles for lunch and brought Sam home with us. They rode bikes, ran around the yard, rode the scooter up and down the hallway, dressed up in costumes, and used water squirters outside to cool down. Daddy and I assembled the new pool steps and when those were ready they went swimming in the frigid water, after getting to play in a pop up rain shower. They play so well together.
He's been complaining a lot lately of his knees and legs hurting. I think he's having growing pains. Saturday night we let him have a shot of stout beer (it's good for growing pains and delivers all the calcium the bones need as they grow so fast). He actually likes it. blech!
Saturday, May 31, 2014
Monday, May 26, 2014
Hangman in French?
One morning I was in the shower and Andrew decided to sit and play with toys on the floor. He was talking to me but I really couldn't hear well. I peek out and see him in jammies still when he needed to be dressed for school already. I asked him if he'd eaten and told him he needs to eat so he's not too hungry before lunch. He leaps up, "oh yeah. I do need to do that. Thanks for reminding me of that mom!" as he swiftly marched out the door.
Andrew had the assigned bible reading in Exodus about the Israelites making a golden calf to worship. We got the assignment two weeks ago but only practiced it for one week. He did exceptionally well! His very first time reading through it was seven minutes long but that was because he'd stop and ask questions (like, 'where is Egypt?' and asking for help with pronunciation of some big words) It was less than 4 minutes when he presented it. He remembered to stand still, to follow along with his finger, and to slow down at commas. Excellent job.
I didn't get to see it in person. I've been having trouble breathing lately and the chemicals at the hall are too much right now while I'm in school too. Daddy used the video camera for me. Afterward they went to sonic for ice cream with the Hernings and let him play. The place was packed with teenagers and daddy said all the girls were ooh-ing over Andrew in his gray and black vested suit with a crimson shirt and black tie. Daddy was dressed to match. They didn't get to bed until 11pm.
At 5:45 daddy turned the lights on to wake Andrew up for school. He is never amused to be awakened like that on Thursday mornings. I was impressed he was functioning at all since he was 3 hours short on sleep. He was very cooperative in getting ready and out the door by 6:20.
Friday was his scheduled last day of school. Daddy decided he was going to work from home Friday and I have a CPR class to attend, so we offered Andrew the choice of going to his last day at Primrose or staying home. He didn't even have to think... HOME!
Thursday evening we watched Jimmy Neutron Boy Genius while eating our homemade bean salsa dip and nachos. I think it is one of the first movies that captivated Andrew the entire time. The aliens come and abduct all the parents and the kids go crazy. I asked Andrew how long he'd last without a mommy and daddy. He said, "Mmm.. one day." Then quickly corrected himself, " Nope - zero."
At one point in the movie, all the little kids are gathered around a campfire and a boy is telling a 'scary' story. Right at the punchline another comes jumping from behind the log and scares all the rest of the kids who go hysterical. There is a pause and Andrew says, "Heh. I was scared." in the most calm and relaxed voice. Ted and I about lost it trying not to laugh too hard. He didn't seem scared at all!
Andrew is very excited at the prospect of spending a few days with Nana and Papa at their house, and getting to play with his cousins. Thursday morning he asked if he could take his bicycle. Then he said we need to buy Papa a bike to ride too - a green one because "that is Papa's favorite color; like mine, and he loves me."
Sunday morning we tested it out and let him have a piece of candy with food coloring in it. A Lemonhead and a Warhead. About an hour later, still early in the morning, he was an emotional basketcase. Things that have never phased him before were blown out of proportion and he was fighting back tears or all of a sudden sobbing. We rode it out patiently, I let him cuddle in my lap and talk and tried to distract him with other things. He was still being obedient and kind, he was just emotional and fragile. He was back to normal after lunch and a nap thank goodness. I dont know if it was related to food coloring or a sugar crash or something else. It was too early for him to have been over-tired.
Sunday after the meeting we went with a group to Frankie's Pizza and Grill. Miranda and Lauren introduced him to the game of hangman. The only problem is.. Andrew didn't enlist help and would make up words for them to guess. And, he'd make up a definition to go with his made up word. It's very hard to play hangman that way.
Monday morning I tried to play with him... my first word to guess: "Aap Nooiss" (pronounced Noose) Aap is for App - like apps for the ipad. "Nooiss" is "the French word for 'moo cow'" in case you didn't know. I didn't.
Daddy is modifying the pergola over the back deck so we can put a clear roof on it. Andrew desperately wanted a chance to walk on the roof. Daddy finally took him up there and walked with him and let him check out the "smoke stack" chimney. He was so excited to come in and share his experience with me.
He was up at 6am ready to see Nana and Papa. He asked EVERY hour, almost to the hour, how much longer before they arrive!
We enjoyed a nice anniversary lunch with Nana and Papa. Andrew didn't eat nearly as much as he usually does and was eager to leave and head to the farm before anyone else was done eating.
Andrew had the assigned bible reading in Exodus about the Israelites making a golden calf to worship. We got the assignment two weeks ago but only practiced it for one week. He did exceptionally well! His very first time reading through it was seven minutes long but that was because he'd stop and ask questions (like, 'where is Egypt?' and asking for help with pronunciation of some big words) It was less than 4 minutes when he presented it. He remembered to stand still, to follow along with his finger, and to slow down at commas. Excellent job.
I didn't get to see it in person. I've been having trouble breathing lately and the chemicals at the hall are too much right now while I'm in school too. Daddy used the video camera for me. Afterward they went to sonic for ice cream with the Hernings and let him play. The place was packed with teenagers and daddy said all the girls were ooh-ing over Andrew in his gray and black vested suit with a crimson shirt and black tie. Daddy was dressed to match. They didn't get to bed until 11pm.
At 5:45 daddy turned the lights on to wake Andrew up for school. He is never amused to be awakened like that on Thursday mornings. I was impressed he was functioning at all since he was 3 hours short on sleep. He was very cooperative in getting ready and out the door by 6:20.
Friday was his scheduled last day of school. Daddy decided he was going to work from home Friday and I have a CPR class to attend, so we offered Andrew the choice of going to his last day at Primrose or staying home. He didn't even have to think... HOME!
Thursday evening we watched Jimmy Neutron Boy Genius while eating our homemade bean salsa dip and nachos. I think it is one of the first movies that captivated Andrew the entire time. The aliens come and abduct all the parents and the kids go crazy. I asked Andrew how long he'd last without a mommy and daddy. He said, "Mmm.. one day." Then quickly corrected himself, " Nope - zero."
At one point in the movie, all the little kids are gathered around a campfire and a boy is telling a 'scary' story. Right at the punchline another comes jumping from behind the log and scares all the rest of the kids who go hysterical. There is a pause and Andrew says, "Heh. I was scared." in the most calm and relaxed voice. Ted and I about lost it trying not to laugh too hard. He didn't seem scared at all!
Andrew is very excited at the prospect of spending a few days with Nana and Papa at their house, and getting to play with his cousins. Thursday morning he asked if he could take his bicycle. Then he said we need to buy Papa a bike to ride too - a green one because "that is Papa's favorite color; like mine, and he loves me."
Sunday morning we tested it out and let him have a piece of candy with food coloring in it. A Lemonhead and a Warhead. About an hour later, still early in the morning, he was an emotional basketcase. Things that have never phased him before were blown out of proportion and he was fighting back tears or all of a sudden sobbing. We rode it out patiently, I let him cuddle in my lap and talk and tried to distract him with other things. He was still being obedient and kind, he was just emotional and fragile. He was back to normal after lunch and a nap thank goodness. I dont know if it was related to food coloring or a sugar crash or something else. It was too early for him to have been over-tired.
Sunday after the meeting we went with a group to Frankie's Pizza and Grill. Miranda and Lauren introduced him to the game of hangman. The only problem is.. Andrew didn't enlist help and would make up words for them to guess. And, he'd make up a definition to go with his made up word. It's very hard to play hangman that way.
Monday morning I tried to play with him... my first word to guess: "Aap Nooiss" (pronounced Noose) Aap is for App - like apps for the ipad. "Nooiss" is "the French word for 'moo cow'" in case you didn't know. I didn't.
Daddy is modifying the pergola over the back deck so we can put a clear roof on it. Andrew desperately wanted a chance to walk on the roof. Daddy finally took him up there and walked with him and let him check out the "smoke stack" chimney. He was so excited to come in and share his experience with me.
He was up at 6am ready to see Nana and Papa. He asked EVERY hour, almost to the hour, how much longer before they arrive!
We enjoyed a nice anniversary lunch with Nana and Papa. Andrew didn't eat nearly as much as he usually does and was eager to leave and head to the farm before anyone else was done eating.
Sunday, May 18, 2014
Ironman during the Renaissance
It's been a while since I've been able to really help Andrew practice his violin. He doesn't enjoy practicing because he wants to get it perfect the first time. The teacher told him "you don't like playing it because you don't know how. But you will - and then you'll love it." I have tried to tell him that too but she said it more directly and that seemed to stick. Right now he is learning several different versions of Twinkle Little Star. They all have the same finger movements, but the bow movement is different. We listened to the cd that demos all of them and figured out the bow movement for the third version that he just started. He picks it up so easily - and if we can get him to practice - he seems to progress quickly too. He does remarkably well when he tries! I'm so proud of him even when it's not perfect.
We were looking forward to installing an underground tornado shelter in the garage on Thursday. They called Wednesday morning and asked if they could come earlier to get started. Andrew loved watching them cut the hole in the garage floor and then use a scoop digger to get rock and dirt out. He got the ear plugs he uses for the lawn mower and sat in the doorway of my studio watching them work. He was so excited about the project.
Thursday they came and finished the project, and we asked them to make a big dirt pile in the yard for Andrew to play on. He was a little disappointed that he missed seeing the workers, but was very excited to explore the shelter. He went down the steps and checked it out. Then the boys worked and played outside for a while. Andrew thanked me for having the idea of leaving a dirt pile. I hope he will enjoy it. When I called him in for dinner, he asked if we could eat in the "hole in the garage" and Ted told me later that he asked if we could sleep in it too.
Friday Andrew finally finished his 24th practice session on the violin and earned his next Lego set. He had asked for the carrier semi truck so that is what he got. He is very pleased.
Saturday he had a scripture marked and prepared to read in service. He got to read it once to one of daddy's calls. After service, we were off to the Renaissance Festival so he could see the castle. He has been asking to go to the castle for a couple of years. You can see the top of it from the interstate on the way to Nana's house, and this day he got to tour part of it. And, it was his first time riding a yellow school bus which is another thing he has been wanting to do for a while. Mommy was dressed as a princess, daddy as a pirate, and Andrew wanted to wear his Ironman costume. He pretty much stole the show everywhere we walked through the festival. People wanted to take pictures of him, workers stopped what they were doing to shout hi to him, and other guests cheered him on too and told us how cute he is. He got a little more attention than he hoped for. On the way home he said it was a bad idea to wear the costume - that he should have kept it a secret.
He got to ride a camel (that he wanted to ride without mommy and daddy so he ended up going with another mother and child) and a swing ride and wander through a maze. He was upset that he didn't get to do the StrongMan game that daddy won (the sledgehammer hitting a point that rings a bell).
His prayers are so wonderful to listen to. I wish I could remember what he says and how. In part he asks for help to appreciate the things he has, and to help him use his please and thank you manners, and to help all of us be good and patient and kind, etc. I love him so dearly.
Sunday was his graduation ceremony at Primrose. He still has one week of school left there. They wore cap and gowns, stood on risers and sang three songs for us and performed the ABC's in sign language. One of the other fathers turned to us and said, "You must be Andrew's parents. He is my little buddy - I just love that kid!" Both of us wanted to ask why but didn't. He was the father of one of the little girls in the classroom. He said Andrew is already there and we're gone when they drop off. The teachers said he was a delight to have too.
Then we had cake and punch and the teachers gave each of them a customized cup full of goodies and a small custom photo book. We took him to Chuck E. Cheese's afterwards, filled his pockets with tokens and turned him loose to do whatever he wanted to do. He had a wonderful time. When we got home we told him that we know it's been a hard year full of changes and hard tasks - but we are so proud of him rising up and trying so hard at everything and doing so well despite the challenges. I set a box in front of him and he gasped when he opened it - finding two small building sets of legos (one train and one helicoptor) and 4 superhero minifigures that turned out to actually be magnets. We might just break off the magnet part so he can have the figures.
We were looking forward to installing an underground tornado shelter in the garage on Thursday. They called Wednesday morning and asked if they could come earlier to get started. Andrew loved watching them cut the hole in the garage floor and then use a scoop digger to get rock and dirt out. He got the ear plugs he uses for the lawn mower and sat in the doorway of my studio watching them work. He was so excited about the project.
Thursday they came and finished the project, and we asked them to make a big dirt pile in the yard for Andrew to play on. He was a little disappointed that he missed seeing the workers, but was very excited to explore the shelter. He went down the steps and checked it out. Then the boys worked and played outside for a while. Andrew thanked me for having the idea of leaving a dirt pile. I hope he will enjoy it. When I called him in for dinner, he asked if we could eat in the "hole in the garage" and Ted told me later that he asked if we could sleep in it too.
Friday Andrew finally finished his 24th practice session on the violin and earned his next Lego set. He had asked for the carrier semi truck so that is what he got. He is very pleased.
Saturday he had a scripture marked and prepared to read in service. He got to read it once to one of daddy's calls. After service, we were off to the Renaissance Festival so he could see the castle. He has been asking to go to the castle for a couple of years. You can see the top of it from the interstate on the way to Nana's house, and this day he got to tour part of it. And, it was his first time riding a yellow school bus which is another thing he has been wanting to do for a while. Mommy was dressed as a princess, daddy as a pirate, and Andrew wanted to wear his Ironman costume. He pretty much stole the show everywhere we walked through the festival. People wanted to take pictures of him, workers stopped what they were doing to shout hi to him, and other guests cheered him on too and told us how cute he is. He got a little more attention than he hoped for. On the way home he said it was a bad idea to wear the costume - that he should have kept it a secret.
He got to ride a camel (that he wanted to ride without mommy and daddy so he ended up going with another mother and child) and a swing ride and wander through a maze. He was upset that he didn't get to do the StrongMan game that daddy won (the sledgehammer hitting a point that rings a bell).
His prayers are so wonderful to listen to. I wish I could remember what he says and how. In part he asks for help to appreciate the things he has, and to help him use his please and thank you manners, and to help all of us be good and patient and kind, etc. I love him so dearly.
Sunday was his graduation ceremony at Primrose. He still has one week of school left there. They wore cap and gowns, stood on risers and sang three songs for us and performed the ABC's in sign language. One of the other fathers turned to us and said, "You must be Andrew's parents. He is my little buddy - I just love that kid!" Both of us wanted to ask why but didn't. He was the father of one of the little girls in the classroom. He said Andrew is already there and we're gone when they drop off. The teachers said he was a delight to have too.
Then we had cake and punch and the teachers gave each of them a customized cup full of goodies and a small custom photo book. We took him to Chuck E. Cheese's afterwards, filled his pockets with tokens and turned him loose to do whatever he wanted to do. He had a wonderful time. When we got home we told him that we know it's been a hard year full of changes and hard tasks - but we are so proud of him rising up and trying so hard at everything and doing so well despite the challenges. I set a box in front of him and he gasped when he opened it - finding two small building sets of legos (one train and one helicoptor) and 4 superhero minifigures that turned out to actually be magnets. We might just break off the magnet part so he can have the figures.
Sunday, May 11, 2014
"I like big bottoms!"
In service last Saturday, Andrew and I were waiting a while in the car. I let him unbuckle and move around as long as he stayed quiet. I can't remember exactly how the conversation started, but we were talking about how people come in all different shapes and sizes. I started giving example of hair and eye color, shoulder width, height. When I mentioned that some have small bottoms and some have big bottoms ... he excitedly exclaimed, "I wish I had a big bottom because I like big bottoms! Like, as big as this car!" Then he got a little carried away with things outside the car that were bigger and bigger. I finally told him that it'd be impossible for a bottom to get that big.
He is still making up words and defining them if you ask. In service he told me a Herine is a bad guy who destroys bridges and likes to destroy things. A Herina is a girl. Herine is a boy.
There was another word recently that he used that is a real word and when I asked him if he knew what it was he said that "it's when you have a number on your back and there is an arrow pointing to the number on your back." I told him what it really meant and he said, "Okay. But it's also when you have a number on your back....." lol
A few days ago, I was eating a Dove chocolate filled with peanut butter. Andrew was already in bed so I placed on one his table for him to find in the morning. He was very pleased when he found it and asked if it was for him. "Can I have it for breakfast??" He asked why I gave it to him and I told him because I was enjoying one and he'd been so good, I thought he'd like a little something special.
The next morning, he was eating breakfast at his table. "Mom, was I good yesterday?" I thought for a second and replied, "Yes! You were very good yesterday." He then asked, "Why didn't I get a piece of chocolate this morning on my table?" I had to explain that although he was good, I'm not going to leave candy out all the time.
Though I did let him have ice cream for breakfast Thursday morning. I got a case of strawberries from the farmers market and had week old raw milk still to use up. I made strawberry ice cream with some protein powder in it. Figure it doesn't matter if he has that often since everything in it is good for him!
If you end up having any bodily contact with Andrew as he trips or bumps you - he turns and says, "hey! Look what you did!" or "Look what you made me do!" and takes no credit himself. Though if you say, "Oww!" he is quick to apologize.
We pulled out his sand table and filled it with play sand. The next thing I know, he is sitting in it. He was very disappointed when I told him he was not to climb in it, but be next to it. "Well, how am I supposed to play in it then?" Again, next to it. "Oh." Then he was walking around the yard with just the umbrella to it, not interested so much in the sand.
He got his ball stuck in the tree. Pushed his car next to the tree, climbed on top of the car trying to reach the ball. He had to get help from daddy who helped him climb up into the tree and retrieve the ball himself.
Andrew and I were playing a few rounds of Guess Who. I was very careful not to see his card and not to allow him to see mine whenever we were drawing them. Three times during the game I had to raise an eyebrow at him though. Twice, early in the round, he'd ask a random question about a random person (that did not relate to his turn, just talking about attributes on a person). Both times - that *one* question was about the person I had. The third time this happened - he had only asked one question which resulted in eliminating 5 of his options. He announced, "I know who you are." He was correct and I still don't know how he knew! I know for a fact he never saw my card and he wasn't even looking when I drew it.
Friday morning Andrew came bounding into our room at 5:15. He had tied his lovey/blanket into a cape and was very energetic and excited to be a superhero.
He did really well his last day of trial Kindergarten. He came home with a card he made for me with a heart on it. He was very pleased. He loves me so much and tells me that every day.
He told me today he doesn't like playing violin anymore. It's too hard. (He still wants to be shown something just once and automatically get it, rather than work for it a bit. But he is doing really well - his teacher is rather strict and rigid on holding everything perfectly.)
Friday I also let him bring his scooter in the house and ride it all over the place. He's pretty good at turning corners with it. He asked me why I let him bring it in the house so I told him it's because I'm nice. lol (it's moreso because I need to study and need him to find ways to entertain himself and I know that gets boring inside.)
We also browsed online together for Lego sets. He picked out about 8-10 lego sets he was interested in. Then I got him to put them in order of most favorite to least favorite. He just has to practice his violin 5 more times to earn the next set. So I went ahead and bought two sets and some extra little items. We thought we could give him a few little things for graduation, then let him pick one set for finishing the 25 violin lessons, and have the next one to work toward too.
Saturday morning, daddy was out the door at 4am to go to an RBC build in Memphis. I heard Andrew get up at 5 and just prayed he wouldn't start riding his scooter around and be noisy so I could sleep. Around 5:30 I woke up to the alarm sounding off. Andrew had opened the garage door trying to find his scooter. I was calling for him as I walked through the house. He opened the studio door wondering why I was calling for him. I told him that he set the alarm off. He said, "Oh. I guess I shouldn't have done that." lol I assured him I knew he didn't do it on purpose.
After nap I let him have a huge bowl of homemade strawberry ice cream with fresh strawberries and chocolate chips on it. He asked for M&M's on it too. I told him I wasn't sure if we had any. He said, "Yes we do! I'll find them! Can I find them?" He pulled a chair into the kitchen and climbed on the counter. He rummaged through the herb cabinet and didn't find them. When he opened the next cabinet, "We DO have NMM's (that's how he says it). See! I told you!!" He started trying to place them one at a time into his ice cream but they weren't sticking like they do into cookie dough. lol I told him to just grab a handful. That sure was a yummy treat for him.
I let him have that ice cream (without the chocolate candy) for breakfast recently too since it's made with raw milk and egg, protein powder that has probiotics and vegetables in it, and natural sugar. He didn't know what to think about that!
It's very important to him that I come in his room to kiss him goodnight. He tries to keep me in there "but I need to tell you something. Can I tell you something?" It could be anything starting with 'once upon a time...' to 'did you know...." and there is always the "can you please stay with me for more than a minute?" I do lie down and cuddle with him for a couple of minutes here and there. I might massage his head trying to get him relaxed more. He loves it when I sing "Dream a little dream" to him.
He is such a good boy. I love him so very much!
He is still making up words and defining them if you ask. In service he told me a Herine is a bad guy who destroys bridges and likes to destroy things. A Herina is a girl. Herine is a boy.
There was another word recently that he used that is a real word and when I asked him if he knew what it was he said that "it's when you have a number on your back and there is an arrow pointing to the number on your back." I told him what it really meant and he said, "Okay. But it's also when you have a number on your back....." lol
A few days ago, I was eating a Dove chocolate filled with peanut butter. Andrew was already in bed so I placed on one his table for him to find in the morning. He was very pleased when he found it and asked if it was for him. "Can I have it for breakfast??" He asked why I gave it to him and I told him because I was enjoying one and he'd been so good, I thought he'd like a little something special.
The next morning, he was eating breakfast at his table. "Mom, was I good yesterday?" I thought for a second and replied, "Yes! You were very good yesterday." He then asked, "Why didn't I get a piece of chocolate this morning on my table?" I had to explain that although he was good, I'm not going to leave candy out all the time.
Though I did let him have ice cream for breakfast Thursday morning. I got a case of strawberries from the farmers market and had week old raw milk still to use up. I made strawberry ice cream with some protein powder in it. Figure it doesn't matter if he has that often since everything in it is good for him!
If you end up having any bodily contact with Andrew as he trips or bumps you - he turns and says, "hey! Look what you did!" or "Look what you made me do!" and takes no credit himself. Though if you say, "Oww!" he is quick to apologize.
We pulled out his sand table and filled it with play sand. The next thing I know, he is sitting in it. He was very disappointed when I told him he was not to climb in it, but be next to it. "Well, how am I supposed to play in it then?" Again, next to it. "Oh." Then he was walking around the yard with just the umbrella to it, not interested so much in the sand.
He got his ball stuck in the tree. Pushed his car next to the tree, climbed on top of the car trying to reach the ball. He had to get help from daddy who helped him climb up into the tree and retrieve the ball himself.
Andrew and I were playing a few rounds of Guess Who. I was very careful not to see his card and not to allow him to see mine whenever we were drawing them. Three times during the game I had to raise an eyebrow at him though. Twice, early in the round, he'd ask a random question about a random person (that did not relate to his turn, just talking about attributes on a person). Both times - that *one* question was about the person I had. The third time this happened - he had only asked one question which resulted in eliminating 5 of his options. He announced, "I know who you are." He was correct and I still don't know how he knew! I know for a fact he never saw my card and he wasn't even looking when I drew it.
Friday morning Andrew came bounding into our room at 5:15. He had tied his lovey/blanket into a cape and was very energetic and excited to be a superhero.
He did really well his last day of trial Kindergarten. He came home with a card he made for me with a heart on it. He was very pleased. He loves me so much and tells me that every day.
He told me today he doesn't like playing violin anymore. It's too hard. (He still wants to be shown something just once and automatically get it, rather than work for it a bit. But he is doing really well - his teacher is rather strict and rigid on holding everything perfectly.)
Friday I also let him bring his scooter in the house and ride it all over the place. He's pretty good at turning corners with it. He asked me why I let him bring it in the house so I told him it's because I'm nice. lol (it's moreso because I need to study and need him to find ways to entertain himself and I know that gets boring inside.)
We also browsed online together for Lego sets. He picked out about 8-10 lego sets he was interested in. Then I got him to put them in order of most favorite to least favorite. He just has to practice his violin 5 more times to earn the next set. So I went ahead and bought two sets and some extra little items. We thought we could give him a few little things for graduation, then let him pick one set for finishing the 25 violin lessons, and have the next one to work toward too.
Saturday morning, daddy was out the door at 4am to go to an RBC build in Memphis. I heard Andrew get up at 5 and just prayed he wouldn't start riding his scooter around and be noisy so I could sleep. Around 5:30 I woke up to the alarm sounding off. Andrew had opened the garage door trying to find his scooter. I was calling for him as I walked through the house. He opened the studio door wondering why I was calling for him. I told him that he set the alarm off. He said, "Oh. I guess I shouldn't have done that." lol I assured him I knew he didn't do it on purpose.
After nap I let him have a huge bowl of homemade strawberry ice cream with fresh strawberries and chocolate chips on it. He asked for M&M's on it too. I told him I wasn't sure if we had any. He said, "Yes we do! I'll find them! Can I find them?" He pulled a chair into the kitchen and climbed on the counter. He rummaged through the herb cabinet and didn't find them. When he opened the next cabinet, "We DO have NMM's (that's how he says it). See! I told you!!" He started trying to place them one at a time into his ice cream but they weren't sticking like they do into cookie dough. lol I told him to just grab a handful. That sure was a yummy treat for him.
I let him have that ice cream (without the chocolate candy) for breakfast recently too since it's made with raw milk and egg, protein powder that has probiotics and vegetables in it, and natural sugar. He didn't know what to think about that!
It's very important to him that I come in his room to kiss him goodnight. He tries to keep me in there "but I need to tell you something. Can I tell you something?" It could be anything starting with 'once upon a time...' to 'did you know...." and there is always the "can you please stay with me for more than a minute?" I do lie down and cuddle with him for a couple of minutes here and there. I might massage his head trying to get him relaxed more. He loves it when I sing "Dream a little dream" to him.
He is such a good boy. I love him so very much!
Friday, May 2, 2014
"How do I not cry?"
Friday April 25th he started off the morning drawing pictures. He drew a centipede and butterfly and a ghost. I asked him why he was interested in ghosts and he decided he wasn't, crossed out the word and turned it into a picture of himself. Then he drew a heart on it and said it was for me. He drew a picture of Jail and put each of us in it. Then drew a truck carrying lots of boxes.
Then it was back to trial kindergarten. This time he was not excited and eager to go. First he was disappointed that he misses Show and Tell at Primrose on Fridays now. He wanted to show them his sea slug and octopus he got on the Pirate cruise in Florida last summer. Then he didn't want to go because he cried last time when I left - and he didn't want me to leave again. He was holding it together really well so I didn't know how much emotion would be behind those words. We made it half way down the hallway and I could tell his demeanor was changing. He was trying so hard not to cry. When we walked into the room and the teacher said hi to him - he grabbed my legs and hid behind me. When I squatted down next to him, he sat on my legs and buried his face into me.
I helped him hang up his coat, and other children were nicely saying hi to him from their seats. They said they cried too in the beginning. He was given a worksheet to do some addition on and another student got him a pencil. I told him it was okay to be scared and okay to cry, but I was proud of him for being brave and going. Before I left he looked up at me and asked, "Mom, how do I not cry?"
He was very happy to see me later. He said he had a good day but they didn't get to play outside. And he made more new friends.
We came home and before we got out of the car, he leaned forward and said, "Mom, you've got the heart and I'm the muscle." I have no idea what he meant, but he said it sweetly. We played with playdough and blocks for a while. Then I let him try to nap in bed with me (not sure either of us got into deep sleep stage.)
We took him to Sonic for dinner so that he could play on the small contained playset with random kids. He enjoyed that.
When we came home from Sonic, I was so swollen I laughed and said "I have a food baby." He got all excited and came running to feel my belly. "Are you just kidding?" I told him there isn't a real baby in there - it was just food making my belly look pregnant. He patted my tummy and said, "Awww, Hi Oliver!" (Oliver was the name of Jenn Cox's baby and the last pregnant belly he remembers)
Wednesday on the way home from school, I had to stop for gas. He asked if we could go grocery shopping afterward. I asked him what he needed. "Fruits and vegetables." I asked him to be specific. "We need two onions and twelve honeydew." "TWELVE honeydew? Whatever for?" I asked. He said he wanted to make honeydew Popsicles. I told him we already had onions and honeydew at home and that I wasn't making any popsicles tonight. So he asked if we could make honeydew muffins instead. I suggested blueberry and he consented to that and could hardly contain himself when they were ready to eat! He was not going to wait until breakfast to try them.
Wednesday afternoon was beautiful outside. He asked if he could play with our neighbor Amber (I think she's 8). She came over with her little dog on a leash who was very excited to see Andrew and make friends. Unfortunately, Andrew was excited and nervous which practically taunted the dog. At one point he squeezed himself between a bush and the fence, about 4 feet away from the dog. Then he mumbled, "I want to go to my playset; how do I get there?" and he started tip-toeing that direction with little T-rex arms. The dog got excited so Andrew took off running. The dog charged after but was yanked by the leash (and pulled Amber flat on her face). I grab hold of the leash and watch as Andrew is now hopping on one foot through the yard because he lost a shoe. They finally go over to Amber's yard and play (Andrew's first time playing somewhere outside our yard and without my supervision). I'm sure he had a lot of fun.
Thursday he helped daddy cut the lawn. In the backyard, they just cut a random pathway through the grass and then chased each other through it.
Friday morning I walked into the kitchen to find him excited. "Mom! Watch this!" He took a kitchen tool that sucks air out of special ziploc baggies, held it to his cheek and pushed the lever so air pressed against his face. Then he pulled the lever back out so it sucked on his cheeks. He thought it was great fun that it stuck to his face. I let him do it a couple more times before taking it away. I couldn't let him get a bruise on his face and send him to school like that!
He did great going to kindergarten. He was a little nervous but didn't get clingy and didn't cry. I asked him later if he ever felt like crying today and he said no, and he enjoyed the day.
When we got home, he put a few books in a bag, and took his snack bag and sat in his playhouse eating and reading. I saw him running along the mowed pathway too. Later I let him ride his bike out front by himself. He asked if he could ride the "trail in the backyard" but it was too hard to pedal in the grass.
They took Cap and Gown pictures at school earlier in the week. He looks so precious!
Then it was back to trial kindergarten. This time he was not excited and eager to go. First he was disappointed that he misses Show and Tell at Primrose on Fridays now. He wanted to show them his sea slug and octopus he got on the Pirate cruise in Florida last summer. Then he didn't want to go because he cried last time when I left - and he didn't want me to leave again. He was holding it together really well so I didn't know how much emotion would be behind those words. We made it half way down the hallway and I could tell his demeanor was changing. He was trying so hard not to cry. When we walked into the room and the teacher said hi to him - he grabbed my legs and hid behind me. When I squatted down next to him, he sat on my legs and buried his face into me.
I helped him hang up his coat, and other children were nicely saying hi to him from their seats. They said they cried too in the beginning. He was given a worksheet to do some addition on and another student got him a pencil. I told him it was okay to be scared and okay to cry, but I was proud of him for being brave and going. Before I left he looked up at me and asked, "Mom, how do I not cry?"
He was very happy to see me later. He said he had a good day but they didn't get to play outside. And he made more new friends.
We came home and before we got out of the car, he leaned forward and said, "Mom, you've got the heart and I'm the muscle." I have no idea what he meant, but he said it sweetly. We played with playdough and blocks for a while. Then I let him try to nap in bed with me (not sure either of us got into deep sleep stage.)
We took him to Sonic for dinner so that he could play on the small contained playset with random kids. He enjoyed that.
When we came home from Sonic, I was so swollen I laughed and said "I have a food baby." He got all excited and came running to feel my belly. "Are you just kidding?" I told him there isn't a real baby in there - it was just food making my belly look pregnant. He patted my tummy and said, "Awww, Hi Oliver!" (Oliver was the name of Jenn Cox's baby and the last pregnant belly he remembers)
Wednesday on the way home from school, I had to stop for gas. He asked if we could go grocery shopping afterward. I asked him what he needed. "Fruits and vegetables." I asked him to be specific. "We need two onions and twelve honeydew." "TWELVE honeydew? Whatever for?" I asked. He said he wanted to make honeydew Popsicles. I told him we already had onions and honeydew at home and that I wasn't making any popsicles tonight. So he asked if we could make honeydew muffins instead. I suggested blueberry and he consented to that and could hardly contain himself when they were ready to eat! He was not going to wait until breakfast to try them.
Wednesday afternoon was beautiful outside. He asked if he could play with our neighbor Amber (I think she's 8). She came over with her little dog on a leash who was very excited to see Andrew and make friends. Unfortunately, Andrew was excited and nervous which practically taunted the dog. At one point he squeezed himself between a bush and the fence, about 4 feet away from the dog. Then he mumbled, "I want to go to my playset; how do I get there?" and he started tip-toeing that direction with little T-rex arms. The dog got excited so Andrew took off running. The dog charged after but was yanked by the leash (and pulled Amber flat on her face). I grab hold of the leash and watch as Andrew is now hopping on one foot through the yard because he lost a shoe. They finally go over to Amber's yard and play (Andrew's first time playing somewhere outside our yard and without my supervision). I'm sure he had a lot of fun.
Thursday he helped daddy cut the lawn. In the backyard, they just cut a random pathway through the grass and then chased each other through it.
Friday morning I walked into the kitchen to find him excited. "Mom! Watch this!" He took a kitchen tool that sucks air out of special ziploc baggies, held it to his cheek and pushed the lever so air pressed against his face. Then he pulled the lever back out so it sucked on his cheeks. He thought it was great fun that it stuck to his face. I let him do it a couple more times before taking it away. I couldn't let him get a bruise on his face and send him to school like that!
He did great going to kindergarten. He was a little nervous but didn't get clingy and didn't cry. I asked him later if he ever felt like crying today and he said no, and he enjoyed the day.
When we got home, he put a few books in a bag, and took his snack bag and sat in his playhouse eating and reading. I saw him running along the mowed pathway too. Later I let him ride his bike out front by himself. He asked if he could ride the "trail in the backyard" but it was too hard to pedal in the grass.
They took Cap and Gown pictures at school earlier in the week. He looks so precious!
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