Posted by MamaB on Wednesday Jul 30, 2008 Under Jr.
Writing a letter to a friend across the pond.
Enjoying a butterfly friend visiting our science lab
Our lab wasn’t about butterflies (or rather moths as I think this one was) but we were delighted with the opportunity this little friend gave to us. As we were working on our lab questions from our outdoor lab Jr. felt something on his leg. When he looked down he saw this moth/butterfly. Who very graciously allowed us to hold him and watch as wings flexed, proboscis tasted and little tiny feet clung to fingers. Finally in a fit of natures wonder the little moth/butterfly came back and let us take some pictures!
Posted by MamaB on Wednesday Jul 2, 2008 Under Jr., Me
First I had a good time last night. We ran to see WALL-E at the Tuesday Bargain movie night at a local theater. The movie was what I’ve come to expect from Pixar but I can’t really say it better than Andrea did so pop on over there to read her review. WALL-E was spectacular is so many small ways. My favorite thing had to be Jr.’s “WALL-E” voice. It is almost spot on!
*****
Now a more serious note.
After the movie though was when I had a problem. And it is something I’ve noticed seems to be getting a little bigger and more frequent. My friends often poke me because I’m cautious and often have my kids walk away from things that may hurt them. Usually I can accept the jabs in jest but lately its been getting harder. It’s getting harder because I am seeming to have less control over my anxiety.
I say “we’ve had a long day” but that’s not an accurate description what I should be saying is that “I’ve been battling back the anxiety all day - making a conscious effort to turn off the “what if” pictures in my head - and I just can’t take one more round of that - so can you please just calm down before mommy completely falls off her rocker and the pictures going through my head overwhelm me to a point of non-function.”
It’s not very pretty is it. And to me it isn’t very funny. Most days I’m fine but I’ve noticed that a few days a month I’m really not that fine. The more I am bombarded on other levels the easier it seems for my anxiety level to raise. It makes everything harder but especially battling back my normal (albiet strong but not insane) desire to keep the boys safe. On the bad days watching them at a playground is like nails on a chalkboard. Intellectually I know they will most likely be okay - but that doesn’t stop the continuing circle of “what if” pictures in my head or the other reactions I have that help me to recognize it is the anxiety talking. Most days are still just regular days and I’m working on figuring out what to do on the days that aren’t.
*****
I don’t want to end this post saying I’m a little nuts. So I’ll add a bit more on a different topic. A fantastic, wonderful topic. That I’ve wanted to share but I was waiting a few more days until I was certain that he was really, really there.
Jr. can read.
I don’t mean sound it out like “C A T cat” reading. I mean picking up a new book and reading with cadence, flow and confidence that he can do it. He still stops for words that he’s unfamiliar with like “through” and “ledge” but I am somewhat surprised at the number of words that he’s not stopping or pausing on like “pixie”. I don’t know why that one just surprised me. The other day we were reading books and he was reading to his brother while I found the requested book in the pile. In the middle of the chapter he stopped and said “I sure can read mom - cause I sure am getting to be 7!” I was tickled pink that he noticed his developed reading skill but very coolly said. “Yep you sure can read.” while inside I did the happy WAA HOOO dance!
Posted by MamaB on Wednesday Jun 18, 2008 Under Jr.
Today Jr. lost his first front tooth.
While eating lunch his story goes: “I did that thing that made my two teeth hurt. That thing I did the other day. And my tooth fell out!!” For the record it was very, very loose and I expected that it would go any day now. He was thrilled. So we photographed his new gap. This one was my personal favorite of the bunch. He’s there in the moment remembering and telling his story of how his tooth fell out.
Jr’s six year photo just a little late. We didn’t have professional photos done this year so I’ve attempted a few times to take a nice portrait for our wall. I think this one looks pretty good given that Jr. currently has a penchant for making his “cheesy face” all the time when being photographed!
Posted by MamaB on Friday May 9, 2008 Under Jr., Lil'B, Me
Day three we thrifted. The end.
We had a nice gentle day of going and going and going. We hit our (the boys and I) usual haunts and a few extras. In search of jeans and a desk.
We even managed a quick trip to the Historical Museum though we didn’t end up ever finding our friends. Bumped into someone else we knew who was there with her child’s school group. The museum was a nice break from searching through the stacks of jeans at the local thrifts. And I finally found some Iowa postcards to send out.
We never did find a desk that we liked but we did come home with a few jeans and a couple of books.
Day 4 we rested.
Today we spent hanging out at home. We moved somethings around in our office area - which according to my dear hubby is my favorite past time. The boys played Star Wars while I hung out clothes. Mr. Numbers wandered around and did odd jobs that are always waiting to be done. We were inside and outside and inside and outside. I spent the evening watching a movie with my boys while Mr. Numbers mowed. Pretty boring stuff huh?
Well on the parenting front we’re running into an interesting phase. Lil’B wants to play with the “big boys” but gets distraught when he’s hurt doing so. And he gets quite mad at his brother when it happens to - saying that it (the fall, the hit, the bump, bonk etc) are his brother’s fault. It is driving me nuts. I’ve tried (and will continue) explaining to Lil’B that if he’s going to play foam sword fight, star wars, pirate….whatever that he has to deal with the somewhat inevitable swats that don’t land right. But still he ends up screaming and tears running with the blame game coming on. Jr. is getting particularly frustrated because not only is Lil’B trying outdoors - he’s trying indoors with a lot….A LOT of that’s mine! It has to be THIS WAY not THAT WAY. I need ALL the toys for this thing and I can’t share!
And I know a lot of this is age related. But knowing that isn’t making my ears feel any better. I am so tired of them yelling at each other. I am tired of finding myself yelling. I abhor that in myself and I am constantly trying to turn away from yelling.
Of course this week is doubly worse because we have Daddy home which always seems to make things better and worse at the same time. Tonight Jr. even pulled out the big “I hate you” to his brother. I was glad to hear him say after a bit that it wasn’t that he hates his brother he just doesn’t like the way he is reacting. Hate is a powerful word and not one that I want my children to use lightly. So the silver lining is that I in a rare moment had the luck of walking in quietly at just that right moment. And take that opportunity to talk to Jr. about my feelings about saying we “hate” people and things.
Jr. started by getting a bin ready with some help from Mama
Step 1: Try to Find the Drill
Step 2: Take a break from locating the drill and rip up newspaper
Step 3: Ask Gramps where the drill is - Get the drill!
Step 4: Watch TV while Mama drills air circulation and drainage holes
Step 5: Rip more newspaper into shreds!!
Next prepare the bin with the bedding!
Step 1. Dampen the newspaper and mix it all up.
Step 2. Repeat
Step 3. Check the depth - rip more newspaper!
Step 4. Dampen the new batch of shredded newspaper!
Step 5. Make your bin ready: Bedding, food, etc!
Now go visit the Worm Farm (Arpeggio Farms) to pick up your worms! Talk to Mr. Lees all about the worms and your spring project. Make sure Mama & Daddy listen well so they learn what you already know (from your worm farm field trip last August!). When you get home put your new pets to your bin!
Finally take a look at your new Worm Farm!
Leave your new pets to settle in for the night. Don’t forget to check on them in the morning when you get up!
