After spending a week at the beach and a few nights at the lake on each end of the trip, Connor returned home today with Grandma and Grandpa. They came up shortly after the twins got out of preschool, and spent the afternoon with us watching a little Word World and playing in the yard on the slides and swings. They even treated us to McDonald's before they headed back to the lake, which all three of the boys enjoyed immensely. Xander even discovered a new food group - the apple pie!
Connor came home bearing lots of good stories (swimming, eating, and shopping - in that order) and gifts. He has a few new cars and trucks and a beach ball to play with, and he helped Grandma pick out some new fall and winter clothes at one of their stops at the outlet mall. He may or may not have helped pick out the little guys clothes, I'm not sure. He likes to shop, especially when toys or trucks are involved (or, in the case of clothes, when he can pick out things with trucks on them). Grandma usually indulges him in a few small things here and there. He also came back with a little bit of attitude and some serious sleep deprivation, but that, too, was to be expected.
All the boys are in bed early tonight, the result of runny noses and mild coughs (the change in weather usually does them all in this time of year, though Mommy loves the cooler days and nights). Connor was also in desperate need of some sleep. Every little thing set him off tonight, from not wanting to wait for Daddy to make it home to walk (after our McDonald's trip), from not being able to catch up to Daddy (who was pushing the stroller on our walk) while he was riding on his Big Wheel, to turning the bike over every five minutes from not paying attention. He was simply done.
So it was early baths and bed for everyone. Xander is happily snoozing. Sawyer is still awake and probably will be for a while, from the sound of it (what with his two-hour nap this afternoon after school). And Connor is sound asleep. It took minutes, if not seconds. He was one tired little boy.
Of course, with his last breath before falling asleep, he was already talking about his next trip. He's only planning on spending three nights here, he tells me. Not sure who's house he thinks he going to next, but he's pretty certain it won't be ours. He's definitely our "have suitcase, will travel" kid, that's for sure, always ready for that next adventure.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Snapshot Sunday
Escape artist. The doggie door has apparently become the kiddie door, at least as far as Sawyer is concerned. He loves to go out back and walk on the paving stones we put down for Buster's path between his room and the deck (the one that got our house muddy every single time it rained). What's worse, the kid has learned how to open the door to Buster's room just for this reason, the door that still has the child safety knob on it. Now, how much longer before he figures out he can do the same thing to the pantry, where the suckers are kept?
Saturday, August 29, 2009
The Long Trip Home
Yesterday was Connor's last day to enjoy the beach and the pool with Grandma and Grandpa, and he made the most of it. Their week of sun, waves and water has ended, and today they got up early to begin the long journey back home. I bet it seems longer on the way back. It always did to me.
Date Night
For the first time in months, Josh and I took some time for us. Since I began my part-time job early this summer, our babysitting favors have mostly been used on the Saturdays when I'm scheduled to work and Josh has to be in class. But last night was a free pass. Grammy and Pappy came over to keep the little guys company, and we spent a few hours away.
We even mixed it up - a little - from our normal routine. You see, we still hadn't managed to see the latest Harry Potter movie (which has been out for months now), and it only had two showings. One in the middle of the day and one at 6 last night. Normally we eat first and then see the movie, if we're doing both. As it was, we barely made the movie in time. I even missed half of the New Moon trailer, which was disappointing. I'd almost rather I hadn't seen any of it if I couldn't see all of it! But I digress.
We watched Harry, and though it was good, I still have a hard time paying the current rate of $18 for a movie night. It seems ridiculous. Between either just waiting to buy the DVD or watching it on Netflix, the theatre is slowly losing its appeal. There aren't many movies that I'm going to be willing to pay that much to see. And truth be told, last night was more about a much-needed break away from the house than it was the movie.
After the movie we opted for a more casual restaurant (it was Friday night, after all, and here in our small part of the world apparently everyone goes out to eat and you usually have a really, really long wait). I'd been craving wings, so we went to BW3s for some wings, rings and preseason NFL. It was loud and made us feel a bit old, but it was fun. And dinner was light enough that we even opted for a Graeter's ice cream cone afterward.
It was a good night. I'm pretty sure it's the first time in a while that we've come home and our children have actually been in bed. Maybe that $18 was worth it after all.
We even mixed it up - a little - from our normal routine. You see, we still hadn't managed to see the latest Harry Potter movie (which has been out for months now), and it only had two showings. One in the middle of the day and one at 6 last night. Normally we eat first and then see the movie, if we're doing both. As it was, we barely made the movie in time. I even missed half of the New Moon trailer, which was disappointing. I'd almost rather I hadn't seen any of it if I couldn't see all of it! But I digress.
We watched Harry, and though it was good, I still have a hard time paying the current rate of $18 for a movie night. It seems ridiculous. Between either just waiting to buy the DVD or watching it on Netflix, the theatre is slowly losing its appeal. There aren't many movies that I'm going to be willing to pay that much to see. And truth be told, last night was more about a much-needed break away from the house than it was the movie.
After the movie we opted for a more casual restaurant (it was Friday night, after all, and here in our small part of the world apparently everyone goes out to eat and you usually have a really, really long wait). I'd been craving wings, so we went to BW3s for some wings, rings and preseason NFL. It was loud and made us feel a bit old, but it was fun. And dinner was light enough that we even opted for a Graeter's ice cream cone afterward.
It was a good night. I'm pretty sure it's the first time in a while that we've come home and our children have actually been in bed. Maybe that $18 was worth it after all.
Friday, August 28, 2009
School Days
Our first full week of preschool has come and gone for the twins. It's hard to believe they're starting another year and also that they will have one more after this one. All told, they will be in the same classroom with the same teachers and therapists for two and a half years, counting the second semester they attended last year, which we love. A familiar environment is good for our boys.
I have to admit, I was a little worried about the transition back in. They've been out of school since early June, and our routine and structure kind of went out the window this summer. My part-time job has actually made it even more unpredictable since I spend a few nights missing both dinner and bed time routines, and those nights are not necessarily the same ones each week. Add to that Josh's busy work schedule, his Saturday class, and our trips and adventures, and the boys would be lucky to find even one day that was like another one all summer.
But, despite a worried look and a little whimpering here and there, the start of the school year has gone remarkably well. The boys have adapted to our new morning routine of having breakfast a bit earlier than usual and also a bit lighter than they would prefer. We're still working on getting them to eat the school lunch, and eating less before school is hopefully going to help. I've had mixed reports. Some days the boys are eating (even trying a new item or two) and some days they're not touching anything. Sadly, that also is par for the course with them. We'll keep trying.
The drop-off and pick-up routine is the same as last year, and they seem to be having no trouble with that part. I've even managed to be on-time, early most of the time, so far. We'll see how that goes next week when Connor returns.
Sawyer did give me a pitiful look the very first day, but I think it was more the chaos of all the people and having to walk part of the way in the grass. I'm assuming it was some of the new parents, but people had simply parked in the drop-off line and then walked their kids into the school. My options were to either wait forever in the line behind the parked cars or go ahead and walk them in the grass. I opted for what I thought was going to be the least traumatic. My kids don't do well with waiting, certainly not when their anxious anyway. So we walked, there was a little whimpering, and then he was fine.
And other than that first day, it's been fine. Xander did give me a look this morning, as I apparently stepped over the imaginary line, you know, too far away from the truck and too close to the school. He seemed to think, for whatever reason, that I was coming in with him today and was not exactly happy when I tried to hand him off to one of the teachers. Clearly, I need wait for the teachers to come take them by the truck, and I should never even think about walking toward the door to the school unless I plan to go in. That's the message I got from him today.
There have been, of course, a few potty training accidents. Sawyer, knock on wood, has been accident free so far (and, on an even better, non-school related note, I think he's finally figured out number two. We've been accident free at home for several weeks now, though I've been afraid to jinx it by mentioning it.) Xander, our "I have to go every 15 minutes!" child, has had a few accidents at school, mostly from his bad habit of telling people "No!" when he sometimes means yes. Also from his inability to give up things he really enjoys to do something as necessary as going potty. Recess has been his downfall most of the time. But that's why we send not one but two extra sets of clothes in for the boys. They've really only been potty training since school let out, so a little over three months now.
The other good news about preschool is that they seem to be enjoying it. Both of them are generally happy and ready to go in the mornings. Xander even pulls his shoes out long before it's time to go (he likes to go, anywhere really, and does this a lot). Both of them generally come when I say "Time for school, Mommy's truck!"
If they dislike any of the routine, it's the waiting in the truck before the teachers come out to get them. There's not much we can do about that. Mostly I play silly games with Xander, who will recite his ABCs, spell words, count on his fingers or play "Boo!" with me from his seat. Sawyer will sometimes pay attention, sometimes not. Usually he giggles, possibly at us, possibly at something else entirely, and watches the things going on around us (sometimes the buses coming and going, today it was the professional lawn mowers whizzing in the field across the parking lot). Sometimes I even grab one of the children's books, from the library or our own, and try reading a story. That's hit or miss with both of them.
It's too early in the year to get any detailed reports from the teachers, but I have had several passing comments that suggest they're doing well. Sawyer seems to be smiling and happy most days, and he's vocalizing quite a bit (just not in words, of course). Xander is showing off some of his newly acquired skills, saying words and letters and requesting interaction here and there (mostly in the form of wanting you to repeat what he says). He's also often covered in paint or marker, and I know that means he's been having a good time.
And, I've saved the best for last. It will make you smile, or at least it did me. Xander's teacher told me in passing that he doesn't seem to even notice his brother is there. Xander's class was walking outside to recess and Sawyer's class was in the hallway doing an activity. Xander walked right past his brother without bothering to even look at him or acknowledge in any way that he was there. The other kids noticed, of course, because there was another little boy who looked just like Xander, but he couldn't have cared less.
In some ways, it makes me sad. Most brothers would say something or somehow acknowledge each other if they passed in the hallways at school (or at least I would think so anyway). But, in other ways, it makes me glad that I requested two separate classrooms for them. I wanted to see how Xander would do in a separate environment than his brother, if some of his language might return and some of his quirky behavior might be less pronounced. Because, you see, part of me has always felt that some of the things Xander does is because he's imitating his brother. Not all of it, mind you, but some of it.
Xander is like Connor in that he likes your attention (or mine, anyway), and I think he's picked up on certain behaviors that Sawyer has that draw attention. Take, for instance, covering your ears when you don't like something. Both of the boys do it. With Sawyer, it appears to be two things, sometimes both apply and sometimes only one. It's either a defense against a sound that is irritating to him (loud, certain frequencies) or a defense against something he doesn't like (an activity, something you're saying to him, or just a general sensory overload that he doesn't want to deal with). With Xander, he does it when he doesn't like what you're saying, and he immediately looks at you as his hands start to go up. He expects you to respond in some way.
It's just a theory, of course, but one of the reasons I thought separate classrooms would be best. With three little guys so close in age, there haven't been as many opportunities for social interaction outside of each other. And, I can't help but smile at the fact that Xander is finding his own way and doing his own thing at school. If that means walking past his brother right now, I'm okay with that.
I have to admit, I was a little worried about the transition back in. They've been out of school since early June, and our routine and structure kind of went out the window this summer. My part-time job has actually made it even more unpredictable since I spend a few nights missing both dinner and bed time routines, and those nights are not necessarily the same ones each week. Add to that Josh's busy work schedule, his Saturday class, and our trips and adventures, and the boys would be lucky to find even one day that was like another one all summer.
But, despite a worried look and a little whimpering here and there, the start of the school year has gone remarkably well. The boys have adapted to our new morning routine of having breakfast a bit earlier than usual and also a bit lighter than they would prefer. We're still working on getting them to eat the school lunch, and eating less before school is hopefully going to help. I've had mixed reports. Some days the boys are eating (even trying a new item or two) and some days they're not touching anything. Sadly, that also is par for the course with them. We'll keep trying.
The drop-off and pick-up routine is the same as last year, and they seem to be having no trouble with that part. I've even managed to be on-time, early most of the time, so far. We'll see how that goes next week when Connor returns.
Sawyer did give me a pitiful look the very first day, but I think it was more the chaos of all the people and having to walk part of the way in the grass. I'm assuming it was some of the new parents, but people had simply parked in the drop-off line and then walked their kids into the school. My options were to either wait forever in the line behind the parked cars or go ahead and walk them in the grass. I opted for what I thought was going to be the least traumatic. My kids don't do well with waiting, certainly not when their anxious anyway. So we walked, there was a little whimpering, and then he was fine.
And other than that first day, it's been fine. Xander did give me a look this morning, as I apparently stepped over the imaginary line, you know, too far away from the truck and too close to the school. He seemed to think, for whatever reason, that I was coming in with him today and was not exactly happy when I tried to hand him off to one of the teachers. Clearly, I need wait for the teachers to come take them by the truck, and I should never even think about walking toward the door to the school unless I plan to go in. That's the message I got from him today.
There have been, of course, a few potty training accidents. Sawyer, knock on wood, has been accident free so far (and, on an even better, non-school related note, I think he's finally figured out number two. We've been accident free at home for several weeks now, though I've been afraid to jinx it by mentioning it.) Xander, our "I have to go every 15 minutes!" child, has had a few accidents at school, mostly from his bad habit of telling people "No!" when he sometimes means yes. Also from his inability to give up things he really enjoys to do something as necessary as going potty. Recess has been his downfall most of the time. But that's why we send not one but two extra sets of clothes in for the boys. They've really only been potty training since school let out, so a little over three months now.
The other good news about preschool is that they seem to be enjoying it. Both of them are generally happy and ready to go in the mornings. Xander even pulls his shoes out long before it's time to go (he likes to go, anywhere really, and does this a lot). Both of them generally come when I say "Time for school, Mommy's truck!"
If they dislike any of the routine, it's the waiting in the truck before the teachers come out to get them. There's not much we can do about that. Mostly I play silly games with Xander, who will recite his ABCs, spell words, count on his fingers or play "Boo!" with me from his seat. Sawyer will sometimes pay attention, sometimes not. Usually he giggles, possibly at us, possibly at something else entirely, and watches the things going on around us (sometimes the buses coming and going, today it was the professional lawn mowers whizzing in the field across the parking lot). Sometimes I even grab one of the children's books, from the library or our own, and try reading a story. That's hit or miss with both of them.
It's too early in the year to get any detailed reports from the teachers, but I have had several passing comments that suggest they're doing well. Sawyer seems to be smiling and happy most days, and he's vocalizing quite a bit (just not in words, of course). Xander is showing off some of his newly acquired skills, saying words and letters and requesting interaction here and there (mostly in the form of wanting you to repeat what he says). He's also often covered in paint or marker, and I know that means he's been having a good time.
And, I've saved the best for last. It will make you smile, or at least it did me. Xander's teacher told me in passing that he doesn't seem to even notice his brother is there. Xander's class was walking outside to recess and Sawyer's class was in the hallway doing an activity. Xander walked right past his brother without bothering to even look at him or acknowledge in any way that he was there. The other kids noticed, of course, because there was another little boy who looked just like Xander, but he couldn't have cared less.
In some ways, it makes me sad. Most brothers would say something or somehow acknowledge each other if they passed in the hallways at school (or at least I would think so anyway). But, in other ways, it makes me glad that I requested two separate classrooms for them. I wanted to see how Xander would do in a separate environment than his brother, if some of his language might return and some of his quirky behavior might be less pronounced. Because, you see, part of me has always felt that some of the things Xander does is because he's imitating his brother. Not all of it, mind you, but some of it.
Xander is like Connor in that he likes your attention (or mine, anyway), and I think he's picked up on certain behaviors that Sawyer has that draw attention. Take, for instance, covering your ears when you don't like something. Both of the boys do it. With Sawyer, it appears to be two things, sometimes both apply and sometimes only one. It's either a defense against a sound that is irritating to him (loud, certain frequencies) or a defense against something he doesn't like (an activity, something you're saying to him, or just a general sensory overload that he doesn't want to deal with). With Xander, he does it when he doesn't like what you're saying, and he immediately looks at you as his hands start to go up. He expects you to respond in some way.
It's just a theory, of course, but one of the reasons I thought separate classrooms would be best. With three little guys so close in age, there haven't been as many opportunities for social interaction outside of each other. And, I can't help but smile at the fact that Xander is finding his own way and doing his own thing at school. If that means walking past his brother right now, I'm okay with that.
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