Laughter

Seems like it has been a while, and I am sure there is a bunch of stuff I should report...

I have just enough brain power tonight to let you know that our darling little one has started to laugh. She does not dole those out willy nilly either. I have heard it a couple times now and several "almosts". It is adorable to see her break out in the biggest grin ever and yet not quite big enough for that laugh. She sure is a cutie!!!



oops, wrong picture. ;) hee hee

Beautiful and Delicious

yummm

Mailbox Game

Here is a fun way to get your kids quickly to/from school. One child runs ahead to the first mailbox and waits to get a high five. Then the second child runs to the next mailbox. It helps that in our neighborhood the mailboxes are clumped together every 3 or 4 houses. Makes for longer runs. ;) Added bonus, the younger child is quite tired at the end of the walk and is willing to sit and play nicely while you are being productive (or not). Unfortunately, still doesn't make him tired enough for a nap. :(. I am not sure of the draw, but they love giving each other high-5s. And, good turn-taking!

Afternoon Fun

Guess what we made today???




In general, I reserve messy activities for when I have had a lot of sleep and thus have accumulated lots of patience. I did not do that today, but it turned out okay - for like 30 minutes... 30 minutes of wonderfulness. ;) Perhaps I just need to have 5 similar activities lined up so that once they get tired of one, I am guaranteed at least another 30 min???

Positive Reinforcement

We have a dilemma:

What do you do if there is not a positive reinforcer greater than playing with your brother???

So, we decided that we were going to put the boys together in a room again for several reasons that are all now seeming not so worth it. Anyhow, it is not working out so great - this sharing a room thing. We have the "Bedroom Rules" followed by "Good Bedroom Behavior" (basically the rules but with all positives) and a sticker chart for when they follow all the rules and have good bedroom behavior. Now, they could care less about the rules when there is a fun playmate in the bed next to them. It would probably be a whole lot better if they were not so into playing together. And, if they could control themselves. They have earned one sticker each, in the past week. Not good. We even stagger the bedtimes - which is not the problem - it is the waking up at the crack of dawn, or earlier, that is the problem. Whoever wakes up first (and it is usually the older one) goes over to wake up his brother. This wouldn't be so bad if it was 6:30 or 7am... but it isn't. And, inevitably, it wakes everyone else up, too. :( I went to bed at 8:30pm last night and am considering doing it again tonight. I am so tired of this. any suggestions?

Sleep Preference

On her tummy
On our bed
Sucking her fingers

... Haven't seen much of her today!

Playdates

It has been a long long time. Long long time. We finally have resumed having playdates with actual children who are, can you believe it, the same age as my children. Squeaker was lucky enough to have a friend when we moved here. Just about 3 months younger, our family friend's son has a little boy who lives about 5 minutes away. Nice. Little Man, on the other hand, has been going up to random adults in the neighborhood asking if they have kids for him to play with. Poor thing. Luckily, school has started and since it is half-day, there are a bunch of stay at home moms who come everyday with their kindergarten children in tow. Some of us got together after school today (and will, every Wednesday) for a picnic at our local park and some playing. It was lovely. We, of course, had to leave early cuz one boy was pushing others down and the other was throwing mulch, but prior to that... lovely. :) It was great to talk to other moms and watch our children beat each other up. ;)