Swimmers!

This is what Evelyn looks like for the majority of the lesson.  As soon as her turn is over, she is back under water, flipping around or doing somersaults. 

Henry likes to hold toys while he waits for his turn.

Henry's First Joke

Tonight, we drove by the neighborhood basketball court-- Henry's favorite place to play, currently.  He noticed that our little neighbor (Gregory) was playing there and told us all about it.  Tonight, as we were saying our "goodnights,"  Henry said "Goodnight bask-ball court, goodnight, Greg-ry.  Greg-ry sleep in his house, not at bask-ball court!"  He burst out into a fit of giggles and kept repeating "Sleep at bask-ball court!" and giggling more.  It was so adorable.

A Glimpse of our Afternoon

Spring blooms

Borrowing his sissy's boots

Climbing hydrangea bud

Pillow forts and handmade Halloween costumes go together brilliantly.

Evelyn's home made cookies

 

An Afternoon With My Son

Evelyn and Henry both have fevers and coughs today, but they were happy to enjoy some fresh air this afternoon when the clouds had rolled away.  I bundled them up in the double jogging stroller with drinks and snack bags and walked for a couple of miles.  It felt great.  Luckily, Evelyn fell asleep and I parked her in the house while Henry whispered "sh, Eva is sleeping!" and put a toddler finger to lips.  The two of us worked outside for about an hour.

First, Henry enjoyed the swing and then rock wall on our play structure.  Then he ran around the yard a bit-- obviously perking up-- as I worked at planting ferns (that I purchased over a year ago) and echinacea.  As I moved on to weeding some of the garden beds, I unearthed literally dozens of wiggling worms.  Henry was enthralled, though he did not want to touch the worms and eventually told me he was scared and we should "bye-bye Wormy friend."  We also saw a little light green frog hop around a pile of brances and leaves I was shoveling into the compost bin.  It was such a treat to have some special time to explore and chat with just Henry.

Arts and Crafts, Baking, and Lots of Play (how we spend each day)

 

 

 

 

Every table deserves a bouquet of flowers

Waiting for cookies to bake is fun!

We make at least one pillow fort/ rabbits' nest/ double decker bus each day.

"I do! I do!"

 A few things Henry has been saying or enjoying lately:

1. count "one, two, thwee"
2. He loves to answer "I do, I do!" whenever I ask if anyone wants to eat breakfast/ go for a walk/ read a book/ etc.  There is usually a happy dance that accompanies this!
3. "I know! I know!"  When Henry had an idea for a book tonight, he prefaced it with "I know!" instead of just thrusting the book into my face.  It was adorable.
4. Nap time cooperation!  In the bed!  For many months, Henry would only reliably fall asleep at nap time in the car seat or the stroller (and occasionally in the Ergo or my lap)  Now, he actually says "bed!" when he gets sleepy at nap time and we nurse in the big bed until he falls asleep and then I actually have a good 1- 1 1/2 hours of relatively quiet time.  Evie and I usually snuggle, read books, do arts and crafts, or watch a movie.  

Henry also loves to help bring Evelyn to preschool and pick her up.  He gets very excited when she shows off her projects.  Recently, she brought home a bag of veggies and sang a vegetable soup song and Henry exclaimed "oh, wow!"  For her part, Evelyn shows great enthusiasm when Henry shows off his hand stamp from gymnastics class.  It's very sweet.



 

Learning What They Live

Henry helps Morabelle settle down in the sling.

Kids have a way of holding a mirror up to their parents.  From the time that Evelyn could speak, I have had daily glimpses of my phrases, mannerisms, and habits.  Most of the time, it's not too unflattering.  It is clear from both Evelyn's and Henry's play that when I talk on the phone, I walk around the house and often say "doing well, how are you?  Yeah, yeah, bye!"  Of course, there are also moments when I hear my words on the lips of my child and I just cringe.  Do I really sound like that?  I'm sure I do get exasperated sometimes; I'm only human.

Today, Evelyn and Henry were pretending that Evelyn's little white dog (Morabelle) was very tired and sad.  Evelyn tried to wrap her up in a blanket for a nap.  Henry suggested we put her in the Ergo.  I found a doll sling and the kids took turns wearing little Morabelle, patting her gently as they bounced.  It was very sweet to see that they'd picked up such gentle and loving techniques.

Evelyn's Game

While Henry napped this afternoon, Evelyn and I spent time together.  We built an elaborate city of wooden block buildings, complete with a train and station.  Without a toddler in sight to knock the city down to size, Evelyn was able to plan out a design and actually see it through.  She really enjoyed that.  Later, she traced some letters.  It's so fun to me that she knows every letter by sight.  We're connecting the letters to sounds now, but not in any formal way.  I like to take what Evelyn is interested in and then go from there.  Right now, she is very interested in writing stories and silly poems (a la "Where The Sidewalk Ends" by Shel Silverstein).

"Mom, soon Henry will grow up to be my friend.  We won't have a baby anymore-- just two kids!"

Tracing letters and reviewing the alphabet's order.

Evelyn has also had a lot of fun with board games lately.  My best friend was in town recently (which was such a lovely treat!) and one of the gifts she gave Evelyn was a memory game-- a huge hit.  Today, Evelyn decided to create her own game.  She used markers to draw the game board and then she crumpled up two pieces of paper to use as pawns.  I think she's sure this is the proper way to make game pieces, as this is her interpretation of some instructions we read in a book on how to fold paper for a fairy game piece.  She also asked me to draw a spinner and she glued hands on it and cut it out.  It doesn't spin, so we just pretend.  In this game, the winner (so far, always Evelyn) is the person who gets the "end" first.  She gets to read the book Evelyn has placed on a white wicker basket.  Score!

Ta da!

Snapshot: Choo choo!

Evelyn needed a little chair to reach her project on the kitchen counter.  Henry thought she was playing one of their favorite games:  line up the chairs and drive a train/ bus/ car/ airplane.  While she glued, he "chugged" and "choo-chooed."

A Possible Solution to the Witching Hour: Toddler-Wearing

As the oldest of four children, I had my share of "second mother" responsibilities-- often self-imposed.  Evelyn loves to be a helper, but I try to be mindful of any added responsibility I give to Evelyn.  I want to be sure that what I request is in line with what she can reasonably do.  Sometimes I need to remember that she is just 3 1/2 years old-- especially in the late afternoons when she is tired. 

When Henry gets fussy in the evening, I occasionally wear him in the Ergo carrier on my back while I cook dinner or finish whatever household task I am working on.  The carrier keeps him from crying at my legs and often calms him down.  I stopped wearing Evelyn  about halfway through my pregnancy with Henry.  I stopped regularly carrying her shortly after Henry's birth, when I realized I was over-taxing my body.  Still, the thought crossed my mind the other night:  what if I offer some "back pack time" to Evelyn?

Ordinarily, if Evelyn is just done with the day, she cries easily and needs some space away from her little brother's grabbing hands.  She plays in her bedroom sometimes, but lately she's been prone to just crying or yelling in the family room.  It upsets Henry and it is very stressful for all us.  I asked if she'd like to come up the Ergo and she calmed down instantly.  I think the novelty of the offer helped.  She loved cuddling against my back.  Henry, however, was jealous and insisted I hold him too.  This didn't do my back (or knees) any favors and at twenty-seven, I'd rather not introduce joint pain.  So, I set Henry down and he fussed a little until I gave him a "big boy" job to do.  All in all, there were fewer tears that evening.  I think I'll put "toddler-wearing" into rotation as a possible afternoon or evening tool, but I'll save it for the major meltdowns.

The Witching Hour: Why you won't be getting a homemade gift this year

Most of the mothers I have met will agree that, at least some of the time, there seems to be a particular part of their day that is just awful when compared to the rest.  Call it the witching hour, call it meltdown time, call it 3:00 pm . . .   The day starts off well enough, with morning's freshness and newness, activities or preschool, and lunch.  Sometimes we add in some errands around town and perhaps a library trip or play date.  Soon it is evident that Henry (and generally, the under 3 crowd-- or older if you're a lucky one) needs a nap and I try my best to make it happen as quickly as he needs. 

For those non-nappers, a little quiet time can work wonders to make it through the afternoon until a second wind helps them stick it out through dinner, play, bath, etc time.  When the weather cooperates, we go outside during this afternoon time.  Unfortunately, it is thirty degrees out and a little drizzly.  I also have several things I actually need to do during Henry's nap time as well, so bundling up to stand outside doesn't rank very high on my priority list today. 

This afternoon, I attempted to bake four or five dozen cookies (and make a tasty appetizer) for a neighborhood party and cookie exchange.  This is fun, fabulous idea, don't get me wrong.  By the time I was able to begin the cookies, however, Henry was two hours over-due for his nap and fighting it every step of the way and Evelyn was whining and frustrated with a pbs online game I let her play so that I could bake.  I put Henry on my back in a carrier and he cried and loudly in my ear while I sang to him and made the cookies.  To add insult to injury, Evelyn was very hurt that I made these cookies without her help and through a crying fit on the dining room floor.  I think she was tired and overwhelmed.  So, why am I writing this instead of baking (or checking myself into the Spa under an alias)?  I finished the first batch and they're cooling on the counter.  Henry finally fell asleep in the carrier so I transferred him to the bed and I'm letting Evelyn watch Bob the Builder and eat frozen yogurt. 

I have no idea how other people make so many cute or crafty gifts this time of year.  I also don't know how we all survive the witching hour, but if your survival strategy involves somehow taking a nap with your child, please don't tell me.  I can't handle the envy today (wink).

    

A sunny afternoon in autumn

We'd Better Increase Our College Savings!

Evelyn has had the opportunity to see two X-rays in as many days.  This has solidified her desire to become a doctor.  Today, Evelyn told me "I already am bigger, Mom.  I want to go to Medical School now."   

"We're just playing 'Cats in the Woods,' Mom!"

 

Fridays are "days off" for our family.  Now that preschool and co-op preschool group and swimming lessons are in full-swing, we are reveling in moments of free time.  This afternoon, I tied aprons onto the kids and set them up with dot paints outside at their little table.  After creating about three or four paintings, Evelyn decided to paint whiskers on her cheeks.  

My initial reaction was to gasp; fortunately, I squelched this reaction and realized this was actually a good day to get messy with our washable paints.  Evelyn "helped" Henry get beautiful and they headed back into the little wooded area behind our house.  When I followed to see what they were doing, Evelyn told me it was OK.  "We're just playing 'Cats in the Woods,' Mom." The game eventually progressed to "Cats in the Dirt" and ended with "Cats in the Bath" and "Overtired Cats Crying on the Bed."  Still, they had a fabulous time outside together.

On the prowl.

I hope they will remember moments like these when they reflect on their childhood.

Helpers

 

It's never too soon to help around the house.  And, of course, water play is a big hit with the toddler and preschool crowd!  Henry is actually blotting his scrubber along the counter and making a puddle, but Evelyn has already cleaned at least one pot.  I'm just glad that they're both occupied and happy.

Playtime in Two Acts

Art Projects!

While Henry slept, Evelyn and I built a house.



Evelyn decided that our house was really a tree house-- with a light fixture.



Bed, blanket, curtains . . . she has an eye for detail.

Evelyn Bakes

Evelyn and I took advantage of some Mother-daughter time while Henry napped this afternoon.  We decided to bake something.  "We have all the 'gredients!" Evelyn shouted happily, as I opened our baking cupboard to see what we could make.  We did have ingredients for a number of "made from scratch" recipes, but I knew our time was limited.  Evelyn agreed to make cookies and frosting.  She loves helping to pour in the dry and wet ingredients and switch the kitchenaid mixer.  The sugar cookie mix and vanilla frosting mix we used are from Cherrybrook Kitchen.  Hooray for gluten-free, egg-free, dairy-free cookies that taste pretty great! 

The Joy of Dirt

Today was supposed to be quite glum, if the weather reports were to be believed.  Fortunately, I am an optimist and we met up with friends at a local park with the hope that the rain would hold off for at least an hour. Well, three hours later, we left-- satisfied with the sun breaks and the giggles and good conversation.  Being outdoors is good for the soul.  Even better if there is a puddle to splash, rocks to toss into a lake, and dirt to spare.  Later, while it was still not raining, we played outside in the garden beds. 

One of Evelyn's favorite past times is digging.  She digs with a real sense of purpose.  "I'm doing my work right now," she tells me.  Often, the dirt is transferred from the earth into a blue tin pail and then back again.  Sometimes it is scattered about the back deck or the sidewalk.  It always finds its way underneath Evelyn's fingernails and forms a little smear across one of her cheeks or her forehead as she wipes wisps of hair away from her face. 

Today, Henry decided to embrace the goodness of this dirt.  Dressed warmly in a hand-me-down fleece suit, he took about seven steps with an outdoor push toy before dropping to his knees and crawling with a vengeance toward the nearest garden bed.  He squished and smooshed the soil in his chubby little land and looked thoroughly pleased with himself.  He tasted the dirt and protested as I fished it back out of his mouth.  I sat on the grass next to him and we tickled our hands with blades of grass.  I took pine cone after stick after pine cone out of his mouth.  How can we possibly know what something is without tasting it?   Henry's eyes asked.  All the while, Evelyn dug little holes and trenches among the lilacs and roses.  It was quite a lovely way to pass the afternoon really.  By the time we went inside to wash our hands and begin dinner, Henry and Evelyn were both noticeably content, relaxed even.  And, they were covered in dirt.

Snapshot: It's story time, Henry!