Surprise Surprise (1-9-10)

I showed cash the food pyramid today and talked a little about what goes in each area. I am hoping to get him to eat more vegetables without bribing him using M&M/'s. (There's a story there.) So tonight when I asked him what groups he didn't have in his lunch he pointed to vegetables and meat. I asked him what vegetable he would like carrots or celery. "Carrots!" he replied. I told him I would put one carrot in his lunch for tomorrow. "But mom! I want two carrots!" huh?

pics to come

Dad learns a lesson (1-8-11)

 Mom makes sure baby gets a turn, though often a short turn.

What a whirlwind of of a day, and yet both boys are struggling to get to sleep as I type. Ryan is on duty while I correct papers and make lesson plans. A weekend where I bring no work home for the weekend, not one thing, hmmmm, perhaps that is another blog! We had one heck of a soccer game this morning. I am usually a "no ball throwing in the house" kind of mom, more for the sake of the baby's head than anything, but this winter weather has me bending the rules and permanently planting the trampoline in the living room. Cash loves to score goals, yet I find it interesting that we have no goal posts, or nets, whatever they call that in soccer?

 Traditional soccer stance.

 It looks like he missed, but the pic is right after he kicked.

 

Today we finally got to play Toy Story 3 Yahtzee! Ryan and I love playing games so we are pretty excited that Cash got a bunch of new games for Christmas. Now we have to keep reminding him that we say "good game" to everyone after a game, not just the winners. Tonight he and ryan beat me so he said "good game," pointing to himself, "good game," pointing to Ryan, then "Not a good game for you." (And while that is true, I am not sure others would appreciate the candor?

When I glanced up at the clock and saw 6:45 I panicked and we ushered the boys upstairs. For anyone reading without kids, there is this weird thing that happens when your children stay up past their bedtime. First, they get a second wind and then overly tired which leads to an even later bed time. Then, they not only cease to sleep in, but they likely get up early. So, upstairs foregoing baths and on to reading books we went. As dad began reading about one of Cash's favorite characters "David" (It's Christmas David!)
Cash pointed to a page and said: "Dad you need to read that again!"
Dad: "Why?"
Cash: "Because there is an exclamation point and you have to read that louder!"
Dad (reading the page): "David wake up you're dreaming!!!!!!!"
Cash laughed hysterically and made Ryan read the book 2 more times.

Best laid plans and other Friday notes (1-7-11)

I love coming home on Fridays! Just knowing I get to spend two days with the boys always makes me jazzed about pulling in the driveway. The enthusiastic "Hi mom!" (no Donkey Kong was on) and baby's best smile wash away the day, which although a good one, state testing looms. My pics today are first thing in the morning. The plan was that if I took morning pics on a day I might come home late, I would at least be sure to have something to post. Well baby as always was enthusiastic, Cash however, not so much.

Bring on the weekend! Gymnastics and a lot of hullabaloo......

Poop rhymes with Roop and Pee rhymes with Ree (in case you didn't know) 1-6-11

I love Cash's enthusiasm for learning. Since he could talk (and probably before) we would google sounds he was interested in, instruments, animals, you name it and we would look it up. There is a United States game we play together and there are symbols for each state. He loves to "check it out" online. The past few weeks he has been into rhyming words and is so proud to tell me "Poop-Roop, that rhymes mom!" With a big smile on his face. I play along, and we often get other words too, but "Poop" is the go to rhyme word. Tonight as we talked about our day he went through all his rhymes and as we got back to Poop he suddenly shouted out and "Butt What?" It rhymes!" I mentioned casually that we should save some rhymes for home and some for school. "But mom Butt is sooooo funny!"

My response "I know son, it is funny, but  (one T) we need to save that for home."

His response "Okay mom no butts at school." (inject sigh) A few minutes later I took this pic.

Baby had other plans that did not include going to sleep as easily as Cash. I took these pics of him and then was sorry I got him so riled up, oh well worth the pics!

After an hour he finally gave in, good night!

Dinner Conversation: a futile pursuit (1-5-11)

As always I ran out the door at work to race home and see my boys. They are usually very excited to see me, I get hugs and requests (Donkey Kong play time go figure) from Cash (as you can see in his pic today I gave in to the request) and Baby crawls to me with the biggest grin you've ever seen. This 5 minute display negates the sleepless nights of our past few months, the refusal to go poop (ever again mind you) and the broken Wii drums (set #2). Ahhhh to be a parent!

I admit I am constantly trying to find ways to make our short evenings more meaningful as a family and tonight I tried "Let's share 1 thing we liked today!" Ryan gave me a "look" and Cash ignored me, only baby seemed to be interested making raspberries towards me. I decided to go first, then Ryan shared he liked playing Donkey Kong with Cash, to which Cash replied he liked playing Donkey Kong with Dad. To which mom replied I am taking Donkey Kong out and smashing it, wait just kidding. I asked Cash if he would like to share something about Ryan2's day and he replied "Baby Ryan can share himself." Perhaps tomorrow we will try something else? :)

Mom V.S. Donkey Kong (1-4-11)

I couldn't wait to get home and ask Cash a million and 1 questions about his first day back at pre-school. Not only did I get shushed when I came in the door, but not one question was answered or even acknowledged because Donkey Kong Returns arrived for the Wii and he had made popcorn with the new air popper, so mom was nonexistent. This is where I think, for a brief second,  someday he'll be thankful that he has a parent who cares, someday he will realize I am actually interested in all he has to say, and then  I unpack those guilt trip bags and wait until the TV is off. Baby is napping because he wasn't able to nap well today. Did no one care I was home? Later at dinner I found out Cash had fun at recess, painted with red paint, and was excited to see his friend Owen. Baby Ryan didn't say much, though we did get 1 "Mama" tonight and he was exceptionally smiley, though isn't he always. His new thing is to pat his chest and make a slappy sound, then laugh. Sweet Dreams boys!

Back to the Grind (1-3-11)

What a day! Mommy and Daddy both go back to work and so does Nana. Cash earned the award for best nap. When we got home the boys were both very excited to open their presents from The Jungermans. Baby especially likes the paper. Cash has been very animated when he opens gifts and always exclaims "That's just what I wanted!" and "I need this!"