tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15429893132086720992024-03-12T22:34:53.698-04:00Adventures of Little Man, Peanut and Sweet PeaThe adventures of Little Man, Peanut and Sweet Pea are the daily memories and trials, our amazing moments and stories. I am blogging and cataloging the adventures of my children's lives, the ones that should be scrapbooked or put in their baby books, but aren’t. This way I can capture all of the stories, update friends/family who choose to follow our stories and maybe give a few laughs to strangers who enjoy the humor of a 6 year old, the antics of a 4 year old, the sweetness of 3 year old.Mama Bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09041642025365588644noreply@blogger.comBlogger563125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542989313208672099.post-30265484971827942012015-08-30T16:51:00.000-04:002015-08-30T16:51:58.686-04:00Our Happy Place - OBX 2015We just returned from 10 days at the Outer Banks. This is the
longest trip we have taken down there and the extension was well worth
the money. 10 days of relaxing, playing on the beach, in the pool and
just having good family time. It's our happy place.<br />
<br />
We
arrived on Thursday (but not before stopping at the best BBQ place in
the world and gorging ourselves plus getting some to go) and checked
into the Best Western Hotel. Little Man has started referring to it as
the Not-So-Best Western - but while it wasn't the Ritz, it was clean and
it was the beach. Usually we are all so excited when we arrive that
everyone heads straight to the water and get right in without changing
clothes. But this year, knowing we couldn't check into the hotel yet
and we didn't have a beach house to change in, we changed into our suits
in the car and then hit the water. It was perfect and the boys were
jumping in the waves within minutes. Peanut was having a ton of fun in
the water this year and had no fear of the coming waves and Little Man
was thrilled to have a playmate out in the deeper water with him.<br />
<img alt="" height="240" width="320" /> <br />
<br />
After
two days in the hotel and a few forts on the luggage cart, we headed to
our friend's beach house for the day until we could check into our
house. This year we stayed in Southern Shores instead of South Nags
Head. We liked the location change but will likely end up back in South
Nags Head next year.<br />
<br />
We traded beach front for a
private pool with a semi-beach front property. This was a good exchange
but I missed the relaxation of a beach front property for my morning
coffee. We do think that the private pool is worth the location
exchange though. <br />
<br />
Every day was beautiful and we spent a
lot of time at the beach and in the pool in the backyard. When we
needed a break from the sun, we went go-carting, mini-golfing, bumper
cars, laser tagging and ate and ate and ate. <br />
<br />
Highlights:<br />
1. Watching Peanut take on the waves like he was born in the ocean<br />
2.
Taking walks on the beach with the kids. We went on two different
walks and it was when I had some of the best conversations with the kids
including talking to them about their worries with school starting back
up and their favorite parts of summer.<br />
3. Playing games especially Tenzi's with the kids for hours<br />
4. Watching Sweet Pea spin and smile in the bumper cars<br />
5. Playing pool games with all of the kids.<br />
<br />
Next
year, we want to figure out how to go for two weeks. It's our happy
place. Sweet Pea woke up in tears this morning because she wished she
was waking up at the beach.Mama Bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09041642025365588644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542989313208672099.post-2996586061213930892015-08-04T07:12:00.002-04:002015-08-04T07:12:36.795-04:00It's Been A WhileOver a year has passed since my last blog post. I am a creature of habit and when I get out of the habit of doing something it is hard to find that starting point again. But it's in the dog days of summer and while life is going to be all fun and games for the next 4 weeks, we all have a lot of changes coming.<br />
<br />
First a quick update:<br />
Peanut rocked Kindergarten and ended the year reading at over 1st grade level. He was a social bee and made a best friend and even had his first sleep over. They made a schedule of things to do at a sleep over and checked them all off, including having a secret spy meeting and a pillow fight.<br />
<br />
Little Man had an up and down year in 2nd grade but did great academically and continued to build his friendships. He participated in a lot of activities which kept him (and me) really busy. He spent most of his time in the pool or at his best friends house. <br />
<br />
Sweet Pea had a great year in preschool and continued to be the social girl that she is and writing her letters and drawing adorable pictures. She loves to pretend she can read and write like her big brothers and can draw a rainbow or pony better than me.<br />
<br />
Changes:<br />
Little Man is changing schools. This was a difficult decision for Papa Bear and I, but it's what Little Man wanted and although it will make life a little more complicated it is the right decision for him. He will be going to a school where he will be in an advanced academic class for all of his main subjects. He has been working on multiplication and division over the summer to prepare. He is also moving up in his swimming club to the next level of age group where his practices get a little longer and he can fine tune his swimming even more. <br />
<br />
Peanut will be staying at his current school but won't have his big brother there to help him out. He will be going to school and won't be anyone's big or little brother. He also isn't going to be having routine speech therapy anymore. This makes me nervous, but I think it's the right thing. He will be playing baseball in the fall and joining an Odyssey of the Mind team.<br />
<br />
Sweet Pea is changing preschools because with 3 kids in 3 different schools and 3 different start times I couldn't manage to make it all work and keep her at the same school. She will know a few kids are her new school but I anticipate that this will be the hardest of all of the changes. She is still only 4 so between separation anxiety and not liking change in general she may fight this for a bit.<br />
<br />
I have a new job and am able to center my hours around the kids schedule for the most part but will have to heavily rely on Meemom especially when it comes to Sweet Pea.<br />
<br />
So here we are. A year + out from the last post with an 8 year old, 6 year old and 4 year old. The next month is all swimming pools, vacations and relaxing so I will use those days to fill in the blanks from the last year. There are a lot of amazing memories to capture.Mama Bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09041642025365588644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542989313208672099.post-86498267698012462492014-03-24T09:32:00.001-04:002014-03-24T09:32:24.482-04:00Finally Five!Dear Peanut,<br />
<br />
Last night I tried to explain to you that today is your birthday. The conversation made me laugh so hard I could barely watch where I was going. It went a little something like this:<br />
<br />
Me: Peanut, tomorrow when you wake up it will be your birthday<br />
Peanut: Today is my birthday!<br />
Me: No, tomorrow is your birthday.<br />
Peanut: Oh you mean in 5 days?<br />
Me: Nope, I mean tomorrow.<br />
Peanut: Does tomorrow mean today?<br />
Me: No, tomorrow means tomorrow.<br />
Me: Peanut, do you know when your birthday is?<br />
Peanut: Yup, tomorrow!<br />
<br />
Every single day you make me laugh hysterically with your wit, amaze me with your vast knowledge of so many topics, inspire me with the pure joy you find in the most simple moments (like when you exclaim, "Look, a rock!" as if it were a rare gem on our walk in the woods, and humble me when you work so hard for some things others just take for granted. <br />
<br />
Right now you know just about everything there is to know about space and the planets, you rattle off facts about Venus and Jupiter, tell me that stars are made of helium and hydrogen. You love to talk about dinosaurs and all natural disasters but especially earthquakes and volcanoes. You could read about magma and lava and tectonic plates with me for hours and then you go and turn all of that knowledge into pretend play while you scream that the tectonic plates are shifting and pretend the earth has swallowed you up or that your bed is a rocketship that is taking you to Mars. I love all of these things about you daily, but there is one thing that you do that brings me the most joy. You skip. Everywhere. You skip to the bathroom, to the kitchen, you even skip to the step when I put you in timeout. To me, skipping is like rainbows, they just make you happy and are proof of all that is good in the world. I love watching you skip because it reaffirms for me that you are a joyful, happy little boy still untouched by the craziness and hardness that growing up can bring. I hope you skip forever, but for now I will just hope that you skip at least until your 6th birthday.<br />
<br />
Papa Bear and I love you so very much. We wish you a very happy 5th birthday. Keep playing and pretending to be an astronaut, a garbage truck driver, a paleontologist and a dad. We would love for you to be any or all of those things and keep skipping through life because nothing can stand in your way!<br />
<br />
Love<br />
Mama BearMama Bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09041642025365588644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542989313208672099.post-10834560303936410472014-03-07T11:07:00.000-05:002014-03-07T11:07:04.265-05:00Just Call Me CavemanTwo cavemen, two bunnies and a sabertooth tiger joined together to create the worlds first art festival, complete with a cave wall painting, song, dance, artwork and costumes. What an awesome Odyssey of the Mind team!<br />
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Here is the link to a dress rehearsal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Me7ToHFafEMama Bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09041642025365588644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542989313208672099.post-25308559737016710782014-03-06T11:06:00.003-05:002014-03-06T11:06:18.912-05:00Too Big for KissesI knew this day would come but I was hoping that I could put it off for a few more years. At the start of the school year, Little Man would let me walk him to the bus stop, give me a hug and a kiss before getting on the bus and never think twice about it. I loved those moments and hoped that he would stay little and unaware of "being cool" for as long as possible. <br />
<br />
Recently, we were getting ready to go to Little Man's basketball game and he asked if Papa Bear could take him instead of me. I was surprised because basketball was kind of our thing to do together so I asked him why. I was hoping that my enthusiastic spectating wasn't upsetting him. It turns out that it had nothing to do with basketball and everything to do with the sleep over he was going to after the game. Apparently he didn't want me to come to the game because that would mean that I would insist on a hug and a kiss before he headed out with his friend and Papa Bear doesn't insist on that level of affection. <br />
<br />
Of course, I understand where he is coming from and get that can be embarrassing. So after the game I told him we could say our goodbye in the car or around the corner where no one would see but that the hug and kiss goodbye meant a lot to me and isn't anything to be embarrassed of. So we did. With a huge sigh and a teenager like rolling of the eyes he gave me a quick hug and kiss and went off with his friend. I really wish we could have delayed this because I think we have way too many years in front of us before giving your mom a hug becomes cool again. Mama Bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09041642025365588644noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542989313208672099.post-20525827428636932752014-02-20T14:48:00.003-05:002014-02-20T14:48:57.162-05:00Nap Time...a thing of the pastSweet Pea has been ready to give up her nap for a while but I was fighting it. I loved that quiet time in the afternoon while Peanut played quietly in his room even if it meant that bedtime was more drawn out. Peanut stays in his room happily and even requests quiet time, he likes to recharge but there was no way I was going to keep Sweet Pea in her room playing for an hour or more like Peanut. But over the last week a new solution has revealed itself. Sweet Pea and Peanut play together in Peanut's room. Sometimes they play in parallel and sometimes they play together but it still provides me with an hour or two of down time, they love playing together and bed time is a breeze. My favorite part is listening to the giggles that emanate from the room. Sweet Pea is usually the "baby" and Peanut plays the "Daddy" or they are both dogs and their pretend play is absolutely hysterical. I have started to think that Peanut going to Kindergarten in the fall is going to be just as hard on Sweet Pea as it is on me. That first year or so was so tough, but having kids only 18 months apart is really a beautiful thing to watch. These two can go and play together without fighting or causing problems for hours at a time especially if Little Man isn't around to try to boss them around.<br />
<br />
*** As I was typing this Sweet Pea decided to be a dog and pee on Peanut's pottery barn chair. I am no longer celebrating their close age and relationship and am instead wishing naps back and scrubbing out pee. But it was a great few minutes of thinking I had this mom thing figured out***Mama Bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09041642025365588644noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542989313208672099.post-37184379656784579922014-02-19T11:38:00.000-05:002014-02-19T11:38:00.033-05:00Oh The Drama!Everyone warned me that the drama with a girl would be different than the drama with the boys. But knowing and experiencing it are two very different things.<br />
<br />
Peanut can be in the middle of a full blown tantrum, get distracted or just turn it off and move on. Little Man is still my worst in the whining department but he moves on quickly and can be easily reminded that whining doesn't work.<br />
<br />
But with SweatPea, oh the drama, and the tantrums and the inability to let anything go...<br />
<br />
"He's looking at me!!" <br />
"He was thinking about looking at me!"<br />
"Can we go to LaLa's house? Cillin's house" now put this on repeat ad nauseam and this is my day...every single day.<br />
<br />
Sweet Pea nags, complains, screams as if being stabbed and it all works. She is also sassy and is my most likely to say a bad word or name call. <br />
<br />
All of that being said, she is also sweet and so kind and grown up in so many ways. I love all of my time with her but I could really really use a little less drama and I have heard that it only gets worse. Oy!Mama Bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09041642025365588644noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542989313208672099.post-39002257201930876822014-02-17T18:37:00.004-05:002014-02-17T18:41:57.979-05:00A Little Understanding Goes A Long Way...I typically spend 30-45 minutes every afternoon reading to the little kids while Little Man does his homework/reads with us. This is not because I am good mama, this is self preservation during the witching hour (4:00-5:00). Today, Peanut and Sweet Pea and I were reading a book and Little Man sat near working on his word study. I looked over at Peanut and he was picking his nose. This is a habit that really bothers me so I told him to go wash his hands and face and then noticed that there was snot smeared on his face. I told him to go quickly and pushed him in the direction of the bathroom. Then I hear Little Man quietly ask, "Mama, did you throw up a little bit in your mouth?" I replied, "I did." He says, "I understand."<br />
<br />
Sometimes a little understanding goes a long way to make you feel better.Mama Bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09041642025365588644noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542989313208672099.post-67139426080391151612014-02-17T15:38:00.002-05:002014-02-17T15:38:42.981-05:00Little Man's Basketball Team - The Little Golden Waves<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It is no secret that basketball is my sport. I love playing it, watching it, teaching it and now watching my 6 year old work the court. He scored 4 points in his very first game and has come so so close to scoring in every other game. He loves playing, dribbling, shooting and is working hard on rebounding too. This is his first of what I hope is many more seasons!Mama Bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09041642025365588644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542989313208672099.post-14475362242274784232014-02-17T15:14:00.000-05:002014-02-17T15:14:06.146-05:00The Case of the Mistaken FingerIt is fairly rare that we eat out as a family, mostly because it isn't all that relaxing with a 3 year old, 4 year old and 6 year old but for the most part we are turning the corner on that. Everyone can sit still (for the most part), use inside voices (for the most part) and use good manners (for the most part).<br />
<br />
Friday night we took everyone out to eat after Little Man's basketball game. All was going well even if we were smooched into a booth more appropriate for a family of 4 than a family of 5, that is until Peanut started crying uncontrollably. It came on as sudden as if he had been stung by a bee. Papa Bear immediatly asked him if he had bitten his tongue and he yells "No! My finger! I bit my finger!" I was sitting next to him so I had my arms around him, comforting him and soothing him. Then he confesses quietly to me. "I bit mine finger because I thought it was a french fry." I couldn't help it. I laughed and laughed and laughed and eventually he joined in, calmed down and started eating again. It is just so much fun to be his mama. He is always saying something surprising or doing something that completely catches me off guard and cracks me up.<br />
<br />
At the same dinner, Little Man called me out regarding my use of sarcasm. I was squished between Peanut and Sweet Pea, not really all that comfortable and Papa Bear was sitting next to Little Man who was quietly working through a word puzzle. Papa Bear and I realized that we had unevenly distributed the trouble in the booth. Papa Bear asked me if I wanted to switch up one of my more boisterous seat mates for Little Man and I said "Noooo!" Little Man looked up and said, "Did you mean that?" I laughed and told him that I was being sarcastic and he said "You told me I am not supposed to be sarcastic. Did you mean that?" I only have myself to blame. Mama Bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09041642025365588644noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542989313208672099.post-46939227111373249702014-02-13T15:34:00.000-05:002014-02-17T15:34:43.972-05:00Buckets Of SnowToday the sky dumped over 14 inches of snow on us very quickly. We woke up in the morning and could barely find Papa Bear's car. It was a snow storm of firsts for us all. Little Man was allowed to go up to the sledding hill by himself this year. He loved having the independence and I loved not having to drag the little ones up there if they didn't want to go. Sweet Pea was not thrilled with the snow because she kept "sinking" and so she stuck to the shoveled paths as much as possible. Peanut wanted to crawl through and bury himself in the snow and then would get mad that he was cold. The last time we had a <a href="http://adventuresofmywonderfullife.blogspot.com/2010/02/my-kid-is-hard-core.html" target="_blank">snow storm</a> like this, Little Man was not quite 3 and Peanut was 11 months old (and Sweet Pea was born 9 months later) so it was a lot more fun this year for the kids and a lot easier on me. Other snow day fun included hot chocolate, crafts and movie time!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing in the drifts</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peanut hit this ramp, caught at least 3 feet of air and landed hard hurting his back. He was then tended to by 3 6th graders who made such a big deal out of him that he let them hold his hands and walk him home.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traversing the lawn became more fun and treacherous</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She was a great little helper since she didn't want to sink.</td></tr>
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<br />Mama Bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09041642025365588644noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542989313208672099.post-34041743485789367372014-01-13T19:05:00.000-05:002014-01-13T19:05:27.985-05:00Taking TurnsRecently I was speaking with Peanut's preschool teacher and she mentioned that he has a difficult time waiting his turn in circle to share with the rest of the class. At first I chalked this up to any 4 year old in a class of 16 kids having a tough time when they have something to say. Raising our hands is a learned skill. Interrupting and speaking out of turn, that seems to just come naturally for us all. But then I realized that in part Peanut might be having a hard time with this because we don't usually enforce him having to wait his turn. When he has something to say, I stop what I am doing to hear him. When we are talking around the table he usually gets top billing if he has something to say. Sometimes it may take him 15 minutes to get a thought completely out. Sometimes it still takes us 10 minute to decipher his sentence. For example, just this morning all 3 kids were piled on top of me and were all trying to outdo one another by giving me kisses. (I know, tough world I live in) Peanut was kissing me over and over which is not very typical for him so I was telling him how much I love every one of his many many kisses. He stopped and took my face in his pudgy giant hands and said "Now you are a witch!" I laughed and said that I wasn't a witch and he said "Yes, you are I am turning you into a witch with all of my kisses!" I repeated what he said to me and he shook his head obviously getting frustrated with me. "Witch?" "Witch!!" "Witch?" "Witch!!" "Witch?" "Witch!!" This went on for a while and then he stopped and said "You know, what you are when you have lots and lots of things. "OH RICH!" "Yes, I am making you rich (still sounding like witch) with all of my kisses." He was so thrilled with me for figuring out what he was trying to say he gave me a huge hug and more kisses. During this time, Little Man and Sweet Pea were still kissing me and trying to get my attention but I didn't take my eyes off of Peanut until we figured it out. He needs to be heard and we still have some hurdles to jump. So forgive me teachers of his future, but I don't make him wait his turn and saying "Be quiet or stop talking" still feels impossible to say to him regardless of how well he is doing. The older he gets, the more out of context and complex his thoughts are getting and I will always take the time to decipher his words and let him talk until my head is pounding. Peanut words are still priceless and I am kind of ok with him wanting to talk at school even if he forgets to raise his hand.Mama Bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09041642025365588644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542989313208672099.post-85690710776040354972013-12-24T18:35:00.000-05:002013-12-24T18:35:17.717-05:00Christmas Eve Eve Eve and Eve Eve and EveWe have been packing in the fun while Papa Bear has off of work and it has been perfectly wonderfully busy and chaotic and fun. Chaos can be good when I am not alone to handle it and we have certainly embraced it this year as a team. <br />
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Sunday we went to our third annual Christmas meal with our very close friends. These are the types of friends that I know we will have forever. I can already picture Little Man and his best bud Seb double dating for prom in 10 years and Sweet Pea having a crush on Seb or trying to date Cillian. We went over about 4 in the afternoon and ate and ate and ate and ate. The kids exchanged gifts and Peanut got a book about Volcanoes, Sweet Pea got a sticker books that we have worked on for two days and Little Man got a lego set. The company was perfect, the fun and drinks were flowing and the kids wore themselves out. It is one of my most anticipated events of the season because I just love watching our families mesh and really enjoy one another.<br />
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Monday we shipped Little Man off for a playdate with a friend from school. This allowed Papa Bear and I to have a man to man defense on the littles. It was perfect. We went out for lunch, went to the grocery store to pick up Christmas Eve dinner, unloaded groceries and generally just had a morning of less chaos. Then we picked Little Man up and all went to the neighborhood Christmas caroling event. This is the first year that we have all gone. The kids ate Christmas treats, sang and walked the neighborhood spreading Christmas cheer for the better part of two hours and then ate pizza with about 30 other kids and their parents. Like I said, chaos, but it was controlled chaos and Papa Bear and I were a team.<br />
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Today we all just relaxed, ate cookies, made reindeer food, watched Christmas movies, tracked Santa on NORAD. The best part was the Christmas Eve dinner that I prepared for myself and Papa Bear. The kids ate spinach lasagna (their favorite meal) while Papa Bear and I ate the standing rib roast, asparagus and mashed potatoes that I made. We will have left overs for tomorrow! <br />
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We hope to keep Christmas easy, no cooking, just fun and presents. Papa Bear prepped the quiches for the morning, we are thawing our last Mommom brisket for lunch to share with Uncle Mark and Meemom and then leftovers for dinner. Santa is coming to town!<br />
<br />Mama Bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09041642025365588644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542989313208672099.post-87466061975713675232013-12-22T20:50:00.000-05:002013-12-22T20:59:00.506-05:00Merry Christmas!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Mama Bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09041642025365588644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542989313208672099.post-53424655397665244222013-12-22T20:49:00.000-05:002013-12-22T20:49:02.782-05:00MeeMom ChristmasLast weekend, MeeMom came to visit for the Santa Train and couldn't help herself when it came to spoiling the kids with their Christmas gifts. The evening was filled with lots of hugs and lots presents. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matching outfits with her Bitty Baby</td></tr>
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<br />Mama Bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09041642025365588644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542989313208672099.post-46790502919554987332013-12-18T21:32:00.000-05:002013-12-18T21:32:17.824-05:00OverheardLittle Man had Odyssey of the Mind practice today. I love going to this with him (I'm the Coach) because these little 1st graders astound me with their creativity. They also make me laugh with their antics and their notions about life.<br />
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Tonight was no exception as I drove 3 of the boys home from practice. The boys were talking about their bedtimes. One boy had a strict 8:30 bedtime, another said he didn't know what it was and Little Man said he had to be in his room at 8:00 but he could sometimes get away with playing for a little while. Then the conversation turned to how much better life would be when they were grown up and they could stay up as late as they wanted and eat donuts.<br />
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Here is a snippet of the conversation that had me biting my tongue to keep from laughing:<br />
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<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Little Man: When I am a grown up I am going eat as many donuts as I want, stay up late and get a wife. <br /> S: Yeah, getting a wife is pretty important. <br /> </span><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Little Man</span>: Yeah and when I have a wife I am going to go to the movies at night with her and never have any kids. <br /> S: Yeah, kids are WAY too much trouble. <br />
</span><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Little Man</span>: Too much trouble and too much work plus if you have kids going to
the movies at night and eating donuts would be a lot harder.</span><br />
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<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">The kids crack me up with their unintentional humor. </span><span class="userContentSecondary fcg"></span>Mama Bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09041642025365588644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542989313208672099.post-81079641101825816192013-12-15T16:28:00.001-05:002013-12-15T16:28:34.618-05:00Santa Train 2013<div style="text-align: left;">
Papa Bear and I marvel how certain events get easier as the kids get older and the Santa Train is no exception. This year we took the 10:30 out of Burke Station and found the perfect train car (with a bathroom) and good seating for 6 people. Meemom joined us on our adventure and she was almost as giddy with excitement as the kids. We bumped into other friends of ours who were able to get seats near us as well which made it even more special. Mrs. Claus came into the train car first and Sweet Pea was very excited to have the same dress on. Then Santa came in with a big HO HO HO and the train car was filled with a buzz of excitement. Seeing the expressions on their faces as they turned in their seats was precious, especially Sweet Pea and Peanut who were just overcome with joy. I was excited too and the kids were all happy to hug him and Peanut recited his list and gave him some big strong hugs. Then the kids took turns climbing on Meemom, coloring in their coloring books and looking out the window. Afterwards, Meemom treated the family to lunch at Spartan's Family Restaurant were Santa was taking pictures with the kids and giving out small gifts. Little Man asked Santa if he had just gotten off the train and Santa didn't even skip a beat when he said "I sure did." We aren't getting the same questions from Little Man this year. This year he just seems to believe in the magic of Christmas and I am extremely grateful, we need some Christmas magic this year, more than any other years.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love the candy cane hanging out of his mouth as he seriously colored his picture. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peanut leaning to get a better view of something outside of the train</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet Pea getting her first look at Santa</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet Pea getting comfortable with Santa</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Magic of the Holidays</td></tr>
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<br />Mama Bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09041642025365588644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542989313208672099.post-27311244079752312432013-12-15T16:11:00.003-05:002013-12-15T16:11:42.331-05:00Gingerbread Makers<div style="text-align: center;">
The Detailed<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sdxl4nGeqSY/Uq4YkPpHliI/AAAAAAAAC2Q/Gx-YfSG2v-0/s1600/photo-169.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sdxl4nGeqSY/Uq4YkPpHliI/AAAAAAAAC2Q/Gx-YfSG2v-0/s640/photo-169.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The Baker</div>
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The Trouble Maker</div>
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This year I got kits from Trader Joes that were mostly corn free except for a few pieces of candy that we subbed out for corn-free ones for Peanut. This resulted in more uniform looking houses and made it a little easier - but I think I prefer the more free-form house from <a href="http://adventuresofmywonderfullife.blogspot.com/2012/12/christmas-bucket-list-2012.html" target="_blank">last year</a>. Next year, I think we will go back to those even if they aren't as fancy. This year, we had less eating and more creating and decorating. Little Man's house is uniform and perfect, Peanut was concentrated and wielded the pastry bag like a pro and Sweet Pea, well, she was cute and had fun while making a mess. The kids ate the candy off of the roof a little at a time over the course of a week until the tree and the roof were bare.... and we cut them off due to really old stale candy.</div>
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Gingerbread making is definitely a annual event in this house now and one worth the trouble and the mess for sure.</div>
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<br />Mama Bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09041642025365588644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542989313208672099.post-90313007153267080342013-12-09T23:25:00.000-05:002013-12-09T23:28:26.842-05:00The Kutz Home in HeavenMommom went to heaven today. She was almost 91 and we are all very sad at our loss. We are sad because even forever wouldn't have been long enough to have Mommom in our lives. Little Man said it best at bedtime tonight when he simply asked why God couldn't have given us just a little bit more time with Mommom. 35 years with her wasn't nearly enough for me so I understand why 6 years wouldn't feel like enough time for him. Sweet Pea asked me where Mommom was and when I explained again that she is in heaven, she said "But I want to hug her!". Peanut has asked when Mommom is coming back from heaven and when we explained that she isn't coming back he seemed to understand and then stated that there must be a Kutz Home in heaven (the nursing home that Mommom was in for the past 3 months). Little Man understands the most but asks a lot about the logistics and asked where Mommom is right now. I told him that her body is at the funeral home and he said "But her soul is in heaven, right?" They all knew how much Mommom loved them. It was impossible to spend even a few minutes with her without feeling her love and kindness. I will help keep the memories of my Mommom alive for all of the kids. I have no words for how much we will miss her.<br />
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<br />Mama Bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09041642025365588644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542989313208672099.post-24693909575978973442013-12-04T08:00:00.000-05:002013-12-04T08:00:01.153-05:00Big Girl Bed Part 2Remember back in February when we thought <a href="http://adventuresofmywonderfullife.blogspot.com/2013/02/out-and-in-bedtime-tale.html" target="_blank">Sweet Pea was ready for a big girl bed</a> and she clearly wasn't so we put her back in the crib. Well if at first you don't succeed, try try again. Ten months later we decided to skip the toddler bed (due to the fact that Sweet Pea continually cried that her crib was broken during our first attempt) and go straight to the big girl bed. She asked for a "giant blanket" so I got her a quilt just like her brother's use instead of just her little snuggy blankets she has been using in her crib. Night 1 and 2 have gone beautifully and she is thrilled with her big girl bed and the reconfiguration of her room. We have yet to get a successful nap but I am hoping the newness of the room wears off and she goes back to napping so that I can work in the afternoons. It is hard to let our little baby girl grow up, but I am thankful to not be lifting my 34 pound 3 year old in and out of her crib every day!<br />
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Mama Bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09041642025365588644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542989313208672099.post-45858080966788184582013-12-03T09:30:00.000-05:002013-12-03T09:30:00.474-05:00Fancy Holiday TimeThe Thanksgiving/Chanukah long weekend was filled with a lot of decorating, the start of Christmas movies and our friend's annual Latke party. The decorating was so much fun this year because Little Man is old enough to really help and participate in stringing lights and wrapping banisters. He was incredibly helpful not only setting up but in entertaining the little ones so that we could get things out and in some cases up high enough that Peanut's hulk hogan impression didn't crush them. We even got lights strung in our sun room windows like I have been wanting to do every year for the last 6 years but never got around to doing. <br />
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The
kids were very excited for the Latke party this year and of course,
Little Man felt it very necessary to be fancy. He picked out a shirt
and tie and then Peanut decided he wanted to have a tie too so he
clipped on a tie to his t-shirt. Sweet Pea couldn't be left out so she
went and got a tie and attached it to her dress. We all walked over the
to the party and to be honest, no one even blinked at our families
attire. I guess we are known for being fancy. Or being silly. Or
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<br />Mama Bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09041642025365588644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542989313208672099.post-79184854747829973222013-12-02T20:42:00.001-05:002013-12-02T20:42:38.641-05:00Define This.Today Sweet Pea and I were reading a book about bats while sitting on the couch. Peanut was laying on the floor looking through a book of his own but he was clearly tuning in to what I was reading. I got to a part that discussed that a bat uses echolocation to find their food. Peanut pops up from his spot on the floor like he was a robot that had been suddenly activated and spits out "Echo. That is when the sound leaves your mouth, bounces off a wall and comes back to your ear." Then he dances around and lays back down to read his book. My mouth just dropped open to hear him so succinctly define the word echo. But this isn't the first time he has stunned me. <br />
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A few weeks ago we were driving in the car and Peanut says "Mama, do you know what ominous means?" I said, "yes, I do. Do you?" He says, "Yup, it is when you walk into a room and you think something might happen and that thing might be scary or dangerous, that's ominous" <br />
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Peanut was on my back and I started shaking him and told him it was an earthquake. Again, my little robot was activitated and he says "Hundreds of earthquakes happen every day but we just don't feel them. Earthquakes are when the plates slip and Mama, volcanoes are just a hole in the earth's crust where magma and lava come out." I was stunned and said "Peanut, what do you know about the earth's crust." He laughed at me and said "That's the part of the earth we live on. The other parts are too hot." I asked him if he know what the other parts were called and he said "Yes, core and mantel." Then he danced his way out of the room. <br />
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Little Man's Odyssey of the Mind group didn't know what the word humorous meant and so they looked it up in a dictionary. The next day while in the car I asked Little Man if he remembered what it meant and Peanut pipes up "I know what humorous means. It means funny or to make someone laugh. The jokes I tell are humorous." <br />
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And over the summer Peanut defined "exclusive" as when someone wants to join your club but you don't let them in then you are being exclusive. This occurred while I was trying to explain to Little Man that he had to include all of his friends in the secret club the boys had on the hill.<br />
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I love my sweet dictionary Peanut robot. He shocks me every day with what he has learned and I really can't take the credit for any of it. I have no idea where he picks it up and usually he doesn't either. I ask every time and he usually shrugs and says, "I don't know Mama. I'm just super smart." <br />
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<br />Mama Bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09041642025365588644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542989313208672099.post-50622275940008047162013-11-29T15:08:00.002-05:002013-11-29T15:08:50.658-05:00Thanksgiving 2013We had grand plans for Thanksgiving this year and while we hit the highlights we were slightly sidelined by a stomach virus/food poisoning that hit Little Man really hard on Thanksgiving Eve. Papa Bear and I had little to no sleep but as we heard the littles start stirring in their excitement to see MeeMom and Mommom we felt that stomach flu or not, we had to give it a shot. So at the very last minute we threw everything into the car including a pale and tired Little Man and made it to Delaware by 9am. It was the first of many Thanksgiving Miracles that we hit no traffic and didn't forget anything since I had stopped preparing for the trip after Little Man threw up for the 5th time. We played and enjoyed ourselves at MeeMom's house, Uncle Mark showed up and we ate the first of many Thanksgiving meals on the same plates we used to eat fancy dinners from when we were kids. Football was on, the kids were playing and occupied and it was perfect (except for the still puking Little Man). Then I took Sweet Pea and we headed over to my Aunt's house to say hi to as many relatives as possible in 30 minutes. After that quick stop we went to the Kutz home for the Green Family Thanksgiving. It was wonderful to see Mommom and see my cousins and aunts and uncles. Again, it was almost perfect except for the fact that Little Man stayed back with my mom because he just couldn't get off the couch. After more food, Chanukah celebration and dessert, we went back to my mom's for leftovers and some more playtime. Then we got on the road and reached our house around 10:00 with all the kids sound asleep. For the last Thanksgiving miracle, Little Man has stopped throwing up and everyone slept in until after 8am. <br />
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This year I am thankful for a husband who can see how important an event is to me and can throw everything into high gear to make it there, a mom who will give up a family event to stay with my sick child, kids who enjoy a holiday that is all about eating and family, a mommom that brings a family together in a way no one else can and kids who sleep in when it really matters.<br />
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Happy Thanksgiving! Happy Chaunkah!Mama Bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09041642025365588644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542989313208672099.post-65694178588884132392013-11-17T16:16:00.002-05:002013-11-17T16:16:24.884-05:00Heroes in the NeighborhoodWe were watching the Eagles game on tv together and saw a firetruck turn down the street adjacent to our house. The boys quickly put their shoes on and we ran outside just in time to see the truck turn the lights off and turn back around. The firefighters saw the small crowd that had gathered and stopped the truck to give out fire hats to the kids. They were doing some planning and there are two houses on a gravel road behind our house and it seems that the closest fire hydrant to those houses are on our street. The boys got to listen as they made a game plan to get water to the houses in the woods if there ever was a need. Then a call came in and the firefighters were off and running, sirens going. Peanut was full of questions and Little Man was in awe. <br />
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<br />Mama Bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09041642025365588644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542989313208672099.post-62717057187858798142013-11-16T21:35:00.000-05:002013-11-16T21:35:31.412-05:00Tiger Cubs - Raingutter Regatta<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Little Man has his first Raingutter Rigatta today. He and Papa Bear worked on the boat together, building it, sanding it, painting it, perfecting it. Today was the big race. Little Man didn't win, but pulled himself together despite his disappointment. <br />
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<br />Mama Bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09041642025365588644noreply@blogger.com0