TJ has occasionally asked me if Santa was real. I honestly wasn't sure what to tell him. I don't ever recall believing in Santa (probably because Eric, the practical realist, was my big brother), and I wasn't sure I wanted TJ to believe in Santa, but I also didn't want to ruin a part of childhood for him. So I was deliberately vague whenever TJ asked me. I would usually just ask him if he thought Santa was real, and TJ would reply that he wasn't sure.
A few weeks ago, TJ informed me that he KNEW Santa wasn't real. I asked him why he thought that and he replied, "Grandma told me!" Okay, there's another reason why I didn't believe in Santa. My mother, the practical realist. Ha ha. Anyway, he told me he thought it was silly that some of his classmates believed in Santa. I told him that he should be nice and let them decide what they wanted to believe.
Last night, TJ asked me if I would please leave out some chocolate milk and candy before I went to bed on Christmas Eve. I asked him why, and he said, "Well, just in case Santa is real, he might be hungry when he stops by." I thought that was cute. He wants to cover all of his bases. I was a little confused by his food requests, but he insists Santa likes chocolate milk.
One other funny Christmas memory with TJ. He received a small red stocking as a gift from his teacher. He hung it up with his regular stocking on our fireplace. Then he told me that I had to buy him extra stuff since he has TWO stockings instead of one. I told him that wasn't how it worked.
Merry Christmas!
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Nolan and stress
So we've discovered recently that Nolan doesn't like it when he is in trouble, when his brothers are fighting, or when there is any sort of chaos or upheaval involving him or within his earshot. He immediately takes on a very pathetic look and says, "I don't feel good." As soon as the stressful moment has passed, Nolan feels just fine again. It's very cute. The problem is that when he's actually sick, we won't know.
This past weekend, we were in Illinois, visiting my mom's extended family. We got home very late...around midnight. Nolan slept awhile on the way home, but was still quite tired when I got him up for church Sunday morning. I walked in his room and gently woke him up. He stood up and said in his most grown-up tone, "Mom, I didn't sleep very well last night." Then his face lit up and he said, "But I got a big garbage truck!" He did. He got a very large toy garbage truck from my aunt and uncle for Christmas. It's the perfect gift for Nolan.
Tonight is my "baby's" last night in his crib. I'm feeling quite nostalgic. That crib has been in constant use for 7 years, 1 month, and 3 days. But the time has come. Amanda and John need the crib, as their second baby is coming in just two months. And Nolan is getting a big boy bed for Christmas. It's just a little harder leaving this stage behind than I expected it to be.
Nolan, just a few moments ago:
This past weekend, we were in Illinois, visiting my mom's extended family. We got home very late...around midnight. Nolan slept awhile on the way home, but was still quite tired when I got him up for church Sunday morning. I walked in his room and gently woke him up. He stood up and said in his most grown-up tone, "Mom, I didn't sleep very well last night." Then his face lit up and he said, "But I got a big garbage truck!" He did. He got a very large toy garbage truck from my aunt and uncle for Christmas. It's the perfect gift for Nolan.
Tonight is my "baby's" last night in his crib. I'm feeling quite nostalgic. That crib has been in constant use for 7 years, 1 month, and 3 days. But the time has come. Amanda and John need the crib, as their second baby is coming in just two months. And Nolan is getting a big boy bed for Christmas. It's just a little harder leaving this stage behind than I expected it to be.
Nolan, just a few moments ago:
Friday, December 17, 2010
Together
My wise first grader informed me of the following on the way home today:
"The word 'together' is the king of all high-frequency words."
So, now you know.
"The word 'together' is the king of all high-frequency words."
So, now you know.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
TJ's guesses
Tuesday night, we told the boys we were taking them somewhere fun for a surprise. TJ immediately started guessing where we might be going.
His first guess? Chuck E. Cheese
His second guess? Church (I found that interesting, and it made me very happy)
His third guess? He asked if there were two super villains and a cast of minions.
What?!
I didn't have the foggiest idea what he was talking about. I decided to let it pass. We actually took them to Fredrik Meijer Gardens to look at the displays of Christmas trees. I was disappointed in their reaction. TJ declared that I had lied because the Gardens are 'not fun'. Sam liked it, but had trouble remembering to stay with us. For some reason, I had decided that Nolan didn't need a stroller. WRONG! He couldn't keep his hands off the trees, and then would only allow me to carry him. That kid weighs a ton!
The boys perked up when we discovered an elaborate train display that went through four rooms. We spent a lot of time watching the trains.
The next morning, TJ walked up to me and said, "By the way, I was talking about the movie 'Despicable Me.' I thought you were buying it for me."
He's getting it for Christmas, I think (I'm pretty sure I suggested that to someone). I am very curious to watch it and see why my seven-year-old knows the phrase 'cast of minions'!
His first guess? Chuck E. Cheese
His second guess? Church (I found that interesting, and it made me very happy)
His third guess? He asked if there were two super villains and a cast of minions.
What?!
I didn't have the foggiest idea what he was talking about. I decided to let it pass. We actually took them to Fredrik Meijer Gardens to look at the displays of Christmas trees. I was disappointed in their reaction. TJ declared that I had lied because the Gardens are 'not fun'. Sam liked it, but had trouble remembering to stay with us. For some reason, I had decided that Nolan didn't need a stroller. WRONG! He couldn't keep his hands off the trees, and then would only allow me to carry him. That kid weighs a ton!
The boys perked up when we discovered an elaborate train display that went through four rooms. We spent a lot of time watching the trains.
The next morning, TJ walked up to me and said, "By the way, I was talking about the movie 'Despicable Me.' I thought you were buying it for me."
He's getting it for Christmas, I think (I'm pretty sure I suggested that to someone). I am very curious to watch it and see why my seven-year-old knows the phrase 'cast of minions'!
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Taxes and Jello
Friday night, I was sitting on my bed talking to Bill and TJ walked in the room. He said, "Mom, I have a question about your taxes." I looked at Bill in complete surprise. TJ is a bright kid, but what does he know about taxes? I looked at him questioningly and said, "Taxes???" TJ said, "Yes, those things you put in your eyes so you can see."
Oh! Contacts! I can't even remember what his question was. Bill and I were too busy laughing.
Monday night, TJ and I went to get our hair cut. I always go first, per TJ's instructions. I sit in the chair and Stephanie says, "So what are we doing today?" We discuss what I want, and then she cuts my hair.
Just to humor TJ, as soon as he climbed in the chair, Steph asked him, "So what are we doing today?" TJ looked at her very seriously and said, "Do NOT put any Jello in my hair."
We realized immediately that TJ was referring to that mysterious hair gel that he is so terrified of. But we had to tease him a bit. Eventually, we told him that Jello is something you eat, and gel is something that goes in your hair. When you are brave enough and ready to look preppy, that is!
Oh! Contacts! I can't even remember what his question was. Bill and I were too busy laughing.
Monday night, TJ and I went to get our hair cut. I always go first, per TJ's instructions. I sit in the chair and Stephanie says, "So what are we doing today?" We discuss what I want, and then she cuts my hair.
Just to humor TJ, as soon as he climbed in the chair, Steph asked him, "So what are we doing today?" TJ looked at her very seriously and said, "Do NOT put any Jello in my hair."
We realized immediately that TJ was referring to that mysterious hair gel that he is so terrified of. But we had to tease him a bit. Eventually, we told him that Jello is something you eat, and gel is something that goes in your hair. When you are brave enough and ready to look preppy, that is!
Craft shows
Every fall, I go to a couple craft shows with my mom and my sisters. This past Saturday was the craft show at West Catholic High School. This is my favorite craft show. It's been on the calendar for a couple months, and Bill knows that he is in charge of the boys while I shop 'til I drop.
Saturday was the day after Sam's flu bug. He ate a little breakfast and seemed almost his old self, but was still a little quiet. He was sitting in the bathroom watching me fix my hair in the morning. I told him that Daddy was going to Home Depot while I was at the craft show. I expected him to get excited about Home Depot, because he really likes that store. Instead, he said "You are going to a craft show? I AM going with you." And that was that. He quickly got ready, and had Bill help him get his coat and boots on. I did pack a stroller because I didn't think he had the energy to be on his feet the whole time.
Sam did enjoy the craft show. He sat quietly in his stroller...unless we saw a booth with candles for sale. Then, this is what you saw. My four-year-old carefully smelling and studying every candle on the table:
Sam got two new candles. He insisted on holding them, and whenever we stopped to talk to a vendor, he would make them smell his candles. No one can resist Sam's smile and his genuine excitement over two small candles. Lots of people smelled Sam's candles that day!
Saturday was the day after Sam's flu bug. He ate a little breakfast and seemed almost his old self, but was still a little quiet. He was sitting in the bathroom watching me fix my hair in the morning. I told him that Daddy was going to Home Depot while I was at the craft show. I expected him to get excited about Home Depot, because he really likes that store. Instead, he said "You are going to a craft show? I AM going with you." And that was that. He quickly got ready, and had Bill help him get his coat and boots on. I did pack a stroller because I didn't think he had the energy to be on his feet the whole time.
Sam did enjoy the craft show. He sat quietly in his stroller...unless we saw a booth with candles for sale. Then, this is what you saw. My four-year-old carefully smelling and studying every candle on the table:
Sam got two new candles. He insisted on holding them, and whenever we stopped to talk to a vendor, he would make them smell his candles. No one can resist Sam's smile and his genuine excitement over two small candles. Lots of people smelled Sam's candles that day!
Friday, December 3, 2010
What NOT to do when you puke
At 4:15 a.m. this morning a small voice woke me up. "Mom? I have a fever." I reached out and touched Sam's cheek, but he wasn't hot. I asked him if he had to go potty, and he said, yeah, he thought he might. I picked up my glasses and followed him into the hallway, where he suddenly began to vomit.
I have two bits of information for you:
1. It is amazing how you can switch from being half-awake to scooping up a vomiting child and running into the bathroom.
2. If you are vomiting, it makes the situation WORSE if you frantically rub your face. That is NOT something you want up your nose. Trust me. You will sneeze and sneeze and sneeze and it burns. Ask Sam. He sneezed for a couple of hours. Poor guy.
I think this was only Sam's second bout with the stomach flu. He doesn't cope with it well. He tries to convince himself (and me) that he's fine and he gets very stressed and almost angry when he vomits (hence the frantic face rubbing).
Here's hoping he doesn't get sick again for a long time. Or, if he does, that Bill is in town at the time!
I have two bits of information for you:
1. It is amazing how you can switch from being half-awake to scooping up a vomiting child and running into the bathroom.
2. If you are vomiting, it makes the situation WORSE if you frantically rub your face. That is NOT something you want up your nose. Trust me. You will sneeze and sneeze and sneeze and it burns. Ask Sam. He sneezed for a couple of hours. Poor guy.
I think this was only Sam's second bout with the stomach flu. He doesn't cope with it well. He tries to convince himself (and me) that he's fine and he gets very stressed and almost angry when he vomits (hence the frantic face rubbing).
Here's hoping he doesn't get sick again for a long time. Or, if he does, that Bill is in town at the time!
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