Everything is fun when you're three.

I'm convinced!

We have hardly done a thing today, and Michael has enjoyed every single second of the day.  This morning while I made a few phone calls and cleaned up the kitchen, I introduced Michael to a new "game"  that I read about on this blog.  I wrote down ten words on ten different pieces of paper, and then told Michael to find the word and put the card on the object.  Michael received one card at a time, and I told him what the card said before I turned him loose.  He labeled various things throughout the house: the baby's swing, his blanket, pillows, cars, tomatoes, tissues, etc.  The game worked really well, until he decided that he needed to write the cards himself.  He also wanted all of the cards at the same time, and since he isn't able to read yet, I refused to give him more than one card.  He was so excited about the new game.  I made sure to save the cards so that I won't have to make new ones the next time we decide to play. It's really a fantastic idea and it helped to keep him out of the kitchen while I straightened things up!  Check out this blog for a better explanation and pictures of how it works!  I bet it would work for all ages, even young elementary school kids since they are more independent and are just starting to read. 

In addition to playing the card game, we went to the dump!  (How fun, right?!?) The trip to the dump somehow turned into an adventure.  I took a wrong turn and found myself driving right into the landfill.  I also drove up on a scale and was going to be charged for my "load".  Obviously, I rolled down my window and explained to the attendent that I took a wrong turn, so she re-directed us to the appropriate area.  Michael was very curious about this whole procedure.  He said, "Mom, you're not 'POSED' to go that way, MOM!  You're not 'POSED' to do that, MOM!"  

After the landfill adventure, we had to return a box of Swiffer pads to Food Lion because the box had a hole in the bottom.  Michael and I went in and out of FL, we didn't need to buy a thing today.  When he got to the car, he said to Duncan, "WOW! DUNCAN!  That was so fun!!" (We did bring Duncan out today for the adventure, he likes to ride in the car every now and then.)  I'm not sure what was so! fun!: maybe the dump, maybe the fact that I let him carry a basket in the store, or maybe seeing a "hoop-tee" car today?  It's hard to tell with a three year old.  

This afternoon has been more of the same--lots of pretend play, writing, eating, and playing a little bit outside.  Poor Josh has been sick all week with bronchitis, so he has been home with us the past two days.  It's been pretty fun, I must say!  Josh went to see the doctor yesterday, so the medicine really seems to be helping the coughing.  

Just like the other kids...

A couple of weeks ago Josh's friends from work hosted a surprise baby shower for Josh.  Michael and I had the honor of being the "surprise shower guests"!  One of the gifts that Josh's friends gave Michael was a Cars lunch box.  This lunch box is very precious to our little Michael.  He loves taking his "lunch" to Peggy's house, even though she makes the children a delicious homemade lunch every day.  Michael and I do pack little snacks in his lunch box, though. 

I didn't realize that the majority of the children bring a little snack from home, in a lunch box.  I used to pack him snacks, but he would never eat them and always preferred what the sitter had to offer for snack time. You can imagine his excitement when he received the Cars lunch box two weeks ago because now he is just like his friends: he brings a snack to Peggy's in his very cool lunch box!  He feels very special right now, and really enjoys figuring out what to pack for his snack everyday.  His enthusiasm is just precious, and I love it!  

The routine with the babysitter is working very well right now.  I think he is getting the perfect amount of "being a kid time"/play time, socialization time, mixed in with learning time.  He's much more comfortable with the routine than he was a couple of weeks ago. Every once in awhile he'll ask if he can stay with Mommy (or, Daddy) and then he runs off with his friends.  

I'm so grateful that we've had the time to get Michael settled into this new routine before the baby comes. 

A is for Alien!

Last Friday was a craft day with Mommy! 

 The letter of the week was "Aa" at the sitter's, so we did a quick project last Friday.  I found this blog (No Time for Flashcards), which is full of fantastic crafts for preschool age children.  This is one of the author's suggestions for the letter A.  Tomorrow we're going to complete a few projects for the letter B.  I am planning on making butterflies and bumble bees with the little guy! 

I've just got to figure out what on Earth we're going to do with all of these projects!  I have an idea, I just need some help from Josh because it involves putting nails into the walls of Michael's playroom.  Josh does a much better job of hanging things on the walls than me.

 : ) 

I've been updating the running blog, on the days that I actually "do something".  Check it out at www.runhappy.blogspot.com.  The link is also on the right.  Today I was able to run, yes...RUN!, three miles.  It was ugly and slow, but it was a run nonetheless.  

Michael goes to school with Mommy!

Michael and I decided to go to my school and to my mother's school today. The last time I took Michael to my school to visit my teacher friends, he was only 18 months old, or so. Everyone could not believe how much he has grown over the past few years. It was wonderful to be back in the building and to visit with my friends. There are two other girls who are expecting babies within just a few months of our little bundle, so it was great to catch up and compare notes. It's very likely that we will have a few "play dates" with the babies in early December, which will be lots of fun!

Initially, Michael was incredibly shy when we arrived at my school, and hid between my legs or begged to be held. Towards the end of our visit, he began to warm up to the friendly faces and chatted a little bit. We spent a lot of time coloring with my friend, Carrie. She is an amazing teacher and is so wonderful with children. Michael really enjoyed the time we spent with her this morning.  He loved her GIGANTIC box of crayons!! I also took Michael to the gym and let him shoot with the tiny basketball hoop. He really enjoyed pretending to be a big boy, shooting hoops in the gym just like his dad.

After visiting my friends, we had a date at Subway! It is a lot of fun to go out on dates with Michael. When we're home, I'm usually trying to do a million things while we're eating or my mind is always on the next household task. However, on our date this afternoon I was able to have a conversation with Michael and truly enjoy his company. I can't really remember what we talked about, but I do know that we talked throughout the entire lunch! (He never stops talking!)

The last stop of the day was my mom's school, where he was the center of attention. My mom's teammates all came out of their classrooms to visit with Michael and to watch him draw on the chalkboard. He received lots of praise and instruction on how to write his name. Apparently, I shouldn't be teaching him to write in capital letters; it drives elementary school teachers *crazy*! : ) My mom bought Michael a new numbers workbook, since workbooks are his new favorite activity! (Granddad H. bought Michael a workbook when he was on vacation. We spend every morning and evening working on handwriting and numbers, thanks to that workbook!)

I'm surprised at how much I miss school right now. I know I shouldn't be surprised because I truly love my job and my colleagues. Having this year with Michael and the baby is already such a gift, though. I'm grateful to be home right now, but I do look forward to going back to teaching one day.  

Good to be home.

It sure does feel good to be home. We all slept so well last evening, I don't even think I got up to pee in the middle of the night. (That rarely happens anymore these days!) Michael has been so content to play with his toys and Duncan all morning long. He was up bright and early this morning, ready to play cars! I was hoping to sleep in just a little bit, but Michael was way too happy to stay in bed this morning.

Tomorrow we are going to begin the "back to school" routine. Which, basically means that Michael is going back to the sitter's house a couple of days during the work week. Josh and I vascilated on sending him to a preschool versus the sitter's house all summer long, and we both just decided to stick with our beloved sitter. Michael adores her, and she runs her daycare just like a preschool. He's very happy, he seems to be learning quite a bit, and it just seems to be the right fit for right now. Maybe we'll change our minds when he's four, and is getting ready for kindergarten.

Michael seems very eager to see his friends and to learn at Ms. Peggy's tomorrow. He has shown a TREMENDOUS interest in writing over the past two weeks. It's totally developmentally normal, I'm sure, but very exciting, nonetheless. We've been working on his name all week at the beach and he's come a long way. The whole time that we've been working on his name, I'm thinking; should we start with his name or should we start at the beginning of the alphabet with a lower case and upper case A? Right now I'm just following his lead. I do think I am going to hit up the teacher's store in our town for ideas on one of his daycare/school days this week. Josh has been nagging me to go there all summer. He wants THAT BOY TO LEARN! : ) (He's such a sweet dad! Michael is so blessed.)

Driving to work.

We crossed over the one lane bridge.

I looked in the rear view mirror and said, "I love you, Michael."

He smiled and his eyes twinkled with joy.

Turning his face towards the sun, he looked out the window.

And then said, "I love you, too, MOM!"



(He's my angel, I'm convinced...)

Things are busy, but we're well and happy...

Michael's First Day of School.

Michael had his first day of school today! And, I'm happy to report that he loved it!

You're probably thinking, "Wha?? Huh?? Doesn't he go to a sitter??" And, you're right. However, she does have "school" for the tots. School usually begins when most of the teacher mom's have their first "real" day of school, as in teaching children...not inservicing and meeting. So, today was the big day.

Michael was allowed to pick out his own folder. He chose Shrek. And, he totally acted like he knows about Shrek, which is hilarious because he hasn't watched even a minute of a Shrek movie! He was quite excited about Shrek, nonetheless.

Just like last year's first day, the little guy learned the letter Aa today, as well as the number 1, and what the circle looks like. He also sang the ABC song, recited the pledge of allegiance, counted to twenty, and painted with finger paints. So, it's no wonder he looks like he's been through the ringer! Click on the photos, the stains on his shirt and the look of exhaustion are easier to note when the photos are enlarged.

This morning, just like last week, Michael got lotion in his hair. I told Peggy about his greasy hair and the lotion episode when I got to her house this am; and, I couldn't refrain from noting the greasy hair when I saw my friend at the park this afternoon.

So, this evening, after we let Duncan out of his crate, Michael said, "Hair. Greasy!" Instantly, I felt badly for talking about his greasy hair. I agreed with Michael, however. He then said, "Some?-Some?--times? Mom?" I had to give him a kiss and giggle for a second...And, then I said, "Yes, Michael. Sometimes your hair IS greasy. I love you, little guy"