~A Restful Weekend~

Not much going on over this way today...

We've spent a large part of the weekend just hanging out around our home.  Michael, like the rest of the world, has a little cold so we've slowed things down quite a bit.  Maybe he won't be such a bear tomorrow morning.  (One could only HOPE.)  He was so crabby this morning, that I put him back to bed at nine am.  He totally knew it was coming, too.  He wouldn't stop whining/crying/whining/crying/whining/crying, so I figured he needed a little more sleep.  And, he sure did!  I actually fell asleep, too, which was a REAL TREAT!  I have been running a lot more than usual, and this morning I did a longish run so I was ready for some down time as well.  I never take naps with Michael, so it felt great to lay down with him and hold his

 hand as we drifted off to sleep.  

We have noticed something new with Michael, that I must write down so I don't forget...

He is now "reading" (aka: memorizing!!)  a few books.  Brown Bear is his favorite right now.  It truly is a great book for memorization and associating words with pictures.  Josh and I smile with great pride when he "reads", it is such a precious site....Michael sitting in a corner of his playroom "reading" his favorite books.  Love it!!  I'll be even happier if this reading thing carries over to middle school and high school....We've got a ways to go, or so it seems, until then...

After a failed afternoon nap attempt, I took Michael swimming!! We had so much fun.  He went under twice with a little help, and did not cry one bit.   He worked a little bit on kicking while prone floating, with my help... of course!  And, he just seemed very happy to be splashing around in the water, reaching for his diving sticks.  On our way home, he said to me, "I tired, Mom.  I tired."  He was also starving when we got home, which was awesome because he had a wonderful dinner.

Two for Two.

Well. The mornings just continue to get more and more interesting around here, I tell you what! 

Yesterday was the mother of all temper tantrums.  Today Josh locked his keys in the trunk. THis meant that he and Michael were not able to drive to work/the sitter's, nor were they able to get inside the house!  

I'll spare the specifics, but it was another interesting morning in our household.  I'm wondering where we will find ourselves tomorrow!  There is one little part of the story I would like to share:  I called the dealership to find out if they could "slice a key" for us.  When I finished explaining the scenario, this man says to me, "Well.  Did you know there's a little latch that you can just pull on next to the door?"  In a short voice I said, "Yes I know about the latch, SIR.  THE LATCH IS LOCKED AND MY KEY WON'T WORK, SIR. "  He seemed to figure out what I was saying by that point, but my goodness was I irritated and ready to bite off his head.  

We'll get things taken care of, I know.  It's really no biggie, it just made for an interesting morning.  Michael sure has been talking about it all evening.  All he can really get out is, "DAD LOCK! KEYS! Mom. Because he did."  Gosh, does he make us smile.  Our little sugar....

Give him the crackers.

It's undeniable.  Josh and Michael have had this bond since the day Michael B was born.  Josh is a wonderful father-he loves to teach Michael about animals and dinosaurs, he loves to read to Michael,  he loves to show him new places.  Josh gives Michael his bath each night and usually reads the bedtime story to Michael while I finish the dishes.

So, when this time of year comes around, Michael and I struggle a little bit.  We miss our guy.  Our support.  Michael had a meltdown of sorts both last night and this morning, over going to bed and over having crackers for breakfast.  Every night Michael is in bed between seven and seven-thirty. However, if Josh is not home at that time, Michael waits and waits and waits to hear the garage door open.  Last night Michael waited past his bedtime for his Daddy.  When Josh came upstairs, Michael excitedly told him about his day.  He talked about how he got into trouble with his Mom, he talked about his cars, his punishment for talking back in the bath tub, and so on.  He spilled his guts basically.  Michael was so happy to see his Dad that it took him another HOUR to get to bed.  

This change in routine last night, of course (!) changed the morning routine.  Michael was a utter bear this morning.  He was weepy, he was tired, and he was missing his Dad.  It was a sad sight.  We had a bit of a blow up over having Cheerios versus Cheese It's for breakfast.  Naturally, I was pushing Michael to eat the cereal and he wanted the crackers.  He cried and cried over me not giving him the crackers. As a result, I scooped him up, rubbed his back, and rocked him.  He didn't get the crackers, didn't finish the cereal, but he had a better start to his day.  The trip to daycare went well, and he was SO HAPPY to see his friends this morning.  

When I told the story to a friend today, she said sometimes you have to pick your battles, Katie.  Next time, I'd just give him the crackers.  And while, I definitely agree that I need to pick my battles, (I've definitely learned that from teaching middle school!) I feel like it's important for me to set a standard for discipline.  Josh isn't able to be at home as much right now, and I need to be able to handle these temper tantrums and establish the rules of the roost.  What would you do?  Give him the crackers?  Or, would you trust that the sitter would give him a little something if he was really that hungry later in the morning?  It's a tough call, I think.  

Oh, and tonight was awesome.  Michael was happy all evening, he went to bed without a whimper, and didn't tell me to straighten up!  Getting back into our little routine helps, for sure.  

It was time.

Snow days are some the most coveted days of the year for me, they're like right up there with our annual trip to the beach. However, after two days of being cooped up with a very talkative and demanding (!) two and a half year old, it was time to leave the house. It was time to get out of the house and integrate him with society. In hopes that maybe the social interaction with others would subdue him, just a teensy bit. When I heard that the local middle school wrestling tournament was still on for Saturday morning, I announced to Michael that we would be going to watch Uncle James coach his team.

After my morning run with the girls, I quickly got ready for the wrestling tournament and whisked Michael B out the door. When we walked into the crowded gym, full of noise and commotion, he turned into a quiet (but very curious) two year old. Instantly, I began to yell for my brother's wrestlers, and also my students (they're in the same league). Michael sat quietly and timidly in my lap listening to me yell things like, "TAKE HIM DOWN! SHORT TIME! LIFT THE CHIN! GET YOUR BASE!" He wasn't really sure what to make of this side of his mama. It was a little strange for him, but totally fun for me! (I love, love, love the intensity of wrestling. LOVE IT.) Prior to leaving, Michael began to yell, too. He liked the team with the black uniforms, and would yell, "COME ON! GET UP! BLACK!"

Unfortunately, while we were watching the matches we saw a dislocated shoulder and a back/neck injury. So, wrestling has since been ruled out by Michael's mother and turned her thoughts back to basketball. However, after watching a high school basketball game last evening, I'm not real sure that I'm up for my baby boy playing the type of basketball that we saw. You know, shoving while going up for a layup and the elbows to the face; it was a little over the top for me, too. It's a good thing he's only two, I'm going to need some time to toughen up.

The basketball game last night? That was a date night for Josh and me! We went out to dinner with friends before the game, and then headed over to the game with the group. It was a blast. Just my kind of fun. This little winter vacation has been fabulous. Check out www.runhappy.blogspot ~~ there's an update!

A Couple:

Pictures From Today!

The "new" dishes from my mom!

He would cry and cry because he could hardly walk.....

And then, he would laugh and laugh because he loves the snow!

I wish I had a few from this evening, when Michael helped Josh with the shoveling. They were a precious sight. Michael followed him up and down the sidewalk. When I stepped outside to see if he was ready to come inside, Michael told me that if I went back inside he would give me a treat. Then he told me to set the timer. Michael and I made a snowman this afternoon, and this evening he made his own while he was shoveling with his dad. I'll have to snap a picture tomorrow. What a wonderful day we had! More to come tomorrow. As always, G*** came through for us teachers!! (Josh was right!)

Sweet, Sweet Snow!

Weellll! It's snowing! School was cancelled for the day, and I have a feeling that we'll be out again tomorrow.  Josh called earlier to say, "Those kids in G*** don't have a chance!"  If you're scratching your head about that comment, I'll do my best to explain our inside joke.  I teach in a relatively large county, one that extends into deep mountains with dangerous back roads.  Anytime we get snow, that mountainous area generally gets slammed.  Even though the roads might be fine near the schools and the surrounding neighborhoods, it can be really dangerous for those children and school bus drivers way out in the foothills.  So.  We always say, "At least we've got G***!" It looks like the buses will likely have a hard time getting those kiddos tomorrow morning. 

Michael and I got cabin fever prior to the snow this morning.   We ran around town, completing our errands; including the GROCERY STORE!  Honestly, I haven't been to the store in a little over two weeks.  Our cupboards are BARE!  The cart was overflowing this morning, believe me. We also ran over to the sitter's house so that we could be sure she was paid, just in case we don't make it out of the house tomorrow.  (I'm so optimistic, aren't I?  That...  Or, foolish!)  Josh, naturally, threw a fit about us going out in the "storm".  I knew that was coming, even though when I called him it wasn't even snowing yet!  (We should probably just change our last name to W-W or Worry-Wart.)  

When Michael and I got home from our errands, we were surprised to find these gorgeous dishes sitting on our front porch!  They're from my mom, and they were the dishes my parents used during my childhood.  Not only are they the perfect color for my kitchen, I also love the memories they bring back from my childhood.  I've already put them in the cupboards, and have moved the other dishes to the basement.  

Stay tuned for photos, as we haven't really been out to "play" in the snow just yet.  Josh is coming home "early" (like 5pm.) to hide away and work in the office.  We're looking forward to seeing him at a reasonable hour tonight.  I also have a birthday shout out (or, two) coming this evening too.  Have a good one...

Time Will Tell:

It seems as though we've got ourselves a little winter weather advisory, Yummy...Yummy!! In light of the advisory and the snowy forecast, Michael and I decided  to bake chocolate chip cookies.  Why? Not real sure what the correlation is between snow and sweet treats, but it seems to work for this family.  And, besides, I don't think you ever need an excuse to bake cookies.  Right?

Unfortunately, though, the cookies weren't all that great. They were flat, kinda like pancakes.  I did make the mistake of letting Michael stir the flour/baking soda mixture.  I'll have to find something else for him to "help" with the next time we bake.  I have this hunch that a good bit of the baking soda was stirred right out of the bowl, just like 1/4 cup of flour! Oh well.  We'll just have to try again, right?  

I'm really hoping for a snowy run tomorrow morning. Those runs are my favorites, w

hen the world is so quiet and beautiful.  It's funny to me how much

 I've changed since I've be

come a mother.  At this point I know that I'm not going to sleep in regardless, snow day or not. So, I might as well take advantage of the peaceful morning and run in the snow.  Pre-Michael?  I would have woken for the snow report (or cancellation) and then hopped back into bed and slept until 10 am or so.  Those days are long gone!  I like things better this way, I was missing out on a lot in our pre-Michael days.