.
We went over to a friend's house for lunch today. When we got home, I had some paperwork that I needed to print out before putting Samuel down for a nap and doing school with the older three. While I was on the computer, Connor came up to me, gave a giant stretch, opened his mouth wide for a melodramatic yawn, and said, "boy, Mom, I'm tired. Can I just go to bed now?"
My spidey sense began tingling.
So, I asked the kids to get out of the office and told them I was going downstairs to fetch Samuel for his nap. I did that, but I made a stop in Connor's room first to make a thorough search, certain there was something in there that he wasn't supposed to be messing with. Sure enough, on the top bunk I found something--a feminine product, but not my "brand". He had stolen a tampon from my friend.
After talking with him about it for a little while, I was really curious as to what he thought he'd taken--it was still in the wrapper after all. I couldn't understand why--when he hasn't taken anything from anyone besides Daddy or Mommy before--why he would all of a sudden choose a tampon of all things to steal. I was leaning towards the idea that he thought it was candy...
"Connor, what do you think this is?"
Using his best Eeyore impression, he replied, "it's a pencil."
I chuckled. "No, it's not a pencil."
"Oh... it's a marker," he said, hopefully.
"Nope, not a marker," I laughed and ushered him upstairs. "Someday you are going to be very embarrassed to know that you stole that," I said as I opened the door to the garbage and watched him toss it in.
As part of his punishment, he was required to tell my friend what he did and ask for forgiveness. I couldn't hear her end of the conversation, but I know she gave some form of lecture. His end of the conversation went something like this:
(In a very solemn voice)
I'm sorry. I took something from you... it was in the Playtex box.
And I lost it.
It is very hard to keep a straight face when you hear your almost 6 year old son tell a woman he took something out of her Playtex box. At least that explains why he did it--a boy, just learning to read, sees a box that he knows he's not supposed to touch, but it is titled "PLAYtex"--of course it is something fun!
Oh, the joys of parenting a curious child...
.
.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Ready, Set, NOOOOOOOOOOO
.
Potty Training Readiness Checklist
copied from BabyCenter.com:
http://www.babycenter.com/0_potty-training-readiness-checklist_4384.bc
Physical signs
√Is coordinated enough to walk, and even run, steadily.
√ Urinates a fair amount at one time.
√ Has regular, well-formed bowel movements at relatively predictable times.
√ Has "dry" periods of at least three or four hours, which shows that his bladder muscles are developed enough to hold urine.
Cognitive signs
√ Can follow simple instructions, such as "go get the toy."
√ Understands the value of putting things where they belong.
√ Has words for urine and stool.
√ Understands the physical signals that mean he has to go and can tell you before it happens or even hold it until he has time to get to the potty.
Behavioral signs
√ Can sit down quietly in one position for two to five minutes.
√ Can pull his pants up and down.
√ Dislikes the feeling of wearing a wet or dirty diaper.
√ Shows interest in others' bathroom habits (wants to watch you go to the bathroom or wear underwear).
√ Gives a physical or verbal sign when he's having a bowel movement such as grunting, squatting, or telling you.
√ Takes pride in his accomplishments.
√ Is in a generally cooperative stage, not a negative or contrary one.
√ √ √ √ √ √ Demonstrates a desire for independence.
Isn't resistant to learning to use the toilet.
-----------------------
So, they had to throw in that last one, didn't they? I'm convinced Samuel was reading this behind my back.
Samuel has been "ready" according to the rest of this checklist for almost a year now. He loves to watch "Elmo's Potty Time," loves to read his "It's Time to Go Potty" book (well, loved to...he read it a little too much and now it is no more), and even likes to talk about how he hates being stinky, but every time the subject of, "do you want to be a big boy and go pee pee in the potty?" comes up, the answer is not only a resounding "NO!", but a big screaming fest, "I DON'T WANT TO GO POTTY!!!!"
"Okay, Samuel, calm down. I didn't say you actually had to use the potty...we're not even anywhere near the restroom. Calm down!"
sigh.
Then last Sunday I was walking through Wal-Mart and I saw the potty seat of all potty seats... CARS. OOOOOOHHHH! Samuel LOVES Cars! Samuel would do ANYTHING for Cars. He would love this potty seat. And it just so happened that Grandma asked me what he wanted for his birthday... "Well, there was this potty seat I saw at Wal-Mart..." Thankfully Grandma doesn't mind getting a child a potty seat for his birthday.
As anticipated, Samuel LOVED the seat (as did the rest of the kids causing me to issue the following warning in my 'you're going to really get it if you disobey' voice: "NO ONE ELSE IS USING THIS POTTY...UNDERSTOOD?????" "Yes, Mommy.").
"Samuel, you can't sit on this unless you take your diaper off, okay? You have to try to go potty on it."
"Okay, Mommy."
Of course, the seat is tiny...definitely meant for a smaller bottom--I guess a 3-year-old that's as big as a 5-year-old was not what they had in mind for this potty...but it says up to 200 pounds...
So, yesterday was the big day--we were going diaperless. No more Mrs. Nice Guy. It was time to step it up. I hoped he would pee on his leg and freak out, leading to the obvious choice of peeing in the toilet.
Samuel did not like going diaperless.
"I WANT MY POOH DIAPERS!!!!"
I was firm. No diapers. And no playing in any room that has carpet.
I took his diaper off right after breakfast...around 8:30 am. We played playdough and sidewalk chalk in our little basement area outside with the potty seat 2 feet away at all times (easy clean up, I thought). He drank, 2 glasses of milk, 3 glasses of juice and a glass of water...approximately 48 ounces of liquid.
He did not go pee.
At 1:00, my kids were complaining that they were hungry (surprise, surprise).
"Samuel, PLEASE try to go potty," I whined.
He happily sat on his seat for 10 minutes, playing with the handle and watching tv. I poured warm water on his bladder. I messaged his back. I made him drink more water.
No pee.
"FINE!"
I put his diaper on (because I have a thing about naked bottoms on dining room chairs...call me crazy...). He ate lunch and I checked his diaper. Soaked.
What a stinker!!!
.
Potty Training Readiness Checklist
copied from BabyCenter.com:
http://www.babycenter.com/0_potty-training-readiness-checklist_4384.bc
Physical signs
√Is coordinated enough to walk, and even run, steadily. √ Urinates a fair amount at one time.
√ Has regular, well-formed bowel movements at relatively predictable times.
√ Has "dry" periods of at least three or four hours, which shows that his bladder muscles are developed enough to hold urine.
Cognitive signs
√ Can follow simple instructions, such as "go get the toy."
√ Understands the value of putting things where they belong.
√ Has words for urine and stool.
√ Understands the physical signals that mean he has to go and can tell you before it happens or even hold it until he has time to get to the potty.
Behavioral signs
√ Can sit down quietly in one position for two to five minutes.
√ Can pull his pants up and down.
√ Dislikes the feeling of wearing a wet or dirty diaper.
√ Shows interest in others' bathroom habits (wants to watch you go to the bathroom or wear underwear).
√ Gives a physical or verbal sign when he's having a bowel movement such as grunting, squatting, or telling you.
√ Takes pride in his accomplishments.
√ Is in a generally cooperative stage, not a negative or contrary one.
√ √ √ √ √ √ Demonstrates a desire for independence.
Isn't resistant to learning to use the toilet.
-----------------------
So, they had to throw in that last one, didn't they? I'm convinced Samuel was reading this behind my back.
Samuel has been "ready" according to the rest of this checklist for almost a year now. He loves to watch "Elmo's Potty Time," loves to read his "It's Time to Go Potty" book (well, loved to...he read it a little too much and now it is no more), and even likes to talk about how he hates being stinky, but every time the subject of, "do you want to be a big boy and go pee pee in the potty?" comes up, the answer is not only a resounding "NO!", but a big screaming fest, "I DON'T WANT TO GO POTTY!!!!"
"Okay, Samuel, calm down. I didn't say you actually had to use the potty...we're not even anywhere near the restroom. Calm down!"
sigh.
Then last Sunday I was walking through Wal-Mart and I saw the potty seat of all potty seats... CARS. OOOOOOHHHH! Samuel LOVES Cars! Samuel would do ANYTHING for Cars. He would love this potty seat. And it just so happened that Grandma asked me what he wanted for his birthday... "Well, there was this potty seat I saw at Wal-Mart..." Thankfully Grandma doesn't mind getting a child a potty seat for his birthday.
As anticipated, Samuel LOVED the seat (as did the rest of the kids causing me to issue the following warning in my 'you're going to really get it if you disobey' voice: "NO ONE ELSE IS USING THIS POTTY...UNDERSTOOD?????" "Yes, Mommy.").
"Samuel, you can't sit on this unless you take your diaper off, okay? You have to try to go potty on it."
"Okay, Mommy."
Of course, the seat is tiny...definitely meant for a smaller bottom--I guess a 3-year-old that's as big as a 5-year-old was not what they had in mind for this potty...but it says up to 200 pounds...
So, yesterday was the big day--we were going diaperless. No more Mrs. Nice Guy. It was time to step it up. I hoped he would pee on his leg and freak out, leading to the obvious choice of peeing in the toilet.
Samuel did not like going diaperless.
"I WANT MY POOH DIAPERS!!!!"
I was firm. No diapers. And no playing in any room that has carpet.
I took his diaper off right after breakfast...around 8:30 am. We played playdough and sidewalk chalk in our little basement area outside with the potty seat 2 feet away at all times (easy clean up, I thought). He drank, 2 glasses of milk, 3 glasses of juice and a glass of water...approximately 48 ounces of liquid.
He did not go pee.
At 1:00, my kids were complaining that they were hungry (surprise, surprise).
"Samuel, PLEASE try to go potty," I whined.
He happily sat on his seat for 10 minutes, playing with the handle and watching tv. I poured warm water on his bladder. I messaged his back. I made him drink more water.
No pee.
"FINE!"
I put his diaper on (because I have a thing about naked bottoms on dining room chairs...call me crazy...). He ate lunch and I checked his diaper. Soaked.
What a stinker!!!
.
Samuel's 3 Year Stats
.
I took Samuel (and Honor) to the doctor on Thursday. Honor was there for a little eczema...she's perfectly fine, but it turned out to be a huge blessing that she "got to go"--it sure made getting Samuel to allow the doctor to check him out that much easier. "See, look, Honor will let me look in her ear..."
First, I must say that I know that Samuel is big for his age. It is obvious. I can see that he is big.
But there is something about seeing his stats and hearing the doctor tell me he is big that really sends it over the line.
Honor (age 5, almost 6) is considered above average in height for a girl. Here are her stats:
45 inches tall
39 pounds
Here are Samuel's stats (who just turned 3 on Wednesday)
41 inches tall
37 pounds
----------------
Doctor: So, how is Samuel's speech doing?
Mommy: Great. No problems.
Doctor: That's good. He's a big boy! 99th percentile in height and 91st percentile in weight. You probably are already hearing people that think he is much older than he is.
Mommy: Yep. It's a problem. When he was 2 1/2 and giving typical 2-year-old fits, I would get a lot of looks! I felt like shouting, "it's okay...he's TWO!"
Doctor: Yeah, well there is nothing worse than having a boy that looks to be four or five years old and also be a slow speaker. You would be surprised at the things some moms will say...right in front of the children! I'm glad you won't have that problem.
----------------------
Of course, I was thinking to myself, "Yeah, but it still looks bad to have a boy that looks four or five and still wears diapers..."
Which will be my next post.
.
I took Samuel (and Honor) to the doctor on Thursday. Honor was there for a little eczema...she's perfectly fine, but it turned out to be a huge blessing that she "got to go"--it sure made getting Samuel to allow the doctor to check him out that much easier. "See, look, Honor will let me look in her ear..."
First, I must say that I know that Samuel is big for his age. It is obvious. I can see that he is big.
But there is something about seeing his stats and hearing the doctor tell me he is big that really sends it over the line.
Honor (age 5, almost 6) is considered above average in height for a girl. Here are her stats:
45 inches tall
39 pounds
Here are Samuel's stats (who just turned 3 on Wednesday)
41 inches tall
37 pounds
----------------
Doctor: So, how is Samuel's speech doing?
Mommy: Great. No problems.
Doctor: That's good. He's a big boy! 99th percentile in height and 91st percentile in weight. You probably are already hearing people that think he is much older than he is.
Mommy: Yep. It's a problem. When he was 2 1/2 and giving typical 2-year-old fits, I would get a lot of looks! I felt like shouting, "it's okay...he's TWO!"
Doctor: Yeah, well there is nothing worse than having a boy that looks to be four or five years old and also be a slow speaker. You would be surprised at the things some moms will say...right in front of the children! I'm glad you won't have that problem.
----------------------
Of course, I was thinking to myself, "Yeah, but it still looks bad to have a boy that looks four or five and still wears diapers..."
Which will be my next post.
.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Alarm Clock
.
The wind gently caressed my face as I stared up at the shapes in the clouds. It was a perfect day--not too hot, not too cold--with just the right amount of sunlight to make for a relaxing afternoon lying on my back in the grass. An enchanting melody danced around me from the choir of birds in the surrounding trees, lulling me into an easy rest.
One bird in particular, flew down to dance only inches from my face. The rainbow-hued colors on his chest glistened in the half light of late afternoon and every speck in his amber eyes was intensified by the sun's rays. He was beautiful and I felt blessed that he seemed to trust me so completely. He was a brave little thing to so fearlessly maintain such a close distance.
A smile turned up the corners of my lips as I prepared for a front row seat from the lead bird vocalist. I could almost hear him clearing his little bird throat.
He opened his beak and in a breathy whisper began...
"HEY, MOM! It's 7:00! Time to wake up and do chores!"
My eyes shot open to see little Honor's face two inches from my own.
Why doesn't she ever try to wake up Daddy?
.
Oh. And it wasn't even 7:00. It was 6:30. Why did I ever try to teach them to tell time???
.
The wind gently caressed my face as I stared up at the shapes in the clouds. It was a perfect day--not too hot, not too cold--with just the right amount of sunlight to make for a relaxing afternoon lying on my back in the grass. An enchanting melody danced around me from the choir of birds in the surrounding trees, lulling me into an easy rest.
One bird in particular, flew down to dance only inches from my face. The rainbow-hued colors on his chest glistened in the half light of late afternoon and every speck in his amber eyes was intensified by the sun's rays. He was beautiful and I felt blessed that he seemed to trust me so completely. He was a brave little thing to so fearlessly maintain such a close distance.
A smile turned up the corners of my lips as I prepared for a front row seat from the lead bird vocalist. I could almost hear him clearing his little bird throat.
He opened his beak and in a breathy whisper began...
"HEY, MOM! It's 7:00! Time to wake up and do chores!"
My eyes shot open to see little Honor's face two inches from my own.
Why doesn't she ever try to wake up Daddy?
.
Oh. And it wasn't even 7:00. It was 6:30. Why did I ever try to teach them to tell time???
.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
It's That Easy
.
They had an episode of "This Old House" that showed how to install an overhead microwave. After it was over, Honor and I had the following conversation:
Honor: It is pretty easy to put in a microwave.
Mommy: Well, it probably took him a couple of hours--they fast forwarded through most of the work.
Honor: Well, it wouldn't take me very long.
Mommy: It would probably take all day and then you'd have to hook up a pulley to lift the microwave...
Honor: Well, I'll just get married and let my husband do it.
.
They had an episode of "This Old House" that showed how to install an overhead microwave. After it was over, Honor and I had the following conversation:
Honor: It is pretty easy to put in a microwave.
Mommy: Well, it probably took him a couple of hours--they fast forwarded through most of the work.
Honor: Well, it wouldn't take me very long.
Mommy: It would probably take all day and then you'd have to hook up a pulley to lift the microwave...
Honor: Well, I'll just get married and let my husband do it.
.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Visitor
.
So, today, while I was changing Samuel's diaper, I looked out the window and saw something a bit unexpected...Bucky the bull came by for a visit with one of his friends and was staring at me through the window (bull snot is not easy to clean off glass). Now, if we had cows still in our pasture, this would not be as interesting, but our neighbor took the cows back three weeks ago! Apparently they are "staying" at the neighbor's house and felt like going for a little jaunt around the neighborhood.
Daddy called Ron and Ron came over with his pickup. Then he drove down the street slowly...and the bulls followed him. I couldn't believe it! They just walked calmly behind his truck back to the neighbor's pasture.
Silly bulls!
.
So, today, while I was changing Samuel's diaper, I looked out the window and saw something a bit unexpected...Bucky the bull came by for a visit with one of his friends and was staring at me through the window (bull snot is not easy to clean off glass). Now, if we had cows still in our pasture, this would not be as interesting, but our neighbor took the cows back three weeks ago! Apparently they are "staying" at the neighbor's house and felt like going for a little jaunt around the neighborhood.
Daddy called Ron and Ron came over with his pickup. Then he drove down the street slowly...and the bulls followed him. I couldn't believe it! They just walked calmly behind his truck back to the neighbor's pasture.
Silly bulls!
.
Potty Humor
.
Samuel: Mommy, I have a stinky.
Mommy: Okay, let's change your diaper.
I open his diaper and find nothing there.
Mommy: You don't have a stinky!
Samuel: They're in my bottom. They're hiding.
.
Samuel: Mommy, I have a stinky.
Mommy: Okay, let's change your diaper.
I open his diaper and find nothing there.
Mommy: You don't have a stinky!
Samuel: They're in my bottom. They're hiding.
.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
She Knows Who Holds the Real Power of Purchase
.
Said by Honor as she was looking through a toy catalog:
Mommy, Daddy said he couldn't buy this. He doesn't have enough money. So I thought maybe you could get it for me...
.
Said by Honor as she was looking through a toy catalog:
Mommy, Daddy said he couldn't buy this. He doesn't have enough money. So I thought maybe you could get it for me...
.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Devotions With a Two-Year Old
.
For today's devotions, the children and I were sitting around the table discussing Luke 19:2-10 and the devotional story that went along with it from Keys for Kids about a boy who stole a melon from a store a year ago and was made to apologize and make amends...
Mommy: "So, why did the bad guys have a problem with Jesus going to Zacchaeus' house?"
Honor: "Because he was a sinner."
Mommy: "That's right. And what did Zacchaeus do?"
Connor: "He gave his money to the poor and paid back what he stole."
Mommy: "That's right...by 4 times! Now in our story, what did Austin..."
Samuel: "Mommy, Mommy, Mommy!!!"
Mommy: "Yes, Samuel?"
Samuel: "Jesus died on the cross for our sins."
Mommy: "Yes, Samuel. Very good. Now, in our story, what did..."
Samuel: "Mommy, Mommy, Mommy!!!"
Mommy: "Yes, Samuel?"
Samuel: "Jesus stole a watermelon."
Mommy: "Nooooo. Jesus did not steal a watermelon. Jesus never sinned. Now, what did..."
Samuel: "Mommy, Mommy, Mommy!!!"
Mommy: sigh. "Yes, Samuel."
Samuel: "God stole a watermelon."
Mommy: "No, Samuel. God did not steal a watermelon. AUSTIN stole a watermelon. Now, was Austin able to hide his sin?"
Connor, Honor and Ariana: "Noooo"
Samuel (after they were done): "Noooo"
Mommy: "What did Austin have to do when his Mommy found..."
Samuel: "Mommy, Mommy, Mommy!!!"
Mommy: "Yes, Samuel."
Samuel: "Jesus died on the cross for our sins!"
...
And that is why devotions are best done when the two-year-old is downstairs playing...
.
For today's devotions, the children and I were sitting around the table discussing Luke 19:2-10 and the devotional story that went along with it from Keys for Kids about a boy who stole a melon from a store a year ago and was made to apologize and make amends...
Mommy: "So, why did the bad guys have a problem with Jesus going to Zacchaeus' house?"
Honor: "Because he was a sinner."
Mommy: "That's right. And what did Zacchaeus do?"
Connor: "He gave his money to the poor and paid back what he stole."
Mommy: "That's right...by 4 times! Now in our story, what did Austin..."
Samuel: "Mommy, Mommy, Mommy!!!"
Mommy: "Yes, Samuel?"
Samuel: "Jesus died on the cross for our sins."
Mommy: "Yes, Samuel. Very good. Now, in our story, what did..."
Samuel: "Mommy, Mommy, Mommy!!!"
Mommy: "Yes, Samuel?"
Samuel: "Jesus stole a watermelon."
Mommy: "Nooooo. Jesus did not steal a watermelon. Jesus never sinned. Now, what did..."
Samuel: "Mommy, Mommy, Mommy!!!"
Mommy: sigh. "Yes, Samuel."
Samuel: "God stole a watermelon."
Mommy: "No, Samuel. God did not steal a watermelon. AUSTIN stole a watermelon. Now, was Austin able to hide his sin?"
Connor, Honor and Ariana: "Noooo"
Samuel (after they were done): "Noooo"
Mommy: "What did Austin have to do when his Mommy found..."
Samuel: "Mommy, Mommy, Mommy!!!"
Mommy: "Yes, Samuel."
Samuel: "Jesus died on the cross for our sins!"
...
And that is why devotions are best done when the two-year-old is downstairs playing...
.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
I Think We Need to Work on Modesty...
.
Honor: Look, Mommy, there are hearts in the back of the book to color when you've shown love to someone! I've shown love to you because I like you.
Mommy: Oh, you just like me?
Honor (laughing): No Mom, I love you very much. More than anyone else in the whole world!
Mommy: Aw, I love you too! You are so sweet!
Honor (as if it were a fact everyone knew): Yeah, you love me because I am such a sweetheart and so loveable.
.
Honor: Look, Mommy, there are hearts in the back of the book to color when you've shown love to someone! I've shown love to you because I like you.
Mommy: Oh, you just like me?
Honor (laughing): No Mom, I love you very much. More than anyone else in the whole world!
Mommy: Aw, I love you too! You are so sweet!
Honor (as if it were a fact everyone knew): Yeah, you love me because I am such a sweetheart and so loveable.
.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Never Say Never
.
Ariana: Mom, can we go to Aunt Stephie’s when we wake up?
Mommy: Not today.
Ariana: Aw, Mommy, we never get to see Aunt Stephie!
Mommy: That’s not true. You have too seen Aunt Steph.
Ariana: No, I haven’t. I never see Aunt Stephie!
Mommy: Really? You’ve never seen Aunt Steph?
Ariana: No. I. Haven’t.
Mommy: Hmmm…what color is Aunt Steph’s hair?
Ariana: Brown
Mommy: How did you know that if you’ve never seen her?
Ariana: Because I’m smart!
.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
I'll Cry If I Want To!
.
Samuel did not take a nap today. Samuel still requires a nap in order to be sane by bedtime. Samuel had a meltdown after dinner. Daddy tried to calm him down.
"Hey, Son, do you want to ride on my back?"
"No! I don't want to ride on your back! I want to cry!"
Okay...at least he's honest...
.
Samuel did not take a nap today. Samuel still requires a nap in order to be sane by bedtime. Samuel had a meltdown after dinner. Daddy tried to calm him down.
"Hey, Son, do you want to ride on my back?"
"No! I don't want to ride on your back! I want to cry!"
Okay...at least he's honest...
.
Hmmm...Interesting Place to Put THAT
.
Samuel quote of the day/week/month:
I don't want ice cream!
------------------------------------------
Interpretation:
Please, Mother and Father, I would prefer it if you did not put any diaper rash cream on my bottom as it stings when there is a rash. Thank you.
,
Samuel quote of the day/week/month:
I don't want ice cream!
------------------------------------------
Interpretation:
Please, Mother and Father, I would prefer it if you did not put any diaper rash cream on my bottom as it stings when there is a rash. Thank you.
,
Saturday, June 5, 2010
That's MY Mommy
.
Samuel: I love my Mommy.
Daddy: She's my wife.
Samuel: No, she's MY Mommy.
Daddy: Yes, but she's MY wife.
Samuel: No, she's not your life...she's MY Mommy!
.
Samuel: I love my Mommy.
Daddy: She's my wife.
Samuel: No, she's MY Mommy.
Daddy: Yes, but she's MY wife.
Samuel: No, she's not your life...she's MY Mommy!
.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)