Sunday: that sounds good

Tomorrow is my colonoscopy, so today was the day I don't get to eat anything.  Everything sounded good to eat.  It was especially annoying to make the boys' lunches or pack Isaac's lunch for the morning and not be able to taste what I'm putting on their plates, like I normally do.  And peanut butter pretzels...they're really just the right amount of salt and well, not really creamy but whatever the pb adds.  I couldn't have those either.

But beyond being grumpy because I couldn't eat the day went fine.

Saturday: pirates, Giraffe, socks, Legos

Joshua was sort of playing with our pirate ship.  And by playing with it, I think he was crashing his feet into it.  When he suddenly says, "speaking of pirate ships, when can we go on a pirate ship?"

Issac found Giraffe this evening as we were cleaning up the basement.  He loudly proclaimed, "What is Giraffe doing down here?"  I locked eyes with Ben, who quickly went upstairs.  However, Isaac followed three seconds later, because the next thing Isaac said was, "Are there two?"  Oh, those logic skills...they make so much sense.  Well, Ben managed to sneak Giraffe II out in his shirt and while Isaac might still think there's two he doesn't know for sure.

I put a sock on upside down today.  I'm not sure when the last time is that I've done that.  It made me think...I put my shirts on backwards a few times a year.  I put my lounge pants on backwards occasionally.  But my socks?  How is it that I never put them on upside down?

Isaac and Joshua came into the office and Isaac is doing this really loud breathing.  (See the video.)  No introduction to what they're doing, just loud breathing.  It was a wind stopper and he and Joshua had built something.  (Joshua doesn't always love the video, so he slowly stepped out of it.)  Isaac then made the second video explaining what they made.  As they watched it they giggled so hard about the baby monkey.

Friday: critter barn

This week Joshua told me that he wanted to go to the Critter barn, just Mom and Joshua.  Well, that was an easy enough request to grant so we went today.

We got out of the car and the first thing he wanted to see were the chickens.  He knew exactly where he wanted to go.

Then we got a bucket of hay to feed the animals.  He held it for about a minute, during which time a goat got its head stuck in the bucket.  After that I fed the animals that Joshua directed me to, and if they were too crazy we went somewhere else.  (Two or three goats with all their heads in the bucket didn't qualify as crazy though.)

We also watched the duck pond get cleaned for quite a while.  We hit a few of the other animals, but not all of them.  Joshua was ready to leave and so we did.  It was nice to get outside for a while even if it wasn't super long.

Thursday: Joshua conversations

Last night by our room, about 12:30am...
Joshua: What can I do? 
Amanda: Go to a bed and go to sleep.
Joshua: I need someone to help me.
Amanda: Well, you can come to the bed in our room.
Joshua: Ok!

*****
In the car, going to pick up Isaac...
Amanda: Did you play with your friends [at school today]?
Joshua: No.  I don't like to play with them.  I like to play with my brother.

Wednesday: Isaac and WoW gear

I kept Isaac home from school today.  He seemed mostly fine all day today, but...it was still the correct decision at the time.  It was going to be a busy (and fun) day and changed into more of a relaxing day, but it was still probably good.

In other news, I have gear levels in WoW with a delta of 100.  (This is rather crazy...usually everything is within 10 levels near the end of an expansion and really even no more than 40 levels at the beginning of the expansion.)  I have nice guild mates.

Tuesday: D dinner and sleep

Today we had a D dinner...Deconstituted salad (for the kids, normal for the adults) and donuts with dip.  I also was in Duplo dungeon for a bit tonight.

Ben went to sleep at 6:30 and Isaac at 7:15.  I was trying to figure out how to get Joshua down early too, but since he took a nap at school today it was futile.

Isaac's tummy is not doing well and seemed to be especially bad tonight.  The doctor said if it's not gone by Friday we can go back.  He's been doing fine at school, but not as well at home.  (Which is nice, but also annoying.)  He's also been waking up once at night complaining, which is so odd for my good sleeper.

Monday: in the car

Joshua and I went in and out of the car significantly more often than normal today.  We dropped Isaac off and came home.  We got groceries and came home.  We went to gymnastics and came home.  We picked up Isaac, went to a doctor appt, and came home.  We went out to eat (although Joshua rode with Ben because I went to an exercise class afterwards) and came home.

Sunday: sandals

Joshua can put his own sandals on.  Great!  However, he pretty much always gets them on the wrong foot.  And it isn't 50% right and 50% backwards, it's more like 10% right and 90% backwards.

It doesn't seem to bother him, so I only tell him to fix his shoes if we're going to be outside for a significant amount of time - like a playground or a hike or something.

This week: historical documents

A month or so ago a letter was found written by Ben's Grandfather in the war.  It was very interesting, and reminded me of the letters that my grandmother wrote that had been made into a 'book' for all her kids.

Well, Dad couldn't find the book (but my aunts have their copies) but he did find other 'historical' documents that I found extremely interesting.

He sent me the genealogy of my paternal Grandmother, and it goes back to 1655 when a Derk Cornelis was born.  He was an elder at his church in the Netherlands.

While the family tree was interesting, more interesting were the stories of the first documents that I've scanned.  I relearned about my paternal great grandparents and grandparents.  (I wrote the original report, so I knew it at some point.)  I learned more about how my parents met.  I learned about some of the things my brother found important in eighth grade.

I find it odd to think of my parents...or grand parents, or great grand parents...as people before I was born.  I know, it's an odd thing to say.  They all played with friends, went to school, fell in love and had many of the same emotions and happenings that I have had.   Some things don't change regardless of the era in which you live.  I just didn't see them during those times and so while I know it is true, it is also weird to think about. 

Friday: not lost

Today was a success...I didn't lose Joshua.

Although it felt like a close call.  I was trying to get all the stuff together to go to the library.  Joshua saw the garbage truck and went out to see it.  I was pretty sure that he had come back in, but as I was collecting the books the house was awfully quiet.  I started calling for him...no answer.  I ran part way around the house...no Joshua.  I yelled for him in the house...no Joshua.  I was getting rather nervous, although not completely freaked out.  He's a good kid and knows the rules.  And when I start counting because they're in trouble he usually starts to cry, and that didn't happen.  I had one last place to look.  And there was Joshua, calmly sitting in his car seat, mostly ready to go.  He had gotten one of the bottom buckles done for his car seat, which he hasn't been able to do often.  I told him to try the other side while I finished up the books.  Phew.  My heart rate went back to normal while Joshua managed to successfully get himself all buckled in.

Overall it felt like a really good day with him.  The right amount of work and play, I guess.  We played Super Rhino, with our own rules, and beat the building.

I had also given Isaac a peanut butter and M&M sandwich for his lunch, because that's what I had in high school every Friday for my lunch.  He loved it and it was the highlight of his day.

Wednesday: the day

I worked for the morning...grading went rather quickly for once.  I picked up Joshua and we did some errands.  One errand included going to Carter's to get some pants for Isaac, but Joshua found some bear slippers that he loved.  He does wear slippers a lot, even in the summer so we got them and he was so excited.

We also had Lego League this afternoon and it went pretty well.  The kids thought a little bit about water on the moon and had fun building with Legos and the hour went by quickly.  We also went to dinner at church and signed Isaac up for Cadets.  It'll make for some busy Wednesdays, but hopefully he can handle it.

Tuesday: drop off

Joshua had a hard drop off at school today.  I think that he didn't want to have to make his bed at nap time, but used other excuses in the morning.  "I don't like the toys." is the one I heard a few times.  (This is odd, because they have cool toys.)

But then, let's be honest.  He seemed to have a hard day when I was around.  I got yelled at for...talking to him, I think, and then he chose timeout over giving me a hug.  Time out does seem to calm him down quickly though, so he was tolerable for the rest of the night.

Monday: bruise

Joshua has a very noticeable bruise on his back.

He said it was from a blanket.

Sunday: church

Our church is starting a new Sunday morning schedule.  Services are at 9 and 11 with a Sunday school hour in the middle.

I'll admit, I'm not sure I'm excited about the change.  While it isn't bad to have Isaac in the church service, I don't think he gets a ton out of it.  There is singing during Sunday School, so he has a time of worship.  Again, while more worship isn't bad I'm not sure it'll be good either.  Joshua is scheduled to just have another hour of Sunday school/play time.

Today I was the volunteer for the extra hour.  They're having a hard time getting volunteers, which is why there was only one.  Anyway, Joshua was also the only kid that showed up.  The director let us take a bucket of toys and we played in the back area so that I could -somewhat- listen to the service too.  Maybe no one is planning on coming and that's why they're having a hard time getting volunteers.

But in happy news, I went up early to catch the non-existent kids as they showed up.  The kids were still singing in Sunday School, and I saw Joshua with Grey Bear on his head.  (His old Sunday school teacher showed up at one point earlier and said hi to Joshua and to Grey Bear. :)  )  Isaac was next to Joshua, and they were holding hands.  You never know what happens when you're not around, and this was rather cute.

Isaac: 78, 79, and 80 months

Here is Isaac's growing up video:
78 months:

Playing: Isaac still loves to play.  Lately it's mainly Legos and (real) games, which has been a ton of fun.  He makes a lot of his own creations out of Legos, and has been sticking to the rules of the games.

Surprises: Isaac still loves surprises and doesn't ever want to know where we're going or what we're doing until we're there.  This usually works well because plans can easily change without issues, but sometimes he gets sad if he finds out early.

79 months:

Doing new things: Isaac is always up for trying new things.  He'll often try new foods and usually new activities.

80 months:

School: Isaac loved having summer break, but has adjusted ok to going back to school.  He isn't a fan of homework every day.  He has been playing with a few people for more than one recess, which is a new development.  His reading level is currently G (most of the way through 1st grade), but I'm interested in where is his after they do the testing as I feel he can read a lot better now than at the beginning of the summer.  I don't think he loves his teacher like he did his K teacher, he does seem to like her.

Emotions: The last month and a half Isaac has been extra weepy if he doesn't get his way.  I'm hoping it's a stage.  Besides that he is laughs a bunch and is rather silly.

Isaac is getting so big, both physically and mentally.  It's been fun to talk to him about random subjects (for example, germs and soap) and to realize that he's getting quite tall.

Saturday: playgrounds

This morning we went to Timbertown.  The kids kept wanting me to play with them, but I really didn't want to be in the sun.  It wasn't super hot out, but it was hot enough for me to melt.  We somewhat compromised and somewhat didn't stay long.

This afternoon we went to get Dole Whips and then the kids got to play on that playground too.

I also got a few pictures of Joshua holding my hand.  He automatically takes my hand whenever we're walking somewhere and it is the best thing ever.  Isaac does it quite a bit too, but it isn't quite as much as Joshua.

Friday: wall

A year and a half ago, we made a wall.  Well, Trump is still president, so Joshua and I made another wall today.  We've gotten a few Duplos since that time and it wasn't as wide, so it went up higher.

Isaac was surprised to see it blocking the way into his room when he got home.

It's an odd wall in that it moves rather well.  The very top was just shy of Isaac's shoulder.

We also have Joshua jumping on his second bed.  Apparently his room tends to get spooky around 1am, and so he comes to sleep with us.  This was being rather disruptive, but I couldn't quite convince myself to tell him no, especially in the middle of the night.  So he now just has a second bed...he comes in and goes right to sleep.  Once he even came in when the lights were still on and went to sleep without saying boo. 



Oh, and this morning Joshua finished his fire plane.  I think he started it...Wednesday afternoon perhaps?  He only needed help a few times.  He does build them a bit odd, as when he turns pages he often turns several at once.  He just makes his plane look like the picture, but once in a while it got him into a bit of trouble with small and hidden pieces.

Wednesday2: Lego League

Yesterday was Lego League.  One of the first things we did was think of questions we needed for our greenhouse.  I had a great time coming up with them.

Wednesday: Giraffe

Isaac's lovie is Giraffe.  Isaac has gone through several lovies in his six years, but Giraffe has stayed around for quite a while.  Giraffe doesn't go everywhere like Grey Bear does, but whenever Isaac sleeps somewhere other than his bed Giraffe usually comes.

This weekend Giraffe got lost.  Now, I'm pretty sure that Giraffe is somewhere in the house.  But Isaac was in tears the one night he had to sleep without Giraffe in the basement.  (He then slept without tears for two nights, but it was his own bed.)

Anyway, it turns out that Giraffe had walked all the way to Aunt Allison's house*. 

*Just kidding.  Somehow we both ended up with the same animal and they were generous enough to give us their copy.  I'm hoping that when the other Giraffe is found Isaac doesn't really realize there are two; hopefully I can pull it off.

**I'd also like to let future Isaac know that once we find the original Giraffe I replaced Replacement Giraffe so you still have the right copy...even if I don't mention it in the blog again.

Tuesday: conversations

In the car, going to pick up Isaac:

Joshua: and Grandpa hit a tree!!  hahahaha
Joshua: and so did Uncle Nathan or Aunt Liz! hahahaha
Amanda: oh really?
Joshua: yeah, it's what Evelyn said
Amanda: do you think Uncle Nathan or Aunt Liz was driving?
Joshua: um, Aunt Liz. hahahaha
Amanda: well, lots of tree hitting happened.
Joshua: no, only two trees.  By Grandpa and Aunt Liz.

Monday: conversations and storms

Amanda: which is bigger, a house or a bus?
Joshua: um...a tree!
*as we go down a tree lined road where most of the trees are taller than the houses*
Joshua: like, that one!
Joshua pauses for a few seconds.
Joshua: and that one!
Joshua: oh, that one is super tall!  It's the tallest in the world!

Also, Tropical Storm Paul is here at the same time as Tropical Storm Isaac, which I find neat.  I really wanted the Atlantic to get to Isaac, but then I felt really bad about wanting that.  Thankfully, my desires have no impact on the hurricanes.

Weekend: wedding and visitors

Friday morning started out with cleaning.  However, the cleaning was led by Joshua.  He decided it was time to clean the basement, so we did.  Then we cleaned his room.  Then we cleaned the guest room.  He finished with a few odds and ends, after having worked hard for an hour and a half.  He kept saying, "Dad and Isaac will be so surprised!"

In the evening we went to Joel and Emily's wedding and it was beautiful.  (It was Isaac and Joshua's first time to a wedding.)

Joshua really wanted to show Grandma a Lego set in a magazine.

I brought some new small sets of Legos for the kids...it was a nice distraction.

Isaac danced with Pat, but I don't think he was a fan.

Joshua danced with Ben, and he was just a blur.

Isaac laughed super hard about this strawberry in his dessert.  I'm not really sure why.

Saturday Evelyn tried to get Joshua to dance; it didn't work well.

We went to the critter barn.

Isaac wanted his picture with Cnl. Sanders, who is apparently a super nice rooster, but didn't really want to be very close.

This small goat kept coming by me and nibbling at my pants.  It was a nice warm goat, so I didn't mind that it wanted to be friendly as it was a slightly cool day.

We got to watch them put hay in the loft and it was apparently the best thing ever.  The kids watched for the whole wagon load.

We went downtown for treats.  I think everyone was fine with holding hands; I just got a poor picture.

Sunday Dad and Pat brought bagels and then we went for a walk at Riley Woods.  Dad barely hit the parking barrier, but Joshua could only see the tree and kept saying, "Grandpa! You hit the tree!"

There were many sticks picked up.  The nice thing about taking a walk with the cousins is that all the kids seemed to be excited about it.

And then they left. :(

Joshua: 47, 48 and 49 months

Google made this video of videos a few months ago.  It has some super cute moments.  (It also has some that are more Isaac than Joshua, but Joshua's at least in all the clips.)  My favorite are laughing on Ben's lap, the dance/guitar with Isaac, "I'm on an elevator" with the fork, and the orange juice on the airplane.



47 months

Playing: Joshua still plays Dulpos and Legos a lot.  Whether or not I play Duplos with him for at least 10 minutes seems to make or break his day, so I try I hard to remember that it is important to him.  He enjoyed having Isaac home and played with Isaac a lot doing assorted things.  He also likes putting together big Lego sets with Ben.

Gross motor skills: Joshua did a great job in gymnastics and enjoyed it a lot, so we're going to keep doing that into the school year.  He also loves to jump.  Isaac's bed and the crib mattress get jumped on a lot, but there is random jumping even when the 'floor' isn't bouncy.

48 months:

Social: Joshua is more social than Isaac and was always excited to see the neighbor across the road.  He can also remember people's names.  He has regularly been making crafts for the grandparents to likes to give them away.

School: Joshua is now in Preschool.  While he still is more excited about home days, he willingly goes to school.  They've been working on the letters in their name.  He is very good at giving me a  step by step breakdown of what they did in school.  It always includes the clean up times, but sometimes omits circle time.

On being a puppy: While Joshua is still a puppy, it hasn't come out quite as much lately.  There's a chance it is because his imaginary mouse's name is Puppy and so it was too confusing to have two Puppys.  (At least, I found it very confusing.)

49 months:

Chores: Since Joshua turned four, he got more chores (and an allowance).  He now needs to put the silverware away, put his laundry away, clean his room, feed Flurry, and clean up the downstairs for a few minutes.  He transitioned very well to these new chores and wants to get a new Lego fire plane with his money.

Overall, Joshua has been very fun to be with and he seems to have grown-up quite a bit over the last few months.