Happy April Fool's!
It started out early this morning. Joshua decided to sleep through the night (although he did need one monitor communication telling him to go back to sleep...I didn't have to get up). But Isaac woke up. I found him opening the gate to the downstairs. When I asked him what was going on he said that his alarm clock told him his bed was dangerous and that he needed to get out of bed. I'm glad I heard him, but I'd be interested in knowing what he would have done if I hadn't.
This morning I gave Isaac a glass of jello and said it was OJ. He rarely gets orange juice, but loves it.
I also made a pan of brown Es and told him he could have one after lunch. That ended up going like this...
Isaac: can I have a brownie for my treat?
Amanda: sure
Amanda opens the pan with Isaac watching.
Isaac looks at the brown Es blankly.
Amanda: what are they?
Isaac: Es
Amanda: what color are they?
Isaac: brown
Amanda: so what are they?
Isaac: paper?
Amanda: brown Es!
Isaac puts it in his mouth to try it.
Amanda: no,no. It's a trick! April fools!
I asked him a few other times if he wanted brown Es. He usually figured out what was going on right away.
Ben knocked on the slider door after getting home from work. It took Isaac and I both a while to find him and figure out what was going on. Isaac proceeded to give him some brown Es.
Friday, April 1, 2016
Thursday, March 31, 2016
Thursday: making food
Here's what happens at least once a day...
I'm making {breakfast/lunch/dinner} and realize that I'm out of {granola bars, chicken, canned fruit} in the kitchen but I have some in the basement. I try to sneak to the stairs, but the gate squeaks and the kids hear it.
They want to join me in going down to the basement. On my quick trip. Every single time.
Isaac comes over and gets down the stairs pretty quickly! "I beat you!" he exclaims. Meanwhile, Joshua has opened the gate as far as possible, so that it bumps into the cedar chest and I wince. He then turns around to go down the stairs backwards. Half the time he starts too far away from the stairs and misses the target. Joshua and I go slowly down the stairs.
I grab my item and ask everyone if they're coming back upstairs with me. They don't have to, but they usually say yes. Isaac races up the stairs and starts flashing his hands and me. "I beat you this much!" Joshua is a bit faster going up than down, but then we get to the top and he doesn't quite realize where to stand to close the gate, and I always think I'm going to topple him over.
Phew. Ingredient obtained. It only takes five minutes with kids instead of thirty seconds by myself, but apparently trips to the basement are super fun.
I'm making {breakfast/lunch/dinner} and realize that I'm out of {granola bars, chicken, canned fruit} in the kitchen but I have some in the basement. I try to sneak to the stairs, but the gate squeaks and the kids hear it.
They want to join me in going down to the basement. On my quick trip. Every single time.
Isaac comes over and gets down the stairs pretty quickly! "I beat you!" he exclaims. Meanwhile, Joshua has opened the gate as far as possible, so that it bumps into the cedar chest and I wince. He then turns around to go down the stairs backwards. Half the time he starts too far away from the stairs and misses the target. Joshua and I go slowly down the stairs.
I grab my item and ask everyone if they're coming back upstairs with me. They don't have to, but they usually say yes. Isaac races up the stairs and starts flashing his hands and me. "I beat you this much!" Joshua is a bit faster going up than down, but then we get to the top and he doesn't quite realize where to stand to close the gate, and I always think I'm going to topple him over.
Phew. Ingredient obtained. It only takes five minutes with kids instead of thirty seconds by myself, but apparently trips to the basement are super fun.
Wednesday, March 30, 2016
Wednesday: 51 months
Isaac turned 51 months today.
Puppy-dog had a pretty good month. We heard him count up to 18 without missing any numbers. (I'm pretty sure he could do 20, but I guess that'll be next month.) He has started to figure out what letters are in words if they're not the first letter of the alphabet. His math skills are getting pretty good if you give him simple story problems instead of just straight numbers. (Such as "There are four chairs and five people. How many more chairs do we need?)
Isaac still doesn't really enjoy going to the gym, but he always says that he had a good time afterwards. And he doesn't like nap time at school, but otherwise enjoys it. He enjoys going to church and to Grandma's house. He currently wants to go to Aunt Jamie's house, and I'm not really sure where this came from or why he thinks he wants to go there. (Not that we don't want to go there, but it's been a while and I think what he expects (toys) might not be the reality.) He also wants to go to CCs house. And Disney world. I think he just likes getting out and playing with new things.
He also likes games, imagining things, reading, Ipad, and treats. He usually plays well by himself, although he far prefers to play with Ben or me. He's warming up to Joshua, but still isn't convinced he's a good playmate. He has started to rock Ben after they read books at night. He likes to turn on the TV and get shows started.
He sometimes will actually tell us what happened in school, with names of classmates, instead of just saying, "I don't know" when asked what he did at school.
One thing I've really noticed lately is how he can do a lot of things by himself. He has done assorted things enough and knows what to do and can just do it. (For example, Joshua fell asleep in the car before lunch. I got Isaac's lunch together and told him that after lunch he should start his clock and have quiet time. Then I started my nap too. (I did let him watch TV so it wouldn't be quite so lonely.))
He can reach the checkout buttons on the library computer. I thought it would be a few more months, but suddenly he can do it.
Isaac loves silly things. I'm thinking that April Fool's might have to be a semi-big event this year. We'll see...it takes some planning too.
Puppy-dog had a pretty good month. We heard him count up to 18 without missing any numbers. (I'm pretty sure he could do 20, but I guess that'll be next month.) He has started to figure out what letters are in words if they're not the first letter of the alphabet. His math skills are getting pretty good if you give him simple story problems instead of just straight numbers. (Such as "There are four chairs and five people. How many more chairs do we need?)
Isaac still doesn't really enjoy going to the gym, but he always says that he had a good time afterwards. And he doesn't like nap time at school, but otherwise enjoys it. He enjoys going to church and to Grandma's house. He currently wants to go to Aunt Jamie's house, and I'm not really sure where this came from or why he thinks he wants to go there. (Not that we don't want to go there, but it's been a while and I think what he expects (toys) might not be the reality.) He also wants to go to CCs house. And Disney world. I think he just likes getting out and playing with new things.
He also likes games, imagining things, reading, Ipad, and treats. He usually plays well by himself, although he far prefers to play with Ben or me. He's warming up to Joshua, but still isn't convinced he's a good playmate. He has started to rock Ben after they read books at night. He likes to turn on the TV and get shows started.
He sometimes will actually tell us what happened in school, with names of classmates, instead of just saying, "I don't know" when asked what he did at school.
One thing I've really noticed lately is how he can do a lot of things by himself. He has done assorted things enough and knows what to do and can just do it. (For example, Joshua fell asleep in the car before lunch. I got Isaac's lunch together and told him that after lunch he should start his clock and have quiet time. Then I started my nap too. (I did let him watch TV so it wouldn't be quite so lonely.))
He can reach the checkout buttons on the library computer. I thought it would be a few more months, but suddenly he can do it.
Isaac loves silly things. I'm thinking that April Fool's might have to be a semi-big event this year. We'll see...it takes some planning too.
Tuesday, March 29, 2016
Tuesday: conversation
Isaac wanted to bring washers to school for W show-and-tell.
a little bit later
Amanda: do you remember what you're bringing for show and tell?
Isaac: cleaners!
a little bit later
Amanda: do you remember what you're bringing for show and tell?
Isaac: cleaners!
Monday, March 28, 2016
Monday: 20 months
Joshua turned 20 months today!
Language: After last month's stall, this month Joshua seems to have exploded with language. He definitely understands almost all of what we tell him. He can point to many body parts when asked. He can repeat words right after they're said. He has words for several animal sounds, along with snack, this, up, Isaac, book, row row (as in row, row, row your boat) and probably a few more that I missed.
Playing: He still plays pretty well by himself. His favorite activities are dancing/singing, cameras, playing with dishes, and books. Oh, and plugging in an old keyboard to any hole that fits the USB connector. It is surprising how many he has found in the basement. He is enjoying Curious George, but doesn't always get through a whole episode. He loves to play with Isaac, but it only works if Isaac is in the right mood.
Eating: lunch has gotten much better - there's even been a few times he's eaten all of his food! Dinner remains a challenge. He'll eat the bread products and often the fruit. Anything beyond that is a surprise, although it happens sometimes.
Sleeping: has been a bit of a challenge lately. However, he will sometimes know when he needs to go to bed at night. He is waking up two to three times at night, but I can sometimes get away with just telling him to lay down and go back to sleep through the monitor.
Cuteness level: through the roof! He's not very good at smiling for pictures, but I have seen lots more smiles. There's been a few times that he's been the welcoming committee at some public place and says "hi" to everyone as they come through the door. It is so fun to see him dance too. And he is imitating so much! It's been fun to see what he picks up on, like the self-timer for the camera.
Attitude: Joshua has been a bit clingy. He tends to get especially clingy when he's hungry, but that is far from the only time. I'd say most of the day is pretty good, with several spots that are hard. He doesn't enjoy getting his diaper changed, but does like the lotion that he sometimes gets when the diaper is changed.
Language: After last month's stall, this month Joshua seems to have exploded with language. He definitely understands almost all of what we tell him. He can point to many body parts when asked. He can repeat words right after they're said. He has words for several animal sounds, along with snack, this, up, Isaac, book, row row (as in row, row, row your boat) and probably a few more that I missed.
Playing: He still plays pretty well by himself. His favorite activities are dancing/singing, cameras, playing with dishes, and books. Oh, and plugging in an old keyboard to any hole that fits the USB connector. It is surprising how many he has found in the basement. He is enjoying Curious George, but doesn't always get through a whole episode. He loves to play with Isaac, but it only works if Isaac is in the right mood.
Eating: lunch has gotten much better - there's even been a few times he's eaten all of his food! Dinner remains a challenge. He'll eat the bread products and often the fruit. Anything beyond that is a surprise, although it happens sometimes.
Sleeping: has been a bit of a challenge lately. However, he will sometimes know when he needs to go to bed at night. He is waking up two to three times at night, but I can sometimes get away with just telling him to lay down and go back to sleep through the monitor.
Cuteness level: through the roof! He's not very good at smiling for pictures, but I have seen lots more smiles. There's been a few times that he's been the welcoming committee at some public place and says "hi" to everyone as they come through the door. It is so fun to see him dance too. And he is imitating so much! It's been fun to see what he picks up on, like the self-timer for the camera.
Attitude: Joshua has been a bit clingy. He tends to get especially clingy when he's hungry, but that is far from the only time. I'd say most of the day is pretty good, with several spots that are hard. He doesn't enjoy getting his diaper changed, but does like the lotion that he sometimes gets when the diaper is changed.
Sunday, March 27, 2016
Sunday: He is Risen!
He is Risen indeed!
Church this morning was good. I think they introduced many new songs, which is my only complaint. It takes at least two or three times with a song before I feel as though I can worship well. But although I didn't know the songs, there was energy and excitement in the celebration. And I knew some of the songs later, so that was nice.
I thought the pastor had an excellent sermon. It was geared toward people who don't have a relationship with Jesus, but was still an excellent reminder of truth for the rest of us. I don't feel as though he tried to force any belief on anyone then and there, but instead encouraged questions and continued discussion. (Hopefully it will show up here within a few days if you're interested.)
Church this morning was good. I think they introduced many new songs, which is my only complaint. It takes at least two or three times with a song before I feel as though I can worship well. But although I didn't know the songs, there was energy and excitement in the celebration. And I knew some of the songs later, so that was nice.
I thought the pastor had an excellent sermon. It was geared toward people who don't have a relationship with Jesus, but was still an excellent reminder of truth for the rest of us. I don't feel as though he tried to force any belief on anyone then and there, but instead encouraged questions and continued discussion. (Hopefully it will show up here within a few days if you're interested.)
Saturday, March 26, 2016
Saturday: waiting day
Today always feels like a waiting day for me. We remembered that Jesus died yesterday, and we know that we will celebrate that he rises from the dead tomorrow, but today we're just in a holding pattern.
So we did some egg activities. We tried dying eggs with cool whip. They're still in the fridge and we'll see how they turn out tomorrow.
Joshua was not really that excited. This is about one of two times that he was actually participating and not screaming.
Isaac enjoyed it though!
Then we did an egg hunt. Joshua figured out very quickly what he was supposed to do and really enjoyed it.
Isaac got right to work finding his eggs. He ended up finishing about the same time as Joshua, although received significantly less help.
And there was candy inside! I only put one smartie in each egg, so we did two rounds.
Then Isaac hid the eggs for Ben and me. His hiding skills have improved significantly in the last month, let alone since last year!! It took Ben and I about fifteen minutes to find all but two of them, and we needed a lot of help. There are still two missing, and Isaac can't remember where he put them. :) Then we had Isaac make an easy hunt for us...and it was much easier. He definitely understood the difference.
So we did some egg activities. We tried dying eggs with cool whip. They're still in the fridge and we'll see how they turn out tomorrow.
Joshua was not really that excited. This is about one of two times that he was actually participating and not screaming.
Isaac enjoyed it though!
Then we did an egg hunt. Joshua figured out very quickly what he was supposed to do and really enjoyed it.
Isaac got right to work finding his eggs. He ended up finishing about the same time as Joshua, although received significantly less help.
And there was candy inside! I only put one smartie in each egg, so we did two rounds.
Then Isaac hid the eggs for Ben and me. His hiding skills have improved significantly in the last month, let alone since last year!! It took Ben and I about fifteen minutes to find all but two of them, and we needed a lot of help. There are still two missing, and Isaac can't remember where he put them. :) Then we had Isaac make an easy hunt for us...and it was much easier. He definitely understood the difference.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)