“Stinky Poo-Poo!”

Why are there some words and phrases that 3 and 4 year old’s just find funny? And why does it always have to be something like “stinky poo-poo”? As summer wore down we developed a new behavior issue with our children; bad words. Shane and I sometimes have potty mouths but in the past year or so (since Dylan has been going to speech and other people started to be able to understand him, lol) we have made an extra effort to not use these kind of words around our children. Yet one afternoon a frustrated Ella came running through the house yelling; “D@*& it! D@*&it! D@*& it!” After a good talking to, some time in time-out, and a tearful night being sent to bed at like 6 she seems to have gotten the point about bad words. But what do you tell them when its, poo-poo they are going on and on about. Every other 4 year old and even most parents find it hysterical to see a adorable 3 year old singing about “stinky poo-poo”. She doesn’t even know what she’s talking about really, we don’t even call it poo-poo in our house (it’s ewie for those of you that care, lol). We have told her to stop. I know its not a bad word, just a not so nice word, that bugs me to no end. She just sings it over and over in her sing song little girl voice, ”stinky poo-poo, stinky poo-poo, stinky poo-poo.” She doesn’t mean it to harm, she laughs out loud a big belly laugh every time she gets to poo. What to do with poo-poo?

Now Dylan on the other hand finds it equally hysterical to walk up to people, put his nose as close to them as possible take a deep inhale and proceed to tell them, “You smell, stinky!” Thankfully so far he has not done this to any complete strangers. Mainly me and other family members. I have told him this is not nice, explained how it might hurt someones feelings, but to no avail. Lucky me that he seems to only think I smell this week, I can get over it. Now should this problem spread…

We made it through our first week of school. Ella is loving it and completely unfazed. Dylan is exhausted and he only went 2 days this week. Its a big adjustment for all of us. I’ll keep you up on how he does, and me too.

I survived!

And so did he! We dropped Dylan off at school this morning in a down poor, how fitting to my mood. I was sad and proud when he hugged us goodbye and went to start his day without so much as a hesitation. Luckily I busied myself with dropping off Ella, doing some house work and work, work. I changed beds, did dishes, cleaned, did some work for Shane and just stayed busy. Normally I would have gone to my workout class, but frankly I was in no mood, so I blamed it on the rain and cut class. I’ll hear about it later, on the scale and from my friends in class. (P.S. I haven’t said much about weight lately I am down almost 40 lbs but a week at the beach and the kindergarten depression that has hit has not helped me in the past few weeks!) I picked up Ella at 12, and she asked for the next 2 hours where Dylan was. When we finally picked him up she was excited to have her buddy back. I think she does actually miss having him around.

Dylan ate lunch in the cafeteria for the first time ever. He reported that “all the people where there, lots of people!” He even saw his speech teacher and our neighbor from across the street (his name is Dylan too, my Dylan truly thinks his name is “other one Dylan”). He came home with a gold star saying he was a “good rester” I assume that means he actually slept, I don’t know though. We had discussed a nap when he got home (2:30) but he didn’t take one so I guess we will see how that works out as the year goes by. They only nap for the first nine weeks of school, anyway.  He was only there with 5 other kids today, on Friday he will go with all the kids (19). I hope he has an equally nice experience then. Tomorrow he is home with me, and not all that happy about it. Maybe we will do something special. He is confused by Ella going everyday. I have assured him after Monday (off for Labor Day) he will go everyday.

We all survived and I managed to shed only a few tears…lucky us, thank you God.

Day 1

It’s official Ella is a BIG girl now! She went into school like a big girl and couldn’t have cared less when I walked out the door. She said she had fun, played play-dough and colored. Since Dylan was only to go to school for a short meeting he got to go with meto take her. I think he encountered a bitof mixed emotions as he got to see some old friends (that were returning for another year of preschool) but didn’t get to stay with them.

To top off Dylan’s bad morning he had to go to the doctor. He was apparently missing one vaccine (neither the doctor nor I can figure out how that happened). So we had to run in, wait 35 minutes to have a nurse quickly give my poor son a shot. Before we left the house he said to me, “I think I just want to have medicine, and not get a shot!” You see we often threaten if he doesn’t take his medicine that he will have to get a shot. Well, there was no way around this one, he had to get a shot. He hopped up on the table, laid back, she swabbed his leg, and stuck him. He proceeded to say, “Oww, I don’t want a shot!” She and I just looked at each other, it was already done! Not a tear was shed, he did milk it for the rest of the day, limping around like he was maimed or something, but he did great! At the meeting for school he had fun talking with his teacher and playing with some toys. He led me to his class and pointed out his cubby just like a champ. He will be just fine I am sure of it. Tomorrow is his big day!

1 More Day!

Ella goes off to preschool tomorrow. For some reason I am just not as worried about her as I am Dylan. She is confident and well spoken and I feel she is truly ready for this next step. She will do fine and she will only be gone half a day, anyway. She starts Monday and will go everyday from here on out. She is excited.

Dylan on the other hand goes for just 30 minutes on Monday. It is just a chance for him to be alone with his teacher and fill out the final paperwork (I think I may have signed my life away 6 times already). He had open house on Thursday and really enjoyed meeting his teacher, and found out that one of his classmates form preschool will be in his class. He had trouble sitting through little talk she gave but I’m sure he will settle down as he gets into the routine. He is a stickler for routine, maybe even a little OCD (I wonder where he gets that form?? haha). He will not go at all on Tuesday, but Wednesday he will go for his first full day. Lunch, rest and snack time included. We have worked hard all summer to get his nap down to a manageable time. They get about 30 minutes, he is used to a 2 hour nap in the middle of the afternoon. I think he may just end up napping when he gets home.

Lunch that’s a whole different story. What do you pack for a kid that doesn’t eat sandwiches? School lunch for a kid this picky is going to be hard. Maybe on pizza days, if he can remember his lunch number (can you believe they require a 5 year old to remember a 6 digit number??? He doesn’t even know his phone number yet!). We went and picked out his new lunch box yesterday, he is very excited… I am trying to hide my fears and tears form him…

The Road to School

The past few days have been busy with getting ready for school activities. We went by Ella’s new school to get her paperwork. Dylan had fun seeing his old teachers and visiting. I think he realizes now that he will not be going there anymore. Dylan finally got a haircut. All summer long he has fought this off. I typically cut his hair at home (I also do Shane’s) but I guess the last two have been too traumatic for him. At one point Shane actually had to physically restrain him. Well we told him this summer he could let it grow out. It had reached that awkward sticking out in all directions phase and I asked him off hand if he wanted me to cut it. To my absolute shock and amazement he said, NO! BUT he finally conceded to a hair cut if I took him to Walmart to get it. I took him in and he sat there like a champ, no tears, no whining no nothing. It was amazing! Thank God for the little things right. I also have finally gotten the rest of his school supply list so today we are off to finish up the school shopping.

Tonight we head to Dylan’s open house, to get all the info and meet his new teacher. He is excited. I am am tearful and anxious. I can’t seem to get rid of this knot in my stomach. I know deep down he’ll be fine, and so will Ella, but I can’t seem to get over this feeling.

Our Day!

Well we made it home safe and sound. We got settled back in and laundry done (although the absolute best part of going to a house to stay is that I only came home with 2 loads of laundry, instead of the typical 6 or so) just in time to celebrate our big day. Yesterday was Shane’s birthday and our anniversary. We have made it through 8 long years. We have had moves, losses, kids, animals and a roller coaster of ups and downs along our journey but we made it here. I am happier now with this man that I ever have been before. We work together to raise two wonderful children and grow our relationship. He provides so well for all us, not just financially but emotionally as well. So Happy Birthday/Anniversary to you, Shane! The love of my life!

Our Last Day

Well, here we are at our last day at the beach. We spent yesterday cooped up in the house as it poured down rain all day. We were all very thankful for some sun shine today. We hit the beach early this morning. Shane, Dylan and Ella erected a huge sand castle (with which Shane was very proud). They packed sand, collected twigs and seashells and worked very hard to get a fabulous castle built.

We also visited the local nature center, and took a final evening walk on the beach to collect our “take home” sea shells. We reallly enjoyed our time here (despite the rainy times). We saw the Oak Island light house the other day, a marina with big fishing boats and all kinds of cool things. Dylan and I are equally as excited to go home. He has cried most nights wanting to go home and see his animals. He has enjoyed every minute of his time here but the evenings seem to bring out his home sick side. I will be glad to sleep in my own bed again (I have been overly pampered by my ultra soft bed, it makes anything else seem hard)! So tomorrow morning we head home.  Only 11 more days until school starts…

Happy Birthday!!

Happy Birthday Grandpa Mike!

 

Catching Up

I have been enjoying our little vacation a ton. The kids are loving the beach and everyhing else. I have been devouring books, catching up on my reading. I brought 4 with me and have finished one and am almost done with the second. I enjoyed watching the “Women’s Murder Club” on TV this year and decided that I should read the books that inspired the series. I have finished the first, 1st To Die (by James Patterson) . Which I Ioved, I quickly became attached to the characters and loved the balance between romance and mystery. I had figured out “who done it” before the end but was still intrigued and on the edge of my seat. I am very close to finishing 2nd Chance and am enjoying that as well.  

Dylan and Ella at the Oak Island Light House

We Made It!

Well the four hour, turned five hour ride to the beach went well. We made it safely to Oak Island and met up with Cari for lunch. We had a little time to kill before our house was ready so we hit the beach with no plan at all. The kids ended up soaked and sandy with no way to get to clean clothes after. So there naked butts were put in the car while we retrieved our keys and got to the house. We dropped everything off and headed strait back for more sand time. 

Poor Dylan wanted to go home last night, he said he missed his house and his animals. I felt bad for him but knew he was just over tired and excited. He slept well once he got down except for a 12:30 wake up call thanks to the alarm going off in there room. Don’t know how that happened, those little fingers can do alot when they want too.

This mornign we hit the beach again, after a small detour to the local “tourist trap crap” store. We had to find a spike for our beach umbrella and ended up with a much appreciated surprise for Dylan.

We finally found GREEN crocks! They had to be purchased then and there! It was as if he had never seen shoes before in his life. He was more excited about the shoes than the beach (at least at that point anyway). Ella then picked herself out a lovely pair of “flip-clops” which she has had difficulty with ever since then. We played on the beach all morning. We had to say good-buy to Aunt Cari this afternoon and are on our own from here on out. You can see a few pictures on my flickr photostream already.