First Swimming Lesson

John and Daddy had their first swimming lesson today. Daddy got John dressed and John came running downstairs to find me. "Look! I look good. I'm wearing a water shirt!" Daddy and John ran off to the swimming lesson and Gillian and I agreed to meet them after their lesson.

Gillian and I arrived at Dorbrook. We met John and Daddy at the pool. John came running over. "I put my face in the water! And I blowed bubbles!" He was grinning ear to ear. Daddy told me that John did very well but he needs to work on his listening skills. They got to work with kick boards and kicking. John also got to "rescue" animals in the pool. The instructor threw them to the deep end and the kids got to use the kick boards to swim over and rescue them. He is so proud of what he accomplished today.

Overall John's first swimming lesson was a success and he is excited about next week.

Timeouts

Every night on our way home from school, I ask John how many timeouts he had during the day. Lately he has been on a good streak of no timeouts. But Gillian always wants to be involved in our conversations. So one night I asked Gillian if she had any timeouts. She said "No!" But she had a guilty look on her face. I'm very suspicious of that little girl.

Today I picked up Gillian early from school. She wasn't feeling well. John decided to stay at school while I took Gillian home. Gillian was at school for about three hours. On our way home from picking up John, again I asked him how many timeouts. He said "zero!" Gillian had a big smile on her face. I asked Gillian the same question. She replied with her little finger in the air "Two!" She paused, then she said "Four! Six!" I'm not sure she understood the question.

Volume Control

Daddy worked late tonight, so I picked up the kids. I put the kids in the car and rolled the windows down. This prompted Gillian and John to yell "Goodbye Frank!" (Frank is a student that helps at TLC during the summertime) We decided to make tacos for dinner so we made a quick stop at Acme. We got home and the kids played as I got dinner ready. During dinner the kids were pretty good. They ate their tacos quietly. Then Daddy got home. That's all it took. Gillian screamed "Daddy!" As Daddy and I tried to talk about our day we kept getting interrupted. Gillian kept repeating the same word and she got louder and louder every time she said it. John kept talking.

In an effort to get them to be quiet, I gave them ice cream cones. John decided to have them on the deck. I thought perfect. They can make tons of noise outside. Unfortunately Mr. Matt was outside barbecuing. John saw Mr. Matt and starts yelling "Mr. Matt! Mr. Matt!" Then Gillian started "Matt! Matt! Matt!" Poor Mr. Matt. My children are crazy!

Wanter and Aliens

Tonight at dinner, Gillian did not want anymore of her apples. John asked "Can I have them?" I gave John the apples and immediately Gillian started to whine. John says "She's a wanter!" I thought he was trying to say whiner, so I said what? And he repeated "She's a wanter! See she wants the apples."

After dinner, John said "There are aliens. I haven't seen them but they live in the neighborhood." I was really confused and asked him how he knew that aliens lived in our neighborhood. He said "I saw the green in their house. I didn't see the alien. But their house is green." After he said that I knew exactly what house he was talking about. The neighbors behind us have a Kelly green family room. He can see it from our kitchen. I'm not really sure how a green room equals aliens.

On a side note, John had another fabulous day as student of the week. He brought in all of his Imaginext airplanes (6 planes) to share with his friends. When I picked him up from school he was a little sad. I asked him why and he said "you picked me up too early. I got to play with my planes, but I didn't get any time to play with the blocks." He also reported that they read "If You Give a Moose a Muffin."

Monday: Student of the Week

This morning John came running into our room saying "It's a school day and I'm student of the week! Where's Daddy? Cause I gotta go to school!" He didn't argue as I got him dressed but he didn't hesitate to yell at Daddy and I when we weren't moving fast enough. "I gotta go to school! I'm student of the week!"

John decided to bring "Awesome Man", "Traction Man" and "If You Give a Moose a Muffin." He also brought "Kung Fu Panda" (the original). According to John, "Kung Fu Panda number one is the awesomest!" He also brought in his new Spiderman car that Mimi got him. He was so excited in the car on the way to school. He ran up the path to the door. He was grinning ear to ear when he saw the sign on his cubby. "See! I told you I was student of the week!"

At dinner tonight, John told me all about his day. "We got to read 'Traction Man.' But we didn't watch the movie. And I got to be line leader." He also kept saying to himself "I'm student of the week. I'm student of the week. I'm student of the week!"

Big Girl Bed

We took the side off of Gillian's crib today and transformed it into a toddler bed. She is very excited about her big girl bed. She didn't want to get out of it once we took the side off.

We put her down for a nap this afternoon. I was worried that she would get out of the bed and walk down the stairs. So I spent the first half hour of her nap reading in John's room. After Gillian was quiet for awhile I went to check on her. I found her fast asleep with her feet hanging off the side of the bed. Silly girl.

Tonight at bedtime, she went running to her bed and climbed right in. She was so excited to go to sleep. She also feel asleep quickly. Overall moving her into a big girl bed was a success!

Student of the Week

John's class has a student of the week program. John has been dying to be student of the week. A month ago he came home from school and was so sad. I asked him why. He said "We are doing Z this week. And I wasn't student of the week yet! I'm never going to be student of the week!" Daddy and I both thought that he was right. We thought that they forgot about him We started TLC in December so Daddy and I thought that maybe the teachers thought that John was already student of the week. Thankfully we were all wrong.

I picked John up from school today and there was a big sign on his cubby saying that he was student of the week for next week. I asked John what that meant. He said "I get to bring in books and movies and toys!" We talked about what books he wanted to bring to school. I suggested "Awesome Man." John said "And I'm going to bring 'Give a Moose a Muffin' it's really silly!" I asked him what his favorite move was and said we should bring that movie to school. He said "Dragons!" He means "How to Train a Dragon."

John was so excited to tell Daddy when we got home. I am so happy that John gets his chance in the spotlight.

Pre-K Graduation

Today was John's Pre-K Graduation.  I can't believe my little boy graduated from Pre-K.  It seems the past 5 years have flown by so quickly. 

Daddy, Aunt Betty, Mimi, Poppy and I all arrived at TLC and quickly found a seat in the Earth Room.  We watched as the graduates walked into the room.  John walked in looking everywhere for us and when he saw us he had the biggest smile.  They walked in and lined up on the stage.  Miss Mary started the ceremony by saying that the graduates would introduce themselves.  One by one the kids said their first and last name.  Each kid was themselves.  Some were loud others were soft.  John's turn and he yelled "John LoCascio!"

Next they did their first song, "We are the Dinosaurs."  All the classrooms at TLC are named for animals or Winnie the Pooh characters.  The Pre-K class is also known as the dinosaur class.  The dinosaur song goes something like this: we are the dinosaurs marching, marching.  We are the dinosaurs, we make the earth flat.  Next we did the pledge of allegiance and the kids sang "God Bless America."  I know I have mentioned John singing "God Bless America" before and it was just as beautiful when all the kids sang.  The kids sang a few more songs and then they were all presented with their certificates. 

We were all invited to the big room for refreshments or as John says "freshments."  I was so happy to see my cookies next to the cake. 

Everyone had a fabulous time at the graduation.  Daddy & I are so proud of John.  We can't wait to start Kindergarten. 



Daddy & Johnny

Johnny & I

John and a cookie

Miss Lizette, Miss Mary, Miss Courtney & John

Workin Boots

We got home from work today and saw Uncle T at Mr. Matt's house. Uncle T and Mr. Matt were cutting and trimming trees. John had to check out the situation. From the deck he yelled "Mr. Matt! What are you doing? I need to get some energy. And then I'm coming to help!"

He started to eat his dinner. Had two bites and said "I've got enough energy now. I'm going to get my workin boots." I told him no. He needed to eat all his dinner and then he could help. He ate as quickly as he could and he asked if he could be excused. He found his workin boots and asked me to help him. We went outside and John said "we are going to go the secret way. Follow me!" Mr. Matt's backyard runs into ours so we walked through our neighbors yard to get there. Gillian would not walk because she was afraid of the sound of the chainsaws. We found Mr. Matt in the backyard cutting down branches. Uncle T was in the bucket truck cutting the limbs off the trees. John got to meet Buddy (Mr. Matt's dog) and started to help right away. He moved branches from the front yard to the backyard. At one point he had a branch in his hand and the leaves brushed the top of Buddy's head. I told him to be careful and he said "I was just tickling him."

From John's mouth

This morning John wanted one of his friends out of his room. He got to the top of the stairs and had a hard time opening the gate. I climbed the stairs to help him and he turned to me and said "I should have Mousercised!"

I was almost done making dinner and I called John upstairs to help me with a surprise for Daddy. Daddy wasn't home for Father's Day so John and I decided to surprise him. We cut up some bread and fresh mozzarella. I told John to call Daddy and Gilly upstairs for dinner. John said "No. I don't want to blasto the surprise." I didn't understand. He said "Do you know what blasto the surprise means?" I told him no. He replied "Oh I mean, I don't want to foil the surprise."

In the bathtub tonight we talked about Aunt Missy and Uncle T's wedding. John said "I'm the ring bearer and I'm going to carry the rings. But you know what? I'm going to dance." I said you are going to dance? He said "Yea. But I'm going to dance to 'The Moves Like Jagger' but to the music in my head. Like this." Then he starts mouthing the words and dancing in the bathtub. He might just dance down the aisle.

Father's Day

Daddy isn't here today for Father's Day.  But in honor of his special day I have put together a bunch of my favorite pictures of Daddy and the kids. 

Daddy & John first picture together

Daddy & Gillian first picture together

John & Daddy at the ranch (4 months old)

John & Daddy at the beach (year old)

John & Daddy on a fire engine

Father's Day 2011

Daddy and Gilly snuggles

Gillian and Daddy Labor Day weekend 2011

The big playground

John really wanted to go to the St. Leo's fair tonight. Since Daddy is away I was afraid to take the two of them to the fair by myself. I gave John two options instead of going to the fair. One go home and fill the pool and play on the deck or two go to the big playground. John opted for the big playground (aka Dorbrook Park).

I picked up some McDonalds and we has a picnic in the park. After our little picnic, the kids ran to the playground. Gillian started out on the small playground and then started following John everywhere. If John was on the seesaw then Gillian went on the seesaw. If John was on a slide then Gillian had to go down the slide. Most things Gillian can do, but John likes to climb up the nets or the rock walls. Gillian can't quite handle that stuff. Well Mommy can't handle Gillian doing that stuff.

They did have an awesome time. They spent most of the time in the "bumpy" slide. John would wait for Gillian and they would hold hands and go down the slide together.

Man of the House

Daddy left early this morning to celebrate Uncle T's bachelor party. Before Daddy left he told John that he would be "the man of the house" while Daddy was away. I woke up John this morning and told him that I needed him to help me. He quickly responses "Cause I'm the man of the house!" He got dressed quickly and asked "do we have to go to school today?" I explained to him that yes we have to go to school and I had to go to work. "But I'm the man of the house today. It's not going to be fun if I can't stay home!"

The kids ate breakfast and I told John that we needed to stop and get gas. He said "I knew that already. Cause I'm the man of the house. Let's take your car today and you can drive cause I'm too little."

John made two pictures today for Flag Day. He asked me "Can we hang up this picture?" I told him of course and that we would hang it up in the kitchen. He said "I'll decide where we should hang it up. I'm the man of the house. That means I get to pick where we hang it."

Music

John and Gillian got these mini pianos in a kids meal awhile ago. This morning John was playing with it. He pressed three keys and says "Mommy these sound like 'I love you.'"

This afternoon on our trip home from school, John says "I know this song." I thought he was talking about the song on the radio. I asked him to sing. He started singing "God Bless America." He sang it beautifully. I was so impressed.

Abby Cadabby

Gillian is allowed to bring a stuffed animal or soft baby doll to school to sleep with. A few weeks ago she started bringing her little Abby Cadabby doll. For those of you that don't know, Abby is a muppet from Sesame Street. Gillian loves her little Abby. One Sunday we left Abby outside and while Gillian was eating her breakfast she pointed outside and said "Abby school!" I didn't understand her at first. I made her repeat it twice before I understood what she was talking about. Last week she brought Abby to school and I know I brought Abby back home. Yesterday morning I couldn't find Abby so I sent Gillian to school without Abby. I picked the kids and Miss Chris told me that Gillian asked for Abby during nap. This morning I searched everywhere for her. She is missing. I looked in Daddy's car, my car, the diaper bag, Gilly's room, my room, the bathroom and the basement. Luckily I was able to send her to school today with Phin, her dolphin. I'm not sure how long that will last. Let me know if you have seen Abby.

Monday lunch

I packed the kids lunch like usual this morning. On our way to school John remembered that it was Brayden's birthday and that they were going to have pizza today. As soon as he said it was Brayden's birthday, I told him that he could eat the pizza and to not worry about the lunch I packed. He replied "you shouldn't have made me lunch!" I told him that I forgot and that he didn't need to eat the lunch I packed. He sat quietly for a few seconds and then he said "what if my friends see my lunch bag?" Clearly we need to talk to John about peer pressure and what the other kids think. This has been an ongoing issue with him lately. Anyway, I told him to not worry about it and that I had an idea. He again sat quiet for a few seconds and then said "you shouldn't have made me lunch!" He just knows how to push all my buttons. We got to school and again he started with the drama over the lunch. I told him that he needed to bring the lunch bag into school and that I would not leave it in the car. He pouted up the hill to school and while I put Gillian's lunch bag in her classroom. He again questioned what I was going to do to hide his lunch bag. I simply took his blanket out of his book bag and put it in his cubby. I then put the lunch bag back in the bag and hung it up. See John now no one will know that mommy made a mistake. He finally calmed down and happily followed me to his classroom. You would think that I packed him a stinky tuna fish sandwich or something like that.

Uncle Joe

John and Gillian's grandma (my mom) is retiring after teaching at St. Denis School in Manasquan for the past 24 years. Today the PTA hosted a retirement luncheon to celebrate her retirement. My older sister Trish helped to plan the luncheon as well as worked to put together a scrapbook full of past students memories of my mom. We arrived and were surprised to see Uncle Joe. Gillian has never met her Uncle Joe before. She was a little shy at first. I think he reminded her of Uncle Bob and she is a little afraid of Uncle Bob. Anyway, Uncle Joe and John hit it off right away. Uncle Joe asked John about how fast he could run. That was all John needed. He told Uncle Joe "it's not the shoes that make me fast. It's my feet!" John also challenged Uncle Joe to a race. "I'll show you how fast I am!" John ran ban and forth in the cafeteria to demonstrate his speed for Uncle Joe.

Grandma arrived and was very surprised. She was also very excited to see Uncle Joe. Aunt Trish had a nice speech prepared and the students made a beautiful PowerPoint. Overall it was a wonderful luncheon to celebrate her 24 years of service to St. Denis.

After the luncheon we all went back to Grandma's house. John immediately challenged Uncle Joe to a race. He stood at the top of the driveway and said "I'll race you to the bottom." Before Uncle Joe was ready to go, John started down the driveway. John, of course, one that race and the next one just like that. Uncle Joe suggested that they run down the driveway and around the house. Just like that Uncle Joe and John were off. They came around the side of the house and were neck and neck. John got to the sidewalk and tripped and fell. Uncle Joe won the race and John got a scraped knee. John was not too happy about the loss, but he did say for the rest of the day "I won two races."

Unfortunately I didn't get any pictures of the kids with Uncle Joe. I will, however, never forget the look on John's face when we told him it was time to go. He was so sad. He wanted to stay and play with his cousins and Uncle Joe.

Thanks for coming Uncle Joe! We love you!

Slice & Dice

John has cooking class every Saturday morning. I got to go with him today. There are normally 5 or 6 kids and their parents every Saturday. Well today it was John and two other kids, Madison and Noah. They got to do everything. There was no fighting or complaining. The kids got to sit at the prep table for the whole class. I said at one point it was like we paid for private lessons today.

Today we had three recipes to prepare: supreme pizza pasta, layered fruit salad and homemade root beer. They started preparing the pasta salad first. The teacher asked John to dice the tomatoes and he said "I can slice and dice them." And that was it. That was his response for the entire class. John can you cut the bananas? "I can slice and dice them into a million pieces!" He did get to use his favorite kitchen tool...the chopper. John do you want to chop some onions? "I can chop the onions with one hand!" He chopped them like a pro and when the teacher showed him the onions. He got up from his seat and ran over to me. "Mommy! There's something wrong with my eyes!" His eyes were tearing from the onions. He was so funny. He didn't believe us that it was from the onions. Even now if you ask him what happened at class he will tell you that he got dirt in his eye.

End of the Year Party

The Lincroft Center for Children had their annual end of year party today.  John has been talking non-stop about the party for a week now.  TLC rents a water slide for the big kids and a bounce house for the younger kids.  They also get a lunch of hot dogs and Italian ice for dessert.   

waiting in line

He woke up this morning super excited.  "Mommy!  I need to wear a bathing suit to school today."  We looked at his bathing suits, and he was a little critical.  He wanted one with a shark on it.  I don't know where that came from, because he doesn't have any shark bathing suits.  Anyway, we decided on a green and blue one and a blue water shirt.  While he was getting dressed, he kept telling me about what was going to happen today.  "We are going to have hot dogs and chips and Italian ice.  We need to wear our bathing suits because we are going on a water slide.  Gilly doesn't have to wear her bathing suit.  She doesn't get to go on the water slide.  Just the Dinosaurs and the Kindergarten." 

I dropped the kids off at school.  He was a little worried that the other kids would make fun of his water shirt.  I guess we are getting into that stage.  I found out when the water slide and bounce house would arrive and I planned on taking an early lunch so that I could see the kids play.  I arrived at TLC around 11:30 and found John playing with a bottle game.  He was so happy that I came to visit, he immediately dragged me over to the water slide so that I could see him go down it.  While he was waiting in line, his teacher told me that John was a little apprehensive at first but once he tried the slide he loved it. 

Gillian in her classroom

John with the fishin pole

He waited his turn and went down the slide like a pro.  Shortly after his trip down the slide, it was time to go inside.  All the kids had to get changed into dry clothes and it was time for a picnic lunch.  I got to help hand out the lunches and help the kids with their juice boxes.  Daddy described it perfectly, "You liked being class mother."  I did. It was a nice change for a Thursday afternoon.  I also got to see Gillian in her class too.  I didn't go in, because I was afraid that she wouldn't let me go home.  I talked to her teachers and they told me that she loved the bounce house and that she wasn't too fond of the hot dogs.  We decided that she must prefer grilled dogs over boiled hot dogs.  Oh well. 

John told me when I got home from work that he had blue Italian ice and it was yummy.  He had a fabulous day today and I did too.

Wheels on the bus

This weekend Gillian was sitting at the table and was looking for her baby doll. I asked her what baby says and she replied "wah wah wah!" It took me a minute to realize that she must have learned the song "The Wheels on the Bus." I sang the song and Gillian immediately started making hand motions to go along with the lyrics. She rolled her hands for the wheels. And then she put her hands in a V and said "all through the town!" It got better not only did she rub her eyes for the crying baby, but she made her arms go swish swish for the wipers. She sang the song for the rest of the day.

Now whenever there is a lull in conversation, she will start singing. She sang the entire car ride home today. I just need to teach her a new song. There are only so many times you can sing "The Wheels on the Bus."

The wheels on the bus go round and round
Round and round, round and round
The wheels on the bus go round and round
All through the town.

The wipers on the bus go "Swish, swish, swish,
Swish, swish, swish, swish, swish, swish"
The wipers on the bus go "Swish, swish, swish"
All through the town.

The door on the bus goes open and shut
Open and shut, open and shut
The door on the bus goes open and shut
All through the town.

The horn on the bus goes "Beep, beep, beep
Beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep"
The horn on the bus goes "Beep, beep, beep"
All through the town.

The gas on the bus goes "Glug, glug, glug
Glug, glug, glug, glug, glug, glug"
The gas on the bus goes "Glug, glug, glug"
All through the town.

The money on the bus goes "Clink, clink, clink,
Clink, clink, clink, clink, clink, clink"
The money on the bus goes "Clink, clink, clink"
All through the town.

The baby on the bus says, "Wah, wah, wah!
Wah, wah, wah, wah, wah, wah!"
The baby on the bus says, "Wah, wah, wah!"
All through the town.

The people on the bus say, "Shh, shh, shh,
Shh, shh, shh, shh, shh, shh"
The people on the bus say, "Shh, shh, shh"
All through the town.

The mommy on the bus says, "I love you,
I love you, I love you"
The daddy on the bus says, "I love you, too"
All through the town.

My silly funny boy

John has a way with words. He is blunt to the point and very funny. Here are a few of his comments over the past couple of days.

Sunday morning around 6:30, I was still in my bed. John comes in the room, climbs into my bed, gets under the covers and snuggles with me for about 30 seconds. Then he says "I didn't come in here to snuggle you! Where's Daddy?"

Sunday afternoon during Gillian's nap, Daddy and I were relaxing in the hammock in the backyard. John was playing on the deck. He yelled at us "I'm going to count to 10 and you guys gotta come here!"

Monday morning as I was getting the kids ready for school, John put on his grey and black sweatshirt. He then told me "if you turn off the lights then you won't see me. I'm like camouflage in the dark."

Again Monday morning, as I made the left onto 520 John said "Hold onto your seats!"

Tonight I showed John Uncle Joe's hand. Uncle Joe got bit by his cat and his hand is very swollen from the bite. John asked "what happened?" I explained to him about the cat and John said "that cat is not good!"

Tonight John wanted to dance so we had a dance party in the basement. John asked me to dance. When I said no thanks, he said "come on! It's really easy!"

Bike ride

We took the kids for a bike ride today. Daddy loaded the bikes into the truck and we headed to Thompson Park in Lincroft. I have never been there before, but it was absolutely beautiful.

We have a seat for Gillian that fits on ether of our bikes. I took Gillian at first and led our group. While Daddy rode slow behind John. John did very well. Gillian loves riding on the bike. She kicks her feet, she giggles and waved to the people we passed. We rode to the playground and took a break. Normally after a break we would move Gillian's seat to the other bike, but Daddy decided to stay with John. They got a head start and as I was just catching up to them John fell. Don't worry. There were no major or minor injuries. He wasn't paying attention and lost control of his bike and tipped over. Gillian and I got to speed ahead and check out more of the park. It was a beautiful morning to play in the park.

With a wink and a bless you

The kids bedtime is 8. As we were putting the kids to bed, John said "but it's still light out!" I do feel bad for him. It sucks going to bed at 8 in the summertime. We tucked him in and about 5 minutes later he came into our room. "I gotta go potty!" We told him to go to the bathroom. He did his business and stopped in our room. He comes into our room and says "just one more thing." And he winks at us, smiles and heads down the hallway. He stops turns around and says "goodnight Daddy! Goodnight Mommy!"

Today I noticed that when you sneeze around Gillian, she says "bless you" after you sneeze. She also says "bless you" to herself when she sneezes. I told Daddy about it. He doesn't believe me. I pretended to sneeze and Gillian responded by saying "achoo!" Of course she didn't say it. So then later she actually sneezed and said "bless you" and Daddy was about 10 feet from us when it happened. I asked him if he heard it. No! Of course not.

Races

John races everywhere he goes. He races to the top of the stairs. Every morning he races me to the school door. We used to do races to see who got dressed first, John or Gillian. Unfortunately, he is not a good loser. If someone other than John wins a race, he says "It's not a race!" Or "we wasn't racing!" We are trying to teach him to be a good sport, but it's really hard. He is really fast. The only way someone else can win is if we trick him. Like tonight, Daddy pointed out one of your fish and while John's head was turned he made a quick dash to the stairs. It didn't work. John is smart. He immediately said "Daddy it's not a race!" And then he ran up the stairs.