Pirate party

Today was Kyle Thomas' 8th birthday party. He had a pirate party on a pirate ship! John was super excited about the party. Gillian was also excited but got very shy when we arrived. I think she was overwhelmed my the number of kids. We arrived and the kids got their pirate names, tattoos and bandanas. John's pirate name was "Jackpot John" and Gillian's name was "Jumpship Gillian." John picked a red bandana and he got a tattoo of a shark chasing a fish. Gillian did not want a tattoo or to wear her banana. Before we got on the ship, the kids had a lesson on pirate vocabulary. This got everyone every excited. Even Gillian was excited to get on the boat. She let us put on her pink bandana. 

We got on the ship and all the kids sat in the front. Gillian immediately wanted to sit next to John. She sat there for about 30 seconds and then sat with Daddy and I. 

The first thing the kids had to do was to find a map. The boys ran around the whole ship to find the map. Then they had to read the map to find the treasure. But then they saw another pirate and the kids decided we needed to attack him. They got to use water cannons to attack him. 

Gilly was very lucky because there was a cannon right next to Daddy. She didn't have to share at all. The kids shot the pirate with the water cannons and he fell in the water! After they defeated the pirate they were able to look for the treasure. 

They pulled in their haul and then had to open up the chest with a bunch of keys. 

Then all the loot got divided up amongst all the kids. Kyle got his first, next came Gillian and the other girls. John waited patiently for his turn. He didn't get his goodie bag until almost the end. But he was super patient and didn't complain at all. 

Then the kids saw something floating in the water! They pulled it in and it was Grog! They all got a little drink. And the posed for a group picture. 

We had pizza for dinner and some yummy cupcakes too. The kids had a great time. Happy birthday Kyle!

ABC reader

Today I got to go back to John's school for ABC reader. It is a program where the PTA donates a book and once a month a parent reads it to every class in the school. 

This month's book was a funny version of the three little pigs. John got to sit next to me and turn the pages of the book. Every time he turned the page, he would whisper "Oh man, this page looks silly." I think his little comments just made the kids even more excited about the story. The kids truly enjoyed this book and listened intently. 

As I tucked John in bed tonight, I said "I am so glad I got to read to your class today." John said "I wonder when you get to come back again." I told him "I won't be reading again this year." He looked really disappointed. But I said "Maybe next year, I can read

to your class." He was very happy to hear this. I am so glad he enjoyed my visit because it was the best part of my day!

Perfume

A few weeks ago Gillian watched me get ready for work. She saw that I put on perfume after I was dressed. She asked "What's that?" I explained that it was perfume and that it makes you smell good. She kept staring at me, so I asked "Do you want some?" She nodded and I sprayed a little on her wrists. I showed her how to rub her wrists together and told her to that she now smells wonderful. She smiled big and asked Daddy "Do I smell good?" Daddy said "You smell amazing!" The next morning she woke up, got dressed and went into my room and stood next to my dresser staring at my perfume. I asked "Do you want to wear some today? Which one?" She picked out one and we both wore that perfume. 

It has become our morning ritual. After getting dressed, she picks out a perfume and we both wear that scent. It's a simple little thing, but it's our thing. 

Working outside

When John and I got home tonight, Daddy was working outside cleaning up some leaves. It was a warm night so Daddy was working without a shirt. The kids were playing quietly in the living room while I was making dinner. John offered to help me, but I didn't have anything he could help with. So he said "I'm going outside to help Daddy!" I said "Okay, just make sure you put on shoes." He said "Ok. And I'm taking off my shirt too!" I kept working on dinner. And suddenly Gillian was next to me. "Are these the right feet?" she asked as she looked down at her shoes. I told her yes. And she said "I'm going to help Daddy too. But I not going to take off my shirt. Cause girls don't do that!"

The second cupcake

We went over to Mr. Matt and Miss Brittany's house for a barbecue this afternoon. Miss Britt put out the dessert and Gillian was super excited to hear that there was cupcakes. "I like cupcakes!" John and Gillian both picked out one cupcake each. They sat next to Uncle T and enjoyed their cupcakes. Before I realized it, Gillian was done with her cupcake and Uncle T was convincing her to go get him a cupcake. She got up and went back to the dessert table. She found a blue cupcake with yellow M&Ms on it. Uncle T assumed they were going to share the cupcake. Well that didn't work out too well for Uncle T. He would ask for a bite and she would turn away from him. She inched farther and farther away from him. She ate every bite of the cupcake along with licking the plate. 

The monkey

On Thursday John brought home an orange stuffed monkey. It was the last day for one of the aids in his class and she gave everyone a stuffed animal. He was super excited about his gift. 

 

Last night he came upstairs to go to bed and was visually upset. I asked him what was wrong. He said "I looked all over the basement and I can't find my new monkey anywhere!" I said "First you need to calm down and second I don't think you had him in basement. Why don't you go look for him again?" He went back downstairs. This time he came upstairs and was crying. I asked what was wrong. He couldn't even speak he was so upset. Finally he said "I can't find him anywhere. He is gone!" I told him to go get in his pajamas and I would go look for his monkey. He went to his room and came back to me. He said "I found him. He was on my bed." All of that to find the monkey in his room. 

Afraid of the dark

We put the kids to bed tonight. About ten minutes after being tucked in, we heard Gillian calling for Mommy. I went to check on her. I asked "What's wrong?" She said "I scared of the dark." She has never been scared of the dark before. I know this is just a delay tactic. She just wanted me to stay with her or invite her to our room. So I went into John's room and got his stuffed dragon. I brought Scorch to Gillian and said "This is John's brave, tough, dragon and he isn't afraid of the dark. He will protect you." She grinned and grabbed the dragon. I kissed her good night and went into John's room. I thanked him for giving one of his stuffed animals to his sister. He said "Well I have four!" 

I just checked on the kids. Gillian was sleeping soundly with Scorch tucked under her manket. I guess he helped her. 

Money

At the bus stop this morning, I asked John about school. He said "We learned about money! We had a special class. Where we got to count money." I asked him, "What's the smallest coin?" He grinned and said "The dime. It's silver!" I'm impressed, so I asked "How much is a dime?" He said "10 cents. And it takes 10 to make a dollar!" I asked "What's the next biggest coin?" He said "Like size? Cause the penny is the next biggest. But it's only one cent. You need 100 of them to make a dollar!" He also told me about nickels and quarters. I said "I like quarters. Their the best!" He said "Um, yea! Because you only need four to make a dollar. Pennies are the worst." 

At dinner tonight, Daddy asked John "Have you heard about a fifty cent piece?" John looked at me and said "Is that real?" I explained that they don't make them anymore. Then Daddy asked "Do you know about the gold dollar coin?" John again was skeptical. But I nodded. And Daddy said "Do you know they call it the Sacagawea?" John said "Well we didn't have any of them!"

The pickup

Daddy picked up the kids from school today. He got John first and then the boys headed to Gillian's school. John and Daddy found Gillian playing in the sandbox outside on the playground. Gillian saw John and ran across the playground to him and hugged him tight. John hugged her back and picked her up. I love how excited they are to see each other every night. 

The bug

Daddy was driving Gillian home from school tonight and Gillian kept saying "Daddy, there's a bug!" Daddy couldn't do anything about it because he was driving. The bug was on the back of the headrest of the seat in front of her. She calmed down for a few minutes while the bug moved to the front of the headrest. But then she freaked out again when he moved to the back. "There's a bug! There's a bug! There's a bug! There's a bug!"

When I asked her about it later, she said "I's ascared of the bug. Him's going to get me!" (Daddy said the bug was an ant and was nowhere near her. No bugs or Gillians were harmed during the car ride.)

Shopping

Gillian is the best shopping companion. She entertains me and makes it fun. 

On Saturday, we went to the outlets to get the kids some new clothes. Just the two of us (no boys). Gillian immediately went in the store and started looking at clothes. She argued with me "No. I like this one." She insisted on getting a pink dress. I told her no. "But it's pink! And it's pretty. I like it." I said no again and again. We left the store without the dress. But today she said to me "How come we didn't get the dress?" 

Our next stop on Saturday was Costco. My kids love Coatco. They love the free samples, holding my membership card and going in the walk-in fridges. I hate the free samples and avoid them like the plague. The whole time I have Gillian saying "I really want to eat." "Can I have that?" Finally she got a yogurt and was super happy. She spent the rest of the trip telling me silly stories and singing songs. 

We also went food shopping. She sat in the cart and would try to scare me. She would say "Raaahh!" I would pretend to be scared and she would laugh and laugh. Many of our fellow shoppers thought this was hysterical. Can't blame them. It was pretty funny. About halfway thru the store, she asked "Can I walk?" I let her walk and she pushed the cart. She had a hard time, because she couldn't see where she was going. I forgot something in the baking aisle so I challenged her to a race. She was fast! She ran all the way to the end of the aisle and back again. 

She was exhausted. I hate food shopping and I am thankful for Gillian making this chore enjoyable 

Saturday morning

Daddy always let's me sleep in on the weekends. He tells the kids to not bother me and I normally get an extra hour of sleep. This morning Daddy got up to let Duncan out. I heard someone else get up and go in the bathroom and then they headed downstairs. I assumed it was John. He is my early riser and normally gets up and goes to find Daddy. I rolled over and tried to fall back asleep. Then I heard Gillian said "But I can't find him anywhere!" She came in my room and I said "Who?" Then I heard John say "Daddy, his car is still here but I can't find him!" Gillian climbed into bed with me and said "He's gone. I can't find Daddy!" I told them "Daddy is probably in the bathroom downstairs. Don't worry he isn't missing." So they both climbed into my bed and John said "Gilly woke me up. Cause she could find Daddy." Gilly said "Yup. Cause it's morning. Mommy, are you getting up now? See it's morning!" I may have lost my bonus hour of sleep but I got some early morning giggles and snuggles with two of my favorite people. 

Gillian homework

The past couple of nights have been typical. Pick the kids up from school, go home, eat dinner, do homework, bathtime and bedtime. The only thing out of the ordinary is that we have given Gillian a workbook to do while John was working on homework. The book has tracing, letters and shapes in it. She worked on letters A, B and C last night. She needs more practice but is very good at tracing the letters and writing them herself. Tonight Daddy said "Why don't we try G. What is G for?" Gillian said "Me!" She's right. But Daddy was expecting her to say "Gillian." She didn't want to work on any letters tonight. Instead she worked on tracing lines. Any time she made it to the end of the map or swirl she would say "Yes!" And put her hand in the air. I'm so glad she enjoys her "homework."

Dance break

While we were cleaning the dinner table tonight, the kids took a quick dance break to dance to The Chipmunks' version of Party Rock. Gilly was shaking her booty and John was using all of his best moves. Gillian asked me "Can you dance with me?" I danced for a little bit and then she said "No! Take my hands and spin me around." I held her hands and we spun around. She asked Daddy, "You dance with me?" Daddy picked her up and spun her around in the air over his head. She got down (looking very dizzy) and said "I a good dancer!" Yes, yes you are. 

Jump Rope for Heart

In February, John's school participated in Jump Rope for Heart.  All the kids at school jumped during their Physical Education classes, but kids also had an opportunity to raise money to support the American Heart Association.  John was very excited about raising money and bugged Daddy and I non-stop about asking people to donate.  Thru John's persistence, he raised $385 for the American Heart Association. 

Last week, Daddy and I received a letter from Mr. Davis and Mrs. Landis.  John was one of the school's top fundraisers and we were invited to go to an assembly on Friday.  Daddy had court on Friday, but Grandma and Grandpa joined me.  We arrived early and found our reserved seats.  They got all the kids in the gym/cafeteria and the top fundraisers got to sit in the front.

We heard from the superintendent, and a representative from the American Heart Association.  We found out that MFA was number one in the Monmouth County for collections, third in the state of New Jersey and 9th in the country!  They handed out awards for the highest class in each grade level (John's class was the highest in the first grade). Mrs. Landis then announced that they were awarding the top three fundraisers in each grade.  They announced grade one.  There were two girls tied for third place and John was announced as the second highest fundraiser for the first grade!

I am so proud of him.  He walked confidently across the stage and wasn't afraid at all.

After all the awards were given out, then the teachers put on a little show for the kids.  They jump roped and danced.  The kids loved it.

Like I said before, I am very proud of my little boy.  But he couldn't have done it without the support of his family.  He had a lot of generous donors especially his Granddad, Grandma & Grandpa, Mimi & Poppy, Gigi & Pop-pop, Uncle Joe & Aunt Donna, Uncle Kevin & Aunt Trish, Aunt Katie & Bert, Aunt Betty, Uncle Bob, Uncle Jay, Uncle T & Aunt Missy and all the other donors.   

The diner

We took the kids to the diner for dinner tonight. John wanted eggs and toast for dinner. Gillian wanted pancakes. We ordered and the kids entertained themselves by coloring on their menus. Gillian then announced to everyone, "I have to go potty!" I ran her to the bathroom, shushing her the entire time. Gillian took care of business and we were back at the table. After sitting down for less than thirty seconds, Gillian said "I gotta go poop!" Once again, I ran her across the diner and she took care of business. Luckily dinner arrived shortly after our second trip to the bathroom. Daddy ordered a Belgium waffle. Gillian took one look at it and said "I want that!" Daddy said "But you have pancakes!" Gillian said "But I want that." And Daddy traded with her. John was jealous, but in the end everyone got a piece of the waffle.  

Muddah

I picked up the kids from school today. Once I had John in the car he said to Gillian and I, "I need to talk to Gillian before dinner. In private." Gillian said "I got my Muddah's day present in my bag. And you can't have it until Muddah's day. On Muddah's day you have to be nice to your Muddah!" I'm giggling because I know what is going to happen next. John says "Shhh, Gill we will talk at home." Gillian said "It's a handprint!" John said "I she said 'It's a present.'" To keep the peace, I said "That's what I thought John." Gillian said "No. It's a handprint. And it's pink. Cause Mommy likes pink. It's for Muddah's day!" "Gill! You're ruining it!" I told him to calm down and that nothing was ruined and that I will love whatever you give me. 

When we got home, they ran upstairs and locked themselves in John's room until dinner. I love that they are so excited about trying to surprise me (and I love how Gillian says mother).

Tall

I keep our bowl of Easter candy on top of the hutch. After dinner tonight, John asked for some candy for dessert. I got up and reached for the bowl. Meanwhile, John pushed his chair over to the hutch. I told him "You can't reach it even on top of the chair." He tried and couldn't. He said "You know what? We need the 16th president! He could reach it. He's like taller than the ceiling!" I said "I'm not sure he is that tall." John grinned and said "Yea. He's really tall and he wore a tall hat too!" I said "I'm going to find out how tall Abraham Lincoln was." After a quick internet search, I discovered that Abraham Lincoln was 6'4". I told John. And he said "See! I told ya!" I said "We should find out how all Uncle Bob is. I bet he is as tall as Abraham Lincoln!" John was doubtful. I texted Uncle Bob. And he is 6'4" too! But John said "Lincoln is taller. Because of his hat!" But Uncle Bob said "Hats don't count." John said "But hats make him LOOK taller!" Uncle Bob said "Hats don't count." John laughed and came up with a new theory, "Uncle Bob is bald and Lincoln had hair. His hair makes him taller." Uncle Bob said "No. I've got hair. And Lincoln was bald. That's why he wore a hat." And then I sent him a picture of Lincoln and said "Not true!"

And that's when Uncle Bob FaceTimed us. He said "John, I have hair. See?" And he shows us his head. Then he says "See that? (And points the camera at grandpa's head) That's a bald spot. Lincoln had a combover. Do you know what a combover is?" John says "Yea. A combover is something covering something else." Uncle Bob said "See Lincoln had a combover. I'm just as tall." John didn't really seem to agree. So 

Uncle Bob asked him a few questions about Lincoln. "What number president was he?" John said "16th." Uncle Bob asked "What happened to him?" John said "He got assinated." Uncle Bob asked a few more questions, but John didn't know a lot of the answers. We learned a lot about Lincoln tonight, most importantly, that he was taller than Uncle Bob!

Colors

Tonight at dinner, we did our usual conversation starter, "How was your day?" John said "It was good." I can't stand those simple answers. So I asked "What was your special class?" He said "Art! And we didn't have it in our classroom!" I asked "Why not?" He said "Cause there were teachers eating lunch in there. You want to know where we had class?" Now I'm getting very excited. He doesn't normally give us this much information. So I play it cool and say "Yes. Where was your class?" He said "Outside! We were learning about primary colors. And how you can make all the other colors with primary colors." I quizzed him and asked "What does blue and red make?" He said "Purple!" What about yellow and blue?" "Green!" "OK, how about yellow and red?" "Orange!" Gillian thought that it was a game. So she started just saying colors. "Pink!" "Yellow!" John got annoyed, "No Gill. Yellow is a primary color!" 

We talked more about primary colors and secondary colors. I am very thankful that the teachers were eating lunch in the art room and John got to have art class outside. He retained a lot and was excited to share with us tonight. 

PSA

Tonight at dinner, Gillian asked "Can I have a drink?" John said "Me too? I want milk!" Daddy got the milk. Gillian said "I like milk it's my favoritest!" John said "The doctor said I have to drink a lot of milk. But I don't know why." Daddy said "Well milk has calcium." And John said "And calcium gives you strong bones (and he pointed at his arm) and teeth (and he pointed at his teeth)." I asked him how he knew all that. He said "What? I learned it in health!"

Tornado

Gillian showed me a picture she made in school. 

I said to her "That's beautiful. What is it?" She said "It's a tornado. Tornados are bad. If there's a tornado, we need to go to the basement. Or a bathroom! We have LOTS of bathrooms!"