T-Rex

I bought John a new t-shirt and it came in the mail today. I showed it to him. He read it. 

He laughed and said "That's cause his arms are little! And you know what? His nose is too big!" And then he made his arms short like a T-Rex and walked out of the room. 

Daddy has a T-Rex shirt and was actually wearing it tonight. 

John read it to Daddy. He had to read it a couple of times, but then he finally understood it. He said "Oh! I get it!" Once again he made his arms short like a T-Rex, but this time he attempted to clap and couldn't. 

I got John to show me how T-Rex's clap. 

Never eat soggy waffles

John has a quiz tomorrow on maps, directions and state facts. I our way home tonight, I reminded him about his quiz. He said "Do I have to study? Cause I know it all. Remember I got all the questions right last night." I quizzed him anyway. I asked "What is the state animal?" He said "Horse. But I wish it was a lion. Actually I wish it was a cobra!" I asked "What's the state insect?" He said "Honey bee." I asked "What are the four directions?" He was very quiet. So I said "You know, on a map." He very slowly said "North, east, south and west." I laughed and said "Very good."  He said "Wanna know how I remember? Never Eat Soggy Waffles. What? It works. Never eat soggy waffles. North, east, south, west!" 

Baby blanket

Gillian has a little green blanket that Grandma crocheted for her baby dolls. Gillian uses the baby blanket all the time. A few weeks ago, she brought it too me and said "Can Grandma fix it?" And she held up the blanket. 

I asked "Gillian how did that happen?" She said with a straight face "It did it all by itself!" We asked Grandma and she said she could fix it. I was supposed to bring it with us to the trunk or treat, but I couldn't find it. 

Today I was doing laundry and I asked Gillian to bring me her Mankets and to look for baby green blanket. She said "Cause it's broken. Grandma needs to fix it." She told me "I can't find it. I look everywhere." I looked for it, but couldn't find it. 

Tucked the kids into bed and about 45 minutes later, Gillian came into our room holding baby green blanket. "I found it. It was under my bed." I questioned her "Why were you under your bed, when you are supposed to be in your bed sleeping?" She didn't miss a beat and said "I didn't know." 

Trunk or Treat

Tonight we took the kids to St. Denis for their Trunk or Treat. If you are not familiar, a Trunk or Treat is when a school or an organization has people park their cars and they give out candy from their trunks. It's a safe alternative to kids going door to door. We have never taken the kids to a Trunk or Treat, but they loved it. 

We picked up Justin (Uncle Bob followed in his truck) and headed over to St. Denis. The kids were very excited. Gillian chatted to Justin about her costume and her sword. When we arrived we put the final touches on their costumes and headed out to Trunk or Treat. The first couple of trunks we harmless and the kids started to get into the swing of things. 

But then we got to a trunk that had a fake spider in it. John refused to get close. Even when we told him it was fake. He said "You know, I don't like spiders." Then Gillian saw a skeleton and refused to go to the car. We kept telling them that it wasn't real and that it wouldn't hurt them. But it didn't matter. 

We took a break to get something to eat. While I fed Gillian some mac & cheese (it was less messy to help her), she danced. She showed Uncle Bob some of her moves. I think he was impressed.

We walked around one more time to look at all the trunks. Gillian's favorite was a Frozen inspired trunk (no surprise there). John's favorite was a truck that was made to look like a pirate ship! I liked the one that looked like a big mouth. 

The kids had an awesome time with their cousin. And Daddy and I also had a good time. I'm really looking forward to trick or treating next Friday!

Payment

Shortly after putting the kids to bed, Gillian walked down the hallway and said "I gotta go to the bathroom." She did her business and started to walk back to her room. She left the lights on in the bathroom, so I stopped her and said "Did you forget something?" She smiled and said "Payment?" So on occasion I "charge" the kids for things. Like if they want to watch another TV show or an extra cookie. I ask them for a payment and I get a bunch of kisses and hugs in return. Anyway, I laughed and said "No. You left the lights on." She went back in the bathroom and turned off the lights. Then she started to walk past our room and again I stopped her. But this time I asked for payment. She came running in our room and gave me kisses and squeezies. 

Pumpkin pickin

Today we took the kids pumpkin picking. We met Mimi, Uncle T, Aunt Missy and Kenzie for lunch and then headed to tbe pumpkin patch. John was determined this year to find the perfect pumpkin. I take that back. He is always determined. His rules for a perfect pumpkin are "1) it's orange, 2) it's not too big, 2) it has a handle, and 4) it has no holes." Gillian was not looking for a pumpkin. "I already got one. On my field trip. You know, I got a pumpkin." 

The kids searched the whole field to find the best pumpkin. John found his pumpkin and I asked "Is that the one you want?" He said "There's only one part I don't like." And he pointed and some dirt on the one side. "But Daddy says we can clean it off." We also found a pumpkin for Gillian. And then the kids found a pumpkin for Aunt Missy!

Then we went to check out the animals. Gillian did not like feeding them. But she liked to pet them. John fed all the animals and was very diplomatic with his food. "I want to make sure everyone gets some!"

John liked all the animals except the emus. Gillian was excited to see the llama. Eventhough John said "It's an alpaca!"

Overall we had a great time pumpkin pickin!

Observation

Today I got to spend the day at John's school volunteering. Since I wasn't at work, I was able to pick up Gillian early. I told her this morning that I would pick her up after nap time (around 3:00). I got to Gillian's school and they were all sitting at their tables. Gillian's back was to me, so I got to watch her. I know. This sounds creepy, but it is so wonderful to watch the kids interact with their friends and teachers when they don't know you are there. Anyway, the kids were tracing Halloween objects, then had to cut them out and then color them. Gillian was working on a witch's hat. She traced it. Then got up, put back her stencil and picked up a pair of scissors. She went back to her table and cut out her hat. She cut out the hat then laid the scraps on the table and said "It looks like a hat!" She picked up her scraps and started walking to the garbage can and said "Moooooommmmm!" I was caught. "Why are you here?" I laughed and said "I told you I was coming." Even Gillian's teacher said "And you told me that too." Then Gillian changed her focus, "Can I color my hat when we get home?" I giggled and said "Of course." I love these little moments. 

Here's a picture of Gillian and her little witch's hat. 

Family Night

John's school had a family night program tonight. John really really wanted to go. When I picked him up from school, he told me "I didn't do my homework in Time+." I told him that he needed to do all his homework if he wanted to go to back to school. This was perfect motivation.  He finished his homework in record time and we all went to school after dinner. 

The program/show was good. The kids really enjoyed it. The performer did magic tricks and told silly stories and had puppets. John saw his show earlier in the day with his classmates, but still laughed at all the silly jokes. Gillian really enjoyed it. Both kids tried to be volunteers and were disappointed when they weren't picked. They also tried to volunteer Daddy and I. 

In the car on our way home, they told us about their favorite part. Gillian said "I liked it when the birdie (a puppet) licked the candy cane. And the candy cane was from the potty (it turned out to be a plunger)!" She laughed when she told us about it. John said "I liked that part too! Cause he shouldn't have licked! But it would have been worse if he licked the bottom part. You know the part that goes IN the potty!" 

The show was fun, but it was more fun watching the kids' reactions. I also loved seeing John wave and talked to friends from his class or Time+.  

Pick up

I don't always get to pick up Gillian from school, so I really look forward to my Tuesday pick up. Tonight, the kids were outside playing when I arrived. I watched Gillian run across the playground with Dorlisa and Nicholas. She didn't see me. They ran over to the climbing wall and Nicholas said "Gill, your mom's here!" She turned around, saw me, and then ran to the other side of the playground, staring at me the whole time. She noticed I was holding her pumpkin and she ran to me. "That's my pumpkin!" she told me. I said "Yes, you picked a nice one. And I see you made me a hat too." She laughed and said "No! It's mine!" Gillian and her class went on a field trip today to Huber Woods and they got to pick pumpkins, go on a hayride and make a fall crown. Gillian had a great day and I had an amazing pick up. 

Taquitos

Yesterday John told Daddy, "I'm hungry." Daddy offered "Do you want Taquitos?" John said "What?" "Taquitos." "But I don't know what that is!" Daddy again repeated "Taquitos." John got angry "Don't say it in Spanish!" Daddy said "It's still Taquitos. Do you want some?" John said "Taqui-NO!" 

Dance Party

Gillian went to a birthday party for her friend Elena today.  Elena had a dance party at a ballet studio.  Gillian was super excited about going to this party.  I was also excited about this party, but was a little worried that Gillian would be clingy and not want to leave my side (like the super hero party last week).  We arrived at the party and Gillian sat patiently while I put on her ballet shoes. She then ran into the dance studio.  She was ready to dance.  She even helped drag some of her friends into the studio.  They all gathered in a circle and started with some stretching.

Most of the music they danced to was from Frozen. So a lot of the moves were princess inspired. For example they galloped across the room because Anna rode a horse. They also "made" snowballs and "threw" them across the room. 

They did a "princess walk" across the room. Notice how Gillian completely does her own thing.

They also got to jump on a trampoline. 

At the very end the kids all got to do some tumbling. 

 

Gillian had a great time at the party. I did too. I'm so glad that I got to see some of her dance moves in person. 

Frozen by Gillian

Gillian "read" Frozen to me tonight. This isn't her first time, but she was hilarious tonight. Here is Gillian's version of Frozen:

There were two sisters in Arendelle, Anna and Elsa. Elsa makes it snow. And they made an Olaf! But Elsa made Anna shiver! (And she folded her arms and shook). Then the parents ran to get them. And then Anna knocked on the door and say "Do you wanna build a snowman?" Elsa didn't come to the door. And Anna say "It doesn't have to be a snowman!" Then Anna meets Prince Hans of the Seven-aisles (that's how she said it). Him's evil. Evil. Evil. Evil. And Elsa holds something with no gloves! Then Elsa becomes the queen. Anna and Prince Hans get engaged. Elsa says "NO!" Then she shoots ice and makes spikes. But then she runs away. She goes up to the mountain. Let it go! Let it go! Anna goes to find Elsa and her finds a man covered in snow. It's...Mommy, what's his name again? Right, it was Kristoff. Anna says you are taking me to to the North Mountain! Then the sled falls. And they meet Olaf. Olaf says "No yellow snow!" Olaf likes summer. In Summer!!! Then they see the ice castle. Anna sees Elsa. Let it go! But then Elsa shoots Anna with ice. The big snowman runs after them and says "Get out!" Anna cuts the line and they fall on a pillow. The boy says "Your hair! It's white!" They see the trolls. And Anna says we need Prince Hans. But him's doesn't help. Him's is evil. He pours water on the fire! Elsa escaped! Anna saved Elsa. Elsa unfreeze Anna. All the snow goes away. And Olaf got a flurry! Anna and the boy were ice skating! 

I love Gillian's version!

Tech class

In the car today, I asked John "What was your favorite part of the day?" He said "Everything!" I hate that answer. So I said "Tell me one part of your day that made you smile." He said "Tech class. Every time we go, there is a new picture on the computer screens. And today there was a picture of a dog in a pumpkin surrounded by other pumpkins." I said "Aww, and that made you smile?" And he said "Well it was really cute!"

I'm okay!

My kids are clumsy. John runs into walls. Gillian falls out of chairs. John falls off couches. Gillian trips over the dog. They come by this honestly. I am very clumsy myself. But they take it to a new level. 

Tonight Gillian ran to her room. She completely ran into our bedroom door. She hit the door with a bang, sat on the floor for a moment, jumped up and said "I'm ok!" I'm not sure how she didn't see the door or why she ran into it. But I love that she jumped up and kept going. 

I have watched John run to the bathroom and instead of opening the door, run right into it. He hits his head and falls to the floor, only to jump up and said "I'm ok!"

Any time we hear a crash, we simply wait to hear the "I'm ok!" Before rushing to their assistance. 

Super Hero Party

On Saturday, I took Gillian to a birthday party for her friend Ellis. She was super excited about going to the party, but when we arrived she got very shy. She refused to leave my side. Ellis had Amazing Athletes come and entertain the kids. Before Amazing Athletes started the program the parents were asked to get the kids goodie bags. In the goodie bag was a cape and a mask for each kid. Gillian was Wonder Woman. 

Other girls were Super Girl or Spider Girl. And the boys were either Batman, Captain America, Superman or Green Lantern. It was so cool too see all the little super heroes running around. Unfortunately, my little Wonder Woman did not want to participate in the Amazing Athlete's program. She sat and pouted next to me. She only perked up when it was time for pizza. After eating pizza and cupcakes, Gillian was more like herself and played with her friend Serafina!

Lock down

Yesterday John's school practiced a lock down drill. Let me first say that I find it sad that they need to have these kinds of drills. But tonight at dinner, we asked John to describe it. He said "First we were working. And then they announced over the speaker that we were going into lock down. And we all got up and went behind the teacher's desk. The teacher turned off the lights, locked the door and turned off the promethium board." Daddy said "Do you know why you do that?" John started to say "So they can't see the..." But then he stopped and said "Because a person or an animal could be in the school." I said "Yes, somebody who is not supposed to be in the school." And Daddy said "And by locking the classrooms and staying in one spot makes it easier for the policemen that come looking for the bad guy." John interjected "Or animal." Then John said "And you know what? If you are not in your class when they call for lock down you have three options. 1) Join another class, c) Go to a bathroom, lock a stall and sit on the toilet with your foot on the door. And if it has an automatic flusher, you gotta stay really still; and b) Make your own plan." I'm not so sure I believe they were told to make their own plan, but I am glad that he paid attention and knows what to do if there is a lock down.