A Moment of QT

We still have full body combat, but this is becoming a familiar scene. I love it.

Fire Safety

Can you tell who has been reviewing Fire Safety recently?

Happy Birthday #2!!

An official THREE year old - big time! He does it BY HIMSELF, WHEN he wants to, IF he wants to and the rest of the world will WAIT ... hopefully patiently ... while he decides. Ah yes, the lovebug that loves to snuggle (and still does, thank goodness) is now raising his fuzzy head and fist to independence. Some of this is fantastic and some requires patience that I have not yet found. I know, I know ... get in line.

#2, you are hilarious and meticulous ... and stealth (unless it is the middle of the night). You finally decided to get into the verbal mix and your words have exploded in the last few months. Sometimes there are so many trying to come out at the same time, your brain can't keep it all straight which leaves you a little frustrated. But everyday you are telling me something new and you are working so hard at enunciating your words -- you care way more than the rest of us about how they sound which is so true to you ... the engineer ... who must know how things work.

Two things I love hearing from you right now: first, you've figured out "sinister." You will say something that you want to be sinister and follow it up with a "HA HA HA!" in a slightly devilish tone. It is hysterical! "I took your cookie, HA! HA! HA!" And speaking of devilish, you get away with more than you absolutely should be allowed to get away with because you can make almost anyone in this house laugh on cue. You have this look that has turned into your get out of jail free card and you use it! Second: you've learned the significance of a super enthusiastic "YESSSS!" It's like you are ready for AWESOME, but like the way YESSSS rolls off your tongue better. It makes everyone smile.

#1: "I put The Backyardigans on for you."

#2: "YESSSS!"

Me: "Do you want pasta for dinner?"

#2: "YESSSS!"

Mr. Right: "Let's go for a bike ride."

#2: "Oh ... YESSSS!"

You are ready to be a big brother in many ways. I'm sorry you aren't getting the baby brother that you asked for, but I promise your sister will be able to rough it up with you ... she's going to have to. Take any other complaints up with your father, it was all up to him ... and I'm as surprised as you are that he is capable of making a girl. Back to being a big brother ...

Things I Think Are Great (that I see between you and your brother):

- Sharing, playing, laughing, loving your sibling like you know that s/he is the one that will have your back when others don't.

Things I Would Like You to Forget About:

- Teaching "poop head" "poopy poopy" "poopy butt" and all needs to pummel someone younger than you. Just because I didn't learn this [sorry, Mark] doesn't mean you can't.

In all seriousness, you are so ready. You are such a good friend to your friends at school. You keep track of everyone and make sure everyone is a-OK. You always have a report at the end of each day - you've been people-watching - and we all will know who was happy, who got hurt and who made your day.

You are so much more interested in sports and such. I'm interested to see what happens this year. You are still too young for most of the organized stuff around here and you are NOT happy about that. Watching your brother is agony (for all of us) because you are ticked off to say the least that you are not participating too. You've taken off on your "bike" and really enjoy your scooter. You and your brother are currently enjoying scooter races where you weave in between rocks and patio furniture and other outside toys ... I guess that is better than the furniture inside the house.

You are still an engineer. You love, love, love the trains and making train tracks that fill the entire playroom floor. You will spend an entire weekend building and perfecting the track, watching the trains roll forward and backward with an occasional crash. Sometimes you like help, but mostly you like the time alone. The last time you asked me to make a "frain frack" with you I was carefully instructed to start at one end of the room while you worked on the other. As soon as my second or third piece was down on the floor you were correcting my track selection and placement. Trust me, you've got the master plan at all times. Let's talk about the other aspects of being an engineer that are perhaps not the best. STOP WATCHING THE WHEELS WHEN RIDING WHEELED THINGS! LOOK IN FRONT OF YOU!!! Good thing you enjoy wearing your helmet ... and you can forget any sort of motorcycle in your future. Ain't going to happen while I am alive.

Your hair - Little Blondie - I wonder if you will stay this blond forever ... or if you will follow in your Uncle Mark's footsteps. The fuzz is only around on special occasions now (bed head and always when you are sliding down the slide) which is a sure sign that you are growing up. I'm not happy about that for selfish reasons, but it is a joy to watch you move forward and learn new things. At your last haircut I asked you if you were handsome. Of course your answer was a big ass smile and a "YESSSS!" I like your confidence big man. For better or worse you need that around here.

Happy Birthday! May THREE be full of new and exciting things ... you'll have a new sister, a new school and ... for the love ... some big boy underwear.

xoxo

What #1 Thinks of Me ...

For Mother's Day, #1 worked on a card with his teachers. The teachers asked questions and filled in his comments and observations.

My mother is 86 years old.

My mother is 8 feet tall.

My mother's hair is brown.

My mother's favorite color is purple and red. I like red.

When I am at school, my mother goes to doctors appointments and all kinds of things.

My favorite thing to do with my mother is go to Grandma's house and I like when she takes me to Tae Kwan Do.

My mother is special because she loves and I love her.

My mother's favorite food is pasagna.

My favorite book my mother reads to me is Pirate Treasure.

Happy Mother's Day - again!

White Belt

Last December #1 attended a school friend's birthday party at an indoor playground/gym. On the way there, we passed a basement Tae Kwon Do studio; he stopped cold in his tracks and was immediately sucked into the class. He stood and watched for about 5 minutes, then I shooed him away and reminded him that cake and ice cream were calling his name. Throughout winter Tae Kwon Do came up again ... and again ... and again. So I called the studio in February which put us on the waiting list to begin the week of April 26th for a one month trial. And so it began ... each and every week ... "is this the week I start Tae Kwon Do?" Finally, April 26th came and #1 started kicking, punching and belly grunting "Ay-Ya!" WITH PERMISSION!

The first belt a student can earn is a white belt and it can only be earned by reciting the Student Creed in front of the entire class, by yourself. #1 does not lack confidence, but also does not like to make mistakes in front of people. So we practiced and practiced and practiced some more and he had it, but wouldn't test for it. Then Mr. Right and I worked on boosting the confidence - "You've got it! You know it! You can do it!" #2 even got in on the cheering and hoorays. Finally, last Monday, #1 decided on the ride to the studio that he would test for his white belt. And just as his mind was made up, my anxiety went into overdrive.

What if he backs out last minute?

What if he breaks into the silly-dance and puts on a show instead?

What if his mind goes blank like mine does sometimes and he doesn't remember?

... and then we arrived at the studio where his anxiety kicked into overdrive ...

The silliness started in class (which is NOT tolerated) - he got a stern talking to.

The wiggles started and he couldn't be still on his tape - he got another talking to.

Ms. Master, his teacher, asked a question and he was called on to answer ... and gave a total nonsense answer - he got the really stern talking to, and the reminder that he could only test for his white belt if he did his very best in class.

... and I almost threw up. He worked so hard on memorizing that creed. We worked so hard on making him feel like he could stand up in front of everyone and say it in a confident voice. And now he's so nervous that his nervous energy has possessed his body and he's out of control in a place of total self control. I had my first (I think), parental panic attack of "oh my gosh - my kid may just blow it when I know he can succeed." Did I say I almost threw up? Stop laughing, Dad.

#1 dialed it in, settled down and got focused on front punches. Class ended and the testing time had come. Susie was called to the front of the class - she earned a blue stripe for good behavior at home. Johnny was called to the front of the class - he earned his next belt by demonstrating "stranger danger." Holy crap, she's not going to call #1 up. LONG PAUSE ...

Ms. Master: "#1, come on up here."

#1: "YES MA'AM!"

(I talked the puke back down)

Ms. Master: "Class, what is #1 going to try and earn today?"

Class: "HIS WHITE BELT MA'AM!"

Ms. Master: "That's right. #1 does not have a belt yet, so he is going to try and earn his white belt my reciting the school creed. #1 are you ready?"

#1: "YES MA'AM!"

"TO BUILD TRUE CONFIDENCE THROUGH STRENGTH IN MY BODY, HONESTY IN MY HEART AND KNOWLEDGE IN MY MIND. TO KEEP FRIENDSHIP WITH ONE ANOTHER AND TO BUILD A STRONG AND HAPPY COMMUNITY. NEVER FIGHT TO ACHIEVE SELFISH ENDS, BUT TO DEVELOP MIGHT FOR RIGHT!"

(There is a god)

Ms. Master: "Excellent job, #1. Everyone clap for #1."

Class & the waiting room full of parents all claps. I now understand I am not alone in this parental freaking out ... they have all been here before.

We leave the studio. I tell my 5 year old - going on 27 - how proud of him I am ... I oooohh and aaaahhhh over his belt. We get in the car and head back towards home. The car is very quiet ... I think we are both recovering. I stop at a traffic light - literally 3 blocks from the studio and found this ...

There is clearly nothing better than dumping your stress at the studio and enjoying your brand new, very first, white belt from somewhere in dreamland.

WELL DONE #1! You aged me, but I am very, very, proud of you.

p.s. You'll notice he was "Jack Sparrow" earlier in the day at school. Sweet mustache!