Big Boy School

#2 has been in transition for the last month while he finished up camp, then waited for big boy school to begin (very slowly) last week.  We've been spending a lot of time together which has been nice ... and not so nice since it has caused "not fair" conversations with #1 and a bit of big boy regression for #2.  For the first little while he wanted me to do everything for him.  I'm somewhat happy to say we've swung the pendulum the other way and now there is a very adamant "NO!  I WILL DO IT BY MYSELF!" attached to the end of just about everything.  I'll take it though ... I enjoy seeing the independence and would like it even more if he remembered that independence in the middle of the night when his covers fall off or he can't find his cup of water.

#1 has the big brother thing down pat.  Especially the part that means you get to pick the junk out of your little brother - mess with him just for because - give a push that is just hard enough to teeter on the line of playfulness.  The "face paint" in this picture was courteously done by his brother (thank you Crayola for making your markers washable).  #2 is MORE than ready to share these things with someone else.  He is mostly sweet when it comes to his baby sister - he'll lay his head on my belly and wait to get kicked.  He likes to zerbert her - which always draws hysterical laughter and then zerberts all around for anyone close by.  He also likes to put both hands on my belly and try to shake the baby out ... I'm all for trying it at this point.  So far it hasn't worked.  He's also gotten in on the naming discussions.  #1 wanted to name him "Pancake" while he was in the belly.  #2 wants to name her "Lollipop."  I think it is nice that they both chose something sweet, yummy and delicious for their siblings.  It is certainly better than the things that can go with "butt" and "poop" ... other popular subjects around the house, and I'm sure about to get more popular when their sister arrives and they get a good look at what a newborn baby can do in a diaper.  

We're finally into "normal" school schedules which means both of the boys go to school together in the morning, and come home together in the afternoon.  They both are exhausted and we have lots of meltdowns over things that are just silly.  But we're all adjusting to new friends, teachers, schedules ... and there is that baby thing hanging over our heads.  "Mommy, you told us that the baby would be born when we started school again, so where is she?"  I would like to know the very same thing, myself.  


So far some highlights for #2 have been finding Milo the Mouse (his classroom mascot that hides somewhere new each day); taking his Batman lunchbox to school; riding his scooter to school with his brother ... and going to the same school as his brother; and repeating grown up things that he's heard along the way.  My favorite right now comes from me ...


#1 was playing with the staples in a stapler yesterday and I asked him to stop, told him they were sharp, said he could pinch himself ... he continued to play with the stapler.  He punctured his finger with one of them and drew blood on his fingertip.  I was in the middle of "get dinner on the table five minutes ago" and it wasn't a big deal, but #1 was in full drama and whining for a band aid.  After about 30 seconds of academy award winning song and dance by #1, #2 chimes in with "Mommy, Get #1 a Band Aid.  How many times do I have to say?"


Ah yes, this ride is never boring.