children – Page 4 – Myriad & Sundry

Jameson Turns One Hand Old

January 22, 2016 No Comments

Well we don’t have the traditional chair in it’s usual corner anymore because it is downstairs, and during Christmas it was mostly inaccessible because of the Christmas tree, so we did our 5 year blocks on the couch upstairs. Jameson still wanted to do it though so I was all for it!

This year, his appearance was wrapped up in his long hair which we grew out all year until cutting it after Halloween. So it seems like something is missing between the photos of Jameson at 4 and Jameson at 5. It’s all that hair!

We did gifts with Brian’s family on his actual birthday after work and school, which was Wednesday. We also had an Elf on the Shelf for the first time this year, and our elf, Ralphie, wasn’t really into decorating or doing cool things except on Jameson’s birthday when he strung streamers and balloons for the occasion! Jameson’s face did a big “o” of surprise when he saw it that morning.

Jameson got a new scooter for spring, marble run, and more. We got the marble run out right away and both the kids enjoyed it. But that wasn’t all! We decided Jameson was old enough to have his very first big-boy-friend birthday party. We held it at a local indoor bouncer place. It was close by, and a great location for winter parties. We provided the cake, they provided everything else.

Just like last year, we requested no gifts, though we did get a couple. Instead, we had people bring donations for our local animal shelter.

Jameson loved playing the claw machine. They had an easy one that had balls in it, and he got 3 or 4, one for him and a couple friends and Coraline each! It was the first time we’ve invited school friends to our parties and Johnny, Ella, Corinne, and Gunnar came. Johnny’s parents help Jameson play video games with the boys which was nice as Brian and I were constantly wandering around tracking Coraline or Jameson or being social with friends.

Our regulars also came including Jonathan and Joshua, Bobby and Jack, and Vivienne and Finn. We also had my cousin and his 3 boys there, and even Nathan came! Nathan has recently come back to school; they’re not in the same class but they see a lot of each other in the mornings and afternoons regardless.

Coraline also had a blast. She spent some time on the bouncers, and then played in the little kid area reading books and going to the chalk room. It was nice that she was old enough that she didn’t need constant attention, and wonderful that while we were there there weren’t a lot of really big kids either so she was happy to participate.

Jameson visited the doctor for his check up and he’s in perfect health! Still a skinny little dude weighing in around 37 lbs. He didn’t need any vaccines, but he did get to pee in a cup which was a new novelty (for both of us). He got vision and hearing tested and checked out fine.

What Jameson is Wearing:

Size 4T pants and size 12 shoes.
5T or XS shirts, they’re sometimes a little big but he’ll be able to keep them for a couple years.
Soft pants and swishy pants, and clothes with Star Wars, superheros, or Ninja Turtles on them
Big boy underwear day and night. And underwear only at night for as long as the weather allows!

What Jameson is Eating:

Meatballs, chicken nuggets, hot dogs, and most any meat he can eat with ketchup or ranch
Cucumbers with ranch or without. He’ll eat a whole one straight up like a pickle. Also tomatoes.
Regular and “special” yogurt. Still doesn’t like eggs.
Candy of course, and now he gets to have gum! It’s like a treat for him.
Potatoes most any way
He finishes his dinner the majority of the time.

What Jameson is Saying:

Jameson likes to ask us about how our work day was, and insists that we answer his questions first before he answers (minimally) about his day at school
“It’s ok sweetie”, (almost) always a sweetheart to his little sister.
“It’s not fair!” This is happening more and more frequently. (Life isn’t fair though you know).
“Stinky” and “Stinker”, and using other mean words that we have to discipline.

When Jameson gets angry, he shouts “Fine! You’re not my best friend anymore.”

What Jameson Likes These Days:

He really loves to watch TV, any show or movie TV now and all the time. We’re working on this. This year along with the usual favorites we’ve also watched Star wars and super heroes cartoons based on the Avengers, Bat Man and Justice League.
Jameson enjoys reading about super heroes and Star Wars.
Jameson is much more flexible about what he wears lately, but he still likes soft or swishy pants the best. Anything you’d identify as “running” or “exercise” wear.
Duffy the little teddy bear and his soft brown blanket
Swimming lessons and soccer.
Piano, he’s started lessons at school
Listening to “his” songs, kid music. Favorites are the Hercules song and the Mulan “Man” song.
The ipad, but now he only really gets it when traveling so he doesn’t ask for it as much
Wrestling with daddy

What Jameson Doesn’t Like These Days:

Sitting still to eat.
Hot sauce on his tongue. A new discipline helpful for talking back.
Public toilets, though he no longer has a tantrum about them, he still doesn’t like the loud potties.

I thought Jameson was dressed too warm today and told him so; he said that was so we could cuddle!

What Jameson is Doing:

Writing his name, identifies letters and loves stories still. Occasionally sounding out a word.
Making light sabers out of tinker toys
Brushing his teeth and hair on his own, doing all things in the morning without assistance including dressing himself and putting non-tie shoes on.
More clarity in his artwork. He’s drawn family portraits recognizable as people now and doing more drawing.
Making paper airplanes, every single day. (Better not let him catch us throwing them out, either!)
Jameson likes to help make dinner with Daddy and desserts with Mommy

We were just playing tea party when Jameson declared he was pouring beer for daddy.

What We Are Working On:

Bedtimes without tantrums
Regular chores… we’ve done making the bed, setting the table, and putting toys away irregularly
Sitting still to eat.
Mommy and daddy are figuring out good ways to reward good behavior so more of it comes without being told.

What is your name? Jameson
How old are you? 5
What is your favorite color? orange
What is your favorite animal? A lion
What is your favorite book? My favorite book is…the Avengers (And something else I couldn’t understand)
What is your favorite TV show? The Lion Guard (A recent discovery of the spin off of the Lion King)
What is your favorite movie? Lion King (This might not really be true anymore but the first he thought of; he really likes the Lego Movie)
What is your favorite song? Old McDonald… I mean, my favorite song is the Star Wars one
What is your favorite food? Meatballs and macaroni
What food do you not like? I don’t like ravioli, quesadilla, eggs, and pancakes
What is your favorite drink? Hot chocolate
What is your favorite snack? Fruit snacks

“I’m going to eat all of my dinner. 100 of the dinner. All the snacks, all the table, all the carpet…all the walls.”

What makes you laugh? I don’t know (After some prompting, he agrees that Coraline makes him laugh)
What is your favorite thing to wear? Underwear!
What is your favorite game? Donuts (being silly I think, but after some thought it could be he’s talking about the gopher game where you bop the heads since he described popping the head up)
What is your favorite toy? At Nathan’s I like to play on the trampoline
Who is your best friend? Nathan
What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Duffy and blankie
Where is your favorite place to go? Canada Never been there. After some prompting we discover that’s where Aunt Melissa and Grandma and Poppa are going, so after some prompting he says: I like to go to Florida (He likes to sleep there and get new Duffys)
Where do you want to go on vacation? Disney
What do you like to do with your family? Mousetrap
What do you want to be when you grow up? A superhero… I want to be Ant Man
What did you do when you were little? Climb on dad’s face
What do you like to do now that you are big? Go to Kindergarten in March (March is Coraline’s birthday so we had to clarify that this happens in the fall)
What is your favorite thing to learn in school? I don’t know… Can we be done now? Ummm eating donuts.
What is your favorite thing to remember? Remind me to get a drink
What do you want to buy with your money? A toy
What is the thing you do the most awesomely? Didn’t get to ask this

Teamwork

January 12, 2016 No Comments

We went to a birthday party a couple weeks ago at a kids gym. Jameson had a blast, and I had some great mom moments to share. When we arrived, Jameson called me “stinky” in front of the other moms. It wasn’t too funny until I realized that he was in fact talking about me and not about the birthday boy’s mom, which I thought this had been directed at for a moment, thankfully. However, birthday boy picked up on it and repeated it too. We affectionately use all kind of names like this when we tease the kids at home, but it’s being turned on us and has been a little bit frustrating lately. Lesson learned.

However, all was forgotten when the kids went in to play. Jameson was a non-stop ball of fun. He was loud, excited, but listened well and gave birthday boy all the attention. I thought he was acting as a great friend should, and was proud.

My proud heart enlarged tenfold when he asked friends for help picking up “kryptonite” beanbags with the sticks they’d been given. His beanbag was the last one of the balls and bags that had been left around the gym, and he was struggling when he said “everybody help!” and had four friends all help carry the bag with their sticks to put it away. Jameson declared “great teamwork!” and the instructor said that was the first time she’s seen kids help each other in that activity.

I was and am delighted with Jameson’s behavior. I don’t often get to see him outside home with friends, and also have the attention span that you can only have when you’re watching just one child at a time. It was a pleasure!

children

Jameson’s Last Preschool Christmas Concert

January 6, 2016 No Comments

This year, Jameson got to be a reindeer (but not, he declared a little bit disappointed, Rudolf. He was pretty comfortable on stage this year I think, and he’s got one more spring concert before he’s done with preschool concerts, but I can be a little sad about his last Preschool Christmas concert anyway.

His friend Nathan has started coming back to our school after a couple year hiatus. Right now, he’s not in the full time classes, but they will be together again soon! They won’t be in the same class, but will see each other mornings and afternoons when they frequently combine the classes. We’ve enjoyed seeing them a few times with our neighborhood Halloween party and a few playdates, and Jameson still considers him to be one of his really good friends. (The term “best” is flexible and depends on the day!)

children

Annual North Pole Visit

January 5, 2016 No Comments

For the third year, we visited the North Pole on the Polar Express train. This year, grandma joined us for the journey.

Our kids are getting bigger, and the seats seem to be getting smaller, but everyone had a wonderful time. We bought 5 seats but fit ourselves into the 4 seats together. We’re not certain we’ll do this again next year, but it’s been worth the time each year. Jameson asked when we were going to the North Pole again well in advance of our ride, since he had memories of our ride last year.

On the way to the North Pole, they read the story and give out cookies and hot chocolate. This year, they also got glow bracelets.

The “conductor” asked Coraline how old she was to see how many holes to punch in her ticket this year. She has been regularly declaring herself three years old even though she’s only two. Sometimes I forget that she’s two, too.

When we approach the North Pole, the lights go out and the adults move out of the way for the kids to peer out the windows. They see Santa go by, and Frosty, Olaf and Rudolf plus some elves.

Then, Santa boarded the train! Santa was wonderful this year. Santa told Jameson he needed to be a good big brother. The kids got a bell, which is their favorite part, and on the way back, we had the pajama parade and songs.

Jameson was really in his element singing. He is much less shy this year, and didn’t hesitate to belt out the songs he knew, so he got to help one of the elf ladies sing on the way back. Coraline, following his lead, was more than happy to meander around the train with him (and then without him if I hadn’t grabbed her).

children

Jameson’s Big Haircut

December 5, 2015 No Comments

Jameson got his long hair cut right after Halloween! It was certainly the biggest hair cut since his first cut as a baby. He was chewing on it all the time and it was just getting terribly untamed. Unfortunately he didn’t have the option of going with pigtails every day to keep it out of his face like Coraline does. So we warned him all the way through October that he would be getting it cut after he was done dressing as Thor for Halloween.

He is super handsome with his classic cut now though. I gave him three choices, one of which was a longer hair style, but he chose the shortest cut. It was a little anticlimactic at first, though he’s enjoyed brushing his own hair tangle-free. I have found this new hairspray that I actually feel comfortable putting the kids, and it’s worked wonders for me.

The best part though was the next day when everyone awed over him. He decided that he wanted to grow it out again so he could get a buzz cut next time. Apparently, he liked the reaction he got!

children

Fall Festival

December 4, 2015 No Comments

Yes, it’s Christmas time. Let’s rewind to a warmer time then.

Last year, we took the kids to a fall festival that was paid for by Brian’s work. This year they didn’t put together this activity again but we went anyway since we had a good time last year. My favorite is the corn pit, as was Coraline’s.

Usually my favorite part though is the corn maze, but this year the corn was a little stunted and wasn’t as dramatically tall. It was pretty sparse, but Jameson and Coraline didn’t seem to care.

Jameson loved the slides, and the hay bale play area. And the food.

This photo almost makes me miss his long hair, but I don’t miss the tangles that’s for sure. Or when he would chew on it.

Fall is my favorite time of year, but Christmas is a close second. The most wonderful time of the year!

children

Trick or Tweat

November 19, 2015 No Comments

As in years past, we had a few opportunities to dress up in costume and Jameson was thrilled with every chance he got to put on his Thor costume! The day they had Halloween parties at school, Jameson told us he wore his all day!

I was excited that I was able to go to see them at their parties this year, since it’s been a couple years since I last went to any parties at school.

Coraline did a skeleton dance (with some encouragement from me; she was a little attached to me after I had gone in and out of her room a few times). She also did a ghost craft with cotton puffs.

The highlight for both was all the snacking I am certain! Jameson didn’t seem to care whether I was there or not but Coraline was definitely zeroed in on my presence.

Jameson did bowling which I missed, and also a tissue paper pumpkin craft. It was so fun to see them in their element at school.

We also had our usual neighborhood party the weekend prior with craft stations, photo booth and even an outdoor movie.

This year we hosted the registration table. Since we’re distant from the majority of the neighborhood, this was kind of exciting to get people to know us and where we live. We had adult jello in syringes the neighbors made and we decked out the swingset with spiderweb and Halloween lights.

It ended up down-pouring right at the end, and we scrambled into the trunk of a car to go home quickly, but a great time was had by all!

We also dressed up for Boo at the Akron Zoo again this year, and managed to get a shot of all the kids looking (not necessarily smiling) at the camera.

The kids got to trick or treat there at the zoo at several stations, and it was a great day out. We really lucked out with the weather this year for our Halloween events. It wasn’t too cold to enjoy being outside this year.

Coraline and Jameson both loved Trick or Treating this year. We took Lily and Peyton with us while their mom was still at work in the early part of the evening, and all the kids together were super well-behaved and really having a good time.

Jameson wanted to run to each and every house so we had to slow him down for his sister a bit. He didn’t ask to go home or get tired (and neither did Coraline for that matter). Coraline said “Trick or Treat” in the sweetest little voice, and then did it in a squeaky mouse tone which had me cracking up.

We were joined after an hour or so (I can’t believe they lasted almost the entire time!) by Brian’s mom and also Kelly. We have candy all over the house, but it’s worth it for their enjoyment. The kids had such a great time!

The next day after Trick or Treat was over, we told Jameson it was time for a haircut, but as in years past, I feel like we made the most of our costumes. So, I wasn’t too distraught to see them put away or watch the hairdresser snip away his long hair. Goodbye Halloween, hello Thanksgiving!

children, general life

Pumpkin Patch and Apple Picking

October 28, 2015 No Comments

A couple weeks ago, we visited an apple orchard for the first time. We went to a little farm that we went strawberry picking to last year, and were pleasantly surprised to see they also had a very nice pick your own pumpkin patch (I insist on going to a patch where they don’t have the pumpkins out of the patch).

We had so much fun! They had four varieties of apples to pick, though we skipped the red delicious. We picked Melrose, Empire and Golden Delicious. The farm lets you try one each of the apples, so the kids had a couple right there in the orchard.

This was the best picture I could get every time I requested they stand next to each other for a photo. I gave up!

Grandma came with us and she pointed out the woolly bear caterpillars. We saw two while we were there, and managed not to squish them. The kids might have been more fascinated by it than the apples.

Coraline knocked an apple off without meaning to and tried to put it back. It got funnier when Jameson tried to help her put it back too! We took it home instead when it wouldn’t stay…

We’ve made apple crisp, eaten raw, and made dehydrated cinnamon sugar apple rings with our apples. We don’t have too many left. I think next year we could buy more if we store them properly in the cold garage. The fresh apples taste amazing!

There was a cute hayride back from the apple orchard, and we rode it all around again. Then we decided to go ahead and pick pumpkins too. Jameson of course tried to pick the biggest one he could carry.

Coraline searched for “baby” pumpkins. We found a couple, but they were only baby ones because they didn’t grow properly, so her baby one we took home has since rotted (she didn’t notice when we made it disappear).

We used finger paints to paint a couple of the pumpkins and put them safely out of the rain underneath our porch. The rest are still awaiting carving since we haven’t had much time to do it yet. But we’ll get it done before or on Halloween! Jameson’s teacher at school told us that he loved the pumpkin goop from the one they carved in class, so it should be a good time.

children

Little Gymnast

October 27, 2015 No Comments

In other sports news, we have a little gymnast on our hands.

We thought it might help Coraline with her balance and coordination since she stumbles a bit more on her feet than Jameson at her age (might be purely a stereotypical gender thing, but we thought it would be fun and couldn’t hurt!)

Turns out, Coraline is a pretty average 2-1/2 year old gymnast (especially compared to some of the kids in our mommy and me class!), but the most important thing is that she LOVES it.

Coraline is super excited on Tuesdays when I tell her it’s gymnastics day. After a couple sessions, she completely stopped being shy and ran around like she owned the place.

In fact, after one session with poor listening skills, Coraline got a little talking to and a time out in the car. It apparently made a big impressions, since she volunteered “I listen to Miss Laura” after I told her it was gymnastics day. She really has done better since then, too!

I’ve definitely seen progress in what she’s able to do in class, and some initiative out of class as well that makes me think it’s really helping her coordination skills and balance.

Aside from all those benefits, it’s really fun to watch her in class. She’s always delighted and really enjoys herself. We do different things at each class, and the teacher does a great job with helping us as parents go through each station with our kiddos.

My personal favorite is the parachute of course. Coraline tries at every opportunity to go ahead and run underneath it even before it’s time. She also likes to clean up or organize things. Whenever there are leaves, little bears, or bean bags out she wants to collect them and hang on to them.

We end each session the same though: we play with bubbles!

We loved our gym time once a week so much that we decided we’re going to continue so we have 9 more weeks of gym fun through the winter!

children

Fall Soccer Finale

October 26, 2015 No Comments

We really watched Jameson take charge this season in soccer! This season, he was on the pink team.

Because he was on the older end of his team, he didn’t have any issues getting in there with the ball. The problem was mostly that he would give the ball a good kick and not follow through.

Familiar now with how soccer goes, Jameson didn’t hesitate to cheer on his pink team members when it was his turn to sit out.

For the most part we had a great listening, hard running, excited soccer player this season. Games were really fun to watch!

Despite that, we as a team didn’t score any goals this season. We really didn’t even get close too often, and I attributed most of that to the really large net they had on our side of the field, next to where our goal was. The kids kept trying to kick it to the big goal instead of their small goal. Regardless, all the kids had a blast.

Go Pink!

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