Another morning at the library

This time, we spent the morning with Dan Wardell from IPTV. I’m truly amazed at how much my kids enjoy the simple public television shows. Their favorite lately has been Curious George. And I will take the little mischievous monkey and the man in the yellow hat any day over shows like Suite Life on Deck and iCarly.

Anyway, back to the library. We once again met up with some of our friends. These events are always better (for moms and kids) when there is someone to share the fun.

 

And fun they had. Dan took them on a journey to the Egyptian Pyramids, the Loch Ness monster’s lake and to find the Abominable Snowman. It was quite a journey to finish in 45 minutes, but you can move pretty fast when you take a UFO.

The kids got to flex their muscles learning about the food pyramid and how healthy foods can make them strong.

They threw snowballs at the Yeti and us!

And in general just had lots of fun. I love these smiles!

I don’t know how Dan does it, but managed to keep the entire room full of kids completely captivated for 45 minutes. And he used nothing more than his (or the station’s prop guy) imagination, some cardboard, velcro and of course a whole lot of energy.

 

Crazy balloon fun

It’s mornings like this that I could totally see myself being a stay at home mom. I may change my mind when the boys wake up from their naps, but for now, I am completely happy. We headed off to the library early this morning to check in for our third week of the summer reading program. The boys picked out their free books, did the weekly craft and found new books and movies to bring home. We had a quick snack in the lobby and then headed upstairs to meet our friends for a fun show. The library brought in Daniel Poe, an amazing balloon artist and entertainer, to keep the kids occupied for an hour. It was wonderful. I had seen the show last year while working and knew the kids (eight boys in all – though two were tiny babies) would love it. And Daniel didn’t disappoint. The boys were mesmerized from the moment the show started. 

And our buddy Dalton even got to participate in the fun! He was the only one of our kids who was willing to get up in front of the group.

And this is what it got him – a pair of balloon teeth and a chance to be a part of the show.

Daniel understands little people get antsy and gave everyone a chance to get their crazies out in between stories. Don’t these guys look like they are having fun dancing? They were supposed to close their eyes, stick out their tongue and sing some silly song.

I could just eat this little guy up sometimes he’s so stinkin’ cute.

Here's a quick peek at the song and dance they were doing!

To test or not to test

That has been the question for months regarding Zander and the slim possibility that he too is allergic to peanuts. During Nick’s last appointment (for seasonal allergies) I talked to the doctor about testing Zander for a peanut allergy before preschool started. He basically said that there is no real evidence that siblings have higher incidences of an allergy, but the decision was up to me. There was also no guarantee that the test would even be accurate because Zander has never been introduced to any peanut based foods. But, I knew in my heart that there was no way I could send him off to preschool not knowing if the first snack he had would send him into anaphylactic shock. I know, it seems a bit dramatic, but these are the things nightmares are made of. So, we decided to have him tested (well, I decided, Mike just went along with me).

Zander did great during the actual test (though he tested my patience every second the doctor was asking about his medical history). He got a sucker …

… five Cars 2 stickers (best doctor stickers ever)

… and a lot of hugs from me!

And here is why … the whole time he was playing I saw this on his back.

According to this test he does not have a peanut allergy. There is still a slim possibility the test produced a false negative (a very slim chance) or that he will develop one in the future, but for now, it looks like  he is in the clear. Our doctor said that at this point our best bet would be to continue to treat him like a PA child or to start giving him regular servings of peanuts or peanut butter products. We are going with option B, in part because he will likely be exposed at school/daycare/a friend’s house and the chances of him developing an allergy are greater if his exposure is sporadic. Looks like we are going to have to have regular clandestine peanut butter cup rendezvous in the bedroom at least once a week. I won’t complain.

Oh, and of course Ben was along for the ride. Thankfully he stayed sleeping and tucked into his chair for the whole visit.

Hidin' out

When the weather is cool enough (but not too cold) the boys love to play on the three season porch. Lately, their favorite thing to do is take all the blankets from the living room and create a fort using our old kitchen table. They take their music and Cars flashlights in there and play for at least 20 minutes (sometimes more). Hey, in my world, 20 minutes of them getting along is a success. I take what I can get.

One of the old chairs serves as their doorway.


Did I mention they also steal my pillows? But, hey, it's all done in the name of creativity and brotherly love so I am cool with it.




My sister is buying her first house soon and recently asked what we had done with the old table. I felt bad telling her she couldn't have it, but I love having a craft/fort table that I don't care if the boys trash. Who would have thought a $150 table from Kmart would last 10 years and potentially even be "handed down" through the family. Does it make me old if I say "They just don't make things like they used to?" Just wondering.

Daddy and Ben

Currently, these two do not get along. As much as Mike loves Ben he just isn't feeling the love in return. If Ben is cranky he doesn't want anyone but mama. Mike tries. And tries. And tries. But, then he gets frustrated which gets Ben even more upset, which gets him more upset and I'm guessing you can see where this is going. It's a vicious cycle that, if Ben is anything like his brothers, will end in a few months (though he will still be a mama's boy for a few more years). I told Mike that's just fine. I have plenty of years ahead of me where I am the second-choice parent. It's inevitable. So for now, I wait for moment's like this ...


... to do just about anything. Otherwise, I take the little stinker with me.

Celebrating Sturgis Falls

We don't really get into the whole festival thing (Nick can't eat most of the food and I don't trust the rides of the people operating them), but every year we make a point of heading out for the Sturgis Falls parade. Though the actual parade leaves something to be desired the boys are too young to notice. They love the music, the fire trucks and motorcycles and there is never a shortage of any of those things.

This year Mike dropped me off to save our spot about 8 a.m. (parade started at 10). Then he took the older boys to go get some breakfast (Panera). After breakfast the boys played on the blanket and the sidewalk while Ben snoozed. He slept in the stoller or in mine or Mike's arms through the entire thing. So much for his first parade experience.




This was the first time I remember seeing Tommy Hawk (our hockey team's mascot) in the parade. Nick was bummed he didn't get to give him five, but Zander was happy to only wave from across the street.


Like I said, there is never a shortage of motorcycles.


Or music. Zander loved dancing to the marching bands or to any passing car with its music blaring. He was doing the cutest little hip wiggle, but everytime I turned on the video camera he stopped. Oh well ... this is still a pretty cute montage.

The wait is finally over

Nick has been asking to see Cars 2 since the previews started playing more than a month ago. Today, the wait was finally over. Mike took the afternoon off work and we packed up the whole fam for a trip to the movie theater. I was going to try and be frugal and get a medium popcorn for the boys to share, but the theater was offering special kids combos that included a take-home Cars cup and straw, so of course I was suckered in.

The boys say they loved the movie (Zander was dancing in his seat during some parts), but I was less than impressed. There was a bit too much shooting and violence (in my opinion) for the ages that the movie should have been geared for. And the plot line seemed to go right over their heads. But, they sat still and seemed to enjoy it, so I won’t complain. Even Ben did a good job! He happily slept in my arms for the whole show.

 

He laughed!

Unfortunately Mike only caught the very last almost laugh/happy coo on camera. But, I was giving him a bath today and sprinkling water over his head when he just started laughing. Mike heard him from the basement and came up to investigate. It was the cutest thing! But, once Mike got the camera Ben only gave us one more almost laugh/happy coo before stonewalling us. I blame it on Mike! We both heard it though and that is what counts. I had to share the one little clip anyway. I'm thinking I need to give him a bath everyday until he does it again.

Digging deep

Rainy days have forced me to dig deep to find things to keep these boys occupied (without resorting to videos and video games -- which they have also done plenty of). Nick actually drug out this old Kindermusik pack and started playing with it in the computer room. He quickly tired of the activity (creating a story using the three little kitten peely things) but Zander was happy to swoop in when Nick was done. He did a very good job of putting the appropriate stickers on the right backdrop, just don't pay any attention to the naked kitten and the pair of boots floating in the sky. We have to work on just one thing at a time here.




That little red spot on his leg is a sticky apple. I'm pretty sure it doesn't belong there!

Summer reading fun

I was so excited to learn that Nick’s new school offered a summer reading program for incoming kindergartners and their families. The PTA sponsors the weekly event, which gives new students the opportunity to come in, listen to a story, make a craft and even check out two books.

Nick loves visiting “his” school and I love that he gets to meet some of the students (both kindergartners and older students who are helping) he will see next year. And the librarian is so fun and full of energy. Nothing like the traditional librarian stereotype. She loves a noisy library – at least in the summer. And, Zander even gets to join in the fun. He can listen to the story, make the craft and even check out a book. The librarian has even granted Ben permission to take home a book, which means Zander gets two just like his big brother. Heck, the librarian even offered to let Mike take home a book if he found something he liked!

 

Keeping busy with summer reading

I've found that as long as my boys are kept busy they are usually quite happy children. As soon as the activities stop their attitudes, and my temper, flare. Sometimes they find ways to entertain themselves, but many times they still rely on me to find something constructive for them to do. They would love to spend hours outside, but with a new baby and an uncooperative Mother Nature (we've had a lot of rainy days) that isn't always possible. So lately, we've been spending a lot of time at the library.

Thankfully the summer reading program is open to kids 3 and up so both the boys have been able to participate. They get stickers for our weekly visits and will get to take home a book after the third and sixth week. There are new crafts every week and even special guests (I can't wait for next week). And of course there are books. I used to limit Nick to just 5 books and one movie per trip, but lately we've been coming home with a dozen or more books and two movies.

Today, the boys each made their own shaker as part of the reading program. First, they decorated the constuction paper. Then they glued their creations around a toilet paper roll.


They covered one end with tissue paper and secured it with a rubber band.


Then they tossed in the dried beans and mini-bells. We added glue after Zander's beans and bells went flying across the library carpet after just one vigorous shake.


They covered the other end with more tissue paper and then they got to play.


Their interest was short-lived, but that's OK. They had fun for those 20 minutes. Ben was kind enough to sleep through most of it so I could help Zander.


And then we got to go pick out our pile of books to bring home. The boys are always interested in reading, but the ante was upped this summer now that their reading (well, our reading to them) has to potential to earn them prizes. For every 15 minutes they read they get to color in a picture on their library reading log. After an hour they get to turn in the finished sheet for a chance to win prizes during a random drawing.

Happy Father's Day

To a dad who's not afraid to have a little fun with his boys! Even if it means he gets blasted, too.

We have smiles!

And not just the gassy ones. Real honest to goodness smiles. I was sharing a few quiet moments with Ben before his 10 p.m. snack and when I started talking and smiling at him he cooed back and smiled. I love baby smiles. And baby coos. Really, I just love babies, but happy babies are always so much cuter.

Of course, I didn't have my camera out to catch those first few real smiles, but I made sure to keep the camera handy so I could catch some the next day! Isn't he cute? I just love those little dimples!

Enjoying the heat

The cold snap has finally passed and the heat and humidity of Iowa summer is now upon us. The boys have been waiting, not so patiently, for this warmer weather for quite some time. Personally, I kind of liked the cool weather, but you can't have this kind of fun when the high is only 65 degrees! I set up the car wash, filled up the pool and then sat back while the boys splashed water everywhere - and had a great time doing it. Don't they look like they are having fun?


They would run and jump into the pool and land on their butts - on the cement. I can't imagine how it didn't hurt like heck, but they didn't seem to mind.


They also didn't seem to mind the absolutely freezing water that had just come from the hose only seconds earlier.


And I just like this picture because Zander looks so dang cute!