After Christmas Blues

As the title of this post suggests, I feel like we're in that time when nothing really exciting happens! I'm busy at work as our big February 6th multi-site extravaganza approaches. The weather is terrible so we're stuck indoors most of the time. There's no holiday or birthday approaching. In all....blech!


But, I know my readers - the few and the proud - need a post. So, what to do when you're not feeling inspired? Why, you create a 10 random updates list (actually, we're just going to go with 8 updates today.......just because)!


8. Bailey has decided that she doesn't want to go to school anymore. We hope this is a brief stage, but she recently told us that she doesn't feel like her teacher teaches anything and all they do is play. When I probe about the activities of the day, it's clear that she doesn't understand that the best way to learn is to feel like you aren't learning. Her teacher is probably brilliant in that regard. So, I've tried to explain this all to Bailey. We'll see.


7. Despite what you just read in #10 about Bailey "not learning" at school, she read us her first book - start to finish - without any prompting or other help! Of course, it was only 5 pages long and all the words ended in "at" but SHE READ IT!! She also knows sooooo many sight words now. Learning to read is exciting!


6. Nolan doesn't want to grow up. Now that he's 2, his MDO teachers have tried to move him into the "big boy room" but he just cries and wants to go back to the baby room. I'm sure he feels secure in the room where he's been since he started going there, but we keep telling him there are better toys in the big boy room. He doesn't believe it. Further, he still occasionally asks me to "play baby" with him. This game involves me cradling him and letting him drink out of his sippy cup like a bottle, and singing a lullabye to him. Then I have to burp him. Poor kid...growing up is hard! It sure is going to be hard for him when we get rid of the binky in the next few months.


5. We love the Wii! For Christmas, I got both the Jillian Michaels Ultimatum Workout game and "Just Dance." Bailey and Nolan both enjoy exercising and dancing with me. It's very cute and I think Jason got some video on our big camera (if I ever figure out how to upload those videos you can see it.....translation: you'll never see it.). The only issue is that Bailey desperately wants to hold the controller, but it takes her so long to find the pointer and click on something that I start to cool down too much! Ahh, fighting with my child over a controller has got to be one of my finest moments!


4. Nolan is selectively going potty in the big boy potty. He will many times go when I ask him to do so, but he has yet to ask me to take him or let me know when he's gone in his diaper. However, he has started walking funny right after he goes in his diaper. I'm not even talking about #2, just #1. LOL! I'm assuming he's becoming more aware of the wet feeling and doesn't like it very much. It's kind of embarrassing to watch him walk around like he has been riding a horse for 3 days.


3. Bailey likes to lie, but Nolan doesn't know how to just yet. On one hand, Bailey will tell me an elaborate story about why she doesn't want to go to school anymore....that she and her friend Kylie are in a fight because Kylie doesn't think Bailey should be friends with anyone else. So on and so forth....you get the point. All this, only to tell me later that she just made it all up. On the other hand, I will have just given Nolan a long speech about how jumping on the bed is dangerous and is a big no no, ending with, "So, if you go in Bailey's room, are you going to jump on the bed?" His reply? "Yes." Sigh....at least he's honest.


2. The kids spend 50% of their time playing together harmoniously and the other 50% either hurting each other or fighting over something. Whatever one has, the other wants. Except when it comes to t.v. This morning, as I was getting ready to leave for work, the following exchange took place:


Bailey: Momma, what channel is Phineus and Ferb on?
Nolan: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Bailey: Nolan, I'm just changing it to a better show. You like Phineus and Ferb! (said very sweetly, but with a manipulative tone)
Nolan: WANT DORA!!! (said in as an abrasive tone as can be used by a two year old)
Bailey: (crying) I don't like Dora. It's a little kid show.....boo, hoo, boo, hoo. (like she's sooo old)
Nolan: Momma, Bailey crying. Spank you? (and then he became the tv vigilante and hit her in the arm)


Is it bad that I just turned around and left? Jason handled it, I'm sure.


1. Nolan decided all of a sudden a few nights ago that he's afraid of the dark. When I went to put him to bed (which is usually a very easy process, even if he initially complains), he stopped me as I was about to turn out the light and shut the door. He said, "light on, scared." Poor baby, I guess I need to get him a night light.


Peace.....

A-B-C...as easy as 1-2-3...

Sorry for all the voices, but he won't even attempt to sing without some help.

Let's Dance and Sing!

My kids love to dance. Actually, they love to dance and sing. Bailey will make up songs all day long.....they don't make much sense, but they are fun and we are proud of her imagination! Nolan is just getting to the point where he tries to sing. The ABC song is his favorite. He gets about 5 letters and then the "with me" in the last line of the song. The rest of the time he just hums and moves his tongue around! So cute! He also sings "Big Red Car" from The Wiggles. Again, just a few actual words make it into the song, but he's trying! Now, back to the dancing. The first video shows you Bailey's intensity when it comes to performing. :-)


And here is a glimpse of Bailey at her dance class. I'll have to get a video of Nolan singing and jamming with his guitar...it's great!