Out of the mouths of babes

Two days ago, my three-year-old daughter and I were reading books on the couch. I was about halfway through our third book when she put her hand down on the middle of the page, turned to me, and said, "Um, can you pause that book?"

I smiled and said I could, but inside I was cracking up! You don't think this means she watches too many princess DVDs...do you? ☺

Wishing you a Thursday full of smiles.

 

Car talk: Oh, the things kids say!

It's no secret that kids, especially young ones, can get restless when they're forced to ride in a car for hours at a time. Mine, ages five and just-turned-three, are certainly no exceptions. Fortunately—for them, at least!—they've come up with several statements and questions to help pass the time. Here are their ten favorites. How many have you heard?

Ten Things My Kids Said During Our Four-Day Car Trip:

Image courtesy of Marja Flick-Buijs, rgbstock.com

1. Are we there yet? (This one is pretty standard among kids. I think it comes pre-programmed.)

2. How much longer? (A variation of number one, this question requires more than a one-word response from Mom and Dad and therefore ranks as Slightly More Annoying on the annoyance scale.)

3. How many more Little Einstein's is it? (My kids love this show, which is roughly a half-hour long, so instead of saying that we need to drive for eight more hours, we'll say, "It's only sixteen more Little Einsteins." Somehow, this sounds better to the kids. Whatever works...)

4. I feel poop coming out. (Said—often—by my just-starting-to-get-the-hang-of-potty training three-year-old immediately after we had strapped her into her car seat. Most of the time it was a false alarm.)

5. I have to pee. (Usually said as we're pulling away from a rest area.)

6. I don't wanna go home! (Apparently, my three -year-old really loved her vacation—a lot! She was like the Energizer Bunny in her repetition of this one. She kept going and going and going...)

7. I want French fries! (I think this one is also pretty universal. My kids only have fast food when we're on vacation, so we heard this a lot during our trip.)

8. I wanna get out. (Uttered by the kids every half-hour or so. I could have set my watch by them—unfortunately.)

9. I'm cold. (The three-year-old. We turned off the air-conditioning.)

10. I'm hot. (The five-year-old. We turned on the air-conditioning. NOTE: Numbers nine and ten were always said at the same time.)


So there you have them—a few of the many sentences my kids uttered in order to drive us crazy pass the time. Is it any wonder we only take long car trips once a year? ☺


Happy Thursday!

Because I know you've all been holding your breath...

Well, not really. :)

But since I've been writing so frequently about how excited my son has been to start school, I thought I would update on his first day, which was today. The verdict?

He loved it!

Although today was his first official day, it was really parent/child day, an hour-long meet and greet in which the kids and parents took a tour of the locker room (this is a YMCA program, and one thing the teachers focus on is swimming), the kids played, and the parents and teachers visited. My son did really well. I think he was excited to have the opportunity to play with other little boys--finally. (Most of my friends have girls, so up until now, the majority of his  playdates have been all girls, plus him.) When I chatted with one of the teachers, I could hear my son screaming and laughing as he and some other boys played a game that might have been called "Get Away from the Monster." He was having so much fun!

I also enjoyed my hour in the classroom. It was fun watching the kids get to know each other, and it was hilarious to listen to some of the things they said. When the teacher, Miss Krista, asked the kids what the rules should be for walking down to the locker room, one little boy remarked that everyone should keep his hands to himself and not poke the other kids. Miss Krista agreed that that was a very good rule, and then another child piped up, asking, "But it's okay if we touch ourselves, right?" The adults (including the teachers) all burst out laughing, and Miss Krista dryly remarked that she thought it was time to let that discussion go. I love listening to the kids and wish I could be a fly on the wall. Think of all the great story ideas one could find in a room full of four-year-olds!

Thursday is my son's first day alone in class--and therefore the first day I have to deal with my anxiety about leaving him there. I'm still a little nervous and a lot sad about having to be away from my "baby" for six hours each week. I know I'll probably cry, but for his sake, I'll try to keep a smile on my face until I leave the building. Having my daughter to distract me will help, I'm sure, and I know the hours will pass quickly. Before I know it, it will be time to pick him up and listen to him chatter excitedly about all the wonderful things he learned.

And his excitement is worth any sadness I'll feel.

There's no doubt about that.