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Flashback
07.04.10 | Permalink | | Comments Off on FlashbackCorn on the cob, hot dogs, grilled vegetables, cherry pie and ice cream, topped with the finale of fireworks! Happy Independence Day!
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Reader
07.04.10 | Permalink | | Comments Off on Reader
Yesterday we headed to the library. Outside of the library in Mill Creek they have recently updated their play structure, so the plan was for me to run into the library, grab my books on hold and head out to the park. Sure enough, when we got there, Jude started hollering for the park, so imagine my surprise when I was headed out of the library with my books and ran into Bradley and the boy! He wanted to check out some books and that need usurped his wish for a park trip!
After we all had our books checked out, we were headed back out to the car when Jude again asked to go to the park. He ran over to the bench near the play structure, sat down and opened his book. He madly perused the pages of a Star Wars comic book, completely ignoring the slide and climbers in front of him.
All along, ever since we saw that wild little boy in utero bouncing from side to side at 12 weeks, we’ve had a beastie to tame. We try to work patiently with him to learn the ways of the world: keep your volume low around people, avoid screaming, stay with Mama and Daddy, don’t holler in other kids’ faces when they have something you want, hands are not for hitting… We are working on touching, kissing and hugging with him, as he often is satisfied to go without. Lately, we are beginning to see the dividends of our attention and his maturity. He has decided that he wants to “be nice” (his words, not ours) to other kids and to us. His little hits and kicks are now followed by a gentle touch and ‘sowee’ (sorry) if he is not able to control himself and stop the hit or kick altogether. His volume has been turned down a notch and he is more willing to hold a hand instead of run away. We no longer go days without a willing kiss from Jude, and he has even started doing this cute little nuzzle thing where he puts the top of his head on your temple or chin and rubs it back and forth. We are beginning to find some common ground, and it is welcome!
This trip to the library was symbolic of the growth that we’ve been seeing. Instead of running like that wild boy, he surprised us with his enthusiastic dedication to reading, while a big toy was right in front of him! I have loved this boy from the moment he made his presence known, through sleepless nights, tantrums, endless nursing, wild park runs, escapes out the windows and the myriad of scrapes and fumbles he has made during his brief presence in our family, and I am falling deeper and deeper as he starts to show me who he really is: a kind, caring boy with a penchant for reading at the park.
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Broccoli
06.26.10 | Permalink | | Comments Off on BroccoliNot so long ago we made Jude eat a piece of broccoli. This was one teeny, tiny piece of broccoli, like the size of a dime. This one little piece of broccoli was all that stood between his chubby little hands and an Otter Pop. All he had to do was swallow.
In the mouth it goes, and the crying begins.
We sat with him while he chewed the vile weed, over and over. He pleaded, he kicked, he yelled, he reached for a napkin and leaned over his plate in an attempt to spit out the broccoli. We wouldn’t let him.
He gagged dramatically and put on a four star performance. There was no doubt in our minds: Jude does not like broccoli! Nonetheless, we persevered and encouraged Jude for 15 minutes while he fought that awful, stubborn floret of horrible broccoli!
Finally, we got up from the table and left Jude alone while we cleaned the kitchen up, leaving him to swirl the broccoli soup around in his mouth while we watched from a distance. We took all of the napkins and dinnerware with us so there would be no hiding places at the table. He hollered, then suddenly stopped.
Lo and behold! The broccoli went down and Jude did not even get one bit sick! The happy boy went on about his evening, his dreams of an Otter Pop now realized.
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The End (of Kindergarten)
06.25.10 | Permalink | | Comments Off on The End (of Kindergarten)
Well, it has happened. We no longer have a baby. Gigi is officially an ‘elementary’ aged child. On the last day, a lovely friend of mine named Ms. Elvrum, walked up to give Gigi the official inspection. She looked Gigi over, smelled her, measured her, and sure enough, Gigi is now ready for first grade!
It was a great year, with Mrs. Ross and Mrs. Gregorio at the helm. Theirs was a classroom with lots of patience, understanding, love and, of course, brilliant instruction. Gigi made wonderful friends who will be with her the remainder of her years at Hilltop. We were blessed to be a part of that group of students and teachers.
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Sleeping Over
06.02.10 | Permalink | | Comments Off on Sleeping Overa poem by
By Gigi Littlejohn
I am scared sometimes
at sleepovers
But I am strong
I never give up
I know I am safe
I don’t think about being sad
scared
or homesick
I think about nice things
like Disneyland
playing the Wii
going out to dinner
I have my blankie and my sucker
Then I go to sleep(note from mom: Gigi had to write a poem about being courageous and strong to earn a badge for Girlscouts)
