Friday, January 31, 2014

Week in Rewind: January 30th

Baby, it's cold outside. As in, knock your socks off, take your breath away...COLD. And Mama, is not a fan.  You know it's delusional when walking the dogs at 20 is down right balmy. Giddy up girls, it's a heat wave.  But there is good news on the way....mid 40s by the weekend. Don't tempt me Lord, I just might break out the shorts.  Who wears short shorts.

This week saw the return of our Korean tutor. And someone was super happy. He commanded that poor girl all around. (Or as I told her, he's got management potential written all over him). From one project to the next.

Someone has also quickly became an IPad protege. And, he is not to be disturbed while watching Peppa Pig or Fireman Sam. That's serious business, with much wrangling over the IPad and laughing.

This week, we also made a trip to Old MacDonald's.  It was some quality mommy and little guy time. And he proudly ordered his chicken nuggets and fries, and as he said "don't forget the dipping sauce"...all by himself.  The boy knows his food.

Speaking of food, we joined an organic CSA with a local farmer. Mama is a happy camper. Looks like 79 different crops and full access to the farm. Something tells me the little guy is going to have fun this summer.












Friday, January 24, 2014

Week in Rewind: January 24

I'm not going to lie, this week was unreal. With the threat of snow and horribly cold temps, we headed out for one last walk with the girls. Mommy, by foot...little guy, by bike. And boy, has he learned to move on his balance bike. "Move over, mommy...vroom".

Then the nasty polar vortex hit. It snowed, and it snowed, and it snowed. Hey, has anyone noticed the girls haven't moved for hours...which is quiet interesting, because the boy hasn't stopped moving for hours.  We watched as the snow got deeper and deeper.  With each passing hour, cabin fever set in.

You know that feeling...I love these people but if I have to spend one more, confining hour together, I just might go mad.  That realization came to mommy, when trying to make a potty run as follows (1). The need to get off the sofa with three dogs placed strategically all over my lap. (2) the little guy's insistence that he needed to be right next to mommy (3) mommy finally wiggles free of the sofa and walks to restroom--freedom. (4). Mommy settling in...and then, the pitter-patter of 3 four legged fur balls. Which, of course, was quickly followed by "mommy, mommy, mommy".   To which mommy calmly screamed, "NO NO NO, ALL of you go find your daddy". But my friends, it didn't end there. (5) daddy promptly gave the boy my phone..and as you can imagine, resulted in 100 selfies of varying smiles, face profiles and well, I'll say it, unrecognizable pictures.  At that point, mommy laced up her boots and headed outdoors.  Polar Vortex be damned. You're no match for this household

Finally, we're still at a stalemate with The Master. This little grasshopper is definitely strong willed...mommy, mommy, mommy.











Friday, January 17, 2014

Week in Review: Jan 17

It was a pretty non-eventful week in this household. Where to begin?

This week saw the return of the little guy to the swimming pool. And, drum roll please, he swam a little with no floaties. Now granted it was a short distance, but the boy put his head underwater like a pro. Surfs Up Ladies, I'm as Fabulous As Ever

Karate, karate, karate. Oh boy.
All week we preached the fun of it. And explained that he had to listen to the master like the rest of the little kids. "Yes mommy. I'll put on my listening ears". With the promise of Old MacDonald's afterwards, there was so much darn potential.

This time, mommy arrived 10 minutes before the class ended and quietly peered through a window. A sight I did see....A boy still feeling his oats, and certainly not succeeding victory to the master. "Give Me Liberty. Or Give Me Death." Yes, there was the pouty, defiant stare. Unwillingness to sit down until being forced to sit. The calling of his name to stop playing with the cloth hangers (can you blame him, they were directly above his head)

But atlas, there was progress. He went up to kick. Listened to a commend to bow and stand at attention. And generally, there weren't any "butt in the air" stretches.  The mater told me there is hope for the child, especially since he's Korean

So, off to Old MacDonald's we headed, with our standard speech to do better next time.

Finally, the saying of the week "Oh Goodance Gracious" as said by the little guy as we narrowly missed a trash container pulling into the garage.  Mommy did a head turn with that one.





Friday, January 10, 2014

Week in Rewind: Jan 12

This week saw an allergic reaction for the little guy. Big, bright red spots all over his body and a little boy who couldn't itch enough. And we have no idea what caused it. After a couple of days of Benadryl, the little guy returned to normal.

But the week went on and the little guy started karate this week. The best part, it's a Korean form so it teaches some Korean language for the commands.  And get this, discipline is a big part of it...which is what makes things so darn entertaining. A strong willed little boy versus a well seasoned master.  Both enter...one exists.  And based on last night.....the master has his hands full.

For instance, at one point, Mama looked over to see all of the kids sitting on the mat...well, except for one.  That's my boy...which one?  You know the one with his head on the mat and his butt straight up in the air. Or, the one who outright refused to try anything...NO, NO,NO.   Yes, that's my boy. I'm gonna strike this outing as a drug induced grouchy spell...yeah, darn Benadryl.

Which got us to thinking...the boy needs much more discipline.  And time outs aren't cutting it. So, this morning we started a  neat little "reward program". Remember, the "Poop for Twizzler" campaign....baby, we took that campaign and amplified it.

For example, little guy:  can I have some milk. Mama: drop and give me 20.
Or...little guy: can I have my IPad.   Dadda: drop and give us 10 sit ups

A kind of military boot camp if you will. And boy, he could really use some work on those sit ups. Let's just say Mama had to take his hands and pull him up...otherwise, it looked like a "head" sit up. We're going to whip this boy into form, military style baby









Friday, January 3, 2014

Week in Rewind: Jan 3 2014

Boy was it a fast paced holiday season for us.  On the road home, it felt like we had just left for Ohio.

BTW, the IPad is a God send. (Thank you Steve Jobs).  As we traversed across four different states (because of snow in Akron), the little guy patiently watched several videos. There was, of course, several I Spy games as well.  Someone is quiet good at picking out various things...but his eyes are dead give away. You know, a little like hide n seek with your feet sticking out under the curtains, wink wink.

We left Ohio with much sadness, leaving family behind. But boy, was it nice sleeping in our own beds!  And just in the nick of time...a major snow storm left 9 inches last night and bitter cold.  Cali Dreaming baby!

It was another successful holiday season. And well, this family (especially Trojan) need a long winter nap...