To Protect Them Forever

Isn't that our job? I think so. To keep them safe, healthy.  To guide them into being caring, responsible, independent people so that one day when they leave us, they will do alright and are the kind of person we're proud to have brought into this world. 

Bug is a sweet, sweet boy.  I don't feel like we've sheltered him... okay, well maybe I have a little, but I think I've mentioned here before that I strive to protect the innocence of childhood and to maintain a sense of wonder for as long as possible.  I take those things very much to heart.  The big bad world will teach her lessons in due time.

So the other night, Bug and his dad went out to the store and when they returned, my husband said that Bug was doing some of his "ninja moves" in the parking lot when a car near them with two boys, probably around 8 or 9 years old, started laughing at him.  And not in the "oh, look, he's cute" sort of way.  They were being mean.  By the way, they were ALONE in the car!  Who does that anymore?!

Now, I know that kids will be kids and that this will not be the last time he will be laughed at or made fun of or whatever, but I'm not okay with it!  (And neither is their dad, who once Bug was in the car, might have scared those boys from ever doing that again!  I'm just saying... )

I'm not really sure why I'm putting this out there, other than to vent.  I know I can't shelter him from the real world forever, but I sure would like to!  When my kids hurt, I hurt.  When they're feel joy, I feel joy.  When other kids make fun of my boy... I want to punch them in the face.  Just being honest.

Homework

Yep, homework.  At three years old.  Granted, it was just writing his name, but I was shocked when we were asked to work on that and his letter recognition.  I could go on and on about pushing our kids too soon, but then again, it was pretty cute...

Oh, This Girl...

Button ~ Nine Months

She is determined.  She is on-the-go!  She is standing without support occasionally and has taken a step or two here and there.  She is delightful and loving, but she waits for no one.  She loves to eat, to snuggle stuffed animals, to climb stairs and over people (oh, she is a climber!), to stand at the door and watch her brother play outside, to get into the cat food and water, and to screech at us.  She prefers exploring to playing with toys.  She signs "all done", waves bye-bye, and says "mama" and "dada".  She dances when she hears music.  She sticks her little tongue up over her top lip in the cutest way. She is a morning person... which makes it tough for this night owl, but her smiles and jabbering when she awakes makes it all worth it.  She pummels the cat and he takes it; he is so understanding.  She very much dislikes waiting for her food, confinement, having her diaper changed, getting dressed and being in the car. When she's not happy, she already talks back with sharp grunts.  It's funny now, but boy are we in for it later!  When she's happy, she smiles her two-toothed smile and kicks her legs like nothing I've ever seen.  I wish I could bottle up that joy!

 

T.G.I.F.

This week was tough.  I'll spare ya the details with the exception of tonight's disgrace.  With Bug napping, I corralled the girl in the kitchen and set off to begin dinner only to open the fridge and have a bottle of chai tea concentrate coming smashing to the floor, shattering the bottom of the carton, spraying all three kitchen walls, the ceiling, myself and the child who decided that said spill was delicious and crawled right through the middle of it tasting all the way.  She was covered in chai and since each meal ends in a bath anyway, I left her that way.  I commenced the chicken enchiladas that nearly overfaced me.  (When will I get it through my head that I can't do multi-step meal prep with a child under two??)  I was nearly through with the enchilada sauce when I bumped the wisk, flinging goopy sauce everywhere, including in my hair.  Awesome.  The smell of food was driving Button batty, so I put her in her chair with some goat cheese and hummus (the kitchen was already trashed, so why not bring out the messiest foods in the fridge?!) As Button was eating happily and I was finishing the enchilada dish, Bug woke up and decided to play in the bathroom sink, only to learn that beer coozies do not hold water (yep, playing with beer coozies.... I am the parent of the year.)  This lesson learned, of course, AFTER the coozies have been removed from the bathroom, leaving a wet trail in his path.  I give up...  it's a good thing they're cute.

Just Ducky

Boing!!

At the Mushroom Fest, they had lots of little amusement rides for kids. Our little adventurist chose to bounce instead. 

All harnessed up!

Higher...

Higher!

New Ride

When Bug was a babe, his dad LOVED to carry him around in the Kelty backpack carrier.  Bug loved the view and mobility, too.  His sister took a ride for the first time when we went to the Mushroom Fest in Kennett Square, PA.  She had a blast!

This is her watching her brother and blowing bubbles at him.  I could eat up this face.

Cheap Entertainment

Macro-Study: Found Treasures