Wanted: Full-Time Referee

Immediate opening for an experienced, assertive referee. Requires basic knowledge of the rules of play including sharing, "using your words", turn-taking, and "using your inside voice". Must be able to lift 50 lbs for the occasional removal of child from incoming tackle. Careful discernment needed to know what play and yelling is all in good fun...what tackles and chases are actually wanted...versus those that are tormenting the other (there tends to be a fine line). Finger whistle is helpful and an ability to deal with the players with a firm voice as needed. Ideal candidate will also have the ability to pour on the sympathy & cuddles, and to rationalize with the irrational child. Wages negotiable as your skills are priceless and most sought after as the current referee is exhausted after the long holiday weekend.

Baking with Brian

Hmmm...banana muffins...Uncle Brian rocks!

The boys love to cook and were learning in school how to follow a recipe. Alex has taken special interest in cooking, which is awesome. Hmmm...a son who is a chef...I could live with that! If you aren't watching him like a hawk, he'll wander to the kitchen in the AM, climb on the counter and grab a skillet, climb in the fridge and grab the eggs, crack all of them perfectly in the pan, climb on the counter to get a stirring spoon...and that's where by story stops. I haven't caught him any further than that yet. He's fast though...let me tell ya!

A Cast For Tanner

No surgery...they are going to try casting Tanner's arm for 3 weeks to help the ligament heal/tighten. It's casted from his armpit thru his palm. I'm so happy there are no cuts/pokes/hospitals involved! Tanner got to pick the color of his cast - and had the nurse and I nervous when his little pointer finger was hovering around the hot pink swatch! He settled on red pretty quickly. We joked that he was being wrapped up like a mummy, which was fitting since it was Halloween AM. He was concerned, but calm while they put it on. He broke down crying off and on Friday, sad that he couldn't make his arm straight or climb, but was fine the rest of the weekend.

Alex has been hysterically funny about it though. He keeps saying to Tanner 'Tannuh, let's cwack it!'. He tries to 'cwack' it by knocking on it with his fist, swinging Tanner's limp arm into walls, etc. I'm not worried about Tanner, but I'm worried about my house!

The cast is waterproof...he can even swim in it! How cool is that? Maybe that option has been around a long time...I guess I haven't seen anyone in a cast in a decade or more. I'm not sure if he'll be able to do swim lessons though? I think we'll give it a try. Gymnastics probably not happening though.

No one has signed the cast yet...and Tanner's not very fond of the idea. My guess is that he comes home from school tomorrow with it signed however. Peer pressure...nothing like it!

Happy Halloween!

It's all about speed this year for my little monsters - dressed up as an astronaut (Tanner) and a race car driver (Alex). Since there was no school on Halloween, the school Halloween party was Thursday. Halloween Day was the longest day ever with no school...just waiting to go trick-or-treating! They had so much fun, but were truly scared of some of the older kids costumes I think (and my legs have the claw marks from Alex to prove it!).

Tanner really wanted to be a skeleton or something scary...which I exercised my parental right to refuse. Growing up we never wore scary costumes and I don't think they need to at 5 years old. However, I'm thinking Alex could have made a pretty cute Incredible Hulk based on his impersonation below! Next year - superheros?

I think they learn it at school

Just this weekend I'm getting the 'Ewww...yucky girls' type vibe from my little men. They were looking through a toy catalog and shouting 'Ewww...that's girl stuff...we don't want to look at GIRL toys!'. Then -- watching Saturday morning cartoons I'm hearing similar shouts of disgust. So it's official...girls are yucky...at least for the next 6-8 years I guess.

I'm sure kisses from mom are the next to hit the list of uncool.

Return to Devos Children's Hospital

Tanman is being seen by an experienced Pediatric Orthopedist at DeVos Childrens Hospital on 10/31. He hasn't been a patient there since leaving NICU...I guess it's a homecoming of sorts! I'm not looking forward to this. They said to plan 2 hours for the appointment so I'm guessing they need some pictures.

Burger King and Sesame Seeds

Seriously - is there a kid alive that likes sesame seeds on their hamburger? Why does Burger King torture us so? After once again picking off all the sesame seeds on Alex's cheeseburger I'm pledging life-long loyalty to the golden arches!

Mommy's Bed & Coca Cola

Two of the best things in life...reserved only for weekends. The little dudes fell asleep in Mommy's bed for the 3rd night in a row to wind down the weekend...one on each side of me. I just can't say no to Alex's innocent inquiry - 'I want to nuggle in Mommy's bed!'. So we all 3 hop in my bed and Jim tucks us all in. I'm just not sure how much longer Jim's back can handle taking the sleeping, limp 45 lb sacks of boy back to their beds. We did at least disassemble the bunk beds...so more need to 'heave-ho' Alex to the top bunk!

The Elbow...Again

Tanner dislocated his elbow again today. This is the 6th time he has done it, and the 2nd time in the past 6 weeks. Last time, the doctor said 'One more time and we send him over to the pediatric orthopedic surgeon'. Apparently, there is a ligament that they can surgically tighten to keep him from popping it out. The culprit this time? His friend sitting on the bus behind him gave his arm a tug. Apparently this happened at the beginning of the 45 minute bus ride...the remainder of which Tanner was completely hysterical and in pain.

Poor little buddy.

Tanner Bananer

So what's new with Tanman? Well, his love of the lastest nickname is adorable...he specifically asks me to call him Tanner Bananer :) I stole that nickname from his 4 year old friend Jacob...who I think was trying to tease him. You'll have to give it another shot Jake - Tanner likes this one!

Tanner's latest...let's see:

1. Newly found fear of medicine or being sick...because he doesn't want to go to the doctor and get shots (just had our 5 year old physical last week). Pretty normal...but Alex keeps terrorizing him by wanting to play doctor...such a mean big brother!

2. Newly discovered love of Golden Grahams cereal and ate 1/2 box over the weekend.

3. Growing like a weed...he's sending me to the poor house after buying new clothes and shoes! Check-up puts him at 90th percentile for height, 45th for weight, 20th for BMI. Not sure where these long and lanky genes come from...

4. Continues to evolve into quite the shopper. Drug me around town to 5 different Halloween stores before finally settling on a costume. Begged to be a skeleton...but I made it clear I don't like scary costumes and he offered to wait until he is 7 years old. Deal.

5. Bookworm.

6. Tanner is being mainstreamed into a general education classroom for certain parts of his school day. Yay!

Alex in September

It's been a while since I've posted...so I'll give each little guy his own post and bring everyone up to speed on the latest and greatest!

After missing his first day of school due to a cold, Alex settled in a week later into the new routine. A new school, a new teacher, some new/some old classmates, new routines...for a little guy who isn't so fond of 'new', he settled in after only a few days (and some tears). He originally said that he didn't like his teacher, he didn't like his school, he didn't like his friends, he didn't like Tanner in his class, etc. Now, he's back to being his happy little self and loves it all. Well, almost all. He doesn't like Tanner in his class. They were separated last year, and put together again this year. It's funny how Alex is such a different, very chatty, little guy when Tanner isn't there dominating the conversation...and even funnier that he can now tell us that he wants Tanner in a different class. I can't say I'm surprised ;)

I sought out an occupational therapy eval for Alex beginning in June, with the intention that therapy (if needed) would go through summer. After 2 months of appealing through insurance, the eval and subsequent therapy has been approved. Hooray! The eval uncovered, as I suspected, significant upper body weakness and fine motor concerns. It amazes me how therapists (any of them...physical, speech, psychiatric, etc) can pinpoint areas of strength and areas of concern so methodically. What I knew as a mom about Alex was that he wasn't holding crayons, scissors, forks, zippers, etc well. He couldn't open his locker at school. Random things that most people wouldn't notice. His gross motor skills and constant activity level sort of overshadowed these other concerns at first glance.

Well, it was that wierd sense of relief you get as a mom leaving a doctors office. No one wants to be the overprotective hypochondriac type mom. So, you take your kid to the doctor concerned that he has an ear infection, and in a sick way you are somewhat relieved when the doctor confirms he has an ear infection. You take a kid to the doctor thinking he might need stitches...and are relieved to know that Dr. Mom diagnosed correctly when the resounding 'Yes' comes back from the doctor/nurse who see the little guy. I remember leaving the neurologists office when the boys were diagnosed with autism and having an odd sense of relief. Mystery solved...it's not all in my head. Ok...so now I've gone on and on about this...I'm the only mom in the world that has such a sick sense of relief...and I've documented it for posterity to look back on and frown. Nice Amy.

Anyhow, Alex has been referred for OT services twice weekly at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital at least through Xmas. The clinicians consider the weakness to be secondary to prematurity which is the stance taken to win the insurance fight. They did a lot of tests...most of which Alex thought were fun (much better than speech evaluations...more active). He had to squeeze some sort of hand calipers which measured his strength. A child his age should squeeze/exert 22-28 lbs of pressure. Alex can squeeze 6 lbs in one hand and 10 in the other hand. A child his age should be able to do a wheelbarrow walk across the length of a gym mat and back. Alex can do about 3 'steps' with his arms and then crumples. He should be able to roll a marble from his palm to his fingertip using only one hand. He can not.

So, we've got a new set of 'homework'. Luckily, Alex likes his OT homework. He loves Mary Free Bed - we've gone there for a few years for speech so he's very comfortable there which is nice. We just tell him he's going to speech...does it really matter what they are working on? Same parking ramp, same elevator, same check-in desk, same treatment area...just a different therapist.

As for life outside of school and such, Mommy's little AJ is adorable as always. 'Beautiful' is the adjective of the week. "Oh mommy, deese stwawbehwies are beautiful" "Mommy, wook at my beautiful hair!". Swimming is the favorite activity...which we're managing to do about 3 times per week. Little fish...quite the swimmer. Reminds me of my brother as a kid...I can hardly keep him above water. Favorite song - 'Free Fallin'...which is stinkin' cute when he belts it out in concert with the iPod. Favorite food - pop - does that count as a food? Favorite might be a bit of an understatement...it's a bit of an obsession...if he see someone drinking one he has to run up close enough to see what kind. "Coca Cowa" elicits the most excited response. Good news is that most obsessions are fleeting...like the fire alarms which are a thing of the distant (though not quite forgotten by mom) past. Favorite book - any that he can read. Favorite game - Scrabble Jr. Favorite parent - Mommy's boy this month. Favorite show - Imagination Movers. Favorite pasttime - blanket fights with Tanner and playing with balloons.

Consider yourself updated on the life of my little Alex Jett!

Are you a pirate?

So little AJ (this nickname is getting some traction with Mom) walks up to a man wearing an eye patch at the library and asks, "Are you a pirate?". The man responds a bit gruffly "No - I have brain cancer.". Embarrassing and funny all at the same time. Alex is unphased by the response of course and goes on his merry way singing to himself per usual. Jim only got the funny emotion out of the story...he literally ran to to kitchen to lose it laughing when I told him tonight.

Mommy's little AJ - I love that little dude.

One Man Band

Yes - that's 4 instruments (recorder, xylophone, shaker and tamborine) being play simultaneously while listening to the Ralph's World CD. Serious amount of focus and concentration let me tell you!

Time for me to run...short post. Jimbo has the little fellas golfing out back...and I hear thunder. Hello!!! Metal golf clubs flying high with a storm blowing in...what is it with Dads? At least Alex has an umbrella...hardly comforting!

Geography Whiz?

Add geography to Tanner's growing list of advanced interests. I've become somewhat accustomed to the fact that he reads EVERYTHING, and rather quickly/fluently. I'm not so sure how easily I'm going to get used the fact that he's trying to master geography now. It started with a US map where he memorized where all the states were. So, I got him a puzzle that includes capitols and cute picture references to something about each state (i.e. corn in Iowa, saxophone in Louisiana, alligator in FL, etc). Loads of fun.

Now, with the Olympics in full swing, he was curious about all the countries. So, we went to the toy store and bought him a globe. Who takes their 5 year old to the toy store and comes out with a globe? His favorite countries to proudly show off are China (of course, since this is where the Olympics are), Mexico (he wants to go on vacation there like mom and dad did after their wedding) and Niger. Niger...I know...why Niger?



Hello!!!??!! It rhymes with Tiger, didn't you know?

Berries

Berries...they love them...any color, any shape, any size. We went to the Farmers Market yesterday AM and included in our haul were blueberries and blackberries. Let's just say they've had more than few this AM...some straight from the fridge...some in pancakes. Tongues are a dark blue (the picture doesn't do it justice)...and the boys think this is so cool!

Yummy Morning Salad

I was downstairs Wed 8AM and Tanner calls down 'Mommy - we're making a yummy salad!'. Hmm...interesting...but I figure that vegetables for a morning snack isn't a bad way to start the day. Then he goes on to exclaim 'Mommy - this is SO great!'.

"Okay," I think to myself..."something is off here...too much excitement for vegetables." So, I head up stairs to see what's cooking. I find two fired up little dudes standing in front of the pantry

and their salad ingredients spread across the kitchen island.

In response to my sigh, Tanner explains happily 'See Mommy, me and Alex are making a yummy salad with all of these great things!'. They're so stinkin' excited I decide to play along.

I ask what they want to use to mix their salad in, to which they respond a 'large bowl'. I choose a cereal bowl, but they request the Kitchen Aid mixing bowl with a handle (very large). We compromise on a medium measuring bowl with handle and the creation begins.

Short of Alex's banana, none of the 'salad' ingredients are truly acceptable morning foods, but I just can't rain on their parade. Afterall, I did at least put my foot down to their request for the addition of finger jello and apple juice to the mixture. So, I end up letting the fellas eat garbage far too early in the day...but you should have seen them beam...which makes it all worthwhile.

Home Again

Just returned from an awesome vacation 'up north'. Between getting ready to leave and being gone...I haven't posted in forever! Am hoping to do so tomorrow and get some vacation pics out there. Boys had a blast...first week long vacation in 4 years...and we've already booked it again for next year! Bye-bye toddlerhood...these big boys are ready for travel!

Just Like Bri

I think anyone reading this blog probably knows that Uncle Brian (my little brother...okay...maybe he's 22...but still my little brother) lives with us. We've really been fortunate to share our lives with him for the past 1 1/2 years. Prior to Brian living with us, my sister Christy lived with us. Basically, for my kids entire memories they've had an aunt or uncle living with (and sometimes also babysitting) them. If it were just Jim and I, I think they would be so bored. They closely track the comings and goings of all adults in the house...and my younger siblings tend to be a little less predictable and thus that much more exciting their arrivals and departures.

Back to my point. Da boyz think "Unco Bwian" iz da bomb. Yes - Uncle Brian was the ultra-cool household member that decided tie dye was a fun idea. He plays guitar which is way cool. He has a cool bedroom...cool clothes...cool food (introduction to Nutella was a fun one). This month, due to some male bonding thing at work, he grew a mustache and goatee. The boys are fascinated and were asking all about it tonite when Brian came home, so I decided to have a little fun with them. We drew on mustaches and goatees. I pulled out a few hats...and then Brian added to the fun by hauling out his own stash. Then - best of all - they got to go hang out in Uncle Brians room (which is off limits for the most part)! Here's a few pics from our evening of fun. Bri-guy is a constant inspiration of fun...but coming up on his senior year at GVSU...I think the our months are probably becoming numbered :(


Being so still for mom!


Tanner and his inspiration


Happy little Alex Jett


Sorting through the hat stash. The State hat is obviously not from the Wooden's pile.


Alex still not letting go of the State hat. Not a good sign. May have to burn it.


Alex & Tanner taco!

B-L-T

Jim and I are having BLT's tonight. I was cooking bacon while Tanner was eating. Tanner wanted to know what is a BLT. So, I explained 'B is for Bacon, L is for Lettuce, T is for Tomatoe'. He seemed to understand. I love when you can just see the wheels turning in a kids head. He responds a minute or two later...'Mommy - I'm almost done with my CP'. I'm stumped and ask "What?". He responds very matter of factly, "My corn-pasta...CP". Too funny. This little game of acronyms is right up his alley. I have a feeling we've opened up a whole new world of fun for Tanner's little brain which is in constant overdrive.

Best Parenting Hold

At 5 years old, there are not a lot of socially acceptable means of restraining your kids. The bouncy seat is a thing of the long forgotten past. Toddler leashes for 5 year olds are taboo (though we never used them anyhow...the concept was always was a bit off to me). They've long outgrown strollers and now the wagon.

The shoulder ride is about it for certain containment. If you see Jim and I in this pose, it's not a lovable way of hanging out with the monsters...it's the 'I'd strap them down to a backboard if a could but this will just have to do' gesture. But we do so with a smile! We thank my Dad and Jim's Grandpa for our 6 foot frames...and the long and lean family genes that keep our little loads relatively light. Even so, I'm not so sure how much longer either of our shoulders can handle these troublemakers!

Tanner Bananer

Cracking me up lately! Here's Tanner with his swim goggles (put on upside down) and umbrella which will "keep him safe from the rain".





Then, being ultra cool in his tie dye shirt putting gel in his hair.

Our First Fishing Expedition

Cast, bob, set, reel in fish. Easy breezy - at least at Great Grandpa's lake where the blue gill are plentiful and love to graze on wax worms! Tanner and Jim get a head start with the fishing fun.



They both loved putting the worms on the hook. Hardly shocking given the recent fascination with all things creepy and crawly!



Stripped again Tanman...but that's okay.



Tanner: 'Hmm. Alex has caught one already. Maybe I should check out his technique for a while?"



Within 5 minutes, Alex catches his second, just in time as his short attention span was shot.



Very serious little Alex. Not sure if he was counting the fishes stripes or just marveling at how little this fish resembled Disney's Nemo.

Tanner stuck with it for about 20 minutes total, determined to match his brother fish for fish...and he did! (It just took a little longer)

Total success - thank you Crystal Lake fish for knowing the boys have a short attention span and doing your part! Greg and I likely tormented your great great grandfathers and grandmothers...20 years ago...same dock...same bait...still so much fun.

Alex Leads 4-1

I just returned from my 5th trip (in less than 4 years!) for stitches for a little guy! Alex strikes again - this time a head laceration deserving of 3 staples. His last trip for stitches was the head also. This time, it happened while lunging to his pillow when he heard Mom coming to scold the little dudes for monkeying around.

Of course, Alex slept in the ER waiting room (no urgent cares open after 10pm in GR), in the exam room, and while we were checking out. He woke up only for about 90 seconds when the staples went in. Taking his blows like a pro!

No swimming for a whole week until the staples come out...that's going to be the most painful part of the experience I'm afraid :(

Majority Rules

Yes, Alex was the one who delivered the Father's Day scolding while tearing down camp. We've promised to take him back in August...and he's counting down the days, weeks, hours, minutes...any unit of time I will give his little brain to process with his at least daily request for the countdown status.

It was so much fun! The boys are fascinated with bugs...finding, catching, collecting...so the campsite had plenty of entertainment for them. At the beach there were tons of ladybugs and Tanner was putting them on his bare arm to crawl around. Kindy creepy...but the ladybugs are the cuter of their finds. However, when the following day I found him at home with a half dozen earwigs crawling on his arm I about lost it. Yuck!!!!!

And the answer is...

Tanner - he's the little boy who cried wolf by announcing 'Fire!' at the restaurant.

They did a theme week at school in the fall on fire/fire fighters/etc. It was definitely a good awareness topic...but maybe a little too much awareness for my little guys.

1. When you ask the boys their telephone number, they reply seriously '9-1-1'. Hmm...still working on de-programming that thought.

2. It's lead to an interesting fascination with all fire safety items. Do you know the 'Pull Down in Case of Fire' alarms you find EVERYWHERE? Yeah...the dudes have a radar for them. I'm on constant look-out to find one before they do. The big bold 'PULL DOWN' instructions speak loudly to their impulsivity and they are quick to adhere to the message. Alex got a hold of one in a local elementary school this winter and emptied the classrooms on false alarm. He got a hold of one at a hotel in Traverse City this year...but for whatever reason it didn't work (thank God). Squeezing the fire extinguisher is pretty tough for their little hands/fingers thankfully. So though they have certainly tried, no messes yet. Each time this happens...or I even catch them eyeing one...I ask "Are you a firefighter?". If there is ever a fire, I'll regret this logic - I know. Now Alex will whisper to himself as he passes these temptations 'I am not a firefighter, I am not a firefighter.'.

I supposed I de-programmed all the good school had done...but I can't have them running around set off fire alarms all over town! As for shouting 'Fire!', I guess that's pretty harmless Tanman.

Counting Down

Today we leave to go camping for the weekend in Muskegon on Lake Michigan. The boys have been counting down for a few weeks and are so excited. I remember leaving for family vacations as a child and the day we left just seemed to drag on and on. So many last minute things to do and errands to run...and I just wanted to get on the road! Jim's working all day and we're leaving when he gets home...after all those last minute packing/errands that I so hated growing up.

Today just might be the longest day of Alex and Tanner's life...waiting for the clock to tick to 6:30pm. I'm sure it will be worth the wait - they are so excited to sleep in tents, roast marshmallows, play with 'Little Aly' (my sister Kimberly and her family are coming) and hang out at the beach. The icing on the cake - Tanner gets to sleep with Mommy and Alex gets to sleep with Daddy at night (as it's the only way Jim and I will get any sleep) - how exciting for the little dudes!

I'll post some pics and give a post-mortem upon our return. Here's to hoping the lightning stays out on the lake!

Trivia Chuckles

I've added a voting button to the top right of the page which I'll try to keep updated weekly with our latest and greatest stories. You can guess 'who dunnit'...and share a few laughs with us.

Totally Outnumbered

It's 8pm and these are the scenes from my living room - 2 adult males with a cold beer, 2 energetic boys and a 'monkey in the middle' Trooper playing football. I feel so out of place. Jenny - how many more years until you move in?

Alex & Tanner oppposite Jim & Brian

Jim was doing most of the throwing and coaching...while Brian stayed alert for the return tosses that were a bit wild.

Tanner ends up grabbing this one...but good try at a deflection Troop!

All giggles...some for Trooper, some for the joy of Alex actually catching it...slap happy little dudes who didn't take a nap today.

Maybe Dad can wear them out with this game?

By the way - the soundtrack to this would be belly laughs from all males, and howling from Trooper. It was absolutely hilarious. Beating the heat by playing inside on a hot Saturday evening.

Signs of Summer

Summer treats in the 'fort'.

A favorite sensory experience - dumping water buckets! (Tanner)

Alex is big enough now for the water slide! Minimum height 44inches...Alex officially measures in by lifeguard staff at 44.5inches. Woohoo!!

Happy Alex!

Future Major Leaguer (Tanner)!

Mommy's helpers planting flowers.

Alex is my monkey boy!

Fun with friends at the lake

It's All About the Dough

Alex has an adorably sweet fascination with money right now. If he finds a wallet or purse within his reach, he's immediately searching for currency of any sort. Each morning when Stacy arrives he starts his very funny, very innocent inquisition:

Stacy - you have any dowaws (dollars)? (No says Stacy)
Stacy - you have any cash? (No laughs Stacy)
Stacy - you have any money? (No says Stacy...now we're both laughing)

One day last week Alex snatched my wallet and found receipts. This was a new word for him, and it seems to be equally intriguing as 'cash' now. He's added a fourth question to Stacy's daily inquisition:

Stacy - you have any receipts?

Today at the grocery store he yelled at Jim anxiously in the checkout 'Don't forget your receipt Daddy!'. Caught Jim off guard since I'd forgotten to tell him about the new addition to his money fascination.

Last Monday we were one our way to the library and I made an unannounced side stop at the bank. As I'm pulling in through the bank parking lot, Tanner says 'Mom, what are we doing, this isn't the library!'. Alex responds very matter-of-factly:

"Tannaw, we are going to rob the bank. Mommy needs some cash."

Where the heck did he pick up the phrase 'rob the bank'? Seriously!

So, my 5 year old is all about the dough (I don't think I'll add that word to his expanding currency vocabulary however). He doesn't know how to spend it or what it's for...he's just very hyperfocused on it. It's odd...and absolutely hysterical. Maybe I'm raising a little accountant or an economist...or a bank robber ;)

Summer is Here!

We love calendars in the Wooden house. Of course we would...numbers...the repitition of the days of the week...it's all fairly predictable (except the whole 30 days vs. 31 days...or an occassional 29 days). Perfect example: Alex had a $20 bill I took from him yesterday, to which he quickly responded in a sing-song nanny-nanny-boo-boo voice 'But I still have my calendar!'. Yes Alex - you win - I have the $20 and you still have your calendar. Life is good.

So - summer is here. It's now June, and Tanner says June, July and August is the summertime. We don't mark summer by the last day of school or the official start of summer later this month or the first trip to the beach. The calendar page turned to June, so now it's summer. It's 77 degrees today so I'm going to take them to the pool (luckily it's heated) and go out for ice cream. We'll live up the big overnight change in seasons, and I'll post a few pictures later of the launch of our Summer 2008.

Soccer Mom? No Way!

I've decided it's time to introduce the world of organized sports to Alex & Tanner Wooden. Scary, I know. So, here's my plan of attack:

1. Join a gym with specific youth sports programs. Done in March. Boys absolutely love going. Being familiar with their physical surroundings for almost two months, hopefully they will be able to listen a little better and focus.

2. Divide and conquer. Enroll them in separate classes. That means double the classes/lessons/practices, but much more manageable for me to attend and re-direct them.

3. Ok - double the classes/lessons/practices? Divide and conquer again. Split shifts with Stacy (our nanny).

4. Send a brief note to each instructor prior to the start of classes (this week) advising them of the boys unique personalities and our intention to be present and actively involved to minimize disruption/re-direct.

5. Avoid any sport for which I have no interest or tolerance. That strikes soccer, tennis, golf, and hockey from the record. I know everyone loves soccer - and I even coached a middle school boys team for a few years. I can't stand it though.

6. Start with individual sports this session, then move into team sports that I can pre-coach. That means we'll start with swimming and gymnastics, and Coach Mom will try to make hoopsters out of them over the next 6 weeks. Right now we're working on 'bounce pass' and 'dribble, dribble, shoot!'. Counting by twos every time they score is rather fascinating thus far...so at least I've found a hook! (And by hook I mean 'something to peak their interest', not a 'hook shot'. Never did get that one down myself.)

7. Expect disaster, and be thrilled with anything better.

I'll keep you posted (and by posted I mean 'updated'...haven't worked on 'posting up' yet either with my little hoopsters...though that should be fun!).

Michigan Weather

Michigan's dramatic weather swings are confusing for adults...and even more so for my little guys. Seriously - I put away their boots in early April and the very same week had to go out and buy summer clothes. The next week we had to search out sandals. A slight diversion here - but I have to comment that finding 2 of the same size shoe is a real pain. Not just same size - but same shoe. I learned a few years back to get identical shoes or they end up fighting over the same favorite pair inevitably. Okay - so back to the real story - we went from snow/cold to summer like temperatures practically overnight.

Ironically, Friday was beach day at school. The dudes wore their swimsuits to school and it was sunny and 80 degrees outside. In fact, it was 80 degrees still at 8 o'clock last night! We've been playing with squirt guns, riding bikes, wearing sun screen - basically living outside for the past week or so. I did put my foot down when they wanted to haul out the sprinkler last week - it is only April after all!

So - fast forward 12 hours from 8pm last night when it was 80 degrees - to a high of 50 today. We had left the windows open last night and woke up FREEZING! Tanner started crying 'Oh no, summer is over and now it's winter again! We're never going to go camping now!'. I quickly assured him that summer wasn't even here yet and there would be plenty of time for camping.

Poor little buddy...mother nature is laughing down at us...and Tanner is crying. Michigan weather is so senseless and unpredictable, which just doesn't settle well with a little guy who likes predictability.

So, I think I'm going to put woodtv.com on his favorites on the computer and show him how to get to the weather forecast. That should help. Mother Nature will be off the hook...but I'm putting a lot of faith in the weatherman!

Toddlers No More

The birthday countdown is on! I can hug and squeeze my four year olds for one more day...and then they officially move from toddlerhood to little boyhood. Big 5 year olds...hard to believe.

Then again...the past few months they've been more and more independent...and more and more grown up. While the boys countdown to their birthday party tomorrow afternoon, I'll do a blog countdown of the Top 5 Reasons you know they are 'All Boy'. I'll update this post over the next 24 hours (because taking an hour to do it all now just isn't going to happen given their energy level).

Reason #5 - The fellas are sleeping in bunk beds! Totally a big boy move (especially for Alex who sleeps on the top bunk). As long as we're on the topic, my apologies to Brian who sleeps directly below them on the lower level of the house. The early morning jumps from the ladder and giggling I know is brutal for you!





Reason #4 - Watching football with Daddy and Uncle Brian on Sunday nights. Okay - watching football might be secondary to the number watching (i.e. jersey numbers, SPORTS TICKER at bottom of screen)...but it's still a 'big boy show' nonetheless. And let me tell you - they are all about categorizing things as 'a big boy show' or 'big boy thing to do' vs. a 'baby show' or 'baby thing to do'. Love it...Jim and I quickly classified all annoying shows as 'baby shows'...bye-bye Barney, Teletubbies, Doodlebops, Boobah!







Reason #3 - Garage Golf. One morning this winter I rolled over at 6:45am, noticed the lights were on and the boys were silent. Bad combo. I shook Jim awake and we started looking for them. After a trip down and back upstairs without finding them, my heart started to race. Then I felt the draft of cold air - and noted the door to the garage was open. Jim and I race out to the garage to find the little dude in PJs, a coat, bare feet and golf clubs in hand. They happily announced 'Look, we're playing golf! There is no snow in the garage!'. Jim's worried look turn to pure pride...I quickly jab him with my elbow as if to remind him that there are so many things wrong with this picture (no shoes...they left the house without an adult...they are swinging clubs in our garage with the cars parked in it!). Yes...this is big boy type of trouble.


Reason #2 - Growing Independence.

• They read to me as much as I read to them.
• They take the initiative to brush their teeth after lunch without even being asked.
• Diving in pools and swimming - no life jackets!
• Getting their own drinks (even if that sometime means drinking apple juice straight from the bottle...which is yet another sign they are getting big).
• Washing hands after going potty without being reminded.
• Knowing how to operate the DVD player, CD player, iPod, computer, Tivo, and microwave.
• Mastering the concept of time (clocks & calendars)

Reason #1 - Take a look!