And on a sweeter note...

Alex is upstairs sitting on the kitchen floor with his guitar in hand (neck to the right) strumming away and belting out 'Sweet Caroline' by Neil Diamond. Perhaps Neil can retire soon and his young protege can keep his tunes alive :)

Throw Down Time!

When I find the movie or CD or video game or TV show that has corrupted my sweet little kid I'm going to destroy it! Tanner's new response to adult direction is a forlorn 'Whatever'. He's compliant - but he's throwing a 'Whatever' at me and he's only 5!!! Time to wipe that word from the vocabularly!

"Isn't He Talkative!"

Every time I hear it I beam. Words you thought you'd never hear.

Most recently it was the hair stylist cutting Tanner's hair last night. They covered names, ages, city/state where you live, a recap of the days field trip to the Planetarium, the fact that Mommy "wants me to stay little forever, but I just can't stop growing!', on and on and on. The whole salon was laughing (especially about Mommy's wish) and mesmerized by the conversation (still working on that inside voice).

Every where we go (i.e. Home Depot, D&W, restaurant, gym) he looks for the persons name tag, than proceeds with 'Hi Dave, I'm Tanner. Did you know...'. People in this world are kind to kids, no matter how mean we can be to each other as adults. I don't think he's ever been snubbed. There is usually a bit of shock by being called by name, and then complete engagement in conversation. I think it's safe to say that stranger anxiety is a non-issue.

I thought I better start talking to him about strangers...and did. So then he announces to the nurse at the doctors office (of course calling her by name after reading a name tag). "You are stranger and you are an adult and that means you could hurt me. Do you know any kids I can talk too? Kids aren't strangers." And then the nurse smiles/chuckles, the cast removal goes on hiatus (tools set down...she's just captivated by the chatty kid).

And to think they never thought he would talk...the power of early intervention (and HUNDREDS of hours of therapy).

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?