Thank You!

Had to take a moment to post this link to another blog about the difficulties one may experience with a three year old. Hallelujah!! I'm not the only one.

I'll post soon with one of the very few photos we got from Halloween last night! The boys are definitely getting the hang of trick-or-treating. I can't believe how much candy they pulled in!! Now comes the battle of keeping them from consuming it all at once - fun times...

Determined

Lately we've been struggling with Luke a lot. Putting on clothes in the morning...difficult. Putting on shoes, taking a bath....difficult. Anything that he doesn't want to do at any given time, he won't do when asked, told and even threatened with time-out! He spends time in time-out, but doesn't seem to mind. Well, he doesn't like it and sometimes screams in his room as I hold the door shut (fun parenting moment)! But when he has a choice between doing what we're asking or going to time-out, he often ends up in time-out. He usually comes around and complies, but not without a struggle and only when he's ready. Don't get me wrong, for the most part he is a sweet little boy. Thank goodness he doesn't do this sh#t at school or in public, but I'm definitely struggling with him. He's determined to have power and so am I - so you can see how things get heated quickly. I'm learning to choose my battles and not fight with him over everything. I know giving kids choices can help with power struggles, but too often he chooses what he wants, which is not necessarily being offered! So we just try to get through each day without a major melt down. It's getting a little better, but when that little boy has his stubborn mind set on something, it is ever so hard to deter him. Three has (so far) been much more challenging than two!!

I did find this on a parenting website, so maybe there's some hope..."It also may help to keep in mind that stubbornness isn't always a bad thing. It can mean that your child is spirited, sure of himself, and probably demonstrates a lot of stick-to-itiveness. "

On a more positive note, he's doing great at school. This week he actually said he wanted to go to school, while Dylan was whining about not wanting go. He's making friends and feeling more integrated into the new environment. He loves riding his bike out front of the house with Dylan and the neighbors. We even have a new little boy who recently moved in (about 6 months younger than Luke) so Luke's getting some practice being the "big" guy - and he loves it!

Batter Batter Baseball

Here are a couple more shots of Dylan playing Little League Fall Ball. The season ended the other day and he's had a lot of fun. The last game was great, he got to play catcher and pitcher, which made him ever so happy. Still contemplating whether or not we'll do the spring league or just do T-ball at the YMCA for more practice. I know the spring Little League will be more competitive and I'm just not sure if I'm ready for it!

It's Been a While...

I just realized that my last post was in late August... so updates are necessary. The boys are in school and having fun despite themselves! AM drop off goes something like: "I don't want to go to school today!" [sad faces]; however they're usually happy in the afternoons when I pick them up, so it's pretty much just a morning separation thing and unfortunately they feed off of one another. Dylan started playing Little League baseball this fall and he loves it. I must say for his first time doing it, he's doing OK. His teammates all seemed to have more experience than him, but over the last couple of months he's improved quite a bit. He still needs a lot of of work (practice), but he's getting better. He seems so much older to me lately. I looked at him the other day and realized what a big boy he's becoming. We took his training wheels off of his new big bike and he's zooming all through the cul-de-sac. Luke's growing up on me too fast as well. He's always one small step behind his brother and I must say he keeps up amazingly well. I've been struggling with him a lot lately because he's so darn stubborn (aka determined). It seems like he fights me at every turn. I say go; he says stop. I say yes; he says no! But he is super cute, which is the only thing that keeps me from killing him sometimes. Both boys are pretty excited about Halloween, so we're off to the pumpkin patch!

Back to School

I would be lying if I said I wasn't looking forward to today - the 1st day of school! It's not to say I haven't enjoyed most of the summer off with the boys; but I was definitely ready for a return to routine (and a bit of free time). Both boys are now attending the same school, so life will be a bit easier with only one drop off (although they are in different classrooms). This morning's return went off fairly well - despite the fact that getting up, fed & dressed was a little challenging! There were some sad faces as I left them in the play yard, but no real tears. It's good to know they have each other. Here are some photos to mark the official send off for 2010!

*Edited to add: Seems as if the boys are actually getting along better this afternoon due to being apart all day long! BONUS!! (Although I probably shouldn't put that in writing; don't want to jinx a wonderful thing!!!)

Fishies

Swim lessons ended yesterday and all of the kids got to jump off of the diving board. Exciting!! After two weeks both boys have learned some swimming skills and are pretty much water ready - now they just need practice (too bad we don't have a pool). Here are videos of them jumping off the diving board and a longer one of them swimming.

Summer

Well, we've all been enjoying our summer break. Dylan's been out of school since early June and Luke's last day of preschool was at the end of June. I was able to take off work for most of the month of July and have been spending lots of time with my little guys. It's been a lot of fun, but I'm also sort of looking forward to a return to our routine (aka having them in school!!). We took several day trips early on in the month, and just returned from a great week in southern California. In our whirlwind tour (note that we were brave/cheap and drove down) we spent time in Anaheim with a visit to Disneyland/California Adventure and then headed north to Pasadena for a fabulous family wedding! The boys had a great time doing Disney - according to them highlights included the Star Tours ride (they're big Star Wars fans) and meeting Buzz Lightyear, Goofy & Pluto. We plan to do it again in a couple of years, because I think Luke is still too young to even really remember this tip. We then stayed at a super nice hotel for the wedding and spent lots of time by the pool. I am trying to adjust to life back at home, but really missing the pool and leisurely lifestyle we enjoyed, if only for a couple of days!! Right now the boys are taking swim lessons and Dylan is already doing the crawl stoke! I'm struggling with the reality that party ends officially for me on Tuesday with my return to work! :-( Oh well, it was fun while it lasted and we have tons of great memories from our summer days together. Luke will be attending Woodland Montessori School with Dylan (although they'll be in separate classrooms) at the end of August. Lots ahead to look forward to... stay tuned!!

Growing Up

There is a part of the boys' growing up that I could do without! Overheard in our house today:

D: Mom, James has a small TV in his car!!

L: Mom, you know what I want? The crackers with cheese and you use a red stick for the cheese! (After I have just served him the organic version of Ritz crackers with Tillamook cheddar cheese.)

Now You Are 3!

Earlier this month Luke turned 3. I cannot believe what a big boy he's becoming. It seemed just like yesterday he was my little guy who was trying to keep up and imitate everything Dylan did. While he is still a step behind his brother, I'm amazed at how fast he's growing up! He's so very smart and has quite the personality. He's our little joker, always surprising us with the things he says. I can't imagine our world without you Lukie. You are your brother's best friend and our littlest member. I love you so much!! Happy Birthday baby boy!

More Photos

Family Photos

We had some family photos taken yesterday and I've only gotten a sneak peek, but so far they look OK. Anyway, it's been a long (but nice) week. Dylan was out on spring break so we got to spend some time together... visited the California Railroad Museum and lots of days spent at the park. I must admit I'm looking forward to Monday to get back to our regular schedule.

Flag of America, by Luke

Here is Luke's rendition of the Pledge of Allegiance. We discovered that he knew this when he was sitting on the potty this morning reciting it (unfornately didn't catch that version)!!

Catch Up Post

Here are some photos from the past four months that I missed... Christmas 2009
Christmas morning playing with their Star Wars storm trooper costumes!

"Cozy Winter Night" performance at Woodland Montessori 12.2009

Luke with spiky hair (12.2009)Dylan showing off his homemade bird feeder (02.2010)

Luke being silly (02.2010)

Finally Updated!!

I guess you could say I've been hibernating through the winter; but really I was just lazy and fell behind with keeping up the blog. My apologies to anyone who may still be checking in. Anyway, it's finally spring (YAY!) and we've been enjoying some rather pleasant weather lately. I actually found the camera, and dusted it off to get some current shots of the boys. Dylan posed outside with his favorite kitty Tyra. Luke had just woken up from his nap, and wasn't so cooperative (a recurring theme these days!!). The kids are both healthy (finally well after a long winter full of colds and lots of coughing). I've been longing for warm, dry weather and no more illness, so hopefully we're here now! School is going well, Dylan is learning to read and really loves music and art. Luke got moved up to the green room (for three year-olds) in January and has really been thriving with the change. He always talks about his his best friends Jacob & Dylan from school. The latest news around here is that Lukie just learned to use the potty (finally no more diapers!!) and he's been doing great. Dylan also just learned to ride his bike without training wheels! Woo hoo!! They're both very proud, as are we! I will try to post some photos from the holidays soon. Happy Spring!