Play-Learn-Grow-Repeat

From Wednesday Mom – Janelle:
Tate loves to mimic his older brother, which can get them both in trouble from time to time.  Lately, Tate has been all about the alphabet and numbers. Jack has a pretty solid understanding of letters, sounds and numbers. When we practice Jack’s alphabet and counting, Tate tries to copy. His vocabulary is only a few random letters and numbers, but he seems to get really excited and shouts his version of the alphabet song.  I must record his singing on video so one day we can share it with him.

Tate doesn’t completely understand what he is saying or counting, but he wants to be like his brother, and I assume it can’t hurt. Tate loves to count anything, his toes, his blocks or whatever his eyes focus on. Sometimes if we’re stopped at a red light he’ll pick out one or two letters displayed on a billboard.  He is aware of these new symbols and is realizing they’re everywhere.  He watches over his brother’s shoulder when we do exercises, and he likes to contribute his own knowledge of whatever letter he feels is right at the time. As for Jack, he says “Tate needs to sing the alphabet a couple more times; he keeps messing it up.”  He’s right; repetition is key.

As the years go by I am sure Tate will always imitate his brother. I hope he chooses the best Jack has to offer. They are playing more together now and it is fun to watch them carry on like brothers should, learning from play as well as practicing their ABC’s.

From Monday Mom: Janelle:
Living with three boys is a blessing and a challenge at the same time. I’m blessed because I love each of them to pieces and find so much joy in their sweet smiles.  One of the challenges is battling the mess. I admit I have my own messes around the house, but I am sure to clean them up or move them out of sight.  The piles of clothes, toys and crumbs I find on the floor seems to multiply hourly.  I can’t tell you how many times I have stepped on a lego block under my bare feet mixed in with other toys.  I try to clean up most of the mess when the kids go to bed, but lately it seems a bit overwhelming.

I remember when I was pregnant with Jack and I had his nursery organized and ready to welcome him home.  I had every tiny outfit, sock, hat, diaper and sheet folded so neatly or hung by size.  Within the first month, my beautiful room turned into a mountain of laundry.

Fast forward to today, and Jack’s room looks like a Lego bomb exploded.  I love that he has so much fun building the Lego sets and then taking them apart.  He also loves to build his own creations.  Luckily, we have the instruction booklets for each set so we can rebuild whatever was destroyed.  I’ve read several different blogs about smart ways to organize kids toys and I’m still trying to figure out the best solution for our mess.

Whether it takes a day, a week or a month I’m going to accomplish this task.  Jack will surely be helping me so he knows where every piece belongs.  Ideas and tips are welcomed!

PS. Happy Leap Day!

From Wednesday Mom – Janelle:
When Jack was little, he had a plastic mechanical T-ball and bat toy he would play with. So when we asked him if he wanted to play “real T-ball” he jumped at the opportunity. He likes baseball, but he was too young to play until this year. So we have signed him up for another sport.

Our goal is to keep Jack active physically and socially with his friends. We aren’t sure exactly how the league is organized, nor the rules, nor do we really care, so long as he has a good time. Jack’s dad is excited to take him to the sporting goods store to buy his first baseball glove, bat and ball. Jack just has to work on catching, throwing, hitting and having fun. Luckily, I know how to do all of those things from my days playing softball.

Jack will do well with practice. His friends have older siblings who have exposed them to a range of sports and games. We are hoping to help get Jack up to speed while still having fun. A visit from Pappy soon will be a sure way to get in some practice.

Our schedule will be full with both soccer and baseball overlapping.  For a few weeks it will be a challenge.  I know both of my sisters are shaking their heads yes while reading this.  A few years down the road, adding Tate’s activities to the mix will be even a greater challenge.  I figure I have to live up to my minivan image, right?

All three of my boys made me feel super special this Valentine’s day.  I received lots of hugs and kisses as well as super sweet handmade cards.  I LOVE getting handmade items from anyone, especially my family.  In return, I wrote love notes back to each of my boys.  Unfortunately, Jack accidentally dumped his milk all over my note to daddy.  Jack felt horrible and quickly tried to make a new one for him.  How cute!

I can’t forget to mention how much fun I had helping with Jack’s class Valentine party.  We all played “Cupid Says,” learned how to say “I love you” in several different languages and stuffed our faces with my red velvet cupcakes.  It was a fun morning, and I’m glad I was part of it.

When Jack and I got home, we went through all of his valentine cards.  He loved the Spider-man valentine as well as a few with candy included.  There was one little valentine  in his pocket.  I asked him who gave it to him and he said with blushing red cheeks his friend (crush) Kelsey.   I couldn’t handle the cuteness and gave him a big hug.

Hope you had a happy Valentine’s Day!

From Wednesday Mom – Janelle:
Soccer practice has begun, and Jack’s next game is this weekend.  His league took a winter break and is gearing up for their spring season.  Jack and I have been practicing in the back yard in hopes of developing his skills.  Hopefully he will make a goal this season.

Last fall all the kids huddled around the ball trying to kick it in any direction.  Making goals for the opposite team and picking dandelions was the team average.  Now that the kids are aware of the rules and how the game is played I’m expecting some progression.

By practicing, we are trying to help Jack get more confident with the ball. He got a little frustrated last year when he was out played. I think he needs to be more confident to get better. We are happy so long as he is happy. Whatever the outcome of the game, I’m delighted to know Jack has fun playing.  He is a determined little guy.  Here’s to hoping for a winning season!

From Wednesday Mom – Janelle:
Jack and I attended an open house for incoming Kindergarten students.  As we walked up the school’s sidewalk, dozens of “Jack memories” flashed before me.  Memories like bringing him home from the hospital, watching him walk for the first time, getting his first boo boo, saying I love you and those exhausting days/nights trying to figure out his sleeping routine.  How is it possible that Jack will be five years old and beginning Kindergarten soon? As cliche as it sounds, time flies by when you’re having fun.

Prospective students and their parents gathered in the auditorium.  We all said the Pledge of Allegiance (which Jack shouted proudly) and were educated on the Kindergarten syllabus, awards and many other informational facts.  Selected students from the school sang their school song, and we watched a slide show of the Kindergarten class accomplishments.  I was happy to see Jack very interested in what the teachers and students had to say.  I know he is super excited about Kindergarten next year because he often says he is ready for “big school.”

We were able to tour several of the classrooms, along with the library, cafeteria and gymnasium.  Quickly, my own memories of Kindergarten came to mind.  Unfortunately, my Kindergarten classroom no longer exists.  I would have loved to show Jack the classroom I attended.  Our tour was fun.  Both Jack and I saw what every room looked like and also how to find our way around the school.  It was obvious the amount of reading, writing and hands on projects the students are working on, since they were plastered all over the walls, desks and hallways.

Jack loved the desks and the “tree house” like reading nook.  One of Jack’s concerns was getting lost.  I reminded him he had no problem finding his way around preschool and the same would go for Kindergarten.  He thought the school was “totally awesome” and wanted to start tomorrow.  From a momma’s perspective, I can’t tell you how happy I was to hear those words come out of his mouth.  I’m grateful for everything he has learned at home and through preschool.  I can only hope he excels in his educational goals over the next fifteen years and beyond.

From Wednesday Mom – Janelle:
Tate has a love for music.  Anytime he hears a beat he automatically starts dancing or moving a part of his body.  I remember he was very active in utero while I listened to music. Recently, I signed Tate up for a music class because I thought he would be stimulated by all the sounds.  Also, it would be a great one on one activity for the two of us.  Our class meets once a week for 45 minutes and lasts until mid May.  The program offers many different classes for different age groups and is held at a local church.  Our class met for the first time today.  Tate left quite an impression on the other children (and parents).

We were one of the first to arrive to the class room.  There were several egg shaped “maracas” sitting in a basket.  Tate decided he was going to shake them uncontrollably and hand them to each child that walked in the room.  I was so happy to see him share since we have been having some trouble with that.  As we sat in a circle the teacher introduced herself and each parent introduced themselves and their child.  We started singing a few songs, first fast and then slow.  We used several different instruments as well body movements.  Tate loved to shake the loud bells and bang the wooden sticks together.  He found it funny to show the class his hilarious dance moves during every song.  The other parents got a chuckle from Tate’s personality.  It was cute, but exhausting trying to keep him grounded during certain activities.

Tate and I had a great class together.  He really enjoyed the class as he was running, clapping, stomping, and dancing to every beat.  Although I was a little stressed out trying to  at least be near him while we did our activities, I quickly realized how much fun he was having and that’s all that matters.  I noticed Tate doing things that I had no idea he could do.  He was saying new words and repeating different sounds with an instrument back to the teacher.  I look forward to our time in music class together again next week as well as what new moves Tate has up his sleeve.

From Wednesday Mom – Janelle:
As a military family, home is where the Navy sends us. As you know, at the moment home is Mississippi. We enjoy the slow pace of southern living and we have made great friends. Unfortunately, Mississippi is statistically the fattest state in the US.  Sadly, it has been for six years. Nearly 35% of the population is obese. My husband complains because there are more fast food options in our town than actual restaurants, and I complain because there is no reliable source for fresh produce. We shop at Super-Walmart because there is no Farmer’s Market, Whole Foods, Albertsons, Publix or other options. Our family eats as well as we can with the ingredients we have. We really have to work to keep our family healthy.

I was not surprised to hear that Paula Deen had been diagnosed with type two diabetes. I am sure she does not exist solely on the rich comfort foods she prepares. We have even made some of her recipes occasionally. My husband even made a fried turkey on Christmas. My problem is not with Paula Deen. My problem is with the parents who send their elementary age child to our pool with an entire large pizza for lunch and a two liter bottle of Pepsi. I am amazed by the things parents feed their children around here. We try to moderate the amount of junk our kids eat, but some of Jack’s classmates seem to exist on sugar and processed foods. We are not crazy food nuts by any means, but the amount of childhood obesity here is disturbing.

The best thing we can do is expose our kids to healthy food options.  Also, making them aware of the effects that come with unhealthy eating habits will hopefully minimize their junk food consumption.  I must admit, Jack is a very picky eater, so it gets challenging.  We try our best to exercise as much as possible.  Running around the backyard or playing at the park is usually a daily activity.  I hope as parents we will make an impact on our children’s decision making.

From Wednesday Mom – Janelle:
Jack’s class went to see Little Red Riding Hood at our local community theater.  Jack had never seen a professional play until today.  Our community youth actors/actresses performed a great musical, including several of Jack’s friends who had small parts in the production. Jack came home from the show and was so excited to tell me all about it.  He tried to recite just about every line from the production. Apparently, everything the Wolf said was absolutely hysterical.  He was laughing so hard on the ride home that he could barely get out what he wanted to say.  He wants to go back and see it again with our family.

I think Jack was lucky to see an actual live play. Especially one geared for kids. I asked Jack what he learned from the musical.  His reply was “Don’t get near a wolf, they’re scary and really funny.”  I would say that pretty much sums up the gist of the tale.

After reciting a small line in his Christmas program and seeing the children perform on stage today, Jack announced he wants to “play on the stage.”  He wants to be the Big Bad Wolf.  I told him he could perform anytime he wants to at home, and maybe one day he’ll have a role in a movie.  From experience, I am certain he can act out many personalities.  We’ll see what the future holds in the acting industry.

From Wednesday Mom – Janelle:
The warmth of the holiday season has been packed up. Our relatives have left, and the temperatures have plunged.   I always seem to have a case of the post holiday blues.  The next few weeks can feel like months.  I’m hoping this year is different.  I have a lot of dates marked on the calendar to keep us busy.

Jack goes back to school tomorrow and is looking forward to it.  He is ready to see his friends again and I am ready to get back to our daily schedule.   Tate dropped his morning nap, so I’m looking forward to the extra time we can spend together every morning.  He has been talking more lately and we are going to work on colors, shapes and animals. He really enjoys getting his message across and it is fun to figure out what he is trying to say. I feel guilty that he doesn’t get enough one on one time with me like his older brother did. On the other hand, he has an older brother to play with and interact with too. He is a happy toddler who brightens my day.

I am lucky to have two healthy kids and a loving family.  We are going to find fun things to do this winter to keep us all busy. Even if it is going to the same park every day. I hope the new year brings new and exciting things for my family as well as yours.