First Tantrum

...aka - PJ threw a wall-eyed fit.

Today is a school-day for both the boys, but today LJ had a field trip. His class went on a nature walk. While I wasn't a chaperon, I had plans to meet the class at the trail head and go on the walk with them. Apparently, LJ's teacher had told the class that it was very important for them to wear long pants and closed-toe shoes because the trail is overgrown and sticks and brush would tickle their legs. LJ took this to heart and insisted on wearing his jacket and gloves as well. There was no talking him out of it and I didn't even really try. Who am I to try to reason with him? - It was only 80 degrees with about 80% humidity. I did try to talk logic with him...I asked, "what are you going to do with your jacket if you get hot?" - his reply, "I'll ask you to hold it." I said, "what if I'm not there?" - his reply, "I'll just keep it on." Okay then. Of course, LJ wearing his gloves made PJ want to wear his gloves and this, along with general lack of sleep and proper diet and just plain being 3, was the beginning of PJ's tantrum-making.

REJ and I did indeed meet up with LJ's class. It was super-humid. The trail was overgrown and brushy. LJ did wear his jacket (with the hood on) and gloves for the entire hike. And, he did ask me to hold his jacket during the after-hike snack...I told him that I would not hold it - he brought it, it was his responsibility.

After the field trip, I stopped at the grocery store 1) to buy chicken stock and 2) to kill the 20 minutes I needed to kill before I could go pick the boys up from school and, by this time, REJ had lost her sunny disposition. She was tired and wanted to nap, but you know how babies are...they can't just close their eyes and go to sleep. She finally fell asleep on the way to school...

PJ gets out of school at 11:30, so we waited outside his classroom and he seemed happy enough when we were united. After the "Happy Thanksgiving" cheers to his teachers and classmates, we waited at a patio table for LJ to be out at 11:45. REJ was now awake, but since we were outside, she was ok. PJ saw LJ outside his door (they had just finished outside time...recess, as we called it back in my day...) and ran up to him. As best as I could make out through the loud crying, pouty mouth and tears - LJ rebuked PJ and told him to leave him alone. LJ was still "in school", but let's face it - LJ has been getting more and more "automatic" with his responses and his filter isn't really working well these days. Additionally, PJ crys ALL.THE.TIME. about EVERYTHING. This gets really old. So, I'm trying to get PJ to stop HOWLING. I assure him that I understand why he's upset. I let him know that no matter how loudly he cries, he isn't going to be able to play with LJ right now - he's in his classroom, etc. Then PJ remembers that he took his gloves to school and he forgot them in his cubby. HOWLING CRIES! Oh the humanity! Forgot them in his cubby! So, we go to his classroom to find them. THEY AREN'T in his CUBBY! HOWL! I figured they were in RJ's truck, but Mrs. F remembered taking them off after his outside time...where PJ had convinced her to be Batgirl to his Batman. We (the non-fit throwing adults) decided he'd have to get them next week because we couldn't find them...later, I found them in the folder in his backpack.

We finally get outside where LJ is waiting for us to arrive so his teacher can release him...and we start to walk to the car. PJ begins HOWLING again...who knows why at this point? REJ is starting to wither and LJ is being kind of pouty himself. I just want everyone to get in the car so we can continue this drama in the privacy of our vehicle. But NOOOO - now PJ is just beside himself and when I tell him to sit in his seat he SCREAMS NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO - at the top of his lungs and through tears. Of course, I'm thinking, "this kid needs a nap in a baaad way" and I tell him that we are going to go home, eat lunch, and take a nap. NOOOOOOOOOOOOO - no surprise - he doesn't want to take nap. Finally, I tell him to just not talk the rest of the way home...if he talks on the way home, he'll take a nap with no lunch. NOOOOOOOOOO - he wants to eat lunch. PJ frequently misses the "if" part of the "if-then" statement and reacts to the "then" without realizing he has some control here. Finally, he stops having a freak-out and I tell LJ that him telling PJ to leave him alone hurt PJ. How would he feel if he came up to me, happy to see me, and I told him to leave me alone? - he said he'd say ok and not mind. He's sneaky that one...he knows when you are leading him down a certain path and he rejects it...he is just like his Momma. I told him I thought he should consider apologizing to PJ...so he does. And then PJ starts to talk, but then his eyes well up and I ask him what's wrong...he wants to say "ok LJ", but he can't because he's not supposed to talk. About that time REJ starts crying because she is 1) exhausted and 2) hungry.

Serenity Now!

2 Month Check-Up

Quickly! Crying REJ and have to get in the car to pick up LJ from school...

REJ's 2 Month Check-up Stats:

Weight - 12 pounds 12 ounces

Length - 24 1/2 inches

Gearing Up

We are gearing up for LJ's birthday - I cannot believe he will be 6 years old. Amazing. Sometimes when I look at him I think I can see what he'll look like as a teenager and it is hard to believe that we are moving closer and closer to that. After his birthday, there is Thanksgiving - my FAVORITE holiday. The Holiday Season is fast approaching!



Daylight Savings Time - ending and beginning - is terrible for parents of young children. Is this really necessary? The boys were just starting to SLEEP until 7:00 (not wake up at 6 something and talk loudly until 7) and then WHAM - 5:45 on Sunday morning the chatter of boys wakes me a mere 30 minutes after I've fallen back asleep from nursing REJ. But...REJ had slept all the way until 4:40 - which was 8 hours since she had last nursed and gone to bed! This is BIG people! For the last 3 nights we've gotten 7-8 hours out of her. Of course, I'm sure she'll go back to waking before that - they all do. This does coincide with us moving her into her room with the water running DVD on repeat.

Tales from Kindergarten

Well, we got our first note home from school regarding poor behavior on LJ's part. It says:

I didn't listen to Mrs. L during circle time. I also laughed at potty words when asked not to.
...and then LJ's signed it.

Sad.

RJ talked to LJ about it and I had LJ dictate an apology note to take to Mrs. L tomorrow. Of course, I wanted to write a note of commiseration to Mrs. L...something like:

I rarely listen to momma and I laugh at all kinds of things when asked not to.

...but, I will not.

Earlier in the day, I took REJ to LJ's class for "sharing" - Mondays are LJ's day to share. He held her in his lap and told everyone that she is his baby sister, is 6 weeks old - almost 7 weeks, and her name is REJ...and how it is spelled. Then, 3 kids can ask questions...they raise their hands and LJ calls on them. Someone asked where she lives...and LJ said, "at my house" and gave the address. Someone asked what her whole name is. And, then someone asked how much she weighs. Finally, LJ told everyone they could touch her feet if they want and she might smile at them. The girls all wanted to touch her feet and the boys couldn't be bothered! Then, we left.


What is funny about this is that apparently, on your sharing day, if you bring something you set it on the sharing table. Then you go get it when it is time to share and take it home at the end of the day. On Mondays, LJ stays for math and science, so he is there for lunch and then until 2:30 (this is when he is with Mrs. L - the other K teacher). On the way to school LJ said, "When you get to school, you need to put REJ on the sharing table, but are you going to get her before lunch, right?" - I guess he didn't want her to cramp his style in the afternoon (which is when he behaved in the manner that got a note sent home). I told him that I would just hold REJ and that I would take her home right after sharing. Then I asked, "what would you do if REJ cried while laying on the sharing table until lunch time?" - he shrugged and said, "Mrs. P will take care of her, I guess."

Hilarious.