Were you aware of how fast toddlers grow? And how fast they learn language? And how much trouble they can get into when you're taking 2 seconds out of your day to utilize the facilities?!
The Little Man has been spending his days making a nuisance of himself to everyone around him, which is exactly what toddlers do to learn how the world works! He's happily playing with all The Big Man's toys, even though it might very well be the end of the earth on its axis if he were to touch anything in his brother's domain. He's putting a wide variety of items into both the toilet (when no one is sitting on it) and the fish tank, just to see what happens when you do that. Trust me- good things do not happen when you do that. He's running around the house like a crazy person, day and night, and I truly wonder who put the dollar coin in him...we are well past nickel here. I'm still working on that energy potion too, haven't quite perfected it yet, but I still have the names and addresses of those interested parties when it does go on the market.
I have to say, with all his shenanigans, The Little Man has certainly made his mark on the summer of 2008. He's started potty training, at his own pace of course. He's interested sometimes, but not always, and he loves his pirate pull-ups (thank you, Target!). He and I went to Target the other day to pick up some fall clothes, and we took a spin by the undies. He was fascinated by all the different kinds and wanted them all, like any toddler does. I told him that when he goes on the potty all the time, we will buy all the undies he wants. That didn't go over very well, but he will understand as we talk about it more. He has some Nemo ones now, but he wants Cars and Pirates and Diego and...well, you get the idea.
The other huge endeavor is - da da da DA! - PRESCHOOL! Yes, The Little Man has started preschool this last fall, and he's super-psyched about it. He's all about the playing and making mischief with other kids now. Mom is all about the getting 2 hours to do something alone, twice a week, even if it means I sit in the lobby with a book and a Starbucks tea. This is all about people enjoying their all-important ME time, and it is certainly money well spent in my book (not on the Starbucks...ok, maybe on that too). I'm more than happy to shell out a couple hundred bucks for preschool each semester if it means The Little Man gets some socialization, some more play time with other toys, some indoor & outdoor excersize, and lunchtime with his friends. I'm happy that he's happy with getting away from me too.
*sniff, sniff*
Thursday, August 21, 2008
The Big Man
A new sport has come into The Big Man's life this summer: golf. He's a few years off from the next Tiger Woods, but I have faith in him too! I have a cushy retirement to fund, you know. Grandpa signed him up for a few weeks of lessons, picked him up some used clubs and a new bag, and he's all ready to hit the links. He goes with my brother-in-law to the driving range often, and he's even been to the Par 3 with him once. For a child with a short fuse and little patience, I was concerned about his sporting interest at first, but he seems to be getting along just fine. He's really a natural too, according to my BIL! The Big Man's golfing outings have also peaked the interests of The Little Man AND The DIVA, who have also secured their own clubs (thanks to Craigslist and a very nice lady at a garage sale). I have golf balls and tees everywhere now. Ok, now if you could all submit your nicks for The Big Man for when he becomes famous, I'd appreciate it. "Tiger" is already spoken for.
This was also the summer of "I'm BORED!" The Big Man sat around, doing mostly nothing, all the time. I couldn't get him out of the house to play to save his soul. I attribute most of this unwillingness to expose himself to sunlight to the fact that the majority of our neighbors are girls, one of whom has a bit of a crush on him, and he's not dealing well with those icky, cootie-infested, skirt-wearing freaks. It's the saddest part of being a 9yo boy apparently- being lusted after by all the girls. He's mortified by this. I'm rather amused. ;)
His school year didn't end well at all. Last year was a bad year, with bad teachers and a bad classroom environment. I was very happy to see it close, perhaps moreso than he was. This year brings a different set of kids (2/3 kept him with the same bunch for 2 years), and he has a male teacher for the first time, with the exception of specials (gym, computer, music, etc). I think The Big Man will excel this year, as he has someone who he can relate to a bit better. I know his teacher well, and he will not stand for the things that have gone on in the past. My son in much more advanced than his classmates, and he's been basically held back in his own learning and kept to the median grading level, which has affected him both personally and academically. This year, he will have an IEP (independent eduation program) and that should keep him advancing at HIS pace, not that of the average student in the class. I know The Big Man will come home much happier knowing that he's excelling and no longer bored. Heaven knows it's boring enough around here for him!
He also saw very little of the PSP and no XBOX. For those of you who've been reading for a while now, you willl recall that these items are his reason for living, and the bane of my existence. We had achieved a happy medium until the negative behavior got so far out of control that I put the smack down on that. Those people who refuse to do their chores, talk back, call their mother and siblings names, and generally ignore every respectful request to cooperate, get just shy of jack squat for privileges. I am a horrifically mean mom, and you will like it! ;) He's been able to earn a bit of time with The Precious, but not very much. He's beginning to realize that I DO mean business with this, and I'm not backing down on it. Dad gets mad because then he doesn't get to play much either. Perhaps the two should work together on it and compromise somehow, huh?!
I have faith in my eldest son as well, that he will overcome the adversity he faced in 3rd grade and rise above and succeed in 4th grade. I know The Big Man is a brilliant guy, with so much love and heart to give...he's just a bit stunted right now. The school really did a number on him, and they are on my list, let me tell ya! I'd hate to be them if they step out of line with my boy this year. A horse's head may end up....nah, I wouldn't do that to the poor horse. Perhaps a dead rat though.
This was also the summer of "I'm BORED!" The Big Man sat around, doing mostly nothing, all the time. I couldn't get him out of the house to play to save his soul. I attribute most of this unwillingness to expose himself to sunlight to the fact that the majority of our neighbors are girls, one of whom has a bit of a crush on him, and he's not dealing well with those icky, cootie-infested, skirt-wearing freaks. It's the saddest part of being a 9yo boy apparently- being lusted after by all the girls. He's mortified by this. I'm rather amused. ;)
His school year didn't end well at all. Last year was a bad year, with bad teachers and a bad classroom environment. I was very happy to see it close, perhaps moreso than he was. This year brings a different set of kids (2/3 kept him with the same bunch for 2 years), and he has a male teacher for the first time, with the exception of specials (gym, computer, music, etc). I think The Big Man will excel this year, as he has someone who he can relate to a bit better. I know his teacher well, and he will not stand for the things that have gone on in the past. My son in much more advanced than his classmates, and he's been basically held back in his own learning and kept to the median grading level, which has affected him both personally and academically. This year, he will have an IEP (independent eduation program) and that should keep him advancing at HIS pace, not that of the average student in the class. I know The Big Man will come home much happier knowing that he's excelling and no longer bored. Heaven knows it's boring enough around here for him!
He also saw very little of the PSP and no XBOX. For those of you who've been reading for a while now, you willl recall that these items are his reason for living, and the bane of my existence. We had achieved a happy medium until the negative behavior got so far out of control that I put the smack down on that. Those people who refuse to do their chores, talk back, call their mother and siblings names, and generally ignore every respectful request to cooperate, get just shy of jack squat for privileges. I am a horrifically mean mom, and you will like it! ;) He's been able to earn a bit of time with The Precious, but not very much. He's beginning to realize that I DO mean business with this, and I'm not backing down on it. Dad gets mad because then he doesn't get to play much either. Perhaps the two should work together on it and compromise somehow, huh?!
I have faith in my eldest son as well, that he will overcome the adversity he faced in 3rd grade and rise above and succeed in 4th grade. I know The Big Man is a brilliant guy, with so much love and heart to give...he's just a bit stunted right now. The school really did a number on him, and they are on my list, let me tell ya! I'd hate to be them if they step out of line with my boy this year. A horse's head may end up....nah, I wouldn't do that to the poor horse. Perhaps a dead rat though.
The DIVA update!
I thought I might catch you all up on what each of my lovin' little darlin's has been up to in the past few months. There's far too much to put into one post, plus they all love the spotlight, you see. I can hear all the arguing now about who got the most sentence-time in the post, so I'm putting the kobosh on that now and giving each of them their own time on stage here. :)
The DIVA has been busy hating me, as every teenage girl does her mother. I'm so uncool. I'm such a nerd. I have no style whatsoever. My fashion sense is apparently from the 1940s, just so you all know. She turned 13 in June, and since then, she has decided that she no longer has to abide by anyone's rules but her own. It's her way or the highway, baby! Guess how well that goes over? YEP- you guessed it right! Like a turd in a punchbowl.
She's been off most days with her friends, a few of whom have behavior that I really dislike. They are a year or so older, and they are manipulative brats whose parents are like those in my previous post....they let them run their own lives. Um, no. That is why YOU are in charge until those kids turn 18. They CAN'T make all their own decisions because they're not equipped to do so yet. Your job is to do that for them until you've sufficiently raised them to do a good job of it on their own, and they can legally do so for themselves. None of these 13 & 14yo's are at this point yet, of course, although if you asked them (and perhaps their parents), you'd get an entirely different answer. When The DIVA comes home and tells me So-and-So is pregnant or got someone pregnant, I will have them picked out before she even mentions their name, lets just say that.
*le sigh*
Thus far, The DIVA's been making good decisions, but she has found herself a few "boyfriends" along the way. I do not allow dating, or even group dating, but she's managed to get some of that in without an adult around a few times. I know I can't keep her in a closet forever, but her lack of good decision making skills has prevented me from slacking up the leash at all. If she proves to me that she can handle it, I'm willing to negotiate my position.
School ended on a great note, and it seems to be starting on a very good one now. She's enthusiastic about being back, seeing some of the friends she didn't see this summer, and is looking forward to her new teachers too. I'm glad that she's taking the initiative to put forth more effort and trying to like school. It's really not all that bad, if you don't stress out about it so much! School is a kid's job, afterall. I liken it to my unpaid position as a mother- it's something you have to do without compensation, you learn a lot along the way, and even deeply despise it some days.
I have high hopes for my daughter, my baby girl. She is trying...very trying, as my own mother would say. I give her some space to be herself, but it's hard to give her much of a leash these days. I'm hoping that she keeps the positive attitude in the forefront in the coming days, and that she works towards doing the things she knows are right. I have faith in her! :)
The DIVA has been busy hating me, as every teenage girl does her mother. I'm so uncool. I'm such a nerd. I have no style whatsoever. My fashion sense is apparently from the 1940s, just so you all know. She turned 13 in June, and since then, she has decided that she no longer has to abide by anyone's rules but her own. It's her way or the highway, baby! Guess how well that goes over? YEP- you guessed it right! Like a turd in a punchbowl.
She's been off most days with her friends, a few of whom have behavior that I really dislike. They are a year or so older, and they are manipulative brats whose parents are like those in my previous post....they let them run their own lives. Um, no. That is why YOU are in charge until those kids turn 18. They CAN'T make all their own decisions because they're not equipped to do so yet. Your job is to do that for them until you've sufficiently raised them to do a good job of it on their own, and they can legally do so for themselves. None of these 13 & 14yo's are at this point yet, of course, although if you asked them (and perhaps their parents), you'd get an entirely different answer. When The DIVA comes home and tells me So-and-So is pregnant or got someone pregnant, I will have them picked out before she even mentions their name, lets just say that.
*le sigh*
Thus far, The DIVA's been making good decisions, but she has found herself a few "boyfriends" along the way. I do not allow dating, or even group dating, but she's managed to get some of that in without an adult around a few times. I know I can't keep her in a closet forever, but her lack of good decision making skills has prevented me from slacking up the leash at all. If she proves to me that she can handle it, I'm willing to negotiate my position.
School ended on a great note, and it seems to be starting on a very good one now. She's enthusiastic about being back, seeing some of the friends she didn't see this summer, and is looking forward to her new teachers too. I'm glad that she's taking the initiative to put forth more effort and trying to like school. It's really not all that bad, if you don't stress out about it so much! School is a kid's job, afterall. I liken it to my unpaid position as a mother- it's something you have to do without compensation, you learn a lot along the way, and even deeply despise it some days.
I have high hopes for my daughter, my baby girl. She is trying...very trying, as my own mother would say. I give her some space to be herself, but it's hard to give her much of a leash these days. I'm hoping that she keeps the positive attitude in the forefront in the coming days, and that she works towards doing the things she knows are right. I have faith in her! :)
Guess what?! More crappy parents are outed!
Yeah, yeah, I know....I haven't blogged here in a million years. I've been doing other stuff, like starting a new business, working on my website for that (I'm no HTML wizard, you know- this takes time, patience, and Starbucks!), and contributing content to another blog, http://www.unnecessarypackaging.com/. I HAD to come over here and post this today though, and I fully intend to get back into the misadventures of The DIVA, The Big Man, and The Little Man this week!
If your kid came to you, whining about how much they hated school, and said they aspired to play video games for a living - at age 16 - would you allow them to drop out to aspire to all things gaming? These parents did.
http://videogames.yahoo.com/feature/16-year-old-quits-school-to-play-video-game/1238119
What the hell is the matter with them?! The mom says "We couldn't take the complaining anymore." Um, hellooooo?!?! YOU are the parent, HE is the child. Until he's 18 and out on his own, his complaining about not wanting to go to school should fall on deaf ears, lady! Why not foster his mastery of "Guitar Hero" (which I will admit, I play and enjoy myself) with an actual guitar and some real lessons, so that he might be able to get a real job, maybe teaching inner city kids in a music class some day?
Srsly.
I have no idea what is wrong with some people these days.
There's absolutely no excuse for this kind of crap. No one can move my position on this. Ever. School comes first, then family stuff, THEN extracurricular activities- at least that is the order in my home. I hate that our society's parental units are allowing this lax attitude to be fostered everywhere. Hey, guess he's had enough schooling, let's let him make his own decisions on the matter, eh? Matter of fact, why not let him go ahead and drink alcohol too? He can decide for himself after all- he's a big boy now!
Is a wake-up call ever going to come, or are our kids going to have to continue to suffer with mediocrity, or worse, for the rest of their days? Please notice the example this kind of crap sets, and don't let your kids stoop to this level. Sure, buy them video games and let them watch TV if you want, but don't let it get like this. THIS is crazy, and these parents are nuttier than peanut brittle for pulling this stunt.
/rant & off soapbox now!
;)
If your kid came to you, whining about how much they hated school, and said they aspired to play video games for a living - at age 16 - would you allow them to drop out to aspire to all things gaming? These parents did.
http://videogames.yahoo.com/feature/16-year-old-quits-school-to-play-video-game/1238119
What the hell is the matter with them?! The mom says "We couldn't take the complaining anymore." Um, hellooooo?!?! YOU are the parent, HE is the child. Until he's 18 and out on his own, his complaining about not wanting to go to school should fall on deaf ears, lady! Why not foster his mastery of "Guitar Hero" (which I will admit, I play and enjoy myself) with an actual guitar and some real lessons, so that he might be able to get a real job, maybe teaching inner city kids in a music class some day?
Srsly.
I have no idea what is wrong with some people these days.
There's absolutely no excuse for this kind of crap. No one can move my position on this. Ever. School comes first, then family stuff, THEN extracurricular activities- at least that is the order in my home. I hate that our society's parental units are allowing this lax attitude to be fostered everywhere. Hey, guess he's had enough schooling, let's let him make his own decisions on the matter, eh? Matter of fact, why not let him go ahead and drink alcohol too? He can decide for himself after all- he's a big boy now!
Is a wake-up call ever going to come, or are our kids going to have to continue to suffer with mediocrity, or worse, for the rest of their days? Please notice the example this kind of crap sets, and don't let your kids stoop to this level. Sure, buy them video games and let them watch TV if you want, but don't let it get like this. THIS is crazy, and these parents are nuttier than peanut brittle for pulling this stunt.
/rant & off soapbox now!
;)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
