The One About My New Camera

I finally took the step and upgraded from my simple point and shoot camera to a SLR camera.  I went with the Nikon D5000, after talking to several of my friends who have SLR cameras.  I have been playing with it, and just have to share a couple of awesome pictures that I have taken with it.  I can't wait to use it more. 

The One About the Zoo and Air Show

This last weekend, we finally got away for a mini-vacation.  Ernie has been pretty busy this summer, and we just haven't had the time to get out of town.  So Saturday morning, we loaded up by 6:00 a.m. and headed for Omaha.  First stop was the zoo.  We took Gavin there last summer, but this was Asher's first time.  He didn't really react to the animals like I thought he would.  He just gave us attitude for having to sit in his stroller that long.  I looked around at all these other babies, just riding quietly in their strollers.  Then looked down at Asher who was squirming and doing everything he could to wiggle free.  We did get him out for some photos and to to run around when we were away from the animal cages. 

That picture of Gavin makes me tear up, because we took that exact same picture last summer when we took him.  It is fun to compare them to see how much he has changed, but so sad at the same time.  I can't believe he will be 4 years old in a few months.
   At the zoo, we rode the train.  I'm sorry..but what a rip-off.  I know Gavin enjoyed it, so I would probably do it every time, but you really see nothing of the zoo.  We rode for like 5 minutes, then stopped at the other train station for probably 10 minutes while other people got on.  Then it was like 3 minutes back to the starting train depot.  I think we saw elephants, giraffes, and birds.  That's about it.  $5/person to ride.  However, I would pay that to see the smile on Gavin's face. 

    We did a few more things in Omaha.  Of course, we had to hit Bass Pro, which I really don't mind.  I prefer it to Cabelas actually.  We headed back to Lincoln to stay at Aunt Shayla's, who was actually out of town.  When you live in a childproof house, you really forget how dangerous a non-childproof house is.  I think Ernie and I spent the first hour running around and putting everything up on shelves.  Asher was into everything.  Gavin had gotten some toy snakes in Omaha, and insisted on hiding them in Shayla's refrigerator and drawers so she would scream when she opened them.  He thought he was so funny.  However, he later called her and told her exactly what he had done and where he had hid them.  So much for the surprise.  :) 

   Now, Asher is very picky about where he sleeps.  He loves his bed, and doesn't sleep well anywhere else...other than daycare.  I didn't pack the Pack N Play, because I didn't want to haul it all the way down there.  I figured that we could get by.  So Gavin, Asher, and I cuddled up on the air mattress Saturday night.  Gavin lay still and watched TV, and then I looked over to see this little arm reaching for Gavin's head.  My little troublemaker just can't help himself.  Asher wasn't pulling his hair, just messing with him to get his attention.  So they start picking on each other.  Ever since Asher started his biting, hair-pulling at daycare, we have tried to stop this play fighting at home.  I told Gavin to not touch him and leave him alone.  Gavin's response was, "But he is so beautiful.  I love him so much."  :)  How do you argue with that?  He's getting to be such a sly little guy.  We realized Asher was not going to sleep on the air mattress, so we took him into the other room.  He woke up several times throughout the night.  It was like having a newborn again, except that he woke up in a dead scream.  I am sure it was scary for him to wake up in an unfamiliar place. 

   On Sunday, we drove back to Omaha to Offutt Air Force Base for the air show.  Gavin had so much fun.  Asher, being still tired and crabby from not sleeping all night, did not.  He did not want to be in the stroller, and I didn't want him to run loose with the thousands of people around.  Somehow we survived the day. 

We walked around and checked out some jets and helicopters.  Then watched a few shows. 

On the way home, both boys crashed before we were out of Omaha.  However, they were both wide awake by Norfolk, and here is how the drive from Clearwater to Ewing went:

Gavin is into the phase where he LOVES making up songs and mixing two different ones together.  Then he laughs like he is the funniest boy in the world.  At this point, Asher was just ticked off.  I shut the camera off before he really let us have it.  :)  They were so glad to get home tonight.  As were Ernie and me. 

The One About Biting and Discipline

    After four days of daycare, it's official.  I have THAT kid.  The biter.  The hair-puller.  The bully.  The one that causes mothers to say, "Why do they let him do that?  That's awful."  I know they say it, because I have said it before about other biters.  Now in his defense, Asher doesn't do it to be mean.  He isn't violently attacking the kids.  He is just playing, and doesn't realize that other babies don't play back like 3 1/2 year old brothers.  Not that it matters how he means it.  It must stop.  I am just so sad that he might ruin his reputation and always be known as the Biter, when I know he really is this sweet little angel.  At home, when I tell him "NO" in my stern Mommy voice, he instantly bursts into tears and throws himself into my arms to give me a hug (well sometimes).  This phenomenon doesn't carry over to his daycare provider just yet.  I keep telling myself that it's only been 4 days.  The other babies are still these new "toys" for him to play with.  Still, I have spent the last two nights calling the other mothers to apologize for my child's bites/hit/hair pulls.  Luckily, everyone is being very understanding, but I doubt that will continue if their children continue to come home looking like victims of shark attacks.
    Some mothers have told me to bite him back when he bites.  This does not make sense to me.  It's like the parent who slaps her child and says, "Don't hit!"  I'm sorry...I think that sends a mixed message to children.  Hmm..Mommy says no hitting, but it must be okay to do sometimes because she does it to me.  Now I am not saying that I am completely against a good whomp on the butt sometimes to really get a point across, but those instances are rare.  Some people might completely disagree with me, and that is fine.  I once read in a book that when a parent hits their child, it is more about the parent losing their temper and control of the situation, rather than the child's behavior.  This plays through my mind whenever I lose my temper...at my children, not necessarily when I lose my temper with my husband.  :)
    Other than Asher's biting issues, I think my kids are pretty well-behaved.  Of course, all kids act up sometimes and mine are no exception, but for the most part I think Gavin is a well-behaved boy.  Asher is still young, so we'll see.  I might be rereading this post in a year through tears of frustration.  I am definitely not saying that my kids are perfect angels...well okay, I guess I did call Asher an angel in the first paragraph, but you know what I mean.  I realize my kids throw tantrums sometimes, as all kids do.  Still, discipline and behavior are really important to me.  This is probably because I work with children and get to experience all extremes of behavior on a day-to-day basis.  When Gavin went through a naughty/tantrum stage around age 2 1/2-3, I got out my 1-2-3 Magic book and my SuperNanny book.  I even ordered an official Time-Out mat.  (P.S.  Gavin responded VERY well to 1-2-3 Magic.  I'm a big believer in that program.)  Yet, despite all these things, I am not a super-strict parent.  I believe I am more strict than my husband, but don't tell him that.  It's funny, because he honestly believes that he is this super-strict harda$%, but he lets them get away with way more than I do.  Anyway, I am not super-strict, but I do think I am a structured parent, and I feel that works well in our family.  Once again, my job influences how I parent.  I have learned over and over again the importance of structure and consistency with children, and even adults.  I function much better in a consistent routine.  However, I also am not so structured that my kids come unglued when that schedule is disrupted.  I think flexibility is a life skill that all children need to learn at a young age.  You can make plans and have a schedule, but life is not perfect and you must always be prepared to adjust things accordingly.  There is this perfect balance between routine and flexibility, and I hope I am teaching my children that balance.
    Right now, our family is in the transition to the school year routine.  I love the summer breaks, but it is so hard to get everyone (including me) into the school routine when you have been home, sleeping in, and hanging out in pj's for 2 1/2 months.  The first week is almost over, so hopefully we will all be more settled into our schedule by next week.  The one thing that is sweet about this transition phase is that the boys really miss me during the day.  Asher has been extra-cuddly at night, and Gavin told me that he really missed me when I picked him up that first day.  :)
    As for me, it does feel good to get dressed up in cute clothes again, actually fix my hair as opposed to my daily ponytail of summer, put on makeup, and get back to work.  I have always liked my morning commute, listening to FOX News on XM, and getting out of Ewing.  It's nice to see the other teachers again.  I get along really well with my colleagues, particularly in Elgin since I am starting my 5th year there.   The first week is lots of office work:  reviewing files, scheduling students, and just setting up billing forms, progress sheets, and other paperwork.  I will start seeing my students next week, and I am looking forward to that.  I am always hopeful that they maintained their progress from last spring, and we can start up right where we left off in May.  My fingers are crossed!
    

The One About the Summer Countdown

T-Minus 12 hours.  Yep, I am counting down the hours until I go back to work.  Not because I am excited, but because I am dreading it.  Now I do really like my job, but I am just not quite ready to go back yet.  I explained this more in the previous post so I won't go into it all again.  Anyway, just wanted to share our "last" day today...it sounds like I am going to prison tomorrow, doesn't it?  Either that or dying.  How depressing!

As soon as breakfast was over, we all headed out for a bike ride.  Gavin rode his bike, and I pulled Asher in the bike trailer.  I just purchased this trailer this summer from a neighbor whose children had outgrown it.  Then I went out and bought a bike for myself...after many, many years of not having one.  I have loved riding a bike again.  I feel like a big kid.  Plus it is an amazing workout, especially when I am pulling BOTH boys in the trailer. 

On our ride, we pulled over in the Memorial Garden in Ewing so I could take some pictures.  It is SO HARD to get a decent picture of both boys together.  Gavin's smile is a bit goofy in this one, but it was the best out of several attempts. 

After our bike ride, we stopped at Tigerland to play some basketball.  I have already written about Asher's love of balls, so this was probably the highlight of his day. 

Notice how my kids are always barefoot.  Asher won't leave his shoes on ever, and Gavin always chucks them aside as soon as we hit the playground. 

After lunch, Gavin and I headed to the swimming pool in Orchard, where we swam until closing time.  It was wonderful!  The water was cool, and felt awesome in the hot weather.  I am happy to report that Gavin went off the diving board again, and swam with me (with floaties) in the deep end of the pool.  It is amazing how much better he does in the water each time we go.  He was really getting brave, and didn't want me holding him at all.  He swam across the deep water by himself with the floaties.  He may have swallowed half the pool today, but we both had a great time. 

Now both boys are in bed, and I am sitting up just gathering my thoughts ready to start a new school year.  The first few weeks of school are always so chaotic, trying to put together a schedule, meeting on new transfers into your district, gathering baselines of goals, etc...  Just thinking about it makes me exhausted.  Oh well, I might as well just quit complaining and jump in with both feet.  After tomorrow, I will just be one day closer to Christmas break.  :)

The One About The End of Summer

     It's official.  Summer is over.  I go back to work tomorrow morning, and the boys go back to daycare.  On one hand, it will be nice to get back to a routine, to get out of Ewing and have some time by myself on the road, etc..  BUT on the other hand, I am going to miss being with the boys all day.  I am going to miss our daily bike rides and walks.  I am going to miss being here when they wake up in the morning, although Asher tends to get up so early that I will probably still see him every morning.  I am just lucky that I am able to work part-time with my job, even though sometimes I think I still work too much.  It's hard being away from the kids all day.  I just feel like I miss so much, whereas now I am there for everything that happens to them.  I guess this is preparing me for when they go to school and I won't know everything that happens in their day-to-day life.  Okay, I am going to just stop with this before the tears start rolling. 
      This has been a busy summer.  We have had so many appointments.  Doctors, dentists, insurance, etc..  Asher got tubes in June, so hopefully we have less doctor appointments this school year,  Last year, I swear we were at the doctor's office every other week.  Asher had around 6-7 ear infections from October to May, and they didn't always clear up with the first round of antiobiotics so we had many follow-up visits.  I am so thankful that I get so much paid sick leave with my job.  Anyway, I am off-topic. 
     We didn't take any vacations this summer, but still are planning an Omaha trip the end of August to the zoo and air show at Offutt Air Force Base.  I think Ernie is more excited for that air show than Gavin.  I really want to travel with my kids as they get older, take them to see as much as I can.  I have learned how important those traveling experiences are in education.  Right now, it is way too difficult to travel long distances.  Yes, that has to do with Asher.  He is an AWFUL traveler.  He is getting better, but still not great.  Asher grunts, screams, and desperately tries to break free from his buckles. Gavin has always been so easy to take places.  As a baby and even now, he falls asleep so easily in the car.  When Gavin is not sleeping, we are serenaded with singing and nonstop talking.  (this is my first attempt posting a video, so we'll see if this works correctly)

This is proof that my child has seen The Backyardigans:  Robin Hood The Clean way too many times this summer.  This video also shows another occurrence in our road trips:  frequent potty breaks.  Is there something about getting into their car seats that makes kids have to potty constantly?  Sometimes I miss the diaper days.  :)
      Asher has changed a lot this summer.  Not only can he walk and talk now, but he has developed an attitude and personality.  He also has become a very ROUGH little boy, which scares me as he goes back to daycare.  Now in his defense, he is used to playing with a 3 1/2 year old who rips toys from his hands whenever he shows interest in them.  He is used to wrestling and getting pounded with pillows.  So he plays back and hits, pulls hair, etc..  This is not good when he does this with babies younger than him, or even his age or slightly older.  (I apologize now to the crawling baby in the back of church on Sunday who took a mini-beating before I could get there).  He doesn't intend to be mean...that is just how he plays.  I have warned Lisa, our daycare provider to watch him like a hawk when the babies are down on the floor.  I have warned my friend Kelly, because I fear that cute, little Belle is going to be the main target because she has started crawling and pulling herself up.  We'll see how things go.
   Gavin and Asher play pretty well together.  They have occasional arguments, like when Gavin builds something out of blocks or sets up his farm and Asher comes over and wrecks it.  Last week, this caused Gavin to say "I want to move to a new house where NO baby brothers live."  He is usually very patient with Asher.  Asher just watches Gavin like he is a movie-star.  He imitates whatever Gavin does, and follows him around the house.  I am hoping Asher picks up on Gavin's good behavior.  I have talked to Gavin about teaching Asher how to play.  He told him, "Asher, here is how you play.  You don't wreck stuff!"  I have had a lot of fun watching them play together this summer.  Gavin has told me that he and Asher are best friends. That was quite possibly the sweetest thing I have ever heard. 
   Overall, the summer has been wonderful.  We got in swimming, playgrounds, bike rides, and other summer outdoor things. I have a nice tan, toned up my legs with all that bike riding, and got lots of cuddle time with the boys.  I even managed to get in a kids-free shopping trip to Omaha (I love you Village Pointe!!)  Bring on those cool, autumn nights. 
     
   
  

The One About the Mad Face

This morning Gavin was begging to play a game.  We usually wait until Asher's naptime to get out the games that have little pieces.  So after I told Gavin that, he said, "I want to move to a new house where NO baby brothers live." 

After we got in from our morning walk today, Gavin decides that he wants a popsicle.  I told him to wait until I got Asher his bottle and put him down for his nap.  Gavin yells, "I don't care!"  So he is sent to time-out for mouthing off.  Well during this time I hear him go, "I want to give you knuckles, Mommy.  I want to be friends again."  So I walk over to talk to him and he has this really angry facial expression.  He says, "Look at my face.  Do I look happy?"    

This is Gavin reinacting his "mad face."

The One About Asher's Ball Room

Asher loves balls.  I know..it sounds bad, but the kid is just OBSESSED with any kind of ball.  Whenever he sees one, I am left deaf with a shrill "Ball!  Ball!  Ball!" in my ear.  He has more than once caused public laughter at Target when we walked to the entrance and he spotted those giant red "balls" outside the door.  Whenever we are out walking in the morning, and he spots one in someone's yard, the early morning silence of the streets are disrupted with "Ball!  Ball!  Ball!"  Be it rubber balls, basketballs, footballs, golf balls, etc..  It doesn't matter; he just loves them.  So I was walking through Hobby Lobby yesterday, and saw these really cool tin sports-themed wall hangings.  They also had these tin sports hooks for hats, coats, etc..  Everything was 50% off.  I took it as a sign that it was time to redo Asher's room.  He didn't have a lot of decoration in his room, and what he did have is babyish:  monkeys, softer colors, etc..  Now that he is 1 year old, I feel it's time to move up to something more his style...which, of course, is balls.  I ran over to Target and found a sports-themed toddler bedding set on Clearance.  What are the chances?  This was totally meant to be.  So this morning, we redecorated Asher's room, where he is now taking his morning nap. 

Since we are on the topic of balls, I realized something very sad this morning as Asher and I were out for our morning walk.  We were walking by the football field, and I was thinking how fun it will be to take  him to games this fall.  My heart immediately fell...BUT there won't be games there this fall.  Ewing is in a sports cooperative for football with O'Neill Public because there are not enough high school boys for football.  No Ewing Tiger football and no home football games.  I am heartbroken.  In my mind, fall means football games.  The two just go together.  Gavin has always enjoyed going to the games, and now Asher is going to miss that experience.  We will either have to go to O'Neill or see an OC or Chambers game.  That just won't be the same.  Heck, Gavin even had all these Tiger shirts that Asher can fit into, and I doubt those Coyote fans will be thrilled to see Tigers at their games. I know Asher will still get exposure to football, particularly the Vikings games...which while we are talking about things that break my heart, Brett Favre cannot retire!!  Back to the topic, I need to accept the fact that my boys may not be Ewing Tigers.  They may go to elementary school here, but it is highly unlikely that the high school will still be open when they get to that age.  When I was in high school, I never in a million years thought I would move back to Ewing and never did I think I would be sad that my kids didn't attend this school, but here I am.  So rest in peace, Ewing Tiger football.  At least Asher can listen to his Daddy and Josh recall their glory days of high school football.  :)