When I grow up...

Sweet Daughter wants to be a Mommy at home, a teacher at school, and an astronaut at work.

Sweet Son wants to be a cowboy and a co-pilot. He dreams of flying in the cockpit next to the person who drives the plane and then going home to ride on his 5 horses (he will have one to share with each of us and 2 for himself).

Some kids aim high and some kids aim to sit next to people who aim high... haha

Funny Quotes

Sweet Son: Can you come check my poopnis?
Me: Your what?
Sweet Son: Well, pee comes out of a penis...

Sweet Son: Mama, you shouldn't call it a toothbrush.
Me: What should it be called?
Sweet Son: A TEETHbrush

Sweet Daughter: I need to learn how to read.
Me: I agree, you eventually need to learn how to read.
Sweet Daughter: Now, I need to learn now. If a princess doesn't know how to read she can't become an astronaut.
(She has never seen a princess video or read a princess book, but she hears about them from her friends.)

Photos with a Tree

The bluebonnet field we go to every year for photos has this great tree. We just can't resist.

Peek-a-boo!

Well hi there :)

Peeking through

Sitting on a branch

We didn't pose this. They did this and then told us to take their picture. I love it!

Wordless Wednesday

Bluebonnet Photos

Our annual tradition of bluebonnet photos continues. As the kids get older you would think they would become more cooperative. As it turns out, we are getting faster with the camera so we get more good photos even when they aren't quite as cooperative as we would like. haha

Smile at the camera.

That's better!

Beautiful

I recognize those two.

OOO, real smiles!

I don't know where they get it from...

Bad Mom

Last week was Spring Break and I did tons of fun stuff with the kids. Things we don't normally get to do daily - like art (easel is always out, but we did painting every day during the break), Legos (once again always out, but rarely do every day), puzzles (same), and play dough.

Sweet Son went back to school on Monday and threw a fit about his fingers hurting. I looked and they seemed fine. He hates going to school on Mondays so I figured it was just an excuse. By the time I picked him up 3 hours later he had 3 blisters on his fingers, 2 of which had already popped. WTF??? We went through many options trying to figure out what could have possibly caused that. By Tuesday he had 6 blisters, 4 that had popped. Last night I realized what happened. I let him play with play dough. I didn't even think twice about suggesting it, handing it to him and letting him dig in with his fingers. Play dough is made with flour. Gluten. He's allergic to gluten and I just handed it to him and told him to dig in. Crud.

I'm now off to find gluten free play dough as the reviews on all of the homemade ones are awful. What are the chances of finding gluten free play dough that doesn't use red dye #40? UGH

Bad mom of the year award right here.

Horseback Riding pt 3

These photos were taken at a different lesson than the last two posts. Clearly my kids love the horses.

Both kids practicing two point.

Someone is a wee bit competitive and decided to try it one handed.

Holding the reigns and telling his horse to turn.

No lead rope. The horse is following Sweet Daughter's commands.

No lead rope. Sweet son is learning how to get his horse to turn on command.

The kids are so relaxed and comfortable in the saddle. I freak out a little less each time I see them take control of a large animal. I'm extremely grateful for the well trained horses that listen to 3 year olds.

Wordless Wednesday

Horseback Riding pt 2

The majority of the lesson time is spent riding, however I don't have as many photos of that part. The kids were riding on the trails and we were split up. It is still pretty cool to see what they learned their first time.

Here Sweet Daughter is learning two point. She is standing in the stirrups and holding the mane. 

Sweet Son was distracted by farm equipment near the trail heads. Riding a horse by tractors is every 3 year old's dream.

At the end of the lesson, they have to take the equipment off and put it all away. 

Then the horse gets another brushing.

At the end, the horse gets a treat. Sweet Son chose to give his horse a carrot. One of the ranch dogs is very attentive and always willing to clean up any dropped scraps.

 

Sweet Daughter decided her horse would prefer apple slices for a treat.

I think these two may like each other.

Horseback Riding

In our quest to try new things and help our kids learn their interests, we signed the kids up for horseback riding lessons. This wonderful ranch has a variety of horses for all ages and ability levels. The best part is just how well cared for and trained the horses are, especially with kids. After meeting the instructors, the kids went to get the horses from the field.

The instructor handed the lead to Sweet Daughter and told her to lead him. Sweet Daughter was thrilled. I was a little concerned. This isn't just a large dog, this thing is huge compared to her! The horse followed perfectly and Sweet Daughter looked so proud.

This is the first time Sweet Son met "his" horse. His horse is one of the most unique looking horses I have ever seen, but they were a perfect match personality wise.

Having already seen Sweet Daughter do this, I was more prepared when Sweet Son took the lead.

Before riding, the kids have to get the horse ready. They brush, gather the supplies, and get them ready to ride. Here Sweet Daughter is bringing the saddle pad to put on the horse.

Sweet Son is brushing the horse out and learning to be comfortable with his horse.

Carrying the saddle seems easy, but when it weighs almost as much as you do, it takes a lot of focus and control.

They are ready to ride. Once again they hand the kids the lead and tell them to lead the horse over to the ramp so they can get on.

It's amazing how much pride the kids feel when they are given such important responsibility. I knew they would like the horses and I figured they would like riding, but I didn't realize just how important this part is for them. Come back tomorrow for a continuation of this lesson. (Yes, I take a ton of photos.)

Popcorn!

Do you remember the first time you watched corn pop? I don't. However, I have pictures of the first time my kids saw it, which is just awesome.

 

Pure joy and amazement. Nothing is better than this.

My kids are awesome.

Today's post is just a collection of stories about my kids.

At PE class on Tuesday they played red light/green light. When it was Sweet Daughter's turn to be the light she only let them get 1/2 way to her. Then she held it on red for a really long time. The other students started complaining that it was the longest red light ever. They told her to change it to green. She looked at them and explained that once they got to her, her turn would be over, but as long as it was red they were all looking at her. There was an intervention to finish her turn.

Sweet Son is cutting shapes out. After a few triangles, rectangles, etc. Then he decided to cut his favorite shape. Antarctica. Nothing strange about that... um... yeah.

We were driving the other day and passed a deli. The kids ask what they did and I explained they sell sandwiches. The kids wanted to go, but I explained they weren't gluten free. The next day we were driving and Sweet Son decided he found another store he really wanted to go to. He read the sign "Speedy Cash" and decided he would just go in and pick up some money. When I explained how it actually works he decided he doesn't really want to go there. Reading is a dangerous thing.

Last week on the way to horseback riding we drove past a farm. The kids ask what was going on in the field. I told them the donkeys were being amorous. A week later we drove past another field and the kids pointed out that the cows were also being amorous. Now I'm afraid of what they will say the next time they see someone getting a piggy back ride.

Wordless Wednesday

Keeping me on my toes

I never know what to expect when my children start speaking. I also hear my words (and the words of their teachers) echoing back at times. At least they are honest...

Sweet Son: "Streets have names so you know which one you are on. Why don't parking lots have names?"

Sweet Daughter: "You don't have to punish Brother, Mama. I'm the one who refuses to follow even the simplest directions."

A Tale of Two Beds - Part 10

Once again, here are the links to the previous 9 tales. Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Frustration, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9

Ok, so they are in their own beds (with bed frames) in separate rooms. At this point, surely the story should end. Oh, but it doesn't. Here are some photos of my kids sleeping.

Yes, he is asleep. Sound asleep. I did move him back more fully into his bed after taking the photo.

We moved the boxes into their rooms to clear out some space from the playroom. She wondered if she could sleep in it. As long as she sleeps, that's fine with us.

I've heard rumors that other kids sleep in their beds. With their entire body on the bed and then fall asleep. My kids are more creative than that.

Fun Gross Motor

In our never ending quest to exhaust our children encourage exercise, I found some great items at a consignment sale.

 First up are roller skates. I had these as a kid, not these exact ones, but ones like these. They fit over shoes and are adjustable for length. If you haven't been on roller skates for awhile, let me assure you they are quite a workout.

These are carpet sliders. They are like short snow skis that only work on carpet. These are great for sliding around to exercise.

Family and Death

The kids have started asking questions about family. Who is my mom? Who is my dad? Who is my grandma? etc. This has been happening on and off for a few weeks, but there was always one question they seemed to skip over.

Today they went ahead and asked. "Daddy, who is your mom?" He told them his mom died when he was 18. They thought about it for a minute and then ask if he was sad. (We were in the car and they couldn't see his face.) He said yes and they continued with the questions.

Eventually they ask about his grandmother. He said she is also dead. Then they ask why none of my family was dead. So I explained that my great-grandmothers are dead. It was a really morbid discussion.

Then Sweet Son asked who his mom was when he was a baby. I explained that I was their mom when I was pregnant, when they were babies, when they were little kids, when they will be big kids, and still when they will be adults. I will always be their mom. Sweet Son seemed comforted by that. Sweet Daughter requested a new mom who won't make her sleep at night.

Wordless Wednesday

Cleaning

Wonderful Husband told the kids they could either stay awake and clean or go to bed and sleep. Sweet Daughter got all excited and said, "I'm going to CLEAN!" Sweet Son looked at her like she was crazy and said, "I'm going to let Sister clean. I'll be in my bed."

Folder Games

When I taught I called these folder games because they fit in a folder. Creative, right? I've also heard these called independent work or centers depending on the classroom.

 Sweet Son is working on beginning sounds. He lays out the larger alphabet cards and matches a picture of something that starts with that sound. Not only does this teach beginning sounds, but it also teaches test taking skills. There is one right answer for each one so if you end up with two pictures on the same letter you know you need to rethink it. If you aren't sure about a picture you can wait and do all of the ones you are confident about and see what is left. I also prefer the kids doing these on the floor instead of the table because being in the position you see him here -  on his knees - helps develop core strength. Working two different systems at the same time - core stability and phonemic awareness - increases blood flow and helps these academic lessons stick in the memory longer.

 Sweet Daughter is working on the planets and other space related things here. First she matches the photos of the planets/space stuff. Then she matches the name. This work spreads out a lot more than the one above. This is great for a wiggly child as she gets to move around to do the work rather than just sitting in one place. Later (a month or so later) she was able to match the name to the picture and use the combined card to check her work.