A RealFamilies RealFun Blog

Nov 28 2008

Mr. Money Bags

Category: Kids & Growing Up

Nathan finally lost his other front tooth. (He broke one in a fall a couple of years ago and it was pulled by our dentist.) After a visit from the tooth fairy, he now has over $6 in his piggy bank.

I must say, unlike the rest of the family, he's really good about not spending his money. He's very patient and rarely finds something he wants to buy.

Instead, he has a talent for getting other people to buy stuff for him. When Paul takes the kids shopping for birthday, Christmas or Mother's Day presents, he refuses to contribute any funds. Instead, he tells Paul that since he's the one with a job, he should pay for everything. Can't find fault with that logic.

I find this very amusing, but know this skill may serve him well as he grows up. As long as he's charming, sweet, and handsome, he'll be able to get away with it.

 

Nov 17 2008

Star spangled bathroom

Category: Kids & Growing Up

Lately, Nathan's been breaking out into a rendition of the "Star Spangled Banner." In his squeaky, high voice it's a joy to hear his version of the song -- complete with new lyrics and missing stanzas -- from the back seat of the car as we drive around.

Lucie often joins in, which usually results in an argument over the lyrics and accusations that she's not singing it right. I put a stop to that by telling them they're both singing it wrong and demanding, "SILENCE or else!" It's amazing how lovely singing goes to yelling so quickly.

The other morning I heard singing coming from the downstairs bathroom, "Oh, say can you seeeeeeee." Yep, it was Nathan. I'm glad the boy loves to sing and is patriotic. But in the bathroom when he's, um, busy in there? I'm not so sure that's appropriate.

 

Nov 12 2008

Potty training update

Category: Kids & Growing Up

The nice thing about participating in the Relay for Life is that the event planners make it a family affair. Volunteers' and cancer survivors' families are invited to participate in early evening family activities like face painting, bouncing around in a jumpy castle, and listening to the rock bands play. After stopping to pick up some dinner, Paul brought the kids over to the track so they could see the mom's club tent and learn what I was doing that night.

Later we ran into one of Lucie's preschool teachers, Mrs. Jansen. She was there to show support for one of our families who had lost their son, Ben, to brain cancer. (I was participating in the Relay in Ben's memory as well.) Mrs. Jansen gave Lucie a big hello and I updated her on how Lucie was doing with potty training.

Today, Mrs. Jansen sent me an email: "It was good to see you and your family at the Relay for Life. I am so proud of Lucie! I knew she could do it! She's growing up!"

I read the email to Lucie, and told her how proud I was of her, too. After all, Lucie was the one who got the potty training book out, looked at the pictures, and just about self-trained herself. I just helped out when needed with the occasional mop up or clothes change.

Honestly, the girl is capable of anything she puts her mind to. I just hope Mrs. Jansen is prepared.