A RealFamilies RealFun Blog

Sep 9 2008

Who's on first?

Category: Family Fun

The other evening Paul was pitching balls to Nathan in the backyard. Nathan has a lovely swing and was a pleasure to watch. Lucie took a turn and had no idea how to hold the bat, let alone swing. She was so bad that it was a bit comical.

Now, you could say that at three years of age, that's normal. Not in our family. Nathan's been hitting baseballs and golf balls since he was two and always had a natural affinity for it (same with basketball). Lucie, on the other hand, has no talent in that area -- and that's o.k.

But Nathan doesn't like to do things he's not instantly good at. It's his biggest character flaw. We know it as do his teachers and even his speech therapist. He's a bad loser and gets frustrated easily. Yet, Lucie likes a challenge. She'll practice and practice until she's satisfied that she's doing her best, whether it's drawing, getting dressed, or getting food out of the cupboard all by herself (big sigh from mom on that last one).

A good example is learning to tie his shoes. Since it is a hard skill to learn (I have vivid memories of the tough time I had learning it in kindergarten) Nathan doesn't want to try. Paul has attempted to teach him for over a year, but Nathan refuses to learn or even practice.

So here's my prediction, which I've already shared with Nathan -- Lucie will be the first one to learn how to tie her shoes. Nathan thinks I'm right, and laughs about it. But it'll be no laughing matter when Lucie learns first -- and Nathan asks her to tie his shoes for him. I just hope she has the nerve to tell him NO!

 

Sep 8 2008

Mrs. Book Lady

Category: Just Me

Not only have I been reading to the students in Nathan's class, but I've started to read to children in my community. The first time was a story time I hosted at my house. It was as a customer appreciation event for my Usborne Books clients. I called it TGI Friday Night Reading and gave mini Usborne Books out to all the kids (and a few moms) who came over in their pajamas.

During the story telling -- I read The Frog Prince -- the kids were quiet and attentive. Afterwards, we had a snack time and the kids ran around the house being rambunctious. It was more Animal House than Quiet Story Time, but that was O.K. Nathan and Lucie had a blast. What could be better than having kids from school and playgroups come over in their pajamas?

After my friends helped me clean up, the house was actually tidier than when we started, except for the spilled hot chocolate in Nathan's room. I think one of his school buddies did it, but what's a little spill between friends?

I plan to do more story time events soon and already booked an after-school Christmas story event at a local bank. Story times are a great way to entertain kids while spreading a love of reading. Instead of Mrs. Lucie's/Nathan's mom, how about calling me Mrs. Book Lady?

 

Sep 5 2008

Traveling for business

Category: Just Me

This summer I'll be taking a few business trips. I haven't done this since I left the corporate world seven years ago and I'm excited. Usually it's Paul who gets to go to conferences or to meet with clients.

I just came back from Tulsa, Oklahoma for an Usborne Book convention. Imagine 550 women giving our company's founder a standing ovation over new children's books. I love people who love books!

For Paul it was an intensive three days of dealing with babysitters, going to Rockies baseball games and a co-worker's party, and the daily upkeep of two kids, one who is semi-potty trained and the other who is obsessed with going to play golf right now. He managed, but as he admitted, just barely. For me it was an intensive three days of traveling, going to training sessions, awards banquets, networking, book shopping, and having a luxurious hotel room to myself. Poor ol' me.

Being a good wife and mom, I would check in regularly by cell phone to make sure everyone was still alive and sane. Calling from the airport the first evening to let Paul know I arrived, I found him getting the children ready for bed. I briefly talked to Paul, Lucie, and then Nathan. Everything was fine until Nathan put his sobbing sister back on the phone.

Lucie:  "Mommy (sniff, sniff) I want you! I want you now, mommy! Mommy!" She starts crying again.

Me (at the curb waiting for the hotel shuttle trying hard not to sound like an idiot): "Oh baby. It's o.k. Mommy will be home soon. I love you. Please don't cry. It's o.k. Daddy and Nathan Boy are there. I love you. Don't cry. It's o.k. You're fine. I love you. Give the phone to Daddy please. Can you give the phone to Daddy?"

All the time I'm thinking, "I'm not going to cry. Oh my god, this sucks. I miss my baby. I'm not going to cry. How come the kids don't do this when Paul leaves? This is so damn hard, how do other parents do this?"

My next trip is in a month, lord help me.