My kids have gotten a lot better at playing together these days. Small still doesn't back off much when Big tells him to leave him alone but Big has gotten a lot better at being patient with him. Big starts Kindergarten in Sept and I've been trying to teach him how to solve problems himself so he is better prepared for school. Most of the time, it turns into a disaster and I usually have to step in. But, now and then, he shows signs of huge amounts of maturity that makes me realize he's growing up quickly and I better hang on to every memory I can!
The other day, him and Small were fighting over the one cereal bowl we have with a straw. We normally take turns with it in the mornings but that day, I'd completely forgotten who's turn it was. Big got it first but Small insisted it was his day. Small isn't the best at remembering stuff that's not in his favor so his word wasn't much reassurance.
Well, the wailing and screaming got worse and the punches were about ready to start. So I told them that they better find a way to solve the problem or neither of them would get it.
I fully expected World War III to start...as it normally does...but this particular day, Big stopped himself mid cry, wiped his eyes and gave the bowl to Small. He said, "Mommy, Small can have it first and then I'll have it when he's done his breakfast."
Small responded with, "Me eat my breakfast fast so you can have it sooner!"
At which point, I almost fell off my chair!
It just goes to show you how quickly these kids grow up. I have to remind myself of that often so that I cherish all the time I have with them now while they want to hang out with me still :)
Speaking of which...Big wants me to help him build some Lego!! I better get on that :)
Tuesday 7 August 2012
Call of the Wild!
A few years ago, we took the kids camping on the island. Small was only 1 1/2 and was into EVERYTHING! His favorite thing was the campfire! It totally freaked us out. Then it PISSED RAIN all night...to the point where we had rivers running through our tent...and well, long story short, we ended up in a B&B for the last night. It turned out to be a really fun trip but to say we've taken the kids camping is a bit of an exaggeration :)
So this year, we were invited by some friends to give camping another shot. I knew it was going to be awesome and that the kids would be in heaven. They're both outdoor kids and are happiest when they can run free outside.
We just got back this morning and apart from literally being attacked by swarms of mosquitoes, the trip was awesome! Small got the brunt of the mosquito bites so I tried to stay close to him to distract the mosquitoes from me...does that make me a bad mommy??? :)
The trip up there was a long trip, though. It was about a 9 hour commute. Thankfully, the kids were rock stars! We stopped a lot along the way (making for the long commute) but we didn't have to deal with too much whining. I put together some travel bags for each kid. I made up binders with "I spy" games and learn to draw sheets and playdough mats, etc. I also gave them each a mini whiteboard (which was a huge hit!) and some coloring / work books. They also had some small activities that entertained them for a few minutes. I also gave them "CAR BUCKS" every 20 minutes for good behaviour that they could trade in at the "snack shop". They loved them and just the threat of them being taken away for whining was enough to keep them happy :)
But, the biggest hit by far, was the little ziploc bag of toys that they each filled. Big chose a small pile of LEGO that I still can't believe how much time he spent playing with! And Small chose his little firemen and dinosaurs and an odd assortment of little things. He played with those pretty much the entire time in the car. It just goes to show you that kids know better than us how to keep entertained :)
Anyhow, apart from all that, we really just hung out at the campsite riding bikes and swimming in the lake. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves :)
So this year, we were invited by some friends to give camping another shot. I knew it was going to be awesome and that the kids would be in heaven. They're both outdoor kids and are happiest when they can run free outside.
We just got back this morning and apart from literally being attacked by swarms of mosquitoes, the trip was awesome! Small got the brunt of the mosquito bites so I tried to stay close to him to distract the mosquitoes from me...does that make me a bad mommy??? :)
The trip up there was a long trip, though. It was about a 9 hour commute. Thankfully, the kids were rock stars! We stopped a lot along the way (making for the long commute) but we didn't have to deal with too much whining. I put together some travel bags for each kid. I made up binders with "I spy" games and learn to draw sheets and playdough mats, etc. I also gave them each a mini whiteboard (which was a huge hit!) and some coloring / work books. They also had some small activities that entertained them for a few minutes. I also gave them "CAR BUCKS" every 20 minutes for good behaviour that they could trade in at the "snack shop". They loved them and just the threat of them being taken away for whining was enough to keep them happy :)
But, the biggest hit by far, was the little ziploc bag of toys that they each filled. Big chose a small pile of LEGO that I still can't believe how much time he spent playing with! And Small chose his little firemen and dinosaurs and an odd assortment of little things. He played with those pretty much the entire time in the car. It just goes to show you that kids know better than us how to keep entertained :)
Anyhow, apart from all that, we really just hung out at the campsite riding bikes and swimming in the lake. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves :)
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| Running from the mosquitoes? |
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| The dandelions there were GIANT! They didn't blow as nicely as the little one's but I still think it makes for a fun picture :) Notice the little Pocahontas feather that he insisted on having in his helmet? |
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| Think they're having fun? |
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| Nothing better than two brothers that love each other :) |
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| They built their own lap pool:) |
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| Those are some hungry mosquitoes!!! |
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