Tuckered Out

Whenever I have seen a picture of any one's kids asleep in the highchair, the bath, sitting up, etc...I always think to myself, "How on Earth?!"

Never in my wildest dreams could I picture either one of my kids doing this... they fight fatigue to the death. Well yesterday after swimming for 3 hours, Kosty was hungry and sunburned, so I aloe-d him up and gave him some lunch. Poor thing. Spoon in hand, half eaten Macaroni and all.

Are you a WOMAN?

I never thought my gender would be questioned, tis why I was startled earlier when Brayden posed this question...

"Mama, are you.........a WOMAN?" (Oh, I loved the way he said 'woman'... so low and dramatic!)

Me: "Yes, Brayden I am.."

Brayden: "Well you don't look like a WOMAN..."

Me: (starting to get a little defensive).. "well what the heck do I look like then?"

Brayden: "I don't know. Just a girl. A girl Mom. Woman's are supposed to have lines all over their face."

Oh.

"Just keep swimming, just keep swimming..."

Brayden had a very lame experience with swim lessons 2 years ago...so lame in fact that he refused to do much, and the young teacher didn't want to ruffle any of his feathers. Brayden was way more interested in his tattoos, and I think the guy was more interested in talking about them. Therefore, he never progressed beyond blowing "bubbles" in the water and kicking while sitting on the step. Can you say REFUND! I wish. That last day of the session, the teacher forced him under to swim 2 feet to the step. Brayden was horrified and refused to try swimming again for quite some time. Left a very bad taste in his mouth to say the least!

This year we were fortunate enough to have Pam, a lady from our ward, and at a location just a hop skip and jump away. A 30 minute lesson every day for 2 weeks. The first day he was hesitant, but okay with the fact that the first lesson was coming very soon. However, 5 minutes before we need to leave, he started bawling his eyes out. Hid his swim trunks, and hid himself too. Accused me many times that I wanted "to drown him." After a whole lotta coaxing and finding another swimsuit, off we went. Kosty consoling him the whole way there... "Its Ok Bubba." "It not scary Bubba." Brayden was even jealous of the fact that his little brother was being so brave that he tried to drag Kosty down with him, and told him that lessons were going to be scary. Meanie!
Brayden survived, then it was Kosty's turn. After 30 minutes of him begging to get in, asking if it was his turn yet, his turn came. When he realized that I would not be getting in with him, he lost it. About half way through, he comes screaming out of the pool, runs straight for the gate, and the stubborn determined kid he is, he jammed most of his petite little body out of the gate. Then realized his head wouldn't fit. All while screaming hysterically at the top of his lungs, "MAMA! MAMA! GET! ME!"Soon enough, Miss Pam got out, grabbed his stubborn little hand and pulled him right back in. YES! I knew we had a good one this time. Forcing is mandatory, I learned. Brayden was sitting with me in the chair and for the entire 30 minutes of listening to his brother cry, all he could do was repeat the phrase, "I feel really, really bad for Kosty." About 97 times.

Day 2, 3, and 4 were all pretty dramatic as well. Brayden became an actor worthy of an Academy Award. The other moms were totally buying into his performance with plenty of "Awwwwws," "how sad," "look at that face," etc. About every 10 seconds, and he did this like clock work, he would turn to me, and look deep into my eyes with the most pathetic face ever and puppy dog eyes filled with tears. An expression that simply said, "Just how could you do this to me?" I have to say I didn't have much sympathy. He's five. I was trying hard not to laugh.

Kosty's lessons were right after Brayden's. It was so dang sad because he would go over to the swing set in the yard and hide under one of the little awnings for the entire 30 minutes prior. Even laying down, completely still, with the most sullen little face you ever did see, dreading the inevitable. That did tug my heart strings a little. Okay, a lot.

Day 5...something clicked. Brayden got done and while I was wrapping him in the towel, he said, "I don't want swim lessons to be over." A breakthrough! All weekend he kept asking when he could go back. And why Miss Pam didn't teach on Saturdays or Sundays. Kosty actually got braver much quicker than Brayden did. He was good to go by about day 4. One of the days, while Brayden and I were watching Kosty swim, Brayden had a sweet little smile spread across his face. I told him he was acting proud of his little brother. When Kosty got out, Brayden said, "Mama, I really want to give something to Kosty." I told him a simple hug and a "good job" was all he needed. And as Kosty would watch Brayden swim, he would repeat, "Good job, Bray-nen!"















They eventually learned to love it! I have to say one of my favorite parts of all of it was watching them console each other & cheer eachother on at some point along the way. It really makes my heart smile any time I can tell that they actually do love each other!


We have been swimming a lot since, and let me tell you I might be more nervous now about Kosty than I was before. He is one crazy daredevil. He jumps in over and over, and says "tannenball!" and he doesn't care if you are there to catch or not. He walks right off the step, wants you to "let go me!" when he is in the deep end, and he wants to dive for rings as many times as you will oblige! He was mad at Brayden for something, and next thing I knew, he swam across the pool, for no other reason than simply to smack him! complete with "got you Bubba!" yes, seriously! I have a witness. He even told Jer he wanted to backflip into the pool! or should I say demanded to backflip!

I can't believe how far they've come! Thank you Miss Pam!!

Oh yes, and I can't forget to mention the major bribe I proposed after seeing how traumatic the first day was...if they really learned how to swim at the end of the 2 weeks, they could pick whatever they wanted!! Yikes, it just blurted out! Brayden chose "Husky" a dog he's had his eye on for a long time from Build-A-Bear. Husky has not left his side ever since. He is a grateful boy! Kosty chose an awesome light up sword! Oh heck, they deserved it! I'm just glad they kept it under $20 each :)

Blurb.com

It's here!!

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to the best dad I could have picked for my kids! He is such a devoted and hands-on Dad. He adores his kids, wants tons of them, and he is so involved. He always says he looks forward to coming home more than anything. I am so grateful that I know me and our kiddos are his top prioroty in life. Thanks Jer. I love you!

escapee

The day I have been dreading has arrived. Look at my little stinker. He thinks he is soooo cool now that he can get out of his cage whenever he pleases.

Yesterday morning, he was sleeping in late, so I started to worry and went to check on him. His door was open, which was weird, but I just figured I had forgotten to close it after he fell asleep. Well I didn't poke my head in far enough because I didn't want to stir him, I just figured he was curled up in the opposite corner that I couldn't see.

Then I walked in the kitchen and heard a "HI MAMA!!" It freaked me out! There he was, standing in the family room with his blankie and his books, munching on a pretzel. "Wook it Mama, I got all my duff!" (stuff) "And... I eating a pretzel." Oh, it made my morning though. He is oh so cute and so full of it!

The next day at nap time, I proceeded to lay him down after books, the same thing we always do. I assumed he would hop out of his crib as soon as I walked out, and sure enough he did. So I put him right back in. I knew he would do it again though, but this time he didn't come out of his room. So I went to check on him about 10 minutes later. And THIS is what I found...

I know I need to put him in a big boy bed, but I told myself there is no need to rush this time. I think I rushed Brayden when he was still a baby (barely 2) and always wondered WHY?! This time I was determined he would stay in the crib until it needs to be occupied by another baby...I just hoped he wouldn't be ready before that. The thought of my baby boy being in a big boy bed made me want to cry...he's only two...okay and a half. But still, he is my baby for now. And since when did everything happen at once? He just started talking non-stop, having conversations, understanding things I didn't think he could quite yet, and now outgrowing his crib.

I had a moment the other night. He was freshly bathed and in his cute jammies. He said something to me and then scampered off, half skipping down the hall, making that pitter patter noise I love so much all the way down. When he got to the end of the hall, he turned back to look at me and just smiled. Then he scampered off again. My eyes filled with tears. It was one of those moments that you just want to hold on to forever. Just the precious age... the funny and sweet personality... the cute baby face and curly wet hair... those adorable tiny feet and the noise they make on the floor... that cheesy grin with the spaced out baby teeth...that petite little body with poking out belly in those cute jammies... Oh, he just stole my heart.

Kindersteps Graduation

Brayden had a fun last day of school. I was so so sad though that we didn't film his sweet dance moves. They sang several songs, but my most favorite was this one that all the kids started dancing like robots. I must say he had some very precise robotic movement going on....and dangit, now all I have is the memory in my head! I was laughing so hard! especially since he is a very "shy" dancer normally. I was kinda sad he wasn't more sentimental about leaving his teacher, but later he told me he was just embarrassed to hug her because that would mean he loved her and would be marrying her. Huh. Afterwards, we went to the splash park at the new mall and to lunch. The next day we went to Hamilton Pool (Az Ave and Chandler Heights) so so fun...big huge slides, lazy river, whirlpool, playground in the water, borrowed lifejackets, and a whole $2 to get us in.

MAN..tough crowd!

IT'S THE BEST DAY EVVV-ERRR

Anyone familiar with Spongebob will sing along to my title...(although Brayden is not allowed to watch it, somehow this song snuck its way into our house!)

I just wanted to say....I have FINALLY completed my blurb book!! I will post pics when I get it. I have been working on it NONSTOP it seems for the last month...(a warning to you all, don't procrastinate!) I have spent almost every naptime, and from 8pm -1 am on many nights.... eating, sleeping, and breathing BLURB! Brayden came in & I told him I needed Dada's card to order. With his big excited eyes he said... "YOU FINISHED YOUR BOOK??!!!" I'm so glad he could share my happiness.

learning the lingo

there was a time I was really worried about Kosty talking. Not so much anymore, he hardly closes his mouth anymore (around us that is...) I just adore the imperfect way that he talks. I know one day I will forget all the cute ways he said words & phrases that just made me smile like they do now.

yis (this)

yap (lap)

yat (that)

yose (those)

"I ree-wy want my brudder" (my absolute favorite thing he has ever said!)

wa-wu (water)

yike (like)

"Mama, put yu reindeews on." (these dang pajama pants that he demands I wear at all times..more later)

"Tun it down!" (turn up the music!)

"Row up my win-ow." (roll down my window)

He-wo? hi. What chu do-een? (talking on the phone)

"I read books wif us." (wanting to read books with bray & dada at bed)

Yesssssssssss.

"I..... go..... and fink about it!" (going to think about it, right before he leaves & slams the door)

"I got it mama, I got it mama" (a little song he made up when he gets something)

"Shhh Bubba, I twying to eat dinner."

"Wait to me bubba!" (wait for me!)

GitDonalds (McDonalds)

Oh and how could I forget this one? When I crack open an egg, he calls it "hatching!"

loved.

I just had to write this down before I forgot. I got really sick for a couple days this week with tonsillitis. Jer had the boys over at his Mom's, while I was at home in bed with a high fever. When they got home Brayden asked me how I was feeling. A few minutes later, he came in my room with a huge sweet smile and a bowl of Raisin Bran. "I made a bowl of cereal just for you..... Would you like a drink of water?" Tears came to my eyes at that moment because there is something so special about the way a boy cares for his Mama.