The Kid Is Smart!

I'm not biased or anything....

Really though he it amazes me what he picks up on and learns so quickly.  Most things good, others not so good, but that's another post!

Cade was playing the Wii (SURPRISE!!) the other night and he actually chose to play a game other than Mario Kart.  He loves math and numbers and puzzles and anything else related.  He was playing my Big Brain Academy Wii Degree game and chose a game where you have to count how many balls of two different colors go into a basket then choose which color had more go in. 

Anyway, I had to take this video and post it to show just how bright my little man can be. J

The last time he played this particular game, we had to help him out to get the right answer and I know we gave him a few tips, but this was the first time he actually counted them like this.  I asked Cory if he told him to do that and he said he hadn't.  Another thing he's done before while playing Mario Kart is exclaim how many cars behind Cory he is, based on their places in the pack (1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.)  We didn't teach him that either. 

We don't have to wonder where this talent mathematics came from.  Cory's has an engineering degree and me?  Ha.  Let's just say there's a reason I worked with 4 year olds. 

Athletics will be his strong suit.....

In an attempt to quickly and painlessly pass the time during Cade's two (yes, TWO) weeks off from school for conferences and Spring break, we decided to get a little crafty.  Now, I don't completely lack artistic skill, but I'm not much better than a elementary student.  My mom would disagree but look at where a mom's opinion have gotten some on American Idol!  Epic failures and ultimate humiliation!

Anyway, Cade got a Crayola clay kit from my sister awhile ago and we've just never sat down to assemble the cute little jungle animals.

Don't they just look so cute!

I greatly underestimated how difficult it would actually be.  I mean, we didn't do horrible but they look more like sad, sickly little animals that live in a dirty zoo than a beautiful jungle.  I rolled the balls and Cade had fun assemblying them.

It was really difficult to get the proportions and shapes of the parts all right.  We just couldn't get ours to look as cute as the box......

I think Cade's expression best sums up how this experience went for us.  It was a good activity to pass some time, but judging from the way our little creatures turned out I'm not sure it was a painless one.  Meet Abused Panda Bear and Pig Monkey.  Haha!

Camp Out Fun!

I got Cade a pop up tent for Christmas on Black Friday last year, not because he wanted one or because it was a tremendously great deal, but because I got caught up in the Black Friday trend and since I wasn't buying the latest or greatest electronic, I went for the toys.

Because, naturally, my son needs more toys.

Shortly after buying this thing, I realized the cons were going to outweigh the pros.  The first con became apparent when I couldn't follow the "simple three-step instructions" to get it folded back up.  I was in a panic, hoping Cory got home in time to give it a try before Cade woke up from nap since this huge thing was taking up all the space in our living room.  Which is the second con.  We have no room for it, unless it's folded up flat and sleek in it's handy dandy bag and hid away under the couch.

The pros are of course that Cade loves it and he's getting a lot of use out of it.  In fact, he's camped out in his bedroom for over a week now.  We can't get into his closet or to the other side of his bed, but that's neither here nor there.  He's loving it so it's stayed. 

Brynlee got a chance to play too.

I do think we'll be taking a break from it after this weekend just to regain some order.  There are a couple things that sit at the end of his bed that have had to be stored in the small space between his bed and the wall, making it impossible for him to play, use his CD player or feed his fish.  I hope Hickory is still alive over there.

Like Brother, Like Sister...unfortunately in this case!

The doctor confirmed at her appointment on Tuesday that Brynlee does have RSV.  Luckily it's not really too bad (due to breastfeeding!  Yay me!) but she is doing breathing treatments just to be proactive.  And she's getting a steroid to help with inflammation.

Brynlee has taken after her brother in many ways - due dates, actual birth dates, looks, facial expressions, first (and pretty much the last haha) time rolling over, when the first teeth popped through...I could go on - and we now have to add getting RSV and needing breathing treatments to that list.

Cade, 6 months, 2007

Brynlee, 7 months, 2011

We're using the mouth piece with Brynlee versus the mask because, well, she screams bloody murder when I try to hold the mask up to her.  Not because she doesn't like it necessarily or is scared of it or anything like that.  It's because she can't hold it the way she wants to hold it, aka put it in her mouth, and she just flips out.  At least with the mouth piece she can chew on it and breathe in the medicine. 

The biggest obstacle we had with Cade was that he whined a little if we put the strap of the mask around his head.  Temperament is definitely a way that Brother and Sister have not been alike! 

NASA's Newest Scientist

Finally Cade has an obsession that doesn’t involve four tires, a race track and the word, “VROOOOM!!!!”  His latest focus: outer space.  Particularly space storms.  Granted, he still races and crashes his Hotwheels and creates chaos in our living room, but at least every other question or story he has now is about something different than how his cars wrecked or who got first! 

When he gets interested in something, he doesn’t hold back.  He keeps asking if Jupiter’s storm is in the same spot and if any other planets have storms and we can’t send astronauts to those planets because of the storms and how are the storms made and….well you get the picture!  I don’t know why storms are his main focus besides the fact that he’s always been interested in the weather segment of the news and asked a million questions about an almost-tornado storm and the historic floods we had last year.  

And FYI, there’s a severe lack of information about space storms on a Google search!  The only explanation I can give him about space storms is that they really aren’t that different than Earth storms, but that’s a complete assumption on my part.  I truly have no idea, so if someone knows more about this topic, educate me!  Haha moving on!!

Recently we signed up for a library card (something I’ve wanted to do for years, but just never got around to it) and “outer space” was the first thing I searched their online catalog for.  I currently have holds requested on five books and one DVD.  A Bill Nye the Science Guy DVD to be exact.  I’m excited for that one J

This site has a cool game where you can “make a planet” and Cade’s had a ton of fun with that.  We’ve also found a few rocket and shuttle launch videos on YouTube and he loves those.  The last launch of the Discovery shuttle (Thursday, Feb 24 at 3:50 pm) was perfect timing!  But of course, I reminded myself all day to turn to CNN around 3:45, but got distracted until 3:56.  “Mother of the Year” award right here.  Thankfully they showed multiple clips and we watched it again and again and again and again online.  He loved knowing that the astronauts were going into space RIGHT THAT SECOND and asked a lot of questions.  It was the first thing he told yelled to Cory as soon as he walked through the door stepped onto our porch J 

It’s exciting that he’s so into it and I’m trying to learn more too.

Pick Me Up Monday: I love my babies!

Yeah, as I've said before, SAHM get the Monday Blues too!  I saw this idea at Baby Dickey and knew I had to do it too!  Here's my pick-me-up photos.  I actually have two because unfortunately we don't have a super good picture with both kids in the hospital when Brynlee was born.

I chose pictures from Brynlee's birth for a couple reasons.  1) I'm starting to put together photo books for the kids' birthdays in July, so I rediscovered these just this morning.  2) I've had baby fever ever since Brynlee was born (bring on #3!!) and I love thinking back on when she was born.  She just turned 7 months on Saturday (the 19th) and she's getting her first tooth and has been sitting on her own for a long time and is starting to eat more and more finger foods and I'm having a mini melt down over it all!!!!  --DEEEEP BREATH!-- 

So anyway, these are my Pick Me Up Monday pictures because they just make me smile!  I love my babies J

Cade's Screen Time Makeover

I’m always looking for ways to satisfy my urge to organize.  My son is the focus of my latest mission.  I posted a few days ago about my quest for a new rewards chart and system for limiting my son’s TV and video game time.  Well, I found it.  I created the ultimate system for doing just that.  At least I think so and my son’s pretty pumped too.

I searched websites (especially this one) for different ideas and tips.  I had a very complex idea, too complex for a preschooler, and simplified it so that he can easily learn and use our new system.  Cade loves numbers and is learning more and more math skills so I incorporated that into tracking his screen time.  We bought him his own timer and made him somewhat responsible for setting his own limits.  I have faith in this approach because for one, kids love feeling in charge and responsible for their own well-being and two, it will help teach him self-control, time management and responsibility.  Inadvertently, he’s also learning some reading and math skills too!  He thinks it’s awesome.

Here’s a look and our new and improved, super duper rewards system:

Let me explain my madness.  Really, all I changed about the first system was the addition of the first page ("Cade's Activities") and new daily goals (chores) to better fit his age and abilities.  I'm thinking about adding new rewards, but for right now we have quite a few and he still loves all of them.  As you can see, there are 12 columns on the "Activities" page, each titled "10", standing for 10 minutes.  Cade gets 120 minutes of TOTAL screen time in one day.  (Right now, we're not counting the TV that we watch as a family in the evenings because it was the time he was spending glued to cartoons or Wii games, without social interactions, that was becoming an issue.  We watch family friendly shows with him and talk with him throughout those shows so it's somewhat of a conversation starter and learning opportunity.  I know, I know...that time SHOULD be counted too, but little steps people, little steps!)  Okay, moving on...

Cade gets to decide how his 120 minutes of screen time is divided (but he still asks for permission before snatching the remote.)  He's learning how to count by 10's in order to track this (sometimes to make it easier we just count the marks that he makes in each square and then his limit is "12" marks = 120 minutes.)  He's also learning that if one row (TV time or video game time) is full, he can't have any time in the other row.  Haha.  Sometimes that bothers him, but mostly because he's obsessive about "completing" things and doesn't like the empty spaces.  Also he has brief feelings of being cheated out of some of his allotted time when there are empty spaces, but then we just count the marks and I say, "12 is 12!  That's your limit!"  Then I encourage him to look at the listed "great things to do" activities to help fill his time and keep him having tons-o-fun instead of pouting on the couch.  Before, I would just spout out orders and threats, "Go look at the hundreds of books you have!  Play with your millions of cars!  I'll just have to tell Santa that you don't like your toys and that he doesn't have to bring any new ones next year!"  Now, he sees that he's met his limit and it's not me just telling him.  He doesn't hear "NO, you can't watch more cartoons!" when he sees that, "YES, I did get my time!"  And now when he's encouraged to try another activity that's listed on his sheet, I hear, "Okay!"  Voilà!

See, visualizing duties, responsibilities, limits, successes...it just makes it more fun!  And easier! J

The Happiest Place On Earth? Not To My Kid!

Cade came into our room last night because of a bad dream.  He told me all about it this morning and remarked at how "real" it seemed.  "Yeah," I said, "sometimes dreams do seem very real.  But you know that they aren't."

"But, there's a place where dreams do come true!  I saw it on TV!!"

"Inception?" I thought, "We did just watch that.  And IMPRESSIVE that he understood the concept of that movie!!!"

Nope.  My child is not a genius, with the mental capacity of an adult.  It was much more uncomplicated than that actually.  He'd simply seen a commercial for this place:

Way to go Disney, for filling my child with the fear that the monsters and horrible storms that he dreams about could actually come to life.  We may never get to enjoy a family vacation to your wonderful World. 

Luckily, Cade did have the ability to understand my explanation of what the phrase, "dreams come true" really means.  Haha!! J

A Look Into My Parenting Philosophy

It's been very busy around my house for the past, oh 6 months.  My daughter was born and my son went crazy.  I'm not sure if he's jealous of her, or annoyed that he's not the only child anymore or if his behavior can all be blamed on his age.  And gender!  I'm sure it's a combination of all of that.  The past 6 months was a rough transition for my husband and I so why wouldn't it be for our 4-year-old too?!?  I quit work at the childcare center where I was his preschool teacher and soon after was his last day there.  Then, he started at a new preschool with a new teacher and new friends.  He has to share the spotlight at home and learn how to act around a baby (and a sleeping baby!)  We went from two incomes to one, so we've had some stressful times because of that.  So I know it's been quite a change for him.  He loves his sister and his excess energy has never come out in violent ways, but that doesn't make his rambunctious behavior any less annoying!  And unfortunately (I'm embarrassed to admit this) we've turned to cartoons and video games, particularly Mario Kart Wii, to help us get some down time.  He loves him some screen time!

I really don't want his couch potato habits to escalate anymore, so I've been on the hunt for ideas for some sort of chart to track his screen time and give him a visual for what he's limited to.  Being a preschool teacher in my past life, I always feel the need to make lists and charts and organize things anyway I can!  It's an addiction.  I'm also big on positive reinforcement and positive discipline.  I made a "responsibility" chart for Cade about a year ago and we tracked his daily goals with some sort of stamps each day.  He had a set number of stamps to earn before he got a special reward.  He loved it and it worked wonders!  I always encourage parents with preschool or school aged children to use visuals to help get your point across or to help "train" your children to do whatever you want them to do. J  

Here's what that chart system looked like:

Everything is laminated and we used dry erase markers to make the "stamps" and write the stamp goal.  All the different rewards have a piece of Velcro on the back to attach to the Velcro dot on the "goal" sheet.  Cade loved this, but has since outgrown those goals.  He's getting old enough to have actual chores and special duties around the house so I wanted a new chart to have those.  Also, I wanted to incorporate his activities and limits on screen time somehow too.  This is where it's getting complicated.  I'm continuing my search online for ideas so I can simplify my version.  I found great ideas on this website and I'm wondering where it has been my whole life!  I love it!  It's given me wonderful inspiration and hopefully I'll have an update soon for what I come up with for a new responsibility chart that works for us.

I love this kind of stuff and I'm always trying to learn new ways to teach kids and feed my hunger for organization!  I welcome any of your ideas!  Also, I'm willing to give tips for what I've done in the past or if you'd like a downloadable form for the chart I used, I'd be willing to share that too. 

Wordless Wednesday: Sibling Love♥

Snowed In

I’ll admit, I’m not one of those moms to get all decked out in snow gear and run out into the brisk winter air with child-like excitement, ready to roll those snow balls and pull my giddy little children on a sled behind me.  I’m not fond of that.  In fact, I hate it.  I’m one who believes show should only come for Christmas then be on it’s merry little way for another 365 days.  I prefer spring, a little bit of summer and most of fall.  Call me a party pooper!

I try to make up for my scrooge-like attitude with fun, creative indoor activities.  I’m always looking for new ideas.  Last month my cousin’s son had his third birthday party.  She bought head lamps and “grow me” dinosaur eggs as favors.  Interesting combination?  I thought that myself!  The eggs were all hidden in the dark basement as all the kids were given their head lamp to go on a dinosaur egg hunt.  Genius!  J  I thought so at least. 

So we’ve recreated that in our house to help pass this first home-from-school snow day.  My son loved it!  Here are some pictures.  It was hard to capture the true essence of the hunt, considering the lights were off and I have to use the flash on my camera because it sucks otherwise.  I’m working on my husband for a new one…so any recommendations are greatly appreciated!

Ready to go!

   

On the hunt.

   

Haha.  See the pink egg in the activity block?  His face says that he doesn't!

   

Counting his bounty.  I had to hide 17 because that's his birthday.  That's the magic number around this house.

Curse You!

My son is quite the character.  I’m sure you’ve never heard any other mother say that about their child before J  All sarcasm aside, I’m going to tell you about him anyway.  Cade is almost 4 ½.  He’s always been the stereotypical boy: into race cars, dump trucks, trains, bulldozers, football, wrestling…I think I can stop there, although I could go on and on!  He’s also always been a great learner.  A sponge!  Lately, he’s been into wanting to read and spell.  He’s had writing down for awhile now, knows all his letters and their sounds.  He loves his LeapFrog magnetic alphabet games and I’m convinced they’ve taught him more than I have!  One of his recent phases has been making funny words by mixing up random letter sounds, rhyming words, talking in a comical voice, etc.

He has a book with magnetic letters and the objective is to spell the words of the characters on each page (i.e. dog, car, sun, etc.)  During one of our play sessions with this book, Cade decided he was in one of his goofy moods.  He wanted to mix up the letters and try to pass it off as the real deal, provoking a play-along-with-the-joke giggle out of Mommy.  What he didn’t realize is that this….

….got a genuine laugh, for reasons he won’t understand for hopefully a few more years.

He has quite a few other “cursing” stories.  Haha, I think they are my favorite.

Meet my babies

Well, one of them lets me call her my baby. The other seems to think he's "not a baby anymore" and doesn't agree when I say, "But you'll always be my baby!"
Brynlee in the hospital, July 2010...

Cade in the hospital, July 2006...

Oh how the days fly by!