Filling the Cup

The four year old birthday party is all cleaned up, new toys have been played with and cards have come down.  That means it's time for the four year old physical.  

When I made the appointment, a cup was given to us to collect first morning urine.  Yesterday, I got out the cup to remind myself it needed to be done.  Jared found much humor in the fact he would get to pee in a cup.  At bedtime, we discussed if he woke up early to call for help so he could pee in the cup.  As excited as he was about it, it is no surprise that at 4:52 he called to go potty so he could pee in the cup.  I had already decided this was a job for Daddy.  

When I saw Jared in the morning he proudly announced that he filled the cup.  He went on to explain he had more pee, but he just peed the extra pee in the toilet.  Ahh, good conversation for first thing in the morning.  

Fast forward in the day to the doctor's visit.  Jared has tagged along on all of Colton's wellness exams.  He is very familiar with the routine.  He takes the opportunity to ask, "why?"  "Why does the doctor look in my mouth?"  "Why does he move my legs?"  "Why does he take off my diaper and feel my penis?" (Never mind he doesn't wear diapers) As you can see, some answers were easier to supply than others.  

Once we are checked in at the doctor, Jared's curiosity continues.  "Why does he want my pee?"  "What happens if my pee is bad pee?"  "How do they know if I have good pee?"  "Do we get to take the extra pee home with us?"  "Do they have a big toilet back there?"  (Oh yes, much laughing when he said the word toilet)  "I'm not getting a shot, right?"  "But Colton doesn't always get a shot...why do I have to get one?"  "What?  Why do I have to have three shots?"

The actual time with the doctor was a success.  He was listening very closely.  When the doctor asked if I had any behavior concerns and I said no, Jared turned to me and smiled.  There was one part of the exam he found hysterical, I'll let you guess which part.  

Then it was time for shots.  I braced myself for all out fits of rage.  But other than a small cry on the first shot, there were no tears.  Even the doctor commented how brave he was.  I was happily surprised.  

On the way home we talked about how funny it would be to get a shot in the butt.  (Yes, much laughter ensued.)

Superhero Party

The Big 4 has arrived.  After months of playing Superheroes, I knew nothing would make Jared more happy than a Superhero Party.  After it was all done, I think my mission was accomplished.

First was the decorations. I bought a few things at the store, but find most of those to be a waste of money.  So, I made my own.  I printed out black and white pictures of Jared from this past year, and printed out colored speech bubbles.  I think it turned out really well.

I also started the tradition of making a shelf with the sign, "These are a few of my Favorite Things."  I place their favorite toys, books, games, etc. on this shelf.  It is personal touch and cost nothing.  In this case, it added to the Superhero theme.

For the party favors, I had each guest receive their own cape. Each guest was a different Superhero.  As I began planning the party, I knew nothing could be more exciting for Jared then everyone being a Superhero.

Even the adult guests got to be a Superhero.

I spent time trying to find great Superhero games.  I didn't have much luck.  So, I wrote down superpowers, and came up with some games.  Here is a link to the documents: Superhero party games

Game 1: Spiderman's Web.  I bought some cans of silly string from the dollar store. 

Game 2: Capture the Villain.  I printed out pictures of 10 villains.  I made a set for each guest.  Then I hid them.  Click  here to download the Villains.

Game 3: Shield/Frisbee Toss.  I had a stack of Frisbees and some boxes.  

Game 4: Kryptonite.  I really wanted to use Kryptonite in a game, but struggled for a good idea.  Since I already had the Villain capture I had to do something different.  So, I bough tongs from the dollar store.  I made blocks of ice using small plastic containers, and added green food coloring.  The object of the game is to move the Kryptonite from one bucket to another using the tongs.  Since the guests are all Superheroes, they can't touch the Kryptonite.  It was the kids favorite game.

Game 5: POW.  So, I didn't want actually fighting.  I figured I would just buy some punching balloons and have the kids do with them what they wanted. 

Food:
We made Bat signal Jell-O Jigglers. I had never made Jigglers before, but thought if this worked it would be pretty cool.

We made the a Captain America shield cake.

I also found lighting bolt ice cube trays.  I only had one tray.  So, I spent a week making ice cubes.  I thought they were neat.  The kids didn't even notice, but the adults did.

Well, we "Heroed up," and had a good time.  All of the effort was worth it, and Jared had a blast.  I'm sure he will remember it.

 

It's 6:30 in Greenland

I have always been a pretty sound sleeper.  Having kids has changed that.  Waking all hours of the night to crying babies, makes you more aware of small sounds.  Having a sleep walking husband also makes me a littler sleeper.  I think there are times that I can still sleep pretty soundly.  Last night was one of those nights.

Around 3:30 last night I awake to Jared climbing on top of me in bed.  He scared the crap out of me.  I am so confused as to what is happening.  How did he get here?  What in the world is he doing?  What time is it?  Did I miss something?

Me: Jared, what are you doing?
Jared: I want to sleep in your bed?
Me: Huh?  What?
Jared: There is a 6 and a 3 in the front.
Me: (Looking at clock more closely) No, there is not.
Jared: Yes, there is.
Me: Look Jared, it starts with a 3.
Jared: But I want to sleep with you.
Me: Let's go potty instead.  (At 3 a.m. it seems logical to me that going potty is the same as sharing a bed)
Jared: Ok.  (At 3 a.m. it is logical to him to go potty instead of climbing into bed with mom and dad)

So, we go potty and get Jared back to bed.  I climb back into bed myself and think, how did he get so confused?  Perhaps he is taking after his father and has some sleep walking in his future.  Maybe he was just telling me what time it was in Greenland.  Tough to say.

A Few Scratches Along the Way

Jared got a bike for his 4 year old birthday.  Jared has never been a big fan of toys.  He always thinks he wants toys, but no matter how positive I am that he will love it, within a day or two the toy is forgotten.   Since Jared was turning 4, it seemed like time to buy a bike.  However, I was prepared for the fact he would just pretend to like it.

After much debating we went with a 18 inch wheel.  Not that this is relevant to the story, but buying a bike for a tall 4 year old is tricky.  After seeing Jared on the bike, it is a perfect fit.

Jared quickly took to the bike.  I quickly learned that chasing after him on a bike was more work than chasing after him on a tricycle.  Time for me to get down and dust off my two wheeler.

In the afternoon, we were ready to go on a real bike ride.  And boy did we go. After 30 minutes of riding, I finally convinced Jared to take a break and check on Colton and Dad.  I also played switch-a-roo and got dad on the bike. 

After another 30 minutes of riding, Mark and Jared appear around the corner. I am beginning to think we have turned a new leaf, and he finally has a toy that was worth every penny.  It has already been 60 minutes of fun.  Wohoo!  As I look at Jared I notice he is moving slow, but what do you expect after 60 minutes.  After he sees me, he stops and gets off his bike.  Strange he isn't riding home.  Then I see the blood pooling at the knee.  Apparently he fell a ways back, and had to hop back on to get home.  Mark reported there were tears when he fell, but there were no tears now.  He was being tough.

It was a classic scrape.  Pretty much a good old cement rug burn.  We got him bandaged, and had dinner.  While making dinner, I felt disappointment.  I know Jared.  He isn't going to want to do this again.  He is only going to remember the fall.  Just when I though I might get my money worth out of a toy, this happens.  Perhaps in the Spring it will be a fresh start and he will have new spirits about the bike.

Then, much to my surprise, after dinner Jared asks to go for another bike ride.  So, we go again.  We go REALLY slow as he is super cautious, but we go.  For half an hour we go.  And  despite falling two times, there were no more scratches.   I keep the hope alive that this toy is the winner.

Who's the Boss?

We have been going through a difficult stage with Jared.  He is definitely testing some boundaries.  He has been asserting his opinion strongly, and feels that he should be equally involved in EVERY decision.  The power struggle is getting old. 

After some thought, I came up with a new plan.  Here is how it unfolded....

Me: Jared, I notice that you like to be in charge.  Do you want to be the one in charge?

Jared: (with much excitement) YES!  

[My plan is working]

Me: Ok, tomorrow I will bring home some large boxes.  We are going to need a lot.

Jared: Great!

Me: When we get home we can start packing up all your toys.

Jared: ok

[What?  That is not the plan.]

Me:  There will be no toys left.  Mommy and Daddy don't have any toys.  So if you want to be in charge, then no toys.

Jared:  We should give them to other boys.

[Plan is failing.  Now it not the time to be charitable!]

Me:  Yes, we can give them away or throw they away.

[Perhaps throwing away will be more dramatic and work]

Jared: Ok.

[or not]

Me: We will need to call people to tell them you don't need new toys for your birthday.

Jared: Umm...Ok.

Me: or Christmas.

Jared: Right.

[What is happening?  He must really want to be in charge.]

Me: Then we will have to box up all your books and games.

Jared: Don't forget about my puzzles.

[Plan is exploding. I was not prepared for this reaction.  Time to bring in more ammunition.]

Me: and no more Batman Bear.

Jared: Nooooo.  I want him.

[Whew, plan is back on track]

Me: Oh, so you want your toys and still want to be a kid.

Jared: (very serious) Yes, I want to be a kid and have toys.

Me: So, Mom and Dad can be in charge.

Jared: Yeah, you guys are in charge.  

I guess I know who wants to be President some day.  

It has been a honor...

The eve of the hardest day of the year is upon me.  As the summer draws to an end, and I return to work, it is with a heavy heart that I write....

It has been a honor, Jared Alan.  It has been a honor to spend countless hours watching you play.  We excitedly sat together at 4 parades.  We cuddled together watching fireworks.  I got to see you swim underwater, and splash around the splash park.  We filled in our chart for summer reading.  I had the honor to see your face as you tried ice cream again, and still hate it.  We played Matching, Go Fish, War, Candy Land, and Chutes and Ladders. You beat me at all.  I had the privilege to see you at Build-a-Bear making Batman Bear.   We collected shells on the beach.  I sat next to you at your 1st and 2nd movie in the theater.  I saw you ride around inside a real airplane.  I answered so many questions my head hurt.  I heard so much loud singing and playing my ears hurt.  I had the honor of watching you become a loving and caring big brother.  You gently stopped a sharp rake from falling on Colton and got a broom down for him.  You helped hold his as he learned to take a first step.  You laugh with him so hard you give yourself the hiccups.  It was a honor to spend the summer with you, Jared, thank you.

It has been a honor, Colton Kent.  It has been a honor to watch you spend countless hours playing. I saw your determination as I watched you crawl down the cement sidewalk, nothing would get in your way.  It was a honor to see you take your first step.  We read many books, many times.  I had the honor to do swim lessons with you.  I held you on my lap for your first trolly ride. I chased after you as you learned to pick up candy from parades.  I watched as you played chase with Jared and laughed as he passed you.  I marveled as you played trucks In the sandbox making vroom noises.  We sang together as you tried to learn the Itsy Bitsy Spider.  Everyday you would laugh and giggle at the simple things, and it would inspire me to stop and notice how funny life can be. I carried you squirming away so much my arm hurt.  You cried so loud my ears hurt. It was a honor watching you become best friends with your brother.  You could get him to follow you into any closet to play your games.  You look to see "Where's Jared?"  You proudly marched in any parade Jared was performing. You laughed so hard with him, you gave yourself the hiccups.  I was a honor to spend the summer with you, Colton, thank you.

Spider-Man or something less Obvious

We love heading to the farmer's market.  It is filled with activities for the kids, as well as some fresh fruits and vegetables.  The only problem is the freakishly scary "characters" that appear.  We have seen Winnie-the-Pooh, Bert, Elmo, and Abby.  They aren't well done characters, but terrible knock-offs of the real ones.  As such, they appear to be the most terrifying thing in the world to Jared.  I understand where he is coming from.  However, the appearance of these characters is making the Farmer's market a bit scarier than it needs to be.  I thought we were making progress when we saw Bert, and Jared pulled out his pretend zapper and zapped him.  

Then there was this week.  Jared declared he would be Spider-Man and zap any bad guys at the market.  Great.  He woke up from his nap as Spider-Man.  He triumphantly came down the stairs proclaiming he was the real Spider-Man.  Then he dug through a basket until he found his winter hat with ear flaps, a bright blue mitten, and a brown mitten.  After he put everything I he said he was now really Spider-Man and ready to go.  

I sat starring.  I had become the mother of "that kid."  You know, the kid you can't quite figure out.  The kid you see walking around in 80 degree weather wearing a winter hat and two mismatched mittens.  To Jared he is Spider-Man, to me he was someone that would require some negotiating.  

I began with the hat.  Could we switch to baseball hat?   No.  How about baseball hat and you can wear cape.  No.  How about baseball hat and cape or we stay home.  Fine.  Now we also just need one mitten.  No.  One mitten or no activities at market.  Tears...fine.  Whew.

So, we leave the house with a bright blue mitten, baseball cap and no cape. (He forgot about cape and I wasn't going to remind him). 

We get to the market and Jared quickly learns that the mitten is not ideal. I, being the loving and thoughtful mother I am, offer to take it off for him.  Now we are down to baseball cap.  We are happily walking along and then out of nowhere pops Kung Fu Panda.  Are you kidding me?  Jared is so scared I'm surprised we didn't have a baseball hat and soaked pants.  I quickly dig out the mitten and get it on Jared.  He now has the super power to create a shield around us and zap the Panda.  

We survived.  Let's see what we will wear next week.