Bye-Bye Part Two

We arrive at daycare this morning and Connie hands me his ba-ba for him to throw away at home and Dylan looked entirely shocked! He must of thought that he would still get to keep the one at daycare. He hesitated and said "no". I reminded him that he was big now and didn't have one at home, so he didn't get one at daycare either. He did not look happy at all. Connie tried to comfort him and offered to give it to the trash man - he refused. So I put it into my pocket, kissed him goodbye and told him to have a great day. As I'm walking away he says, "Wait ma-ma. I'll give it to the trash man."

Luckily it was trash day and the trash truck was right outside. The very nice trash man took his prized possession and praised him for becoming a big boy. Dylan watched him put it into the huge trash receptacle and he waved goodbye to his loving ba-ba. I wish I had a camera to capture the moment. The look of unsureness and sorrow on that boy's face. It was like losing a best friend. Once again my heart ached for him.

The trash man was so nice and encouraging and gave him a high five. Dylan then asks him for a sticker (isn't that what you get when you're brave at the doctor's?) and the poor trash man felt awful for him when he didn't have any! He immediately said, "I'll bring you one next week buddy. I promise!" I think he felt his sorrow. Needless to say he was a great trash man! Thank you trash man for being so kind and encouraging to my son who was obviously unsure about this whole process!

I'm sure in his eyes - growing up sucks. Potty training, no more cribs, no more ba-ba's, and soon he'll have to leave Connie's and go to preschool? This year has brought a lot of changes to his little life.

Mommy loves you and I'm so proud of you!

Bye-Bye Ba-ba!

Dylan will be turning four this Saturday and it was going to be a mixed blessing day for him. You see he has a dirty little secret. He still used a pacifier when he went to bed. I know he’s quite old for one, but after child number one I didn’t fret it. The pediatrician and dentist both told me that if you have oral kids and take away the binky they’ll just substitute it for something else. Perfect example – Mackenzie! We took away her pacifier and she instantaneously became a thumb sucker (not anymore for the record).

So, Dylan understood that on his fourth birthday he would no longer be able to use his ba-ba. It had to go into the trash. He understood and would was coming to terms with the idea.

On Saturday I went to the store to pick up a few things and he wanted to look at the toys. As usual he asked for every toy under the sun for which my reply was “maybe for your birthday.” As we continued down each aisle, he kept asking me for this Iron Man toy. I replied with the same answer. A few aisles later he says, “Mama if you buy me Iron Man I will throw my ba-ba away tonight.” This caught me by utter surprise! Give up his prized possession a week early? I nervously jumped aboard and said sure. However, before paying I asked three different times if he REALLY understood what this meant. His response, “Yes, I’m a big boy now. I don’t want to be a baby.” I reluctantly made the purchase praying we wouldn’t have a crying fit when bed time came.

Immediately when we got home he went to his bed got his ba-ba’s and threw them into the trash without any hesitation or final words of farewell. Done. Over. Gone.

Bedtime came and I tucked him in and said goodnight. No fight, no whining, nothing. Hmmmm. . . And then I hear the slightest little whimpering. I go into his room and he’s laying in bed with crocodile tears streaming down his face. I asked him what was the matter and he said, “I just miss my ba-ba.” He never asked for it back, didn’t ask me to return the toy, didn’t call me to comfort him, was just lying in bed taking it like a big boy. My heart ached for him and I told him that the first night was going to be hard, but that it would get better. I gave him a big hug and told him that I was so proud of him. He said ok in his tiny voice. If you could have only see that little face of anguish and sorrow. I felt bad for him – but he was turning FOUR!!!

I love that little guy. I guess he figured he might as well get something out of it since it was going in the trash anyway! Brave and smart little man.

Update

The first night Dylan slept in his toddler bed, he got up 3 times to come ask me something! First, it was about some toy (3am). I calmly told him to go back to bed. Then, it was to tell me he had a "bellyache", but when I suggested using the bathroom - he declined (3:20). I was a little annoyed, but kept my composure. Finally, it was to ask me "what rhymes with bell" (3:45)? At this point I used my angry "teacher" voice and told him now was not the time to discuss rhyming words and he better get back in bed! In hindsight it's funny that he's thinking of rhyming words - but not at 3:45 in the morning!

So, the next morning I explained that I was sad that he kept getting up. I explained that sleep is important blah. . .blah . ..blah . . .stay in your bed . . .blah . .. blah . . .blah . . . all the same things I told him 6 months ago. I went to work feeling discouraged and wondered how that night was going to be.

Well to my amazement he has stayed in bed ever since! He gets up to go use the bathroom, but then marches right back to his room and goes back to his bed. He keeps asking if I'm happy and proud of him. He is also so proud of himself too. Thank goodness he got it this time. I would have hated to have to send him to 3rd grade still sleeping in a crib! Now just working on NOT slamming the toilet seat down when he gets up to use the potty in the middle of the night. So the next time you see him - let him know how proud you are of him staying in his bed.

Take Two

About six months ago, we disassembled Dylan's crib and turned it into a toddler bed. He did well for about a month until he discovered the freedom he has at night when everyone is asleep. At first he got up at 5am, then it became 4am, then it was 3am and before we knew it he was up at midnight wandering. He was checking in on Mackenzie, then looked to see if the TV was on, then would come into our room just to see what we were doing. I tried everything from yelling, threatening, taking toys away and a little swat on the butt to keep him in bed - all for no good. He was just having too much fun when we all went to bed. In the meanwhile I was getting no sleep because I could hear him when he opened his door and started his wandering. So - we put the crib back together and our sleep issues were resolved.



Well, now that he is turning FOUR and is STILL sleeping in a CRIB we thought it was time to get him out of it! Do you know how back wrenching it is to lift my big guy into a crib? So keep your fingers crossed that he will stay in bed in the middle of the night and the early hours or else he'll be in a crib until he's EIGHT!

First Grade Writing

Mackenzie really enjoys writing and is quite good for a six year old in my opinion. She often writes pieces that make me smile or chuckle! At home she likes to create little "books".

In school she has been working on descriptive writing. Now, as a former First Grade teacher I know that this is a difficult task for kids. It's very hard for them to remember descriptors when they are trying to focus on content, spacing, capitals, spelling and punctuation. I also feel that it doesn't come naturally and it's a developmental thing - but that's a whole other blog topic!

Anyway . . .here is the piece she decided to write for her "descriptive" piece.


Not that exciting - it's ok - but the real kicker is - when her teacher noticed her she had tears welling up and was starting to cry. Why? Because writing and thinking about her teddy brought such strong emotions that she started to miss her! She has had that "tan" teddy (it started off cream in color) since before she was born. She has taken her everywhere when she was younger - to daycare, preschool, ER visits, church, the store, and many other countless places! I have washed that thing so many times it is no longer soft and plush. She has a back up spare - but does not like it because "it doesn't feel right!"




I was touched by how innocent and young she still is. She is a very smart and mature First Grader and sometimes I forget that she is still my "baby". I did not realize how attached she still is to her teddy since she no longer travels outside the house with her. They say those security items last a long time - I guess they're right!

Of course when she saw me taking pictures of her writing and teddy she immediately said, "You're not going to tell anyone that I cried over my teddy are you?"

Friday Night Entertainment

I can still remember the good ol' days before I had kids. I would go out most Friday nights - stay up late and dance my little heart out. Well . . . those times are long gone. I'm lucky if I can stay up till 10pm on a Friday night! However, the dancing part is still carrying on. . . .by my children!

On Friday nights the kids love for us to turn the TV onto a music station and dance. Mackenzie will get "dressed up" and Dylan will go find a hat that suits his mood of dancing. It is hilarious to watch them. Sometimes we'll have a dance party and you can catch me, Dylan and Mackenzie groovin' to the beat! I have to admit it's pretty funny.

So the Friday night dancing has changed - but I wouldn't trade it in for anything! I'm just glad they like to dance as much as I do! So, if you ever need to "party" - come on over and join our dance team.



Here's one of our "hip-hop" nights.

Artist

For the last year Mackenzie has been taking art classes after school through ArtSmarts. She has really enjoyed working with all kinds of media and looks forward to each Wednesday. Here are some of her "masterpieces" she has created without help! Not too bad for a six year old I think. What do you think?


Doesn't it look like the Lion King?




Toucan - my favorite so far.



Snow Owl



Giraffe