So much is slipping past and I know I'm missing out on writing it down, but my head just isn't in the blog these days. Forgive me, everyone.
I keep waiting for the "where do babies come from" question but instead about a month ago Nate asked this: where were we before we were born? I thought for a second, then answered him honestly: I don't know. I told him that some people believed that there is a God who made us, and some people think we just grew here (kinda like a plant), but that nobody is really sure. He seemed fine with that.
Nate is also very interested in death these days. We've talked about his grandma who died, and is sleeping now, but haven't had any reason to force the issue or dwell on it. A few months ago he started talking about superheroes and how they killed somebody, and soldiers and how they killed somebody. I think there was also something about a dog that died, and I flinched when it came up, but Nate wasn't scared or freaked out at all - he was pretty pointed about how the dog was dead.
Yesterday we were driving to school and Nate started a familiar conversation about when Daddy gets old (he usually says he'll take care of him, and carry him like a baby, and tuck him in), but this time he told me that when Daddy gets old he'll die. I confirmed it, but told him that it was going to be in a really, really long time. He went on to say that when Daddy gets old he'll die and then he won't have any Daddy and that it'll be sad. I agreed with him, telling him how it would be so sad, but it would be in a really long time and he'd have a Daddy for a long time. He thought for a minute and then said: "And when I get really old, I'll die too." Yes, Natey, you'll die but it won't be for so long, until you're really really really old. Then, in the same earnest tone, he told me about something he had in his lunchbox. Like they were related, but they weren't related at all. It's just the stream of consciousness he has, the thoughts he's processing.
Whew. Heavy stuff.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Friday, September 11, 2009
Eden
Nate's fourth birthday was a few days ago, and his big party is tomorrow at Pump It Up. I'm getting so much joy out of watching his excitement build. Even more than that, though, I'm floored to realize that he has absolutely no association between this upcoming birthday party and getting presents. None.
This is the first party I haven't insisted on "no gifts." We have a small house, he has plenty of toys, and I hate writing thank-you notes: a perfect set of reasons to save our guests the trouble in the past. But I figured he'd probably realize he was getting ripped-off at the ripe old age of 4, and didn't wave off the gifts this year.
A few days ago Sophia asked him what he wanted for his birthday and Nate was totally befuddled. She asked him a few more ways, and the confusion never lifted. Getting exasperated, she said something along the lines of "You know, what do you want to GET FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY?!?!" to which he responded "cake?" We ran into them again today and she said she'd just come back from buying his present and watching the dawning of the joy on his face was amazing. He honestly didn't know she would be bringing a present. Or that the other 6 families worth of kids will also be bringing presents. And Grandma and Grandpa. (Not us. The party is his present. And the Lite Brite he got on his actual birthday.)
I watch him a lot these days, the joy and the innocence and the desire to please and the little tantrums and the nakedness of his emotions. He doesn't know to cover himself up. He doesn't know to care how he looks. He runs to me "Mommy!" when I pick him up at school, and he's "rocking out" to music with me, and he's totally into being a superhero running around the room with a dishtowel cape, and he's running out of the bathroom naked in front of his friends, and I am so so so aware that this part of his life is so close to ending. I know it's coming. I know there's nothing I can do to stop it. He's Adam in the Garden of Eden right now, and he's months or weeks or days or seconds away from realizing he's naked. And then he'll cover himself up, forever.
So I watch him a lot. I'm reveling in his exuberance, his joy, his innocence. I'm storing it up for later. And when he's older and jaded and properly covered up, I'll show him the pictures and videos of the days when he was truly carefree. And then we'll revel together.
This is the first party I haven't insisted on "no gifts." We have a small house, he has plenty of toys, and I hate writing thank-you notes: a perfect set of reasons to save our guests the trouble in the past. But I figured he'd probably realize he was getting ripped-off at the ripe old age of 4, and didn't wave off the gifts this year.
A few days ago Sophia asked him what he wanted for his birthday and Nate was totally befuddled. She asked him a few more ways, and the confusion never lifted. Getting exasperated, she said something along the lines of "You know, what do you want to GET FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY?!?!" to which he responded "cake?" We ran into them again today and she said she'd just come back from buying his present and watching the dawning of the joy on his face was amazing. He honestly didn't know she would be bringing a present. Or that the other 6 families worth of kids will also be bringing presents. And Grandma and Grandpa. (Not us. The party is his present. And the Lite Brite he got on his actual birthday.)
I watch him a lot these days, the joy and the innocence and the desire to please and the little tantrums and the nakedness of his emotions. He doesn't know to cover himself up. He doesn't know to care how he looks. He runs to me "Mommy!" when I pick him up at school, and he's "rocking out" to music with me, and he's totally into being a superhero running around the room with a dishtowel cape, and he's running out of the bathroom naked in front of his friends, and I am so so so aware that this part of his life is so close to ending. I know it's coming. I know there's nothing I can do to stop it. He's Adam in the Garden of Eden right now, and he's months or weeks or days or seconds away from realizing he's naked. And then he'll cover himself up, forever.
So I watch him a lot. I'm reveling in his exuberance, his joy, his innocence. I'm storing it up for later. And when he's older and jaded and properly covered up, I'll show him the pictures and videos of the days when he was truly carefree. And then we'll revel together.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Catching up
Tomorrow is Nate's first day of real school and it's been an eternity since I've written here. I've been busy, overwhelmed, tired, cranky, and still massively in love with these children of mine.
Nate and I are in the middle of a wonderful friendship. I've worked on myself, he's outgrowing the truly-terrible-threes, and we're getting on so well. I've learned when to make him laugh instead of enforcing discipline; he's being incredibly helpful and sweet.
Last night we had dinner at a friend's house and their little boy scared Jack and made him cry pretty hard. I picked him up to comfort him and a few seconds later I felt Nate at my knees; I looked down to see him bringing over a singing Elmo toy that Jack had loved earlier in the day. He played it over and over, trying to get Jack to stop crying. Keep in mind that he had been playing with the new love of his life, Maddie, who thrilled him with her video games and casual use of the words "stupid" and "hate" which we don't use in our house. He wanted to help Jack so much that he stepped away from Maddie for the first time all night.
Earlier yesterday we were heading downtown to the mall with my friend Emily and her new boyfriend Joe. I decided to leave Stewart at home with Jack who really needed a nap. I went to gather Jack up to put him down before leaving and Nate implored me "But I want him to come with us! I love him!" It was out of left field and it was the first time he'd ever said he loves Jack.
I took both boys to a "bounce house" place last week for a chance to run around and have fun. Nate was loving the huge inflated slide and even Jack was getting in on the action, climbing up the sloped "ladder" and sliding down the slide. On one trip up the ladder, a bunch of kids sped up past Jack which momentarily confused him and he stopped climbing and looked around. I watched as Nate was about to be the next kid to speed right by him and was really surprised when Nate noticed Jack and stopped. He took Jack's left hand, helped him stand up, and walked him all the way to the top of the ladder (with about 8 kids bottle-necked behind them). He sat down next to Jack and slid down holding his hand, then took him back to the ladder and escorted him all the way back up again. He's amazing.
A few days ago Nate called to me from bed and something about his tone sounded urgent. I ran up the stairs to him, opened the door, and he said to me "You don't have to rush!" He's appreciative and warm these days, shockingly considerate of others.
When I put him to bed at night, Nate asks me if I'll lay with him for a few minutes. I lay down next to him and stroke his back and we talk about little things. Sometimes he throws his arm around me and we have a bit of a cuddle. I tell him he's my favorite boy, my sweet guy, and how incredibly proud I am of him.
I am incredibly proud of him.
Nate and I are in the middle of a wonderful friendship. I've worked on myself, he's outgrowing the truly-terrible-threes, and we're getting on so well. I've learned when to make him laugh instead of enforcing discipline; he's being incredibly helpful and sweet.
Last night we had dinner at a friend's house and their little boy scared Jack and made him cry pretty hard. I picked him up to comfort him and a few seconds later I felt Nate at my knees; I looked down to see him bringing over a singing Elmo toy that Jack had loved earlier in the day. He played it over and over, trying to get Jack to stop crying. Keep in mind that he had been playing with the new love of his life, Maddie, who thrilled him with her video games and casual use of the words "stupid" and "hate" which we don't use in our house. He wanted to help Jack so much that he stepped away from Maddie for the first time all night.
Earlier yesterday we were heading downtown to the mall with my friend Emily and her new boyfriend Joe. I decided to leave Stewart at home with Jack who really needed a nap. I went to gather Jack up to put him down before leaving and Nate implored me "But I want him to come with us! I love him!" It was out of left field and it was the first time he'd ever said he loves Jack.
I took both boys to a "bounce house" place last week for a chance to run around and have fun. Nate was loving the huge inflated slide and even Jack was getting in on the action, climbing up the sloped "ladder" and sliding down the slide. On one trip up the ladder, a bunch of kids sped up past Jack which momentarily confused him and he stopped climbing and looked around. I watched as Nate was about to be the next kid to speed right by him and was really surprised when Nate noticed Jack and stopped. He took Jack's left hand, helped him stand up, and walked him all the way to the top of the ladder (with about 8 kids bottle-necked behind them). He sat down next to Jack and slid down holding his hand, then took him back to the ladder and escorted him all the way back up again. He's amazing.
A few days ago Nate called to me from bed and something about his tone sounded urgent. I ran up the stairs to him, opened the door, and he said to me "You don't have to rush!" He's appreciative and warm these days, shockingly considerate of others.
When I put him to bed at night, Nate asks me if I'll lay with him for a few minutes. I lay down next to him and stroke his back and we talk about little things. Sometimes he throws his arm around me and we have a bit of a cuddle. I tell him he's my favorite boy, my sweet guy, and how incredibly proud I am of him.
I am incredibly proud of him.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
He did it! Stewart ROCKED the coupons!
I did give him easy ones, but I'm very impressed with the job Stewart did on the coupons at Harris Teeter:
Bagelfuls - on sale for $2.49, used $1 off for a net cost of 49 cents each
Oreo Cakesters - on sale for $2.99, used $1 off for a net cost of 99 cents each
Morningstar Farms veggie burgers - on sale for $4/box, used $1 off for a net cost of $2/box
DanActive - on sale for $1.99, used $1 off to make them free!
CapriSun - on sale for $2.69, used $1 off for a net cost of 69 cents
Activia yogurt - on sale for $1.99, used $1 off to make them free!
Buitoni - costs $2.29, used $1 off for a net cost of 29 cents each
Today is the last day of super coupons and I'm going to try to go by. I've been so sick the last 4 days and my Mom is here helping me today, so I'll either nap the whole day or take advantage and get us both to HT to pound through the last 40 coupons. Hmmmm...nap or free food? They're both so great! :-)
Bagelfuls - on sale for $2.49, used $1 off for a net cost of 49 cents each
Oreo Cakesters - on sale for $2.99, used $1 off for a net cost of 99 cents each
Morningstar Farms veggie burgers - on sale for $4/box, used $1 off for a net cost of $2/box
DanActive - on sale for $1.99, used $1 off to make them free!
CapriSun - on sale for $2.69, used $1 off for a net cost of 69 cents
Activia yogurt - on sale for $1.99, used $1 off to make them free!
Buitoni - costs $2.29, used $1 off for a net cost of 29 cents each
Today is the last day of super coupons and I'm going to try to go by. I've been so sick the last 4 days and my Mom is here helping me today, so I'll either nap the whole day or take advantage and get us both to HT to pound through the last 40 coupons. Hmmmm...nap or free food? They're both so great! :-)
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Harris Teeeter super doubles visit #2!
So much fun I had to do it again. Stewart's hitting Harris Teeter without me after picking Nate up from a birthday party this evening - I gave him some really easy ones. :-)
Terra Chips - on sale for $2.99, used $1 off for a net cost of 99 cents
V8 Splash - on sale for $2.50, used $1 off for a net cost of 50 cents
Capri Sun juices - on sale for $2.69, used $1 off for a net cost of 69 cents per box
Activia yogurt - on sale for $1.99, used $1 off to make them free!
Danimals yogurt - on sale for $1.99, used $1 off to make it free!
Danimals smoothies - on sale for $1.99, used $1 off to make it free!
DanActive smoothies - on sale for $1.99, used $1 off to make them free!
Hormel Compleats - costs $2.69, used $1 off for a net cost of 69 cents
Silk Soymilk - cost $3.69 each ($7.38 for two), used $1.25 off for a net cost of $2.44 each
BumbleBee Tuna pouches - cost $1.39 each, used $1 off to make them free!
Buitoni linguini - cost $2.29 each, used $1 off for a net cost of 29 cents each!
Nate was just asking for those crush cups the other day; I love being able to treat him sometimes!
Terra Chips - on sale for $2.99, used $1 off for a net cost of 99 cents
V8 Splash - on sale for $2.50, used $1 off for a net cost of 50 cents
Capri Sun juices - on sale for $2.69, used $1 off for a net cost of 69 cents per box
Activia yogurt - on sale for $1.99, used $1 off to make them free!
Danimals yogurt - on sale for $1.99, used $1 off to make it free!
Danimals smoothies - on sale for $1.99, used $1 off to make it free!
DanActive smoothies - on sale for $1.99, used $1 off to make them free!
Hormel Compleats - costs $2.69, used $1 off for a net cost of 69 cents
Silk Soymilk - cost $3.69 each ($7.38 for two), used $1.25 off for a net cost of $2.44 each
BumbleBee Tuna pouches - cost $1.39 each, used $1 off to make them free!
Buitoni linguini - cost $2.29 each, used $1 off for a net cost of 29 cents each!
Nate was just asking for those crush cups the other day; I love being able to treat him sometimes!
Friday, July 24, 2009
Harris Teeeter super doubles
Sorry for the very long silence! The house closing has turned into a nightmare; I think all will be resolved by Tuesday but it's been harrowing.
All of the balls in the air got me into a little funk a few weeks ago and I've been doing the bare minimum to take care of my kids and the house. Yesterday I woke up feeling a bit better; today was better yet. Perseverence.
So I got myself over to Harris Teeter today for super doubles (they're doubling coupons up to $1.98). Some fun deals to be had!
Kraft dressing - on sale for $3.45, used $1.50 off for a net cost of $.45
Terra Chips - on sale for $2.99, used $1 off for a net cost of $.99/bag
Buitoni pasta - costs $2.29, used $1 off for a net cost of $.29
Wholly salsa - on sale for $1.50, used $1 off to make it free!
Wholly guacamole - costs $1.99, used $1 off to make it free!
Oreo Cakesters - on sale for $2.99, used $1 off for a net cost of $.99
Capri Sun juices - on sale for $2.69, used $1 off for a net cost of $.69
Starbucks Frappaccino - costs $1.79, used $1 off to make it free!
Bagelfuls - on sale for $2.49, used $1 off for a net cost of $.49
Juicy Juice immunity - costs $2.99, used $1 off for a net cost of $.99
Frank's Hot Sauce - costs $1.29, used $1 off to make it free!
Sure deodorant - costs $2.59, used $1.50 off to make it free!
Danactive yogurt drink - on sale for $1.99, used $1 off to make it free!
Activia yogurt - on sale for $1.99, used $1 off to make it free!
This goes on for another 5 days and I will definitely be back for more. The Oreo cakesters are a fun treat to put in Nate's lunches and at 99 cents a box it's a steal. The CapriSuns will be a special every-now-and-then treat I can surprise him with. Free yogurt is great for smoothies (not vegan, I know.) Got the Bagelfuls free a few weeks ago and Nate loved them; whatever I have to do to get him out the door in the morning is good with me - definitely getting more at 49 cents a box!
Off to clip coupons for tomorrow!
All of the balls in the air got me into a little funk a few weeks ago and I've been doing the bare minimum to take care of my kids and the house. Yesterday I woke up feeling a bit better; today was better yet. Perseverence.
So I got myself over to Harris Teeter today for super doubles (they're doubling coupons up to $1.98). Some fun deals to be had!
Kraft dressing - on sale for $3.45, used $1.50 off for a net cost of $.45
Terra Chips - on sale for $2.99, used $1 off for a net cost of $.99/bag
Buitoni pasta - costs $2.29, used $1 off for a net cost of $.29
Wholly salsa - on sale for $1.50, used $1 off to make it free!
Wholly guacamole - costs $1.99, used $1 off to make it free!
Oreo Cakesters - on sale for $2.99, used $1 off for a net cost of $.99
Capri Sun juices - on sale for $2.69, used $1 off for a net cost of $.69
Starbucks Frappaccino - costs $1.79, used $1 off to make it free!
Bagelfuls - on sale for $2.49, used $1 off for a net cost of $.49
Juicy Juice immunity - costs $2.99, used $1 off for a net cost of $.99
Frank's Hot Sauce - costs $1.29, used $1 off to make it free!
Sure deodorant - costs $2.59, used $1.50 off to make it free!
Danactive yogurt drink - on sale for $1.99, used $1 off to make it free!
Activia yogurt - on sale for $1.99, used $1 off to make it free!
This goes on for another 5 days and I will definitely be back for more. The Oreo cakesters are a fun treat to put in Nate's lunches and at 99 cents a box it's a steal. The CapriSuns will be a special every-now-and-then treat I can surprise him with. Free yogurt is great for smoothies (not vegan, I know.) Got the Bagelfuls free a few weeks ago and Nate loved them; whatever I have to do to get him out the door in the morning is good with me - definitely getting more at 49 cents a box!
Off to clip coupons for tomorrow!
Friday, July 10, 2009
He reads!
So Nate was never much interested in books as a toddler; I blamed it on the fact that we didn't spend much time reading to him. Seems logical, right?
But, as you can imagine, we don't do things much differently with Jack and at least three times a day I find him sitting somewhere (on the couch, in a chair, or smack in the middle of the floor) with a book. Heck sometimes I find him standing stock still in the middle of the room looking through a book. He hoots at pictures, points, smiles, and sometimes brings them to me to share the joy. I now keep one in my purse and when he gets antsy in the car I just give it to him and watch the grin spread over his face.
I get such a kick out of this kid!
But, as you can imagine, we don't do things much differently with Jack and at least three times a day I find him sitting somewhere (on the couch, in a chair, or smack in the middle of the floor) with a book. Heck sometimes I find him standing stock still in the middle of the room looking through a book. He hoots at pictures, points, smiles, and sometimes brings them to me to share the joy. I now keep one in my purse and when he gets antsy in the car I just give it to him and watch the grin spread over his face.
I get such a kick out of this kid!
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