Spelling Can Be Fun

Things have settled back down at our house and our routine was back to normal. I missed the late afternoon knock and walk in from Beckett. Of course, they went through their usual disagreement about what to play, but after a little suggestion from me, they went right to work.

Today's inspiration was Mythology. My LEAST favorite topic. Why they still teach this is beyond me. I'm so not looking forward to when Grant has to learn this mindless, useless material.  Anyway, back to the topic. Beckett was drawing a monster, a cyclops to be exact, and Grant chose the always popular super heroes.

Notice the Red lips? That's Sicilian Orange Sherbet. Grant's Favorite!

Grant decided to throw his marker in Beckett's general direction. I was not pleased. Beckett then politely asked if I could write on Grant's forehead the way I did last week when he made a bad choice.  I thought for a minute and realized there was a great opportunity for the boys to learn how to spell. So I let Beckett write on Grant's forehead.

rUDe

I had Beckett write nice on his arm. I hope his Mom doesn't think I'm nuts.

Super "Attitude" Man

Grant decided on Superman for trick or treat night. I'm not sure if it was the early birthday party he went to or if he had a bad case of what I call "Crabs in your belly" (crabby attitude), but he was in a MOOD.

Grant made it about 4 blocks, had a little fall (candy went flying) and made it another 3 houses and was ready to come home. Via being carried. The whole way. Thank goodness for Matt. He did most of it. I think I managed a block. Maybe.

Superhero Serious Face

These are the kids of our lives. This crew is together much of the time. Riding bikes, playing outside or completely destroying playing inside my house. Our neighborhood was like one out of the movies on Halloween night. So many kids and parents. Everyone saying hello and loving each other's costumes. I love my neighbors and cherish the memories Grant is able to make.

This house is owned by the people who lived in our house before us. They go all out.

Next door: They really decorate

Rocky and Carly: Our next next door neighbors. They went with us.

Girl Parties

Grant attended Maya's birthday party this weekend. At Metro Gymnastics. I asked him if he wanted to go. I told him it was a "gymnastics party". Clearly there was an error in communication.

This is how he looked most of the party.

All he wanted to do was jump in the foam pit. Nothing else. He tried the balance beam. He reacted much in the same way I did to it. He HATED it. Now, don't get me wrong. He tried. In his tie and all.

This just doesn't seem right

The only "semi-smile" I was able to capture was birthday cake time. He got much happier when we left and Matt let him start the car. The push button kind of start the car. Matt got a rental. A Nissan Murano. Of course, everywhere we went, Grant wanted to start the car. Just what every parent of a 5 year old needs. Thanks, Nissan. Good thinking!

Really?

Batman, Again

Today was the big Halloween party at school. Grant was so excited last night he didn't want to go to sleep. Funny how he'll wake up without a trouble on days like today. He was happy to get out of bed and put on his costume. It was sooo nice. Except he was ready before me today.  He stood at the bathroom door in his costume AND mask and stared at me. Are you ready yet????? Seriously?  Come on, Mom.

First one at school.

Tomorrow night is the big trick or treat night. We'll see who he decides to be tomorrow. He assured me this morning that Grant was indeed underneath that mask. Don't be worried.

Flu Shot Negotiating

Today was the day I took Grant for his flu shot. I told him about it last week. I know, I know, you shouldn't tell your kids until the very second something is about to happen, but I wanted him prepared. I don't like surprises, especially the ones that are no fun (like flu shots).

He seemed fine with this information. I explained the process to him and said it will hurt, for a millisecond, and then it's gone. "Okay, Mom". I also told him crying about was unnecessary. I'm not mean. I'm just fed up with crying kids. Why? I had the fabulous luck of having my office RIGHT OUTSIDE the operatory where they have been administering flu shots. To kids. Screaming, out of control kids. For 3 weeks now. Closing my office door didn't help. Poor Grant.

So, back to today. I woke up Grant and the first thing out of his mouth was, "I don't want to get a flu shot". Then the whining and hiding began. Just for a little bit. Nothing dramatic. Or should I say more dramatic than usual. Of course this put us off schedule, but we made it right on time for the shot. On the way in, Grant decides to start his "negotiating".

"Mom, I'm not getting a flu shot. Why don't you just ask them if they'll give you one and I'll just watch?"

"No. You're getting a shot. Here. Now. Today. No more negotiating."

Silence.

Good attitude (pre-shot).

We made it back to the operatory and everything was going along fine. Grant accepted the fact that he was getting a shot. What he didn't accept was that he had to get it in his leg and when the nurse asked him to take off his pants, he slowly started backing away. Like he was going to get out of the room without a problem. Very charming. Slow, slow, maybe they won't notice.

So, I tackled  helped him get his pants off and set him on the table. (He no longer is light as a feather, more like a heap of bricks). He laid down like he was asked and put his hands on his sweet little belly.

Awful. Just awful. I got all teared up.

He did great. Didn't move a muscle. After she finished he closed his eyes tight and started crying. Quietly. Calmly. Nothing like the million kids outside my office. What a great kid!

I love you, Grant Matthias. Mommy is proud of you. My brave little boy.

Concerts and Candy Corn Trees

Grant woke up Sunday morning ready to go. We dressed for church in a flash and since it was still way too early to leave, Grant decided to put on a concert. His teacher told me on Tuesday he sang it for her and she loved it! It's been non stop playing around the house with the neighbor kids.

Last Saturday I took of the neighbor boys to the zoo with us. Exhausting! They ran everywhere. And what animals did we see, you may ask?

The snakes and the aquarium. That's IT. They went from one playground to the next. I kept trying to encourage them to go see the animals, but no. They just wanted to play. Next time I'll take them down the street to the park.

Beckett, Grant and Jack

I also was crafty last weekend and made a candy corn tree. Becket came over last night and said, " I really wish we could  get a candy corn tree seed". Cracked me up. I told him the truth. I made it. It didn't exist in nature.

Football and Breakfast

We stayed up a little late last night. OSU was playing Texas A&M. On a Thursday night. We also had a major homework set back. My fault, though. Apparently if you read 20 books a month you get a *Special Prize* (which I'm sure is something totally ridiculous, but a very big deal to Grant). So we read 7 books.

Guess what? I can read books to Grant and watch football at the same time. Yes, I turned the TV on mute.
Grant went off to sleep like a good little boy. I gave him the good news this morning:

                         We beat A&M at the last minute with a field goal!

                  And this is we how show our love for the Cowboys today

Go Pokes!

Last weekend we got together with Auntie Jessica and family. Grant had so much fun. With Nathan. The grown-up of the play group. They played Star Wars and were so fast moving that I couldn't get a good picture of the "battles".  Thanks for playing with Grant, Nathan. I hope we can do it again soon!

Nathan does have kids. And an awesome wife, who is very patient. Very. Scout is precious and very young. Just 7 weeks? That was up for debate. Clearly none of us could do any math because Nancy's breakfast was SO WONDERFUL.  See:

Bacon, Goat cheese Eggs, Fancy pancakes, fruit, you name it.

Auntie Jessica, Bryan and Connor

After breakfast the kids decided to go play. We watched. And walked and walked and walked.


Grant was hiding from Stanley.

Edie was trying so hard to get Grant to dance. He would not. And, no, the stick is not a weapon, it's a wand, thank you very much.  It took lots of searching to find the perfect one!

Still in the tie phase. With Crocs. What a doll.