Me: Bear! It's time for a nap!
Bear: No way! No way!
----------------------
Me: Bear! Pick up your toys!
Bear: No way! No way!
----------------------
Me: It's time to change your diaper!
Bear: No way! No way!
----------------------
I'm not quite sure where she picked up this phrase...but she sure has been using it a lot. What happened to just "no?"
8.30.2007
8.18.2007
Haircutting 101
So can anyone out there tell me how to properly cut hair? Especially the hair of a squirmy, squiggly toddler?
A few months ago, I managed to cut Bear's bangs, but it took me three days to get it right. In the end, I cut it a little too short, a little too straight, and my baby looked liked one of those dolls you get from the Americ@n Girl Company.
Now her hair is growing out again into and over her eyes. I've been attempting to chop it here and there, but it's just becoming a jagged mess.
Help.
A few months ago, I managed to cut Bear's bangs, but it took me three days to get it right. In the end, I cut it a little too short, a little too straight, and my baby looked liked one of those dolls you get from the Americ@n Girl Company.
Now her hair is growing out again into and over her eyes. I've been attempting to chop it here and there, but it's just becoming a jagged mess.
Help.
8.15.2007
Mommy got ditched
Last Saturday Bear and I attended the "Saturday Party" celebrating the end of VBS week at our church. This is the day where all the kids invite their families to come and watch them perform songs, view a slideshow of the week's activities, and then enjoy a lunch together. I wheeled Bear to the front once the performance started and within a minute she said, "Dow (Down)."
A minute later she saw one of the moms (we'll call her J) who helps out in the nursery, pointed at her with a smile and said, "Heeeey!" Then Bear promptly ran over to where J was sitting with her daughter and husband climbed up onto the pew next to her and sat there for the remainder of the performance.
So I sat all alone. Bear ditched me. Actually, it is quite funny, so I'm not upset even if you are laughing at my misery.
One time, I thought she was returning to me, so I held out my arms to her. She quickly grabbed Sonja from the stroller and ran back to sit with J. Ha ha.
So I watched her as she applauded each of the kids. I watched as she screamed in enjoyment at the slideshow. I watched as she attempted to dance to each of the songs, but I watched all of this from afar.
I'm glad that Bear is so comfortable running up and sitting with other people (people she knows...not strangers). Lately, she has been much more comfortable at church, too. I often lose her because she's visiting other friends and families. I think she mingles at church more than Matt or I ever do.
So even if I do get ditched by my own daughter, I always know that in the end she'll come running back to me asking to be picked up and held. I will gladly oblige.
A minute later she saw one of the moms (we'll call her J) who helps out in the nursery, pointed at her with a smile and said, "Heeeey!" Then Bear promptly ran over to where J was sitting with her daughter and husband climbed up onto the pew next to her and sat there for the remainder of the performance.
So I sat all alone. Bear ditched me. Actually, it is quite funny, so I'm not upset even if you are laughing at my misery.
One time, I thought she was returning to me, so I held out my arms to her. She quickly grabbed Sonja from the stroller and ran back to sit with J. Ha ha.
So I watched her as she applauded each of the kids. I watched as she screamed in enjoyment at the slideshow. I watched as she attempted to dance to each of the songs, but I watched all of this from afar.
I'm glad that Bear is so comfortable running up and sitting with other people (people she knows...not strangers). Lately, she has been much more comfortable at church, too. I often lose her because she's visiting other friends and families. I think she mingles at church more than Matt or I ever do.
So even if I do get ditched by my own daughter, I always know that in the end she'll come running back to me asking to be picked up and held. I will gladly oblige.
8.10.2007
Ode to the Sticker
Stickers, stickers everywhere,
On my pants and in my hair.
Oh, just how did they get in there?
A little toddler put them "dare!"
As we walk from room to room,
those little stickers cling to our shoes.
We constantly find them on our feet,
Little hitchhikers that give us the blues.
Oh, but how these stickers bring such joys,
it's better than all her other toys.
On long car rides, she sits without noise,
Sticking stickers that she enjoys.
And when the day comes to a close,
And it's bathtime in our little household,
Dad has the task of removing those
Sticky little stickers that are on her clothes.
Ah, yes, although we tire of these,
thousands of stickers, we are pleased,
she does enjoy them and even asks, "please."
And the time seems to pass as if a breeze.
So perhaps one day you may find,
yourself at our home, keep in mind
that you watch just where you step,
because those little stickers will find you yet.
On my pants and in my hair.
Oh, just how did they get in there?
A little toddler put them "dare!"
As we walk from room to room,
those little stickers cling to our shoes.
We constantly find them on our feet,
Little hitchhikers that give us the blues.
Oh, but how these stickers bring such joys,
it's better than all her other toys.
On long car rides, she sits without noise,
Sticking stickers that she enjoys.
And when the day comes to a close,
And it's bathtime in our little household,
Dad has the task of removing those
Sticky little stickers that are on her clothes.
Ah, yes, although we tire of these,
thousands of stickers, we are pleased,
she does enjoy them and even asks, "please."
And the time seems to pass as if a breeze.
So perhaps one day you may find,
yourself at our home, keep in mind
that you watch just where you step,
because those little stickers will find you yet.
8.08.2007
Being a Grown Up is Not Fun
I keep telling myself that college really wasn't that long ago, and high school was just before that...but this week, I'm realizing more and more just how far that gap stretches...if not in years, then in maturity and life experience.
It's VBS again this week. Once again I've taken on a role much larger than I should have. I'm in charge of the crafts center, so I get the privilege of seeing all the kids (all 120 of them) in my little classroom throughout the day. It makes me miss teaching (a little).
I also have the privilege of working with a small staff mostly comprised of junior high and high school students. Today I had to have a little "discussion" with them about their conduct (standing in the back chatting instead of helping, flirting with the other helpers, riling up the kids). I still have that "strict teacher" in me, because the moment I ushered that last kindergartner out of classroom (with a smile), I shut the door and turned on my staff (with a frown). I remember saying things like, "you're here to help the kids, not help yourselves" and "whether you know it or not, these kids are looking to you as examples, and they sure are following it!" I believe I even threw in "I know it's fun to hang out with your friends, but I shouldn't be the only person working in this room!"
But I know the reason why I have so many of the junior high and high schoolers under my wing...it's because the people in charge knew that I wouldn't be afraid to just tell them straight out if they were erring on the side of unhelpful. It's my job to be the grown-up in that classroom. And although it's not always the fun job, it's important...
Even when I was teaching Biology, I knew that I wouldn't just be teaching about organ systems and plant life. I knew that a bulk of it would be teaching manners, study skills and even proper socialization. As this week goes, I know that I'm not just telling the K-6th graders how to put together a beaded necklace, I'm also teaching them about working together as well as re-emphasizing some great Bible Stories. Through the midst of it I'm also teaching some young adults that sometimes it's just not fun being the grown up, but somebody has to do it.
It's VBS again this week. Once again I've taken on a role much larger than I should have. I'm in charge of the crafts center, so I get the privilege of seeing all the kids (all 120 of them) in my little classroom throughout the day. It makes me miss teaching (a little).
I also have the privilege of working with a small staff mostly comprised of junior high and high school students. Today I had to have a little "discussion" with them about their conduct (standing in the back chatting instead of helping, flirting with the other helpers, riling up the kids). I still have that "strict teacher" in me, because the moment I ushered that last kindergartner out of classroom (with a smile), I shut the door and turned on my staff (with a frown). I remember saying things like, "you're here to help the kids, not help yourselves" and "whether you know it or not, these kids are looking to you as examples, and they sure are following it!" I believe I even threw in "I know it's fun to hang out with your friends, but I shouldn't be the only person working in this room!"
But I know the reason why I have so many of the junior high and high schoolers under my wing...it's because the people in charge knew that I wouldn't be afraid to just tell them straight out if they were erring on the side of unhelpful. It's my job to be the grown-up in that classroom. And although it's not always the fun job, it's important...
Even when I was teaching Biology, I knew that I wouldn't just be teaching about organ systems and plant life. I knew that a bulk of it would be teaching manners, study skills and even proper socialization. As this week goes, I know that I'm not just telling the K-6th graders how to put together a beaded necklace, I'm also teaching them about working together as well as re-emphasizing some great Bible Stories. Through the midst of it I'm also teaching some young adults that sometimes it's just not fun being the grown up, but somebody has to do it.
8.03.2007
Thirty-Something
I had to catch myself today. I was reading a blog (a friend of a friend), and I started to snicker a little at their latest entry. My first thought was, "ha ha, only a twenty-something could do that." I stopped though when I realized that I'm still a twenty-something (at least for 3 and some months). I was laughing (not maliciously but rather nostalgically) because I could have seen myself doing the same thing only 5 years ago. Rewind.
Ah, those adventurous days after college. We had jobs, but no mortgages to pay. We were single and without kids, responsible only for ourselves. It was easy to pack up a car, drive 5 hours to visit friends, stay a day or two, and come right back. Gatherings were at bars, clubs, and fine dining restaurants and it was exciting to try new places, dress up, and just enjoy each other's company.
Although, I remember how scared I was turning 25. My good friends told me to "suck it up, it's not that bad." I think I just had this notion that I should have had my life pulled together by the time I was 25. I have since learned that I will be 80 and still telling myself that I need to pull my life together.
Fast forward 5 years later and I'm running after a toddler who thought it was funny to rub her lunch into the couch. I wear clothes that are comfortable and washable, my hair is developing this nest like formation in the back where I never seem to have time to brush, and the next thing on my to-do list is to wash a million, colorful plastic cups and dishes. Whoa. A total flip-flop from 5 years ago.
I don't regret what my life has become. It just happened, and I'm okay with that. I don't think I was a very good twenty-something anyway. I just wasn't that "live it up" type. Perhaps I'll make a better thirty-something. Looking forward to it.
And hey, later on in life I can take a page out of my mom's book. All I have to say about that is, "when the kids are away, grandma sure knows how to play." Rock on, mom. You deserve all the fun you're having.
Ah, those adventurous days after college. We had jobs, but no mortgages to pay. We were single and without kids, responsible only for ourselves. It was easy to pack up a car, drive 5 hours to visit friends, stay a day or two, and come right back. Gatherings were at bars, clubs, and fine dining restaurants and it was exciting to try new places, dress up, and just enjoy each other's company.
Although, I remember how scared I was turning 25. My good friends told me to "suck it up, it's not that bad." I think I just had this notion that I should have had my life pulled together by the time I was 25. I have since learned that I will be 80 and still telling myself that I need to pull my life together.
Fast forward 5 years later and I'm running after a toddler who thought it was funny to rub her lunch into the couch. I wear clothes that are comfortable and washable, my hair is developing this nest like formation in the back where I never seem to have time to brush, and the next thing on my to-do list is to wash a million, colorful plastic cups and dishes. Whoa. A total flip-flop from 5 years ago.
I don't regret what my life has become. It just happened, and I'm okay with that. I don't think I was a very good twenty-something anyway. I just wasn't that "live it up" type. Perhaps I'll make a better thirty-something. Looking forward to it.
And hey, later on in life I can take a page out of my mom's book. All I have to say about that is, "when the kids are away, grandma sure knows how to play." Rock on, mom. You deserve all the fun you're having.
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