Before I get down to baby brass tacks, I've got a general PSA to make. This will be the last public post that I make. I've truly enjoyed keeping the blog over the past several years, but due to personal reasons, I am going to move the blog to a private setting starting next week. Still, I'm going to keep writing about the kids and our adventures, and if you'd like to keep up with their childhood antics, get in touch with me and I'll consider the request.
In any case, the week was pretty great in spite of it all. Jack and Nora never cease to amaze me. Jack has been acting out at school and so I've been pretty focused on his behavior as of late. It's very difficult learning how to speak "Jack" but I think I'm getting the hang of it. He knows the "right" answer to give when I quiz him about his behavior, but doesn't know how to respond in context. For example, last week I had to talk to him several times about his actions at school. Conversation as follows:
Me: What made you hit Jacob?
Jack: 'Cause it's not nice.
Me: You're right - it's not nice to hit people, but why did you hit Jacob?
Jack: 'Cause it's not nice to hit people.
And so on and so forth - repeat for infinity. He doesn't understand the "why" part of explaining himself. So, after talking this over with his teachers, I realized that its more appropriate to question his feelings versus his motivations. I've written before that, every time I pick Jack up from school and ask about his day, he gives me a run-down of the behavior of each of his classmates. Now, when we get to an altercation involving his behavior, I've started asking him what made him sad or angry enough to act out. And it's finally working. I've also come to understand that Jack just isn't mature enough to understand the complexity of his feelings and, as a result, acts out physically. So now, the conversation goes like this:
Me: So, you hit Jacob, huh? Were you angry or sad when you hit Jacob?
Jack: Sad.
Me: Well, buddy, it's okay to feel sad but we can't hit other friends when we feel that way. What made you so sad that you had to hit Jacob?
Jack: Jacob took my toy and pushed me down.
He's just about the most honest kid out there too - he'll readily admit if he's hit or pushed one of his friends. He got bit last week. The vampire-instigator told the teachers that he bit because Jack kicked him. Jack started getting all amped up because he did not, in fact, kick said vampire, but rather said vampire tried to take away a toy and Jack wouldn't let him. Which Jack apparently explained in detail. In any case, I'm working on things and that's about all I can do at this point. I will say that I think he's getting better at voicing his emotions even if the sassy factor is upped considerably. He's also learning how to "take a break" by grabbing something to play with and going to spend some time by himself - good life lesson, I think.
The "summer school" session has also started for the kids at school. They have on-site field trips every week. This past field trip involved a magician - and a rabbit. The bunny must have made a pretty big impression because every now and then, Jack will stop and start talking about the bunny rabbit. It took me a while to connect the dots, but then his teacher sent me this picture a few days after that magician field trip:
Nora remains the most wonderful little girl on the planet. She loves to explore - and has her favorite "spots" around the house to get in trouble. While I'm getting brushing Jack's teeth, she'll sit in the bathroom with us and pull everything out from underneath the bathroom sink. When I'm getting Jack changed, she likes to pull out the books on his shelf. If I'm cooking in the kitchen, she loves to pull things out of the refrigerator or pantry and she loves the Tupperware cupboard. Nora is also learning how to climb and she thinks its the best thing in the world to do stuff with her big brother.
She loves bath time with him and she soaks up any attention he pays her. Jack wrestles with her - and she thinks this is really fun until he dumps her on her head. She follows him around the house like a shadow and really wants to be a part of anything he's doing.
I've also managed to catch her taking a few steps here and there and, honestly, I think she just needs to get up the courage because I know she could master walking if she tried.
In any case, my parents came up with pizza on Friday night. My dad was able to put Nora to bed while I ate dinner and then we all piled on the couches in the living room to watch Frozen for the millionth time. Jack snuggled with Boppa on the couch for a bit before grabbing the blanket and coming over to cover me up. He climbed up with me and told me I needed a good snuggle. He melts my heart, that one does. My sweet little man. One of my girlfriends came over on Saturday for coffee and I spent the rest of the day cleaning the house, doing the laundry and going shopping. Yesterday, the kids and I went to church and then, we went over to Nana and Boppa's for playtime and dinner. My grandpa made some ribs on the grill. I love a summer BBQ. My sister and her kids came over as well. Nana filled up the water toys and I ended up taking both kids home in their undies.
I've also started planning Nora's first birthday party - it's kind of sneaking up on me. Rather, I should say that Auntie and Nana are planning her party. I just have to bring the cake and the guest of honor.
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