I know I've already shared our tactic to get Easton involved in our family prayers. So tonight again we engaged in our eeny-meeny-miney-moe game, but to Easton's surprise, it ended on him despite his own engineering! A regular meltdown ensued and we had to coax and comfort him once again into saying the prayer and what he might want to speak to Heavenly Father about tonight. Needless to say, with such focus on Easton most of the time for this ritual, we haven't quite zeroed in on McKay's prayer behavior yet. It was very evident tonight as Ryan and I both lost it in fits of giggles over McKay while Easton earnestly said his prayer seemingly oblivious to the mayhem.
I'm sure you understand we were laughing our heads off at McKay so you're probably wondering what he was doing, eh? We're gettin' there, I promise! As we knelt in prayer together we invited McKay to join us as always, but he didn't really take us up on the offer. (We don't make him kneel w/ us yet so he won't associate being forced to do something with saying prayers - it's a parenting tactic we're working on learning when and how to use. Thank goodness we get to try all sorts of tactics when they're young and don't remember, right?!)
Anyhow, so we're kneeling and Easton's saying the prayer! I hear McKay nearby and he starts playing Duck, Duck Goose with us all heads bowed and kneeling. He hollers Goose! and takes off toward the front door with gusto. Ryan lost it first and just couldn't recover! I lost it hearing Ryan bust up and not being able to compose himself!
Before the prayer, we'd all been pretty rowdy hollering and wrestling. It's pretty much one of our other evening rituals with the boys. McKay's new favorite game is to "ROAR" and be roared at! Ryan can really let it go and for some reason lots of kids love having someone roar REAL loud right in their face. My boys love this game and it has been discovered that most nursery age kids really do too!
During this play, McKay really got Ryan going in fits of laughter because McKay would get right in Ryan's face and sometimes just plant a big kiss, grabbing Ryan's face and pulling him into it even. This kid kills us! He is one big love bug! I got thinking about this part of him today because he loves to just press in close cheek to cheek and stay there! He was doing it today at church as he watched some of our friends' kids sitting behind us and I just loved it up!
We love our McKay for the sheer joy he brings, even just with his smiling eyes and a big grin! It's just so fun to see his personality really developing as he tries new things on us!
Sunday, February 24
Tuesday, February 19
Cars, Basements, and Growth Spurts!
As I write, the boys each have their Matchbox cars of Lightning McQueen on their "race track". Our townhome has a low separation wall between the dining and living rooms which Easton calls his race track. McKay can't reach it unless he stands on the couch, so he has his designated end of the "track." Easton runs back and forth and tonight they're playing "Ghostlight" from the Cars movie where Mater is scared of the prank Ghostlight.
The boys are in an intense car phase right now. A real welcome recent change of pace. They each must have their own Lightning McQueen at all times. I insist they leave them in the car when we go places but they cry if we have to leave them at the house. McKay is the more vocal objector leaving his car at home. Easton has to have the Lightning with no "ouchies" or scratch marks, but the rough way he hurdles them across the floor means neither are winning any beauty contests soon!
I actually really enjoy this phase because they're actively playing together and engaging in imaginary play. Much better than the whining for a cartoon or computer game! We all know that's huge! And such a welcome activity in the midst of winter when playing outside can't happen enough! Easton can play forever this way, but McKay usually upgrades to his hummers because he can run atop/behind them making their windup sound.
A couple weeks ago we moved the TV downstairs. It amazes me that the boys quickly figured out how to make it their own down there. I'm a bit conflicted about it, actually. The first week it was down there, Easton would wake up early each morning to play with the remote and figure it all out. Such is his way we've figured out! He liked to play the games on the bonus dvds. I am soooo not a video gamer so have very little appreciation for it. I hate how my body tenses up when I even watch someone play. I am so easily frustrated by all the buttons that 2 yr olds understand more than me! Perhaps I never gave them a chance, but it's just never been my thing.
At this point in my writing, the boys have headed downstairs and I can hear "The Incredibles" playing. Since moving the tv down there, for the first time ever, the boys will both just head downstairs when asked to go play. McKay has been heading down alone for months now just to play with the toys and especially since Christmas with the new train set. Easton knows how to put a dvd on of his choosing (which he actually prefers the previews to the actual movies). But then they just play down there with the movie on in the background til they get tuckered out. McKay plays with just about everything like its his own circuit gym - the GeoTrax train system, the mega blocks, the Little People farm and garage while Easton's more about the swivel office chair, jumping off or hiding behind the couch, and kid house and tunnels. They entertain themselves so well for so long, it's really quite easy for me to get a lot done, but too easy to forget to engage them. Oh yes, and it usually takes at least a half hour before a fight ever happens, if it does at all! I should just enjoy this new guilty pleasure and be grateful, right?
For the past few months, McKay is really into light switches and doors which he can now reach for the most part. He can't quite open the doors yet, but he sure practices daily and my favorite is when he moves a stool over in front of the door and is able to open it. However, he's then screaming in frustration because his stool is blocking his getaway! The best was when he first started moving things to stand on to reach stuff. He would even take a little book over to the light switch, stand on it, and be upset because he still couldn't quite reach the switch. As if standing on anything would miraculously help him reach. He now understands heights a bit better.
McKay loves to stretch up to close the door to the basement and put on a "good bye" show. He'll say bye-by, ciao!, wuv you, see ya, 'eek-a-woo (peek a boo) and anything else with a wave before shutting the door but you must be paying attention to the whole show or he'll get a bit upset with you. If you give him too much attention, the show starts over and over with mock door closings. What a character! McKay is really into conversating lately. He'll jabber on a whole sentence or two to tell you something, complete with all the adorable facial expressions that show he means what he says! Easton has finally accepted that we don't have to understand McKay's jabbering, but we have to acknowledge him and act like we do.
The past few weeks have been what I call a prep for a growth spurt. Easton, primarily, has been hungry all day long and will eat just about anything until dinner where he's more picky. Last week, for instance, he got the 1 lb bag of carrots out of the fridge and took it downstairs while he watched a movie during quiet time. He polished off the entire bag! I don't know if carrot overdose is a problem, anyone know? I'd taken a bag of carrots to Stake Conference as part of my bag of tricks to keep them entertained during a longer meeting. Easton ate the entire baggie of carrots, a baggie of Cheerios, quite a bit of water, and was still hungry! Aaack! The boys also clamor for apples and oranges during the day too. We've been kinda winding down the last couple days with the intense eating - thank goodness!
We discovered that Easton likes his eggs better like Dad's - sunny side up a little runny, rather than scrambled like me. McKay will eat them either way, but he prefers the bacon! We have to hold the bacon on reserve til they've eaten most of the eggs, otherwise it's all about the bacon and eggs don't get touched. We've had quite a lot of eggs around here lately while Ryan did his South Beach diet for a bit. He's thinking of doing the Country Music marathon in Nashville at the end of April with a friend. So I guess he's been bit by the marathon bug. He says it's just temporary til his body gives out, but we'll see!
The boys are in an intense car phase right now. A real welcome recent change of pace. They each must have their own Lightning McQueen at all times. I insist they leave them in the car when we go places but they cry if we have to leave them at the house. McKay is the more vocal objector leaving his car at home. Easton has to have the Lightning with no "ouchies" or scratch marks, but the rough way he hurdles them across the floor means neither are winning any beauty contests soon!
I actually really enjoy this phase because they're actively playing together and engaging in imaginary play. Much better than the whining for a cartoon or computer game! We all know that's huge! And such a welcome activity in the midst of winter when playing outside can't happen enough! Easton can play forever this way, but McKay usually upgrades to his hummers because he can run atop/behind them making their windup sound.
A couple weeks ago we moved the TV downstairs. It amazes me that the boys quickly figured out how to make it their own down there. I'm a bit conflicted about it, actually. The first week it was down there, Easton would wake up early each morning to play with the remote and figure it all out. Such is his way we've figured out! He liked to play the games on the bonus dvds. I am soooo not a video gamer so have very little appreciation for it. I hate how my body tenses up when I even watch someone play. I am so easily frustrated by all the buttons that 2 yr olds understand more than me! Perhaps I never gave them a chance, but it's just never been my thing.
At this point in my writing, the boys have headed downstairs and I can hear "The Incredibles" playing. Since moving the tv down there, for the first time ever, the boys will both just head downstairs when asked to go play. McKay has been heading down alone for months now just to play with the toys and especially since Christmas with the new train set. Easton knows how to put a dvd on of his choosing (which he actually prefers the previews to the actual movies). But then they just play down there with the movie on in the background til they get tuckered out. McKay plays with just about everything like its his own circuit gym - the GeoTrax train system, the mega blocks, the Little People farm and garage while Easton's more about the swivel office chair, jumping off or hiding behind the couch, and kid house and tunnels. They entertain themselves so well for so long, it's really quite easy for me to get a lot done, but too easy to forget to engage them. Oh yes, and it usually takes at least a half hour before a fight ever happens, if it does at all! I should just enjoy this new guilty pleasure and be grateful, right?
For the past few months, McKay is really into light switches and doors which he can now reach for the most part. He can't quite open the doors yet, but he sure practices daily and my favorite is when he moves a stool over in front of the door and is able to open it. However, he's then screaming in frustration because his stool is blocking his getaway! The best was when he first started moving things to stand on to reach stuff. He would even take a little book over to the light switch, stand on it, and be upset because he still couldn't quite reach the switch. As if standing on anything would miraculously help him reach. He now understands heights a bit better.
McKay loves to stretch up to close the door to the basement and put on a "good bye" show. He'll say bye-by, ciao!, wuv you, see ya, 'eek-a-woo (peek a boo) and anything else with a wave before shutting the door but you must be paying attention to the whole show or he'll get a bit upset with you. If you give him too much attention, the show starts over and over with mock door closings. What a character! McKay is really into conversating lately. He'll jabber on a whole sentence or two to tell you something, complete with all the adorable facial expressions that show he means what he says! Easton has finally accepted that we don't have to understand McKay's jabbering, but we have to acknowledge him and act like we do.
The past few weeks have been what I call a prep for a growth spurt. Easton, primarily, has been hungry all day long and will eat just about anything until dinner where he's more picky. Last week, for instance, he got the 1 lb bag of carrots out of the fridge and took it downstairs while he watched a movie during quiet time. He polished off the entire bag! I don't know if carrot overdose is a problem, anyone know? I'd taken a bag of carrots to Stake Conference as part of my bag of tricks to keep them entertained during a longer meeting. Easton ate the entire baggie of carrots, a baggie of Cheerios, quite a bit of water, and was still hungry! Aaack! The boys also clamor for apples and oranges during the day too. We've been kinda winding down the last couple days with the intense eating - thank goodness!
We discovered that Easton likes his eggs better like Dad's - sunny side up a little runny, rather than scrambled like me. McKay will eat them either way, but he prefers the bacon! We have to hold the bacon on reserve til they've eaten most of the eggs, otherwise it's all about the bacon and eggs don't get touched. We've had quite a lot of eggs around here lately while Ryan did his South Beach diet for a bit. He's thinking of doing the Country Music marathon in Nashville at the end of April with a friend. So I guess he's been bit by the marathon bug. He says it's just temporary til his body gives out, but we'll see!
Tuesday, February 5
Introducing The Flying Oatmeal!
No this isn't another post about McKay and flying breakfast foods being banned from our kitchen. McKay is past that lovely phase - HALLELUJAH!
Easton is the star of this post! For Christmas, my mom sent Easton a great little book, "The Super Hero Starter Kit: Saving the World Made Simple." For weeks now, whenever I've asked Easton if we could read the book and make him a super hero, he'd say, "I'm not ready for that yet." What???!!! Well, today happened to be the day!
The book is a step-by-step guide on wearing capes, masks, and wrist guards (all provided w/ the book) followed by creating your name/identity, emblem, and learning the do's & don'ts of being a super hero. It was pretty darn cute! I was quite surprised by Easton's exactness and "style" sensitivity. He chose the most superhero-ish mask, emblem, and wrist guards that all matched and looked quite Captain America!
Easton's favorite part of the book was the Do's and Dont's lists. He literally couldn't stop giggling over the "Don't tuck your cape into your underwear. Let it FLOW!" He even had Ryan read that one again tonight close to bedtime while laughing his head off! A close second, "Don't sneeze into your cape - it's just gross!"
When we got to the part about choosing your identity, Easton was actually quite quick to choose his name! After watching "The Incredibles" over and over in the past few months, when Easton felt like being a super hero, he'd start to refer to himself as Super Easton and I was Super Mommy . . . so I was a little surprised when Easton chose "The Flying Oatmeal" for his super identity.Where did that come from? Thank you Noggin, Moose A. Moose, and the power of suggestion! Easton loves cartoons. His favorite cartoon channel is Noggin and part of the reason he likes it is the cute little seasonal songs Moose A. Moose sings. For instance, the Moose sang a cute ditty at Christmas where all the Moose wanted for Christmas was a candy cane. So what did Easton want for Christmas? A train like his friend Owen's and a candy cane! The power of suggestion!
For the past few weeks Easton has suggested Oatmeal for every meal when asked what he wants. Since the suggestion was out of the blue, I should have clued in. When I've made oatmeal for breakfast, he cries and whines that he doesn't like it?! Needless to say, I've been quite confused! Because of the persistent nature of his requests, I've figured out the Moose must have sung a song about it. Anyone heard it to back me up? Easton does love Cream of Wheat and will down a couple bowls of it so I think that's where we'll go with that end. But oatmeal? Thanks a lot Moose A. Moose!
After the post-dinner spastic energy kick (do your kids do that too?), Easton started to complain his ankle hurt. Ryan said, "Maybe a cookie will help it feel better."
Easton, in a very pitiful pouty voice,"Okay, I want a cookie right now."
After the cookie, Easton looked at me very seriously and said, "Mom, I think the cookie worked." That's my boy! (It didn't work really, he still couldn't run on it tonight which I'm pretty sure is due to his crazy jumps/hard falls from his super hero stunts.)
Now lest you think I'm a real super mom, I have a confession to make. These activities were more an attempt to stave off feelings of not-so-stellar mothering/homefront executive. I often find it exasperating that I have to choose hourly between having a clean house running like a tight ship or being a fun, engaging mom to my boys. Yesterday I did neither! I indulged in watching all the Saturday coverage of Pres Hinckley's funeral and the Monday press conference announcing the new prophet and First Presidency - don't forget those LDS pundits now! Who knew?! Loved it all, cried lots, and topped it off with a PBS Jane Austen movie. And what did I eat? Even better! Cool Ranch Doritos and leftover Texas Sheet Cake - now that's a Monday! (Yes, I know it wasn't gluten-free, but a girl's gotta have a day off now and then!)
Easton is the star of this post! For Christmas, my mom sent Easton a great little book, "The Super Hero Starter Kit: Saving the World Made Simple." For weeks now, whenever I've asked Easton if we could read the book and make him a super hero, he'd say, "I'm not ready for that yet." What???!!! Well, today happened to be the day!
The book is a step-by-step guide on wearing capes, masks, and wrist guards (all provided w/ the book) followed by creating your name/identity, emblem, and learning the do's & don'ts of being a super hero. It was pretty darn cute! I was quite surprised by Easton's exactness and "style" sensitivity. He chose the most superhero-ish mask, emblem, and wrist guards that all matched and looked quite Captain America!
Easton's favorite part of the book was the Do's and Dont's lists. He literally couldn't stop giggling over the "Don't tuck your cape into your underwear. Let it FLOW!" He even had Ryan read that one again tonight close to bedtime while laughing his head off! A close second, "Don't sneeze into your cape - it's just gross!"When we got to the part about choosing your identity, Easton was actually quite quick to choose his name! After watching "The Incredibles" over and over in the past few months, when Easton felt like being a super hero, he'd start to refer to himself as Super Easton and I was Super Mommy . . . so I was a little surprised when Easton chose "The Flying Oatmeal" for his super identity.Where did that come from? Thank you Noggin, Moose A. Moose, and the power of suggestion! Easton loves cartoons. His favorite cartoon channel is Noggin and part of the reason he likes it is the cute little seasonal songs Moose A. Moose sings. For instance, the Moose sang a cute ditty at Christmas where all the Moose wanted for Christmas was a candy cane. So what did Easton want for Christmas? A train like his friend Owen's and a candy cane! The power of suggestion!
For the past few weeks Easton has suggested Oatmeal for every meal when asked what he wants. Since the suggestion was out of the blue, I should have clued in. When I've made oatmeal for breakfast, he cries and whines that he doesn't like it?! Needless to say, I've been quite confused! Because of the persistent nature of his requests, I've figured out the Moose must have sung a song about it. Anyone heard it to back me up? Easton does love Cream of Wheat and will down a couple bowls of it so I think that's where we'll go with that end. But oatmeal? Thanks a lot Moose A. Moose!
After the post-dinner spastic energy kick (do your kids do that too?), Easton started to complain his ankle hurt. Ryan said, "Maybe a cookie will help it feel better."
Easton, in a very pitiful pouty voice,"Okay, I want a cookie right now."
After the cookie, Easton looked at me very seriously and said, "Mom, I think the cookie worked." That's my boy! (It didn't work really, he still couldn't run on it tonight which I'm pretty sure is due to his crazy jumps/hard falls from his super hero stunts.)
Now lest you think I'm a real super mom, I have a confession to make. These activities were more an attempt to stave off feelings of not-so-stellar mothering/homefront executive. I often find it exasperating that I have to choose hourly between having a clean house running like a tight ship or being a fun, engaging mom to my boys. Yesterday I did neither! I indulged in watching all the Saturday coverage of Pres Hinckley's funeral and the Monday press conference announcing the new prophet and First Presidency - don't forget those LDS pundits now! Who knew?! Loved it all, cried lots, and topped it off with a PBS Jane Austen movie. And what did I eat? Even better! Cool Ranch Doritos and leftover Texas Sheet Cake - now that's a Monday! (Yes, I know it wasn't gluten-free, but a girl's gotta have a day off now and then!)
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