Ever Play Shadow

I'm sure everyone remembers asking someone or being asked to play 'shadow.' There may be different names of the game, but you ask someone if they want to play shadow and repeat everything they say, basically just to annoy someone.

Today I tried to teach my little guy to play, we were at home just being silly and I asked him if he wanted to play and then continued to repeat anything he said, "I like the ninja turtles, Mommy what are you doing, no what are you doing, I just asked YOU that." He started to giggle and laugh, it was contagious. After we composed ourselves just a little I explained the rule - once you ask someone if they want to play, you repeat everything.

It worked as long as I didn't ask him a question, because instead of repeating he answered each question. It was so sweet and cute that I couldn't help but laugh, which again is contagious. I told him he'd have to try to play with daddy.

When daddy got home, he tried so hard to play without answering when his dad said, "what's shadow?"

Instead he looked right at me and said, "mom can you explain the rule?!" Questions seem to throw him off.

I think we need some more practice; however, one day I feel I'll regret teaching the game to a four-year-old that talks non-stop anyway.

Gender Cupcake

When we found out we'd be having another child, everyone in our immediate family was absolutely ecstatic, yes my husband, our son and myself. My husband and I had tried for a really long time, maybe more on that at another time, but we were just thrilled. We had kept the announcement quiet for quite a while and that included an extremely talkative four-year-old little boy keeping a secret. To make our pregnancy announcement we waited until Thanksgiving and had our son wear a 'Only Child Expiring June 2013' shirt.

Now because it's been over four years of our son being an only child we decided early that we would try to focus on including him in every announcement and trying to make him a central point in everything, which I'm sure a ton of parents do.

One of those big moments for us is finding out the gender of the baby - I think that the people who keep it a surprise are amazing but I could never go that long without knowing. I just don't want to. Anyway, I do love Pinterest so I had looked at a ton of gender reveal party ideas and different ways to announce the gender but instead of inviting everyone and having a party I thought it would be great for our little guy to tell us if he's getting a little brother or a little sister. Plus my husband didn't know if people would travel all the way to our place just to know if it's a boy or girl. Okay, so let's get one cupcake filled with pink or blue icing for the soon-to-be big brother.

Just a little side note - I stopped at the bakery at Giant Eagle, explained what I was hoping to order and after they looked at me like I had completely lost my mind, I was told they don't fill cupcakes, and they don't fill with different colored icing. Okay so on to bakery #2, oh forget that because they had closed for an extended period of time. Now my son is getting a little disappointed because he was hoping to get a cookie or donut or at least something. Instead of driving all over I thought maybe it would be best to call bakeries; the third bakery, Bartram House Bakery, were so pleasant and nice and more than willing to create a special cupcake. They also have a great assortment of other pastries and cookies. :)

After the ultrasound appointment, getting the gender written on a paper that was sealed in an envelope and delivered to the bakery, we waited. Almost 24 hours. Actually we were supposed to wait until daddy got home from work but he had called at lunchtime so with a crazy loving chocolate kid that desperately wanted to eat his cupcake and a mommy and daddy that weren't exactly patient we stayed on the phone while the little guy took a bite out of his cupcake.

Valentine's Day School Party

I've been scouring Pinterest for great game ideas to have at the Preschool Valentine's Day Party and there are some really fun ideas but these are preschoolers and b-i-n-g-o is out! I really liked the idea of shooting Nerf darts at hearts or balloons and while I think the kids may have a blast doing this, I'm pretty sure the teachers and principal may not be so keen on this idea for obvious reasons.

I'm a homeroom mom so I'm in charge of finding the volunteers and asking the parents to bring in the snacks, ideas and crafts. I have to say out of the 15 kids in the class, 14 of the parents are absolutely involved and willing to help. Our class and I really lucked out, I know a lot of homeroom moms that aren't so fortunate.

For this party the menu needs to be vanilla ice cream, fresh strawberries, blueberries, bananas, light whipped cream and water. We aren't allowed to bring in syrups or sprinkles but they get ice cream!!! As for the valentines, well the kids aren't allowed to bring any type of food to distribute but I'm thinking that's becoming the 'normal' thing throughout many school parties which is just fine with me and my little guy. He likes the pencils, books, crayons and stuff much more than the snacks.

Anyway the harder part of the party instructions ... the craft and the two games. The craft I think is much easier - kids love to paint, play with play dough and make things with stickers but as far as the games, I'm stuck in a rut. I want to have something fun, make them move and not be too difficult to learn in a short amount of time. I'm open to suggestions and help is appreciated. Thanks!

Baseball Ready

Sign ups are in a month for spring/summer baseball and because we are all excited we went shopping for a batting helmet and batting gloves. I think these may be the cutest and smallest little boy batting gloves I have ever seen. Now we just will need to get the spikes and bat and ... sign up!

Pre-K All the Way

Yesterday was the very first day of Pre-K ... and just so we are clear from the beginning, no I was not on the crying mom’s list however, I wasn’t on the happy mom list either. Bittersweet. 

The Friday before the start of school, parents and kids were asked to come in to meet the teacher, play with new classmates and decorate the lockers. Yes, you read that right, decorate the locker. 

We were surrounded by pink and Hello Kitty things while my little guy put up dinosaur decals and magnets on the inside of his door. Nap mats get hung up, spare clothes go on top, backpack will go on the hook and lunches will go on the bottom (so the little guy can reach). 

Forward to Monday, we arrive and make sure everything is in it’s place within the locker and walk into the classroom. My son, told me he was going to go play and off he ran, no hug, no sad looks, no worries. I am extremely happy that he was so comfortable to be independent, I’ve been a stay at home mom for the last couple of months, but I can say a small part of me desperately wanted a little hug. You may wonder why I didn’t walk over to him and give him a small hug but I thought it may signal to him that I was leaving him all day or maybe the bigger reason, I may get tears in my eyes. No one needed that. 

Throughout the day I wondered what he was doing, if he was making new friends, all the normal stuff that goes through a parent’s head. 

I was 20 minutes early for pick-up...just in case. After the excruciating time of waiting, the little guy came out, arms crossed trying his hardest to have a grumpy look on his face. I did the normal thing and asked how school was, the teacher telling me he did really well, noticing the two good behavior stamps on each hand, so why was he trying to act like he didn’t enjoy himself. Leaning down I asked him what’s wrong and he is as serious as can be and said “they didn’t let me play.” Keep in mind they had 20 minutes of playground recess.

I played 20 questions with him on the ride home asking all about school. When I ran of out questions, he asked me to ask him more. He talked to both my mom and dad telling them all about school, who he talked to, about his teacher, what he had for lunch, etc. Then when Dad got home, he talked about it all again. As I was tucking him in for bed later Monday night, we hugged, we prayed and he whispered “mom, I really like school, when can I go again.” 

He goes Wednesday.