oftenly versing

Yes, I'm a bit of a self-proclaimed word-nazi (for lack of a better word!).  But in my defense, I know much stricter (and more knowledgeable!) word-nazi's than myself.

I try to gently correct Josh and Aves when they say things incorrectly (e.g. writed), but I quite enjoy the learning process that comes with discovering new words and explaining why words are pronounced the way they are.

Recently, I noticed that my strictness is somewhat selective.  A good example is the word versus.  Josh has turned it into a verb and uses it to say things like 'Today, the red team was versing the blue team.'.  I corrected him once, but then I realized that I smiled each time he said it because it is an interesting derivation from the word versus.  I find that I don't correct him anymore when he says it.

The other day, I heard him say the word oftenly.  ("I do it oftenly because...blah, blah, blah.")  Again, I found that I didn't want to correct him.  I liked the word!  Ha.

So, even though I will continue to cringe when I hear the word 'orientated' instead of 'oriented' (yes, I know it's acceptable!) and 'real' instead of 'really' and 'I says' instead of 'I said', apparently, I'm ok if I hear 'versing' and 'oftenly'.  Now, if he is 18 and still saying either, I wonder if I will be still be ok with it...

tu parles français!

Knight? Bishop? Heaven forbid a pawn!

I remember a few years back when we were trying to make the decision to put Josh in EFI (early french immersion).  Much like deciding to hold him back a year, it was a very 'heavy' decision to make.  Man, it feels like decision-making goes to a whole new stress level when you are doing it for this little person who can't make the decision themselves and you have to decide what's best for them!  You try to weigh all the pros and cons but mostly, you're just crossing your fingers and praying.

I've seen many outcomes from these decisions.  Mostly good, but some have caused doubt.  Last week, though, we had our most rewarding experience for deciding to commit our kids to EFI.  I'm not sure what has caused Josh to fully embrace french immersion this year, but I'm constantly feeling like I need to hug Mme. D, Josh's Grade 2 teacher.  I can't say enough good things about how amazing a teacher she is!

Between that and having 2 years of french immersion under his belt, Josh's french is flourishing.  So, last week, the kids were having some quiet play time after dinner.  Josh had re-introduced himself to his Star Wars Lego after a brief hiatus.  He had all sorts of ships and mini figs strewn across the floor.  I was sitting at the dinner table nearby, sorting mail or something.  I slowed down momentarily to focus on Josh's play.  When I listened closely to what he had his mini figs saying to each other, that's when I noticed it.  Josh was playing en français.  Wow.  I was floored.  It took everything I had not to reach down and hug him.

Bravo, mon petit!  C'est formidable!

"babysitting"

Playing on the beach, Deception Pass, June 2014

It's amazing how conversations like this will still catch me off guard:

A: Mommy, what does a babysitter do?

Y: (huh?!) Well, when moms and dads have to go out and the kids can't come, they will get a baby sitter to come and do the things with the kids that Mom & Dad would do.

A: Like feeding them and getting them ready for bed?

Y: Yes :-)

A: Can kids go when people get married? (...and then getting to the point before I can answer...) Did Josh have a babysitter when you and daddy got married so you could have me?

Y: (bwahahaha!) Sweetie, Mom & Dad only got married once and it was before we had you and Josh. You don't get married each time you have a baby, you get married before you have all your babies (yes, I'm giving her the uncomplicated leave-it-to-beaver version!).

A: (not sure why I didn't see this coming) Well then how do you make babies?!

Sigh.  Mom had no answer but to say "I'll explain when you're older"!

move over, mom, there's a new coconutwoman in town!

The kid's first trip to NYC.  Apparently, making rabbit
ears in photos makes Times Square more fun!

(mostly only my family will get that title)

We've had a blast spending the past couple of weeks in NY and NJ, visiting family and friends (we head home tomorrow).  The last few days, we've been staying with S&B at their new house near Seton Hall University.

Today, the kids and I were walking past the university on our way back from a local park.  Josh asked what a university was and I tried to explain (something about where the big kids go after high school because they want to learn more and try to get "better" jobs; to give him a frame of reference for age, I said his cousin, L, was going to a university in September).

J: Mom, I'm going to go to university so I can open a coconut shop for you! (Josh knows I love coconuts.)
Y: Wow!  That sounds so awesome!  What would you sell?  Just coconuts?
J: No, I'd sell things like coconut cake, coconut cupcakes, coconut ice cream, coconut milk...stuff like that.
Y: Yum! If you open a coconut shop, I'd like to work there.
J: (lots of hesitation) Well, ummm...I'm going to have younger people working there.
Y: Oh, you mean like L's age?
J: (more hesitation) Well, ummm...not really. (pause) Mom, you know when you work in the shop you can't eat the food?
Y: (Now I get it!) If someone works there and pays for their food, can't they eat it?  And would you give them a discount because they work there?
J: (giggles) I guess, and I'd pay them too!

Ha.  It's a relief to know that he plans on paying them and, fwiw, I neglected to mention that he doesn't really need to go to university to open a coconut shop :-P

our own worst critic

Josh called me over while he was on the toilet tonight. I stood at the bathroom door:

J: How come your bathroom and Miss Tess' bathroom have fans but ours doesn't have a fan?

Y: Because our house was built in the 'olden' days. This bathroom was built back then and they didn't put fans in bathrooms. They used that window for ventilation. Daddy built our bathroom and Miss Tess' bathroom, so he put fans in them.

J: So. Our house is old?

Y: Yes, our house is 80 years old.

J: Oh. Our house is from the olden days!

Y: Well, Daddy fixed up a lot of the house, so some of it is new and some of it is old.

(I love it when I can tell the wheels are spinning but I have no idea what's going to come out. At this point, the wheels are definitely spinning!)

J: Mom...(starts to say something but pauses to rephrase) I really like the decisions you made for the inside of the house...(you know there's a but coming)

...but the outside needs a paint job.

Ha. Guess who just volunteered for paint duty this summer?!

mommy, my birthday party is today!

This is what Aves said to me in the moment she woke up on the day of her 5th birthday party.  She was SO excited for her party this year. (and I forgot to post this!)

A few months ago, when she started planning (!!), she said she wanted a Build-A-Bear party.  Great.  Part of me felt it was a tad indulgent, but part of me felt that Aves deserved it.  She loves to go into the store and look at all the stuffies; she watches them get made for other kids.  She has never asked for one.

So, I was ready to have a Build-A-Bear party.  Then, Aves went to her best friend W's birthday party.  He had it at home.  From that day on, Aves said she wanted her birthday party at home.  Ha.  All of a sudden, the Build-A-Bear party was sounding more and more ideal!

This is the first time that either of the kids asked to have their party at home.  I've been perfectly happy having parties out of the house.  No work, no mess, no planning.  Perfect.  Clearly, Aves likes to keep me challenged.

As chaotic as the party was and as unprepared as I was for it, I think Aves had a blast.  And that's all that really counts.  Usually, Aves is pretty stuck to me.  If she's not always at my side, then she will check back with me about every 5 minutes.  I'm pretty sure she only came up to me a couple of times during the party.  Yup, she had a blast.

Party aside, Aves' 5th birthday has felt like a pretty big deal to me.  One of my girlfriends said that she remembered the day that Aves was born.  It was the first time she held a baby that small.  She spent the night with me in the hospital because I wanted Brian to stay with Josh.  She said she remembers the day like it was yesterday.  Of course, I remember it too.  And I can't believe that it was 5 years ago.

I can't believe that my baby is 5 years old!

Because she is girl, I find that I compare myself to her.  In so many ways, I see how she's just like me.  She is stubborn, cautious when it comes to physical activity and not afraid to say how she feels or show emotion.  She also has a very day-dreamy side to her.  But in so many other ways, I see how she is so much wiser than I was at her age.  I just can't believe her level of comprehension sometimes!  She will take what she has learned in one scenario and apply it to a completely different scenario.

This past school year, Aves did a year of pre-school.  She will be going into Kindergarten in September.  I recall last September feeling like Aves was ready for Kindergarten at that time!  I'm sure this was partly a proud mommy, but it was also based on experiences with Josh and understanding the expectations of Kindergarten.  (Aves just loves to learn.  Her big thing right now is reading.  She loves to read everything - street signs, shop signs, words painted on the road, words on people's clothes.)

Aves' pre-school had a parent-teacher meeting in January to discuss the kids' progress.  I mentioned that I have no concerns about Aves' progress in school and I'm pretty sure she is ready for Kindergarten.  Aves' pre-school teacher replied with "Aves was ready for Kindergarten last September!".  Phew.  It's not just me!

You are amazing, little girl!  We love you SO much.  Happy 5th Birthday, Aves!

...and back

Aves went into the face painting booth wanting
a butterfly and she came out as a clown
because she wanted "to make Josh laugh".
Love this kid!

Josh and Aves' Nana likes to tell them that she loves them 'to the moon and back'.  It always makes the kids smile to think their Nana loves them THAT much.

Tonight, I was tucking the kids into bed.  The kids went through their usual stalling dance where they call "Mommy" as I'm headed out the door.

"Mommy, you forgot to give me a hug."

"Mommy, can you rub my back?"

"Mommy, can you sing me a song?"

"Mommy, are you going to bed now too?"

"Mommy, I'll see you in the morning."

This was the dance with Aves tonight:

A: Mommy, wait!
Y: (Wearing my patient voice.) Yes, Aves?
A: I love you so, so, so, so, so, so much.
Y: I love you so, so, so, so, so, so much too, Aves.
A: Do you know how much I love you, Mommy?
Y: (sighing) How much do you love me, Aves?
A: I love you...to the...to the...
(I see her trying to figure out just how much she loves me.)
A: I love you to the wall and back! (She's pointing at the wall about 6 inches from her finger.)

Wow, Aves.  I'm feeling the love.  Ha.  FWIW, she got a big laugh from both Josh and I.