Tuesday, December 25th, 2007
Santa made his round at our preschool last week.
The other day I asked the kids if they told Santa what they wanted for Christmas.
Sebastian beamed and said, “YES I did!”
“Did you sit on Santa’s lap?” “Yes,” came the excited reply.
“Fiona, did you sit on Santa’s lap and tell him what you want for Christmas?” “NO, I’m scared of Santa.”
o_0 If I was 2 years old and some dude with long white hair and a big belly wanted to carry me, I’d be scared to death too. Further examples that Santa can be very scary for 2-yr olds: just look here, here, and here. (Also? Remind me to tell you the story of how this guy insisted on giving me a hug so I locked myself in the bathroom for hours until he left)
“Yes he’s kind of scary isn’t he. He has a lot of white hair.”
Sebastian asked, “Why does he have so much hair? On his face too.”
“That’s called a beard. Some people have hair on their faces, like Baba does sometimes. And Santa always have a very long beard.”
Deep in thought, Sebastian asked, “Why does he have so much hair?”
Nanoseconds later, “WHERE is his mouth, and HOW does he eat?”
Good questions son. He eats when no one is looking, consuming mostly cookies and milk and then rushes away to other faraway places in his sleigh.
x x x x x
Merry Christmas everyone. May you always believe in the magic, even if Santa isn’t part of it.
Tuesday, November 27th, 2007
This post is all about our son Seb, who is a couple of months short of 4.5 years old.
Last week when I made oatmeal for breakfast, he protested and said, “Mama, I don’t want to eat oatmeal. It looks like poop.”
* * *
A song for your enjoyment. Sung to the tunes of… I have no idea what the official song title is. He was eating apples at the time, and started being silly:
“Apple apple what do you see?
I see a booboo* looking at me.
Booboo booboo what do you see?
I see a poopie** looking at me.
Poopie poopie what do you see?
I see a deedoo* looking at me.
Deedoo deedoo what do you see?
I see a peep looking at me.”
I’m not sure if he knows the actual meaning of peep, or if that’s just a coincidental word that he thinks rhymes. He LOVES rhyming; they have been doing a lot of that at preschool.
Speaking of rhyming… we were in the van (yes I have a van, and I love driving it), when he blurted out “truck… duck… muck… puck…” Luckily he didn’t say the F word.
* He likes to make up silly, funny, nonsense words. Oh may you always find humor in life and be happy.
** The boy is obsessed with potty mouth words, and thinks these types of words are absolutely hilarious. I suppose it is normal for his age?!
Tuesday, November 20th, 2007
Yesterday:
“Mama, I made a turkey at school! My turkey says gobble gobble!” — 26 month old Fiona, proudly showing me her creation immediately upon arriving home from preschool.
Today:
“We’re going to the grocery store. Who wants to go?” is met with silence.
“We’re going to buy a turkey!” I said with a tone of excitement.
“For meeeeeeee?” Fiona grinned and asked.
I hope she’s as enthused when the turkey is actually cooked and ready to be eaten, coz guess who’s the picky eater around here.
Thursday, November 8th, 2007
OMG I nearly missed the deadline.
From our 4 yr old:
“I love Baba. Do you know why?”
“Why?”
“Because he gives me cookies.”
***
Updated: That was not funny. I’m obviously sleep deprived. I posted today already, before I went to bed this morning. This would be my 2nd post of the day.
But what our son said WAS funny.
Tuesday, October 23rd, 2007
As told to me by Hubby.
This afternoon the kids were playing threading with their Baba. They both like to do things with their hands and threading beads is a perfect activity to keep them busy and occupied, not to mention it greatly helps with hand eye coordinations, fine motor skills and patience.
They were using this Haba Threading Beads set. It comes with 72 pieces (6 different shapes) and 3 long strings, just the perfect number of strings.
Things were going good, until they (Seb) decided it was too quiet…
Fiona “Look! This is a necklace,” proudly showing off her creation to Baba.
Seb “No, that’s a budoodah.” (he likes to make up words, and he also likes to aggravate little sister from time to time like a brother would, knowing this will definitely irritate her).
Fiona “NO! It’s a necklace!”
Seb “NO it’s a budoodah”
Fiona, now frustrated, screams “NOOOO! It’s a neck-LACE!”
Seb, smiling, fully aware of what he’s doing, “NO it’s a BUDOODAHHHH.”
Fiona CRYING/SCREAMING “NOOOOOO it’s a NECKLACE” and then proceeds to strike Seb with her hands, in an attempt to quiet him.
***
Glad I was not there doing the referee work. So when do siblings stop fighting like this?! Never?? SIGH.
Monday, October 22nd, 2007
This morning around 6a.m., our petite little Fiona tried to pull Hubby off the bed, without any success.
“Come on, I want gummy bear” is met with silence.
Seb enters the scene. He whispers to Fiona “Hi, what are you doing? Do you want gummy bears?”
“Yes.”
Seb says, “Gummy bears are all gone. Mama have to go buy some more.” (indeed, the gummy vitamins are all gone)
“I want gummy bear! Baba, come on!”
Seb, “I’ll help you. Let’s go get M&M’s.”
Both kids are SUPER SUPER early risers. They usually wake up between 5:30-6:30a.m. Every. Single. Day.
Wednesday, September 5th, 2007
Fiona went to her first day of preschool today. I think she did very well!
It was from 10:30 — 11:30 a.m., a required “introductory” period for TWO weeks, where the toddlers attend preschool for a mere ONE HOUR, instead of the regular 2:15 hours, personally I think it should be called “MESS WITH THE PARENTS’ SCHEDULE” period because really, what can I accomplish in ONE HOUR, do groceries? The grocery store is at least 10 minutes away. Run some other errands? Again, far away from most things. And there’s no free (rip-off) wi-fi in that area either, not with the weak signals this computer gets. I might bring a book.
Fiona had NO problem at all separating from us. She is rather independent and mature, and plays well by herself or within a group of children. Half of the kids in the class were crying and or screaming for their mommies when we dropped Fiona off. We’re very proud of her.
Speaking of being proud of her, she’s turning TWO tomorrow. Where did the time go?? Tonight as I was snuggling with her before bedtime, I told her it’s her birthday tomorrow. She lied there drinking her milk, and suddenly perked up and asked “where are my balloons?” 
She remembered big brother Sebastian’s birthday in July, and there were balloons.
Oh I think we could swing some balloons, just for you. And probably some presents and even a cake! Happy 2nd birthday our precious baby.
* * *
Sebastian did quite well at his first day of preschool too. His first day was Tuesday (also one hour long…)
Today the delivery man brought our first inventory shipment! Wheee!
Thursday, August 30th, 2007
Have I mention that BOTH kids are going to preschool very soon?! Like, NEXT WEEK. Seb attended preschool last year before we moved. Last year it took him nearly 2 months to get over the anxiety/fear and actually enjoy going to school. I anticipate something similar will happen with him as it will be a new school. Poor child, he has such problems making adjustments.
Also, Fiona will be attending the TWOS program. The first day of school is the day before her actual 2nd birthday. Hubby thinks it is too early to enroll her. However, you might think I’m biased here but I think she is extremely advanced for her age as she has an older sibling to learn from. Her large and fine motor skills are excellent as are her vocabularies and verbal skills. The girl can sing about 10 or 15 nursery rhymes!
As she is younger, and is less fearful / dependent than Seb, she might adjust very quickly. However, she is the type who internalizes a lot of her emotions and the type who sobs silent tears, with puppy watery eyes. Sad pitiful and just makes you want to hug and hold her and never letting go.
So yea. It will be a rather FUN (not) adjustment period in the next couple of weeks. I’m hopeful both of them will enjoy it immensely, once they get over the anxiety/fear/newness. Seb’s is 3 days while Fiona’s is 2 days per week. They will both be at the same preschool so hopefully that will help with logistics. The school is further away than we would like, but we registered late and all the ones close to our house are very full to the brim. I couldn’t believe how far down in the waiting list we are with some schools!
Can still remember the days when they spit up and smelled like a baby. Or when they first rolled over. Or when that first tooth poked through. Time flies by and they grow up so fast. Sigh.
Monday, August 20th, 2007
We were at the mall this evening, after having sushi dinner at a local restaurant (a late celebration for my birthday). It was not the worst sushi I’ve ever had, but it was far far from the best.
The men (Hubby and father-in-law) took care of the kids while my mother-in-law and I shopped. The men don’t like shopping, plus there are lots of places for the kids to play such as the play area, the train tables at certain stores, some toy stores etc etc.
So off we go. I soon found a pair of Str*de R*te shoes on sale! Size 6! And it was the last pair on the shelf. Fiona’s cheap p*yless shoes are rubbing her feet too much, and I’ve been meaning to buy her a new pair of good shoes. So I paid for the shoes without having her try it on. She was somewhere in the mall and I couldn’t be bothered looking for them and dragging her there to try it. Worst thing that can happen is if it doesn’t fit, I’d have to return it. So naturally, it does not fit her. It’s too small. Grrrrrr. Now I have to hunt for another pair of reasonably priced good shoes. Stop it - don’t laugh.
No matter. I’m not going to return it. It is going to my 5 month old niece as her Christmas present. I know she won’t be able to use it for probably another year or so, but returning it just does not make sense, especially since it was on such discount.
I grabbed the image from eb*y to show you what I’m talking about
Makes me wonder, how much was the actual manufacturing cost price?
When we finally met up with the rest of the group, I wanted Fiona to try the new shoes on. She excitedly kicked her cheap a*s shoes off and sat down on the floor, while Seb was standing on the sideline watching.
He leaned over and said matter-of-fact-ly to me:
“Mama, my feet are growing bigger.”
Oh my sweet darling boy. You and your sister shall get new shoes soon.
Saturday, June 2nd, 2007
The kids were watching me make watermelon juice with a blender. Why my children will not just eat watermelon like everyone else… I don’t know.
Staring at the blender for a while, Seb pipes up:” Mama, what happened to the watermelon?”
“It’s all crushed into juice (and pulp).”
“Why?”
“Because I put them into the blender so now it’s all crushed.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m making watermelon juice for you (and Fiona).”
“Why?”
“Because I love you.”
He paused, and said:
“I love you, too, Mama.”
* * * * * * * *
Thank you for all of your prayers and well wishes for my mom. It is very much appreciated. They said the results will be back on Tuesday..
UPDATE: the lab is very busy and have not examined my mom’s biopsy slides. I will post as soon as I know.
2nd UPDATE: NOT CANCEROUS!!! I’m so relieved. Everyone is so relieved. They will leave it alone but monitor it periodically.
Saturday, May 12th, 2007
Happy Mother’s Day to all the women in this world, whether you’re a biological mom, adoptive mom, birth mom, aunt, cousin, sister, friend, want-to-be-a-mom-someday, celebrate today and everyday.
Women hold up half the sky.
–Mao ZeDong
Lots of love,
J.
* * * * * * * *
Last week there was a thingamajig at Seb’s preschool for moms. They invited all the moms / grandma / aunt / female adult in the child’s life to come to school for Mother’s Tea. The theme was Hawaiian. All the kids presented a lei to the moms and they were all instructed to give mom a kiss on the cheek. It was lovely. We socialized with our child, other moms and their children, and had root beer / strawberry floats. We did hand painting with our children, played and read stories. At the end, we were presented with a poem that our children wrote (filled in the blanks), with a “picture” that the child drew of mom. Here’s what Seb’s poem says:
My Mom
(a green marker drawing of 2 faces. a small one and a bigger one. both with big eyes, short hair, and a big smiley)
She is 6 years old.
She likes to eat vegetables.
Her favorite color is green.
Her job is drop me off & do the dishes.
My favorite thing to do with my mom is go to Costco.
*
*
Although sometimes I do act like a 6 yr old, I do know I’m much more than vegetables and doing dishes and going to Costco and dropping him off at school to him. It is exhausting to be a mom doing all of that, but it is what I chose to do and I love doing it. I am grateful for all the moments that I get to be a part of and see and remember. I love you son. I’m so thankful that I get to be your mom.
Wednesday, January 31st, 2007
One of Seb’s (3.5 yrs old) masterpieces:
Fiona (16.5 months old) is not to be outdone! Below are some of her fine paintings. Her use of colors is especially noteworthy! My amazing abstract artist.
Thursday, December 21st, 2006
As I’ve mentioned here before, Seb goes to a preschool at a local church, even though I’m not a religious person. We both love the school and what it has to offer, compared to others in the area. The religious aspect is an added bonus as Hubby is a believer of God. It has been a great semester (is that what it is called for preschool as well?). They even had a Christmas program one evening where Seb stood amongst over a hundred little children, swaying and singing to Christmas tunes. Well mostly he just stood there making faces while many of the children sang but it was really fun and cute nonetheless.
On the last day of school, before the two-week winter break, he was given a wrapped present (judging by the wrapping appearance, it’s likely a book, probably one of the educational scholarstic ones). He also brought home the very lovely ceramic type ornament with his own handprint on it. I believe each of the children made their own as one of the many fun projects.
Here’s the deal. I didn’t get the teachers anything. Not even a card. I didn’t even think of it, and I certainly didn’t know this was sort of a “tradition” thing to do, even though I’ve lived more than half of my life here in the US. What will the teachers think of me?? I was just reading another blog the other day and found out Most People Get Something For Their Kids Teachers for Christmas. It is surely too late to do anything about it now. Or is it?!?!
Did you know such of a “rule” existed? Am I the only one who seemingly live in another universe? I am frugal by nature/upbringing, but I don’t want to be thought of as cheap or unappreciative, especially when/if it affects other people’s perception of my children.
Tuesday, November 14th, 2006
What are we going to do today Mama?
We could paint after your nap.
Why do I have to nap?
Because you’ll be tired and cranky if you don’t.
Why will I be tired and cranky?
Well, you won’t be if you take your nap.
Why do I have to nap?
. . . . . . . .
************
Hey look Mama. All the leaves are all gone from that tree.
Yes they are all gone from the tree now.
Why are all the leaves gone Mama?
Because winter is coming and it’s too cold for certain trees.
Why is it too cold for certain trees? Why is winter coming?
Because there’s the four seasons and now it is wintertime.
Why are there four seasons?
. . . . . . . . Uhh, let me get back to you with the accurate answer, OK?. . . . . .
********
These are just a tiny tiny snippet of what comes out of our almost 3.5 year olds’ mouth on a daily basis as of late. Often times it goes in circles for several minutes. And if you dare to answer with a “I don’t know,” he will scream.
It’s driving me crazy!
