A Shopping Trip

Cecilia has had a very definite opinion about what she wanted to wear since she was about 18 months old.  She would literally try to rip off any clothing she didn’t like.  She has been picking out her own clothes and dressing herself since she was about 2 years old.  If she tells you she doesn’t like something or she isn’t going to wear it, she is serious and 90% of the time she won’t change her mind.  It does better if she isn’t with you when you are shopping so she can’t see the other options out there. 

There was a consignment sale in Yorkville in the middle of September.  I wasn’t going to go, but then Cecilia and Dean were both in good moods, so I decided to give it a whirl.  Before we left I told Cecilia we had to put her hair in a ponytail.  She told me she was going to go to Grandma’s to get a pony.  Grandma wasn’t home so she begrudgingly let me put her ponytail in and we were able to get a full pony tail instead of pig tails

When we got to the sale Cecilia was really well behaved but making me laugh.  Once we got to the section with clothes her sized she insisted on getting out of the stroller and helping me pick out clothes.  More than once I went to get something and she would say “I not going to wear that!” or “I not like that”  I am glad she knows how to voice her opinion, but sometimes it would be easier if she didn't.  At least she is honest.

A Walk to Grandma's

Cecilia, Dean and I needed something to do after Joel left for school the other day so we took a walk to see the barn.  Watched Grandpa and Brad work on it and watched some gravel getting dumped.  Then we checked on the cows, horses, chickens and then walked over to Grandma’s barn to see the goats and her horses.  Cecilia was trying to convince me to let her ride Barney, but that wasn’t going to happen.  We needed to get home for her nap and the walk was really just supposed to wear her out!  Which it did!

Bike Riding

This summer the kids have been riding bikes a lot.  Mostly around my car in circles in the garage, but they have been loving it.  This is the first summer Joel has actually been able to ride a bike.  Previous years it was just to physically hard for him especially the part where you had to pedal and steer at the same time.   

This was also the first year Cecilia rode a bike.  She loves it!  Vincent likes riding his bike too and crashing into his siblings.  I tried one afternoon to teach him to ride without training wheels, but I had a very large pregnant belly and it wasn’t easy.  Vincent was making progress in our short lesson.  I am hoping we can try again next summer.

Joel, Cecilia and the Gator

Joel loves to ride on the battery operated Gator.  Cecilia loves to drive it (and for 2 years old she is a pretty great driver).  Together they have a beautiful partnership.  Joel declares he wants to be the “sitter guy” and Cecilia says “I’m driving!” and off they go.  When they “crash” into something I just have to remind them how to go in reverse.  Joel operates the shifter, Cecilia presses the pedal and the go in reverse and Joel tells Cecilia “turn the wheels Celia!”  Then he puts the shifter to high gear and off they go.  They know to stay around the driveway or backyard, not that I trust them enough to leave them alone outside.

It isn't all fun and games.  Cecilia's driving did start to scare Joel and he would want to drive, which is good too!

Extra Shirt

Ever since Vincent was a month old and spit up all over me at the Shedd Aquarium I said it would be a good idea to keep an extra shirt for me in the diaper bag.  I think with Vincent, Joel and Cecilia I maybe did that one time.  I am not sure why I didn’t get into the habit of bringing extra clothes for myself; I was probably too busy to remember. 

Today (September 18, 2014) at Joel’s therapy session Dean ate and then 3 minutes later decided to empty the entire contents of his stomach all over me and the suddenly very small burb cloth that was on my shoulder.  Not that it really mattered how big the burp cloth was because it all ended up on my lap and down my front.  I remembered that I had a clean shirt in the car which was such a blessing!  I will now be keeping an extra shirt in my diaper bag.

Joel’s Curriculum Night (9/16/2014)

Dean and I went to Joel’s curriculum night and learned a few things.  For starters we learned how complicated it is to teach his class.  His teacher works with several different curriculums, takes observations on all the kids and does an excellent job teaching all the kids!  I also found out that Joel is fascinated by a girl in his class, he has kissed her (his teacher discussed with him that we don’t kiss friends), and he pretends he is a dragon and she is a princess on the playground.  I was also told he is talking a lot more, not always playing at the same center and interacting with his classmates.  Joel will tell me very little about his school day.  Last year he told me nothing, so a little bit of information is better than nothing.  When I got home and asked Joel if he like to play with a girl at school he said “yes” and I asked her name and he told me.  I am hoping that as the year goes on he will give me more and more information.