Tink and Tuffed

Jack has been getting a nap at preschool every day.  Jack does not need a nap at preschool everyday.  The other night he made several trips downstairs and even helped daddy kill zombies.  After our stern stay the hell in bed voice, I heard him creep down the stairs.

g: "What is it Jack?"
j: "A bug."
g: "What kinds of bug?"
j: "Another one of those 'tink bugs, daddy."

As I go up to kill the stink bug;

g: "How did you know there was a stink bug here?"
j: " ummmmm . . . I was getting another 'tuffed animal."
g: "Do you think you have enough stuffed animals to go to sleep?
j: " ummmm . . .  no."
g: " Grab one more and go to sleep."
j: "OK, Daddy!"

Haven't heard a peep since.

Earth without ART is just EH

The kids both had art shows in the first week of May.

Here is some of their art (Nora, age 5 1/2, Jack age 4):

Nora singing the welcome song to kick off the Art Festival with her class

Monarch Butterfly by Nora

Broadway Boogie Woogie by Nora

Flower by Nora

Penguin by Nora (& the artist herself!)

Ceramic & Marker by Jack

Tissue Paper Flowers on Pipe Cleaner Stems

Georgia O'Keefe inspired flower by Jack

Clay Bug by Jack

Spring Hopes with Bikes!

Yesterday, the sunny, mild weather got us all thinking about bike rides!

Went in for old bike tune-ups and ended up with a new bike for Nora! She was much too tall for her old bike and this was just so cute. The frustrating, sad, and funny part of the story is that she cried the whole time we waited for the installation. Why? Because I said they could donate her old bike. Upset because "You gave me that bike for my birthday, it's mine, I just haven't pictured life without it." So, what did I do after an unconvincing conversation about donating things we will no longer use? Haul the dumb thing back to our house and put it in the garage. *sigh*  I figure that we will keep talking and she will make the decision to donate and actually it will be a better lesson and empower her to donate things herself. By the time we got home, she was all smiles again.

And here is Jack, with a great bike which belonged to his (now 16-year old!) Skyler. It is in great shape and we simply added Nora's old training wheels. Yesterday was his FIRST TIME EVER on a big boy bike and he took off! Sad part of his story is that the wheel, despite being professionally installed, fell off in mid-ride, causing a skinned knee and some tears. He ended up running along side his sister while I drug the disabled bike home. It's fixed again, but I might go get some more hearty training wheels. *sidebar* Can you believe how expensive training wheels are???? $25 - 30!!!!

At any rate, we are READY for Spring and certainly for Summer! We will be going to Oregon for a visit, up North to our family in Lyons, and starting soccer (for Jack) and dance classes (for Nora). Other activities have already started, with Science Scouts and Daisy Scouts; and of course, bike rides, dog walks, and yard work now that the deep freeze seems to be waning.

Belated Birthday Boy

I didn't want Jackson's birthday to get too far in the past for my annual mama musings post. He turned FOUR on December 15, 2012 and is the neatest kid. Energetic, loving, and smarter than a preschooler should be. His laugh is infectious; his questions are thoughtful; and his hugs are strong. He doesn't mind that I call him "baby," even as he reminds me he is growing fast. He runs at sonic peed (speed). He runs all the time; often with a cape and mask on. He still needs a nap, but refuses to take one; likes help with the tooth brushing and balks at baths. Jackson, at four, you eat these foods: pancakes, cereal, chocolate covered granola bars, chicken nuggets with ketchup, spaghetti (which he says "Pa-getty), and peanut butter (by the spoonful, just like his Dad). I can get you to do almost anything for a doughnut; and in the car, you talk non-stop. It wears me out, but I know you will get sullen and non-talkative in a few years, so I am trying to enjoy the moments now.

Masked Crusaders!

We made capes!

The mayhem!

At four, I simply adore being your Mom. Boo Boo Bear, you are an awesome kid, best son a Mama could ever have. I love singing "Soft Kitty" to you; love snuggling your small (but growing so big!) body; and love the way you repeat something that makes me laugh just to hear me laugh again. Kid, as you grow, I just want you to know that feel lucky to be your Mom. I worry so much about you; but am determined not to be a helicopter parent who is afraid to let you live. We really had fun at your Superhero Birthday Party! More importantly, I have fun with you everyday. Thanks for asking me to play with you; I don't mind being the villain, as long as you continue being the good guy.  

These Kids

I'll Always Be Your Kiddo

Dear Jackson Caulfield, you are going through a phase. The phase includes showing adoration upon your Mama at the excruciating exclusion of all others. It means you say the sweetest thing to me, like "You are best mama in the whole world!" and "I [want to] make you feel loved."

Tonight, the inspiration for returning to this chronicle of our life of Growing Up Grove was this: "Mama, I'll always be your kiddo. Even when I'm grown, I'll still be your kid." Yes, I answered, and I will always be your Mama, today and always, no matter how old you or I get.

Then, as I sometimes have a habit of doing, I muttered to myself: "If I could bottle this...keep you this sweet forever." Whenever I think I am talking to myself, they always hear me. So, then Jack said, "Why Mama?" Oh, because you will grow and I hope you will be this sweet forever, but maybe you won't.

Like when you are 5, as evidenced by his 5 1/2 year old sister calling my actions "disgusting" because I made her get off the tablet when she couldn't control her emotions over Jack "destroying her game" (for posterity's sake: the game was Tic-tac-Toe). But, I still love her, because she, too will always be my kiddo.

First Trip of the Year

The family spent a few days up north in Akron and Cleveland, Ohio this past week. It was wonderful. First, we spent Sunday afternoon and over night with our friends, Jeff, Carrie & Jackson Neitzke. They were absolutely wonderful, fun, and as, always, the most tolerant and lovely hosts (Thanks for sharing all of your neat toys, Jackson!). Thanks guys, we had a blast and loved seeing you all!

Monday morning, we started out in search of a Denny's since we don't have any in Columbus (how crazy is that?), but ended up at local little diner instead. Best part? Machines which were only 25 cents filled with real toys and candy, like the good old days. They each got a handful of candy and a small trinket, which is a great way to start the day if you are three and four and on vacation!

Then, we spent the next several hours at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. It was small, but perfect for the kids at this age. They were scared by the Mythical Creatures Exhibit (Griffins, Unicorns, etc.), loved the real dinosaur fossils, and raced through the 2 acres of outdoor live animals (hawks, otters, and assorted other birds). Here they are hugging the Stegosaurus "hello."And here, Jack is fascinated by the fossil skeleton of the T-Rex (his personal favorite). As nap time approached and meltdowns were imminent, we left the Museum and had lunch on the road toward our hotel back in the direction of home. After lunch and falling asleep in the car, the kids rallied in time to check into the hotel and get a look at the reason you stay in a hotel with pre-schoolers: the POOL! Geoff did a great job with that and the enormous pool was perfect for this family.

Happy happy kiddo after a nap in the room and on our way to the pool!

One more happy one of Nora Kate!

So, on the way home, we stopped at my favorite local cheese place, Grandpa's Cheese Barn. Those of you who know me, know that I force this stop whenever I pass through Ashland, Ohio. I take visitors from out-of-state there. I, of course, take my family there. We spent at least an hour there on both Sunday and then again on Tuesday, thanks to a Christmas gift certificate from Pam & Scott. We should have brought you something, but shamelessly spent $50 on chocolate dinosaurs, salad dressing, and 1/2 pound of Canadian Cheddar and 1/2 pound of Smoked Gouda; plus some more treats including black raspberry spread and chocolate and graham sticks for the dipping instead. Thanks for the gift certificate! And, sorry we suck.

We had so much fun together and cannot wait for the next family vacation. June will take all of us to Chicago for a few days, and who knows after that! Oregon family, we have been looking for cheap flights, but alas, I do not think such a thing exists anymore. We will get there for sure, just not sure when.