Making a list

Kenzie (holding just a piece of paper, no pen) : I made a list of everything I have to do!
Julie: Are you going to make me a pie?
Kenzie: Yes, that's on my list.
Julie: Are you going to make a bed for Chirpie?
Kenzie: Yes, that's on my list.
Julie: Are you going to go grocery shopping?
Kenzie: Yup!
Cindy: Are you going to be nice?
Kenzie: My pen just ran out of ink.

Cute haircut, thanks Becka!

Soon Mason, soon!

Mobility

It's been so nice having Mason take his time learning to walk. So nice. The memories are fresh in my mind of those days when he was easy to hold and contain. Those days are gone, however. He's into everything! We're redoing the fireplace (chaos in the livingroom) so of course that's the first place he heads when he can make a break. That or the dog water. Or the cat food. Or the kitchen cupboard. I'm convinced that his decision-making process goes something like this:

• does it make a loud noise?
  
• can I break it?
• can I climb on it?
• can I push it over?
• can I make any noise with it?
• can I fit it in my mouth (unless it's healthy)
• can I spill it?
• can I use it to break something else?
  

If the answer is yes to any of those, great. If not, onto the next thing!

So you say you're a teacher...

Kenzie has been having a tough time visualizing the fact that I'm a teacher. It's the subject of many conversations. Very skeptical questions, as if she's trying to catch me in a lie. "What do you DO when you teach?" "How do you teach?" "Do you teach big people or little people?" "What are their names?" I think it's a forensics technique - asking the same question at different times looking for different responses.

So, tonight, Cindy brought Kenzie to Seattle U so we could help her form a visual image. Basically prove to her that I'm telling the truth.

It was before class started so I took her into the classroom, showed her the desks and let her draw on the whiteboard. We walked through the classroom, row by row. I explained the overhead screen, the computer, the projector...we even went over the lights. A couple of former students popped in to say hi. (She wasn't particularly impressed by them.) Short of a full class, she witnessed everything.

As we were walking out the door, she said, "but where are your students?" I told her they were coming soon, but didn't get the impression that she believed me. I may have to enroll her in the class.

Mason shares

Last night we went down to Mom & Dad's. Mom made chocolate pudding and Mason thought it'd be nice to share. Mmmmm....chocolate.

Yes, I'm getting my school work done..almost done.

Sunday Struggles

Kenzie's Sunday School teacher says she's "getting better" and is "learning to use her words." That means that she's clobbering the other kids only once in a while, and explains to them why she's doing it.

Mason hates the nursery. He sees us heading down the hall and starts crying. This time he spent most of the time in tears. There are several kids in there and lots of toys, but he just hates it. The ladies in there are very sweet and encourage us to keep trying.

I'm doing this today as a diversion from working on my class. I have a 2-1/2 hour lecture on Tuesday night at Seattle U. So, yesterday I decided to install a new operating system on my computer (the same one that held the draft of the presentation). Yes, it was a bad idea. So, I spent a couple of hours borrowing a computer (thank you Jackie) and then another bit getting it connected to the network...so that I can sit here and wait for my presentation to finish itself.

Alright, I'm getting on-task.

Ok, just one more. This morning Kenzie was interrupting Cindy and me unmercifully in the car. She doesn't like conversations to go on without her at the epicenter. She asked me why I was telling her not to interrupt. I told her that I felt like it was my job to teach her how to be polite and use her manners. She informed me, "Mom, you teach adults. Ama teaches kids." Arg. I never thought I'd be in a position of trying to explain my qualifications to a 3 year old, and being only halfway successful.

Identifiable

She wrote her name for the first time all by herself!

Santa Boundaries

Christmas is coming! On the drive into work yesterday I decided to start prepping Kenzie (since last year the picture shows her sitting on a stool in front of Santa).

• Me: Kenzie! Look, they're building Santa's workshop! Are you excited to go see Santa?
• Kenzie: Yes!
  
• Me: Are you going to sit on his lap this year?
• [pause]
• Kenzie: Mom, I like Santa and all. I'm just not comfortable sitting on his lap.
• Me (choking): Ok, honey, that's fine, whatever you want to do.
• [pause]
• Kenzie: Mom, when I see Santa I'm going to give him a BIG High Five and a handshake!
  

Happy Boy!

Water logged

I'm sure this one disqualifies me for Mother of The Year.

This morning I ran the bath for Kenzie, then went out to check on Mason before scanning email. He was playing in his room--looked very content and busy! I went into the living room, read one message (didn't reply), and then heard Kenzie say, "Mason!!! We don't go in the bath with our clothes on!" I ran to find him--full clothed--sitting in about 4 inches of water.

In Training

Cindy's got them in training already. Nice form, Helen!

Smooch