Attack of the un-weaned

Bruce says it's my fault for writing that last post. After 2 or 3 happy days, Zeke has thrown a fit about the binky's disappearance. We would like to be consistent, but sometimes we have to cave in and give it to him (like at 5:30 a.m. when we need him to go back to sleep for a few hours, or when we have a babysitter). He's amazingly adept at getting his own way. Plus, the child is living on yogurt since I'm not nursing him much anymore and he refuses most other food. Could be worse, like instant pudding or fruit snacks, right? And then this morning, I forgot that I no longer nurse him when he wakes up, and I stumbled bleary eyed out of bed and gave him just what he wanted without thinking.

Where's supernanny when I need her?

Zeke's big non-event

This could be it!!! The end of an era for Zeke, and the beginning of a whole new life!

You might think I'm talking about weaning Zeke, which we're in the middle of. But no, this is an even bigger milestone. I think Zeke will be giving up the BINKY! I am truly surprised, but it's just kind of happening. Not that Zeke doesn't love it, but he hasn't figured out yet that it's a necessary part of toddler life. Last night I tried putting him to bed without it, and amazingly he fell asleep without it! He even slept in later than usual this morning. Then again, naptime came and he fell asleep just fine.

Is this the trick? Take the binky away younger, not older? I have to say, it wasn't all that traumatic to remove the magic plug from Sammy (at age 2 and a bit) or Riley (at almost 3), because they mostly just got it at naptime. But this is even easier, and if Zeke can sleep without it, why should we encourage dependence by continuing to plug him? I guess it gets him quiet a little more quickly when he's crying, and maybe he falls asleep a little faster with it. Other than that, I don't think he really needs it. Especially since he's got a huge attachment to his blanket (way cooler, in my opinion).

What do you think? I'm interested in other binky-weaning experiences. Can it really be this easy?

Nice, quiet pictures

Somehow, our computer and the camera decided to get along today. So after you look at the cute pictures on this post, be sure to check out the last one to see Sammy in action.

I have gotten a bit cantankerous in my old age and I enjoy a bit of calm and quiet now and then. Not that I get much, with three troublemakers running around the house. So I usually settle for "happy noise," as long as the boys aren't fighting or destroying things. Still, I have my limits and often try to direct them toward books, Legos, and other relatively quiet activities.

Yesterday morning was an anomaly. The boys found an activity they loved and could do together, so I gave up my lovely quiet morning reading the newspaper and settled for a persistent ringing in my ears. Riley found a wooden spoon and a pot, which got Zeke to coveting. I got out a set for Zeke, which set Sammy to longing. Sammy got out my entire collection of mixing bowls and a several more spoons. Just be grateful that this is a picture, not a video (with sound).

The boys were having so much fun that I didn't mind the risk of going deaf. Zeke even started dancing (kind of) to the great rhythms they were producing. Perhaps this is the next trend for heavy metal music?

Unfortunately, the whole enterprise dissolved after about ten minutes. The overall volume in our home decreased, but the orchestra dissolved into typical Saturday morning chaos which is much more destructive to my sanity. It was great while it lasted.

All tied up in knots

I try pretty hard not to burden my kids with the responsibility of fulfilling my broken dreams and missed opportunities. (Let's hope so, the oldest is only five!!!) But when it comes to my faults and weaknesses, I think I do them a disservice by assuming they will end up with all the worst of me.

So I was thrilled this week to discover that my kids aren't little clones of me. I know, that shouldn't be a surprise considering I have three boys. But anyhow...

On Monday, I found some nice shoes on clearance in Sammy's size. He needed a new pair of sneakers because the pair I bought him about four months ago is completely THRASHED. That's what recess does for a boy. As long as this keeps happening, my boys had better not expect brand-name shoes.

The only problem with the shoes is that they have laces. Usually I won't buy anything that doesn't slide, zip, or velcro onto the foot. With three boys and myself, it takes about half an hour to get all the shoes on the feet and tied (including putting Zeke's shoes back on three or four times because he keeps taking them off). But one of Sammy's kindergarten goals was to learn to tie his shoe (even though at the time he didn't own a single pair with laces), so the good mom part of me (and my wallet) told me to buy the cheap shoes with laces.

At this point, I need to confess that shoe tying was my downfall in kindergarten. I aced every other subject, but when it came to tying the laces on the giant cardboard shoe, I folded. My mom will tell you about how I refused to go to school, and she had to take me in, sobbing and late for class, to have a one-on-one talk with my teacher (who was very patient and understanding). I blocked the whole experience out, but at some point, I mastered the art of shoe tying. Hey, maybe that's the real reason I avoid laces on my kids' shoes.

Back to the story. I sat Sammy down for what I thought would be a long afternoon of shoe-tying practice. I envisioned me tying his shoes every morning for weeks, which would cause him to miss the bus (we are down to the second on our morning routine). I psyched myself up to be patient and explain the process several ways, resorting to the bunny going around the tree and into the hole if I had to. So we started.

In ten minutes, Sammy was tying his shoes like a pro.

I immediately knew my child was a prodigy. Who cares that he's been reading for a year, or that he can count up to infinity (well, almost). HE CAN TIE HIS SHOES!!!! I was floored. I immediately called my mom to brag. Somehow she wasn't as impressed as I was. But nothing will take away the glory of that moment.

Sammy is even better at the whole thing now after a few days of practice. He loves his new shoes so much he won't wear them to school (they'd get ruined in the mud and snow). So our morning get-to-the-bus routine is safe until the snow melts, and for now he still jumps into his (velcro) snowboots. But as soon as he gets home, the boots go off and the shoes go on, and visions of my son's future dance before my eyes. Do they offer a Nobel Prize in shoe tying?