Happy Valentine's Day!

We had a great time celebrating V-day with the kiddos.  We started the day with heart shaped waffles and strawberries, along with the opening of their gift.  Both of the boys were so excited about their plate/bowl/cup set – Nolan got a Spiderman set and Kale a Monsters University with Mike Wazowski on it.  Nolan kept saying “it’s so awesome, Mom!”. I love that they’re so easy to please!  Elsa also got her first set – and of course it’s from the movie Frozen and has Anna and Elsa on itJ  Someday she will love it.

In preparation for the big day I spent an entire week working the kids on their valentine’s. Nolan was actually quite cooperative and he had to write out the most cards – 17 for preschool, 10 for adventure club and 12 for daycare.  Kale struggled a little bit but we managed to get them done.  It was interesting to see what kind of treats Nolan came home with from school.  We received an email that very clearly stated that there weren’t supposed to be any “naughty” treats given out to the kids. Nolan and I made a special trip to the grocery store and decided that individually bagged popcorn and fruit snacks would work for school, and a bag of small chocolate candy bars would work for daycare. I was a little surprised when Nolan came home from school with 8 pixie sticks and a bag of fun dip!  This is probably terrible, but we haven’t let him have any of them yet.  However, he hasn’t asked about it, either.  I’m not sure I want him eating straight up sugar quite yet! 

911

Last Thursday Adam and I surprised the kids by picking them up together - Adam had been gone since Monday in Detroit for work.  Sidenote: I couldn't believe how smooth things went with all 3 kids.  We'll see what happens now that I'm back to work!  On the way home last Thursday Kale was telling us all about how to call 911.  We didn't think much about it at the time, other than Jane must be working with all the 3 year olds on it.

Fast forward to this morning when Adam received a phone call from Jane.  Jane told him that she has been teaching the kids about 911 and how/when to use it.  She said one of her examples was if she was sitting on the couch and not moving.  She told Adam that while she was in the restroom Nolan, Logan and Kale decided to call 911.  She was surprised to get a call from the dispatcher when she came out.  She said she was pretty sure it was Kale or Logan who did it, and that she was going to have to teach them about not crying wolf.

During dinner tonight Adam brought up what happened.

M: Which one of you called 911 at Jane's house today?
K: I did.
M: Why did you call 911?
K: Because Jane said we should.
D: Kale, you can't just call 911.  When do you think you should call 911?
K: In an emergency.

Adam did a great job of talking about why you just can't call 911 whenever you want and that it's never funny to call if there isn't an emergency.  Hopefully it will stick with them!

Back to school for Mom

I spent yesterday morning with Nolan at preschool. He knew all week that I was going to be visiting and couldn't wait - all his teachers knew and so did Jane!  He gave me a big hug when I showed up in the classroom.  I love that he still thinks it's cool to hug his mom in public!  It was so much fun to be with him to see what he does every day.  Nolan doesn't always want to tell us details about his day, so this was a great way for me to understand the routine.  I  had the most fun being a part of his small group as they went from station to station. I shouldn't be surprised by this, but Nolan is a great listener.  He was always one of the first to sit criss cross applesauce with his hands in his lap, and he stood completely still in line.  The teacher probably tells all parent's this, but she said Nolan is one of the favorite friends in the class.  I could tell when they had to do group activities - he was the kid all the other kids wanted to be paired up with!  I left the classroom feeling very proud of him.  I also got to spend 10 minutes before lunch with him in Adventure Club.  The teacher invited me to read a story to the class.  Nolan even got to pick the book - Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten.  After that I was a participant in the Tootie Tots song!  After that I got to experience lunch time.  Nolan did a great job of showing me what to do - even telling me to make sure I took a tray from the top of the pile!  It was fun to get to meet and visit with the friends he talks about every day.  I told Adam that he needs to visit Nolan before the end of the year, too.  I appreciate his day so much more!

Great job, Kale!

Nolan is the most positive big brother.  He and Kale were kicking around the soccer ball last night while I was making dinner.  Kale must have kicked it really well, because the next thing I heard was, "great job, Cal (Kale)! You did really good!" Kale responded with "thanks, Nowan (Nolan)!"

The last first day of daycare

Elsa officially started daycare on Monday.  So far so good.  Jane actually said she has adjusted a lot faster than she thought she would.  Hopefully she'll keep it up!  We've been working  hard to get her to bed earlier in the evening - and she actually started doing just that on January 25th!  Her new routine is in bed no later than 8, dream feed at 10:30, and up sometime between 6 and 7:15.  It took her longer than the boys, but she is coming around to appreciate all the wonderfulness of a routine.

Nolan and Kale just love having her with them, I think the other kids are starting to come around, too.

Cold winter's night

Nolan crawled in to bed tonight and said he was cold.  He followed that up by stating "it must be because of the cold winter's night." Where does he come up with this stuff?

Best friends

Adam took the boys to a playdate at Edinborough yesterday afternoon, to the "playground in the sky", as Kale calls it. The last time I had him there we didn't stay long because Kale missed Nolan and was too scared to climb up to the top by himself.  This afternoon Kale kept asking Nolan if he would take him to the top.  Sure enough Nolan did that, and Kale was thrilled.  On the way home Adam asked the boys what their favorite part of the day was.  Nolan said playing - he likes to keep things general. Kale, on the other hand, said that his favorite part was Nolan taking him up to the top of the play area.  I am so proud of how well our boys get along. They are a perfect fit for each other!

It's been cute watching the boys together at church.  They started a new thing a few months ago where they hold hands to walk up together for the children's message.  Today I walked them down to Sunday school after the message was over.  Nolan held Kale's hand the whole way to the classroom.  It's not like they aren't familiar with the surroundings, so I'm not sure why they do it.  People sure do notice, though, and give compliments about what nice boys we have.  I have to say that lately I 100% agree with that!