B O Y S

They are a special kind of something.

Not only did I observe a playful, giggle filled argument over who was the bigger "tooter" between Declan and Daddy (sorry Daddy but Declan thinks you're a "tooter"), I was 'treated' with toots of all occasion this evening.

1) I was present for the underwater bubble maker (as it was Declan's bath time).

2) I was getting him ready for bed when I paused for a moment to admire his newest freckles when he let two big ones rip.

3) Tucking him into bed and he keeps laughing while he fumigated the sheets. 

I mean seriously...

I told him he was "full of beans" to which he replied "I didn't eat any beans."

I said "well you sure sound like it."

Daddy walks in the room a couple minutes later and the BOY announces proudly "I'm full of beans Daddy!"

boys.

Visit with Gramma and Poppa

Declan had Lacrosse Saturday morning. It went well. His ability to scoop the ball has gotten pretty decent. He claims to be having fun and sure loves every opportunity he gets to run around. What he did not like was during the game against the Blue team when he had the ball and was being pursued. Declan would rather be the one chasing.

After Lacrosse it was on to a successful sleepover at Gramma and Poppa's house. They went for a drive Sunday morning to Fergus and got to watch cousin Mad play Lacrosse too. Declan had fun. He said he met a little girl who liked how he looks. It has to be those freckles.

And finally early this evening I brought Declan in swim trunks to see the new splash pad. Very proud of him. This is the first time he's ever played in the cool water of a splash pad. He took some time getting right in but he did it! He did not want to leave he was having so much fun. Promised him, we'd be back.

The no nap kid was sound asleep pretty much once his head hit the pillow at 7pm. Full weekend-sound sleep. Next up...Grandma will be down from Ottawa this coming weekend! Some little man is going to continue being spoiled I think. 

Shaun the Sheep

Sometimes Daddy will set up the stereo and play different songs he thinks Declan would like to hear while he's having his bath. Often it's "Happy Together" (from the Minions Movie) or the Shakira song from Zootopia and today it was songs from Angry Birds. Declan loved the ones he could recognize from the movie. He'd then re-live the moment detailing what happened in the corresponding scene for me. Then...Daddy plan a song he just thought Declan would like: Pitbull's "Fireball". Mere seconds into the song and Declan shouts "It's the Shaun the Sheep son!" and he's correct. This was the song used for the movie commercial. He knows it well. With this song came non-stop "dancing". Declan even paused one moment to tell me "I'm getting a bit tired" before going back to his crazy bouncing steps.

And he asked me a couple times "why is he on fire?"

Oh My Sweet Voice

Out of the bath I get Declan tried off, cream on, pjs on, ears clean and then time to trim his nails. He sat down on his little stool while I stole each foot for a few moments to tackle his little toes. While I'm clipping them he starts to gently sing. It's the "Bee" song. It makes him sad that the Bee goes missing from the box of Honey Nut Cheerios in the commercial but he just loves the song. So there our four year old sweetly sings Mister, Mister's "Broken Wings". Oh and he does it while displaying his sadness as the plight of the bees. This kid is such an actor. Sure can steal the heart.

There's More

Little monkey steps up onto his stool to brush his teeth. He looks into the mirror and says "Oh ya. I can see my freckles now." Just a few more spread across his nose and cheeks.

And more for the list:

Declan ate celery and chicken nuggets for lunch.

Angry Birds

Declan had a perfect end to his long weekend. While I had to work today it was a Daddy-Declan day complete with a movie date. Daddy took Declan to see the new Angry Birds movie. 

Date complete with 3D glasses and M&Ms for snacking. Daddy reports that Declan was on his best behavior. Soon as I got home tonight Declan ran to me to tell me how great the movie was. One very happy little man today (and one proud Daddy). For this reason I'm glad I worked today (even if I missed them both).

Victoria Day 2016

While Declan is sound asleep, tuckered out from a busy day I run through the days adventures once more in my head.  The weather was nice so Declan wants to be outside as much as possible. Lucky for me this means I get a little helper. We took four pails (two trips-I carried two at a time, Declan carried the shovel) over to collect some top soil from our community pile. Declan was eager to dig in, he used the little shovel and scooped in enough top soil that the pails were full. I kept telling him to get "some of the dark stuff". He was a pretty big help for a four year old. While we were collecting soil Declan noticed the park and said he wanted to go over and over. I told him that maybe he could go after his nap. I was outside pruning our tree when he woke from his nap. He came outside with me, looked me square in the eye and asked " didn't you say I could go to the park? I remember that." Then it was park time. Tomorrow I work but Daddy and Declan have a movie date. Can't wait to hear about it tomorrow.

Mommy-Declan Day

Started off the day with a short visit with Gramma (Mommy had a class to attend at 7am). After the Gramma visit we both got cleaned up and dressed before heading out to Whipper Snippers for a fresh new haircut for Declan. 

Since everything was going well we headed to Cora's next for a brunch date. Loved being able to have a proper meal together in a restaurant. Declan had pancakes with a side of banana. He moved around a bunch and played with the knife (butter knife...relax). He was great but he's four so it's not like he can just sit still.

After Brunch we came home and played Treasure Trax (it's a clue finding scavenger hunt game), practiced Lacrosse, played Lego, angry birds for a few minutes, and then it was off to bed for a story and a nap. I promised Declan if he was good and stayed in bed we'd go outside after. So next we played outside, bubbles, chalk, picked dandelions behind our house, Declan ran down the sidewalk, at one point fell, scraped knee, he'll live, then played with Daddy when I ran to the grocery store. It was such a great and full day. Night ended with Declan's bath, story time and off to sleep. He was tired from his full day and went off to sleep immediately. 

I loved every second ❤️

Robert Baldwin Fair

Declan woke this morning talking about his frog dream where one frog stepped on another frog and made its eyes pop out but another frog yelled don't panick.

Weird kid dreams.

Tonight was the fundraiser family fair at Declan's (soon to be) school. First stop was by the kindergarten class so Declan could show Daddy what it looked like and he showed him the two little class pet frogs (hmmm so that's what put frogs in his thoughts last night). It was sweet how excited he was to show Daddy. Then we headed outside to fair area and bought some tickets so Declan could go on the giant inflatable slides and play some games. He did a good job of listening and had a huge smile the entire time. He really didn't want to leave whe it was time to go but he didn't cry or fuss. Proud of our big boy.

Good Nights

As I do every evening I peeked in on Declan before heading off to bed myself. I snuck in, checked to see that he wasn't too hot or too cold, gently rubbed his back a little and then (after scooting the cat out of his room) headed out. Just as I got to the door I heard a soft voice "Mommy!" When I looked back Declan was still eyes shut tight but he stretched his arms and had a big smile on his face. I tiptoed back and gave him a kiss on his forehead. I whispered "love you Little Monkey" and he replied "Love you Mommy."

And with that, good night.

The Weekend

Well I had Saturday off but that still gave me Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings in addition to Saturday to spend with the Muffin Man. It was just a normal weekend, lousy weather kept in inside. Lacrosse was unspectacular this time and Declan was tired and a little cranky from being up late Friday evening.

He was still sweet overall, he told Daddy that he misses him when he's gone, told me I had beautiful hair and beautiful lips, and both story time and Lego time were pretty cool. He shared a secret that he wispered in my ear (three times, it was hard to make out) and there was a lot of laughter.

Just a normal, simple weekend.

And it was great.

Our Little Old Man

Declan and I in the car heading to the grocery store.

Declan: I can see the theater sign! I can see the theater sign. Is the movie theater over there?

Me: Yes Declan it's over there.

Declan: Hmm. I like to go see the shows. Mommy do you like to go see the shows?

Me: I do.

Declan: And does Daddy like to go see shows?

Me: Yes he does, very much.

"Shows"!?!

Where does he get this from?

In the Lunchbox

Great news. As we inch closer and closer to Declan starting JK Kelly has been trying to find new things that Declan will eat. Today she suggested a blueberry bagel with cream cheese. Of course Declan said no but after Kelly told Declan how her son Marcus eats them all the time he was convinced to try.

Success!!

When I got home today and asked Declan about his day he told me how he ate a bagel with blueberries and cream cheese and that he liked it. "Bag-els are my favourite!" Were the actual words from his mouth.

Fantastic!

In The Nightime

When Declan woke up this morning he told Daddy about a dream he'd had in the night. When I came into the room and curled up next to Declan Daddy told him to tell me about the dream he'd had.

Declan said "I dreamt that you and I were at my school and then I lost you and then it was like Lacrosse."

He had a dream he'd lost me!?!

No chance Declan. I'm doing my very best to always be there for you. ❤️❤️

Good Question

Daddy and Declan were driving home from daycare today when Declan asked an important question:

"Daddy can you step on a Dandelion or will you get your foot bit?"

"You can step on it. It's not a 'lion', it's one word 'Dandelion'. It's the flower not a real lion."

"Oh. Ok." 

"Mother's" Day

7am wake up by a four year old who has made me (with Daddy's help of course) breakfast in bed. Tea, a banana and two pieces of toast with butter and raspberry jam. The Muffin Man then hopped into bed beside me to hang out while I ate my breakfast.

Daddy tells me how Declan wanted to put peanut butter too but he suggested they didn't. (Whew. No idea how I would have managed to eat it in front of Declan if they had. PB&J to me is just the worst. Declan also helped me eat the banana because he hasn't met a Banana he didn't want to "share".

All day he kept asking me if I had a Happy Mother's Day.

He also corrected me when I called it "Mommys" Day.

"Actually it's called Mother's Day."

Well whatever we call it I used the day as an excuse for some extra hugs and kisses. Especially since Declan showed me the xoxo in my card and told me they are for hugs and kisses.

 

He's Quite Proud

Sure am proud of the Muffin Man today. He tried really hard in his Lacrosse class. He was able to scoop the ball up correctly with his stick (not every time but numerous times-practice this week paid off) and he ran around and participated. He ran over to me to share his excitement about the action on the floor, he came over to fist bump me, he wanted back in when he had to sit on the bench and when the class was all over he ran to us yelling "I did it! It's all done and I didn't cry!!!"

From His Mouth

"I'm excited to go to school.

I'm going to learn about space.

I will need my own space suit though. They make them for four year olds you know.

Then I have to find a rocket because I can't bong enough to get all the way to the moon."

"I want to wear my cape. I can't fly but I can go fast like the flash. I need to wear my sunglasses because bad guys wear sunglasses."

Declan strikes a pose where one arm is outstretched and he's pointing toward the ground with just his index finger extended.

"This is how I'll look on my card."

"On your car?"

"No. On my card."

He means in his trading card. He thinks he's going to have his own trading card and he's figured out how he wants to look."

Declan's Style

Two weeks ago I tried to get Declan to practice "scooping" the ball with his Lacrosse stick. It didn't go well. I was trying to show him how and helped him hold the stick, even walked him through the needed movement to pick up and cradle the ball. 

He got frustrated. Frustrated by my coaching style and just stopped.

This evening I tried a different approach. I practiced with my own stick and ball while he practiced along side me with his. He observed what I was doing but how he learned was on his terms. I tried to take words he used while he talked about what he was doing to then support him with verbal encouragement. Of and of course each time he was successful we celebrated with a big high five.

The difference this type was clear. Declan didn't give up this time. He is rather determined and kept trying. He was able to scoop the ball numerous times. Declan is a very independent, stubbourn person who wants to succeed. If you push him though he's happy to push back but give him time, space and resources - he will do so well!

Tucked In

This evening Declan went off to bed without any issue. At 8pm, an hour after he'd gone to bed he got up and came downstairs. Daddy asked him why he had gotten out of bed.

Declan: "I wanted another toy, there's still room in my bed."

Daddy: "ok, pick one fast, then back to bed."

Declan looked around then decided he would bring a potato head. Once selected he says: "I'd like another kiss goodnight too."

So we obliged and kisses were given. Then Daddy told Declan to head on back to bed and tuck himself in.

Declan was on his way but after a few steps we heard the potato head hit the floor.

Declan:

"It's ok."

"Oh. It's broke."

"Yup. It broke."

"It's just a potato."

Mommy: "Do you need help Declan?"

Declan: "ya."

So the Potato head was repaired and then he was off. Went upstairs and tucked himself nicely back in bed.

My Bad

In the mail today we received the date and time for Declan's JK Information night in June. We get to meet the teachers, ask questions and visit the classrooms. Oh My God!! He's going to school in FOUR MONTHS!!!

Unreal.

Kelly texted me this evening to say: "It's a wonderful job and opportunity to see a child grow.  Big loss in September though.  I will miss declan.  My favorite baby boy by far.  What a treat to watch a child for this long.

He will do well in life".

Big changes ahead for this little guy.

Funny story: this evening he got up out of bed and wanted to tell Daddy about a dream he had. He said he was picking the skin around his thumbnails and his thumbs came off.

When Daddy told me this story I remembered how I'd told Declan to stop picking at the skin by his thumbnails or it would get infected and he could lose his thumbs. So I guess that was my fault.

Ooooops.

Reward Day

Soon as Declan got up he announced that today was Skedaddle Kids day.

Sure enough he earned it. He did a great job at Lacrosse Saturday and he had his first night without pull-ups and he didn't have an accident. Actually to be fair he's been dry every morning for at least 6 months. We were the hold outs.

Daddy had a talk with Declan before we left for Skedaddle. He asked him to be a good boy and to listen to Mommy. Well it worked. He was great. We went down the big slides together and then once I grew tired he kept going on his own.  He even danced a little from the bottom of the slide back over to wear he needed to climb up. There was that much happiness in this kid today.

So exhausted, he had a solid nap midday and first thing he said when he got up was that he'd had a fun time at Skedaddle.

During his bath tonight he looked at me and asked if he could kiss me. I said yes and leaned toward him for the sweetest little kiss on my cheek. Then he said "that means I love you." I'm so lucky.

At the end of his bedtime story tonight it says to make a wish. Declan said he wished Alex's house was closer to our house. I told him that was a very good wish. Then he said "I also wish this was a Lego world." (Heart AND Soul)

Also - new discovery this weekend: Declan likes the Beatles.