Oh The Imagination

D "Hunter was in my room last night and I had to let him out"

M "How did he get in your room?"

D "When I got up he got him."

M "Oh ok. You let him out?"

D "Yes. He had the glide eyes."

M "oh his eyes were glowing in the dark."

D "No they were glide eyes."

M "I think cats eyes look cool at night."

D "No he had glide eyes. He looked at me like he was going to destroy me so I had to let him out."

M "Did he go out right away!"

D "Yup."

So crazy!

Stuffies vs Zombies

After leaving me nearly five minutes after I got home so he could go with Daddy to run an errand (thanks kid, I missed you too) he then demanded I play upstairs in his room with him.

Ok maybe not demanded. He asked if I wanted to go upstairs with him so he could jump on the bed. What can I say...I'm a sucker.

So we're upstairs and he's jumping on the bed when he decides he wants to see if his Batman costume from last Halloween still fits.

It was a little small but don't tell him.

He was all dress, cap, mask...the works. He put his Batarangs in his belt, pointed the bat signal light to the ceiling and then yelled "There's danger!" and ran out of the room. When he came back he said he got the bad guys and they were in my room.

He kills me.

Next he said we were going to play plants vs zombies. I thought he meant the game on his phone. No he wanted to pretend in real life. He said he was a zombie and he was coming for me. With that he stood with both feet turned inward and one knew slightly bent, his shoulders forward and arms bent. Then he started creeping toward me.

Bravo! Bravo! Seriously this kid can act. Not just simple pretend, he's rather convincing. So I tossed a stuffie at him. He laughed and dropped to the floor. Then he started over agin. This time when I tossed Mickey Mouse at him I missed. He stood still, took a moment to realize I missed him and then kept creeping toward me. That's when I started firing every stuffie within reach in his direction. I finally got him. Then he made me be the Zombie so he could throw stuffies at me and run away. It was actually pretty fun.

Then the sweaty kid needed a break and I watched him play SickBricks before heading to bed. Read him some poems while he had some milk and then it was goodnight to Daddy, goodnight to me and Declan was off to sleep. Actually I'm pretty certain he played with toys in bed for about an hour. Then sleep.

Astronaut Ambitions

On our morning drive...

Declan: "What's the space school I need to go to again?"

Me: "What's that Declan?"

Declan: "What school do I have to go to again for learning to go to space?"

Me: "I actually don't know yet but we can look into it. You still have Kindergarten, Elementary School, High School and then you can go to school to study space. We have lots of time."

Declan: "Ok."

Big but Little

This morning Daddy and Declan went grocery shopping together. They had a list to work off of. Declan wanted to walk out front of the cart. He'd ask Daddy "what's next on the list?" Then he'd lead him to the item. He sure is proud of the different things he can do on his own. Seems like such a big boy.

After his nap today the three of us went to watch The Secret Life of Pets at the theater. Declan laughed a lot, especially at the mini Minion movie that played before the feature started. Boys had a good time. As we left Declan walked ahead of us and that's when I realized how little he still is. Compared to the other kids and the adults he was walking near he is still so very small. I've been thinking for months how ready he is for school and then today I realize how little he is. Can't comprehend.

Creepy Time

Hanging out in Declan's room this afternoon and he casually mentions the man from under his bed.

Me: "There's a man under your bed?"

Declan: "Yup."

Me: "Like he comes out from under your bed?"

Declan: "Yup. He comes out from over here." As he shows me the spot by the end of his bed.

Me: "What does he do?"

Declan: "He goes (and then Declan makes silly sounds)."

Me: "Oh so he's silly. Is he just silly then or scary?"

Declan: "He's kind of scary."

Me: "What does he look like?"

Declan: "He's invisible. He's kind of like a ghost."

Me: "And when does he come out? All the time or just when it's dark?"

Declan: "When it's dark."

And with that I'm fine if Declan wants to sleep in our bed any time...I mean....seriously...four is awesome until the imagination kicks in. 

Creepy.

2nd Place

Oh how I hate the days when I'm clearly 2nd place. When I brought Declan to daycare today Kelly's son Marcus was already awake. Declan sat down to play with Lego and Marcus joined him. As it was time for me to leave I asked Declan to come over and say goodbye. He got up and came over, gave me the fastest kisses and hug before turning around and quickly running back to play with Marcus.

Was not the best start to my day.

Big Kid

Noticed a little something.

First the "baby" was all gone and now he's lost his "toddler" completely. Declan is a full blown kid. His face is looking more mature to me and he is just so tall and lean. Not one bit chubby. 

And his feet got bigger...school shopping is going to kill me.

Our Long Weekend

Wonderfully, had four days off in a row. Got in some serious quality time with the Muffin Man.

Friday we drove to Grand Bend with Chelsey, Abi, Mia and Daniella. Four hours play on the white sand beach, then late lunch and a walk down the little town Main Street hand in hand with Chelsey. Declan didn't sleep a wink on the drive there or home. Was a long outing and the kids were getting restless by the end but was a fantastic day overall. Sure, kid got burnt. Cloudy day, Irish skin, sun screen on a little late. Know better for next time.

Saturday was camping at Molly and McGregor's house. Kids had a blast running around, jumping on the trampoline, playing with glow sticks and finger lights in the dark. When it was getting late we set Declan up in our tent with his DVD player but he was so tired he turned it off and went to sleep on his own. He was fast asleep when we finally joined him. So cute to see Daddy and Declan cuddled up together in the morning. Fun first time camping together and looking forward to trying again soon.

Toy Up the Nose

These are Micro Mini's.

Declan has Robin and Batman.

You can take them apart and swap out the pieces to make new versions of the Superheros.

Last night when Declan went to bed he chose Batman and Robin as his bedtime toys. After 1/2 hour in bed I hear him coming down the stairs so I go to meet him halfway. Declan looked at me with heartbreaking fear on his face. "There's a toy stuck in my nose. Robin's head is in my nose and won't come out." At that moment I called for Daddy to come help, told Declan not to touch his nose. Daddy brought a Kleenex and got Declan to try blowing hoping it might not be too stuck and come out with a little force. No luck. Quickly grabbed his health card, reminded him to not touch it and Daddy made sure he knew he couldn't sniff. Poor Declan was crying from the pain while we headed to the car. On the drive to the hospital Declan was biting his knuckle to help with the pain while we tried to hold it together. As he was checked in there was some assurance as the nurse told us that her daughter twice was at the hospital with objects stuck in her nose. After getting all checked in we moved to the proper waiting room where after about five minutes Declan coughed and Robin's head flew out. Such a relief. Declan instantly felt better. Still needed to wait around for the Doctor so we could be assured he didn't cause any trauma. After the normal hospital wait the Doctor did just that and lucky kid hasn't caused any damage. Whew!

Also really glad he told us right away and didn't try to hide it. 

Glad the kids ok. Not a fun evening.

Vision

Here is a scenario I've lived numerous times:

Me: "It's right behind you, right there."

Declan turns around looking everywhere but

Me: "To the right, it's right there, look down. Ok stop. Stop moving. Now look at your feet."

Seriously...everywhere but.

And then after what felt like an hour he sees it.

Then tonight only about 20 minutes after going to bed I hear him come running downstairs. As I meet up with him he says "There's an ant in my bed. It's running around." As I start to follow him back upstairs he's running as fast as he can and telling me to hurry. Back in his room he runs to his bed and says "There it is, get it, GET IT!"

This is the moment when I reached down and with my thumb and finger squish an ant the size of a pin head.

Not only could he spot a nearly microscopic sized ant in his bed but he could find it for me right away after leaving it to come get me. 

Four is fasinating.

Daddy and Declan Saturday

When I got home from work yesterday I got to hear all about the fun my boys had. The best part was hearing how they sat cuddles together and watched Ghostbusters 2. Declan loved it. Told me all about Slimer and how he's a good ghost and he ate garbage. This morning we are just now hanging out in Declan's room together letting Daddy get a sleep in and Declan starts singing "I'm not afraid of no ghosts." Priceless.

Legoland

Daddy's idea for what Declan and I could do on a hot day:

So the kid and I hopped into the car to head to the mall to do some errands. He was fine with it, he had his phone and this his Sick Bricks game to play with. When we arrived at Vaughan Mills he commented on how big the mall was "and is that store also the mall? And that one? And is that still the mall? And LEGOLAND!?! Can we GO to Legoland after you do what you need to in the stores?"

"Well maybe that's why we are here."

"We can go to Legoland FIRST?"

"Yes Declan. I have a coupon for us to use and that's why we are here."

He was really excited.

We had to wait in a LOT of lines but Declan did great. Line up to get in, line up for the first ride, then again to watch the movie, so many kids everywhere, line up crazy long for the other ride, then Declan went into the "unsupervised play area". I call it Lego Lord of the Flies. My heart was fragile as I watched him attempt different things with great caution, always letting the other kids pass him or go first. I think he attempted about 20 times to crawl through a tube before he actually did just to attempt another 5 times before actually crawling back through. It's so hard watching the other kids race and rough house all around him as he nervously navigates through the play structure. He comes out unfazed and happy while I feel relief that he's done and is asking for some lunch.

Another long line and we finally rest and have a meal. Declan kept telling me how much fun he'd been having and that he hopes we get more coupons and can go again. He kept telling me what a great time he had and how "awesome" everything was. After 3 1/2 hours we were finally heading out...through the Lego store of course. (Yes he got new Lego. Judge me. Don't care.)

When bedtime came he didn't even get up once. So tired he just went right to sleep.

First Game

Declan finally got a couple of "Sick Bricks" last week. Ever since he got them he's wanted Daddy to put the Sick Bricks game on his phone. Well Monday Daddy got a chance to load it on and it's everything. Declan wants to play first thing in the morning and as long as he can after dinner before bed. Right now Daddy is THE BEST. The two of them were cuddled up in the chair together with the game this evening. Declan just beaming. At one point this evening while he was playing by himself he whispered "This is the first game that's good."

Wow.

Sure hope the Angry Birds don't catch wind of this.

Our Secret

I got Declan's bath all ready for him this evening. Then Daddy got him in and put the usual few bath toys in the water along with him. Declan asked Daddy for his squirty fish toy but since he already had a bunch of toys in the bath Daddy said no. A couple minutes later I knelt down beside the tub and leaned on the side. I was probably about 6 inches away from Declan's face. He looks me straight in the eye and says in a confident whisper "Get me the fish. It will be our secret."

It was everything I could do to not bust out laughing as I leaned back toward the cupboard and reached in for the fish toy. Daddy noticed and asked "What's going on here?" I simply said "nothing" and handed the kid the fish.

Then Declan smiles up at Daddy and says "I got the fish."

So much for secrets. Kid ratted me out.

The Long Weekend

Started Thursday. I had the day off so that Declan and I could run errands and pack for the trip to Ottawa to Grandma's house. Kid got a fresh haircut and then ensued the traumatic car wash. He hates them. Really hates them. He did however...survive.

After lunch Declan got in a solid two hour nap before the five hour road trip. He was great. Games on his phone, watched a movie on his DVD player, Happy Meal halfway there and the best part, playing "I Spy" as the sun was setting. When we pulled in the driveway Grandma was sitting on the front porch (sorry Grandma May...writing that did make you sound 90). Declan wanted out quickly so that was the first thing we did. He ran straight up the front lawn to hug her. Then inside to see Grandpa (who he kept saying it had been too long since he's seen).

After a little time to settle in it was off to bed so that he was rested up for Canada Day.

Declan couldn't wait for his cousins to arrive. The pool was set up in the yard and Declan helped Alex decorate the decking in red and white. No chance for a nap on Canada Day. Declan asked me to get him into the pool without hesitation although once in he was very cautious. Alex played well with him and tried to help him feel more comfortable. Then Corbin and Holden arrived and it was craziness. Pool...water guns....rockets... running. They had a blast. 

Then the rain came and we all ran inside for about an hour. Declan and Holden played well together with the Batcave while we waited out the rain. Skies cleared up and we all ventured back outside. Just as we all settled down at the table the sky turned black and rain teamed down. Everyone grabbed what they could (Daddy grabbed Declan) and rain indoors. Poor Declan started crying because the Batcave was outside.  Priorities.

Declan had such a great day and was sad all his cousins had to go home.

Saturday, our last full day in Ottawa, I had to work and Daddy was meeting his friend so Declan got the full attention of his Grandparents.  Some shopping, some bonding time with Grandpa and then when nap time came Declan AND Grandma were out. After his nap Aunt Marissa was back and took him to the park. Kid even managed to get in some undivided attention from his Aunt. Solid weekend!!

So how do we know he loved every minute? When it was finally time to go this morning Declan started crying. I know the kid can lay it on but his tears started privately. He turned away from us all and into Daddy and the tears came. He kept saying that he didn't want to leave. 

Now as heart breaking as all the tears were it made me very happy all the same.  Of course I want so much for the Muffin Man to have so much fun and so much love that it hurts when it's over. You don't get that heartache without the joy. 

I can't wait to do it to him all over again!!