Erik in a talent show

We just returned from a week at Camp Arcadia in Northwest Michigan (the LP). I will have some fun stories to put on here, but in the meantime, here's a video of Erik with his little class performing in the talent show.

The class was called the Ark and Erik loved it because he loved Miss Janice, the teacher. They did coloring sheets, heard Bible stories, sang songs, made bead necklaces, and went on field trips. They went to the Craft Shop to fingerpaint, went to the kitchen to have cookies and went for a hike in the woods looking for animals. Imagine Erik's delight when they found Jodie, the Puppy Girl. Miss Janice showed the kids how to put a treat in their open palm and Jodie would lick it right out of the kids' hands. Afterward, Erik got to hold Jodie's leash and walk her around camp, although, I think Jodie was leading Erik more than Erik was leading her.

While Erik was in the Ark, Adin was in the nursery. Adin did great, he was calm and happy and I was never paged to come get him.

Funny Adin

Adin has three molars now. It's been pretty tough getting them in, poor little guy. He saw Erik and me eating lettuce in the garden and wanted to try some, but I told him he really needed good molars for that. (Aside, I was thrilled that Erik tried lettuce! I had to show him how to move the lettuce to his molars.)

He is just starting to shake "no". I'll ask a question and he'll sort of wiggle. He thinks it's pretty funny.

Funny Erik

Yesterday Erik came down to the garden with me and helped me pull weeds. He was so funny. First he used his shovel and dug up a bunch of dirt. Then he used a hand rake and raked the dirt. Then he got my little watering can and asked me, "Mama, is it ok if I water your dirt?"

Yesterday morning I took the kids to the store to buy diapers. When we got home I found Erik had left his blanket laying on the floor next to a water bottle. The cap was loosened and the blanket was soaking. So I hung it up in the bathroom, sort of grumbling a little. I came back into the dining room and Erik said, "It's ok, mama, everybody makes mistakes sometimes."

This morning we got off to a rocky start. Erik was very physical and was alternating between pestering Adin and banging household stuff around. I was alternating between snapping at him to stop and trying to redirect him to some other way to burn off his energy. We went in his room to get him and Adin dressed. He put his sheet around his neck and told me he was a bad guy. Why? Because he stood on chairs. I said, "that doesn't sound like something a bad guy would do, that sounds like something a good guy would do when he was making a mistake." I was sort of suspecting this bad guy persona was because of all my nagging and I wanted to backpedal! So every time he said something about being a bad guy, I would say something about how much I loved him even when he was being a bad guy. Pretty soon he stopped snarling and started smiling.

Adin update

Once again, Adin has made a little hop up in his language. He seems to understand better and will follow simple directions like sit down or give it to me. If I ask where Erik is, Adin will look for him. He is also trying to communicate more. Today when he woke from his morning nap he signed "milk". He says more things that almost sound like words, like "nuk". He does a few actions to songs like, "wheels on the bus" and "pat a cake".

Erik update

Erik had a tough week a couple weeks ago but he seems to have come through to a new level of play. He does a ton of imaginative play during Adin's naps. Usually, we get out the moon sand and he bakes cakes. Today he gathered up random stuff he could find and took a trip to Canada to go fishing! He put on Joe's fishing hat, and used my scarf as a fishing pole. He talked about how he had to travel to get there. We discussed bait (worms vs. minnows). He used an unopened pack of diapers for a variety of purposes; most memorably it was a dancing seat, just in case he wanted to dance.

Sometimes we go outside and garden. He uses a pointy bulb planter and pretends it's a jackhammer. Yesterday he discovered how to open the screen door by himself and he was in and out a dozen times fetching things. He has become more willing to help and will get me a bucket for weeds or a nuk for Adin. He will sometimes put away silverware out of the dishwasher.

Good night, world

Joe worked this evening so I did the bedtime routine alone with both boys. I got them in pjs, teeth brushed and we read a book in Erik's room. Then I told Erik he could look at a book by himself while I gave Adin milk. Adin heard that and went to Erik's door to open it. I picked him up and he tried to sign "milk". Then we went to the window waved goodnight to the world and he pointed to the shade and said "down" (sort of). I pulled down the shade and we went to the rocking chair and he was excitedly signing "milk" and saying "down". It was so fun to hear and see such clear understanding of his bedtime routine.

He points to things (like a cup) and points to himself as if to say, that's mine. We have a picture of him on the hutch at my eye level which is his eye level when I carry him. He likes it when we walk by, he'll point to it and want to hold the picture. It's very cute.

Update on Adin

Let's see, Adin is walking very well. He can pivot, go around things, squat in the middle of the floor and then straighten, climb stairs and is just learning how to go down stairs.

He is imitating a few more words. Yesterday I told him I was putting on my shoe, and he said, "shoe"! Um, off the top of my head I can't remember what else he'll say, but he's definitely communicating more.

Super day

We had a great day today. The kids and I went to the YMCA first thing. I was there about 20 minutes and the childcare worker had to come get me b/c Erik needed help on the potty and Adin needed a new diaper. I took care of all that, and Adin just looked so tired I decided we'd just go home.

Adin took a long, fabulous nap. Erik and I played with moon sand, not a good thing to play with when Adin is awake. We had a quick bite to eat and then met some friends at a playground. These were friends from Barnehage, which ended last week. We were supposed to meet at 10, but due to napping and lunch we arrived at 11:30! Luckily, there were still a few people there. The kids had so much fun we just stayed for an hour and a half!

On the way home, they were hungry so I poured some fish crackers into Erik's cup holder and told him to pass one to Adin when he held out his hand. That was fun to see out of the corner of my eye & in the rear view mirror.

Back home, we played in the back yard for about a half hour and ate apples. Then naptime! It just feels like it's been an idyllic day. Which is good, because sometimes the days feel more nightmarish! But I don't post about those!

I won!

I won a fake parenting award! I'm so honored.

More May Day

 

This was the finale.

 

Here are the boys on the way home.

Happy May Day

Yesterday we joined Emily and Dan at the May Day parade in Minneapolis. We ended up on opposite sides of Bloomington Ave, but chatted on cell phones and they got to watch Erik's wide eyes during the parade.

 

Erik's favorite part of the parade came early on when the marching band had a tuba! His favorite musical instrument!

 

A large group called Sprout. They wore green and passed out little tastes of sprouts. We declined.

 

 

Bears that came by right before the finale.