Luke Reads

 

 

This week while driving in the car Luke read his first book by himself.  He read it out loud to us and had Gage help him with the hard words and when he was done my vision blurred and I thought about how a whole world of adventure just opened up for my boy!  I don't know why I felt so emotional about him reading by himself.  Maybe it's because he and I have had to work so hard so he could.  Maybe it's because there were times this year when he didn't think he would.  Maybe it's because Gage has been patient and helped his little brother along and I was touched each time Gage gently corrected a missed word.  Maybe it's because I know how a book can whisk you away to meet new people and visit new places and explore new ideas.  Whatever it was I'm so thankful that my Luke reads!  Good job buddy!  I knew you could do it! 

Claire's Clothes War Continues

For Easter I went to H & M and bought Claire a truly adorable wardrobe.  Dresses that I would wear myself if they came in my size.  I bought an especially beautiful cream number for Easter.  I was so excited to try them on her.  When we got home I tried them on and the drama began.  She said they  were the ugliest clothes she has ever seen and flat out refused to wear any of them.  All she wanted to keep were the red shoes.  I told her NO!!  I took it all back and she wore one of the dresses she already had for Easter.  Each morning is such a struggle to get her dressed. 

 

 

This week was no different but this time the battle was on.  Claire had her preschool performance and I was determined for her to wear A:  What I had been asked by her teacher to dress her in and B: What I wanted her to wear for once!  I got the dress on ok and then I went to do her hair.  I plopped her in front of Sesame Street and hoped for the best.  I had her hair in an adorable side bun and put a bright yellow flower over her ear.  She was supposed to look beachy for the performance and so I thought mission accomplished.  Score one for me!  And then she looked in the mirror.  Immediately the tears started and the "I hate this dress!" and "I hate my hair!"  The confrontation ended with me yelling, "YOU ARE GOING TO WEAR WHAT I WANT FOR ONCE!  AND YOUR HAIR IS GORGEOUS!" 

 

 

She did look beautiful at the performance and 3 moms (count that Claire...1,2,3)  told me how cute she looked and asked where I got the dress.  She was the star performer at the performance.  Claire has a very distinct and very loud singing voice and she knew every word, every action, of every song.  She sang her wee little heart out and the battle of the morning was forgotten!  I love that girl.  That girl drives me crazy at the same time. 

 

Once we got home this in what she changed into.  That is some sense of fashion...what with the mixed patterns:  polka dot, plaid, floral.  Orange flower ring and wool TOMs.  Hello Kitty headband. 

   

Cub Scout Space Derby

 

Last week Gage had his first cub scout derby.  It was not the pinewood derby, I believe that is coming up, but it was a Space Derby.  I feel this whole derby business is very stressful!  I had visions of Tim and Gage crafting the space-ship together in an evening and when it was over Tim would ruffle Gage's hair and say, "You're a chip right off the old block!"  and then Gage would say, "I love you Dad!"  The evening would end when we all sang Kum Ba Ya and hugged. 

My illusions were shattered when the project was procrastinated and Tim had to come home from work early for two nights to get it done and when Gage and his Dad butt heads more than two bulls during the rut.  I was proud of Tim because he really let Gage do most of the work and when Gage was done painting it I thought it was the screwiest thing I had ever seen.  After Gage went to bed I begged Tim to put his artistic skills to good use and repaint it.  Tim said, "It isn't my rocket it is Gage's."  Wow...who saw that wisdom coming out of Tim?  Not me.  The next night, through some well placed constructive directing, Gage was prevailed upon to paint it again.  It looks like what you see below and I thought I looked great!

The race itself was another issue all together.  There were some equipment failures and the boys only got to race their rockets once and that was a bit of a let down but Gage's rocket did great.  He didn't win but he seemed pleased with its performance and I was thankful that the rocket was his own work  and not his Dad's.  I think Tim and Gage had a great time just not what I was expecting.  I know I can't look at it through my girl lenses!  What do I know about the Father/Son relationship?  Nothing!