Eager Readers

I noticed this week that Lydia's reader for school had been moving around the house. I really just thought she was playing school and did not think anything about it. But then I realized that Lydia's reading is improving overnight seemingly. Lydia has turned into a bookworm and is picking books up and reading them to herself. Whoohoo! Victory for Mom. 

Anyhow, we were at the library and Isaac wanted to sit in the chairs and read books (toddler boy wants to sit and read - YES I WILL READ TO YOU!). Lydia was still picking out books so I start reading to Isaac and then I hear this squeal "Mom, mom, mom! Guess what? These books have words I can read and they are fun books". 

Another Mom win - we have moved away from the Bob books. A story line, a plot, complex sentences! Whoohooo!!!!!! 

We left a few books at the library but we came home with a bunch! 

"I will read these books to myself". 

Don't fear Mom, I am sitting here in my manly purple car seat and I will read picture books with you occasionally. Like when I am eating.

Weekend

Last weekend, Lydia got to have her cousin spend the night. (They are joined at the hip - just ask them!). Isaac got some special time with Dad and a bike. 

The girls got a pedicure, puzzle time, and playing outside time with Mom. 

No sleepover is complete without a special treat ;) 

Isaac got to help in the kitchen - which is one of his favorite things to do. (Raw sweet potatoes are a bit crunchy for his taste!). 

James turned into a homeschool dad right before my very eyes. Dinner time conversation about the moon turned into a "brief" lesson on the solar system complete with props! 

Last Week

Last week this happened:

This happened: 

And I tried to catch up and meet the needs of both kids. Isaac was sick. Ear infection number 6 was a doozy - high fever, irritable baby and James worked late four out of five nights. Isaac's fever would spike to 104 and I would give him Motrin and cuddle him. And then his fever would come down to a much better of 102 and he would then run laps around the house until his fever spiked again. Lydia was home all week because well, where can a five year old go alone? And for some crazy reason our friends did not want to come play with us ;) Anyhow, Lydia was bouncing off the walls! 

I got the brilliant idea to make Jello. Might as well share our germs by cooking food together!

One night Lydia and I escaped after James did get home. We went and sat at Whole Foods and then went to RUN at the park. She had a bit of energy and sadly I had none. 

RUN CHILD RUN! 

Amazon sent us a box (thank goodness for new toys!).

When  Isaac was finally well and healthy again James took both kids to the park. And I stayed home :) (In the quiet!).

Please tell me you feel better!!!! Eat the cookies (best way to know if the boy feels better - will he eat???). 

Lydia did earn herself a bowling trip. Sick baby, middle of the summer, I thought we could skip school. But NOPE we did not miss a single day (one day Lydia schooled herself!). 

We have a healthy children again! Painting and school work (school work is apparently not a sign of health in Lydia's world though...). 

M&M Habitats

Are you wondering about animal habitats? Natural selection? Well, Lydia has been. SO we did a science experiment all about habitats and natural selection. I can get behind this experiment! 

We gathered 11 M&Ms of each color. 

Made a habitat for the M&Ms. (I always thought the habitat of a M&M was my tummy but the joke fell on deaf ears with Lydia!). 

Isaac felt like an M&M habitat was defiantly his tummy! 

Timer set and the little girl goes digging for M&Ms in their habitat. Apaprently this was harder than she thought!

There were 55 M&Ms to be found and Lydia found less than 10. So apparently she is very effective at making a safe habitat for the M&Ms ;) 

Isaac wanted a turn too. I think he found more than 10 but he was am immediate gratification guy and I did not get a count as to how many he found in his 1 minute. 

It was high action for the toddler. He resembled an animal hunting food! 

And after all was said and done, snack was enjoyed by all! 

Evil mom - Isaac was happy, safe, and contained. He dug in the habitat much longer than one minute (Lydia gained a huge handful of M&Ms too!). 

Drinking From A Cup

This is a huge step for our little man. We introduced this idea several months ago and there were so many scream sessions when the cup was empty (hours and hours - 2+ hours over this small disappointment were not unheard of) . The logical solution is to put more water in the boy's cup and most children would stop crying. Well, Isaac did not fall in that category and I said whatever. Drink from a sippy cup all your life kiddo. I may have even told him that he will never get a job still drinking from a sippy cup and he was not going to live with me forever ;) I can summarize the scream sessions as bad. Really bad for the entire family (maybe neighbors too!).

Then this week, this magic happened!

See those smiles. He is very proud of himself for this victory. And when the cup is empty Isaac signs all done or more. We are working on words - we will get there eventually. Drinking from a cup is cool but I am WAY more excited about not screaming about the empty cup for hours! 

As long as we were talking about magical things in Isaac's world, I realized this week I took pictures of several small victories. 

Looks minor BUT Isaac is jumping on the trampoline WITH another child (infact that other child can even talk to him and interact with him!). He isn't screaming about it either. I tried to get his smiling face but he was a bit preoccupied. As I said, seems small but playing with another child near you without screaming is a wonderful development. 

OH, and instead of screaming for hours and hours when we are done with an activity we have learned to say NO! Success!!!!! Infact, look at that picture - he is done with an activity, has said no, and is waiting somewhat patiently while I take a picture of this moment! Small victories but I am rejoicing over this development (a simple no is much more socially acceptable instead of screaming for hours because you were done with an activity!). 

We have been working very hard with this little guy and I am very encouraged to see the progress he is making. I think he is even happier - screaming for hours wasn't enjoyable for him either! Many answered prayers for Isaac.