More funny things . . .

Right this second, he's watching Oma knit. He says to her: "Those are nice needles you have there." Clear as a bell.

The Importance of Being Friendly

Today I was reminded how important it is to put yourself out there when in a new and perhaps uncomfortable social situation.

One of the things that we've found Bennett really likes to do is climb at the McDonald's playplace. This is also a really good opportunity for him to stretch his social muscles.

What I overheard him say today while we were there . . . "What your name is?" and "My name BennettCharlesAllman. You play me?"

My heart swelled with pride and I was reminded that you just need to be nice to other people. A friend of mine recently emailed some life goals for the year and one of them was about being friendly in social situations - her job is heavily loaded in the social networking realm. A statement that she made really resonated and I want to remember it frequently - being shy and closed off just comes off as being snobby. (totally paraphrased, but that was the gist) Strangers don't know that you're shy, and as adults it's not the first inclination to assume that someone is shy. By the time we grow up, we should be comfortable talking with other grown people about nothing and everything.

So - My name's Blythe. What's yours? (step one)

Guess who's a big boy?

So someone little seems to be weaning himself off the rocking chair routine. I didn't think it would upset me as much as it did today at naptime.

We were sitting there comfortably reading books together. Right now, his favorites are the Berenstain Bears Go To School and Have a Sitter . . . we read each one twice! Anyway, what usually happens is that he helps me turn off the lamp next to the rocker and then he snuggles down to rock for a few minutes. I always say to him, "We can rock as long as you'd like, but you tell me when you're ready for your big boy bed." Ten minutes later or so, he lets me know . . .

Today, we read, we turned off the light and he immediately says, "I no need to rock wiff you, mama." WTH??? I tried to hide my disappointment and said, "Okay, love" - and tucked him in. I walked out the door and quickly turned on the monitor to see what happened. He tossed Oliver out of his bed and then chattered for fifteen minutes before he drifted off to sleep. Incredible!

We have a babysitter tonight, so I'm anxious to know if this pattern continues. We'll see! Please keep fingers crossed.

I think he's ready for Mrs. Folger

Apparently he likes M. Gladwell, too.

This weekend, I heard silence. Not normal in our household filled with 'boy'. I came down the stairs only to find the picture of intelligence you see to the left. According to Brian, the little guy picked up the nearest copy of The New Yorker and sat down in his rocker to read. I promise I didn't pose this. (If I'd posed him, I'd have made sure to change the striped socks which clash so wonderfully with the bright red pants and prison striped shirt. Lordy!) Anyway - this afternoon, as Bennett was finishing up his nap, I picked up my latest issue of Parenting magazine (The Genius Issue) and read that kids who see their parents reading for pleasure are more likely to read for pleasure themselves. Hell yeah! We're doing something right.

That's a butt that just climbed itself up high!

Lest anyone think we're boring snobs, we also made a trip to McDonald's a part of weekend fun. It was snowing and cold and the trampoline park ("twampaYINE park" as someone little I know likes to call it) was full. I ordered a bottle of water and we let Bennett climb the ladders in the playplace. I am happy to report that he can finally climb up the web cage things all. by. him. self. Hallelujah! Neither Brian nor I has to step foot in one of those things ever again. I can't wait to see what he does with the climber at the zoo this summer.

For the record, Mrs. Folger is one of my high school teachers. I believe I had her twice, once for junior English and then again for AP American Literature. She's the one who forced me to read Jude The Obscure and Heart of Darkness. I do not remember those experiences fondly.

The Past Tense

Bennett likes to talk about things that have already happened. He really likes to do this - you know, in case one of the adults in his life has forgotten. :)

What's really cute about this is that anything that happened in the past he describes as having happened, "last morning." For instance, "Mama, last morning you read me George and Pancakes before I sleep. You no member?"

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Yesterday (Wednesday), Bennett pulled his scooter out of the basement spot where it was "resting". He wanted to give it another go, despite falling off it repeatedly every time he has tried to ride it the last two months (hence, the "resting").

We toted it upstairs to the living room and that was that. He rode that scooter confidently the first time! He stands on his right foot and pushes off with his left. He managed to steer fairly well, too. Suffice it to say, I was quite alarmed to have left him in the living room to go wash a couple of dishes in the sink only to have him ride up behind me moments later with a look of absolute pride smeared across his face.

Games

They're playing a game right now that they usually play outside. But it's a little too snowy right now. These are the rules, according to Bennett: "Daddy come up to stand so I push you over." There are lots of giggles involved.