Is summer really over?!? I started writing this blog post weeks ago, but never got to finishing it until now. I always get depressed around this time of year, even though it's not like any of us are "back to school" ourselves. It's just the thought of weather getting cooler, allergies kicking in, traffic getting worse, and people at work getting more serious that makes me gloomy. Sorry to be so pessimistic...but it's decades of hard-wiring to change!
I feel satisfied in knowing that we really did try to do everything we possibly could this summer. We went to Vegas, Delaware, Sesame Place, and the Jersey shore...had our share of BBQs and get-togethers...and I even got to go on a sister excursion to Nashville (hot chicken and honky tonk!)...all while transitioning into my new job. The new job has made this summer more stressful than usual, but also energizing to be doing something brand new. I have yo-yo feelings on a daily basis....inspired, curious, encouraged...confused, insecure, uncomfortable, etc. I know these are all normal feelings for the first few months, so just trying to enjoy the ride :)
Back to the kids...this is a really fun stage. It's nice to be out of the baby stuff (although a wee sad that I won't experience that again...you heard that right, no #3) and to have two mini-people who can communicate pretty well, do/eat the things we do, enjoy each other's company, and find curiosity/joy in basically anything. It's still exhausting daily to keep up with their routines, demands (especially Sammy's irrational ones), and messes, but it's generally a sweet time. Just this month, Sammy moved up to the 2 1/2 year class in school recently, which means she now she gets to join Josiah for after-care. Picking them up is so cute because we get to see them laughing and playing together. Sammy is always shouting "Joo-siyah" at the top of her lungs and getting in his space. As much as they are frenemies, their relationship is one that we are so thankful for....and hope grows stronger over time.
Sammy is speaking so much more now (even though it's broken toddler-speak) and it's amazing how much she's progressed just this summer. And Josiah is like a little man and has so many new thoughts, ideas, and expressions on a daily basis. He's been much more focused and able to hold two-way conversations than before, so it's fun to hear about his day, his friends, and what they taught him about Darth Vader, Hulk Smash, and defeating bad guys. There's this one guy who apparently says "poop and fart" and is therefore not nice. Funny how peer dynamics start so early.
SAMANTHA - 2 years, 5 months
Sammy is a clever, silly, and independent girl...and I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm actually jealous. We joke that she's more "street smart" than "book smart"...but perhaps it's just because we've totally neglected teaching her the basics (true to her 2nd child status). She tends to want to do her own thing anyway...she's often just sneaking off and exploring things on her own. She expresses her wants very clearly and likes to openly defy us. But as much as she loves to do things on her own, she still has sudden moments of clingyness too. She can be super whiny these days and will demand for us to hold her ("hold you!"). You never know which mood you'll get with her, so we are always walking on eggshells!
Too many individual stories to share. Here are some highlights:
- Favorite TV show: Elena of Avalor (she pronounces it perfectly too), PJ Masks
- Favorite toys: her baby doll (who always seems to be crying, Cookie Monster, whatever Josiah is playing with
- Favorite books: "I wish you more", Anything Frozen related
- Other loves: singing loudly in the car to 'Lion Guard" or "Veggie Tales", her pink ballet slippers, eating "kimpow" (seaweed), bathtime, iPhone
- Words/phrases: "me first", "are there yet?", "I going home", "c'mon", "gricious" (delicious), "wow, that's amazing", "my hurt...bug bite me", "hey, what's dat sound?", "I do by self", "no, stop. I sing", "can I help you?" (which means "can you help me?"), "because...", "POOPY" (when she feels it coming)
- New tricks: Likes to change her voice to high and low pitches (almost to a growl), knows the days of the week/month, knows all her classmates' names
- Characteristics/Quirks: pigtai
ls (her hair is so long...still never cut!), brushes her hair behind her ear, still sucks her fingers (not as much as before though), always insists on using the potty, but then asks to get off right away
JOSIAH - 4 years, 2 months
Josiah is inquisitive, talkative, and loves to express his love openly. He often tells us that he loves us, says I have a beautiful heart, and will enthusiastically say things like "this is the best restaurant EVER" or "that's a GREAT idea" when he's a fan. However, on the other side of the coin, he will sulk and hide behind the couch, burst into tears, and say things like "I'm going to leave forever" when he's upset. He is very sensitive, both physically (can't stand to be hot) and emotionally. The hardest thing is trying to punish him...we end up consoling his hysterics and affirming him with lots of hugs. I hope he's not playing us...
He's also expressing more independence...wakes up and goes to the bathroom in the morning at times, resists sitting on his booster chair, and wants to brush his own teeth (hooray Dr. Wendy)!
- Favorite TV show: PJ Masks, Goldie and Bear, Tigger and Pooh. We are still very much a Disney Junior family, but trying to slowly transition to Nick Jr. for work loyalty!
- Favorite toys: MINIONS (except purple ones), magnetiles and legos...always seems to be making a cake or a house for his characters
- Favorite books: "Don't let the pigeon..." series, "Green Eggs and Ham", "Finding Dory" (only because Sammy wants it too) reading about Josiah in the Bible
- Other loves: Play-doh YouTube videos, telling/hearing stories, pretending to be dogs or birds together, helping Daddy cook, eating strawberries, climbing onto our bed
- Words/phrases: "when I'm 17...", "you need to pologize to me", "you squishy girl" (to Samantha), "one fateful day", "the blustering wind", "I'm busy",
- New tricks: More open to trying things (says he wants to try ice skating)
- Characteristics/Quirks: speaks in third person, memorizes lyrics to songs well, gets easily scared, likes to goof off and make up silly words ("pah pah") and noises, continues to be very particular about things being in their place (is always stuffing bags and boxes with his stuff)
Onward to Fall. It's going to be a busy season and we've recently (reluctantly) enrolled the kids in swimming lessons since A) we feel guilty about not having activities and B) it's just a good skill to learn early. But now, the start of extracurricular activities, aka soccer mom/dad life has begun!
