A Mother's Work...

There are some things that moms just end up having to do... like rescue a terrified boy from a play structure.

I took Jeffrey out to lunch at the KFC today. Erin had a lunch day at school and I thought it would be something fun for Jeffrey and I to do together. We've been there many times before, but always with Erin and always when there were lots of other kids there. Today it's raining and kinda dreary. It ended up being just Jeffrey and I in the play zone.

The first thing he did was climb up the stairs to the top of the play structure. He was quite proud of himself. Then he started to head towards the slide. As I mentioned he's been there before and generally gets a little wary about the path to the slide. It requires the kids to climb through a webbing net about 20 feet off the ground. There are 12" rings around it every 2 feet or so to keep it from wiggling too much.

As Jeff headed into the webbing "tunnel" I followed underneath him to encourage him. About half way through he just got completely freaked. He started shaking and screaming for help. Generally there are other kids playing around, but not today. I tried to help him from the ground. Told him he wasn't going to fall, he just needed to go quickly. He tried to move again and just got even more scared.

So what does a mom do? Well in true Durstine fashion I tried singing to him. "You can do it Jeffrey, You can keep going. Because You are an Amazing Jeffrey Man." This is to the tune of Rondau by Jean Joseph Mouret from Jeffrey's favorite Little Einstein's episode (it's also the main theme from Masterpiece Theater). He and Erin love to make up new words to it. So there I am, standing in the middle of a restaurant, looking up at my screaming, crying little man singing to him..."You can do it Jeffrey, You can keep going. Because you are an Amazing Jeffrey Man." I felt a little silly, but was at my last option to get to keep going.

Sadly it was not much help. So up I went. Climbing up a play structure build for 6-year olds. I got to the top, but wasn't about to try and climb into the webbing tunnel with him for fear it wouldn't hold me. But he was still about 6 feet from me, and had to turn around to get to me. So I reached out my hand, and sang one more time. He finally turned around and reached for my hand. Took him about 30 seconds to move those 6 feet.

Once I got hold of him he made me carry him, shaking, down the stairs. We sat down and ate a few bites of chicken and some fries. He never went back to the stairs, but found a way to play for a while that didn't require the netting tunnel.

I guess a mother's work includes singing silly songs in public restaurants as well as climbing to the top of the playground.

Harvest Festival Pictures

We met some friends at a local harvest festival yesterday. Erin and Jeffrey had a great time. They got to play in the pumpkin patch, take a pony ride, throw stones in a stream, climb on the hay mountain, run through a hay maze and have a generally good time. Erin loved being able to run and hang out with her friends, leaving mommy and daddy in the dust. Well here comes the photo overload.

Picking Out a Cool "Pumpkin"

First Pony Ride

Enjoying her Ride on the "Big" Pony

Climbing on the Hay Mountain

Sliding Down the Hay Mountain

A visit with Uncle Gary and Aunt Suzy

After going to dinner at Medieval Times we headed to Uncle Gary and Aunt Suzy's house. Erin was very excited to tell them all about the knights. Jeffrey was sound asleep and didn't even wake up when Erin was jumping over him on the floor. We had a great time sitting and chatting the night away. Erin had such a hard time falling asleep she was so excited. I heard her singing to herself long after the lights were turned out (sometime after 11:00).

In the morning Uncle Gary and daddy made us some great eggs for breakfast. Then we went for a walk around where Uncle Gary lives. The kids loved walking by the bay and seeing all the "pirate ships". We made a stop in at a little shop so get some salsa that Tom and I like. The kids convinced Gary (and I) that it wasn't too early for some Ice Cream and got themselves a special treat.

We had a great time just walking and chatting. Erin had to walk with Uncle Gary and was devastated when she learned we were going to have to head home. Thanks for taking a morning to hang out with us Uncle Gary.

Horses and Knights and Fun

During Tom's week between jobs we decided to take an overnight trip to Baltimore and go to Medieval Times. Tom and I had been talking that we thought it was something both kids would get a kick out of. Both are fascinated with knights and princesses and wizards and dragons (wonder where that came from?). They are also both in love with horses. Since Medieval Times provides a great mix of both we decided to take a road trip.

I explained to Erin that we were going to see a show with horses and knights and wizards. I should have waited a day or so to tell her because for the next several days that's all I heard about. She was very very excited to get there. Jeffrey wasn't so sure.

Erin Being Goofy With Her Crown(s)

We were given green crowns and got great seats to cheer for the Green Knight. We bought the kids little flags to wave to cheer on the knight. Jeffrey used his more as a sword and eventually had it taken away....but what else do you expect from a 2-year old. We got there early and Erin and Jeff walked around the castle. Erin had her camera with her and wanted to take pictures of anyone in costume. Jeffrey was particularly taken with the knighting ceremony. I think he liked it because the trumpets that heralded the beginning of the ceremony reminded him of one of his favorite Little Einstein episodes (Carmine's Big Race). He heard the trumpets and came running to Erin and I (Erin was taking pictures) shouting, "Carmine, Carmine mommy!"

Jeffrey Put His Crown on All By Himself

Once we got inside we had great seats. And dinner was served pretty quickly. Since we didn't want to have to deal with Jeff on our laps, we bought him a ticket, which meant he also got an entire dinner to himself. For those who have not been to a Medieval Times, no silverware is provided. Erin had a blast drinking her soup, but Jeff couldn't get the idea of it. He did greatly enjoy his garlic bread and the leg off the 1/2 chicken that was plopped on his plate.

The show was so much fun. Jeffrey got a little scared by the theatrics, but once the horses were out he loved it. Erin just sat and laughed and cheered, and waved her flag for the Green Knight. She was in awe of everything and having the time of her life. I always love the jousting games, and Erin seemed to think those were pretty cool too. She sat mesmerized (and eating, she put a good dent into her 1/2 chicken, potato, soup and garlic bread).

Jeff and Daddy Cheering on the Green Knight

After the show we went to give one last cheer to the Green Knight (Erin provided him with a hug after a little prodding) and headed to Uncle Gary's house. Jeffrey entered the car mumbling something about his blankie. By the time we were out of the parking lot, he was sound asleep. Completely worn out by all the excitement.

Erin Gives the Green Knight a Consolation Hug

Artwork

Just wanted to share one of the pieces of artwork that came home from school the other day. It's very cute. Erin told me that's her in the middle of 2 trees. There are crushed leaves mixed with glitter glued to the paper to make the trees.

Obsessed With Letters

I remember about a year ago, I was somewhat concerned with Erin and letters. She didn't really have an interest in letters other than E, R, I, N. It was all about numbers. She counted (and still does) everything. Knew most all hew numbers on sight etc . . . but if I showed her a letter she'd have no idea what it was and no interest to really try and figure it out.

Well, Noni got her something similar to this little computer this summer that she loves. At first she only played the numbers games. But one morning I can downstairs and found her playing some of the letters games. In about an hour or so, she'd figured out all the letters.

When she started school, she got more comfortable with letters. They work on letters almost every day. They'll often have a letter of the week. Apparently they practice writing them, and recognizing them. They type of stuff you'd expect in pre-school. She started bringing home papers with practiced A's all over it. The next week it was B for bear.

So after we put Jeffrey to bed Friday night, Tom and Erin went downstairs for a few minutes of quiet time. Erin decided she wanted to "write". She blew us away with what she could write. Almost all of her letters she was able to easily copy, and some she knew how to write without even copying them. Tom would say "F" and she'd go, "Oh I can do that, that's in Jeffrey's name, J, E, F, F" and write a perfectly nice F.

Her obsession continued into Saturday. She wanted to write everyone's name on her "family" homework project. Since she was running out of space I convinced her to stick to Tom, Meghan, Erin and Jeff. Then she got out another piece of paper and wanted to know how to write everyone else's name. She picked a few friends from school and wrote their names (with some help in reminding her what the letters looked like) and wrote grandma, Oma, Noni too.

I was just amazed. She sat and copied these words for over an hour. Whether this is something from school or just a passing craze I was impressed. I don't remember being able to write this well (and I certainly didn't have this interest for it) when I was her age.

So we spent our weekend spelling and writing and copying everything. What's in store for next weekend I wonder.

The Linebacker Meets Gymnastics

I brought the camera to Jeffrey's gymnastics class today. He really does have a blast. He's made a few friends with some of the wilder bunch. He and the coach's little boy like to push each other around in the "donut". Today Jeff was all about running, jumping and his favorite . . . plowing into the big block of cheese. I got some really cute pictures, as well as some videos. I took the videos and meshed them together into a little "montage" that I linked above.

Having fun with the parachute

Climbing Time

Who's Down There?