Kids and the Tomato Worms

The other week, I went outside to check out the garden and what was in front of me? None other than a tomato worm. Yuck!

Mike ended up pulling off over 20 of them in 2 days. We haven't seen one since. Fingers crossed. The kids had a blast playing with them. Mike would put them in a bucket and they would carry them around.

************
We started a new tradition of going out to eat about once a month with the kids. I thought they should get used to doing it since we never eat out and they don't know what it's all about. For the most part, they don't really eat, but like the experience. They are just so picky with food, it is hard to find things they will eat.
The other week, we went to Paradise Bakery. They had fruit salad and a cookie.



************
NOAH

We took Noah to the doctor last week because his voice had changed. No, not like when boys turn to men, but it was a raspy higher pitch girl like voice (get the idea?) Anyway, after doing some research online, I came to the conclusion that it was either his reflux bugging him again or allergies. The Doctor gave him some children's claritin and after about a week, his voice returned to normal. It was weird to hear him talk. Although his voice is normal again, his behavior is like the devil's child. He doesn't sleep and if he does, it is a 1 hour nap and he is awake at 5 am more days than not. Ahh... I know he is tired because anytime we get in the car or go for a long walk, he is out. I just wish we could figure out what is wrong with this kid.
Also, when we were at the doctors office, she told me that he hasn't gained a pound since his 2 year appointment. Not a shocker here. The kid is so picky and doesn't eat a meal except for dinner time. He is a grazer. Currently he is in love with Trader Joe bars.

He has started signing the ABC's and most of the time he does it all the way through. He loves to sing and can pick up on a song pretty easy.

He spends most of his days in timeout. I guess we are getting a real picture of the terrible two's. He just.won't.listen!!! He loves to bug his sister, A LOT!!! Hitting and throwing are his 2 major issues. The yelling has gone down a bit.

He is so not ready for a big boy bed or to be potty trained. Every time we ask him he says no to both.

He loves to play by himself, read books, ride bikes and be goofy.

He is still my snuggler and you can tell when his snuggle tank is low because he will follow you around saying "please hold me 5 minutes." Melts your heart, but it is always right when you are in the middle of something.

**********
AVA

Ava is growing up before our eyes. She is in her last week of school. She has finally broken out of her shell a bit and talks to her other classmates. It is so nice to see. She still won't sing at chapel, but we made serious progress in that area. At her last chapel, Mrs Turner got her to smile and move her hands a bit! It was quite an improvement from standing shell shocked with no smile and not a movement at all. So proud of her. I think I am a bit more teary eyed about her last day that she will be. She really loves her teachers (Mrs. Mascari and Mrs Turner) and they have worked very hard with her.

Ava still challenges us at night time. She now reads her books after we put her to bed with her light on instead of just her flashlight. I think she also gets in her rocking chair. She still comes out of her room 1-4 times after we put her to bed, but are working out negotiations for it to be just once. She is a negotiator.  The other night, I heard her go potty around midnight. At that point I realized that our AC fan wasn't running (I like the noise) and went to turn it on when I saw the light on in her room. She decided that she couldn't sleep and that she was going to read books. I made her turn it off and go to bed, which she then cried about.

She, just like Noah, is very sensitive when you tell her no or not to do something. She will usually storm off into her room. I thought that only happened in the teenage years.

She is a good eater. Many nights, she won't eat dinner, but we save it for her and she will eat it later.

She has the best imagination and I can't wait to watch her grow up.

*************


***********