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.

Holiday round-up

Whoopsie! I forgot to post these before the January ones. Enjoy!

Helping Mama make a cranberry garland

Our Tree

New Elmojamas and tool belt from Santa

Ear protection first!!

Playing Santa at Oma & Grandpa's

It's ART!

We're working on a praaahjeck, Mama.

Dancin' at Music with Mar

Watch my moves!

Two of his favorites - the "pull thing" and Lion's Club broom

Reading with Granna

Bennett's first full length movie in a theatre - The Muppets

 All in all - a GREAT holiday season for the Allman family. We had a lovely Christmas morning at home and then packed up to go to Canada for the Haupert family celebration on Boxing Day. Bennett really enjoyed playing with his older cousins, and Blythe & Brian had a good time catching up with their parents. And what a yummy dinner we shared in the basement. That was a lot of fun - especially the "poppers"! Bennett loves the gifts he got from Oma and Grandpa - Big Bird, Cookie Monster AND Snuffy. As a matter of fact, they each have a place of honor in the big boy bed. We also got a chance to skype with Brian's brother, Trevor and his wife, Cindy. It's always so nice to see everyone. I love that we have the technology to connect with loved ones so far away.

Two days later, Granna and Daddy-o arrived by car and plane and then Uncle Ben the next day. Bennett really enjoyed going to the airport to pick Ben up. Later in the week, when we asked Bennett where Uncle Ben lives, he said, "airport!" Almost, buddy.

We made fun Christmas memories with the "farts", which Bennett, Brian, Daddy-o and Uncle Ben each received in their stockings. Bennett also really enjoyed two name tag holders that Santa brought for him. Santa seems to know just what a two year old boy will love.

We took several fun "field trips" while my family was in town. The Darwin Martin House is a local architectural gem created by Frank Lloyd Wright. It is currently being restored so it was fun to see some behind the scenes things. Bennett was much better behaved in there than I thought he would be. We also went to see Niagara Falls. When we started our trek, the sun was out. By the end of our walk to the falls, the clouds had rolled in and we were all soaked to the bone!

And last but certainly not least, we took Bennett to see his first feature length film IN a movie theatre. The Muppet Show was still showing at one of our second run theatres, so we took in a matinee and the movie was good, but that was secondary to how much Bennett seemed to enjoy it. We were all impressed that he sat still for all but the last twenty minutes, when he stood up but didn't wiggle or complain too much. He didn't really like the guy who played the villain, but otherwise, he fell in love with Kermit and friends. Yay!

Thanks to all of you for making our holidays so memorable!

January Photo Blast

Helping Uncle Ben make coffee

Sharing with his buddies at playgroup - finally!

With the family at Niagara Falls - Canada

Finally learning what Madeline really says

Music bubbles were the funnest thing

Granna's phone is also cool

Funny sayings . . .

We were at the library yesterday morning and Bennett was very very good. He wanted to *work* at the computers in the kids section, so I let him run ahead while I picked out a few books for him. (Don't worry, I could still see him!) He called out to me and I went to help him. He said, "Mama - I need my earmugs!"

Watching the clock

One last cute story before turning in for the night!

We've taken to blaming the clock when there are tasks to do that Bennett isn't so excited about. For instance, at 8:00 pm, we get all excited and say to Bennett, "Beanie! Did you see the clock? What does it say?" And he'll look up at it and grin before running up the stairs and saying, "BAFF!" We love it.

The other night, while sitting at the table with Bennett and my mom, we were talking and trying hard to get Bennett to finish eating his food. I said something along the lines of, "Beanie - it's eating time!" He looked up at the clock, turned to me and said, "No mama, clock says it time to watch George." I had to give him one point and one episode for being clever.

Everybody sleeping

We've started seeing progress with the night time routine, folks! I'm very excited to spread the word that we are no longer spending upwards of thirty minutes each night rocking Bennett to sleep. As much as I enjoyed the time together snuggled with my sweet fellow, I love that he can put himself down now after just five minutes of rocking!

As we're rocking, we talk about what it means to be a big boy and go to sleep all by yourself in your big boy bed. Because he'd had some difficulty staying asleep the last week or so I threw in a new statement two nights ago. I said to him, "Now listen, Bennett. If you wake up in the middle of the night, remember that everyone else is still asleep. Mommy is sleeping, Daddy is sleeping, Granna is sleeping and even Uncle Ben is sleeping. You have Alberta right here beside you - you can give her a big squeeze and she will help you get back to sleep until it's wake up time. Sound good?" He nodded and snuggled in to his pillow. I told him I was proud of him, gave him three quick kisses and walked out the door.

The funny part is listening to him as he's falling asleep. We turn the monitor up loud enough to hear his mumbles and this is what we heard last night: "mama sleeping, daddy sleeping, granna sleeping. everybody sleeping!" said in a sort of sad monotone, as if he were really having to talk himself into the idea that everyone was asleep and no one was available to play. Poor little guy! But then he drifted right off to la la land!

Now let's hope I didn't just jinx it by typing it all out. . .