Preschool Anxiety

So it seems my little guy has a bit of anxiety about school. He has learned that music class is on Wednesday. Furthermore, he has learned that Wednesday is two days after Monday, which does NOT play host to music class. This morning, he looked up at me when I got him out of my bed and after declaring that he couldn't find his daddy, he wanted to know what we were doing today. I tried to beat around the bush about the fact that it was a school day, a Wednesday school day for that matter, but he wouldn't let me avoid the issue.

B: "Mama. What we doing today?"
Me: "Well, honey, Daddy is going to work. And I'm going to run some errands and do other boring things while you're at school."
B: (with tears in his eyes) "I no go school, mama. I go errands wiff you. I no go school."

It's so hard to be the parent at times like these. I know that he knows what's coming. I debate with myself about what's the best plan of attack for him. Do I protect him from the things that upset him or do I make him follow through because I know that it's important for him to learn how to deal with situations that are tough for him. Then, I'm reminded that although he has the vocabulary and articulation of an older child, he is still just two and a half years old. He should be protected.

We took him to school despite his protest. I went in an hour or so later and sat with the director to talk about the best plan (already, it seems like he's got a mini-IEP!) for making him comfortable with school. She simply clarified that the goal of ECRC is that kids learn that school can be fun! She doesn't want the students to be stressed about school - seriously, they're tiny little people! They can't handle that much stress!!! So, we ultimately decided that Bennett will simply change the days that he goes to school. Music is only provided on Wednesdays, so his new schedule will be to go on Monday and Thursday mornings. Bennett is still being exposed to music at home and through our Music with Mar classes at least twice a month. I don't think he'll miss out and I believe that he'll learn to love his time at ECRC even more!

Tonight's Dinner

Brought to you by the color WHITE.

Chicken, "dip" and yogurt raisins. Unintentionally coordinated.

Creative Cuisine

We have been very fortunate in that Bennett is typically a very good eater. He likes to try new things . . . See the entry where he downed an entire bowl of salsa. Yesterday we went to an Indian buffet and he ate an entire chicken tandoori leg.

Tonight for dinner he requested toast and apple butter. I also put some strawberries on his plate. He made his own concoction - a strawberry sandwich dipped in apple butter. Looks yummy doesn't it?

Funny words . . .

He's started to really like eating granola bars. When he asks for one, he tells me he wants a "tuna bar". I have no idea why, but it's an easy giggle every time!

Very Not Good

I don't know what got into this kid today, but our afternoon/evening was NOT FUN!

Sure, we had a good time walking around in the woods, but that was about it. Otherwise, we had a fussy, irritable, impossible to please monster on our hands. He didn't want milk after his nap, he didn't want a snack, he wanted a snack, but not THAT snack, he didn't want to wear pants to go out in the woods. He wanted to wear sandals to walk in the woods - that is, until he put said sandals on his feet and they were "cutty". ARGH!

Then we had to deal with some sort of possession when it was time to come in to go to dinner. I can't accurately put it into words, but it was very not fun. He was an absolute pisser while we were out to eat and then got angry when we wouldn't let him keep the rock he picked up outside of Red Lobster. We decided to just drive for a while before we got home so that we didn't have to deal with Tantrum Meister at home. He's usually quite fun and easy in the car. Tonight he was an angel in the car. Hallelujah!

We had a wrestling match to get him to take a bath and then he was quiet and calm for books before bed. Thank goodness we established this routine and stick to it so vehemently. It calms him every time. He was lights out and asleep by 9:15 like normal.

I wish I knew how to fix his difficulty with transition. Any tips?

Into the woods

This afternoon, I took a little break from the kid while he and Brian got to spend some time together.

When I joined them again before dinner, they were in the woods behind our house. Oh what fun we had! See photos and video below.

I balance myself, mama!

A muddy bum is a sign of a good day!

Always with the sticks . . . 

I LOVE THE WOODS!!!!!

Happiness is . . . a happy boy.

Weather

Just a quick note to document for all time that today, the temp topped out at around 70 F. Holy cow, we're only in the middle of March and folks in Buffalo were barely clad at the St. Patrick's Day parade this morning. Now, who's to say that they may have been scantily clad even if it were snowing . . . but still. 70F?

It's supposed to be this beautiful all weekend and into early next week. We're planning to go to a maple farm for Maple Weekend tomorrow morning. After that, it's outside as much as we can stand it.

Hopefully, I'll be able to report that Bennett has become a proficient scooter-rider soon. He's dying to get out there and work on it. Yay!

Shameless plug

Just in case someone OTHER than our immediate family reads this - I'm going to plug my etsy shop. I make bibs and cloth wipes and every now and then some other fun stuff for the smaller set of humans.

Check it out! I try to be reasonable priced . . .

http://www.etsy.com/shop/songshiner

The sun was shining today

The sun had come out
There was lots to play.
We had to get out
On this sun-shiney day.

My apologies to Dr. Seuss . . . it was an absolutely lovely afternoon! Bennett and I had a great morning at the Buffalo Museum of Science. We met up with friends from our playgroup in the Explorations room and he was content for an hour and a half. After we left, we went to Michael's house and played and had lunch before coming home to crash. Unfortunately, Bennett must have known that the sun was shining because he only slept for one hour. I left him in his bed for the full two hour nap time.

When we got up - we went outside! First to join more friends from playgroup at a local playground. It was a bit windy, so we left after an hour to come home. Bennett and I took a walk in the wagon which was tons of fun and then he played in the backyard forever! He put on his farmer jacket and hat (totally imaginary, but he looked soooo good, y'all!) and dug in the dirt.

I've taken lots of photos and videos in the last month or so, since I got my new phone. I'll download them to the computer and then add them to the blog in the next couple of days.

Climbing a rock wall with daddy's help

Some of Bennett's artwork at school - notice the "title"

Building at the science museum

My ladybug!

Bowling with daddy - Bennett's new "flavorite"thing to do

My very favorite photo of him right now! CHEESSEE