Zane at 3.5 Years

In my mind there is a huge difference between three and four years old. A four year old is closer to kindergarten than to being a baby. Zane is growing up quickly, but rest assured we have a long time till kindergarten. Here is a quick look of Zane at 3.5!

Zane rarely sits and plays with toys. Sometimes stuffed animals, Buzz and Woody, blocks, balls ect are used in whatever pretend scenario he is playing. His current favorite things to pretend are being Santa or an Elf, being a minion from Despicable Me with an adult being Gru, house (I da baby and you da mommy or I dad and you mom, Ro da baby), library, shopping, mail delivery, cooking, and every other thing you can possibly imagine. I try to work with him on doing one thing for longer than a minute, helping him concentrate on actually building something with blocks, finishing a puzzle, or working on homework. Zane is beginning to enjoy arts and crafts more, but again his focus isn't long enough to do this for very long. He will paint something for a little bit or glue something, but then he is onto the next thing. His concentration is improving a bit, but still frustrating when I've set up a project ( usually taking me quite a while to get everything ready) and he does it for three minutes. He does ok with things if I'm working/playing with him. Which leads me to one of Zane's biggest struggles, playing by himself. Before we moved he had gotten pretty good at this, going to play in his room without complaint, while I took care of Rowan. Now he seems to think that it is the end of the world if he is asked to play by himself. It really isn't and he needs to work on this because soon it will be back to just the boys and I and he will need that skill while I try to get things done or take care of Ro.

He continues to have unending energy which makes winter time not his favorite season. He does run around the house, literally doing laps, but would much prefer running, and exploring outside. The hay bales and exploring by the creek are by far his favorite activities at Grandma's. Zane loves his brother and does keep a watchful eye out for him when I'm out of the room, giving him his binki when he cries. To be fair Zane is often the reason why he is crying, with hugs easily turning to body slams onto the ground. I see glimpses of them being able to play together soon, with Rowan chasing after him, or trying to baby jump on him. I'm hopeful that they will soon be great playmates, as Zane desperately needs on. It kind of makes me wish they were closer in age, but not really, that would have been a disaster in reality.

Zane lost one of his favorite activities this month with the tragic death of the iPad, but has gotten to watch a lot of movies with the freezing temps. His current favorites are Despicable Me 2, Monsters University (The New Monsters as he calls it), Beauty and the Beast, Snow White, and occasionally Wreck Ralph. His favorite part of every movie is the end credits when the music plays and he can dance. I have downloaded some songs so we can have dance parties without watching an entire movie. He still loves all music, Christmas songs, made up songs, the children's songs we have in the car, you name it. He is quite the musical boy. Sometimes he puts on little concerts for us, either singing or with instruments.

Overall he is growing up quickly, has lots of energy, is easily distracted, and is tons of fun. Zane's a funny boy who loves making up stories and says the funniest things. There have been struggles over the past couple months with lots of change, missing daddy, and missing our old life. There have been potty accidents, lots of whining, and fits over all sorts of things especially naps/sleeping. All of this was expected, but still difficult to see. Hopefully we will get settled soon and he can get back into a routine. I think he misses school and playing with other kids, so as much as I don't want to send him back I know he will enjoy it. And that's Zane at three and a half!!!

Ten on Tuesday

1. Sunday was lovely weather and Daddy was home so we had lots of outdoor fun. We went to the park in the afternoon, grilled for dinner, and even had a little camp fire to play by in the evening. Rowan had a great time exploring the patio and crawling back and forth across mom's little bridge. Yesterday was just as lovely so the boys and I went back for more park time.

Yes, it really was warm enough for Zane to be wearing short sleeves without a jacket. I haven't lost my mind completely. Not yet.... soon!

This shots gives me some hope that they might actually be able to play together some day.

2. Also on Sunday Gary set up a candy cane hunt for the morning. Turns out Gary bought some really cheap candy canes so most of them ended up broken by the end of hunt. We got some higher quality ones and tried again yesterday after nap, with much more success in keeping them in one piece. Sunday Zane set up a hunt for Daddy while he was napping, which was pretty adorable as well.

3. Also, this week Gary brought Zane a Spiderman ornament that plays the Spiderman song. He is a very nice little elf. I'm concerned about what is going to happen when Gary goes back to the North Pole. When we returned from OKC on Saturday we couldn't find Gary (Mom had moved him so I literally didn't know where he was) and Zane had a mental breakdown. We've talked about it, but I'm bracing for days of "Where's Gary Mamma?" "But why Gary not here?" And on and on and on!

Here are the Gary highlights of the week. At one point he did try to jump out of the window of his house, which wasn't good, but other than that lots of fun!

 The little people that hang out by the gingerbread house have greatly multiplied. We almost have all of  the Oozma Kappa gang ,from Monsters University, now.

4. I am still trying to get all the multiple, very expensive, pieces together to get my Oklahoma Nursing license. Turns out I really should have started this before we left, but I was in such denial about getting a new job here that I pretended like it didn't exist. Of course that never pans out, so now I'm behind, and really need to be getting a job, but am jumping throw hoops, trying to prove that I am, indeed, a nurse. The licensing test is a nation wide thing, so not quite sure why it's such a big deal, but it is. Yesterday I felt like a criminal getting my background check done and my picture taken (essentially a mug shot). The fact that business is still done using the U.S. Postal service in 2013 is quite mind boggling to me and is really slowing the process down. Oh well, I'm dreading getting a job anyway.

5. As a follow up to number four I do, however, desperately need to find a job because we need to get a rental house. We need to be a little family again, with Daddy coming home every night, and not being an hour and twenty minutes away. Zane tells me multiple times a day that he misses "the little house." That being our house in STL. I hate to tell him that if he thought that house was little he is in for a rude awakening when he sees our, sure to be tiny, rental house we will be moving into. We have found some options, now we just need to look at some and make a decision.

6. All of that will probably have to wait until after next week, when we will be celebrating Christmas in S.E. Missouri with Zach's family. Zane is excited to see everyone and is also surprisingly excited about 'the road,' as he calls it. He is a great little traveler, but his brother on the other hand could be a problem. I finally gave in a bought Zane a new car seat since he is about two inches too tall for his and Rowan is too big for his as well. Maybe comfy new car seats all around will help our trip go a little smoother.

7. Yesterday it was just me and the boys here and the most adorable thing happened, spontaneously, and unbelievably didn't end with anyone in tears. Rowan has starting being able to walk holding someone's hand/hands. Zane and I have walked with him together before, each of us holding a little hand, walking very slowly so Rowan can keep up. While cleaning the kitchen last night I heard Zane say, "Rowan can walk mamma," this being Zane's dream come true. When I ran to see, thinking he might have actually taken a step, this is the adorableness that I found, and my camera just happened to be sitting there to capture it.

 Ro really was happy as a lark, even though he looks distressed in this picture.

The neatest thing about these pictures, besides the obvious, is that usually in all the pictures of the two of them Zane has his mean face on, the one where his teeth stick out angrily, like he wants to literally squeeze him to death. But in all of these he is happy and being oh so gentle with little Ro. At the end of the long walk through the kitchen they danced!

8. Today the boys and I met Aunt Anna at the OKC Zoo for an afternoon of fun, enjoying the beautiful weather. This was Zane's first trip to the zoo and my first trip in a long time so it was quite the adventure. Zane kept asking where Miss Michelle was, our STL zoo friend. And he really wanted to see the penguins, which to be far aren't currently at the St. Louis Zoo either. I think he enjoyed the statues more than the animals themselves this go around, but of course he loved all the snakes. Aunt Anna even gave him piggy back rides, which made the whole thing that much more fun. Thanks Aunt Anna!!!

This picture makes me laugh so hard. I know Rowan didn't actually know there was a cobra behind him, but the look on his face really screams, "get me the hell out of the snake house."

Zane and his fairy Godmother! He was so excited to see her and made sure that we didn't forget to give her her Christmas present from Santa's workshop. 

This is just one of many statues Zane climbed on/fell off of today. It was the by far the most random so I went with it.

9. After Zoo time we ate pizza with daddy at The Wedge a pizza place here that gives kids pieces of dough to play with while you wait. Zane of course needed to add lots of spice to his mixture. Then this evening I helped able restock at the spice store while Daddy put the boys to sleep. 

10. On that note for anyone still needing to do Christmas shopping my sister put together a great gift guide with ideas from Savory Spice Shop OKC. Spices have become my go to gift, not just because my mother and brother own the store, but because I use enjoy them so much and love sharing the wonderful flavors with everyone. Here is the link to Abbey's blog to check out the full list of ideas! And for all my Missouri friends feel free to call or email the shop and they would be happy to mail you your spices! 

Happy Shopping!!!

Saturday With Santa

Yesterday we went downtown to enjoy Saturdays with Santa at Devon Energy Center. We got there at when the doors open to avoid the huge crowds and see Santa in the morning. It worked out perfectly. Doors opened at 9:45 and Santa arrived at 10am. They have a wonderful system where you sign up when you get there and then receive a text message when it's your turn to go up to the second floor to see Santa. We had a 45 minute wait which gave us just enough time to ride the 'Polar Express' around the huge Christmas ornaments outside with the ride ending at Santa's stable, where Dasher and Dancer were waiting. It was freezing cold, but well worth a few minutes of freezing to see real life reindeer. We also wrote another letter to Santa, saw a snowman, lots of elves, and enjoyed the beautiful saxophone Christmas music (pretty sure the kid playing that he was Kenny G). About the time Zane was done we received our text that it was our turn and headed up in the fancy elevators to see Santa.

This method kept the wait short, maybe one family in line before us when we got upstairs, so no getting nervous. Zane was reassured that Santa was a nice guy and that he should show Rowan how not to be scared. He did a great job, with this much more authentic Santa. He gave him a hug, told him he wanted a robot, showed him how big of one he wanted, and had a great time. I was fine with Rowan not seeing Santa or getting in the picture, but Santa thought all the boys should get in a shot before we left.

 Rowan and I waiting for Santa. He was wearing the real Round House overalls yesterday. Just darling.

 "I want a big Robot!"

Yeah, Rowan wasn't a fan!

After seeing Santa we met up with the Richards clans to decorate boxes that were going to be filled with care packages for the troops. We also decorated/wrote them some Christmas cards and filled boo boo bags, as they called it, to also go in the care packages. Zane didn't have a lot to draw, but did enjoy saying "this going to soldiers." I'm not confident he understood what that meant, but I told him soldiers were good guys, fighting for us, and that sealed it, he was a fan! Then it became obvious that we were quickly approaching nap time and made a fast exit before things got ugly.

It was a wonderful event, everything was well organized, free, and oh so festive. Once again there was a tinge of jealousy at all tiny girls in gorgeous Christmas dresses with their matching bows, while I had a boy in a dinosaur shirt and a baby in overalls, but what are going to do.  I'm glad I took the boys down for it and am excited to start being part of Oklahoma City funtivities in the future. If you are in town next Saturday is your last chance to take part in the fun. Here is the link to the page with all the info if you want to go, I suggest getting there first thing to avoid the craziness!

Ten On Tuesday

1. I failed to mention that besides meeting Santa at the Guernsey party Zane and Zach also went tubing at the ballpark. This was a bit of a stretch in Oklahoma, but a fun little set up. Zane seemed to enjoy it and went down twice. Zach had to work pretty hard to get down the ramp, but was a great sport. Rowan and I watched from the stands while singing Christmas carols. We only spent an hour there but had a wonderful time!

 You probably can't tell, but that's little Zane on the ramp, in his tube.

 All high fives afterwards.

Ro baby cheering them on!

2. This week we put the finishing touches on our Christmas decorations with the Chrsitmas Village. Parts of this village were up every year at my Grandma Blakley's house. Now mom has them and has added all sorts of cute things to the collection. Zane was a very careful helper and surprisingly enough nothing got broken. 

3.While putting up the village Zane realized that he could use the "snow" to transform into Santa. This was hysterical, specifically when he asked Woody what he wanted for Christmas and his response was "oh, you want new teeth Woody, ok." He wore his beard and hat around for quite sometime, saying Ho Ho Ho and asking all his toys what they wanted for Christmas. This kid has an unbelievable imagination.

 The head of Santa Clause, with the body of Spiderman.

4. Santa's workshop is still hopping here. When I ask Zane if he wants to do a craft he says no, but then proceeds to say, "We make a present at the workshop.... maybe??" Everything ends in maybe these days. Then we go ahead and do whatever craft I had originally planned as elves and Santa. I'm quickly running out of ideas and Mom's house is starting to look like a kindergarten class room. So I'm going with it and we are going to start actually making presents for people. Spoiler alert: hope everyone likes popsicle stick ornaments. Here are a few of our most recent creations.

Paper plate pom pom wreath, made while eating cheetos, makes it that much better.

Not pictured the cotton ball snowman and the painted pinecones with glitter, already on the tree.

5. Today we had to make an early trip into town for more supplies and found a gingerbread house kit. It was decorated of course in "the workshop" and turned out very cute. Ro loved the box and Zane loved the decorating, win win.

6. Gary continues to be a huge source of entertainment doing all sorts of crazy things. This morning he was found playing the piano in a front end loader CAT machine. He has also been seen playing cards with Jangle, hiding in the marshmallow jar, trying to roast marshmallows, visiting the other elves, reading his own book, and taking a nap in Zane's bed. Today he brought Despicable Me 2 from Santa for the ride to Grammi's for Christmas. Tons of fun!

7. Little Rowan is pretty miserable these days with his entire top gum swollen with all his teeth trying to come in at the same time.  He sleeps through the night beautifully when Daddy is home, but when I'm here by myself he is up for two hours at a time. His teething toy of choice is one of his socks or his hands, though I try to give him all sorts of other toys, he isn't buying it. Also, my overall idea back fired this week when Ro figured out how to unbutton his overall straps. Why can't they just make kid overalls with the galluses so you can actually  make them longer & shorter and the kids can't undo them??

Zane tried to help get them back on, but it ended in a near strangulation, as you might expect.

8. The other Christmas happening  is Zane's advent calendar. I hadn't planned on doing one because I can't come up with little things to put in it beyond candy. However, Zane found the stand up one, with the little doors, and loved it so I went on a hunt for tiny figurines. I found Despicable Me and Monster ones which were perfect and now they are all living on or around the Christmas village. It's kind of vague who puts the things in the little doors. Zane sometimes things Gary does, sometimes he asks who and I'm not clear on it either, but it's a good time. 

 The advent calendar is right next to the Nativity Scene where 'baby genius' lives. I'm not sure where Zane came up with that, but no matter how many times I try to get him to say baby Jesus, he is sticking with baby genius.

9. Christmas shopping is pretty well done, except for the some  things for Blakley Christmas that isn't happening until after the busy season at Savory Spice shop. The boys have matching pajama's which arrived today and are highly adorable. Zane picked out a super cute stuffed fish from Fried Okra Shop on Etsy, based in OKC which is even better (and you have to love that name). I'm not very inspired this year, so hopefully everyone has a good Christmas. 

10. I have been fighting back a cold/the lung crud all weekend, but had warded it off with Rowan sleeping well. Last night Rowan was up for two and a half hours and today around four I crossed over into feeling terrible, coughing, tight chest, miserableness. This is not good news since it is still freezing and we are still stuck inside with two very active boys. Also, probably going to put a damper on my weekend plans to do all the Downtown OKC Christmas kid activities. Sigh.... or should I say cough. Tis the season for it I guess. Back to drinking my hot tea! Happy Tuesday, stay warm!