Zane's 4.5 Year Update

Yes, it's Tuesday, but the only thing that has happened since last Tuesday is I've worked and slept, oh and Rowan got a black eye. So nothing excited to say on Ten on Tuesday. However, Zane did have his half birthday on the 19th so I'm doing an update instead.

 

Halfway through the fourth year and we have seemed to hit a rough spot with Zane. I think somewhere along the way we got pretty lax with our consequences for not listening and doing things after we had told him not to, often multiple times. No one wants to be the bad guy or deal with the fits and screaming that can follow, but no one wants to raise a child who doesn't listen or do what they are suppose to do either. Previous consequences of loosing ipad or tv privileges seemed to have stopped working so we have re-evaluated our plan and hopefully we will see improvement soon.

 

 I hate when Zane gets in trouble. He is so tender hearted that any and all forms of correction, or discipline, are absolutely heart breaking to him. I hate that. I know I'm more of his person than Zach which means he comes crying to me, expecting a different answer than the whatever Zach has told him. This means he is even more devastated when I'm the one who has to do the correcting. He has always been devastated, even when he was very little, when he got in any kind of trouble. He would sprint to time out, bursting into tears. This is a stark contrast to his little brother who doesn't seem to care, in the slightest, when he gets in trouble. So we are trying to walk the fine line of teaching him how to be a good person and making sure he doesn't have his spirits crushed.

 

 

With all that about our current struggles being said, overall Zane remains an amazing kid. Zane has gotten more and more helpful as this year has gone on. He can take the trash out, do laundry, take the mail out & pick it up, and he loves to help me sweep and mop. Most all of these things he does with little to no assistance. He thrives on having a job and being a helper. He is an even bigger helper when we can pretend to be other people cleaning, specifically if we are say, Santa's Elves cleaning up the workshop. I've learned to use his love of imagination and pretend scenarios to my benefit. It doesn't really have to be a pretend scenario, even reality is more fun when posed as a pretend world. This has been a switch in my mind set in all areas of Zane's life, though sadly sometimes we have to live in reality, which often ends badly for this one. 

 

 I have changed the way I try to teach him new things recently as well. For instance, he is still working on reading, trying to learn some easy word families, and I have realized that he does much better learning when he is the teacher. Meaning "Ok Zane let's play school and you teach me these words." This is met with 100% better outcomes than when I sit there and try to get him to sound out words. He also learns letters and words better when he is tracing or writing them out. I know that this is how he learns, but I still frequently try to just get him to do a worksheet or sit and read with me. It always ends with great frustration all around. I'm getting more concerned about how this imaginative mind of his is going to work in a classroom setting with worksheet and sitting most of the day. But he does love to learn new things and is progressing on his words, though I wouldn't say his a great interest in doing it everyday. He has improved greatly with his writing and can write his name and Rowan's name without any help. His cutting skills are spot on, which means more crafts that he can make up himself, cutting out different shapes on his own. He also knows all the words to the pledge of allegiance, which I think is random, but adorable.

 

 

 

Four and a half is the point where people start to talk about and ask you about kindergarten. I have no plans on sending him in August, for multiple reason, some of which are listed above, but the biggest one being that everyday he is completely exhausted by 11am. There is never a day where I have the feeling maybe he could skip his nap and be ok. He often complains of being tired and tells me that he's ready to go to sleep before 11am. There is no way he could make it through an entire day of school, especially with the fact that sitting still is next to impossible for him. On days where he doesn't get a good nap he is an emotional mess the rest of the day, and that is in a situation where he can run wild. I get great reports from daycare, that he is a wonderful child, great listener, and an all around amazing person, but that is in a day that includes a nap. I have started to ponder what to do with him next year. I have zero ideas, since I will have to work at least two days a week, but would like for him to go somewhere different. I'm sure I'm years behind for signing him up for pre-k, but we shall see.

 

 

And of course he is currently obsessed with all things Christmas, but I am happy to report that this year he has learned the entire Christmas and can tell it in great detail. Starting with an Angel talking to Mary and ending with angels singing and the wise men visiting.  When asked what Christmas is about his first response is no longer "Santa brings me presents" which I take a huge success, even if "giving people presents" is still up there on his list. But so his "celebrating Jesus' birthday." Fingers crossed for a calm, wonderful, fifth Christmas for my favorite 4.5 year old!

 

 

Spreading Christmas Cheer

The past couple weeks has been a struggle with my oldest son. I know there is lots of excitement, lots of fun things happening, lots to look forward too, all of which adds up to Zane being incapable of listening to his parents. So there has been a lot of frustrating conversations and evenings ending with Zach and I pondering how we can turn it around. I wish this was going to be a story that ended with me saying today was a banner day with Zane on his best behavior the the whole time. Sadly, that is not the case, it actually ended with lots of tears and an early bed time, but there was a brief, shining moment in our day. And that's what I'm trying desperately to focus on!

This afternoon, while Zach and Rowan were still sleeping, Zane and I braved the misty, cold day to spread some Christmas cheer. We had been planning on candy canning the neighborhood all month and this seemed like the perfect time. Zane filled his Easter basket full of candy canes and we headed out to place them on our neighbor's doors. We had originally wanted to put them on mail boxes so everyone would see them when they drove by, equaling more cheer for everyone. However, we were afraid that they might get ruined in the rain, so went with the front door instead. Looking back on it I wish Zane had worn his Santa hat, next year.

Here is Zane, armed with his first candy cane, ready to go!

 One door down!

 "Look mamma, it's Santa, we just like him!"

 Added bonus, we got to enjoy all the Christmas decorations in the neighborhood. We even left some candy canes on a few reindeer and a light up Mickey mouse. Hope someone finds those!

There were a few people coming home from church or shopping, so we got to hand deliver candy canes to them. A couple people who heard us came outside to thank us and wish us a Merry Christmas(being quite isn't one of Zane's strengths). Everyone was happy to see us and Zane wished everyone Merry Christmas, every door to be exact, didn't really have to be a person there. We discussed how Santa stays warm while he's out delivering presents. We made mental notes to wear gloves and our Santa hats next year. We talked about how important it is to do nice things for other people, even if no one knows who did it, and even if no one is there to thank you. We enjoyed Zane's new light up Spiderman shoes, sang songs, and ran home in the cold, spitting, rain.

 

 

At the end of our walk Zane arrived home delighted at the thought of all those people coming home to find a colorful candy cane on their door, "they'll be so happy mamma!" He was also very excited about the two candy canes left for him and Ro. I don't know if any of my attempts at teaching kindness this holiday season will stick, but I'm hoping somewhere in there Zane might start to think about other people, just a little, tiny bit. Brightening people's day is fun, hopefully we brought Christmas cheer and smiles to the whole neighborhood!! This is definitely a Christmas tradition we will be doing for years to come. I highly recommend it!

Ten on Tuesday

1. Why do I feel like time is whizzing by at a crazy fast pace. Last year it felt like Christmas went on forever, with never ending crafts, and celebrations. This year I can't seem to catch my breath and the Christmas season is almost past us. I guess that's what happens when three days a week you are work fourteen hour days. We are still managing to have lots celebrations and lot of crafting. I'm not going to show the finished product yet, since most of our crafts are for other people, but here are some pics of the messy, messy process.

Ok so this isn't a spoiler, they painted wooden soldiers, which turned into a just a piece of painted wood.

 And here is the finished product, on Rowan!

2. Grandpa got transferred to swing bed in Okeene this week. It can act as a hospital bed, rehab, or assisted living type situation. I hear he is in much better spirits now that he is back on his own stomping grounds. Mom is quite exhausted from the past few weeks, but everyone will be happy to hear that she is resting all week at the farm.

3. This week, in the whirl wind of everything, Zane lost his mind a little bit. He somehow forgot how to listen, to anything. So things got a little bit stricter around this house. I realized that we were swirling in all the Christmas excitement. So Gary spent a day in the North Pole, we read lots of Nativity books, we made things for other people, and worked hard on listening and being calm. I think today was slightly better, but I'm still nervous about the post Christmas let down.

4. On Saturday I got to join the yearly tradition of going to the Nutcracker with my mom, sister, niece, and her Godmother Tracie. It was lots of fun, though I did feel that there was a big mother daughter club I wasn't really a part of. But my niece will do. She was beautiful and danced all the way to the car. Loved it!

 We missed the other Mrs. Blakley, but it's the busy season at the shop so she couldn't join us. Maybe next time Aunt Kari!

This Miss Maggie J and I, sitting on the second row, loving our view!

5. Saturday morning we tried to go see Santa at Devon, which was lots of fun last year, but turns out everyone else found out about it this year. There was a huge line I wasn't interested in, so we went to the Science Museum for some fun instead!

Here is my Ro baby, loving the tractor! So stinking cute!

6. But first up on the docket Saturday morning was decorating Zach's cubicle so as to win the unspoken decorating contest between the Civil and Electrical departments. It included five Christmas trees, of various sizes, a light up snowman and toy soldiers, lots of lights, and a toy train. The boys loved the train and I hear the civil department was put to shame!! I hear they have retaliated, this could get out of control.

 Oh, and Rowan pretended to take selfies the whole time!

7. This week Gary brought the boys matching pajamas! They are beyond adorable, add some over sized cowboy boots, and it was pushed over the top!!

This is Zane's chosen Santa Clause outfit!

8. Sunday we got to enjoy the Christmas pageant after church, including our niece and nephew singing. The little kids might have not been able to pay attention that long, hence little E and I having some selfie fun. 

 

9. Today I went to work out in the middle of the afternoon, after meeting my new boss and getting my toes done with a friend. The cardio room was full of senior citizens and I was feeling really good about myself. I was bar far going the fastest on the tred mill and then I got a little cocky. Don't worry when I walked into the locker room I caught a glimpse of myself, weighed myself, and saw the high school swim team I was pushed completely over the edge!!!!! AAAAAHHHH hate myself! The struggle is real!

10. In less exciting news after tomorrow I am working five out of the next six days. I currently have a little tickle in my throat and am terrified!!!! I desperately don't want to be sick on Christmas! Happy last week of Christmas prep to everyone!!

Ten on Tuesday

1. I guess I'll start with a Grandpa update. He is still in the hospital in OKC, though doing a little bit better. He spent most of last week in the ICU battling pneumonia and trying to get his gut to wake back up after surgery. I went and visited this morning and he seemed to be in much better spirits and was working hard at "getting his legs back." Apparently after ten days in the hospital you "loose your legs." He is still fighting and hopefully will be back in Okeene, in the hospital, soon. Everyone's sending thoughts and prayers our way is greatly appreciated.

2. What else, Christmas celebrations at our house continue. I have reached the point where I am so proud of myself for getting all my Christmas presents purchased, but still feel the urge to buy things. I'm trying to fight off the urge and remember all the presents that are hidden around this house. This year I think I bought 99% of my presents on amazon, minus the one impulse one I got for Zach today. So easy, no crazy people, no lines, love it!!

3. On a related note our mail lady loved her cookies and the added bonus was she wrote us a thank you note. Zane loves getting mail and was so excited that she liked her cookies. Making people happy is what it's all about and is so much fun to see it through Zane's little eyes.

4. In very exciting news the Christmas ornaments that I had been mourning all week have been found. Zach and the boys took a trip to the farm, while I was working this weekend, and in the midst of their searches there it came to Zach were he had packed them in the original move. We now have a very full tree with our wonderful ornaments.

Rowan, very seriously, helping to place ornaments on the tree. He isn't very good at this yet, but he sure does like to try.

5. Of course we had to make some new ornaments this year as well. So far we have made a set of Ninja Turtles. Zane helped draw the mouths on while I worked the hot glue gun. Zane also colored some ornaments from Hobby Lobby, very well if I do say so myself.

6. Last night we watched A Charlie Brown Christmas, which Zane loves. After we watched the movie Zane requested to draw the nativity scene. He called it "that place where baby genius was when he was a baby, with all the animals." He did an amazing job. My favorite part was his egg person baby Jesus. "Here his head, here his legs, now I wrap him up." He made Mary blue and "his dady have one of those sticks that are curved at top." So cute!!

The yellow to the side is the star and the yellow on top is the Angel of the Lord. I think that's everyone.

7. Yesterday we went to Maggie's for an afternoon play date/Ginger bread house making party. The ginger bread house making was a hot, hot, sticky mess, as it always is, but I think the kids had fun. Rowan and Everett I'm pretty sure just ate the candy the entire time, which I'm sure was fun too. The day ended with everyone in tears for various reasons, but such is life. Everyone missed Grandma, but we powered on.

Note his huge cheek full of candy. Also, he found this Gary shirt at Target, pulled it off the hanger, and was trying to get it on so I figured we probably needed it. "Look Mamma, it Gary!"-Ro

 Yes, Rowan has the red frosting. That ended as you think it would!

 The final product!

8. This week also brought about our now annual candy cane hunt. We bought red and white candy canes and colorful ones. I asked Zane which ones he wanted to use for the hunt, thinking he would want the candy flavored ones, but this was his respond "I want the red and white ones because they are for America!" Such a little patriot!! In other random news Zane learned the Pledge of Allegiance over the past two weeks at school, very adorable. 

 The below picture is kind of misleading. Rowan looks as though he is having the time of his life hunting candy canes. This was not the case. He had a complete meltdown over wanting the candy canes to stay hanging up, having none of the hunt, until I put his bag around his neck, then all was right with the world.

 The take away was that Rowan loves to eat candy canes and had eaten all within his reach.

The hunt ended with capturing this adorable kiss!!!!

9. Gary continues to be up to no good, doing all sorts of shenanigans and was finally reached by Rowan this morning. To be fair Gary was on the table, completely within reach of Ro, playing Candy Land with the Ninja Turtles and Otto. Zane briefly panicked, but then quickly rescued Gary and put him back in the Christmas tree.

I love that the candy cane board disappears into my overly busy Christmas table cloth!

10. This afternoon it was finally nice enough to go back to the park by our house. The last time Zach took the boys Zane had learned how to climb all the way across the monkey bars by himself. He had done it quite a few times that visit and when we arrived he did it twice, no problem. Then I made the mistake of taking a picture of his awesome monkey bar skills. Then he couldn't do it anymore and just dangled there, kicking around. I was just waiting for the broken arm, but we got home safe. 

 Silly Silly boy!

Gary Update and Random Acts of Kindness

So Gary is back and much lazier than last year, sadly. Not nearly as exciting, but I'm sure he will pull it together soon. He has had a few accidents along the way and required emergency surgery last week, when his bell tragically fell off during one of his many flights around the house. Yes, a call had to be placed to Santa to make sure it was ok for Zane to get him down from the window and comfort him after surgery. Luckily Grandma Blakley was there to perform the surgery and all went well.

A little bird watching before surgery.

 Surgery with Grandma, Zane held him and cuddled him afterwards. He is so loving!

 

Gary has brought two new Christmas books and has made his way to all his usual favorite spots, wreaths, stockings, the Christmas tree, and of course into the cookies!!

The picture below resulted in another tumble, that Zane had to rescue him from.

 Snoozing under his cookie blanket with his elf friend and Santa's reindeer.

In other news, during the Christmas season this year I'm making a conscious effort to try to remind and teach Zane that Christmas is really all about being kind to be people, giving to those less fortune than you, and celebrating Jesus being born. I'm trying to teach him about how blessed we are to have so much and to enjoy so many wonderful things. Last year I think that might have gotten lost or maybe he was too little to understand it. So this year we are trying to incorporate random acts of kindness into our days and have chosen two little boys from the Angel tree at church to buy gifts for. 

Some of our random acts are planned, like baking cookies for our neighbors and the mail lady, and candy canning our neighborhood. But I'm sure we will find other kind things to do, like putting money in the Salvation Army buckets, letting people go in front of us in line, opening doors for people and generally being kind to those around us. We should really be doing these things year round, but I am taking this time of year to refocus us towards thinking of others.

This afternoon we went shopping for the two little boys we had chosen. Zane and I had at long conversation about how these children most likely didn't have a house over flowing with toys. Zane didn't understand why Santa wouldn't just bring these boys toys, fair question, that I didn't really have a great answer to, beside that we were kind of playing Santa too. It took him quite a while to realize that just because I was buying these boys things didn't mean that I wasn't going to buy them presents or that Santa wasn't coming to our house. Empathy is a very hard thing to try to figure out. I'm sure he can't picture a world that isn't full of loving family members, surrounded by everything he ever wanted. But he eventually got into the spirit of picking things out for these kids. We got them one big present and they both got an outfit. I don't know why I bought them matching ones, as though they are brothers, I don't think they are, but I couldn't help myself. 

Then this evening the conversations about kindness and helping others continued as I tried to explain to Zane that he was going to go to school in the morning so I could go be with Grandma and help with Great Grandpa. It's hard to be little and try to think about anyone other than yourself. Especially when you're so blessed to have the world revolve around you the majority of the time!!!