Dancing in the Kitchen

Tonight after dinner, Dean started singing "It's a Wonderful World". So I found it on youtube and we sang along and danced in the kitchen. That was the kickoff! For the next 30 minutes, we found music on youtube and sang and danced. It was really fun.
Here's the playlist:
"What a Wonderful World"
Louis Armstrong
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzJY96m3lkg

"Somewhere Over the Rainbow"
Israel Kamakawiwo'ole
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FBKa-bCasY&feature=fvsr

"Crocodile Rock"
Elton John
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2Ta0qCG8No

"Rocket Man"
Elton John
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GAKOLOnfV4

"Tiny Dancer"
Elton John
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GAKOLOnfV4

...yes we did get on an Elton John kick...

"Born this Way" (the BEST one to dance to!!)
Lady Gaga
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GAKOLOnfV4

...and our song and dance evening ended with the boys doing an a capella version of Ise Oluwa Ko Le Baje O (video below courtesy Amasong)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ym0zBQNeHYU

I'm going to make this a part of our nightly ritual as it serves 2 purposes. I can introduce them to new music and it's a great family activity. Well, maybe 3 purposes...depending on the music I play considering music is often used as a platform for education or to spark controversy. Which is great as it will ignite their curiosity and give us an opportunity to educate.

Quote from Dean

Dean is holding classes in his room at night. After last night's class, this is what he told Tom.

"We can have classes every night and if you have any questions, just raise your hand. We are going to have classes in science, social studies and black history."

Gift Guide Update!

Battle Strikers for both boys are taken. Indiana Jones Legos for Jack is taken and Darth Vader Legos for Dean is taken.

Jack & Dean Christmas Gift Guide - UPDATE!

Update 12/17/09: Punching bag and gloves purchased for Dean!
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Update 12/13/09: Battle Strikers for both boys are taken. Indiana Jones Legos taken for Jack and Darth Vader Legos taken for Dean.
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Update 12/9/09: Swingball set and Hoodie for Jack are taken!

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Update 12/4/09: Magic 8 Balls and books (Where the Sidewalk Ends and The 7 Year old Wonder) are taken!

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I took the boys to Target today and asked them to point out things that they want for Christmas. Then I had a great idea to post their wishlist here for those who are looking for ideas. Please let me know if you intend to purchase an item on the list and I'll post an update. Isn't technology great?

Here's the list:

Jack
Swingball set
Lego Indiana Jones Fighter Plane Attack
Eyeclops Night Vision 2.0 Infrared Stealth Binoculars
Lego Anakin's Jedi Skyfighter
Battle Strikers Reload Striker "Skullor"
Virtual Speed Baseball
Magic 8 Ball
Hoodie sweatshirt with zipper - size small (6-7)
Game cartridges for Leap Frog DIDJ - they already have Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Sonic the Hedgehog
Where the Sidewalk Ends

Dean
Punching Bag and Gloves
Lego Star Wars Darth Vader TIE Fighter
Lego Star Wars Separatist Shuttle
Lego Space Police Space Container Heist
Lego Power Miners Rock Wrecker
Battle Strikers Reload Striker "Gauntlet"
Magic 8 Ball
Hoodie sweatshirt with zipper - size small (6-7)
Game cartridges for Leap Frog DIDJ - they already have Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Sonic the Hedgehog
The Seven Year Old Wonder Book

I hope this list is helpful. Let me know if you plan to purchase an item from the list so I can post an update.

Happy shopping!

A Poem by Dean

Dean wrote his first poem over the weekend.
Here it is:

My Dog

I have a dog
I like to pet
He waits and waits for me
He jumps and jumps
And then I throw the frisbee

Dean's Bike Ride

I think I forgot to mention that Dean learned how to ride a bike without training wheels.
Witness:

Impromptu Photo Shoot

I looked out the front door and found them wrapped up together in the cape. I snapped this picture just as Jack turned.

Closeup of Jack at twilight. Perfect light. He gets a little self conscious so I just started asking him a bunch of questions so he wouldn't think about the camera. I'll that series in another blog post. Lots of expressions! I think this smile came across when I asked him if he has a girlfriend.

I asked them to get together for just a couple of shots and this is my favorite.

Dean is so photogenic. He looks like he has a secret, right?

Off Road

Tom had the boys clean the living room and their room yesterday and when they finished, he rewarded them by introducing them to our neglected, dusty playstation 2. So when I came home yesterday Jack was playing Haunted Mansion. It's amazing to see how quickly he figured it out. He only needed me next to him on the couch because he was scared! This morning, instead of coming out and turning on cartoons right away he came right to me and asked if he could play gamestation. Now they're playing ATV road race and I'm having a hard time watching. I can tell you this - when they're 16 and it's time to take them to an empty parking lot to teach them to drive, I'm taking Jack. Dean cannot drive in a straight line.

Twin Show

Editors Note:
Sorry for the delay. I brought it up on Monday morning but they were suddenly shy. I'm still hoping to video them but it may be just Dean.

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We have big plans for tomorrow morning. Jack and Dean are going to perform a show for us. They handed out tickets tonight and Dean even gave us a little preview. Based on the preview, I have high expectations. With their permission, we will be videotaping the show and plan to broadcast it on youtube tomorrow. Dean is thrilled at the prospect of becoming famous and almost couldn't fall asleep with the excitement.

Remember, you heard it here first.

Strep and Scarlet

I took Dean to his follow up appointment with the ENT yesterday. He has healed up nicely and the doc says he can pretty much eat whatever he wants. Which is good because we've pretty much been letting him eat whatever he wants. Jack was with us because he still had wicked swollen glands and I figured it was time to get him checked out. Sure enough, he has strep throat. Boy that kid is stoic. He knew he was going to have to get a throat culture, knew he'd hate it but he just sat there and let the doctor do it. He's had 4 throat cultures in the last 2 years and this was the first that came back positive. I was stunned. He just never seems as sick as he is. We filled his prescription (amoxycillin) and gave him his first dose in the afternoon. Two hours later he was complaining of feeling itchy and big red splotches started showing up on his face, his arms, his torso. My first thought was that he's allergic to penicillin. Makes sense, right? Dean is, why not Jack. I called the doctor and he agreed that might be the issue so he called in Zithromax. I gave Jack some benadryl to ease the itching and then gave him his first dose of Zithromax this morning. He was much better today, lots of energy, throat is feeling better. I planned on him going back to school tomorrow. He started complaining of feeling a little itchy at around 6:30 tonight (about the same time as last night). By 7:15 he was covered in angry red splotches and little bumps. I got a different on call doctor this time and she said that sometimes strep throat patients can develop scarlet fever. She told me to give him benadryl tonight, give him the zithromax early in the morning tomorrow and bring him into the office so they could check him out. So, he'll be out one more day.

The bright side of this illness is that the break has been good for the boys. I mean, it hasn't been great for me to be out of work this much or for Jack to miss this much school but it's good because the boys are missing each other. And that makes them so happy to see each other at the end of the day. They play together better and there's a lot less fighting.

I just finished reading 'The Secret History' by Donna Tartt and now I need to find someone who has read it so I can discuss it with them. It's interesting and rich, so elegantly written that it seems like it was written a century ago rather than 20 years ago. And then to find out that the author was 28 when it was published! I wish I could write like that. Towards the end of the book she writes, "Though Julian could be marvelously kind in difficult circumstances of all sorts, I sometimes got the feeling that he was less pleased by kindness itself than by the elegance of the gesture." I love that line.

I haven't been keeping up with my weekly menu plan but since I've been home all week, it's been pretty easy to put dinners together. Since the boys were sick on Monday I made homemade chicken and rice soup and that fed us Tuesday night, as well. Jack wanted tuna noodle casserole for dinner last night so that was easy. Dinner tonight was angel hair pomodoro and tomato and avocado salad. It was delicious and really easy and really quick. Here's the recipe for the pasta:

Angel Hair Pomodoro

1 T olive oil
3 cloves garlic, crushed
1/2 c white wine
1 can diced tomatoes, with juice
1 T tomato paste
handful of fresh basil, coarsely chopped
1 T butter
Angel hair pasta, cooked al dente and drained
salt and pepper to taste

In a large pot heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and let cook for about a minute. Add the white wine, let cook another minute, then add the tomatoes with juice. Let simmer on medium heat for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occcasionally until the sauce has reduced and thickened a bit. Stir in the tomato paste. Remove from heat and stir in the basil and butter. As soon as the butter has melted, add the cooked pasta tossing to coat evenly. Serve immediately.
Serves 2 with hearty appetites.

A Long Rambling Update

My goodness but it's been a long time. Lots of goings on since the great tonsillectomy of 2009.

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Chad and his family came for a visit at the end of April. It was the first time the cousins had seen each other since the summer of 2007. They had a great time with the three oldest boys getting along famously and Charlie tagging along good naturedly. Oh that Charlie is just pure sweetness. In the days leading up to the visit, Jack was working out the sleeping arrangements:
Jack: I'll sleep in the middle and Charlie can sleep next to me in case he gets scared. Miles can sleep on the other side and Dean can sleep on the end. Dean? Are you going to be scared?
Dean: Well, I might be a little bit scared.
Jack: Hmm, I wish we didn't have 3 kids because I only have 2 arms.

It turned out that Jack couldn't fall asleep with three kids gabbing around him and wound up in our bed, at least for the beginning of the night. Still, considering how excited they all were about playing together and slumber partying, they all did really well.

We went to the observatory and the park on one day and then went for a hike in the Angeles forest the next day. Those activities were great but really, the best hours were spent in freeplay throwing the football at the park, climbing on the playhouse in our backyard and playing with the hose. It was a great weekend to reconnect and we're especially looking forward to our midwest trip this summer when we'll get to spend even more time together.

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We went to San Diego last weekend to reward the boys with a trip to Legoland. They've been earning points for good behavior and we told them that when they got enough points, we'd go to Legoland. I have to admit that there were whole weeks when we didn't record any points - not because their behavior didn't warrant it, but because it's just one more thing to keep up with.
We stayed at a lovely hotel near the park and they shuttled us back and forth. Legoland is the perfect amusement park for 6 year olds. Every ride is designed for their age group so they can go on practically everything, sometimes accompanied by an adult, sometimes not. There are also several open play places with rope ladders, ramps, climbing nets and slides where the kids can just cut loose. We also lucked out with weather, there was rain in the forecast which seemed to keep the locals away but it stayed dry so it turned out to be a perfect day. Even kids get tired of an amusement park after 5 hours though, so we headed back to the hotel in the late afternoon. The pool at the hotel was heated to a lovely 85 degrees and the kids spent an hour and a half frollicking in it. When we suddenly realized that it was 7:00 and the kids' fingers were shriveled and pickled, we thought it best to get dressed and find some dinner. The boys were exhausted though and we didn't make it through dinner without Jack falling asleep and Dean almost melting down. Back to the hotel we went to get lost in crisp white linen and the luxury of king sized beds. The boys love hotels.

We were blessed with light traffic on the way home (on the way down, too but that's so 3 days ago) so we were home in plenty of time for me to do some laundry and the grocery shopping.

Dean wasn't feeling very well on Sunday. He was slightly feverish and complaining of a sore throat. It suddenly dawned on us (me and Tom) that he was a little cranky and whiny at Legoland the day before and of course, that's how he always gets in the day or two before he comes down with something. When will we ever learn? The next morning he seemed better but Jack woke up early and in a thick voice told me he didn't feel well. Sure enough, his glands were the size of golf balls. I kept them both home, the last thing I need is the school to think they have the swine flu! Later Monday morning I was advised by Dean's teacher that he is Student of the month! How exciting! Luckily, he felt better today and was looking forward to being honored at the school assembly this morning. He dressed in all black, wearing his new black converse shoes - one laced with a black lace and the other laced with white. He's a trendsetter that boy.
Jack is still sick today but has no fever. He slept until 8:15 - highly unusual. Tom and I were talking last night about how they even get sick differently - Dean always gets cranky and whiny at least a day before he shows any symptoms of being sick and we always wonder what in the heck is wrong with him, then ohhhhhh, he's sick, of course. Jack just becomes quiet and lethargic, content to lay on the couch and watch tv - something he rarely is when he's healthy.

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And now. That pretty much brings you up to the present. Except that I haven't written about how hard the last few weeks have been. How I've lost my patience. I beat myself up, guilty of letting my worst self out rather than my best. And this is the worst part of motherhood. The expectations we place on ourselves to be perfect, the expectations that are put on us. I have gone over and over in my mind how I could have been better. Could I have done something different? Of course, I know what I could have done. Looking back without the emotion of the moment there are lots of better options I can see. Hindsight, you know. I went into the weekend in San Diego with the idea of it being the reset button. There were no timetables, no expectations, no work to be done. Just fun, just going where we wanted, when we wanted. The weekend of yes, sure, why not instead of not right now, maybe later, no. We need more weekends like that. I'm going to do my best to make that happen.

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In case anyone's interested, I'm a purple stripe belt now - the 6th color belt. And yes, I still love it. I broke a board with my spear hand the other day. Awesome.

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I'll try to write more so there won't be these long, rambling posts once a month. But no promises. I don't do well with promises.

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One final note: Jack is sitting on the arm of the chair next to me as I type, absentmindedly running his fingers through my hair as he watches Spirited Away. I don't ever want to forget the sweetness of that.

When all the screaming is done

Dean slept through the night for the first time since the surgery. And, when he did finally get up at the civilized hour of 7:00am, he didn't scream or cry. He just said 'hi' and went into the bathroom. This has been a drama filled week. Not because there's been any drama, just because Dean is dramatic. I don't mean to diminish his pain - there's no question he was feeling it and Dean feels everything acutely. A hangnail to you and I is an annoyance but to Dean it's the loss of a significant amount of skin practically equaling an entire finger. Sigh, I'm still doing it - diminishing his experience. It sucked, ok. The pain for him, the screaming for us. It all really, really sucked. There were a few times that I thought 'what's a little sleep apnea? maybe this was a mistake.' But obviously, there's no going back and besides, hearing his deep, even breathing without any interruptions to breathe is worth the 2 weeks of screaming.

Nature Hike with Dean

Since Dean is missing school this week, I've come up with some ideas that are both fun and educational. Today was science day so we took a walk in the wildlife reserve. Here is the story:

Dean spots something in the distance:

A great egret. I tried to get closer but he wasn't interested.

We walked a little further and watched the ducks, the geese and the birds fly overhead and into the lake.

We decided to head back.

We spotted our egret friend again.

He's still not interested in staying around.

Then we spotted this beautiful butterfly.
And her friend.
The end.

A Corner

Finally, I think we've turned a corner on this thing. Dean only woke up once last night at 4:30am and then, after about 10 minutes of cajoling, drank some water, took the medicine (the yucky kind at that) and then fell back to sleep until 7:15. He hasn't had motrin since 6:00 last night. He still complains of pain in his ear but it doesn't last as long and it's certainly not so dramatic.

He desperately wants me to do Bakugan battles with him but I need to do some work (what, I'm waiting for my spreadsheet to load) and told him I can't. He's cutting off the tips of his gloves now because that's what the Bakugan guys have. This boy lives for fantasy.

Ok, the spreadsheet has finally loaded now so I'm off to work.

I am so relieved that he's finally feeling better.

Surgery

I should be in bed but I'm not sleepy yet. Dean's surgery is tomorrow morning and my mind's still going. We'll leave here at 5:30am and the surgery is at 8:30am. That's awfully early to get up to sit around and wait but we've got books and a leapster to keep him busy so he'll be fine. He's not nervous or anxious or worried in any way, shape or form! We've been talking about it all weekend -- we practiced gargling and we picked out ice cream and pudding. He picked out the pjs he wanted to wear to the surgery and the blanket and stuffed animal he wanted to bring. Jack wanted to come so he can hold Dean's hand but I told him he would stay home with grandma. We bought new toys for them - Dean for being brave and Jack for being a good big brother. Aside from being super rambunctious, they've both been really good this weekend. I really hope that Dean bounces back from this surgery quickly.

Tonight

Tonight I didn't mind spending an hour working on homework.
Tonight I had the patience to work with Jack when he got angry and with Dean when he got frustrated.
Tonight I relished the simple act of laying down with my boys, listening to their breathing change as they fell asleep.
Tonight I am blessed, so very blessed.

Oh the Places You'll Go

Sunday

We have a brief respite from the rain, though it looks like it could roll in again sometime today and it's still cool outside. Jack dressed in all white today, partly out of necessity (the only pants clean) but also because he secretly loves dressing in all white. He looks like an angel. But he wants to look for worms in the mud outside, mud which is comprised partly of manure (trying to grow the grass) and partly of dog poo, and I put my foot down about it. OH, that makes him mad. He hates being told no - can't imagine where he gets that from. He says I never let him have any fun. So I asked him what he wants to do today that is fun. Go to the park he says. I look warily at the sky and say I think it might rain again. Ok, he says, go for a hike? Up a big hill? I smile and say ok but it will have to be in the afternoon when it gets a little warmer and I still have all the laundry to do and we have to go to the farmer's market this morning. Ok, he says and smiles. And then, he asks, can I play the video game on the TV? Yes, I say, let's go inside. We go inside and tell Dean that Jack is going to play the video game on the TV and Dean protests, but I'm watching the news! And it's true, he was watching Meet the Press. I managed to convince him to let Jack play the game and now he's sitting next to me at the kitchen table coloring in his spongebob book. He has drawn the sweetest little jelly fish to enhance the pictures.

Dean lost his second tooth yesterday while we were at the Sullivans. He and Ryan were wrestling or something and Ryan knocked him in the mouth by accident. Dean's tooth was lost in the melee and is still swimming around somewhere in the carpeting. We looked and looked but couldn't find it. Luckily, it was a tooth that was close to falling out anyway so it didn't hurt him. He was more horrified by the blood and I made the mistake of scooping him up and putting him on the bathroom counter where he promptly turned to look at himself in the mirror. Amazingly, none of the blood spilled onto the light colored carpet. We left a note for the tooth fairy to explain why we didn't have the tooth and she left him a 2 dollar bill and a note which says she understands - accidents happen. Dean was so thrilled that she also said how proud she was of the way he takes care of his teeth!

Jack just came over to tell me I need to make some granola for our hike so I must sign off now.

Dean

Dear Dean,

Tonight was your first solo bath night. Usually, we give you and Jack baths together but lately you've been fighting too much so I told you and your brother that we would be bathing you separately from now on.

What a difference! I sat in the room with you (you're still afraid to be by yourself) and you washed your body and your hair without being told! You poured water on your head (which is a miracle in and of itself), washed your hair and then rinsed it. After washing your body, you soaped up your hands and washed the entire bathtub.

Afterwards, I wrapped you up in two towels and used the hair dryer to warm you up. You deserved it after such a low-key bath.

Now you are sitting with Daddy listening as he reads your Pokemon book. I'm sitting here typing and my eyes are closing, closing, closing. I am tired. Your friend Bennett came over today and you were a very good host. But after games of Twister, Star Wars, Operation, Go Fish, War, handball, baseball, kickball, and tag I am about to fall asleep.

I love you Dean and I'm so proud of you today.

Love,
Momma

Pre-Thanksgiving Festivities

I feel compelled to warn you to brace yourself for the following images because the cuteness is crushing!

Let's start with Dean. Today was crazy hat day but he doesn't really have any crazy hats so he wore his Dad's Meet the Robinson's hat. Would you look at that impish grin? Isn't he just pure elfen goodness? Oh yes he is.

But wait! There's more. Since turning six Jack has discovered that he likes jeans and he cuts quite a dashing figure in the new dark denim from Old Navy. Now, here's the funny thing about his hat. When my mom was visiting over the summer she took them to the Gap to pick out two new outfits for school. Jack saw this hat right away and loved it but when I told him I'd buy it for him, he said he didn't want it. But Dean saw it and decided he wanted it so I bought it. I brought it out this morning for Dean to wear for crazy hat day but he didn't want to wear it today. Jack snatched it out of my hands and put it on his head. He wore that hat all day long and looked so gosh darn adorable I almost couldn't stand it. Right? You can't stand it either, I know. Also? What's with the growing? I mean, he's like a kid now. And the two of them looking cool.

Oh I'm not done. Check out my pilgrim.

Oh and here's a really cute Wampanoag. He's doing the turkey tango in this picture. Did you know turkeys can tango? They can.

After the play and Thanksgiving feast, Jack went out to shoot some hoops. He was tossing 'em up one after another. Five baskets in a row.

It was a great day.