Sing-A-Long

We went to see the movie Frozen several weeks ago. It's very good. I'd recommend it. But my kids absolutely loved it. Even Gavin, despite the fact that it was about two princesses. And so we have rapidly become Frozen fanatics. We pre-purchased the movie on iTunes. We brought the soundtrack. And my kids listen to it constantly and know it by heart. Gavin enjoys singing "Summer" complete with hand gestures, which is something he would normally never do. Annah can sing all of it, including the headlining "Let it go" song of teen angst. It's quite a show. 

Both kids went to TJ Maxx with Ryan over school break a few weeks ago, which lasted an insanely long period of time with three snow days in a row. And Annah had to go to the bathroom. So they all tromped into the men's bathroom, and piled into a stall. Annah proceeded to stare at incoming patrons through the crack in the door. Ryan: "Annah, what are you doing?" Annah: "I'm peeking." Ryan: "Annah, we do not peek in the bathroom." Then Ryan took them to wash hands, and Annah had her first encounter with a urinal. Apparently she was very impressed. "What is THAT?" 

Apparently there is a strong Barker theme for the blog today. I hope you like dogs.

The most interesting parts of my kids when they are together are their contrasting differences. Take for example, the recent experience of flu shots. Gavin pestered me the entire way to the doctor with "am I getting a shot?" I finally told him yes, and he got very quiet. He seemed ok until it was time to get his shot. It took a nurse and myself to hold him down, while he screamed bloody murder, for him to actually get the shot. Then Annah was up. I gently reminded her that when she was two, she didn't cry with the shot. And she came through again. She had a flicker of panic flash across her face when the shot was given, but then she laughed. She actually laughed. She is a little crazy.

Both kids had karate belt tests last week. They did great. Annah got her toddler orange belt (which you basically get just for showing up) and Gavin got his first actual earned belt, his yellow belt. He loves it and is very concentrated when he is there.  

Gav is starting skiing lessons again this year, taking right up where he left off. Annah is still a little young, she gets cold pretty quick, but I think she'll enjoy it next year. It's been a fun winter for both of them. Until next time!

Naughty or Nice?

We have survived another Christmas. With minimal whining and griping. Though our presents were opened by 7 AM. The kids didn't have a lot on their list this year, except for Legos, and Gavin wanted a boat race. Whatever that is. And Santa does not make it. But they enjoyed their gifts. Favorites included a toy helicopter that really flies for Gavin (or for Ryan. It's not entirely clear who plays with it more) and some plastic "princess shoes" for Annah. Complete with heels. That was Ryan's least favorite gift. She is perfecting he heel walk as I write. She also got a barking poodle. The heels and the poodle go really well together.

The kids both got videos from Santa. Gavin got a "nice" video. Annah was a toss up. She did work hard however and the tide did turn. Santa sent her a second video that assured her of nice status. I knew she was up to the challenge. But that was a close one. Here she is watching Santa.

We went on our annual Polar Express trip. Gavin is starting to catch on to some things. When Santa boarded, he yelled "That's not Santa!" Due to the beard length discrepancy from a previously visited Santa this season. Parental advice and guidance in this area is welcomed.

I am particularly fond of this pic. I think it captures the moment well.

Madam Sunshine however was happy as a clam the whole ride.

We did manage to clean out the playroom before the holidays. Ryan took a whole carful of stuff to the goodwill. Always a cleansing experience. The kids seem to want to play down there more now, which is nice.

They are enjoying school break with Ryan home. Gavin has been doing great in karate as well. He is going to go for his yellow belt coming right up. It's very fun to watch him learn and grow in the class. He is starting to develop a little more coordination as well.

Annah is Annah. I took her to see the Disney movie Frozen, which was great by the way, and I am not just saying that because I'm still madly in love with Disney. It was good. We ended up going again with all 4 of us. There is a Princess Anna, pronounced the same way as Annah, but her favorite character is Queen Elsa. Not sure if that is because she can spray ice with her hands or because she's blonde. Maybe a mix of both. She is constantly singing songs, including ones that I had no idea she knew (the 2013 country music hit "Cruise", which I can assure you she did not hear in our house). She also loves telling stories. She spent about 10 minutes the other day telling me about the purple skunk who was her best friend in the magical garden.

So here is to a happy and healthy 2014. I resolve to do better with blogging, but until then, see you next year!

Disney!

Last week we went on our first Disney vacation. I have to admit, before we left I was dreading it slightly. The crowds were supposed to be terrible, and I had visions of massive crowds all week. But it turned out to be a fantastic vacation. We stayed at the resort, got a suite with a kitchenette, rented a minivan and asked Moe Moe and BaBa to come with us to help out, got out Fastpass bands and scheduled big rides so we didn't have to wait in line, and ordered groceries and a double stroller ahead of time, all of which helped contribute to a phenomenal vacation with very few breakdowns and everyone having a great time.

This is Jake. Of the Neverland Pirate variety. Being 5, Gavin has decided that smiling is no longer cool. However, he couldn't help himself when he saw Jake. Thanks for that one, Jake!

This was taken at our hotel. We stayed in one of the Animal Kingdom lodges - Kidani Village. There was plenty of evening entertainment. Gavin is a newfound fan of the drums.

Annah had a great time meeting a slew of princesses. The only one who really eluded her was Snow White, who's session ended just as we got there. Fortunately there were other characters to charm and entertain her.

This is what happens when you pour a whole 3 oz of body wash into a Jacuzzi tub. Fortunately we caught it before our children were drowned in bubbles.

Overall, it was a great trip. In fact, I can't wait to go back. Gavin and I did have a negotiation. I told him it would be 3 years. He stated 1 year, despite the fact that he thought there was "no real magic." It will probably be somewhere in between.

Halloween!

We have made it through Halloween! Annah announced it was her favorite holiday - it was definitely something to watch the kids, dressed as a dinosaur and princess and with crazed expressions likely not dissimilar to those of crack addicts about the score their next hit, gleefully run about the neighborhood collecting their cache. We had three days afterwards of doling out after-dinner candy, then they pretty much forgot about it. Thankfully.

The outfits they wore were not my first choice. We had spent about a month working on a knight costume for Gavin, at his request, only to have the knight turned down for a Dino costume given to me by a friend. And Annah was not wearing the superhero costume that was really more fitting her personality, but I managed to capture those. I forgot to take Halloween pictures of what they were wearing that night. The dog ate our chicken. Not that this is an excuse - I just hope you feel bad for me and consequently forget to be annoyed that I don't have actual Halloween pictures.

Gavin is doing amazing in school. We got a complement from his teacher that he always offers a really unique and different perspective, which I think is an awesome complement. He is tethering on the edge of really starting to read on his own, which makes me proud, but also makes me want to cry at the same time. Being a momma is hard. So I'll tell funny stories instead to distract myself. Gav is definitely a sensitive soul, especially compared to his sister. Ryan the other night was pretending he was a chicken, and I told Annah to get the chicken out of the house before I cook him in a pot. Gavin starts crying and telling me not to say such things, and Annah gleefully runs off to fetch the largest pot she can find.

Annah is also turning into quite a character. She turns three tomorrow, which also feels bittersweet. She is getting a Disney Princess cake, and from us she is getting 5 Disney Princess dresses. Her head may just explode. She is quite the princess herself - while cleaning her room the other day, she placed all three of her crowns on the ottoman, and Christened that her "crown section" of the room. We got the kids suitcases that they can ride (see above) for our upcoming trip to Disney. Annah also discovered that they make excellent platforms to dance on as well. Heaven help her daddy.
Annah also loves her brother. She pretends that she has more of them. Hugh we are not totally sure she gets the concept:

Annah: my brothers make my belly feel better.
Me: who are your brothers?
Annah: one is Gavin, and then baby Aila, and then my cousin's sister.

Uh, yeah.

Here is a picture of the kids at the half marathon that I ran with a friend of mine. They were very supportive, but Ryan was the real champion. He took care of them all that day and into that night, as I recuperated. And of course he's taking the picture, but major props to him. Thanks, honey!

M-O-M

Gavin is learning to spell in Kindergarten. It's an enjoyable experience to watch. He however has started referring to everyone in the house by spelling out their name. Tonight after going to bed, he needed me for a sore knee (knees and feet are common nighttime complaints for him, managed with hot washcloths) and summoned me by calling out M-O-M! M-O-M! I can't say its my favorite nickname.  

He is finishing up soccer, and we'll probably be spending a little more time in Karate, hopefully building his enjoyment. He likes the little kids class, but he is by far the oldest. Time to cut the cord from the toddlers. He's also been building a sled. See image below. He wanted to bring it to school to show his teacher, but settled on a picture of it instead. He's been pretty into arts and crafts when coming home from school.

Annah is, well, Annah. She is definitely my wild child. We had music together today, and she used me as a human jungle gym. Then she ran to a corner of the room and smiled malevolently, bringing two other girls with her into her little circle of naughtiness. We did salvage our day with some Panera Mac and cheese, which in her mind is the best thing ever invented, and a trip to the makup store, where she got some shades. Pictured below. They lasted 10 min. Se la vie.

You may also notice the outfit. I think I've managed to talk her out of Rapunzel for Halloween and into this. It fits her personality much better. Gavin has spent the last month working on a knight costume (ie M-O-M has been working on said costume) only to inform me today that he's going to be a dinosaur. Hopefully I will be able to talk him into all the wonders and enjoyment a of a homemade costume. I used a whole roll of aluminum duct tape for goodness sake!

Gav is also learning to ride his bike sans training wheels. Hard to tell from the picture, but he's actually doing it here. Hopefully by spring he'll be unstoppable.

Not-A-Box

 Gavin and Annah got a gift from my office.  A massive, white, cardboard box.  I brought it home last night and they have spent the last two nights working hard decorating it and cutting out windows.  It's been a house, a train, a rocket. It's their Not-A-Box, to quote one of their books.  

The cat has also enjoyed the box.  But to her its a lair.  

We have been really busy with the kids with soccer and dance and karate and music and now Mad Science! after school on Mondays for Gavin.  I now see a massive advantage for stay at home moms.  And as you can see from the picture above, Annah LOVES dance class.  I signed her up for a full 90 min.  30 minutes each of tap, ballet, and acro.  One would think that a three year old would not be able to focus.  But focus she does.  She wears her dance clothes to school, dance, and then back to school (or daycare) for the rest of the day.  I think I might be purchasing more tights.  They're taking a hit.

They both enjoy Karate. We have been trying to convince Gavin to go to the bigger (5 to 8) kids beginner class, but he's found it a little tougher.  They both like the toddler class a lot.  Mostly because they get to run around with these cool helmets.

That's Annah on the right.

Kindergarden is going really well for Gavin.  He is really enjoying learning to read, and last night "read" Go Dog Go to me.  He likes spelling mom, dad, cat, and Toots (short for Toodles the cat). Neither Annah nor Barker's names have made the cut yet.  Hopefully soon....

We are also working on more chores.  We have a chore chart for both kids.  Gavin gets 10 cents a chore.  One of them is loading the dishwasher.  Perhaps Ryan is abusing this chore just a bit......

Finally, speaking of Barker, he got to enjoy some recent time on Baba's boat.  Turns out he's quite the salty dog.  While the kids spend their time down below, wrecking havoc on the cabin, Barksie sits happily next to us, the wind in his ears and the sun in his eyes.  Maybe boat living is the trick to good doggie behavior!

The Toof Faiwy

  Gavin experienced a major milestone in childhood this weekend.  He lost his first tooth.  Bottom row, right front tooth.  It had been a little loose, then he bumped it a week or two ago, and that accelerated the process some. He was eating an apple yesterday and out it came.  He had been demonstrating how he could not only bend it left, right, and sideways, but also how he could twist it around in its socket.  So he got his first dollar delivery from the tooth fairy last night.  Fortunately for the tooth fairy, Gavin had the tooth in a Baggie, which made it much easier to find.  He has been demonstrating how his bite appears markedly different, and has been commenting on how he can stick his tongue in the gap, which is apparently "big enough for four teeth." Ah, relativity.  This big event definitely made up for the loss of his soccer game yesterday 5-0. Those Buckfield kids are big and a little mean, by the way.

Annah is pretty jealous.  She keeps telling us that she has a wiggly tooth.  And the Toof Faiwy is going to visit her.

See? See the wiggly tooth?

We also went apple picking yesterday with Aunt Kat and Pressley.  The kids had a great time, riding in a tractor, filling their apple bags, getting another apple bag, filling that, getting another bag, filling that.... When we were done, we ended up with close to a bushel.  Fortunately the birthday fairy came early for mommy this year and brought a juicer.  We have been enjoying home made apple juice, which, for the record, tastes awesome and absolutely nothing like the store bought stuff. Yum.