Young Authors Night at Barnes and Noble

This past Thursday Cian had Young Authors Night at B and N for our school. It was a lot of fun and very interesting to hear all the children's personalities come out in their stories. Cian was no exception. He was his lively self and the crowd got quite a kick out of him. His teacher typed up his story verbatim and then he drew a picture to go with it. That night he read it to a crowd of about 100 people. I had organized the event so I could not see it from the audience, but Kevin was able to record it on our camera. Here is the clip. (If anyone is going to make an online purchase at Barnes and Noble by Monday 6/1...please use our Bookfair fundraiser code: 549055. Thanks!)

Cian is Growing Up!

We went to our school districts Kindergarten Jumpstart on Thursday. It started at 5:30 and didn't get over until quarter to eight. Cian goes to bed at 7:00, so this was late for us. We met all the teachers and some of the staff that Cian might come in contact with. He went through a "day" in the life of a Kindergarter. We switched classrooms and did different activities in each. Cian's favorite class was gym, of course. It was good for us to get a chance to see the school and get a feel for the other children that will be there. I taught Kindergarten for four years before Cian as born and now that he is going to be a Kindergartener, I am not sure how I feel about it. The children that I taught seemed so old and capable. My little baby is now one of them. Oh, how time flies! Kevin and I are confident that he is going to do great. He is really social and not shy at all. This is an area that I had trouble with as a child. He is ready academically. He is ready behaviorally. I guess that the one who is not ready is me!!! We go back on this Thursday morning for Cian's actual registration and screening, so we can get a look at the building in session. Next year will certaintly be a big change for us.

(Bandaid on Cian's arm is from his five year old shots he got on Wednesday. He got four in total. He was so brave....He still won't let us take the bandaids off!)

My Brother In-Law's New Book

Kevin's Sister's Husband's second book has just come out. While in Rochester this weekend we went with Kevin's mom to Borders to buy a copy. For anyone who is looking for a great gift for Father's Day next month... consider this book. The book's title is The Nine Lessons, by Kevin Alan Milne. We will be buying our copy at the end of the month. (We have a fundraiser for school at Barnes and Noble and are saving all of our book purchases for that night.) I will be sure to tell you my opinion of the book then.

Mom...You can do better than that!

Oh boy! We sure have a bossy little guy on our hands these days. As I have said a hundred times in the past, this is just a passing phase. ( I hope) I always go back to a favorite report card comment helper that gives you positive things to say about not so positive behaviors. For example... Cian's bossiness just means that he is a born leader! :-) Let's hope that is true. Cian goes to bed fairly early according to other mom's I talk to. We generally start our bedtime routine at 6:45 and try to finish by 7:15. This is good for him because he does not nap and needs about 11 or 12 hours of sleep each night. However, now with the sun staying up later and later Cian has caught on that it is still light outside. The shades are always drawn and they let no light in, yet he can look out the window from the end of his bed by pulling back the curtain. The other night we put Cian to bed as normal and usually we don't hear a peep from him until the next morning, but this night we were running in his room every couple of minutes to take care of something or to explain why it is bed time and light outside at the same time. Finally, Kevin and I told Cian to "go to bed!" After which he addressed me and said, "Mom, You can do better than that." This was said in a totally supportive way as if I was giving up and needed a pat on the back. Kevin and I could not control our laughter and Cian heard us which created a whole other conversation. I don't think we have ever said this to him, so he must have heard it at school. I hope it was said in a positive manner to him too! We love Cian so much even if he tries to rule the roost occasionally!

Don't worry be happy!

Day Trip to NYC and other Spring Break Happenings!

Cian and Kevin on the pier at Coney Island

We have had such a busy week off. It has been filled with trips and play dates and painting and cleaning, Oh My! I can't believe how fast the time went. It was a lot of fun. On the first weekend we went to VA and showed Cian his old house and the park we always went to when he was a baby. We met up with a friend and enjoyed a great meal at The Reston Town Center. We were able to eat outside which was a first for us this year. We love the atmosphere RTC, so alive and fun. We wished that there was something like that in Binghamton. Then we headed up to Maryland to visit with my sister Shannon and her family for Easter (For some reason we did not take many pictures :'(. It was fun seeing them. The middle of the week we kept busy everyday and then on Friday we took off for a day trip to NYC. We saw so much in just a day. The New York Aquarium, Coney Island, Ground Zero etc. We want to go to Time Square next time. We spent a little bit of time driving around Manhattan and it was crazy of course, but not too bad. Kevin especially loved his ride on the roller coaster at Coney Island. I was scared for him, but he never passes up a roller coaster ride! It is now Saturday and we are headed outside to paint our porch. It never ends!

Cian at the beach at Coney Island

I loved the blue waters at the Aquarium!

Me and my Cianie!

Our Busy Weekend!

We finally got around to doing our Easter Eggs this weekend. We had hoped to do them last week so we could enjoy egg salad sandwiches for a while. That didn't work out, but at least we got to them on Sunday. Cian had a great time until one of his hang nails (little strips of skin coming off his cuticles that tear off and hurt. Any ideas on how to not have this happen...it makes us all miserable. Already tried remedies: Cuticle remover and push back bar, cuticle apricot lotion) got irratated by the vinegar. Then when one of the eggs fell and cracked. Cian decided he was hungry and continued to eat five eggs! I guess he was hungry. He didn't eat the yolk but I was happy he was eating something. He has been so picky lately. After the eggs we did a little paint job, cut hair and Cian and Kevin went on a bike ride. Yesterday we went to Lindsey and Jaron's for a visit. It is so fun to see their little ones Lily and Connor. Cian loves to play with Lily. He said on the way home that he was pretending to be Lily's big brother. How cute! We are going to VA for Easter next weekend and then to NY City the weekend after that. It is going to be a busy couple of weeks. We are really looking forward to them.