Father's Day Part Two

Kevin got lucky this year with two Father's Days......but he deserves one every Sunday, so hopefully he just felt extra special! We went to Ithaca on Saturday to one of our favorite places, the Ithaca Science Center. It was really fun with the one of the special themes being earthquakes. We enjoyed all building a building to see which one would with stand an earthquake. Cian's actually did the best with a little meddling from Mom and Dad. We went to lunch and did some errands and then came home to build the train set that has been sitting in a box for almost two years. Cian had shown no interest in it so we put it away and occasionally got it out to see if he had changed his mind. The last time it was out was around Cian's birthday in February...again no interest. We had made up our minds to try to sell it on Ebay and wouldn't you know...Cian is fascinated with it now. He has spent almost every moment this weekend playing with it. I guess that it will be sticking with us for a little while longer :'). It is so fun to watch Cian and Kevin play. They have had a great time making the train track just to Cian's liking and Kevin has been having fun showing Cian that crashes can be funny! Cian did not like it when his train crashed at first. Today, we are staying home and enjoying being together. Kevin of course is not capable of taking it easy and he is finding projects to do.

It was also Kevin and my 11th wedding anniversary last Thursday. Words cannot describe my love for him. I am so lucky to be able to spend my life with him. He is truly an amazing, caring husband and father.

Father's Day Part One

I was absolutely, positively convinced that this weekend was Father's Day. Cian had wrapped and hid his present for Kevin, my class had made a gift for their Dads and we had packed our car to visit Kevin's Dad for a short trip Friday into Saturday. I had even convinced some teachers at school that it was Father's Day weekend. For some reason I always thought Father's Day was the second Sunday in June. Lindsey, Kevin's sister called Friday around 11:30 to ask if we wanted to meet in Ithaca for dinner that night...when I told her of our Father's Day plans she said, "You know Father's Day is next weekend...right?"! I was mortified. Cian was just not going to understand that he had to wait a whole week to give Kevin his gift, I had already asked work if I could leave work early that afternoon for our trip to Rochester and I had to explain to the three teachers that I was wrong about our Father's Day conversation. So...we still went to Rochester for a short trip to see Kevin's Dad (I had to be back for a fundraiser for school on Saturday) and this morning we pretended like it was Father's Day for Kevin. Cian gave him his gift....a cereal bowl he glazed at a local pottery shop. I told Kevin that he could have two special days this year. He deserves it anyway...Kevin is an AWESOME Dad! Cian and I are so lucky to have him!

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!