Mr. Independent

I took the kids to McDonald's for some chicken nuggets.  When the little man was down to having two nuggets left he decided he needed ketchup.  So he went up to the counter and asked.  He is not shy or afraid to ask people for what he wants.
So I'm laughing when they are talking about stranger danger at daycare.  He doesn't understand.  And I don't promote it.  But I understand that when they walk to the park they need the kids to not approach other adults.  But really he doesn't know a stranger.  He is much too much a boy from my family.

A Break

So this morning there was rain, but by the time I got home it had stopped.  Picked the littles up and they wanted to go to the park.  I told them we had to go home and mow.  The grass is growing growing growing.  So I mowed.  The back was very swampy.  I had soaked shoes when I was done.  Nothing like standing water.  But the grass is done.  For this week.  And the rain is suppose to start back up.

Before the Rain

The rain was to return, so we decided to go get one more energy busting playground time in.  We returned to Hockinson.  Today it was almost empty.  We started off with the littles playing with the other two kids that were there.  But then something transpired between the little man and one of the others.  All I saw was a tackle and the little man holding the other kid down.  I yelled, that kids dad yelled and then went off.  The little man ran away up the structure with the man telling him how he would be whipping his ass if he was his kid and me berated for not going up the play structure and bringing him down.  Yeah right.  I was working on trying to understand what happened and the little man is much faster than me.  Those folks left the playground.  I was in a quandary of going home or letting him work that out.
About that time our new friend Tor and his grandson showed up.  So the two boys then played.  A little rough but no one got hurt and they burned off a lot of energy.  The little woman got in on it.
I have to have a little chat with the little man about proper playground etiquette.  But it needs to be at a time when he hears me, not when he is scared of punishment.
And now we welcome the rain back.

And Another

The littles went on another field trip today.  This time they rode the van over to Daybreak park.  The little man couldn't remember where they went, but she could.  That is funny since he usually knows where he/they are and she doesn't.
We are so blessed for this daycare.  I love how they do these outings and all the things they teach the littles.  I am beyond grateful.  Realizing today that we are almost done with full time daycare.  The little man starts kindergarten this fall and it is full days.  Guess it is time to start thinking about what that will look like.

Field Trip

When I got to daycare today there was an orange shirt in the little man's coat bag.  Whoa.  He got to go on a field trip.  It is his first spontaneous one.  They walked over to the park and played.  When they go as a group they were the orange shirts so they can be spotted while playing.
He was so excited to tell me about it.  Big smiles.  He really is one of the big kids now.  Since he is five years-old he gets to spend time in the gym with the big kids when they are there.  Getting ready for the transition to real school.

Gifted

The next door neighbors were cleaning their garage.  Awhile back Andy had asked me about Audrie getting their daughter's bike.  She had outgrown it and it was just taking up space in their garage.  He had tightened up the chain and made sure the brakes were in working order.  Today the little woman received the bike and it rides and pedals smooth.  It is just a little big for her so she isn't comfortable.  Give her a few months and it will be fine.
The little man got a Cat toy that was the neighbor boys.  I'm not sure he had outgrown it, but it was given to mine anyway.  And he loves it.  It makes noise and goes by itself.
It was a lovely day to be gifted some presents.  Thanks Andy.

April Beginnings

We were just ready to head out when the sprinkles started.  So we waited a bit and a bit more.  Then we just left.  It was still sprinkling when we got to the park and then it stopped.  We walked along the river to the playground.  We checked out the swimming hole and we picnicked there.  We gathered sticks and wild strawberry flowers.  We were there for a couple of hours and the time just flew by.
As soon as we got in the car the sprinkles started back up.  Funny that.
Once home and the sprinkles again stopped the little man and I went outside and played with his red ball.  Just spending some time outside while we could.  I'm sure the rain is not done yet for the season.
It was a great first day of April.  And only one of them pranked me.  He tried to feed me a toy sandwich.  Yum.