Breaking Down The Bean

Heh.  Remember when I said that thing about posting something every day for 365 days?  That was funny.  Also, it's never gonna happen!

The Bean had his Halloween party at preschool today!  He's dressing up as a rocket this year, but when it was time to pack his costume in the car and leave for school, his outlook on that turned into a big HELL NO.  Luckily, I forsaw this change and had a back-up costume in mind-- the Angry Birds hat I made for Colton last year.  He wears that around the house sometimes, so it wasn't as big a deal as putting on an unfamiliar costume that might gather unwanted attention.  (I was still surprised when he put it on without complaint and didn't even try to take it off when we got to his school.)

He was a little nervous when we got to his classroom and everyone was dressed in costume, but he sat down and started on his morning project anyway, and didn't even notice when I left the room.  Later, when I came back to pick him up, I was waiting for his turn to be called to the door to come out and meet me.  Every other kid had already left when his teachers called me over, laughing to each other. 

"We're just letting Casey finish eating his cookie."

And there he was, sitting alone at his table with his hat on, carefully nibbling on his Halloween cookie. 

To explain, Casey has never eaten in school, though they always have snack time.  Not even when it was someone's birthday and a cupcake was sitting right in front of him.  He also won't eat at Grandma's house.  Or Memere's house.  Or at birthday parties.  It's some kind of performance anxiety, I think.  I mean, I don't 'think'.  I know.  I know what it feels like to be that kid.  To rather curl up into a hole and disappear than to be noticed doing anything.  But he's trying, and he took a step forward today-- he wore a hat to school, and he ate a cookie.  It may seem small, but it made my day.  And I love his teachers for understanding the magnitude of it, for not calling attention to him as he was eating, but for quietly celebrating amongst themselves-- and with me-- and giving him a high-five on his way out.  He had a good day.

HAVING SAID THAT....

You still don't ask him to pose for your dumb camera.  Jeez, Mom.

He can't take it.

It's killing him.

It was at this moment that he realized how funny he must look.

I broke down The Bean.

365 | Day 8... Pliny the Elder

Shawn got me a souvenir while he was out hunting!  This here IPA, from a guy he met in some remote woods who was travelling around with a truckload of beer (but we're talking about Leavenworth, and it is 'Oktober'):

 
I skipped 3/4 of my dinner so I could drink this without REALLY jumping off my diet.  (The decisions I make are not smart, but they are happy.  And hoppy.  And they taste good.)

365 | Day 7... Studious is as Studious Does

 

After he finished his math homework and handwriting practice, he wrote this letter to Shawn, who's due to come home from the hunting trip tonight:

 (Casey started the whole Banana Poop thing.  Normally he yells from the bathroom, "I'm all done going poop, Moooom!" to signal that it's time for my help.... until the day he decided to substitute that line with, "BANANA POOOOP!"  It's been prevalent in the house ever since.  Ever heard the song, "Ring ring ring ring ring ring ring... banana phone"?  Those are no longer the lyrics.)

365 | Day 6... Scrappy Goes Climbing

 

I've got a live one on my hands!  It's Colton, Part 2.  Once again, I'm going to have to ultra-babyproof, including putting the chairs on top the kitchen table-- unless I want to find a mini-toddler up there instead.

 

 

I'll relax more when she learns how to get back down from higher surfaces, but this newfound independence is making her in a much better mood AND I APPRECIATE THE HELL OUT OF THAT.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Baaaaad ol' baby.

365 | Day 5... in which I failed to take any good pictures. Already. On day five.

But loooooookiiiit!  We played glow stick hide-n-seek in the dark!

 

While we're on the subject, last week Colton called it "hide and goat sneak".  I wonder what kind of visuals came along with that.  Maybe none.  When I was preschool age, about 1983-84, there was this song on the radio with the lyrics "Every time you go away, you take a piece of me with you."  I used to sing along to it, but I thought the lyrics were "you take a piece of meat with you."  Didn't occur to me why that might be weird until my mom heard me and pointed it out. 

Aaaaahhhh.... 80's Mom Songs.  I believe I'm suddenly in the mood for some Hall & Oates...

365 | Day 4... Rainy Day Post-it Frenzy

 

Colton spent Casey and Mackenzie's naptime with a pile of Post-its and a marker.  I spent it with my Kindle, lazily wondering what he was up to, but too absorbed to check it out.  (It's Sunday.  I get like that.)

 



He got a lot done.

 

I forgot to ask him about the second line of this one.  It'll probably seem obvious once he tells me, but I can't figure it out.  ('read it and you'll see', maybe?)

 

 

 

"Countdown to Trick-or-Treat." (For some reason, the spelling is impeccable on that one.)  "Cisin."  (with a very helpful map to said kitchen), and  "Lit swis is for..." (the light switch for the above wall sconce, not pictured.)

 

Wood Stove

 

The front door, leading to "aotsid."  But it's only outside "sumtims"...?

 

Cabinet

 

"dont cumin."  That's where Mama keeps her wine glasses.  However, he said the next note means 'decorations house', and that it's for 'anyone'.  I find this contradictory.

 

Dining Room

 

Refrigerator

 

iPad.  Don't touch.  Unless you want to stick a Post-It to it.  Then go for it.

 

Dishwasher

 

Freezer

 

The door to Colton and Casey's room.  He chose Halloween decor for their label.

 

The linen 'kulosit'

 

Mom and Dad's Room

 

Kitchen, that way!  But again... only somtims? 

 

 

 



That Boy is so cool.