Calm moments

Just when we thought Finn was starting to move out of the less-than-obedient-and-easy-going-boy he's been since spring and throughout the summer, he is back at it again.  Not listening. Non-stop movement.  Stubborn little fits when he doesn't want to do something.  Even a bit of yelling/whining when he is mad.  It is all very tiresome.  Yet we're thinking the new flare-up of this type of behavior could be a result of his adjusting to preschool.  We told ourselves that the transition would take some time and would probably be rocky, but now that we are actually experiencing this unpleasant behavior, I have to remind myself that it may be just what we were expecting.  The new preschool is a huge change for my poor little guy, of course he's out of sorts.  And to add the potty-training challenges on top of that...I don't even want to get started.

So this afternoon and evening with Finn I was really feeling for him and the pressures of preschool.  As a result, I was able to enjoy the (rare) calm moments in between the less-than-desirable ones.  

• He took over when I was dust busting in the kitchen and contentedly and helpfully dust busted much of the kitchen, the playroom, me.  
• He loves Subway and was very happy to hang out and enjoy the cookie the guy behind the counter gave him while I ordered and paid for our dinner. 
• He ate his dinner and watched the Cubs game with such a sweet disposition, enjoying and sharing his food, commenting on and cheering for the Cubbies.
• He as so into his books tonight and made a number of sweet observations.  I'd pulled out an Elmo A, B, C book that we'd apparently never read before and he commented, "I've never read this one."  While reading "How Do Dinosaurs Say I Love You," he was noticing that the dinosaurs wouldn't be able to fit through the doors of their houses.

--JAK

First Week in Review

While we have tried and tried to pry from Finn details about his first four days at preschool, we have gotten very little information.  What to us is a momentous and fascinating new experience is to Finn apparently not newsworthy.  Here are the highlights we have managed to glean:

-freedom to use the water fountain at will
 -a bathroom buddy named Ben
-some sort of chalk activity as evidenced by the stuff all over his shirt
-new, blue Crocs
-a snack of crackers, cheese and water on the first day
-a loud noise that led to going outside...just a fire drill, we hope 
-a teacher has been mentioned but according to Finn she doesn't teach
-a stamping activity in which another boy didn't want to share


-JAK

Big Day!

Ready for the first day of preschool!

Yet Papa just pulled the new car around front!  Way more exciting!

 

 

 

Direct from Sweden!

Preparing for Aunt Sara's Wedding

Yesterday Finn and Jason accompanied me to David's Bridal to buy a dress for Sara's wedding.  Only because we were going on to more boy-friendly activities after that, not because I think dress shopping with two boys is a good idea.  Finn loved David's Bridal--so much space to run around and hide between the row of dresses.  And the pedestals in the dressing area were perfect for driving cars and trucks.  Luckily it was practically empty and the saleswomen seemed entertained by him rather than annoyed.

I was surprised that he actually paid attention to the dresses.  I came out of the fitting room with one on and his fact lit up, he ran over and hugged me, and said he loved the dress!  Then he noticed all the dresses I had hanging in the dressing room and said, "When I get grow up and get bigger, I want to wear pretty dresses like these!"  Hmmm...not so sure about that.

--JAK