911

My poor neglected blog. I haven't had time for blogging this month. I started a new job, which means all my computer time goes to working. (Okay, not all. Who am I kidding? But most.) And the job is writing, so by the time I'm done, I really don't feel like writing any more. Therefore, my blog gets ignored.

But I had to come on here to write what happened yesterday.

Diego and Celo were being crazy and fighting and all that typical kid stuff. I was in a foul mood, so when the boys ran out of the living room, I got on all fours and then dropped my head and arms down onto the ground and tried to say a little prayer. (For patience. Obviously.) Diego came running back into the room and saw me laying there and immediately dropped to my side. He said, "Mommy! What happened? Should I call the police?"

I almost died laughing.

A few months ago, when I was in the middle of all my health issues, I had a lot days where I felt like I would faint. So I thought that it would maybe be a good idea to teach Diego how to call the police in case of an emergency. I told him, "If Mommy is ever on the ground with her eyes closed and you can't wake her up, call 911." Trust me, I felt horrible having that conversation with him, but he really didn't seem bothered by it. We practiced a few times but then we never spoke of it again. So when he came into the room and said that yesterday, I totally wasn't expecting it.

PS, My prayer was answered, because after that funny moment, I was in a much better mood.

Some Preschool Tips

Here's my preschooler wearing his favorite color: And here he is showing off his "All About Me" book. (As well as our newly stuccoed house! Yay!)
This month, Parenting magazine had an article about preschool, written by an anonymous preschool teacher. She gives parents a few tips/comments that I found funny. I thought I'd share my favorties.
1. School clothes can--and should--be playclothes. No one here will judge you unkindly if your child doesn't look like she just stepped out of a Polo ad.

2. I'm sure your child is gifted. My three children are all gifted, too. Shall I tell you about them? In mind-numbing detail? Wait, I think I may have a video here on my phone that you can watch--it's only 12 minutes long.

3. Now that your child is verbal, it might be a good time to get a lock for your bedroom door and use it. Your son told his friends quite a story about his nighttime wanderings--illustrated with our career dolls--and it's really very awkward to have those images of Ms. Banker and Mr. Plumber flashing before my eyes every time I talk to you.

4. You do not need to give me a holiday gift. I will love your child no matter what. But if you do, skip the regifted Santa that swivels his hips and plays "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree". And I really, really don't need any more scented candles.

5. Understand other children as you do your own (okay, at least make an effort). When another child is having some behavioral problems, contain the smug disapproval. Your child isn't perfect either.

6. Please don't ever tell your child to bite back.

7. Don't allow your child to come to school in plastic high-heeled shoes. Ever. Even if she screams.

8. A Nutella sandwich, a chocolate milk, and cookies is not a lunch. It is a small dessert buffet.

9. Please tell me the appeal of those yogurt-squirting tubes, and if you can't, then consider another way to get your child his calcium.

10. If you're already late for pick-up, take the time to change out of your workout clothes first.

My Celo Days

Two days a week, while Diego is in school, I get a few hours of one on one time with Celo. I told Marcelo all about my big plans for those hours. "I'm going to teach him colors! I'm going to teach him shapes! We're going to read books!"

Yeah right.

This is all he wants to do: He just wheels that little McQueen car all around the table. Around and around and around.

If I try to get him to sit down and read a book with me, he'll point at a picture and say, "What's that?" When I answer and say, "That's Nemo!" He says, "No it's not." And walks away.

If I try to build a block tower with him and point out colors as we go, he knocks the tower down and walks away. If I point at one of his toys and say, "What color is this one?" he closes his eyes and...well, walks away.

I swear he knows yellow, red, and green, but will only answer correctly if he thinks I'm not paying attention. Stubborn head.

With all that walking away, you'd think I'd get the hint that he wants to play alone. But instead of leaving him in peace, I follow him around and practice using my camera.

But then he catches me and isn't pleased.

So I tell him that if he smiles I'll give him Skittles.
Fake smile. But I'll take it.