I think I've talked about our house in past blogs. We purposefully bought a small house for a lot of reasons besides financial. We wanted to basically be in one another faces for good and bad so we had to learn to live with each other. I remember taking a sociology of family class in college and taking away that nugget of information. So small house, but also old house. 1932. There have been several owners that have done various degrees of terrible things to "update" our home. To a contractor it is an endless list of repairs.
One of the things that never has managed to get crossed off the list is this small hole in the kitchen floor. I'm not really even embarrassed about it because of the endless hours of entertainment this said floor-hole has provided. Seriously.
We have wood floors and they were installed poorly and over time a hole wore in one of the boards in between the kitchen and the living room (aka Big Room). We used to have a chunk of wood that fit it, which was lovingly duct taped from the basement by the previous owners.
Jack was the first one whose curiosity was peaked by this. He would throw anything down this hole and look and listen for it to hit the floor (or duct work) below. It was apparently HILARIOUS. It actually was hilarious to watch him. Sometimes he would be looking for something and would need to check the basement and would lay flat on his stomach with his little eye peeking down into the basement. It was really fun when he could burn some energy by throwing something down and running to the basement and back to retrieve the toy and do it again.
Of course the fascination wore off, but induced fascination with Madeline and now Noah. It has seemed to appeal more to the boys than Maddie. John is tall enough to reach up through the floor and start a whole other set of floor-ceiling games.
I always liked going into the basement and calling to the kids from below the floor hole until they peeked down. You can see how big they are smiling by the part of their eye you can see from below.
Who would have thought that something which might provoke embarrassment from some would turn into something I don't want to fix. Thanks small old house from both a sociology standpoint, but from a simple entertainment standpoint as well.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Right Time, Right Place
i'm not sure really how to write about this topic. But it's something I've been thinking about for some time. It's how a first born child in a family gets a unique position within their family. They get their parents fresh. Good or bad. I think that we all start out heeding the rules, most of them anyway. Be ware of germs, sleep schedules, go to the doctor for reassurance, scour baby websites and message boards. How do you parent this child!?!? First born children get unlimited 1:1 or 1:2 attention all the time, they are in the spotlight. As they should be. So that becomes their norm.
Then baby 2 and 3 come and you have settled into your style and adding another does come with challenges but you've got the basics down. You have momentum going and stopping is really not an option. Getting used to a new personality is a cake walk. You wonder what was all the worry for in the first place?
Here is the dilemma. The firstborn demands the spotlight, as it is their norm. Is this first born status, or personality? Both? Nature vs. Nurture? How do you start to divert and divide your attention and maintain your momentum? How can you find that balance?
In our case, Jack is the eldest and demands a lot of family attention. His personality and energy change the dynamics of the entire house at anytime. Just watch how the household energy changes the minute he walks in from school. I've done a lot of thinking is his first born syndrome or his mega personality? Both? But more so...how do we allow him to be himself while not allowing his big persona to distract us from the others in the family?
I feel guilty that he did everything as early as he could...dance class, ecfe, judo, summer camp. And now the logistics of our family of 5 are preventing Maddie and Noah from getting to those things when Jack did.
It feels sometimes like it could look like favoritism which it is not...but I need to keep tabs on it because my heart would break if any of the kids ever felt his way.
I recognize that Jacks requests for attention are loud and in-your-face. They can overshadow those requests from Madeline and Noah. Everything he does he gets to do first and it is fresh and new for everyone.
I'm not so sure there is any one answer. I'm guessing most parents think about this in some regard or another.
There are a few bottom lines here I think.
I have to do the best I can to maintain awareness of the potential for uneven distribution of attention and make special efforts to give 1:1 time to the two little kids. Also I think that I simply have to trust they they were born into this family at the right place and time for them.
Then baby 2 and 3 come and you have settled into your style and adding another does come with challenges but you've got the basics down. You have momentum going and stopping is really not an option. Getting used to a new personality is a cake walk. You wonder what was all the worry for in the first place?
Here is the dilemma. The firstborn demands the spotlight, as it is their norm. Is this first born status, or personality? Both? Nature vs. Nurture? How do you start to divert and divide your attention and maintain your momentum? How can you find that balance?
In our case, Jack is the eldest and demands a lot of family attention. His personality and energy change the dynamics of the entire house at anytime. Just watch how the household energy changes the minute he walks in from school. I've done a lot of thinking is his first born syndrome or his mega personality? Both? But more so...how do we allow him to be himself while not allowing his big persona to distract us from the others in the family?
I feel guilty that he did everything as early as he could...dance class, ecfe, judo, summer camp. And now the logistics of our family of 5 are preventing Maddie and Noah from getting to those things when Jack did.
It feels sometimes like it could look like favoritism which it is not...but I need to keep tabs on it because my heart would break if any of the kids ever felt his way.
I recognize that Jacks requests for attention are loud and in-your-face. They can overshadow those requests from Madeline and Noah. Everything he does he gets to do first and it is fresh and new for everyone.
I'm not so sure there is any one answer. I'm guessing most parents think about this in some regard or another.
There are a few bottom lines here I think.
I have to do the best I can to maintain awareness of the potential for uneven distribution of attention and make special efforts to give 1:1 time to the two little kids. Also I think that I simply have to trust they they were born into this family at the right place and time for them.
Monday, January 10, 2011
All about the Koo
We love to party.
I have to say that we are pretty good at it. I always have enjoyed getting together with people, I like parties and dancing. I've practiced this art that is party in various levels and forms as I have grown-up. John can surely hold his own at any party, he has a lot of experience. I believe that our love of a good time has surely passed along to our children, because they love to party.
We hosted an awesome kids/parents dance party yesterday (and had the fantastic Koo Koo Kanga Roo come and entertain us) with 80+ people. It was a blast!! Everyone came and painted their faces, ate cookies and danced the afternoon away. My kids all had special outfits (read: costumes) and enjoyed themselves silly. It was a great joy to look around the room and see kids and their parents laughing, dancing and having a heck of a good time together.
This party started as an idea for Jacks 5th birthday party. It eventually outgrew what I believe to be appropriate for a 5th birthday, so we thought that with Jacks, Johns, and Noah's birthdays, along with our Anniversary, Christmas and New Years all about this time of year...why not lump everything together and PARTY!! This was also coupled with the fact that I believe Koo Koo Kanga Roo to be an exceptional group of fellas...and I wanted to get my dance on in the middle of winter. The fact that this started as Jacks birthday party definitely prevailed during the party, and it ended up being great. Jack dressed up in his standard Koo Koo outfit, however this time we decided he needed his own golden accessory, so we equipped him with a spray painted fanny pack and spray painted some of his old tennies and he was a hit!!
He was in his element. He hung around with the guys from Koo Koo, made the rounds with his friends, devoted a bit of personal attention to one of his loves (Penelope)and spent most of the concert in the very front row. I say he was the life of the party. He thrives and gets energized by being around and interacting with others. He has no fear of speaking with anyone, he demonstrates exceptional manners and LOVES TO DANCE!!!!!!
Madeline enjoyed herself as well. She, of course, wore her costume and golden shoes. She danced, laughed and hung around with her Aunties (both big and little) for most of the party. She took a break to get her face painted and eat more than her fair share of cookies. But she too enjoyed being in this type of atmosphere, I think she may be quite the extrovert as well.
Noah, was Noah. Being a third child of John and myself and having siblings like Jack and Maddie, he essentially has no choice but to put on his party hat and join in. He did enjoy himself and danced, and visited with anyone who wanted to hold him...or give him cookies. He totally partied through his nap!!
It isn't very often that you do something and you are smiling about it the next day, just thinking about your experience. In Recreation Therapy we call this a Cathartic Experience. Yesterday proved to be just that for me. For many reasons, being surrounded by people in my life who were having a genuinely good time with their kids, because I was with my kids having a cathartically good time. But mostly because my kids were having a genuinely good time. And of course, because they confirmed to me that they can get lost in the moment, let go of their inhibitions and PARTY DOWN!!!!
I have to say that we are pretty good at it. I always have enjoyed getting together with people, I like parties and dancing. I've practiced this art that is party in various levels and forms as I have grown-up. John can surely hold his own at any party, he has a lot of experience. I believe that our love of a good time has surely passed along to our children, because they love to party.
We hosted an awesome kids/parents dance party yesterday (and had the fantastic Koo Koo Kanga Roo come and entertain us) with 80+ people. It was a blast!! Everyone came and painted their faces, ate cookies and danced the afternoon away. My kids all had special outfits (read: costumes) and enjoyed themselves silly. It was a great joy to look around the room and see kids and their parents laughing, dancing and having a heck of a good time together.
This party started as an idea for Jacks 5th birthday party. It eventually outgrew what I believe to be appropriate for a 5th birthday, so we thought that with Jacks, Johns, and Noah's birthdays, along with our Anniversary, Christmas and New Years all about this time of year...why not lump everything together and PARTY!! This was also coupled with the fact that I believe Koo Koo Kanga Roo to be an exceptional group of fellas...and I wanted to get my dance on in the middle of winter. The fact that this started as Jacks birthday party definitely prevailed during the party, and it ended up being great. Jack dressed up in his standard Koo Koo outfit, however this time we decided he needed his own golden accessory, so we equipped him with a spray painted fanny pack and spray painted some of his old tennies and he was a hit!!
He was in his element. He hung around with the guys from Koo Koo, made the rounds with his friends, devoted a bit of personal attention to one of his loves (Penelope)and spent most of the concert in the very front row. I say he was the life of the party. He thrives and gets energized by being around and interacting with others. He has no fear of speaking with anyone, he demonstrates exceptional manners and LOVES TO DANCE!!!!!!
Madeline enjoyed herself as well. She, of course, wore her costume and golden shoes. She danced, laughed and hung around with her Aunties (both big and little) for most of the party. She took a break to get her face painted and eat more than her fair share of cookies. But she too enjoyed being in this type of atmosphere, I think she may be quite the extrovert as well.
Noah, was Noah. Being a third child of John and myself and having siblings like Jack and Maddie, he essentially has no choice but to put on his party hat and join in. He did enjoy himself and danced, and visited with anyone who wanted to hold him...or give him cookies. He totally partied through his nap!!
It isn't very often that you do something and you are smiling about it the next day, just thinking about your experience. In Recreation Therapy we call this a Cathartic Experience. Yesterday proved to be just that for me. For many reasons, being surrounded by people in my life who were having a genuinely good time with their kids, because I was with my kids having a cathartically good time. But mostly because my kids were having a genuinely good time. And of course, because they confirmed to me that they can get lost in the moment, let go of their inhibitions and PARTY DOWN!!!!
Monday, December 27, 2010
Glimpse
It has happened a few times, mostly with the boys. I will get a glimpse of what they will be like as grown-ups. It happens in a flash but it always manages to take my breath away. It is more than the way they will look but it is a flash of who they will be when they are older.
I cant really explain how it happens, or why. But I've noticed that it does indeed happen more frequently with my boys than with Madeline. It happened yesterday at the pool with Jack.
We were wading in the water and he looked at me with a very knowing look on his face, and he paused and met my eye for more than a moment. I could see him as a grown-up, perhaps my age. The wisdom, confidence and intelligence that I saw in that glimpse was so assuring. It is very difficult to explain.
The same thing has happened several times with Noah as well. He will just pause and look at me for more than a moment and there is some sort of exchange. I can see him strong, sure and proud, but as an adult.
This glimpse has yet to happen with Madeline. I know that they boys are old souls. They both are wise and know things that they shouldn't know at this age. I've known this about both of them since they were in utero. I know that Maddie is a newer soul. She doesn't come with this deep wisdom and understanding, she does come with an incredible sense of wonder, amazement, curiosity and a fresh set of eyes to the experience around her.
Perhaps I cannot get the glimpses of her because she is already a reflection of me, maybe more of a reflection of me than the boys are. If this is the case then I need to take a lesson from her and stay with her in her moment of curiosity. That is if I dont get distracted by the wise glances from the boys.
I cant really explain how it happens, or why. But I've noticed that it does indeed happen more frequently with my boys than with Madeline. It happened yesterday at the pool with Jack.
We were wading in the water and he looked at me with a very knowing look on his face, and he paused and met my eye for more than a moment. I could see him as a grown-up, perhaps my age. The wisdom, confidence and intelligence that I saw in that glimpse was so assuring. It is very difficult to explain.
The same thing has happened several times with Noah as well. He will just pause and look at me for more than a moment and there is some sort of exchange. I can see him strong, sure and proud, but as an adult.
This glimpse has yet to happen with Madeline. I know that they boys are old souls. They both are wise and know things that they shouldn't know at this age. I've known this about both of them since they were in utero. I know that Maddie is a newer soul. She doesn't come with this deep wisdom and understanding, she does come with an incredible sense of wonder, amazement, curiosity and a fresh set of eyes to the experience around her.
Perhaps I cannot get the glimpses of her because she is already a reflection of me, maybe more of a reflection of me than the boys are. If this is the case then I need to take a lesson from her and stay with her in her moment of curiosity. That is if I dont get distracted by the wise glances from the boys.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Princess Bryan Superhero, Jack-a-lin
I feel that the last few blog have been about costumes. I think that there is a heavy costume phase going through our house at the moment. I cant say that I am at all sad. I've said it before that I will take any excuse to wear a costume. Last night was no exception. I work the afternoons on Sunday (during nap time, which pains me). Once I arrived home Jack and Maddie came downstairs from the playroom, Princess Bryan Superhero was dressed per usual...purple princess dress. She received some early Christmas presents over the weekend from her Auntie and Uncle and she has added a tutu over the dress, and shoes. She received four pair of plastic, pink sparkly dress-up shoes. They have already gotten miles on them.
I need to take a break and tell you that Madeline has a long history with shoes. She comes by this obsession honestly. I am as well in love with shoes and have more pairs than I care to admit. When I was pregnant with her I didn't officially know that she was a girl. But I think my heart knew. I resisted buying her anything girly before she was born, just in case. On the day that I went into labor with her I had the brilliant idea of going to the Mall of America to walk laps. Luckily a girlfriend of mine came along and worked very hard to distract me through the contractions. I remember going into one of the "kiddie boutique" places and finding the most adorable dress and shoes to match. I made Madeline a promise that if she was so kind as to be born...just born....that I would reward her with a pair of shoes. I kept my promise and have actually gone a bit overboard with her in the shoe department. But I do not care, a girl is entitled to shoes and lots of them. They make us happy.
So when she got fancy dress-up shoes for Christmas she was overjoyed. Little did I know she wasn't the only one.
When I came home after work on Sunday they came home and Maddie was dressed as expected, but Jack was also dressed up as well. He donned a tutu, purse and a pair of Madelines new shoes. He also informed me that his name was now "Jack-a-lin". He stayed in character for just a little while after I got home. John told me about the conversation that happened between Jack and Maddie that lead up to the transformation to Jack-a-lin.
Apparently Jack didn't want to go up to the playroom alone and repeatedly asked Maddie if she would come up and play, "trains...puzzles...action guys...fishing...house....school..." Maddie declined all the offers Jack could think of. Until he mentioned "dress-up". She instantly accepted his offer and from the sounds of it were playing together for awhile.
What touches my heart the most about this story, isn't the fact that my children will dress-up however they please, but more that they are becoming more aware of one another and taking eachothers feelings into account. For Jack to compromise and think about what Maddie might like to play to have a playmate was one of the best gifts for me to hear about. Almost as good as a new pair of shoes.
I need to take a break and tell you that Madeline has a long history with shoes. She comes by this obsession honestly. I am as well in love with shoes and have more pairs than I care to admit. When I was pregnant with her I didn't officially know that she was a girl. But I think my heart knew. I resisted buying her anything girly before she was born, just in case. On the day that I went into labor with her I had the brilliant idea of going to the Mall of America to walk laps. Luckily a girlfriend of mine came along and worked very hard to distract me through the contractions. I remember going into one of the "kiddie boutique" places and finding the most adorable dress and shoes to match. I made Madeline a promise that if she was so kind as to be born...just born....that I would reward her with a pair of shoes. I kept my promise and have actually gone a bit overboard with her in the shoe department. But I do not care, a girl is entitled to shoes and lots of them. They make us happy.
So when she got fancy dress-up shoes for Christmas she was overjoyed. Little did I know she wasn't the only one.
When I came home after work on Sunday they came home and Maddie was dressed as expected, but Jack was also dressed up as well. He donned a tutu, purse and a pair of Madelines new shoes. He also informed me that his name was now "Jack-a-lin". He stayed in character for just a little while after I got home. John told me about the conversation that happened between Jack and Maddie that lead up to the transformation to Jack-a-lin.
Apparently Jack didn't want to go up to the playroom alone and repeatedly asked Maddie if she would come up and play, "trains...puzzles...action guys...fishing...house....school..." Maddie declined all the offers Jack could think of. Until he mentioned "dress-up". She instantly accepted his offer and from the sounds of it were playing together for awhile.
What touches my heart the most about this story, isn't the fact that my children will dress-up however they please, but more that they are becoming more aware of one another and taking eachothers feelings into account. For Jack to compromise and think about what Maddie might like to play to have a playmate was one of the best gifts for me to hear about. Almost as good as a new pair of shoes.
Monday, December 13, 2010
She did it.
Madeline cut her damn hair.
I knew that really it was only a matter of time before this would happen. I think that most kids feel the need at one point or another to indulge in a self-haircut. Today was Maddies day.
It seems to me that the days that both John and I are home, VERY little gets done. You would think that these are the days that we are ultra efficient and get lots done, essentially divide and conquor. NOT THE CASE. He throws my routine into a tailspin and the kids get out of their routine. Plus...on the days that he and I are both home we can head back to bed for an extra 15...20...45 minutes. Which probably was the first mistake we made. He slept in until, get this, 8:15am. Then I asked for just a quick 15 minutes to close my eyes. He graciously let this turn into 45 minutes, and when I woke at 9:15 I felt that I was way behind on the things that I like to get done on the weekdays. I have allowed us to fall into a routine, which is helped along with Jacks new school schedule. And I will admit, that it is sort of great. I get things knocked off my to-do list, and have worked in ways to get 1:1 time in with each of the kids.
Today was a no-go. It was a snow day for Jack, and usually the quiet that overtakes the house with him at school was not there. John and I each got some extra shut-eye and once things got moving this morning at the 9:30 (had to make coffee) range, I needed to get moving. Laundry, dishes, pick-up the living room, put lights on the tree, make breakfast, lunch and get dinner in the crockpot, change laundry, check facebook (mandatory), etc.
Madeline has gotten into the habit of helping with laundry, specifically pushing the start buttons. I gave her the chance to come to the basement and help me out, and she opted to stay upstairs in the kitchen. John was busy hanging up lights on the tree.
Then I heard it, John yelled to me "Someone is going to need a haircut". This was just non-specific enough to allow my brain to make up a million scenarios in the time it took me to get upstairs. Gum, peanut butter....oh, shit. She cut her hair. John had her waiting for me at the top of the stairs and all I could muster was "get her away". I was laughing so hard, and seriously she looked so damn cute. But I did NOT want her to know this. After I collected myself I was able to look at her and repair the damange.
Kids always seem to cut their bangs, which she did, but she didn't go all the way to the scalp. She actually ended up with some super cute severe/dramatic bangs, that look kindof artsy.
The life with three kids, and two parents. I guess at least one is always left unsupervised, but lets hope this doesn't happen again.
I knew that really it was only a matter of time before this would happen. I think that most kids feel the need at one point or another to indulge in a self-haircut. Today was Maddies day.
It seems to me that the days that both John and I are home, VERY little gets done. You would think that these are the days that we are ultra efficient and get lots done, essentially divide and conquor. NOT THE CASE. He throws my routine into a tailspin and the kids get out of their routine. Plus...on the days that he and I are both home we can head back to bed for an extra 15...20...45 minutes. Which probably was the first mistake we made. He slept in until, get this, 8:15am. Then I asked for just a quick 15 minutes to close my eyes. He graciously let this turn into 45 minutes, and when I woke at 9:15 I felt that I was way behind on the things that I like to get done on the weekdays. I have allowed us to fall into a routine, which is helped along with Jacks new school schedule. And I will admit, that it is sort of great. I get things knocked off my to-do list, and have worked in ways to get 1:1 time in with each of the kids.
Today was a no-go. It was a snow day for Jack, and usually the quiet that overtakes the house with him at school was not there. John and I each got some extra shut-eye and once things got moving this morning at the 9:30 (had to make coffee) range, I needed to get moving. Laundry, dishes, pick-up the living room, put lights on the tree, make breakfast, lunch and get dinner in the crockpot, change laundry, check facebook (mandatory), etc.
Madeline has gotten into the habit of helping with laundry, specifically pushing the start buttons. I gave her the chance to come to the basement and help me out, and she opted to stay upstairs in the kitchen. John was busy hanging up lights on the tree.
Then I heard it, John yelled to me "Someone is going to need a haircut". This was just non-specific enough to allow my brain to make up a million scenarios in the time it took me to get upstairs. Gum, peanut butter....oh, shit. She cut her hair. John had her waiting for me at the top of the stairs and all I could muster was "get her away". I was laughing so hard, and seriously she looked so damn cute. But I did NOT want her to know this. After I collected myself I was able to look at her and repair the damange.
Kids always seem to cut their bangs, which she did, but she didn't go all the way to the scalp. She actually ended up with some super cute severe/dramatic bangs, that look kindof artsy.
The life with three kids, and two parents. I guess at least one is always left unsupervised, but lets hope this doesn't happen again.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Costumes
I believe that most anything...and I truly mean anything, can be made better by adding a costume. It doesn't always have to be a full on sequins and sparkle costume, but the right outfit can make you feel great and help you to stand out or blend in. I always felt like any formal dance I went to was an opportunity for a new costume, working at summer camp costumes enhanced MANY a campfire and special event weekend, etc. Wearing something special sometimes can make you feel special, help to capture and show off what is going on inside.
Madeline and Jack have the ability and passion to costume, and I'm pretty sure Noah isn't going to get away with just jeans and t-shirt.
From the moment he was able to dress and undress himself Jack liked to change clothes to fit his activity. He has approximately 1 million t-shirts and there is a t-shirt to fit any mood he has. He always has to find the right shirt to the activity or person he is with (often he will change to match what John is wearing), which is really very endearing. I think that this is somewhat normal kid behavior. Jack also went through a phase where he would only wear his Thomas the Tank swim trunks and Thomas the Tank swim shirt. EVERY DAY. This was in the middle of summer and he was playing outside most of the day and that shirt and pair of shorts were FILTHY every day. I remember debating so many times (as I was hand-washing these two things each night in the sink) in my head if this was crazy and I was supporting craziness by cleaning the outfit for him, or if it was normal kid stuff and I should encourage him to wear other things. It always comes back to being very selective on the battles I choose to engage in. Clothes are not one of the battles I'm picking, besides it was really very sweet that he loved Thomas so much he needed to wear him daily, and he was learning to make his own choices.
Madeline Maye has started her costume phase. It started with a pink frilly dress that I found for her to wear to a wedding this summer and it has grown from there. She has a pink and now a purple frilly dress to wear. She asks immediately in the morning if she can put on her purple dress. Her requirements for a dress (I asked her the other day) are that "it twirls". She is willing to show most anyone the amazing twirl of her dress at any time, so feel free to ask away. This purple dress gets so dirty, but luckily for us she is agreeable to putting it into the wash machine every few days. I believe that Santa has planned to bring her two new princess-type dresses, and I fear that they will remain on their hangers as this current purple dress has some sort of magic powers. Maddie has also been experimenting not only with costumes, but new names as well. Generally these days she prefers to be called "Bryan". However once the dress is on she becomes "Princess Bryan" or "Bryan Superhero". And like clock-work if and when she takes the dress off her name changes to "Bryan" or even....Maddie.
I am confident that Noah will have to follow suit (pun not intended) and develop a costuming habit. I cant say that it bothers me in the least, I am always looking for any excuse to pull out my old prom dresses or Tye dye t-shirts and you can be certain that whatever he decides to wear he will have a brother and sister, make that a Thomas the Train and Princess by his side.
Madeline and Jack have the ability and passion to costume, and I'm pretty sure Noah isn't going to get away with just jeans and t-shirt.
From the moment he was able to dress and undress himself Jack liked to change clothes to fit his activity. He has approximately 1 million t-shirts and there is a t-shirt to fit any mood he has. He always has to find the right shirt to the activity or person he is with (often he will change to match what John is wearing), which is really very endearing. I think that this is somewhat normal kid behavior. Jack also went through a phase where he would only wear his Thomas the Tank swim trunks and Thomas the Tank swim shirt. EVERY DAY. This was in the middle of summer and he was playing outside most of the day and that shirt and pair of shorts were FILTHY every day. I remember debating so many times (as I was hand-washing these two things each night in the sink) in my head if this was crazy and I was supporting craziness by cleaning the outfit for him, or if it was normal kid stuff and I should encourage him to wear other things. It always comes back to being very selective on the battles I choose to engage in. Clothes are not one of the battles I'm picking, besides it was really very sweet that he loved Thomas so much he needed to wear him daily, and he was learning to make his own choices.
Madeline Maye has started her costume phase. It started with a pink frilly dress that I found for her to wear to a wedding this summer and it has grown from there. She has a pink and now a purple frilly dress to wear. She asks immediately in the morning if she can put on her purple dress. Her requirements for a dress (I asked her the other day) are that "it twirls". She is willing to show most anyone the amazing twirl of her dress at any time, so feel free to ask away. This purple dress gets so dirty, but luckily for us she is agreeable to putting it into the wash machine every few days. I believe that Santa has planned to bring her two new princess-type dresses, and I fear that they will remain on their hangers as this current purple dress has some sort of magic powers. Maddie has also been experimenting not only with costumes, but new names as well. Generally these days she prefers to be called "Bryan". However once the dress is on she becomes "Princess Bryan" or "Bryan Superhero". And like clock-work if and when she takes the dress off her name changes to "Bryan" or even....Maddie.
I am confident that Noah will have to follow suit (pun not intended) and develop a costuming habit. I cant say that it bothers me in the least, I am always looking for any excuse to pull out my old prom dresses or Tye dye t-shirts and you can be certain that whatever he decides to wear he will have a brother and sister, make that a Thomas the Train and Princess by his side.
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