Fun and Games

Dear Ian,

We've hit another milestone around here...  You are finally old enough (and have the cognitive ability and attention span) for board games!  I'm not talking Chess or the like, but we have recently introduced the game Candy Land into your life. 

When I was young, I absolutely LOVED this game.  I loved the colors, the fun pictures of treats and spending time playing with my family.  You seem to have the same infatuation, and I love the look on your face when you pull your favorite card or make it to the castle first. 

I have to admit, though, that we've now played this game about 20 times since it's introduction, and I may be tiring of it a bit.  Call it a blood-sugar overload or something.  You still have tons of energy and affection for the game, and ask us to play with you over and over.  Of course I give in and play, and it just makes your day.  It sorta makes it hard on me to get anything done, since I'm playing board games with you, but I remind myself over and over again that this is good for you.

Through this game, you're learning turn taking skills, sportsmanship, and patience.  You're also practicing your color recognition and map reading skills, as you have to follow a set path.  And on top of all that, it's actually just a lot of fun to have nothing better to do that sit down and play a game with you. 

I have noticed something, though.  Back in the day, my version of Candy Land looked so plain compared to your 2012 version.  Yours is a bit more frenetic looking, and I wonder if that sensory overload is what tires me out.  There's just SO MUCH to look at on the board!  For example:

Here's the 1980's, or Mommy's version, of Candy Land.  It features lots of open, white space between illustrations, nothing too cluttered and a clean look.  This is how I remember Candy Land.  And I absolutely loved it. 

Conversely, here is your 2012 version of Candy Land:

 Holy Crayola explosion, Bat Man.  I know the photo isn't the best, but even with poor quality, I think you can see the difference.  There's not one empty space on the board.  The whole thing is just inundated with color and images.  It makes me hyper-active just looking at it. 

Now, I didn't mean to turn this post into a lesson on juxtaposition between board games from the 80's and now.  I meant to just show how you've grown up even more enough to play somewhat complex games with Daddy and me.  But the glaring difference between the two does make me sorta wonder about today's youth.  I am making it my goal to find my old copy and let you experience a visually "slower" version of your newest favorite game.  I think your enjoyment has more to do with the fact that we all play together than the actual appearance of the game.

And we are loving playing with you, too, Little Bear.  No matter if it's the 100th time we've pulled the cupcake card and had to go all the way back to the beginning, we're spending time with you, and that is so incredibly special to your Daddy and me.  However, to keep us from going into a diabetic coma, we plan to introduce the game Memory this weekend. 

You're our Sweetie!
Mommy and Daddy

Ian-isms

Dear Ian,

One of my favorite things in the whole world is to have conversations with you, because I am never sure what is going to come out of your mouth next.  The following conversations are examples of just that. 

* Driving to school the other day, I noticed there was a mosquito in our car.
Mommy: Ian, there's a mosquito in the car! (I pronounced it "misquito."  Explaining that is important.)
Ian: *after being quiet for a bit* "Is it a Miss or a Mister?"
Mommy: What do you mean?
Ian: "It is a Miss-quito or a Mister-squito?"


* The other day we drove to the barber shop, and we took Aunt Megan, Payton and Taylor with us.  There were a lotta kiddos in the back of my little red car.
Ian: "Mommy, remember the other day when we were driving with Payton, and Taylor and me and you and Aunt Megan?"
Mommy: "Yes, Bear, I do.  That was fun, wasn't it."
Ian: "Yes, but we were missing a baby."
Mommy: "We were?"
Ian: "Yes, we didn't have Baby Nole."
Mommy: "You're right, we didn't"
Ian: "But if he was here, he would have to sit on the roof.  There was no more room!"

* When we drive down Capital Circle, you are always quick to point out Chic-fil-A to me.
Ian: "Look Mommy!  There's Chic-fil-A!"
Mommy:  "I see!  Hi Chic-fil-A!"
Ian: *in a derisive tone: "Mommy, it can not say 'hi' to you."

Like I said, I never know what you're going to say next. 

Love you, Little Bear,
Mommy

Back To School!

Dear Ian,

Hooray!  Today was your first day back to school at Advent!  Well, technically, it was orientation day, so you only stayed long enough to tour your room, make a (good) first impression on your teachers and fill out lots of paperwork.  Since I had to be in my room helping the kids in my class do the same thing, Daddy got to go with you.  I know this just thrilled you to no end, since the Daddy worship around here is pegged. 

We all drove to the school this morning, after taking our obligatory "First Day" photo under that little twig we call a tree in our front yard.  I showed Daddy where your room was and got the opportunity to take a couple of pictures. 

First Day of the 2012-2013 school year!

I noticed, sadly, that none of your friends from last year's class are with you this year.  But remember those two weeks of summer camp we did?  Pretty much your whole little summer group is with you in your new room.  I think you will make some great new friends, and I look forward to the stories about them.

Your new class list

I'm really excited about your new teachers, too.  I think that once you get into the swing of things, you are going to have a blast in Miss Katie and Miss Mallory's room.  You've already told me a couple of stories about the new toys and things to work with that you noticed.  In particular, there are two pretend saws and a work bench!  Your year has officially been made!  

Miss Katie and Miss Mallory decorated the room with Monkeys.  How completely fitting!

It still blows me away that this year I can officially call you a Preschooler instead of a Toddler.  Wow, have the past almost-three years have gone by in a flash. 

I cant wait to get this year really started and watching you grow into your new environment.  Here's to a great three-year-old-preschooler year!

Love always,
Mommy
 

It's A School Night

Dear Ian,

Tomorrow morning you start your second year at Advent.  I am a lucky Mommy in the regard that I will get to peek on you as you walk from class to special area.  I am a lucky Mommy that this year your class will play on the same playground as my class, and I can sorta spy on your interactions with others.  I am a lucky Mommy that right after lunch I get to take you home to nap and play for the rest of the afternoon. 

Only three more years or so, though, until this School Night becomes THAT school night: The Night Before Kindergarten.  Holy cow.  Things need to slow down just a tad.  But honestly, I am going to put my Mommy Blinders on and focus only on tomorrow. 

Tomorrow you'll join your new friends in Miss Katie and Miss Mallory's class.  Tomorrow you'll get a tour of a new room.  Tomorrow, you'll be in the big-kid-three-year-old-room. 

And Daddy and I get to share in the experience of watching you grow up.  We're so very lucky.

Love you, Little Bear.
Mommy

ps: and you just better bet that tomorrow morning we're going to pose you under the tree in the front yard to take your First Day of School photo.  Family traditions and all...

I Have A Secret

Dear Ian,

I am about to bust my buttons with news, but Daddy and I aren't going to tell you quite yet. 

You are at an age where you are remembering more and more.  For example, you remember the tiniest details from our vacation in Cohocton, and that was three months ago.  So, we figured that at this age, you might actually be able to remember and hold onto memories from a trip to... DISNEY WORLD!! 

That's right little man!  We're going to Disney!  I am so completely excited.  We're going to go the weekend before your birthday, so that way we can celebrate your special day, and it will be the last time we can technically go with you being free.  You're turning three and all.  We took you last year, when you were 18 months old or so, and that was so special.  You got to see it for the first time with your Grands Davis, and we spent the trip with Payton, too.  That was really neat.  And from that trip to now, I have been desperate to get you back there for another dose of Disney Magic.

Anyhoo.  I think Daddy and I are going to tell you about our trip right at the beginning of October, and we'll probably do a little countdown thingie.  Since we're going near the middle of the month, telling you about the trip at the beginning seems a little more do-able.  I have a feeling that if we tell you now, we are in for 40 days and 40 nights of "Is it time for Disney?" questioning.

This is a little elaborate, but something like this would be awesome to help you count down the days to Disney

 Just this morning, you saw a picture that I had torn out of a magazine that features the Disney Map App for a phone.  You held it up and wistfully said, "I wish I could go to Disney World with you and Daddy, Mommy."  So sweet!  And I cant wait until we can actually tell you about this trip!  Thus, this blog post.  I think I am more excited than you! 

I cant wait for you to see these guys, and I am really looking forward to hearing your stories afterward!

Looking forward to October, and hoping this next month or so goes by quick!
Love
Mommy

Note to Us

Dear Ian,

This is SO us right now.  I understand that you are almost three.  I understand that you must exert your will on the world.  I understand that I am in your way as you attempt to do this.  However, you must understand that you are not quite three.  And you must understand that your world is still dictated by grown-ups.  And you must understand that I am in your way because it's my job to keep you safe, healthy and mentally stable. 

Therefore:

You may not believe it, but I sure do love you...

Mommy

Works of Art #37

Here's the rest of your artwork that you created at Advent Summer camp.  This week's theme was the letter O, so Ms. Lynn went all out on an Ocean Theme.  Super cute art!

 "This is a sea horse.  I painted it in Art.  I stamped in Art.  We used stampers, and I used orange and  purple."

 "That's my oyster.  I painted him pink and grey.  Miss Cindy was there"

 "Inside is a pearl."

"He's a fish.  I colored him with Ms. Lynn."

You weren't in the most loquacious mood for this Works of Art dictation series, but you got the point across.  And your art makes me smile!