"Advanced Pieces"

Noah loves to create. He has been making his "creations" since he could stack objects at one year old. Today as I made seating charts for my upcoming classes, he created a Lego big rig with ramps and everything. He was looking for a special piece he needed. Then I heard him say, "Here it is! The 'advanced pieces' always like to hide in the corners of the box." This kid really knows his Legos.

Little Boy Wisdom # 9: The hard things in life take time and sometimes you have to look extra hard to find just the right solution. The answer to your problem might be hiding in the corner somewhere.

A Note on "Whatbodies"

As we all prepare for our big transistion this school year (Noah starts kindergarten, Cole starts preschool, and I start teaching art in a brand new school), we're all just a little confused about who goes where and when. So Cole asks me, "Mama, whatbody is gonna watch me?" I just love that! He made up this word early this summer and it stuck. If he sees some strangers on the street he'll say, "Whatbodies are those?" He uses this word at least once a day.

By the way, the picture is of Noah's new backpack from his Boomie and he has just bestowed his little brother with his old "preschool backpack." They are singing a song about John Deere tractors to celebrate this rite of passage. And yes...Cole is nude except for the backpack. He has trouble keeping clothes on his little "whatbody" lately.

Little Boy Wisdom #8: Don't always trust the dictionary...for some things we just have better words!

Giggle Brothers

Noah likes to make Cole laugh. He'll do anything for the joy of Cole's laughter. Today he was jumping on the tractor backwards and sticking his tongue out. The harmonica works too for funny noises. I think it makes him proud to be the older brother and to know that Cole thinks he's funny. He always wants to fix things for Cole too. Which is hard because Cole wants to do everything himself...the whole two-year-old "I do it!" insistence. So it's good that laughter is where they meet in the middle and understand each other best. Especially when they dance around like crazy people in the middle of the living room all the while playing wacky instruments and doing weird things with their tongues.

Little Boy Wisdom #7: Make time to laugh, dance, and stick your tongue out. This technique works well with two-year olds and other kinds of difficult people.

Feed a Cole, Starve a fever!

Cole is feeling much better now! He hardly ate a thing while he was sick. So today he started out with a nutritious smoothie. He chose all the ingredients. He is very fond of blueberries lately. When we were reading the book, "Eating the Alphabet," by Lois Ehlert he told me I needed run out and get kiwi fruits for him because they are his "favorite." (He has actually never eaten them). He has always been fascinated by this book (from about 6 months old) which illustrates food starting with all 26 letters. It's like a catalogue for him of exciting new foods for him to try. We'll get back to you on what he really thinks of kiwis.

Little Boy Wisdom #6: Try new foods...it's fun and good for you!

Back to school...for Mama!

Well...the boys aren't sure if they really want their mama back at work. But they helped me move into my new school. Noah really enjoyed checking out the kindergarten rooms. Cole even made me "lunch" in the kindergarten kitchen.

Little Boy Wisdom #5: Be supportive of the people you love, even when they are doing something that makes you miss them.



Check out those big-boy muscles!!

"Hold Me"

Cole's not feeling that well today. He's got a fever of 103.5 degrees.
He just wants to be held by Mama.

Little Boy Wisdom #4: It's okay to ask for a hug when you need it.

Friendship

As the first day of Kindergarten approachs on September 3rd, I am having mama jitters. So today I read Noah some books about what it might be like. Afterward I asked Noah if he had any questions or things he was afraid of. He said, "No I'm not afraid at all! When I think of kindergarten, I just think...friendship!"

Little Boy Wisdom #3: Look forward to a new experience as an opportunity to make new friends.

Night-time "Up There"

As we drove off late for preschool AGAIN, I asked Noah, "You're not much of a morning person are you?" He quickly responded, "Definitely not! I wish I lived up there with those guys (in heaven?? huh?) you know in Korea (oh, whew!)... 'cause it's night-time there right now. Then I could play all night and sleep all day!"

Little Boy Wisdom #2: Listen to your natural bio-rhythms. Get enough sleep and find time to play everyday. Cole says if you have trouble falling asleep, "rub your tummy."

"Cole's nice..."

We've decided to focus on all the happiness and love these boys bring to our life. Each day there is always a bit of little boy wisdom we learn from them.

Today as Noah and Cole watched public television, Cole sat down on the floor just below Noah's left foot. Probably being bored with "Word Girl" he decided to tickle Noah's foot. I peeked at them as I washed dishes, Noah was giggling and so was Cole. But not crazy and loud, their laughter was gentle and sweet. As Cole "tickled" it was clear that Noah was enjoying a nice foot massage. Later on when Cole was napping, Noah said "You know Mama, Cole's nice."

Little Boy Wisdom #1: Let yourself be tickled....it might feel good!!