Harry really likes to wear hats

especially colorful plastic ones!

From the greatest show on earth!

I Just Want A Playground!

When I was a kid, the recess area at my elementary school consisted of a few painted lines on concrete, a basketball hoop and 1 or 2 giant rubber balls. All I wanted was playground equipment, but when I asked why we didn't have it, I was given an explanation of what liability is.
Thinking back, it was probably better we didn't have it. We played games. Red Rover. Dodge Ball. Freeze Tag. Kickball. Acted out scenes from Dallas and Dynasty (I'm rolling my eyes, too). In short, we used our imaginations. We worked together on teams. We resolved conflicts.
Around here, all of the schools have thousands of dollars worth of playground equipment. At Harry's future elementary school, they have 4 separate sets of equipment. Driving by the schools around here, I've yet to see anyone with a ball or the appearance of an organized activity. I drove by Mt. Vernon elementary yesterday and it looked like every single kid was off of the ground and on the equipment. No one even seemed to be interacting. They were laughing and having fun, but not working together.
Right now, Harry's school has a track, a sand pit, a playhouse and a tree house piece of equipment (it looks liek a treehouse but it's not in a tree). It's set up so that they use their imaginations. They also have balls, trucks, dolls....the kids interact. They often beat on each other, which I am not happy about but, hey, isn't that also what I'm waxing nostalgic about?
Harry came home 2 days again with several cuts on his face. A. hit him with a shovel. Lovely. It wasn't deep. I don't think it will scar. In fact, it's almost gone. Last night I had drinks with the kid's mom. I didn't mention it. S's parents never mentioned to us when Harry bit their kid at daycare. I do suppose it's good for them. Kevin actually said Harry is a "rough and tumble little boy." He's not. But he wasn't affected by the injury. The Neosporin, yes, but the injury, no. I say, on this day (who knows about future days) it's good for him. We're missing picture day anyway while we're on vacation...No one mentioned picture day until yesterday!
Maybe in 2 years when I join the MacArthur PTA I can mention that they need to play more dodge ball.

Make it stop!!!

Bob the Builder! Can we fix it? Bob the Builder! Yes, we can!

I can't take it anymore! It repeats over and over in my head! Over and over and over....
Harry has been watching a video that showed up on our doorstep around Christmas. He is still very into Christmas. We only have a VCR upstairs, so since it's been hard to get out of bed in the morning, I've suggested he watch the video. He happily obliges. Not only is the above tune the theme song, but there is a "music video" that repeats the verses over and over and over. Of course, I'll probably have him pop it in again tomorrow, too...

Earlier Today...

HEM: Did Ainsley sleep last night?
KHM: Yes, she did!
HEM: (Genuinely happy, speaking to AMM): Good for you, Ainsley!

Harry LOVES his little sister, even when he hates everything else.

Expert Advice

The doctor and 30-something mother of 2 under 5 who treats my chest congestion and, coincidentally, my anxiety pointed out to me that death by sibling suffocation, or being hugged to death, is not uncommon. She made a game of "Kiss, hug, move away" with her then 3 1/2 year old. We'll be working on that later today.

Funny Things Harry Said Today

• How did you sleep with your Snoedel? (as in, did you sleep well, have a good night, was teh bed comfortable...)
  
• Oh, I forgot to ask Daddy how he slept with his Snoedel?
• Do you know how to get to Pizza Planet?
• Thank you for the directions.
• It's a transformer!

Also new in Harry's world: Harry had his first solo playdate at Rafe's on Saturday!

No Snow, No Snowmen

Kind of the opposite of "No Rain, No Rainbows." All Harry wanted this past Christmas was snow. He thought that's what Christmas meant. (He also wanted a snowboard, but you stil need snow for that). I feel so bad, he couldn't even sled this year.

Helpful Harry

Harry has designated these items for Kim's use whilst napping at home during the day

:-)

Harry told me I could have one of his Snoedel's and gis Geico Gecko to sleep with.

He went upstairs and left them on my pillow.

-Kim (not Kevin)

Yikes! (The best title I could think of)

Guess who gets to pick Harry up from school today? Me! With little sister in tow, sans car seat when I get to school due to the potential 4 flights of stairs I will need to climb to get to the "Lizard" room. I also get to feed everyone dinner and put Harry to bed, all on my own. 2 weeeks post C-section. I'm dreading this. I know Harry will be good, but little sister is becoming a Diva and is still too small for any of the 3 baby wearing devices we own.

"MyMommy & Daddy don't love me anymore!"

Yeah, that showed up today. Fun. Luckily, guilt was eased by the following:

• Harry's day to day activity and parental involvement has not changed much.
• Harry was exhausted after a late night of parting at The Little Gym (until 7:30!)
• Having a sister was Harry's idea
• Harry has received more prsents than his sister
• Harry has head a steady flow of playdates over the past two weeks, including Mommy taking him alone to Alanna's party and a family visit to Aisha's for Mom Angela's birthday

It was a little sad, but we discussed and he is much better. I even asked if we should send his sister away. Luckily, he did not call my bluff!