Don't Cry for Me

Just because I live a small city, don't assume that I don't have access to at least some cultural activities enjoyed by those from big cities. Our local college has a fantastic fine arts program with a theater that has housed a number of notable productions. This week I was able to see a Broadway production of the musical "Evita". What a treat! I really enjoy the music and had to keep myself from humming along while watching the show.

I had seen the musical advertised when the school announced this season's events. But I was undecided about spending the money on a ticket and put it off until the show was sold out. On Wednesday, I decided to bring Todd and Ryan over to say hi to Oma and Papa after picking up Todd from school. (Todd thought she would enjoy the new song he learned at school, "The Ants Go Marching", because as he said, "Oma likes marching.") My father-in-law has been ushering at the Fine Arts Center for a few months now and had requested ushering for this show. He was starting to get ready to go and Oma asked whether I was going to the show. I said no, and told her that the show was sold out already. She said that if I could get a ticket she would be happy to watch the boys. So, at 3:55pm I called the box office and there were 3 seats that had just become available. So, I bought a ticket, went home, ate dinner, and got ready for the show which started at 7:30pm. The seat was in second row of the balcony. I have had balcony seats twice before and had not been impressed. But the lady in the box office said the second row was actually a pretty good seat, and I found that she was right.

I thoroughly enjoyed my spontaneous night-on-the-town and hope to repeat it again soon.

Conversation Starters

I wish that I had done better at recording some of the cute things my boys did before now. One thing I didn't think I would forget is how Ryan would try to get a conversation going, especially with people that he didn't know that well, or maybe wanted to get to know better. Though I remember what he did, I don't remember the exact words. I especially noticed his conversation starters when we visited with my family in California last Christmas. My dad would come into the kitchen while I was getting breakfast ready for the boys. Dad would say "Good morning, Ryan." And Ryan, without first saying hi or anything else would start with, "Helicopters fly in the sky." At least, it was something along those lines. At first I thought it was a random phrase. Then I noticed that he did this same thing multiple times with my dad and with others. From what I can tell he was trying to start up a conversation with the most interesting thing he could think of. I thought it was so cute.

Something happened today that reminded me of this former habit. I brought Ryan with me to the bank this afternoon to set up a savings account for my piano income. Ryan was well-behaved and didn't say much in the beginning. After a few minutes he became more comfortable and showed interest in talking to the banker. He said something like, "Todd has a light thing in his room at night." I couldn't figure out what he was talking about at first - the fiber optic jack-o-lantern we set up this morning?, the stuffed turtle that projects star lights? the night light? Yes! The night light! From what I can tell again, Ryan was trying to start a conversation about something he finds quite interesting: Todd's night light that has a sensor making it light up only when the room is dark. Fascinating, Ryan!

Quote of the Day

From "Family Fun", October 2007, p. 77, quoting Betsy Shaw, former Olympic snowboarder and Family Fun's "Mom of the Month" for October:
Why do you write a blog?
"I guess I think if I can capture all those amazing, and maddening, moments with my kids, maybe I can keep them from disappearing."

This quote went so well with my last post and sums up one reason why I have started blogging as well. I have always felt that keeping a journal was important. Unfortunately, the only time I was moderately successful at doing so was in high school. Now that I have children I have been feeling a greater desire to record our life. I am afraid of forgetting the little things. I am hoping that this medium will be easier for me to keep up with. Wish me luck!

Mothering in Reverse

I was not an overly-protective mother of my infants. My boys were sleeping in their own room by the time that they were a few weeks old and I seldom went in to check on them unless they were crying. I did not check on them regularly "just to see if they were still breathing".

For one thing, I didn't want to risk waking them up and not being able to get them to go back to sleep. I did get "caught" a few times, and that was miserable. I had gone into the nursery for one reason or other, I heard the baby stirring then sitting up to investigate, I ducked down so he couldn't see me, and had to stay ducking on the floor trying to figure out how to crawl back to the door without him figuring out that Mommy was in the room. It took up to 20 minutes before I was confident that the coast was clear.

Also, after caring for them all day long I was ready for my own time.

So, why is it that now that my boys are 3 and 4 years old I check on them before going to bed almost every night?

For one, I am no longer afraid of waking them up and not getting them back to sleep. They are both rather sound sleepers, and if they do wake up all I have to do is say, "Good night, Sweetie. Go back to sleep." A few times Todd has asked, "Mommy, what are you doing?" I reply, "I'm just checking in on you and saying 'good night'." That is good enough for him. In fact, I rather like hearing a mumbled response to my "I love you."

Also, now that I have more of "my own time", I find that I miss some of the snuggling that comes with younger children. I see how quickly the boys are growing, how tall they look all stretched out in their beds, and I am afraid of missing this time. They look so sweet and peaceful. I try to breathe in that baby cheek-to-cheek smell while I still can. I know I won't be able to much longer.

Time for me to sign off. I need to go check on my babies.

Warm Weather Continues

Despite hearing that it was snowing in Utah this last week, we have continued to enjoy warm weather. What am I doing dressing my kids in winter clothes then?? I don't know how Todd tolerated his heavy down-filled winter coat in 90 degree weather, but when you're that age I guess you don't notice how warm or cold it is outside. He and Ryan were dressing up as firemen. They had a great time. This activity has been repeated a few times since then, including once outside(!). I did, however, decline putting his gloves on for him. The big question is: will Todd still be interested in wearing his coat when it's 30 degrees outside?

This is more like it! I set up the little pool outside again. They have had such a great time swimming this year. Towards the end of the summer even Ryan has made leaps in terms of swimming underwater. But looking for dive sticks in 12 inches of water just isn't the same as diving in the big pool.
Ryan, with his "wings":
We're on our way to the Golf Course pool to meet Oma. We managed to fit in two pool visits this week. We're just not sure how long this warm weather will continue. And I'm a wimp when it comes to swimming in cool water.
You can't really tell from this picture, but Oma has just helped Todd launch into a forward underwater roll. Bravo, Todd!