Random Kids Stuff

For the past few months Orin has only been taking a nap once every couple of weeks. It has slowly gotten less and less often over the past few months. First it was five a week, then four a week, then every other day. Then suddenly, it was maybe only one nap every two weeks or so. I actually stopped even trying to get him to sleep. It seemed that every time he would nap he would be up until 11 or so and not be able to go to sleep. Now that he isn't napping he goes to bed so easily and quickly. So now he "rests." I let him play his Leapster for about 20 or 30 minutes. Then for the next 60 minutes he either rests or looks at books. Today at the library I got a some Dr. Seuss's books on CD that he listed to. I think he liked it. I hope I can find some more next time we're there.

Micaiah is totally into cuddling before a nap and bedtime. This started a few months go. After we sing and pray, he asks me (or Damien) to cuddle with him. We lay face to face. I stroke his face and sometimes he likes to stoke mine. The other day he was stroking Damien's face and told him, "I can't rub your face because you have hair on it. I'm going to go get a knife and cut it off."Caiah often falls asleep while we're cuddling. Sometimes, if I've already gotten Orin squared away resting, I enjoy a nap with him too!

Orin is still sad about his friend moving away. He isn't talking about him as often, though. The other day I was going through his summer clothes and found aMcQueen shirt (from the movie 'Cars.') Orin was so excited and then got sad and said, "I wish Adon was here so I could show him this shirt."

Micaiah and I started going to a weekly group called, Mainly Music on Monday mornings while Orin is at school. If you've ever heard of Kindermusik or Music Together, it's similar as those. But unlike the extreme cost of the later, Mainly Music is only $1 per class! I've actually only be too a Music Together class one time but I couldn't even tell the difference between them. I think Mainly Music is usually done at churches, which may explain it's low cost. Anyway, it's a lot of fun. We play instruments, dance, sing, etc.Micaiah loves music. But even more, it's nice for Caiah and I to have some time - just the two of us - to just hang out together. If you're interested in seeing if there is a class in your area, click here.

Orin is doing better and better with his Monster. As I posted before, he was falling asleep every night in the chair in our play room (where he could see us in the living room). He still wants to begin the night by sitting in the chair. But about 5 minutes later, he'll tell us that he wants to go to sleep in our room. To us, that's a big step. He lays in there alone and falls asleep. Now if we can only get him to sleep in his room! I have to say that I'm enjoying the routine of putting him to 'bed' in the chair. When it first started, he was having a hard time and would ask to cuddle. I would sit in the chair holding him for about 10 minutes. Now he's happy again, but still likes me to sit and hold him. Now it's our 'talking' time. During the day he's so on the go that, other than meals, we hardly just sit and chat. So this is our talking time. It's fun. We go over what happened during the day and what his favorite part was.

Orin is so into Superheros right now. It's funny because he's never seen any of them and I have no idea where he even heard of them. Then again, it must be from his older friends, relatives... All he talks about is 'Back pan' (Bat Man), The Hulk, Iron Man,TMNT , Transformers, etc...) This makes a lot of sense though. When we were reading about kids and fears, we read that they often attach onto powerful objects (such asNinja's or dinosaurs). Orin is totally fitting that profile. Every little toy he has turns into a TMNT or Buzz LightYear or some sort of robot.

Orin loves doing Workbooks. You know, those preschool workbooks with to help with basic Thinking Skills. Things like putting items in order from smallest to biggest. Or having a picture of beach scene and having to point out things that are wrong (like a cat on the lifeguard stand). Concepts like left/right, matching like items... I got the first one when Orin was about 2 1/2. We've gone through quite a stack. We don't it every day, but when he asks, I really try hard to make time for it. Right now we're doing one on addition and subtraction. I don't get it, the kid just loves it.

Tonight Orin starting his prayer by saying, "Dear Lord, this is Orin." We pray pretty much every night - I'm not sure why Orin felt like he had to introduce himself this time. But I had a hard time keeping myself from laughing out loud!

Micaiah's plastic car broke (a piece of plastic broke off). Damien said he couldn't fix it. Micaiah ran to the pantry saying, "I'll fix it, I'm going to go get batteries!"

Ever since Micaiah was born we've called him 'Baby Caiah.' About a month ago Orin decided that he wasn't going to be 'Baby Caiah' any more. He told us that Micaiah is two now. When Micaiah was one we called him baby Caiah but now that he is two is name is Micaiah. Once since that conversation Orin accidentally called him 'Baby Caiah.' He immediately corrected himself and said, "I mean, Micaiah." It's pretty cute. We've tried to convince him that it's still ok to call him Baby Caiah but Orin will have none of it.