First Day of Pre-Preschool

Harry started a park district preschool program today. He'll go twice a week for 2.5 hours. We went to visit on Tuesday and he was very suspicious and didn't want to go inside -- until he saw the other kids. On Thursday, we packed up his Elmo backpack with his lunch and new water bottle and headed over. "Should we go to my preschool?" he said.
Still, when we got inside, he clung to my legs as the other kids came up to him. I was trying to encourage him to introduce himself -- ("Say 'My name is Harry'") -- when I had to stop speaking because I was suddenly choked up. Every other activity or place we've gone, one of us, or another family member or trusted adult, has been with him. But today he was going to be on his own and he'd have to navigate this all without us there.
Some other boys started playing cars on the rug, and he came out of his shell and joined them. I stuck around outside the door for about 15 minutes to make sure he didn't freak out, then....LEFT. Yikes. Weird feeling. Cried a little bit in the car, but my Mom was there, and she was teary eyed too, so I blame her :)
When I came back to pick him up, the class was finishing a bathroom break, and all the kids were lined up outside the restroom. He was obviously stressed out about this. We've had some successes with the potty, but a public bathroom? We're not there yet. He was grateful I appeared to save him from the public potty. After class, Miss Lisa said he did fine for his first time. He asked where Mommy was three times, but no tears.
He's talked about nothing but preschool since we got home, although he's been very, very huggy and affectionate with us. I think a little freaked out by going out on his own for the first time. But all in all, we're proud of our brave little guy.

Sledding...(we're a little behind...)

Harry and Daddy went sledding a few weeks ago (before the snow melted.)

Whoa!

He belongs on the set of "A Christmas Story."

"I can't put my arms down!!!!"

Wheee! (thanks sam and alice for the use of the sled!)

Happy Birthday Harry!

Sigh.
Three years old! He's such a little boy these days. He's stubborn, but very sweet, serious but very silly. A couple weeks ago, he started asking "Is my birthday coming up?" He was definitely into birthday celebrations this year -- but still, rejected my birthday cake. "No like it, Mommy!"

Birthday Part I: The playdate party

When Frank & Nicki came over that day, Harry tackled them in the doorway and opened the gift they brought -- his first of the day. Cranky the Crane! Sam arrived for the playdate party and they both laid on the floor entranced by this new Thomas set. For a 2 and 3 year old, I think they actually played pretty well with it, with only occasional wrestling matches over Thomas and Rusty.

Max breaks out his best bunny face to try to impress his girlfriend, Little Lady June (Georgia's baby sister, for those of you who've not yet seen her on our blog.)

The games begin. Instead of "Pin the Tail on the Donkey," we did "Pin the Wheel on Lightning McQueen." Sam takes a shot. Sofia studies his technique so she can figure out how to win the game.

Georgia looked at me like I was crazy when I tried to put the blindfold on, because obviously, the game is much easier if you can see the Lightning McQueen! Here, she takes her turn.

Harry peeks.

Good thing he's spent months of his life studying Lightning McQueen, because he knew just where the wheel went. (He was probably peeking. I couldn't tell.)

Sofia's turn. She was a big fan of the game. Yay! Somebody liked my game!

Ring Around the Rosies! This was a crowd pleaser, until I provided the background that the song was written about children falling ill during the plague. Hmmm, maybe not the best fun fact to share at the kids birthday party.

"I want to play too!" says Mr. Max, who even made sound effects for the trains in his attempt to join the older boys.

Opening his presents from Gramy. He got really into it, and excitedly ripped open this envelope then exclaimed: "A CARD!"

Part II of the birthday: Pizza, cake and presents with the family. Here he opens the replica L trains that Mom and Dad got him. He obviously pays close attention when we ride the CTA trains because we overheard him saying: "Doors open on the left at Kimball." Aww, my little city boy.

"Everyone is singing to me!"

Birthday Boys. Uncle Joe's birthday is the day before Harry's so we sang to him too.

Check out Uncle Joe's smooth moves. He provides some secret help, after Harry fails in several attempts to blow out the candle himself.

Sigh. Three years old!

Tough Guy

Here's our tough little man. Big Brother Harry is not always the most gentle of creatures, and Max has definitely adapted.

Here he spots Harry's most prized possession -- Lightning McQueen. With brother out of sight, he quickly moves in.

Here's a look at his most recent trick: "How big is Max? SO BIG!"

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Punk Rock Max

He has been growing a natural mohawk, so we went with it. His attitude at the moment is totally punk rock as well.

We will outsmart you (or at least we will try!)

This is where Harry is supposed to be at 10 p.m. only he is supposed to be sleeping. Ever since he discovered that he could reach the lightswitch, Rob and I have been in a battle of wits with this almost-3-year-old. After we put him to bed, he quietly turns on his closet light, then stays up to read ALL of his books.
This photo is taken after he's been caught midway through.

Once he mastered the closet light trick, he became more bold and just started turning on the main light in his room. We would walk in and he would look up guiltily (That's a good sign, right? he knows he shouldn't be awake?) and say "I read all my books!" And, all of his books would be piled up around him. One of us would say: "Why are you awake?"

And he would look at us and say: "Because I can't listen!"

I felt very smart once I figured out that I could keep him from turning on the light in his room by turning it off from the chain handle on the ceiling instead of the lightswitch.

Rob spent much time this evening figuring out how to tape down the lightswitch in Harry's closet so he can't turn it on. We'll see who wins!

The Race Begins

"He'll never catch me!"
On the run (via Army crawl) from big brother.

"He caught me, but I'm getting faster everyday!"


I do cut Harry's hair, but I swear I did not give him a bowl cut. Not sure what is up with that. This was a snowy, cold day and I left the boys in their cozy footed jammies all day. So cozy and cute I just wanted to snuggle them all day. They don't so much allow for snuggling these days. They're very busy. Evidence:
Max can wave hi and bye-bye. He does this every time someone new walks into the room or leaves, or if he suddenly notices you. When he waves, it's like you can actually see him having the thought, and directing his arm to move.
Harry has discovered the word "because." This has led to some hilarious reasoning.
Why are you awake?
"Because I can't sleep!"
Why are you in Time Out?
"Because I can't play!"
Harry has discovered that he can reach the light switch. Therefore, I am writing this in the dark. Several times a day, you will suddenly find yourself in the dark then hear little footsteps rushing away.
Max is eating more solid food. He sticks his tongue out at you when he's hungry for solid food. It's pretty cute.
Harry is obsessed with skeletons and skulls. Weird but true. He loves to get out our giant world history books, turn to the pages about ancient cultures and read about the skeletons and skulls that have been dug up.
Max is showing a definite interest in cars and trains. He is even playing with them in the correct way, setting a train onto the train track and pushing it along, and sending Matchbox cars down the ramps of our play garage. He has learned from the master.
Max is getting up on his hands and knees and rocking. Oh no! We're thinking he's going to figure out this crawling thing anyday now. And we are not ready for that!