MILESTONES

Last week was a week to be noted...one full of milestones.

Over the weekend, we took the boys to Des Moines so we could buy Preston his first "big boy" bike. After a lengthy debate between the Spiderman or Tonka bike, we settled on the Tonka and a Bob the Builder helmet. I wowed Brian with my "mommy negotiating techniques" as I swayed Preston's decision to match our preferences. ;) Afterward we had a little lunch and found a park with great bike paths. The boys rode for a while and then played on the equipment before we headed back to Corydon.

Preston visited the nursery school classroom on Tuesday and Thursday to help him get acclimated before the program actually begins. Diapers are not allowed in nursery school, so he has been working really hard on potty training and has even been wearing "big boy" underwear. He's doing a great job. Sporadically throughout the day we'll hear the sound of him running through the house, then the toilet flushing, and finally him belting out "Preston pottied on the potty. Preston pottied on the potty. Preston pottied on the potty 'cause he's a big, big boy!" (to the tune of Blue's Clues "We Just Got a Letter") If you happen to be standing close by, he'll instruct you to "please sing!" Aidan has appointed himself as "potty patrol." If he hears Preston going toward the bathroom, he'll follow to make certain that something is actually happening in there and Preston isn't just working the system to get a gumdrop.

Aidan had a big week, too, but it's worth its own post. Here are some pics from the bike outing and Preston modeling his new underwear.

STIR FIRE and CHOPSTICKS

Brian and Aidan volunteered to cook dinner over the weekend. Brian made fried rice and kung pao (or General Tso's - I'm not sure which, it was yummy either way) chicken, and Aidan assisted him in prepping the Crab Rangoon. Here are a few pics of Aidan showing off his culinary skills and of Preston mastering the chopsticks.

The dinner was fabulous and fun, but it might be the last time I agree to an "I'll cook and you clean" proposal. Just as the last rangoons were leaving the skillet, Brian bumped it and grease spilled all over the burner...instant pyrotechnics! Lucky for him, he married a woman with experience in grease fires.

Here are a few pics of Aidan showing off his culinary skills and Preston mastering the chopsticks. Also, the aftermath of the fireworks.

CATTLE CALL

The last several weeks have been filled with meetings and other obligations. Brian has been working long hours on a deal associated with the hospital, and I have had a string of projects to complete. This weekend our sole mission was "family fun."

Brian called Friday morning to say he thought he could get away from the office early, to get the boys ready and we would go to the Iowa State Fair. Ironically, Aidan had just seen an ad on TV for the fair that morning and asked if we could go. Nothing like instant gratification!

The Iowa State Fair has been declared the third best state fair in the country, and the reasons why were evident as soon as we passed through the gates. It was huge, well-organized, and clean. We saw horses, sheep, pigs, and enough cattle to make Stacey jealous. The boys got to climb all over a lot of high-dollar farm equipment. We took in a few of the rides and some corn dogs and lemonade before heading for the car. What didn't seem like such a long distance on the way in because a nice Shriner offered us a ride on his golf-cart, was enough of a trek on the way out to threaten a heat stroke. We were all beet red and silent by the time we made it to the car.

As far as fun goes, the kids hit the jackpot this weekend, as it was also Corydon's Old Settlers Festival. Which meant more rides, junk food, and a parade on Saturday. The whole town square was filled all weekend with a carnival, free concerts, window decorating contests, an art exhibit, book signings, a farmers' market, kiddie and regular parades, 3 on 3 basketball tournament, fireman's water fights, etc., etc. We didn't make it there with the camera, but here are a few shots from the fair.

MORE FAIR PICS

OVERHEARD

We took the boys to the drive-in movie last Saturday. It's a 25 minute drive there, and the boys were entertaining themselves by playing with their superhero action figures in the back seat. Aidan had maneuvered his to hang from the clothes hook above his car seat by it's foot. Preston, being persistent as usual, tried for at least five minutes to accomplish the same feat.

When he finally succeeded, he shouted, "I did it. I did it." To which Aidan responded, "Yes, Batman and Superman are doing it in the back seat!"

IT'S OFFICIAL

Aidan is officially registered for kindergarten. The event itself was somewhat anticlimatic. I've spent the past week trying to psych him up for registration at every opportunity. In fact, it only entailed sitting down to fill out an emergency contact form, confirming that we have insurance, and forking over $538 for activities and meals. He was more interested in the soda machines he could see just outside the cafeteria doors and strategizing a way to convince me to buy a Wild Cherry Pepsi.

We checked his class roster to see which of his buddies he would be with. The only ones we recognized were two girl friends and a boy he made friends with at summer school. In the long run, I'm sure we (meaning Brian and I) will be glad that is the case. He'll be able to make new friends and will probably not get in as much trouble early on. But my heart did sink just a little to see that all of his best buddies were in other classes. Also noted on the roster: they spelled his name wrong AGAIN. I've only corrected it at every opportunity...pre-registration, kindergarten round-up, summer school. I ordered him a backpack with his name embroidered on it so that maybe, after having to look at it every day, the academians might grasp that it is spelled with an "a" instead of an "e."

In other academic news: Aidan woke up one day this week able to read. I don't know where it has come from (although I'm certain it somehow relates to our superior parenting skills), but he's reading like crazy. At first, I thought he was just picking up sight words or reading familiar books from memory. But on Monday, he asked me when he and Preston had to clean up the play room. When I asked why he wanted to know, he pointed out that the dry erase board said "boys to clean up play room." I had written it there for the babysitter who was coming that afternoon. Instead of feeling sorry for him because he won't be with his friends at school, perhaps I should concentrate my sympathy on his teacher. She'll have her work cut out for her keeping him challenged.