Boy vs. Girl

The other day as we were driving to school, I experienced a classic conversation between Alex and Avery.  It started with:

Avery - "Mom, I mean, the first person born on this earth couldn't have been BORN because, well, they were the first person, so how did they come to be?"

Mom - "Not sure, Aves"

Avery - "Well, I mean, I know that Adam and Eve were the first ones on earth, so who do you think came after them?"

Mom (still displaying her overwhelming level of knowledge on the topic) - "Not sure, Aves."

Avery - "I know. I think that it was God.  And, then after God, it was Mary.  And, after Mary, it was Jesus and then after Jesus, it was all of God's disciples and then after them, it was all of the priests in the world..."

Mom - "Actually Avery, I know in your eyes, you may think I'm going to hell, but I actually believe in evolution and happen to think that we all came from Apes and not from Adam and Eve."  HA!  Ok - clearly, I didn't say this, but man - I was thinking it. 

In comes Alex...

Alex - "When I'm born, I want to be a fire fighter."

Avery - "Alex, that just doesn't make any sense.  I mean, you are already on this earth, so that means that you were already born."

Silence....silence....silence...

So, I turn around to see what Alex's reaction is going to be and what do I see?  Alex just sitting there with his finger up his nose staring at Avery with this, "Whatever.  I don't know nor do I care what you just said" look on his face.

Classic, I tell you.  Classic. 

Big Al Throws a Fit

What is that book that I'm thinking of?  It is a series of books that all start with the name of a character and then whatever adventure they go on.  Is it Curious George?  I don't know.  Anyway - point being, I'm pretty certain I could start a series on the Big Al. Big Al Goes to the Dentist, Big Al Throws a Fit, Big Al Gets Potty Trained, etc.  That kid is always keeping us on our toes.    And, this one was classic...

I'm not sure what his deal is lately, but damn!  He has had some EPIC MELTDOWNS.  Like, the kind where he kicks and screams and cries and then calls my name, so I go into his room (where he has been put because of said meltdown) and when I go in there, he screams, "NO!" so, I leave and then he screams, "NO!" again because I'm leaving.  And, basically, just says and does the opposite of whatever I do or suggest.  And, I'll be honest - I need some serious help on patience on how to deal with these because they REALLY piss me off.  Especially in the morning when I'm trying to get all of us ready for work or school.  However, that said - every once in a while, there is some comic relief...

This morning, during a meltdown, he was crying so his nose was running.  So, I grab a kleenex and wipe his nose and he looks at me and screams, "I WANT MY BOOGIES BACK!!!!!  I WANT MY BOOGIES BACK!!!!!!"  Now, if that doesn't make the most stressed out of mothers laugh, I'm not sure what does!

 

Big Al Goes to the Dentist

Ok, so this actually happened a couple of months ago (March to be exact), but I never got around to posting it and given that this blog is also intended to be a keepsake for my kids someday (minus some of the MiMi and Girls' weekend posts), I didn't want to miss out on the posting opportunity. 

So....Big Al went to the dentist!  And, I have to say - it went quite well!  For whatever reason, both of my kids have always been really good at both the doctor and the dentist.  I'm not sure why, but we've never had any problems with them throwing a fit or being scared, etc.  But, just to make sure, I decided to take Alex to one of Avery's dentist appointments back in December - just so that he could see how it worked and so that he would know what to expect.  Turns out, that was a good idea.

He got right up in the chair and listened to whatever the dentist told him to do.  He was great!  Granted, it helps that we have a really good dentist who is great with kids (and he had a tv with Dora on it to stare at the entire time).

Two cute/funny things while we were there - the dentist chose a toothbrush bristle (for the toothbrush that they use with that paste-type stuff) that looked like a tiger, so when he asked Alex what it was, Alex said a tiger and the dentist asked him if he liked tigers.  Alex very calmly looked at him and answered, "No."   The dentist got a chuckle out of that and just brushed his teeth with the tiger anyway.  A for effort, doc.    Then, as he was nearly finished brushing, Alex just looked at me and said, "Mama?  When he gonna be done?"  Again, a chuckle from the dentist, but he kept going and Alex let him without a fuss.

After he was all done, he asked Alex to spit in the sink next to him, which Alex was ALL excited to do.  And, apparently, he did quite well, as the dentist was actually quite surprised - who knew that spitting was actually a milestone in a 3 year old's development?  According to the dentist it is and most kids his age can't do it correctly but, given his fabulous spitting performance, Al is now allowed to use the big kid fluoride toothpaste and spit in the sink.

I'll be honest - we haven't gone there yet.  Why?  Because it takes far more effort and time on my part to actually have him stand at the sink, insist on putting the toothpaste on, turning the water on and brushing all by himself only to have me do it all over again after him.  Right now?  I hand him the toothbrush with the fluoride free stuff on it and he takes it - sucks all of the toothpaste off and runs (much to my dismay - yes, I realize this is a major choking hazard) around while I'm still getting ready and until I get a hold of him to finish the actual brushing.  Much faster people, much faster.  Not only that, but while he is good at spitting, I'm not sure he fully grasps the concept of actually needing to do it and not having a choice.  So, until we get to that point, it will be choking hazards and liquid fluoride in milk. 

And, as long as I'm being honest - this toothpaste thing is 3rd on my list of priorities - right behind potty training and binkies (which to give myself SOME credit, are only used at night when he sleeps - I swear!).