Play Date Deep Thoughts

School's out for summer - School's out for ever... not really and Nate's been out a few weeks already, but it's always fun to sing that song.  The big news is that we had a play date or two.  I know, crazy!  I was both excited and nervous since we haven't had too many of those - especially with people we just barely know.  On the positive side we had a great time - the negative is we haven't gotten together again.  Hopefully soon.  

The first playdate was at a nearby splash park.   We met some of Nate's classmates for a picnic and some goofing around.  The second was at a different park and we met two of Nate's tball teammates.  Having some grown up conversation with other mom's was quite enjoyable for me.  I definitely plan on doing it again soon, weather permitting.  It's been quite hot here for the Seattle area.  

The interesting thing was that I got my first glimpse of watching your kid in a somewhat difficult situation.  I must admit I'm not looking forward to many more of these even though I know there will be a lot more - it's a part of parenting life I guess.  So as most of you know Nate is a little on the shyer side with other kids.  If he doesn't know the kids at all he pretty much goes the other way.  Since these were his classmates he warms up quicker.  I'm always curious to see how he is going to do in social situation because I don't get to witness it too often.  I'm always pleasantly surprised by the way.  He can be quite chatty and outgoing once he is warmed up.

Well, at the first play date two of the boys are pretty good friends - they are neighbors.  They are also about 6 months younger than Nate.  This makes Nate a bit of a 3rd wheel.  Now these boys are just being 3 and they are as inclusive as you'd expect.  After a little while I saw Nate go up to one of the boys and ask, 'Want to play something?' and the boy kind of just looked at Nate.  So Nate asked again ' Do you want to play chalk?' and nothing really happened.  I just sat back to see what would transpire.  One, I was super proud that he actually took some initiative and asked a kid to play.  I haven't ever seen that so it was very cool.  School last year really did bring him out of his shell.  Second, I didn't want to over mommy - he has to find his way around a playground and people.  What was funny is that he then looked at me.  I got up and went over there just to kind of move things along.  About a minute later some girls brought over a caterpillar and the whole scene was over.  He loved hanging out and watching the older girls.  They were the sisters of his classmates.  

But, it was hard to watch your little guy try something and not get the reaction he was looking for.  He is too young to really care and didn't seem moved by it a bit, but it got me thinking to school days.  What do parents do if their kids can't make friends or get teased etc.  It must be hard.  You can only do so much.  I hope as a parent I'll be able to recognize if those things are happening and also make sure Nate (once he can understand the concept) is as inclusive as he can be with everyone.  Now, while I was thinking about this stuff, Nate could've cared less and had a really great time.  

We have a long ways to go social wise, but I'm just happy we actually have people to meet at a park - its a huge step for me (I'm as scared of people as Nate is haha - genetics I guess)    

AAURGH

This is that sound you make when you are a little annoyed/frustrated/confused.  You know the sound where your hands are in the air and you look up a bit and then say 'AAURGH' There is a Subaru commercial with a little blonde boy that shows this expression perfectly when he drops his groceries.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFvqpAT9YQk

Nate does this exact same thing.  It is a total crack up.  Whether it is Mocha running off with a toy or me saying we are out of apple juice or the trash being too full or too many people in line at the store.  Sometimes he is just my shadow making the sound as I also make the sound.  

Case in point...  I had to take Kona to the vet the other day.  We stopped at a park beforehand.  I got a little cranky because Nate was wanting to go on the swings and he was asking a million times, but it was hard to do that with Kona and so many people at the park.  Kona is fine around kids, but just logistically with moving swings and running kids... yada yada... you get the point.  So I made that 'AAURGH' sound and kind of stomped off to find a tree to tie Kona too as Nate continued asking if he could ride the swings.  I know I made the AAURGH sound because following 1 foot behind me was this 3 yr old boy doing the same thing.  Why it was so funny (at least to me) was because I was making the sound cuz of him, yet he was also making the sound.  I guess you'd have to be there to get the full comic picture.  

Hopefully he won't have grown out of this before some other witnesses witness it :) It is such an adult expression.  Really does put some humor into an annoying situation - you can't stay annoyed for long that is for sure!

Big Boy Changes

Potty training... oh the joys of potty training.  Basically there as many definitions of 'being potty trained' as there are flavors of ice cream.  I don't know how anyone teaches any boy how to consistently aim and focus by the way.  'Fire Away' is a common saying around here... the joy of raising a boy.  Also, in case you are wondering...pulling your pants down by any old tree and peeing is fine (according to Nate)... this can be a tree in the middle of the park or the backyard or right outside the library....we have some learning to do.  BTW, he doesn't actually do that, but suggests it from time to time.  

Some of you may be wondering, 'Why is she talking about potty training?, he's been potty trained for awhile' Well, true... Nate has been wearing underwear since right around 2 and basically has been potty trained (well depending on your def).  My def is that he doesn't pee his pants for no reason.  That being said, he was too young to be very good at pulling up his pants or some of the other little things. So yes I still went with him to the potty.  Also, you couldn't make him hold it for too long at first so you'd run to find a bathroom.  Always fun in big places!  He still waits too long to tell you, but can hold it much longer haha.  

Now, he still wore diapers at night and at nap time.  So some people don't call that potty trained.  I don't know.  We still gave him a bedtime milk and didn't watch his liquid intake very well so why rush it.  Now ( I think I even mentioned this in a previous blog, shocking since there are so few) he gave up diapers during nap time a while back.  Every once in a great while he makes a mistake, but overall success!   Well, the BIG news is that it's been a week without diapers at night either.  His decision - he just said I don't want to wear them anymore.  Ok. There has been a mistake or two, but overall better than expected.  We try and keep an eye on liquids at night and hope for the best.  

Now, to be fair he doesn't just go in and go to the bathroom by himself yet.  We still help him with his pants and definitely wiping. So some may say he isn't fully potty trained yet ...I guess.  Truth be told he might be a little lazy (or a spoiled only child) (or a mini dictator) ...Because when he isn't in a hurry he can go to the bathroom by himself and does a pretty good job.  It's kind of like when it looks like the dog can't do something, but you hold up a treat and suddenly they are experts.  So yes he can do it.  But, sometimes he just wants it to be quick (truth be told sometimes me too... or I prefer to make sure things stay clean.. is that so wrong)

Anyway, looks like Nate is towards the end of the potty training continuum.  I guess with boys there will be accidents and that whole wiping thing... ewh.. oh and snapping/buttoning pants that aren't just stretchy waistbands.

That wasn't the only change.  He is officially brushing his teeth.  No no no... he wasn't just not brushing his teeth, but we were using swallowable toothpaste.  Probably for far longer than we should have been.  I haven't really pushed the drinking out of a real cup thing... I know I know... but its not like he is going to be drinking out of a sippy cup when he is in high school.  Brushing your teeth is much easier if you can take sips out of a regular cup though.  Well, he has gotten better at drinking out of a cup recently so we just made the change. (This was another big boy, big change - he has been filling up a cup at the fridge and then drinking it.  Drinking this way is still pretty slow for him so if he is really thirsty he grabs his sippy/straw cup)  

It was funny watching him try to brush and spit at first.  He would put water in his mouth and swoosh.. but then he'd swallow it.  And he'd look a little surprised every time he swallowed it.  You can tell in his mind he was trying hard not to swallow, but his instincts kicked in and just made him swallow.  After a day or two I'm pretty sure I cracked the code and got him to finally release the water (Kevin may disagree and say he did it).  Instead of making him try to form his mouth in any certain way I just said lean over and open your mouth.  For some reason that just clicked and more water came out then was swallowed.  Woo Hoo.  Now he loves to practice.  Next up, going to the dentist.... I've put that off far too long for him ... probably because of my own fears.  

After having reread this once (sorry not much editing its getting late) I realize these are sure not glamorous topics.  Funny how they are such a big part of overall independence though.  It is a big deal to do some of this stuff and the look of confidence he gets when he is successful is pretty darn neat to witness.  Parenting isn't always glamorous, but sure feels like you and your little one should be on the cover of a magazine.