Spooky Cheeseburgers

Mornings are typically devoted to school work in our house. Robby logs onto his computer and attends classes, works through worksheets and teleconferences with classmates and his teachers. While Robby is busy with his classes, Timmy has started logging onto ABCMouse to work on his own curriculum. During the rare occasion when one or both of them don't need me and are actively engaged, I'm able to tidy up and clean the house. 

It has taken us a long time (most of the school year) but our cyberschool program is finally flowing smoothly and comfortably. I feel like we have struck the perfect balance, creating harmony in our household. Between his extracurricular classes, his art class and from his school, Robby is learning volumes and has become a social butterfly. I couldn't be happier!

Yesterday, while both boys were working on their classes, all of a sudden Timmy began squealing for me to come to him. I put down the dirty dishes, wiped my hands and prepared to help him with a technical iPad issue. Instead, Timmy ecstatically replayed a how-to video that he had unlocked on his program. After watching the video with him and seeing his excitement, I agreed that we would make "spooky cheeseburgers" for dinner.  

Timmy couldn't wait for dinnertime. He spoke all day about the "spooky cheeseburgers" and acted out what his Daddy's anticipated reaction to seeing the burger creations on the table. When it was time to make dinner I sequestered Robby and Scott in the back room so that Timmy and I could work on our surprise.

I cooked the burgers, but Timmy was responsible for all assembly.  We played and paused the video, making sure that he did each step correctly. He was delighted with his final creation.  I have a feeling that this won't be the last time we create something from this new video series. 

**Excuse his red face. He decided to paint his face with a ring pop "painter" lollipop while the burgers were cooking.  He was trying to look "spooky" like the cheeseburgers.**

Bike Riding

As the morning progressed my sore throat lessened. Coupled with the lack of a fever, I've self-diagnosed my ailment as simple allergies. The weather was beautiful but my body struggled to completely enjoy playing outside. 

While I would have preferred to be curled up on the couch, there was little doubt that Timmy wanted to spend the day enjoying the warm weather. He spent the morning and afternoon playing in the yard, climbing trees and decorating the yard for Easter. When Robby came outside to ride his bike, Timmy's face lit up brighter than the sun. He hopped onto his little red balance bike and joined Robby on the one-mile trek to the duck pond.  

Any aspirations that such a long bike ride would tire Timmy have long ago been abandoned. After a sip of water and a quick snack, he was bringing me his bat and glove to play baseball in our yard. My goodness, I wish I had his energy!

Sick

I'm not feeling fantastic this morning.  I'm hoping that it is simply allergies gone ballistic, but my throat is so sore I'm worrying that it might be strep. If it doesn't improve in the next few hours I'll be visiting the Doc-in-a-Box tonight, because I really hate feeling this way. 

Timmy isn't nearly as empathetic as Robby was at the same age. When I was sick with Robby around, my little Koopa would dote and bring me cups of water and tea. Timmy takes advantage of my weakness by escaping outside, using toothpaste for finger paints and just causing mischief and mayhem. I'm amazed at how two brothers can be so profoundly different!

Next week is Spring Break, and I'm looking forward to having the family together for the week. We are planning to visit my Mom for a few days, and the Cousin Crew will be reunited. I definitely don't have time to be sick right now!

Lawnmower Safety

When I was growing up I have fond memories of hopping onto my Dad's lap when he was mowing the lawn. Riding on the lawnmower with him was an exciting activity of the warmer months, one which all we all enjoyed. I never thought about the safety of riding on a power vehicle with spinning blades, and I'm sure that it didn't really enter my parents' consciousness either.

Even though I adored riding on the mower with my Dad, it does not happen with my own kids. Perhaps this is an issue of when you know better, you make better choices. I have too many friends who are amputees due to a lawnmower accident. Did you know that every single day a child loses a limb to a lawnmower in this country?  I cannot imagine the horror felt by the parent or adult who was driving during the accident.

When the boys (mainly Timmy at this point) want to go for a ride on the lawnmower, the blade is disengaged and they drive (slowly) on our asphalt driveway to the mailbox at the end of the street. To safeguard against tipping, they do not travel through the uneven yard. It takes Scott longer to mow now because he can't multitask by also entertaining Timmy, but his safety is paramount.  

Yesterday we recorded an Amp'd podcast about lawnmower safety.  The topic was prompted by an encounter with our new neighbor, who was allowing his six-year-old to drive the lawnmower (the blade was not engaged) through his yard while Timmy was in the vicinity.  You can listen to the story, as well as some lawnmower safety tips, in this quick podcast. 

New Buddies

Last week our neighborhood was bustling with activity.  The house next to Mr. Bill (I know that he left months ago, but it will always be his house in our minds) was sold and a moving van showed up in the driveway. It is always exciting to welcome a new neighbor to our little quiet street, but the kids were thrilled when we saw a firetruck tree house being constructed in the backyard. 

Saturday afternoon Timmy was sitting in his favorite tree when he began to squeal with delight. He lept out of the tree and started running towards me, screaming that he saw a new buddy. I looked down the street and saw a young boy riding his bike on our road. Timmy grabbed his helmet, hopped onto his bike and rode off to meet his new friend.

It turns out that our new neighbors have three young kids, ages six, five and three. I only met the dad but he seemed very engaging and nice. While I'm bummed out that there isn't a buddy for Robby, Timmy was over-the-moon with his new friends. He played and laughed all afternoon, falling into bed at night exhausted and happy.

The kids alternated between playing between yards. I stayed outside, working in the yard and hanging out by the firepit. Timmy hasn't had a playdate and I was wary about both his behavior at and comfort with being away from me.  

I wasn't the only one who was nervous about Timmy's burgeoning independence.  Robby came out to sit with me by the firepit with the ulterior motive of keeping an eagle eye watch on Timmy playing in the neighbor's yard. After about an hour, Robby finally surrendered to his big brother protective instincts and walked over to make sure that Timmy was okay and being well-behaved.  Our worrying was for naught.  Timmy was both being delightful and was happily playing with his new friends.

Hopefully, their friendships will continue to bloom and they will all have wonderful adventures playing, exploring and growing up together.