Yahtzee!

Dear Madigan,

Just a little story that I want to remember...and which a busy life will make me forget unless I chronicle more!

So today, after school, we played Toy Story Yahtzee...currently your favorite game, and one which we play at least three times a day. The benefit of this is that I too love games and you desperately need to learn the art of losing! We actually have two sets- a new one you got for Christmas from Nana & Papa, and a gently worn one from Alex & Erin who have moved on to the original numbered version. One is here at our house, and one is at Grandma & Grandpa's house so that we can share the love!

Today while playing, I got a Yahtzee, so I gave a generous shout of victory...a 'WooHoo,' if you will. You told me I had to say Yahtzee, so I said 'Yahtzee.' 'No!' you said. 'Say it like you mean it!' And so I did. Apparently I finally said it to your liking, as the game went on and you beat me...although I should point out that I won the first game- just in case anyone's keeping score.

It's a hard concept. Everyone wants to win and gets excited when it happens...but we've also started emphasizing the 'it's no big deal...better luck next time...give it another go' attitude. In fact- we've even started quoting Elephant from Mo Willems' books. "It takes skill. It takes practice. It takes skill AND practice!"

Case in point- this past Sunday we took the training wheels off your bike although Daddy wasn't initially convinced it was a good idea. We'd been talking about it...and you'd already tried it last Fall but had requested them to be reattached. Now was as good a time as any to try again. So Daddy removed the trainers and we sent you on your way. After a few good tries, a few minor spills, a few whines, and a few tears, you had it mastered...but only after one full-fledged meltdown. And after dusting yourself off, you quoted Mo Willems'. We are so very proud of you Madigan. You are learning the arts of patience and perseverance...characteristics I hope someday to master too. Love, Mom

The Magic of Christmas

Dear Madigan,

It's a few days after Christmas ('09) and a good time to reflect. We were all very lucky this year, as Santa left us some great presents! Our favorite: the Wii, which actually lets us play together as a family. Currently, your favorite is bowling, but we still have to explore the many games we received! You also seem thrilled with the two pair of fingerless gloves Santa left- a request made after hearing me ask for them to keep me warm in the library! So yes, we both have them...me and my mini! Daddy's thrilled, as you can imagine. At this point, he just shakes his head.

This year, Santa was great at communicating- perhaps Mrs. Claus is helping him organize? He sent you a letter in the week leading up to Christmas, which was stamped from the North Pole. He mentioned your gift requests, Xavier (our Elf on the Shelf), and Cooper. He also left you a note on Christmas Eve, which we'll save so you can enjoy it all year round. Aside from the gloves, you received the 7 Battle Force 5 (contradiction?!) you requested from Santa. You must have been on the 'Nice List' thanks to Xavier, who reported back to Santa each night and found a new vantage point each day. It was fun searching for him and helped us remember to be on our best behavior. Although we didn't get a chance to say goodbye on Christmas Eve, since it was so hectic, we look forward to his return after Thanksgiving next year!

Hopefully the magic we've been experiencing will become tradition. AND, we hope it will help us remember what's truly important and translate to our daily lives. It's hard being five and being empathetic...but that's what we hope to accomplish with you Madigan. We want you to realize what you have and be grateful...but also want you to figure out a way to change the lives of those who aren't so lucky. Big aspirations for our little man. But you're moving in the right direction...between the whines and tears you do some very thoughtful things...including holding the door for your teacher (of your own volition) even though she was off in the distance. You are a thoughtful boy and we're very proud of you.

Love, Mom

Kindergarten!!

Dear Madigan-

It's hard to believe, but you are now a kindergartener! This Fall you began your school career in Mrs. Lyons classroom, and while it's been an adjustment, you seem to enjoy school and all that entails. Last week, that meant preparing for your first, official picture day. I let Daddy pick the background, so the theme was autumnal- think yellow and orange leaves. That meant you really could only wear dark green, which also brings out your eyes. I had the perfect pullover with mock turtleneck and partial zipper (from the top down). I had a time deciding what to put underneath it, as you tend to be a sweater and had Gym that day. I finally decided on a (wife beater) tank and zipped you up about 3/4 of the way. On the way to school we practiced smiling so that you wouldn't show too much in the teeth department. All set. When I picked you up that afternoon, I noticed your zipper COMPLETELY undone. I asked if it looked like that during your pictures and you -very nonchalantly- said 'yes!' You needed to air out, you explained. NO!!!!! This was not the photograph I envisioned as gifts for ALL the family! It was WAY too Italian an image (I apologize to all the Italians I've just offended)! Oh well. Best laid plans. At least your hair wasn't sticking up...wonder how that smile turned out.

So today was your second bout with Timeout at school. You must feel tremendous guilt, as you fess up and then don't want to talk about it. I finally got out of you that you were talking when the teacher was talking...but didn't delve further, as you seem to self-impose punishment. The shame is too much and you end up melting down. The same happened with the first timeout for dawdling in the hallway even after your tearcher addressed you directly! I actually had to email Mrs. Lyons to get the story, as you really didn't think you'd done anything wrong. I'm not too concerned with your hijinks at this point, as you're just flexing your pesty bone...certainly nothing evil. Just testing the waters, I think!

Another interesting thing we're working through is the cafeteria account. I put money on your account but did not share this information with you. The second day of school you were thrilled to tell me you bought milk at lunch. You told me you just had to tell them your name! Daddy and I tried to explain that there was actually money being exchanged, but I'm positive that message didn't get across! The next day, I asked about whether you bought milk at lunch. Of course you had, so I asked if you drank it all. Nope. You hadn't even opened it! I asked what you did with it and you told me you'd thrown it out! Oh no, no, no! We had a one-sided discussion (guess who was talking!) where we decided if you bought milk you were to drink it. The next day I checked in with you assuming we were all straight. Boy do I have a thing or two to learn! This time, you bought BREAKFAST!!! Man you're good. We're going to have to teach you fiscal responsibility...especially before the credit card offers come rolling in! We've decided to limit your lunch buying to two days a week- just like my allotment when I was once young! And milk any day...and breakfast only when you're REALLY hungry, which so far has been EVERYDAY! I'm going to need a second job to keep you fed and watered! Good thing I love you. It doesn't hurt that you're an only child and spoiled rotten. My little dude's growing up. Just don't do it too fast.

Love, Mom

Word Equivalents

Just had to post a few words that you currently say, and their equivalents. They will probably soon be a thing of the past, so here they are:

commerciables=commercials; as in 'Mom, I need that. I saw it in a commerciable."

lemolade=lemonade; as in 'I'm thirsty. Can I have some more lemolade, please?'

sumpin=something; as in 'Grandpa, I've got sumpin' to show you.'

Favorite commercials to sing:

Cat's Eye Pest Control "Cat's Eye. We're the best of the best to get rid of your pests."

Koto Restaurant "The Koto experience. Experience the magic. Experience the mystery. Experience exotic tastes, steeped in rich history..."

Being Five!

Where to begin? Your party was last weekend with a Spiderman theme, of course! There were nine of you boys ages 4 and 5 and both Daddy and I were run ragged! And it's not like we haven't both worked with tons of kids throughout our lives. For some reason, though, you guys drove us to drink- me literally- after the wee ones were gone, of course! I think part of the problem is that Dad forgot to come up structured outdoor activities- even though I left that department to him (and reminded him a multitude of times, of course). I'm safe saying this because I know he doesn't read this blog (yet)! Towards the end we had a scavenger hunt for your goody bags, which were hiding in the turtle sandbox. And lastly, the Spiderman pull-string pinata. Although you cried a few times after having been pushed down and unused to the commotion of many energetic kids, the party was a success. And thankfully, we don't have to do it again for a whole year!

As for gifts, I don't think you could get any happier with the present you got this year from us- an AT-Rex Power Wheels. As soon as you saw it you grinned from ear to ear- for hours! And the whole time you were driving your 4-wheeler around the yard. And every day since!

Today, it's Mother's Day. I received a homemade card from you in the mail, thanks to your preschool. On Friday, you had walked with your class to the post office specifically to mail out those cards. What a great surprise! And at daycare, Kate helped you prepare candy flower lollipops, which she put in a plastic coffee cup. The inside liner was colored by you and had a nice photo of you (with your shirt on backwards for Wacky Wednesday) on it. But the gifts didn't stop there! You and Daddy had gone shopping and you'd picked out a hummingbird feeder for me, so we could attract the birds just like at Grandma's house. And Daddy got me a FlipVideo! Expect lots of videos from now on! We also took Grandma out to brunch at Uncle Jeremy's new restaurant- The LongHorn at Lake Vanare. It was delightful and packed! In fact the whole family came out- the Vans, all the Castleton Clan, the CT crew, Nana, Papa, Grandma, Poppy, and Katlin. And Daddy hosted the gig! We wish Uncle Jeremy and Aunt Shannon much success in the future! It's the holidays that bring us together and remind us how important family is. I'm glad for our family. Love, Mom

Spring Has Sprung!

And we've decided to embrace it! Last week- during school vacation, we headed to Merck Forest in Rupert, VT. It has a lot of trails and a small farm onsite. We decided to test our luck and followed the Discovery Trail through the forest to the farm. Within the first 100' you were ready to be carried, but we tempted you with farm animals and challenged you with finding the trail markers. You walked a good deal of the way down and over, but when the going got tough and the trail headed uphill, you requested a lift. Daddy obliged, and luckily the trail wasn't that terribly long, as both Daddy and I discovered...actually, remembered is probably more accurate- that we're horribly out of shape! We rested and checked out the animals and the vista. Then headed the much shorter way back to our car where we happened across this giant, hollow tree. Afterwards, we headed to Manchester for lunch and a quick shopping trip where we ran into Tanya and her family, of all people! We must have a psychic connection...either that or we just don't see enough of each other at work or on our block!

Today we headed to the mighty Hudson for a picnic as it is absolutely gorgeous for the third week of April: 88 and sunny! We picked up some sandwiches (and cookies, of course!) from Washington Square Deli and went to visit Papa and Nana. While there, you decided to give the fishing a try. And you caught something EVERY time you cast! Of course, it helps that your pole has a red, rubber fish attached! You also got to ride in Papa's new VW Beetle...we could barely see the tip of your head in all your unseatbelted glory as you traveled across the lawn, as the seats are so low! Case in point- check out Uncle Jeremy's profile in the picture!

Upcoming plans include your 5th birthday! Your actual day is on Friday, so you'll be bringing in Spiderman themed cupcakes with Spiderman ring decorations and cupcake papers to preschool. Dinner will be at Friendly's followed by your present from Mommy and Daddy- a kid-sized ATV! Luckily, you can't read at this point and don't follow my blog, so I'm not divulging any secrets! Your party will be on Saturday and we've invited 10 little boys from preschool!! I'm not sure what we've gotten ourselves into, but it should be fun, as we're planning an obstacle course and scavenger hunt alongside a Spidey cake and pinata. I'm SURE they'll be good stories to post afterwards. You're very excited about being five- I hope it lives up to your expectations! Recently, you also participated in kindergarten registration Part 1. After meeting in the library, the teachers whisked you off with instructions to pick you up a few hours later- AFTER the much-anticipated bus ride! Of course, your favorite part WAS the BUS! I also wanted to know what else you did, but the only thing you offered up was that you played. When pressed, you said "with broken cars." When I asked if you colored, you said no- you swept things up because it was dusty. Oh dear. And that was all you said- even after my probe! Grandma found out you had to pick out numbers, which were out of order. Some other detective work uncovered that you also sang The Wheels on the Bus, had to provide your address and phone number, and draw a picture. Yours was of Grandma and you- of course, you drew yourself larger! You have another visit coming up, and I'm interested to hear what happens, although we know at least one of the teachers thinks you're 'READY for Kindergarten!' (her son is in Daddy's class, so she emailed him that you were a very polite young man, too)! You are certainly much more adventurous and confident, so we're excited to see what's in store for you! Love, Mom

Had to Post!

Dear Madigan,

I had to post this, as it was too cute. You just came over to me and put your hands on both sides of my face so that you could get my attention to tell me this:

"I just want to tell you that even when you have diarrhea I still love you. Even when you throw up. And Dad too."

We love you too, Madigan.

Love, Mom

PS: This obviously stems from our bout with the gastrointestinal distress blogged about earlier this year!