Sibling DIfferences In Shoe Shopping

She: Visit several stores, punctuated by hangry episodes and at least a dozen variations of "I want them, but: there's a seam / tightness in the toes / no one wears shows like this / nah." Buy at least one pair of new socks to make show wearing bearable. Can't be any socks, there are usually at least 3 qualities that MUST be present for sock wearing. Deal with Accessories Temptation on both our parts.

Finally get lucky at REI / Big 5, far from home. Once (as in only once) I scored during Black Friday Deals weekend at Old Navy with Uggs. Current favourite shoes are glossy black rain boots. They look fantastic, but they are rain boots, bought on Amazon.com after searching in vain at Garretts, Old Navy, Costco, and Target.

 

He: Make plans to spend up to an hour at Payless Shoes, mostly looking for the right size and something on sale-ish. Run late and decide WalMart will have take care of frozen chicken nuggets, bigger underpants, and shoes for James.

Stroll down shoe aisle at the back of the store, after scoring last package of undies in the new size. Spot 2 pairs very blue tennis shoes. Whisk off his sandal and hold them up to the soles and decide he's probably now a size 6. Ask if he likes them. "Yes." Ask if he really will wear these shoes. Every day. "Yes." Purchase shoes after snagging chicken nuggets. We pretty much traveled in a rectangle inside the store and were out in 20 minutes, 5 minutes from home. With any luck, both pairs will last for more than 6 months.

And So It Goes

James and his sister had been playing KJS (Keep James Smart school) so nicely; non-computer play time and math went smoothly. I was beaming with pride.

Then James spotted the "fly" (it was really more like a gnat). Game over. He started crying, insisting we get the fly. Then he started jumping and yelling. After trying in vain to redirect him, I gave him a time out in his room. Then he called his sister a name and talked about punching people, which means no more iPad today.

It's now almost an hour later. James has calmed down and apologised and his sister's enjoyed a bike ride near our house. They are back together and playing a version Follow the Leader that combines Tae-Kwon-Do exercises and my old aerobics step. Now they are practicing writing. I am staying out of it, hoping for no more flies.

When Getting There is Half the Fun

Preparing for an afternoon at the pool can be as much fun as a circus -- who knew?

Awesome flying floaties are flung in circles on a forearm. Fascinating!

The afternoon at the pool was pretty tame by comparison (but they fell asleep pretty quickly tonight)!

I don't mind that it took a little while to get there -- James and his sister enjoyed some quality time together and these non-screen activities made the day pass quickly and delightfully.

Special Exposure / Wordless Weds: Sharing

I came across this moment as I was flipping through our Easter photos. James and his sister, both randomly dressed in blue (during autism awareness month), sharing a gelato at the Town Green (where we'll be walking this weekend, BTW). I was on a last-minute run for Easter preparations and decided to pause and take in the day.

First, I just love the times when the kids share and it's no big deal. It's a very human moment for me. Next, I like their quiet enjoyment of an unexpected treat. And third ... James looks bigger than his big sister. Not sure how happy I am about that, but it's definitely a milestone.

For more images from the heart and to share some of yours,
visit Special Exposure Wednesday at 5 Minutes for Special Needs.






               and ... Wordless Wednesday

Sleep Over!

This weekend has had a couple smiles for me, mostly as I watched the kids play together. There were several years when James' sister begged me, with tears in her eyes to:

1. Have another baby, preferably a girl
2. Let her get a dog or a parrot
3. Trade James in for a neighbour's son
4. Let her go live at her Nana's

Ouch. But I understood. James wasn't a lot of fun as a playmate. He was largely passive and nonverbal (yet somehow very noisy). Mommy and Daddy paid sooooooooo much attention to James, and our days grew very constricted and centered around his needs.

I know this has changed her life and we've tried the best we can to give her special time and put energy to her needs and interests as well.

That's why last night's impromptu sleepover was so sweet. It was Big Sister's idea, of course. She handled getting them both ready for bed and I helped her set up a futon and her sleeping bag. We read a Dr. Seuss book, followed by an exciting chapter of Charlie Bone and the Time Twister. Both kiddos giggled and their faces practically shone with the newness and excitement. Then it was time for lights out.

It lasted all of 10 minutes.

James, unfortunately, could not settle down and Big Sister (who really was tired) moved back to her room. But, it was a good try. And I think it helped them both. Big Sister, to have her ideas supported and tried. James, to have a chance to experience a sleepover, which at Grade 1 starts to become a big social thing.

Friday Night Specials

There have been capes on heads, a tent in the living room, and shark chases down the hall. It's looking like a Friday night. And oh how we've needed it!

We've gone through several rounds of colds, low-sleep nights, and been off our routines Today finally felt like seeing a light at the end of the tunnel (in a good way). I got caught up on lots of delayed tasks that weighed on my conscience. I took my daughter to go see a matinee on her day off school. This is what we saw:

We loved it!

The day started unusually, with James sleeping in, therefore myself as well. I can't remember the last time I woke up after 6:30 on a weekday morning, which is semi-pathetic. We finished up assembling James' Valentines to distribute, his second day back in school. I could tell that we were not going to make the bell for arrival, so instead of rushing him, I called the school and let them know that he was coming, but late.

With that pressure relieved, I took and extra 15 minutes to help James finish his math and practice some writing for his homework, which he was too tired to do last night. He arrived at school happy and ready to go. His classmates were just coming in from recess. Their schedules are off too, because the entire class is being assessed for report cards this week. Both James' teacher and aide reported he had a really good day, with excellent school work, test responses, and listening. Awesome!

Meanwhile, back at the ranch house, the impromptu Wild Kingdom lesson on the House Cat gave way to bedtime routine, with James' sister putting him capably to bed as only she can. I swear, he dropped off in less than 5 minutes without a peep. She gets a bonus this week with her allowance for all the times she's gotten him ready for bed and off to sleep for me.

"I'll just stand over here while Jim attempts to bathe the House Cat ..."

Rainy Day Game Plan

Strangely, none of our plans include football this rainy Sunday.

This morning was taken up by Pretending with Wings and learning all about snails, courtesy of Big Sister. She is so awesome in her own right, and James is very lucky to have her as his Big Sister. This morning's session was so awesome that it deserves it's own separate post.

Then late-morning movie on the sofa: The Little Mermaid, by request, followed by lunch out with Dad at Micky D's. Then a solid hour of lolling.

Next up: A couple of hours at the gym's childcare. Both kids enjoy the board games, other kids, hoops, and crafts that are available. We'll finish off our rainy day with a visit to the local topical fish store, to get some tank water tested and (hopefully) purchase and bring home an aquatic snail.

I love it when good plans come together! What are your rain day plans?

Special Exposure / Wordless Weds: Floortime For 2

This was the scene I walked in on, one morning last weekend:

And here's some of the conversation:
James: "Look! I made Rudolph!"
Big Sis: "No, you made the sun"
James: "Ohhhhh. Let's make some more!"
Big Sis:" Okay, let's make a 2!"

They kept it up for over half an hour. I sat down around the corner in the next room, grinning and enjoying the moment as I listened in.

For more great images or to join in the fun, Visit Special Exposure Wednesday at 5 Minutes for Special Needs.
and ... Wordless Wednesday

Parade

The kids found something new to play this week: Parade! I remember doing this with my brother. Singing, making music with instruments of all sorts. Sometimes bringing along our dolls and stuffed animals.

James' big sister led the way with her princess wand and musical feather. James followed enthusiastically with his yellow feather/horn. At their grandparents' house, they had actual play trumpets. They seemed just as happy with the feathers.

Cheers, kids! I kind of like this shot best: you can see several holidays' worth of decorations on top of the piano. So handy for things like that.

Special Exposure/Wordless Wednesday: Looking at Sis

This week's Special Exposure/Wordless Wednesday photo is brought to you by James' sister, who just started using my camera.

I think she got a nice one. It's interesting to see how he looks at and holds still for her. I think she got a different response from him than I would have. She is his hero and he watches her closely, trying to do the things that she does. Even though James is seated, I get a sense that he is on tiptoes, trying to reach high enough for her approval.

For more great images or to join in the fun, Visit Special Exposure Wednesday at 5 Minutes for Special Needs.

and ... Wordless Wednesday

New Phrase Takes Us To Defcon 2

"Hey! That's MINE!"

Age: 4.5 years. Sibling rivalry has kicked it up a notch, and possessions are now verbally protected, as well as physically. Note: James is still being much sweeter about it than she is. Oh, what a surprise his sister is in for -- the day he is bigger and taller than she!

Tipping Point

... from playing well with sister to chaos and sibling rampages is ... about to be reached.

It's like watching a nature show. He circles his sister. They are communicating with arms, raspberries, and "yyyyyyyep!" She responds with dancing about, singing "daffodils! look at me? have you seen a really big ship before?"

He snatches up the big, red "We're #1" foam finger ....

... and the fun's over. She whines and yells as she chases him down, and he runs from her room, screeching with glee. She catches him in the hall.

"No!"
"Ahhhhh!!!"
"That's MINE!"
"No!!!!!"

I have reached my tipping point. The red wine is tipping out of the bottle, into the glass. Alderbrook Zin, 2003.

Bed time comes now!