Museum Play-Date

After church on Sunday, we met up with the G family at the American Museum of Natural History.  We took the train up, and this was the kids' first time riding on the MTA.  I know, I know... big sister K is 5-years old already, and we've never taken her on a NYC subway train before (that's what happens when we pack our bags and move to the burbs).  Baby M had such a big smile on his face every time he saw the train approach the station; he kept talking about it for days after.  Needless to say, the train ride was the highlight of his day.  Museum?  What museum?

The kids had a blast. Wish we can do these play-dates more often.

First time on an MTA train... how exciting!

T$ and big sister K holding hands... so sweet!

Monkey see, monkey do.  Baby M following in the footsteps of T$. 

Family photo!

Potty Training Update

Baby M went accident-free wearing underwear at daycare earlier this week.  I am so proud of him!  Not that he back-tracked the next day, but his teacher called me in the morning (because she didn't want me to be disappointed when I picked him up later) and said that while sitting on the toilet peeing, baby M lifted his leg up to see what he was doing and ended up getting pee on his pants and underwear... TWICE!  He had to go the rest of the day in diaper since I only brought in two changes of clothes for him.  I put baby M in underwear when we got home and he did fine with it until bedtime.

We went to PetSmart today and got the kids their very first pet: a fish for each of them.  Big sister K named hers Indy, and baby M's is Thomas (from Thomas the train, of course).  While we were at the store, baby M tells me that he had to go poopy.  I hesitated and told him to just go in his diaper, but he started crying and complaining, so I relented.  I had to ask an employee where the restrooms were and by the time we got there, I was sure he would've gone already.  I lined the toilet with a seat cover, he pulled down his own pants, and when I took his diaper off, I was surprised to find it still dry.  I seated him on the throne and he peed (he uses pee and poop interchangeably when he tells us he has to go, but hey, I'll take it)!  First time in a public restroom!  Woohoo! Go baby M!

So now my next question is, how do I train him to go standing up?  It would certainly help make going in public restrooms a lot easier, although he's probably not yet tall enough where he can aim into the toilet.

Destructive

Baby M spent a long time lining up his toys in one straight line to form a train.  He was very proud of his handiwork and kept showing it off to me.

Then the next thing I know, he's destroying his train and getting a good laugh out of it.  My little boy, what a troublemaker!

Potty Training #2

Baby M's potty training has been going okay.  He tells us most of the times when he has to poop... it's the pee that's a bit more inconsistent, or rather, non-existent.  He's been wearing underwear at daycare for the past few days.  He hasn't managed to get through the day without an accident yet, but he's getting better. Big sister K wasn't fully potty trained until she turned two years and four months, so that's what I'm holding my standards to.  It didn't take her very long though; I remember we started later with her.

So tonight, M was busy cleaning the house while I was in the kitchen doing dishes.  Big sister K was helping daddy in the living room, but we lost sight of baby M for a few minutes.  As soon as I got done with the dishes, I called out to him, but he didn't respond.  The lights were all off upstairs, so I didn't think he would be up there.  I made my way to the family room and didn't find him there. I went upstairs, and to my surprise, he was in the bathroom, sitting on the toilet in the dark.  He had taken his pants and diaper off, and with the help of a stool, managed to climb onto the toilet all by himself.  He threw his diaper in the garbage and was holding onto his pants with a proud smile on his face.  At the sight of him, I didn't know whether to laugh or to cry.  All I know is that I can't take my eyes off this boy for one second!

Snow Day #3

Today marks our third snow day in less than two weeks.  Again, I was at home with the two rugrats by myself, trying to work and sneaking out to shovel during their nap time.  M stayed at a hotel near his office the night before, so he didn't have to go trudging in the snow this morning.  Thankfully, we've had no power outage in any of the storms.  I am happy to say, of the three recent snow days we've had, big sister K and baby M managed to keep each other entertained and I only resorted to letting them watch TV once. Of course, the house is a complete mess, but the kids are healthy and happy... can't ask for anything more!

A tip to all the parents out there.  If your kids have exhausted all the toys in your home, all you need to do is give them a cardboard box.  They will find more fun in it than anything else and it won't cost you a penny.  Perfect example here:

A Visit to K's Class

Big sister K's kindergarten teacher invited me to talk to her class about Chinese New Year.  I recruited some of the other Chinese parents, and three of us ended up speaking to the kindergarteners about Chinese New Year last Friday afternoon.  Big sister K was so happy to see me that that alone made the trip worth it.

I talked about the traditions, decorations, what we do on Chinese New Year, showed them a lion dance video, and also handed out red envelopes (since we are not allowed to give the kids money, in lieu of cash, I put a little card inside). Another parent spoke about the 12 zodiac signs and read them a story on how they came about.  She also provided a picture of a horse for the kids to color.  The last parent explained why firecrackers are part of the celebration and brought a huge roll of bubble wrap. We had all the kids stand in a straight line and when we counted to three, we told them to jump on the bubble wrap, which made loud popping sounds, similar to real firecrackers.  They had a lot of fun, and it was great seeing the children so engaged during the hour we were there.

Another Snow Day

Our second snow day in one week.  It's not actually snowing out, but the sleet and freezing rain makes driving just as dangerous, if not more.  There's probably an inch or two of slush on the roads already.  I think it's ridiculous that M has to trek his way in to work, considering it's not like he's saving lives or anything.  Another day home with the kids.  Let's see if they'll be as kind as they were on Monday and let me get some work done.

Kid Conversations & Snow Day

We were over at my mother-in-law's place on Sunday.  My sister-in-law had brought some pastries/cookies for the kids from Little Italy.  I told big sister K she can pick two out of the box.  She says to me, "Okay mommy.  I won't pick any chocolate ones because you don't like me eating chocolate."  This girl totally melts my heart! Now if only she listened to me like that all the time!  LOL!

Conversation with baby M this morning:
Me: I love you M.
Baby M: I love Thomas [the train]!
Me: You love Thomas!?  What about mommy?
Baby M: I love daddy!
Me:  Hey!  What about mommy?  You don't love mommy?
Baby M: I love mommy!

Hmm... I guess I know where I stand in his life.  I suppose being third is better than nothing!

We had another snow day today... an estimated 4-8 inches.  I've lost track of the number of snowstorms we've gotten this season already.  M had to go to work this morning (before the snow accumulated) and since then, the plow trucks have come by twice, plowing us in.  We've gotten probably close to 12 inches, and after the plow trucks cleared the street, the snow in front of the driveway was almost up to my waist; there's no way M would have been able to make it in.  Fortunately, I was able to put baby M down for a nap, so once he fell asleep, I checked in with big sister K to make sure she was okay and rushed outside to dig us out of the snow.  I know, it is a big no-no for me to leave two young kids in the house while I'm outside shoveling, but unless I wanted the hubby to be stranded outside the house, I really had no choice. Hopefully I cleaned enough off for him to get through the driveway into the garage.  I am tempted to go back outside with the kids after baby M wakes up so they can play in the snow and I clean the other half of the driveway, but I am already so exhausted I don't think I'll have enough energy.