The Armadillo Tales

Sumo Baby School Time!

Today was the sumo baby's first official day at school.   Granted he's not ready for preschool as he's not even 2, but I consider this more of a socialization experiment.   The sumo baby is going to the same school as the armadillo.   The school labels each class with the name of an animal.    When the armadillo started he was in the Tiny Turtles class, then it was the Funny Bunnies, now it's the Caterpillars.  Not sure if there's an amusing adjective in front but I know it's at least the Caterpillars.    The sumo baby is starting off in the school's toddler program which is appropriately named the Panda Bears.  I think that a sign of good fate because I've nicknamed the sumo baby, panda bear.   That fits the sumo baby perfectly.    Since he's so cute and cuddly.   

The morning drop off was a bit rocky.   As the armadillo was also starting to get used to his new class room and playground environment he was a little more needy than usual.   The armadillo repeatedly asked me to stay for "2 more minutes" ... "2 more minutes mommy ... 2 more minutes" was his response when I told him that it was time for me to take the sumo baby to his class area.   Which so happens to be right next to the armadillo's play area.   I see that as both being a pro and a con.   It's a pro when the sumo baby feels lonely and needs a familiar face.  It's a con when the sumo baby feels lonely and needs a familiar face and starts to get sad when he realizes he can't actually play with the armadillo.   

When I was finally able to assure the armadillo that he was going to be fine I headed over to the toddler area with the sumo baby.   I made the mistake of "disappearing" from the sumo baby's sights to sign in him.   The room with the sign in sheet is in another area of the classroom, away from the outside play area where he was playing.   When I came back he started to cry because I assumed he was looking for me.  At that point he didn't want me to let him go.   Ugh.   I knew then it would be very hard to leave.   I also knew I had to do it now because the armadillo could still see me through the fence so I kissed the sumo baby goodbye and told him I would see him soon.   He started to cry and his teacher picked him up for reassurance.   It was heartbreaking but I knew that he would be fine.     I called the school about 20 minutes later and they said he calmed down after a few minutes.    Whew.   

After a couple of hours I headed back to the school and the sumo baby was playing in the playground area.   He saw me after a couple of minutes (I like to watch the armadillo and sumo baby interacting with others).   The sumo baby flashed me the biggest smile and yelled, "Hey!".  He ran over to me and we gave each other the biggest hug.   His teacher told me that he had a good time today and that he was a good dancer.   The sumo baby showed off his fab dance moves at school while listening to the music from one of his faves, Dora the Explorer.   

Tomorrow the boys both have school.   Wish us luck.

Farmers Market

On Tuesdays the city of Concord holds their seasonal farmers market.    I used to take the armadillo when he was younger but then the season ended and the sumo baby arrived.   This year with the weather being so hot I haven't taken the boys too much but today with cooler temperatures I decided to venture ahead.   I wished I had the camera so that I could have taken photos but B-Dad had other uses for it today.

The three of us strolled down the plaza sidewalks and taking in all of the fruit and vegetables for sale.   I picked up a lovely bunch of red seedless grapes.    We also picked up our favorite pears from the two nice women who always gives the armadillo and sumo baby their own pears to munch on while we look around.    Theses pears are so sweet, yummy and soft enough for the sumo baby to chew on.    Then we headed to over to the stall to pick up our sweet strawberries and raspberries.    The strawberries were so good that the armadillo and sumo baby ate almost the entire basekt of strawberries I bought.   Before we left I had to go back to the stall to buy more strawberries to take home.   

We then headed over to the play area so that the armadillo and sumo baby could stretch their legs and climb and slide.   The play structure was much too high for my comfort level.   But that didn't stop the sumo baby from climbing to the top.  My stomach started to feel queasy from being that high up but I had to in order to make sure that the sumo baby didn't fall or hurt himself.   The armadillo was being terrific staying nearby and not wandering off.

Next we headed over to the coffee shop across the street so the armadillo and I could take our potty breaks.   There's a beautiful fountain in the center of the courtyard where the cafe is so we all hung out there for a bit.   Then we all headed home for lunch and a nap.   

Spending time with my boys today was fantastic.   I do enjoy hanging out with my mama friends and their kids, but it's something special to spend time with just my boys.    This way I can focus all of my attention on them and just think of how beautiful they are.

Swimming

Today is the second day of swimming lessons for the armadillo.   He did pretty well the first time and I'm hoping he'll be just as responsive or better yet even more responsive than the last class.   I'm not sure if the lessons have some sort of structure or outline, but the first class for the armadillo and his BFF was a "What do you want to do?" type of class.   Um, they don't know how to swim, so maybe as the instructor, you can suggest what they should be doing?      Towards the end the boys, and one girl for a total of three in theh class, kicked while on their tummy, on their back and blew bubbles in the water.   The armadillo was 2 out of 3 dismissing the kicking on the back as not worthy of his attention.   

It should be a good day for swimming as the temperatures are forecasted to be in the low 90's.   Atsui!    As for the sumo baby he is going into the daycare area for the gym.   So far it's going well with the sumo baby spending time in there.   He's so distracted by the toys and the two huge school bus structures that he barely gives me a look as I tell him "See ya later panda bear!".     I'm hoping we'll keep this going as time goes by.   

Pretty soon it's off to collect the armadillo from school and awaken the sumo baby from his nap.     Fun fun fun!

He Loves Me

He showed me last night and today ... B-Dad what a sweetheart.   Knowing full well that I have/had food poisoning, my darling husband shared a bowl of mint chocolate chip ice cream with the boys last night ... and today ... today ... he shared a McFlurry with the boys at McDonald's this afternoon.     All of this in plain sight of me.   

Love truly hurts ... in my tummy that is.

Lake Tahoe

We just got back today from a terrific time at Lake Tahoe.   We all headed up to the Sierra's for a sunny vacation.   The weather was fabulous.  It was a bit warm but beautiful.   Perfect weather for some outdoor activities.    This included some time spent at the gorgeous lake.   The water was a bit cool but the boys had fun nonetheless.    They had a blast playing in the sand and the armadillo even spent some time in the water with B-Dad.   Fortunately it wasn't that crowded so we didn't have to fight for space to lay out our towels.   A bad mama I am as I forgot to bring my camera.   I didn't get a chance to take any photos as I didn't bother taking out my camera out of the bag I packed it in.   That was unfortunate as there were many great photo opportunities.    

We also took a few strolls past the Marriott's vacation resort buildings where there are a number of shops and restaurants.    The boys loved going to the outdoor fountain.   They cleaned me and B-Dad's mom out of our loose change one night.   They had a great time throwing the coins in the fountain.   

Of course B-Dad and I gambled in the casinos.   That was a lot of fun, but it would have been even better if we took home some money with us.   We didn't come out on the plus side but we were rewarded for our losses.   The hotel comp'd our rooms and food so it wasn't a total loss.      We're getting offers from the casinos every day so hopefully we'll be able to return soon.   

Next stop ... Las Vegas!

To School or Not to School ...

The sumo baby has hit a milestone of sorts.   He has hit the 18 month age mark.   What does this mean for us?   This means that he can now go to the same school as the armadillo.    The school has a class that starts at 18 months, the youngest of the bunch.    But I've been somewhat against enrolling him in the class.    I just feel guilty a little.   I don't really need for him to be in school.    I didn't start the armadillo until he was 2 1/2 years old.     This would be a full year earlier for the sumo baby.    I don't have a job that I need the free time for.      I could use the free time to do errands, make appointments, get a pedicure, etc ...      That does sound a bit appealing when I think about it.   But then I'm always back to the whole guilt phase.   

Today though I'm a bit closer to enrolling him than yesterday.    I was talking to some mama friends at the park this afternoon and both of them are planning on enrolling their younger children when they reach 18 months of age.    One of the mommies is enrolling her daughter the day after she turns 18 months.    She tells me it's only three days a week for the morning session.  The morning session is only 3 hours so it's not that much time away she reasons.   Just enough time for her to do her errands and such.    True.   Plus she tells me, it's a great opportunity for her daughter to learn more, socialize with other kids her own age and ease the separation anxiety.    I agree.  The whole idea started to look better and better.   

But if I'm going to enroll the sumo baby I'd better do it right away.   Before I lose my nerve or the spaces fill up, whichever comes first.   

Farmers' Market

Today was a bit unusual for us as we all were out of the house by 8:30am.    The four of us plus one little dog left the house earlier than normal.   Miso had a vaccination appointment so we decided that we all would go.    During the appointment I took the sumo baby with me and we walked around the adjoining pet store and looked at the various birds, reptiles, fishes and cats on display.   He enjoyed all especially the birds.

After we brought Miso back home we were at a loss of what do to next.    Tossing ideas back and forth we decided to go to the Farmers Market in our area.   I haven't been there in awhile.  I used to take the armadillo before the sumo baby was born.   He loved it back then.   Today the boys had fun being outside and sampling the offerings.   We all walked around smelling the fresh sweet fruits, popping kettle corn, bbq, etc ...     I picked up a bunch of fruits including some juicy blueberries.   The boys loved the blueberries as evidenced by the half empty bag that was left.    I didn't mind as it was better than inhaling a bag of potato chips or a huge candy bar.   

After satisfying our fruit cravings we all hung out on the grassy area listening to a spot of music.    The park has a performance stage where they were playing some jazzy tunes.    The sumo baby had a terrific time walking around and greeting everyone nearby.  I think we all enjoyed ourselves today ... the weather was nice and snacked on some fresh fruits and kettle popcorn.   Yummy!   We must do this again.

Photo above: Armadillo at the farmers' market two years ago ... yes it was two years ago!

Photo below: Armadillo and sumo baby resting at a beautiful fountain situated in the middle of a shopping area across the street from the farmers' market. 

The Place for Fun

After 3 years, we've finally set up some play equipment in the backyard.   Sadly we were never motivated when the armadillo was born.  It was much more simpler taking him to the park or have him ride his car in the driveway out front.    But now with the sumo baby taking a great interest in climbing and exploring his world, we thought it would be nice to setup a little something outside.   

We have two sand pits, a kid size picnic table and a playhouse.   Thanks to B-Dad who set everything up.   The armadillo and sumo baby are mighty happy to have a place to play outside.   It's just unfortunate that the local toy store doesn't sell a bigger sand play area.    With just one of these, room is sparse for both boys to sit inside.   They start off in separate sand areas, but usually one gravitates towards the other.   

We also have some ride on toys outside as well.   There's the little red push car that we got for the armadillo which the sumo baby now uses.   There's a another red car, as well the the armadillo's two tricycles, and a plasma ride on toy that the armadillo got for his birthday.   I think the next item on our list is a motorized vehicle.   The boys' cousins have one and they had a blast riding it while we were on our vacation in Hawaii.    There were a number of them at our local toy store.   There was a couple cool fire trucks but they didn't have seat belts.   With the way the armadillo drives we'll definitely need those belts.    As Dora says ... "Seat belts ... so we can be safe!"

Photo: above photo from my niece's house ... though B-Dad refuses to get the Barbie Jeep for the boys.

Lawrence Hall of Science

These are just some photos that were taken at the Lawrence Hall of Science in Berkeley.    We went on July 4th along with the armadillo's BFF and his family.   Everyone had a blast.   Because it was a holiday the place was pretty much desolate which was terrific for us.  No crowds to fight ... no lines to stand in ... nice.

We All Got It

The germs have made their way thorugh this house and settled in the armadillo's little body.   Now we all have the bug.   To some varying degree we are displaying signs of some sort of respiratory illness.   B-Dad took the boys to the doctor this morning.   I had a hair appointment so B-Dad was on his own.   I think he handled it okay.   He told me that doctor was surprised to see him there as it's usually me who takes the boys to the doctor.   The doctor thinks the sumo baby will be okay and she gave the armadillo some cough medicine to take care of his chest congestion.

Let's get well soon everyone ... Harry Potter is opening in theatres on Wednesday!

Photo: Armadillo at the Children's Discovery Center in Hawaii (terrific place to take the little ones!)