Books and Bunkbeds

I had a wonderful break week, between terms at Cincinnati State, so I was able to be home all week cooking and playing house. We made a major run to Ikea and are now, after 2 years working to make our house a home. We got the boys a bunk bed. It has a tent over the top so Dominick is super excited about this new bed. Xander wasn't as excited by his "cave." But he's managed to actually stay on the mattress which is a big improvement. Usually we find him on the floor, which is why he's sleeping under the bunk bed on a mattress on the floor.


Yesterday Dominick read his first book. It was a Bob book, an early reader series which I guess they have in school. I read it to him and he listened to the CD so the "reading" part of it is a bit of a stretch. But he was sounding out the words and slowing down to look at the words instead of just guessing. (I was impressed with the books because the pictures didn't line up exactly--instead of lion they used the words "big cat" so the kids actually have to look at the words.) He was super, super excited though. Had to run and tell Dennis and read him a story from it. Love how excited he was :)

Speaking of love, Xander has been our big lover recently. This morning he began professing his love for us, our cats, Dominick, the kittens we found homes for so loudly that he woke Dominick up. It would have been even cuter if it hadn't been 6am. His little expressions are just adorable. He opens many a conversation with "Hey guys" and has been calling me "love" or "sweetie."

Daniel and Stacey, and our soon to be appearing niece :) :) came for a visit this weekend. We made a kid-free trip to Ikea which was nice and the boys enjoyed some quality time with their aunt and uncle. Mostly, with Daniel it consisted of some chase/running/hiding game. Shout of "Uncle Daniel" began soon after they walked through the door. Stacey read their bedtime story :)

First Day of Kindergarten!

Dominick had a great first day of Kindergarten. Dennis took him to school this morning and there were no tears :) He was chatting happily after school and the teacher said he did great. Hooray!

Xander and I went to PT and tried out wheelchairs! We picked out a chair and while he was a little scared at first, once we brought out the basketball he smiled and shot the ball a few times. He then got down and insisted on pushing me :) I was quite impressed with the chair and all the features and functions. It rolled really well, almost like a sports chair.

Sara Lee and Michael

Today is the first time, we've seen anyway, that Dominick has followed Xander's lead in play. Xander announced that he was Sara Lee (from the Little People's video) and Dominick was his brother/sister Michael. Xander's currently having some confusion over masculine/feminie words. For awhile I think he thought that you were either a person (female) or a guy. So he was trying to insult his PT by saying that she was not a person. I think anyway, so hard to get in their little heads. But anyway, he was so proud being Sara Lee. Dominick kept calling him Michael by mistake and Xander would correct him each and every time. "I not Michael, you Michael. I am Sara Lee." Xander also wants to be a sister when he grows up so I guess he's practicing now.

Today we also gave our first "sex talk" with Dominick. Somehow we were talking about mama's milk with Xander at lunch. He said that Dominick drank dada's milk. So we explained that dad's didn't make milk that only women did and only women had babies. Dominick was listening intently and asked if I could make milk now. So we explained, no it was only right after you had a baby that your body could do that. Then he asked how you stopped it. Stopped what, we asked. Stopped making a baby. So I said that you have to choose to make a baby. You need a male and a female. Why? Because that's how everything works. He's kind of realized that as he talks about male/female cats. So his next question, "What about Chelsea and Tina (our new neighbors) how are they going to have a baby?" So we quickly realized that we perhaps had to give a few more details on the process. We explained that there are these tiny things called sperm and tiny cells called eggs and you need one of each to make a baby. We explained that doctors now can help people get the part that they need, like Chelsea and Tena. These two tiny cells come together and start dividing and dividing 2,4, 8, 16 . . . that is the beginning of a baby growing.

That seemed to answer his questions, for now. I think I might get a book.

Fun Fest 09

We had a great weekend back in North Manchester. Dominick described Fun Fest to me today (I was pretending to be Allie Finkle) : "What you do is wave at cars and they throw candy. It's mostly about classic cars but I really like the waving and throwing candy part." Needless to say the boys had a great time and came home with a ton of candy.

Xander was a bit freaked out by all the sirens that start the parade and then again by the clowns--happily the theme was "Under the Big Top" so there was NO shortage of clowns! My parents haven't been around Xander for a little while and they were a little shocked by how he's come into his own little personality. He's become quite contrary. "I not stinky, YOU'RE stinky." And throws his fair share of temper tantrums. But he's still quite snugly and lovable. He's quite taken by Uncle Daniel and once refused Dennis' offer of a pick up because he wanted Uncle Daniel.

Dominick has been going through some really good behavior recently. He's been really helpful or has fed the cats without being asked--things like that. One day Xander woke up at 4am and refused to go back to bed. I was so tired and explained that to him. As we were outside walking I thanked him for doing something and he told me he was "being extra helpful." So sweet. Of course he's had his fair share of trying times but on the whole we've been winding down the summer on a good note.

Mungojerrie

From July 2009

We've added to our household yet again! This time the boys bought a beta fish with their garage sale earnings. Dominick named him Mungojerrie from Cats--but we call him Jerrie. I really liked Mungo since he was a really tiny beta but its his fish so Jerrie it is.

The yardsale turned out fairly well. We managed to make a profit, mostly do to Dominick's salesmanship. As soon as someone came over he turned on the charm and would talk up all the books and toys (the things that he kept money on). It was mostly a great excuse to finally get rid of all our baby stuff--I just feel lighter. I don't think I ever want to do the yardsale thing again though--we'll see I guess never say never.

Now we're working on plans for a deck in the back, mostly to cover up scary concrete steps and add to our livable space. I'm quite excited by the possibilities.

Dominick has been sick all weekend with a weird virusy thing--we think/hope. We've all kind of had a thing (Xander threw up a few times which always freaks us out--sign of shunt failure but then as we all started feeling icky we realized it was a virus--whew.) Dominick always seems to get hit the hardest with these things and this one is no exception. He spent the day in bed and slept off and on all morning. So odd to see him sleeping in the daytime. Hopefully he'll be back to his normal self soon.

And to see that self in full dancing action click on the video below:

From July 2009

Yard Sale

We're getting ready for our first every yard sale this Saturday. Ready to get rid of most of our baby stuff--there were some really cute things I just couldn't get rid of yet. Hopefully I'll find them good homes or keep them for future grandkids--yikes! That seems very very far away.

Dominick's current obsessions (and by extension Xander's) are Cats, the Musical and chinchillas. Dennis is not a huge fan of musical theatre so he's pretty much going out of his mind. Hopefully we'll return the CD back to the library soon. When I told Dominick this he became very serious and told me that we could copy it onto another CD first. It all started when my dad picked up an audio tape of TS Elliots Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats. Dom loved it and of course I had to share that there was a musical version of it and we've watched some of the songs on youtube and then I got him the CD. We've all had Mr. Mistoffelees stuck in our heads.

Xander continues to be awed and in love with his brother. He's like a parrot repeating everything that Dominick asks or says. He also wants to do everything himself, like a big kid. Today he only wanted whole cherries so he could spit out the pits. Thank goodness it's bathnight--and thank goodness I'm at work :) He also really likes walking with hands, especially Dominick's. He's been doing one hand quite well which is very nice on the back. He is just a little scary on the stairs because he can't feel his feet but most of the time refuses to go down feet first, preferring the big kid way. I've ordered a step stool with sides I'm hoping this will offer him safer practice with stairs and a way for him to wash his hands and maybe help me cook. Today he wanted to make brownies with me--his requests and smiles melt my heart.

Clicking below are a few pictures and one of the boys "dancing" videos. Ever since we showed them Nattie and Jane's facebook videos Dominick has been obsessed with capturing his "dances" for the girls.

Frost Family Vacation 09

Bloomsday night out on the town in Dowagiac!


We had a wonderful vacation. Our first true family vacation. First we drove to Ithaca, NY and saw both sides of Dennis' family and our dear friend Joy who came up from the city. Next we went to Lake Magician and stayed with my family in the cottage that my dad's grandparents had when he was a boy. Lots of memories and lots of fun fishing, playing games, swimming and boating.