GotchaBaby

June 19, 2014

The Summer of Six and Nine

Three years ago, my aunt was visiting, and she was telling me her plans for her Golden Jubilee (her 50th anniversary of being a religious sister), which would be happening in 2014. We chatted about it, and reminisced about her Silver Jubilee, which took place when I was a teenage (ahem). As I got to thinking about logistics (I’m a Virgo, I immediately start planning logistics), it hit me- in 2014 I’d have a six year old and a nine year old. A first grader and a fourth grader.

The summer of Three and Six was a good one.

I couldn’t *quite* picture it at the time- at the time, I had an almost first grader and an almost preschooler. Potty-training was still on my mind, and I was apprehensive about my daughter starting a new school. There was a stroller in my trunk, and a five point harness car seat strapped to the middle seat. I had yet to travel with the children when they had both slept well away from home.

Fast forward to 2014- we are East Coast bound at the end of July. My aunt’s having a party, and everyone in the family has a special job. I’m not concerned in the least about the twelve hour car ride or four night hotel stay. What seemed like a dream three years ago is coming true. Six and Nine are kind of awesome.

They've grown some since the summer of 2011. But here they are, at nearly nine and nearly six. — They’ve grown some since the summer of 2011. But here they are, at nearly nine and nearly six.

Six and Nine carry their own suitcases.

Six and Nine are much better sleepers than any age combination before them.

Six and Nine can travel for hours without incident.

Six and Nine know where New York City is, and have opinions about what we should see while they’re there.

Six and Nine can make it through a family party with no special provisions, except maybe a charged iPhone.

Six and Nine are happy to have adventures without me, but are always eager to tell me all about.

The summer of Six and Nine might be my favorite summer yet.

June 11, 2014

Sibling…Cooperation?

We are in full out summer mode around here, and so far, I have to say, it’s been delightful. Both kids have been good natured about their light summer learning schedule (reading and doing a couple of things daily, it takes maybe 30 minutes). Both kids have been good natured about the “you want it, you carry it” rule to the pool. They’re more than excited about the chore chart being the key to earning vacation spending money. They’re sleeping well, appreciating some special things we’ve done, and I have to say, this is living.

They’ve also reached a stage where they play really well together most of the time, whether it’s a video game or something, as they like to say, “in real life”. A couple of weeks ago we had the chance to meet up with Bungee Street Team and we were introduced to a fun collectible that they’ve been talking about ever since.

Bungees are little magnetic ‘guys’ that are flicked onto either metal discs or magnetic cards or a magnetic battlefield. Points are earned based on where the little guys land. That’s as much as I understand, but of course the kids have it all figured out. There are a few ways to play, and no matter how you play, the goal is to score more points than your opponent. I love that the whole things packs up into a compact bag or box. It makes a super portable game to bring along on trips.

Much to the boy’s delight, each collectible comes with a collector’s guide, which means he can memorize all of the guys! and their points! and their powers! I don’t know if it’s the graphic or the system or what, but if there’s a kingdom that needs memorizing, my boy’s got it down. He’s also thrilled that all parts of this system, including the cards, are magnetic. The kids found that Bungees are fun to bring to a playground, or anywhere you might find metal.

Bungees will be available at Toys R Us and other select retailers soon. Until then, keep your eyes open for free samples around town. My kids would LOVE to play with your kids.

Disclosure: Thanks to Bungees, who hooked us up with a good start to our collection for the purpose of this review! Six collected, ninety more to go.

May 12, 2014May 12, 2014

Life Lessons and Let(-ting) It Go

Childhood is continually marked with milestones and firsts. This time of year, it’s also marked with lasts. This is my last month as mom of a kindergartener, last month of having any kids under five, and so many more. But I like to look forward, so let’s concentrate on the firsts.

The girl participated in her first May Crowning at church.

The boy played in his first tee ball game.

The girl will complete her first session of gymnastics.

The boy will participate in his first field day at school .

The girl also had her first-ever audition. She’d been mulling over trying out for the school talent show ever since seeing some friends on the stage last year. Her performance ideas varied as the year past, but when the audition form came home at the end of April, she was confident in her decision. She would audition for the talent show by singing “Let It Go.” Maybe you’ve heard it before. Are you familiar with the movie Frozen???

She learned the correct lyrics and we practiced the karaoke version. We downloaded the instrumental version of the song and charged her iPod. I marked the calendar with the audition date.

And I wondered. I wondered how she sounded compared to the other singers. I wondered how many girls were going to get up and sing “Let It Go” with the same hopeful look in their eyes. I even wondered if there would be a “Let It Go” chorus, where the scores of girls auditioning could all take part.

I saw what a production this was when I picked Meg up after her audition- there were over 140 acts auditioning, and auditions were taking place in three separate areas of the school. Panels of judges were in each room, scoring each act on a few different measures. 140 acts auditioning, and 20 being cast in the show.

I didn’t see Meg pull the letter out of her backpack and read it. When she handed it to me, the look on her face told me she wouldn’t be performing in the talent show this year. And I realized this was a milestone too- a first rejection.

She took the news well, and I’m glad the casting happened on a Friday and she’s had the weekend to mull it over. It’s come up a few times over the past few days, and I’ve given her plenty of examples of things I tried out for but wasn’t selected for. Here in no particular order are a few of them:

school talent shows
student exchange program
cheerleading (ha! Can you imagine?)
assorted school plays
assorted jobs
assorted social media opportunities

I’m still here, and I’m still kicking, and I know that she will do the same. And as much as I wish there would be a “Let It Go” chorus, I understand why there isn’t. This is a milestone that doesn’t go down in the record books, but may be it should. The concept of not everyone makes everything is a big one, and it’s good to learn about it when your memory is short and your hopes are high, and you’re inclined to continue to sing the song you love so much. Although she doesn’t believe, I tell her that she gets props for her first-ever audition. I know some day she’ll understand why.