Lil' Kicker!

We started Winston in a soccer class at the nearby High Velocity Sports center. The class is every Saturday morning from 9-10. The first day he was a little hesitant and needed both mom and dad there with him. The "coach" is Lauren and she is great with the kids. The ages are from 18 mos to 2 years (I think). There are about 5 or 6 kids in the class and all of them are just adorable.

They wear uniforms (see pix to follow). And they use real soccer balls! They run up and down the tiny field doing red light/green light to stop and go. And they play with cones and discs; stacking them and then knocking them down with a kick or kicking the ball into them. The kids also practice using their feet instead of their hands by stomping on bubbles that Coach Lauren has for them. They even put their hands together to get stamps on them and then have a group cheer. It's sooooo cute.

There is another little boy in his class, Adon (sp?), who is 3 days older than Winston. The two of them are definitely the smallest kids. Keeping in mind that Winston's a slight fellow, so is Adon.

The second class was today and Winston seemed more comfortable today than last week. I think this bodes well.

More daycare - Separation Anxiety

Last week was Winston's first week in his new class at daycare/school - the Monkey Room!

He was introduced to it and the teachers there with multiple visits over the summer, and with the teachers taking over in his old room occasionally before the transition. But with all that being done, I am still not surprised that we have some more separation anxiety.

But, even with the effort to ease thee kids into the new environment our recent mornings have been tough at drop-off.

This past weekend it's been happening at home too. If Jay and I are both with Winston he's fine. If one of us leaves Winston's sight, he calls after us repeatedly until we return. Sometimes he is satisfied if the parent with him explains where the other parent went and when they will back. At least for a bit.

Inevitably he starts up asking "Mama?" "Dada?". I can't got to the bathroom without him seeking me out. I was upstairs and Jay and Winston were down and he kept calling "Mama!!" I'd answer him but he wanted to be with me. Same thing for Jay. Then when he finally sees us, he's fine and practically squeals our names. At first I thought he was just having fun realizing that he can call us and we do answer him. But it seems to be more than that.

You should have seen us in stores this weekend. He could be heard all over the store.What can I do to help him? What can Jay and I do to deal with this? At home it just gets a little annoying, but at drop-off at school he gets super clingy, clutches at me and just wails. We do all those things you read about to help, and I know it's just a phase, but it's still hard.

Ideas:

He loves to draw and color, so this morning (9/8) his primary teacher and I started to draw with him. He wanted me to draw too, so I did for a bit. I even drew a stick figure and told him it was mama. he seemed to like that. Then I gave my crayon to the teacher and tried to shift Winston's attention. Then I kissed him, said bye, that I would see him later and walked to the door. He still cried, but didn't try to jump the chair like he did last week. I am wondering if having pictures of Jay and I at school would help?? He has his photo album of family so maybe I should start leaving that there with him again?

(9/9)
Last week it helped with a teacher taking Winston over to look out the window or to start drawing. Today was BAAAAAAAAAAAADDDDDDDDDDD tho. Winston had to be pulled from my legs. His new primary teacher was there and stayed by the door as I left, hugging him. Of course, he struggled and tried to pull away. The teacher kept saying, "you're safe Winston, you're safe." I don't think he gets "safe" yet tho.

She held him at the front window while I waved and blew kisses, then I walked away. He was screaming!!! Bad, bad bad. It was so hard.

We didn't end up sending the photo book b/c Winston refused to leave the house without his monkey, his bear and his blankie. All "his buddies" that he sleeps with. He has brought them in the car before, but usually kisses them bye-bye and he's ok. Today they went into the class with him. I tried so hard to be energetic and excited on the way to school, talking about his friends and his teachers. Then when we got there I sat and read a book with him. That was great b/c the other kids came up and wanted to see. Winston pulled away from me and sat with them, then went on to play with other things, but kept checking to make sure I was still there. If I even moved more then a few steps away he'd freak. I am going to call to check on him soon.

Later ....

Evidently he only asked for me or dada for about 5-10 minutes yesterday. Then again at about 4:30/5 o'clock. Today was a bit better after I left. (oh, and he hardly eats at school since moving to the new room. But then we get home and he scarfs dinner. So, I know he's hungry. ugh)

Oh my gosh, I almost forgot to mention this. I found out that his new primary teacher will be on vacation for two weeks (starting next week)! Poor Winston is just getting used to her (at least I hope he is) and she's going to be away. Oy!!!

Toys - esp. cars and trucks

I find it so interesting that no matter how much Jay and I may try to keep Winston's toys gender neutral, he generates toward cars and trucks. And bugs. I noticed this in Winston's classroom especially where the more gender-associated playthings are presented equally. The girls seem to seek out the dolls, the boys the trucks. It's downright freaky to me. It's not absolute by any means, but does seem to be the trend.

Nothing seems to exemplify this more than our recent experience with HotWheels.

Holy crap! Two packs of cars have been on his dresser for about 10 mos. He just noticed them. I was pushing for them to stay packaged and maybe even put away. Jay says, no way. Let him play.

So I did.

It's a slippery slope isn't it? Our house will never be the same, huh? The kid looooovvveeeees them!!!!!!
(upshot -- they are great massage tools when Winston runs them up and down my back)

He clutched them in his sleep when we put him to bed. He would NOT let go of them Oy!

Labor Day weekend - Papa John & Grandma Dawny visit

I have a goal to get all of Winston's grandparents on video singing nursery rhymes. This was the first successful attempt. Here's Granddad/Papa John and Grandma Dawny ...

Daycare Transition

Today is Winston's last day as a "Rainbow Tot"! It's transition time at school (they run on a regular academic calendar) and it's time to move up. As of next Wednesday (9/3) Winston will be a "Jumping Monkey." So fitting, eh? My baby is leaving the room he's been in since he started daycare. When he started he was just sitting on his own. Now he's running! Jay and I are tripping out!!

The new room is pretty cool. Each child has their own open-locker type area w/their picture on it for their extra clothes, etc. And they have little tables and these groovy modular box-like "chairs".

All the kids in the new room are about the same age, and most of them are moving up together from the Tots room. I think the transition is going to be much harder on Jay and I than on Winston. I am already not liking the way they store the children's food for the day (what we all bring from home). In the Tots room each child has their own labeled bin. In the Monkey room there is one bin for any items meant to be heated, for all children. And one for things meant to remain cold. I am sure I will adjust, but I just don't like it. (so there. humph).