He Can Read! Not really...

I was amazed a couple weeks back when Filip saw a pen that said 'Hilton' on it, with the only logo being a 4 leaf symbol or something like that.
He said "Jae! Jae!"
My sister Jae works at the Hilton.

Today he did it again. We were going through a pile of worthless credit cards I have. He started saying "Bank card, Bank card!" and searching through the pile. I told him
"They're not bank cards, they're called credit cards"
Then he found a card that I never use, from PNC, the bank I go to. I couldn't even tell you what the logo to my bank looks like, but he spotted it in my stack of cards.

"Mommy"

Filip is being especially clingy today. I was trying to ignore him while he kept saying in his whiny voice
"Mommy Mommy Mommy Mommy Mommy...."
Then I got fed up. I said
"STOP calling me Mommy"

He paused for a second, and responded.
"Joeln, Joeln, Joeln..."

Papers

I decided it's my responsibility to put away JR's paperwork. I think I'm going to be much happier for it.

For the past 4 years, I've been stressing out over how he doesn't file his important papers, and continues to accumulate more. I tried to go through his stacks of papers, and throw out the trash. That way, it would be easier for him to sort it out when he does get around to it. However, I realized that he never will get around to it completely.

To his credit, he has sat down and gone through some of his papers several times since we've been married. This only happens after I am completely stressed out from the lack of organization.

So this morning, I decided that it was my job to keep up with his files for work. I threw out an entire laundry basket full of 'important papers', saving only the things I knew how to deal with. Then, I created files for his clients. He was just putting the papers for them on the kitchen table or his cabinet. After 4 years of looking at this, I think I'm going to be mostly done by lunchtime!

It just goes to show you how much easier it is to change yourself to relieve stress, than expect someone else to change for you.

Instinct

Filip has only seen 2 superhero shows, Catwoman and Incredibles. I told him we're probably never going to see Catwoman again, since that was one of the dumbest movies I've seen. Yet, he still remembers her, and he points out girls that resemble Halle Berry.

When we were going through a pile of hand-me-downs, he pointed to a shirt and asked:
"What's that?".
"It's Spiderman". I said.
"Oh" he replied. That was the end of the conversation.

A few weeks later, he found his cousin's sunglasses in my Mom's house. They were basic glasses that were red and blue, and they had a spiderweb on the frames. Nothing else.
"Spar-man glasses! Mommy, spar-man glasses!" He said excitedly.

Ever since then, he points out Spiderman whenever he sees him. Today, he cupped his hands over his eyes and informed me that he was Spiderman. The kid has never watched a Spiderman show, and now he's pretending to be him. He doesn't even know what Spiderman does.

Parents who spend the majority of their time with their kids have a great deal of power over what their kid is exposed to. They should be their child's strongest influence. However, I'm learning that power is not absolute.

Who teaches little boys to make engine sounds with their toy cars, or shoes, or whatever they have on hand? They automatically do it. Filip has been making car sounds since before he could talk. Now, they have developed into more sophisticated car sounds that include gear changes sounds.

It's amazing how much instinct is wrapped up in a little kid. It only takes the smallest exposure (like seeing a T-Shirt) to bring it in full force.
Maybe I should dress up like Catwoman when I clean the house. Then he might get into doing chores, because a superhero is doing it.

Our New Baby

We've been potty training Filip for about 2 months now. He finally got to the point where he would hold it when he had to go pee until we sat him on the potty. Then, he gave that up.

We're out of diapers, and he peed his underpants. He knows that only babies go to the bathroom in their pants.

Since he wants to be a baby, I'm going to treat him like one. That means no more movies, because babies don't watch TV. Each time he goes in his pants, I'm going to take away a 'big kid' privilege. The next thing is he gets to ride the backward facing car seat. If this lasts until the weekend, he will have to be in Mommy or Daddy's arms the whole time at the meeting, because babies can't take off to be with their friends.

Well This is Different

I'm sitting here at Mom's watching Jr improve his score at Wii Bowling. He's been practicing for quite some time. It's been about 3 years since the last time I've seen him do something interesting like this.
Last time, it was Suduko. He stayed up late one night, studying all the techniques for being good at Suduko, and working the puzzles. Then I never saw him pick up a puzzle again.

Piano Class

Today was the 'celebration' class for my group piano lessons. I taught them 9 weekly classes, and they were prepared to perform a solo, as well as an ensemble piece for all the parents.
I finally figured out how to make this class fun, yet productive. The group I had happened to be very good too.
My boss is trying to set up one more class that will run just for the month of August. I'm hoping it turns out. We just need one more beginner student, age 6 to 9 in order to have the class.

If you or anyone you know is interested, call Down Town Piano Works at 301 631 1234