Master of the Stairs

Jack has been wanting to go down the stairs for some time. Me... I didn't want it to happen anytime soon. This kid is growing up way too fast. But since he kept trying to mimic his brothers as they go up and down the stairs, and our stairs are rather steep, I felt it high time that I teach this little boy the bum trick of stairs. He mastered it instantly. Much faster than the other two. He was so proud of himself. He now purposely goes up and down the stairs to do his new trick. And he's only fallen once! Luckily I was right there at the landing and it wasn't that bad. Here is a video and some pictures of the stair descender

Fit for a Four-Year Old

I feel like all our stories in public happen in Target... I guess we live there? Sure feels like it sometimes. Anyways...

The other day we had to go to Target. Nowadays, whenever James knows we are going to Target he asks me beforehand if we are going to look at toys. I said, maybe, we'll see. So basically a 'yes' to a four-year old? I think so.

We went to Target and we only ventured on the side of beauty/health and food. No where near clothes, toys, shoes, home, etc. I was so proud of myself. We go to check out, and once James realizes we are getting ready to pay, he flips out. Flips. Out. I literally checked the other two boys before realizing it was James who was crying.

James: We haven't looked at TOYS!! We need to look at. The. TOYS!!
Me: Buddy, I'm so sorry. I totally forgot. But we're here and we need to go.
James: No!! I need to look at toys! I want to be the BAD GUY! I am not good!

There was a bit more, but it all blended together in the few seconds this took place. I realized I had a choice- be angry that he was making such a scene over toys OR see it through eyes and see the humor from my perspective. And I say humor, as in, you've got to laugh at tough situations. I mean, it was kind of a cute fit. Seeing it from his point, I would totally be freaking out, too. It was just cute how much it mattered to him. I picked him up and held him while I tried not to smile too much. The cashier was a younger girl and was kind of avoiding eye contact, which was also kind of funny. I remembered I had stuff to return in my bag, so I headed over to the Customer Service desk. The guy who was  manning it was out front with carts and it's someone who's been there for a while. When we were getting things for James to potty train almost two years ago, he was our cashier and he talked to me about potty training his daughter. So I obviously know he's a parent. On the way over, this was our conversation:

James: I want to be mean! I am being the bad guy! I'm so mad!
Me: You are so much fun right now.
James: NO, I am NOT so much fun right now!
Me: Yeah, I know. It was sarcastic.
James: No, it was NOT.. carstic! 
Me: Yes, it was. It was sarcastic.
James: No, it WASN'T! I am being IMPOSSIBLE!
Me: (chuckles) You are right

The guy had to come behind the counter, and I could totally tell he was laughing. Which made me feel more relaxed. There's something so refreshing with knowing others are thinking, "Oh man, been there done that. It's more funny that it is annoying" James kept saying things about being bad and mean while I did the return. One of the things I returned was Spiderman 2. Totally forgot we already had it. James caught a glimpse of it and immediately started to calm down and start a barrage of questions that is so him.

James: Why are we giving it back?... We already have it?... Why is Doc Occ bad?... His robot arms made him bad. But why?... There is a black Spiderman. Why?... What made him bad?... He became Venom?...
Me: I accidentally got it. I forgot we had it!... Yes, we have it already... His arms made him bad. He is good... They didn't want to go away, so they made him bad... Yes, there is a black Spiderman, but you can't watch that one yet... A small black thing (my way of explaining it's a symbiote) gets on him and turns him bad. He wasn't happy... Venom made him bad, it makes him think badly... Yes, he became Venom but didn't like it so he made it go away. It then attached to someone else I can't remember (Eddie Brock, totally remembered later!)

I was totally happy we had got distracted with talk of Spiderman. That lasted until he had to sit in his car seat and he started up again. Luckily by the time we got home, he was over it. I was super surprised at his fit, but was so glad to find a happy place with it.

Make Me Feel Better

We just got back from grocery shopping. When I was buckling James up, I scraped  my hand pretty bad (pathetic, I know) on his car seat. Now I'm sitting on the couch and James came over to be silly and grabbed that hand and we had the following conversation:

Me: Ouch! Bud, don't squeeze that hand.
James: Why?
Me: I hurt it on your car seat.
James: Why?
Me: Well, I didn't mean to. It was an accident. See? It got scraped
James: Oh. (patting me on the head and giving me a side hug) I will protect you, I will protect you...
Me: Oh, you're so sweet! Could you kiss it better?
James: No. But I will give you a shot (running over to his toys) and check your heart!

Unfortunately, I recently packed away their doctor toys due to lack of interest. But glad to know he wants to officially make me better. Future doctor?? ;)