What X. Wrote...

We interrupt Brian's blog for more information on his little brother.

This state has some strange laws around daycare, and one of them is that if they give juice, it has to be full strength, not diluted, even if it's at Mom's request. Given that, X is not allowed to have juice at school.

The other day, he was having a hard time with this particular rule, probably because he saw someone else get juice and not him. He proceeded to throw a fit, and one of his teachers, quite brilliantly asked him if it would help if they wrote a note to me to tell me what he was upset about. He helped dictate a note to me which read:

"Dear Mom, X. wants juice at school."

While getting a note like that from my 2.5 year old is amusing under any circumstances, I found it especially so given the report that he calmed down right after they wrote the note and promised that I would get it.

I love that he can express himself, and that the teachers help him to do so in a way that calmed him down and gave him some power in the situation.

He's still not getting juice at school.

Toy Story 3 - It's Darker...

Brian and Dan went to see Toy Story 3 over the weekend. I got to stay home and have 1 on 1 time with the youngest Friedling.

When the movie goers got home, I asked how the movie was.

Dan "It was much darker than the other episodes."

Brian "Of course, Dad, that's because we saw it in the movie theater." (Picture an accompanying look of annoyance on his face, you know, the "DUH!" look kids do so well).

Toy Story

We had a bit of a Toy Story marathon over the weekend - we watched Toy Story on Saturday, and then followed that up with Toy Story 2 on Sunday. Both were well received, but Brian came out with this gem at the beginning of 2:

"We already know how it's going to end. Woody is going to get home and be back with all the toys. He's going to beat the bad guy, and everyone will be happy."

Only five, and jaded already.

Way back in December...

I realized that this little gem had never been recorded on this blog, and I needed to rectify that pronto.

We had recently decided that Brian was ready for some chapter books. I decided that Charlotte's Web, being my favorite book from childhood, was a good place to start. I spent many weeks reading to him from the book, including a rather long hiatus mid book when he decided he just didn't want to hear about Charlotte, or Wilbur, or Fern, or Avery, or anyone of the barn animals.

We finally finished the book in December. We were at my parent's house for Christmas, and I remember pulling out the book, Brian in my lap, realizing that we were on the last chapter. I tried not to tear up at the ending, but alas, I've never been able to read the last line of the book without choking up just a little. This reading was no different.

I looked at Brian hopefully - did he enjoy it? Did it mean as much to him?

He was quiet for a moment, and then said "So what happened?"

Three little words that hit me right in the heart.