Scarecrow Tradition

The Clouse gang got together Sat pm for the annual Scarecrow party. Damon attended for the first time this year. Kyle had our idea which was Wall-e the robot from the Disney movie. I thought it was a good idea. Let's just say Damon got on board with that idea and it turned out very cute- a little laborious, but cute.

Some highlights:

Field Trip

This was a field trip to Russell Farms. The first attempt got rained out but the make up date was beautiful and it was a very fun time. They have a hayride, movie in a grain bin to educate them on the planting and harvest process, talk about various animals with time to pet them, craft and story time about pumpkin, chore time where they can practice pitching hay, gathering eggs and several other things. Allison loves tagging along and really warmed up to Kyle's friend, Hunter. I kept having to tell her to give him some breathing room. More pictures on facebook.

Reaping the benefits

I think having the kids 2 years apart is starting to reap some rewards. Recently I have noticed a BIG change in how the kids are playing together. Kyle's imagination is exploding and he has been including his little sis which is a big hit to her. One day they played for 2 hours - they had a truck behind the lazy boy upstairs, sick stuffed animals that kept "puking" and they would take them to the hospital in my room to get them better. By the end of it all, there were about 10 stuffed animals all tucked neatly into the Master bed. I have so enjoyed watching them.

In this picture, Kyle was driving the kids out to the pumpkin patch to pick out a pumpkin (reliving his recent outings)

Zoo Sex Education

Allison educated about 4 other 3 year old girls at the zoo yesterday. While viewing the Walrus' she pointed out that the Walrus had a penis. It surprised me quite a bit and then she just kept repeating it and thinking it was so funny. We left quickly and I was hoping the girls thought she said "peanuts" because it did kind of sound that way. Yikes! After several recent conversations with both my kids, it's time to get the series ordered!! I will certainly welcome all the help I can get on parenting this topic.

The Princess and the Pea

I haven't tried putting a pea under Allisons mattress. BUT, if I did, chances are she'd feel it and have a meltdown! Allison inherited a gene from my family that is so frustrating right now. It is a known fact that Clouse's can't stand tags touching them, anything itchy on their skin... you get the point. So, as the season changes, so do the possible irritants. I am trying to remember back to last fall and remind myself that the same drama is repeating itself. And, remembering that it did subside, not lasting all fall and winter.

The 3 big issues (and battles when I force the issues) are underwear, socks and what to wear. Allison wants control of her wardrobe.

I'm learning to stay a step ahead of the outfit situation, offer some choices that are all acceptable and on days "off" to allow anything goes. The underwear situation I believe is under control. She had refused to wear any of the ones I had and finally found that gymboree would suit her finicky heiny so that has solved that problem.

Donning of socks is the battle of the week with temps dropping. She freaks out (understatement) every morning this week (50 degrees is socks weather, isn't it?). It's the crease on the toes that sends her into craziness. I found comfort seam socks but they still have a small thread at each corner. If I snip that thread (put a hole in one of the new socks doing this) it has worked with about 50% success. Today, after the battle was won (by me) I asked (cautiously)about 1/2 hour later how her socks/shoes were feeling and she said fine. We discussed that it takes a while to get used to them and that she needs to give them a chance every morning. So, if you think of it at about 830 on M, W, F, say a prayer her feet will be tolerant and that her Mom will have patience.

Booster Seats

The Virginia-based Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute found Wednesday that 13 booster seats don't put children in the best position to be protected in a crash.

Car seat safety and guidelines are something that I have a bit of a passion about. I just don't think there is great education out there on them and many listen to the guidelines on the boxes of the seats which are not always compatable with the Transportation dept safety guidelines.

I am also again aware that although Kyle can buckle himself in, it is rarely with the belt untwisted and at the right points on his body. I'll be returning to helping him do that and he still rides in a 5 pt harness on long highway trips. He will for 17 more pounds! (65# is his carseat max)

Anyway,

worth a read

to keep our kids safe.