Quote board

Reuben: I wish I had a grappling hook. 

We were in the car. 

Last day of 1st grade

True, it was a month ago. But Reuben has successfully finished first grade. All "s" s and 2s (grade level) and 3s (above expected). 

We loved Mrs. Anderson. Reuben was interested and excited to learn all year. Her behavior chart (classroom management system) worked great for him, so well we started using it at home. The way she did homework was right in line with what I thought a first grader should be responsible for. And while Reuben is tight lipped, I could tell he was happy to be in her class. 

He's a smart capable kid, but we do need to work on motivation and not giving up when things are hard. Since this is hard for most adults I know I'm hoping that if we can work on it now with childhood challenges he'll be prepared to face the world. I just need to get to the point where I feel like I can find motivation and endurance regarding the things I don't want to do. 

Simeon missed Reuben everyday and started asking around lunch time if it was time to go get him. And everyday Reuben was able to come home and be kind to his brother. 

I never imagined I'd have so much to be impressed with from that helpless baby that cried all night long the first week of his life, but he is amazing in every way. I love watching him grow. 

Kindergartenisms

"One, two, three. Eyes on Me." Kids respond: "One, two. Eyes on You."

"You get what you get and you don't make a fit."

"Cris Cross Apple Sauce"

"Give yourself a pat on the back, and a hug from Miss Mary."

"Check, cubby, bag, and carpet."

Joy of LOVE: Now and Then

I would have loved to do this with Justin, especially because he currently has a gigantic beard, and long hair, but alas he is not any where near my camera right now. So I thought I'd take photos of the things I loved to take photos of when my boys were infants, their hands and feet. I think the funnest part is comparing, especially with Reuben. You can tell just as much about my photography journey as you can with my boys growth.

Reuben's Feet at four months old: His little feet, always stuck in that bouncer while I worked away rocking him with my own foot. He'd kick and kick when he got excited, or needed my attention. (And, since I don't have my hard drive hooked up, I got this off of my blog, remember when he had to optimize photos to get them on the internet?)

Reuben's Feet today: Running, Twirling, Jumping, Skipping. He puts those feet to good use. They are always bare, because he thinks socks stink.



Reuben and Simeon's Feet (Sept 25, 2009):


Simeon's Baby Feet (Dec. 25, 2009: Day I got my 50 mm):

Simeon's Walking-on-His-Knees Feet: Simeon begs to put socks and his little shoes on.

Simeon's Just-Barely Walking Feet: He is getting a bit more brave, but still can move so fast on his knees that the teeter totter on his feet isn't compelling enough.


Simeon's Baby Hands

Simeon's Toddler Hands: My favorite thing about his hands now is that he pats my back when he gives me a hug. He wraps his little arms tightly around me, then after a while starts to pat. Baby fat wrinkles are so kissable, but show of affection I get now is magical. I also think it is hilarious that he hits when he is frustrated, the manner in which he does it is so methodical that I always have to hold in my laughter when I tell him, "No hitting."


Simeon 09/09/09 Napping after an eventful day of being born

Simeon 02/03/11 Laying down for his nap


Reuben's Second Day of Life

Reuben's 1847th Day of Life: He does not like having his picture taken, he told me today.


Reuben holding Simeon 9/16/09

Reuben holding Simeon Today: Simeon was turning on the TV, and Grandpa told Reuben no babies playing with the TV last night, so Reuben was going to enforce that rule no matter what.

making faces

Reuben turns Five

We got him a Buzz Lightyear stuffed doll with a fleece throw blanket, the I Spy Phonics books, and Simeon "got" him 'When animals kiss goodnight.' Grammie and Pappie sent a package full of wonderful things. Thomas the Train Uno has been a huge hit, and go fish with toy story three cards is a close favorite. Grandma and Grandpa got him two shirts and a neighing horse.

He asked for cupcakes, so while this isn't the most elaborate decorating job I've done, he did have fun telling me which letter he wanted to eat.

All he wanted was to got to McDonald's and play in the play place. He was very happy to be there, and Simeon ate a whole cheeseburger by himself.

We did miss daddy, but Reuben's Birthday was the day that Justin interviewed for the job he currently has.

I am so glad to have him, and so grateful that we obeyed that prompting we got in the temple to open our family up even though I was the one working full time, and I didn't have benefits yet, and we were so young. Reuben is a great blessing and contributes so much to our happiness and entertainment.

The Tree of Life

This is Reuben's drawing from church on Sunday. It is of the Tree of Life. This is what he has to say about it:

 People were making fun of the people so they were feeling kind of bad so they just left the rod.

And the tree of life, the fruit just makes you so happy.

The rod is really hard. It will never break. You need the rod so you won't get lost. It leads to the tree of life.

Happy Birthday Reuben!

http://cookshack.blogspot.com/2006_01_01_archive.html

I gave Reuben four kisses good night, he asked for another one, and I told him he'd get it in the morning when he was five, but couldn't resist and gave him one more kiss.


I love this boy!

The day he was born, when he was awake he refused to lay his head down. Holding it up with little infant quivers, looking around, taking it all in. His eyes are just as blue today, and just as observant. He gets lost in observing things around him, but he is also extremely aware of his environment, of the emotions of others, and never bored. He is wise. He is logical. He is intuitive.

The day he was born he had exhausted me. I was so weak I was afraid to hold him because I thought I would drop him. (I regret this.) He still exhausts me, but he also cuddles with me while I take a nap and he watches a movie. He cuddles with me when he wakes up too early and I try to get those last 30 minutes of sleep. He is so patient with me while I recharge, and understanding of my limitations.

The day he was born he won the love of everyone who met him. He still does that. His little friends adore him. His teacher says he's an "asset to the class." He is kind. He is forgiving. He is friendly. He is interesting.

The day he was born he changed our life. We had new fear. We had new hope. He continues to change our lives. He continues to cause fear. He continues to cause hope. He is smart. He has a burning desire to understand things. He thrives on logical answers to his questions, but still acts on faith. He surprises us with his wit, with his kindness, with his memory, with his creativity. 

"So dream on, sweet dreams tonight
And we’ll dream too a future clean and bright.
Dream on, soon you’ll be standing strong and free
Oh blessed be our newborn babe." -Raffi

Video from last Year

Four Years of Reuben from Cook Shack on Vimeo.

Because of computer limitations I can't add this year to this yet, but I loved watching him grow up... and find it hard to believe that there is another year of growth to add.

Nov 3. I Heart Reuben

I am thankful for Reuben. I've been thankful for Reuben every day since he joined us. As he grows I grow to love him even more, he is such an interesting, entertaining, intelligent kid.



I took him to the early childhood screening. It was so interesting to watch him do the development "games." The only thing he tested 4 years old on was catching the bean bag. He cut perfectly, but held his scissors silly. And, he made a few jokes before answering correctly on some of the language stuff. There is a picture and the teacher says, "find something that starts with the sound "d." Reuben pointed to the shoe, and said, "Da shoe!" Then he laughed and looked for something that started with the da sound. The teacher told me it was the first time she had ever seen a child be able to draw each of the shapes in the shape recognition and writing part.

Ht. 45 95%
Wt 44 75%
Hearing R P L 1000/25 (He missed one on his left)
Vision acuity R 10/10 L 10/10

Continue to practice scissor grip.
Play Catch (without body trapping, one hand, too.)
Such a friendly, positive personality...A very focused, willing, cooperative worker! Confident too! Good vocab!

Practically Perfect

Among the many things Reuben has had the great fortune of doing before the age of five:

See a Broadway show--in BOX SEATS!



It was delightful to be able to enjoy "Mary Poppins" once more from a new perspective. The other view I have seen was from the upper balcony--which was quite a good view--but this added a new dimension unlike any other. The reason we got box seats (mind you they cost only $31.50 a piece) was because they were considered "partially obstructed view." Really, it wasn't that obstructed. We only missed a few entrances from stage right and Mr. Banks' office at down stage right has hardly any interesting activity in it at all. Things began there, but ended up moving down center before any real magic happened.

Our box was the very first on the lower tier of boxes at house left--called "Buttercup." There were only two seats and we were required to keep the curtain closed for privacy. When Reuben wanted to stand at the velvet-covered railing and watch, no one else's view was compromised. If money were no object I would say the box is the only way to do theatre with small children (and anyone else for that matter).

Another fun fact about the show was that this little girl who played Jane Banks had auditioned for my ballet film in 2008. She was a little young at the time, and I felt so terrible because she cried when she couldn't quite master the choreography. I thought she was sweet and told her she had nothing to worry about--which apparently she didn't since she's been taking Broadway by storm ever since.

The show was indeed Practically Perfect in every way--and Reuben (who had mentioned before he ONLY liked Mary Poppins on Dee-Vuh-DEE...and really he was just itching to get to fulfilling his New York lifelong dream of riding the Bob the Builder tractor at 72nd street which I had promised we would do after the show) told me he thought he wasn't going to like it, but he did! His favorite part was when old Ms. Andrew (stage musical only) was placed in a bird cage and disappeared in a puff of smoke through a trap door--he turned to me once it happened and exclaimed "that's my favorite part!" Oh--and he also enjoyed the living statues and flying Mary Poppins--which is my favorite part since as a child I had an obsession with going out in windstorms with an umbrella in the hopes that I would be carried away in the clouds.

Reuben also asked me while we were on the train--"How many seasons of Mary Poppins ARE there?" I love how he thinks all films and shows are divided into seasons--way too media savvy for a four-year-old, but he only has me to blame.

**An interesting modification: The Temper, Temper song which I thought was rather frightening was instead replaced by this more subdued number, Playing the Game in 2009. For those who have seen the show, any thoughts on the change?**

Fall in MN

The boys and I found a lovely spot to take some fall photos on the first sunny day of the week...Saturday. But that is part of the beauty of fall weather, hot chocolate, sweatshirts, vibrant colors that glisten during those fall showers. I love fifty degree weather, I had forgotten how much I love it. Don't you think it is lovely that while the as the air gets colder, the colors get warmer?

Career Aspirations

I have a horrible memory, we can all agree on this. I have absolutely no recollection of what I-wanted-to-be-when-I-grow-up as a child. I'm pretty sure I never said Ballerina, I've always been a little practical. I might have said teacher, but really even as a child I didn't think I had the capability of controlling a classroom. I might have said writer, but that would have been sometime after 6th grade when I could actually read and write. I do have vague memories of being 5 and really wanting to wear high heels when I grew up. And, I am almost sure that I when I was 5 or 6 I wanted to be a cheerleader when I got to high school (There was some animated show of animal cheerleaders, do you remember that show?)

So Reuben won't have this same problem, not that I am worried about his memory, because I am not, in fact the opposite, he has an scarily accurate memory. I will record Reuben's hopes for his future career, because I don't want to forget.

2007 Curious George or Super Why--this is a little unfair, because he actually thought he was George or Super Why depending on the day.
2008 Door Man--Talk to people. Open doors. Wear a cool hat.
2009 Cowboy--Ride a horse. Wear a leather vest. Play in the dirt.
2010 (today, actually. He asked about engineers, and I asked him if he was going to be an engineer when he grew up, and he said no. He wants to be an) Ice Cream Truck Driver--"I like to sell ice cream. I like to sell things, and I like ice cream. And I like the song."

The funny thing is he has been pretty committed to each, so it is always a surprise when he changes career paths.

He is "collecting" money so he can be rich. (These are his words.) 

The other night I was nursing Simeon at 4 am, and Reuben rolled over and told me, "I really love to paint and do crafts." I didn't understand him, and asked what he meant, and he repeated it a couple times until I could understand the crafts part. The next day he wanted to mix colors, so I think it was more than just sleep talking.

Spider-man Ice Cream

If you have talked to Reuben in the last  5 months, he has probably told you about the "Spider-man Ice Cream." "When Daddy graduates he's going to give me a Spider-man Ice Cream." He would have told you. And, you would have thought "what the heck is spider-man ice cream?" He got a sponge bob ice cream the day he meet Simeon at the hospital, and has been waiting for graduation with bated breath because graduation means another ice cream treat.

Well, while we were out yesterday we happened to see an ice cream truck, that happened to have the spider-man ice cream, and Reuben finally got his spider-man ice cream. I'm hoping that going to graduation on Tuesday does not mean he has to beg for another one. (I really hope that this is the last time I have to type spider-man ice cream.)

Jump Rope

I found a jump rope for 1.99 today. Reuben thought it was a good idea. As I was trying to teach him how to jump rope it was abundantly clear that I am not in 4th grade anymore. I was good at jump roping in the 4th grade.

Reuben is a fast learner, and can jump rope exactly like I taught him. I might have to send Justin out with him to teach him how to really jump rope.

Meet Reuben

4 years old. Friend to all. Loves to run, jump, spin, and watch movies. Makes younger brother laugh.

Reuben: Four!