TaeKwonDo drop out

Welp, I had been looking forward to Bates turning three for many reasons, one of which is he was then old enough for the Little Tigers Program at TaeKwonDo. I did all sorts of research into TaeKwonDo studios and finally decided to bite the bullet and take Bates to Franklin, about a 30 minute one way drive.

The studio there, Yong In, is mastered (is that what you call it?) by Master Kho. Master Kho was born and raised in Seoul. He graduated with a degree in TKW from Seoul University and Yong In is the premium TKW place in Korea. So for us, it was worth the drive. Bates would be studying under a legit Korean instructor, not Bubba’s take on Korean TKW.

So, after much emailing, we went to watch a lesson. Then we went to several one on one sessions with the Master. He was so patient and kind with Bates and really took his time to help him warm up. After about 5 of these one on one times, he suggested we bring him to his first real class. The whole deal, out on the floor, no mom, no dad, and participating in the class.

Saturday, Daddy (and PawPaw) took him to his class. We hoped momma not being there would help (and I was hosting a baby shower that afternoon!). We talked about how we were not going to cry, we were going to be a big boy, we were going to listen to Master Kho and say yes sir.

Welp, let’s just say that’s not what happened. I’ll make it brief but lets just say the child MELTED DOWN. He screamed and cried and did not want to go onto the floor. Master Kho kicked daddy out, hoping that would help, then kicked PawPaw out too. (Nick said he could hear him screaming outside the building!). And after about 15 minutes, Master Kho carried Bates out and told Nick he just wasn’t ready yet. He said he does a great job listening and doing the kicks and punches but just has trouble being away from momma and daddy. So, we are now TKW drop outs, with the hopes of trying again in the fall!

And of course, Brodie ate it up. He loved going and Master Kho said he was ready for class even though he’s not even two. So maybe in the fall both boys can go together.

coming soon…. Mary Claire

This weekend was my little sister’s baby shower hosted by two of her college girlfriends at my house. They did an ah.mazing job with the décor.

When the guests arrived, they had to fill out their wishes for Mary Claire. So fun and cute.

Then time for yummy shower food and cupcakes!

Then presents!!!! And man did MC get a load of gifts!

They did something very fun. Anna Marie had to pick a wish to read outloud and then she opened that person’s present.

Anna Marie and her shower hosts, Christina and Eve.

Me and my sissy.

Unfortunately, my momma couldn’t come, she was home with the flu. So, Anna and I took a picture “with her”. So sad, mom has missed both baby showers for her grandbabies, she got snowed away for Bates’ shower two years ago about this same time!

Anna Marie and all her collage girlfriends!

Go KD!

About this time, my boys crashed the party. And well…. here’s what happened.

Silly, Brodie! My two boys sure do love their Anna and can’t wait to see “Anna baby”!! They were very interested in her belly and were afraid to touch it, so funny!

Can’t believe my sister is gonna be a momma in just about 4 weeks! AHHH. I can.not.wait. Motherhood is such a fun adventure and I can’t wait to share that adventure with her!

MC, comon’ anytime, sweet girly, your aunt is ready!

I don’t want to raise a good kid.

My dearest sweet Brodie boy,

Child, you are a hot mess. You keep your father and I on our toes, laughing with your antics, and questioning our sanity. You are a mile a minute. You are either on top of the world (sometimes literally!) or your life is falling apart. You are either high or low emotionally. You are down right hysterical to watch. You don’t simply test boundaries, you bust right on through them and smile with delight. Your smile can light up a room and you smile from the top of your freshly shaven head to the bottom of your cute little toes. Your smile is infectious and you know how to use it. You will turn that smile on the minute you need a “get out of jail free” card. You go from total melt down to happy as a clam in 2.7 seconds. You are a charmer; you have random strangers comment on your cuteness and charming ways all the time. You were born for a spotlight and the center of a stage. You are independent, you are determined, and you are fearless. You refuse to walk anywhere… it’s run or not go. You shake your head no whenever I ask you something, even if it’s something you want. You mind about 33.45% of the time. You take your pants off every chance you get. You bring the party. You find the most creative ways to get into things I have put out of your reach.  You challenge me in ways I never knew possible. You love deeply and laugh endlessly. You are a gift, a joy, and a challenge.

Yesterday, my 5th grade teacher (hey, Mrs. Kelley!) posted a link to this article on her facebook page and I read it. Oh my. Yes yes yes. Can I get an amen?!

I don't want to raise a good kid.

And while this article is fitting for both you, Brodie, and your brother. The way she spoke about her daughter struck something with me about who you are. Sweet one, I pray this for you. I pray that I don’t raise you to be a good kid, but raise you (and your brother) to be God following adults.

Love you to the moon and back,

momma

And let’s not try that dancing in a fountain idea.

Brodie's adoption video

over 7 months after coming home, I finally finished it!

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
www.onetruemedia.com

Haircut

Brodie has some sensory issues. Nothing big, just doesn't like the texture of certain things and it makes him raise his hands up and shudder. It's funny and he thinks it's funny to do it so will touch things like a paint brush and then look at us and shudder. I'm hoping he'll outgrow this... but we'll see. He's already so much better than he was.

Last night, though, holy moly, it came to a head.
He isn't a huge fan of hair cuts. He normally hasn't minded them, but freaks when the hair gets on his skin. Nothing too big and we manage to get through the cut and home, no problem. Well, last night was a different story. I dropped him off with daddy to get his hair cut while Bates and I ran into the grocery. We came back and Brodie was not a happy camper! Nick said he FREAKED when they tried to put the cape on him.

So I took him into my lap and when the girl brought me a cape, he shuddered. I knew then what had set him off. I told her he wasn't going to wear one. He was happy playing with the squirt bottle, but then when the first hair hit his neck he was ballistic! It was horrible. He was causing such a scene and screaming and crying and fighting me. I did the best I could to hold him still and get it over with as quickly as possible, but it was horrendous. Poor boy was all but crawling out of his skin and mommy was sweating.

The hair cut ended up being less than stellar, and we just jetted out of there, all the while he is still FREAKING about hair on him. We raced home and I decided we should just clipper cut it before we gave him a shower and washed it off. One towel wrapped baby boy, and mom and dad trying to hold him and cut, and a big brother patting him and telling him it was ok..... well, you get the picture.

We did the best we could with it, and here's the final result.




He looks 12!!! He's such a big boy now, no more baby! I think we'll opt for this route at home for a bit. But I'm open to suggestions from any other moms of kids that have some sensory issues, especially with hair cuts!

Oh, and I don't think his "sensory issues" are anything to be alarmed about!

The year of the dragon playdate

today, our buds came over for a “year of the dragon” playdate

Bates helped me set up our dragon mask coloring and paper lantern making.

And when our friends got here, we got to work!

Bates is a cutting machine. He’s getting really good at using scissors. His Kindergarten teacher D’D would be so proud!

April and I had grand plans to put the kids all in their hanboks and take pictures but let me tell you, it was meltdown mania. Thank goodness for rockstar Greer, and I think Bates actually held it together today too.

So we opted to go outside, since it was warm enough. Most attitudes perked up… Brodie had a few moments, and well, Harrison didn’t really leave momma’s arms.

Brodie would drive the four wheeler into Sophie on the bike and she would squeal/scream in delight. So funny.

Bates took Sophie out for a drive. Their first date.

And poor little brother just watched them drive away…

But then he embraced his role as third wheel!

A great way to make our afternoon a little better, or at least as I told April “to share the whining”

love hate and hanboks

One of the boys likes his hanbok and one does not.

I’ll let you figure out which one is which.