Rhys at Five

We celebrated five years of Rhys James on December 27. (More to come about his "awesome" birthday party.)

At five, Rhys loves his neighborhood friends - and has a few crushes on the "older" girls on the Lane. He likes to play horses, build forts, race scooters and bikes throughout the cul-de-sac. Sometimes his feelings get hurt when the big kids don't include him - but he is getting better at managing his disappointment (slightly).

Recently, Dom has been taking Rhys to Ramp Riders where he is practicing his bike riding skills - up and down the ramps. His Uncle Mark bought him a special BMX helmet for his birthday/Christmas to help him look the part. A skateboard and snowboard are next on his list along with "Ninja" lessons.

Ever since "Swim Well with Michelle", Rhys has been enjoying swim lessons and has moved to Level 2 Rovers -- a big deal for him as he got to skip Level 1 from Advanced Preschool. This from a boy who was afraid of getting wet two years ago!

First St Louis snow of 2012

Rhys loves his school friends, too, and spends more time in the message center this year drawing and creating books - but still loves his blocks and playing in the Big Room. You can count on Rhys to push his body to its limits.

He is one of the most cooperative big brothers in town right now. Claudia is - well, being 2 - and Rhys often lets her have the best spot on the couch or will play Baby with her to make sure the peace is kept. There is still some talk about -- "Remember when it was just you, me and Daddy?" -- but overall he and Claudia enjoy playing together (usually games involving a battle of some sort).

At night, he loves his books and snuggles; and, of course, his milk - but now out of straw instead of a sippy cup.

This year will bring Kindergarten in August and with it the bus, tying shoes and whatever else it entails. We love you to the moon and back again, and again, and again, and again...

A walk through time:
One Year Old
Two Years Old
Three Years Old
Four Years Old

Joy to the World

(Please forgive the lack of originality in my titles...)

Christmas Day arrived at a respectable 7 am (after a rather long night since Rhys was convinced he was hearing Santa's sleighbells at 1 am ... and maybe he was).

Santa brought Claudia her sword and shield -- and she received her "favorite" Katniss doll from Nanny and Papa and her doll bed from Zhou Zhou and Joanie. My tough girl also has a soft side for horses and received quite a few - large and small. Her favorite gift might have been the electric toothbrush from Santa.

Rhys received many of the items on his list, too: Fighter Jets (not a real one sadly but three very cool ones from Nanny); Lots of Games and items to get ready for Kindergarten and a Samuri Castle and Dragon (Santa); and the EZY-Roller from Zhou Zhou.  However, what he was really wanting was a robot - a large robot he could climb inside of. Now Santa heard his request for a robot but filled it with a hand-sized robot for his stocking. Rhys was understanding.

Our fun day was filled with family -- Aunt Kate and Cousin Luke arrived bringing MORE presents, snacks and much-needed additional hands. 

Preparing for a huckster life on the boardwalk

Christmas Dinner was simple: turkey breast, mashed potatoes, stuffing, rolls, and a broccoli casserole - followed by a Santa Cake for Rhys' upcoming birthday.Yes, we embrace the closeness of Christmas and Rhys birthday and so far it is working -- he thinks he has the best Birthday Date in the whole world.

Uncles Mathew and Mark and Granny joined us to round out the Oldham Family Christmas 2012. Joy to the World and Peace on Earth. Happy Christmas!

Granny and her girl.

Christmas Eve 2012

The sweetest part of Christmas...

From Rhys to Santa -- can you bottle this?

The Best Part of Iceskating...

...may just be the hot chocolate and cookies afterwards. A happy Christmas Eve day was had by all as we ice skated with some neighbor friends -- Heather, Rhys (his second time) and Claudia (!) Dom's bum knee kept him on the sidelines this time. 

Hello Xavier

It isn't Christmas without our friendly Scout Elf visiting us for the month of December. Xavier arrived over Thanksgiving and was waiting for us when we got home from Minneapolis. He has been a constant friend and observer ever since.

We will miss you X when you fly home with Santa tomorrow night!

See you in 2013!

Look Who is Almost Five!

Today was Rhys' class birthday celebration. I was able to spend all morning with him and his friends (just like last year). We played tickle monster outside, I read Monkey with a Tool Belt to his class, they did drawing and counting games. And, most importantly for today, we had cupcakes and slushies in honor of our Rhysie turning five (almost).

His birthday symbol gift made by his friends.

Rhys' trees, sun and sky - and something in between.

Another year, another wrinkle of love.

Best of Friends

Cheers to Rhys and Claudia...!

Tiger Nails

As a reward for potty-training, Claudia wanted to get her finger- and toenails painted. While I would love to head to the spa with her -- I thought a little trial home painting would be OK for this not quite three-year-old (and would save us some holiday cash).

It wasn't the black tiger nails she wanted, but we had fun painting each others nails (no pictures of mine, sadly).  I had that little glimpse of all the "mom and daughter" things we can do together. And I embrace her desire for black tiger nails -- much cooler than silly pink.

Dickens in the House

As I watch Rhys get closer and closer to FIVE (when did that happen) and Claudia leave babyhood behind - I think, WOW -- we did it!

"It was the best of times, It was the worst of times." But mainly the best.

Rhys and Claudia playing chase with friends at school.

I the Mama

Claudia has taken to pretending to be mama - all the time. Rhys plays along - until the Baby gets a bit too wild and runs off. I will play and Dom will play -- and sometimes you do forget she is still just a two-year-old.

Going along with this new vision of herself as not only "big" but a "mama", Claudia decided to become potty-trained this past weekend. After nine months of being "interested" to some degree - that was it. She has been in underpants since Saturday with just a few small accidents. I think the fact she isn't a milk drinker like her brother is in her favor...

Here she is ..... Mama Claudie.

Street Hockey

Both children have taken to hockey like water...Claudia, using a rake, and Rhys the actual stick. I just enjoy watching them play together - and thinking instead of tutus and ballet slippers we may be embracing knee pads and plaid skirts (that is the field hockey costume, right?).

That said, Claudia did say she wanted to take Ballet - even after I explained that she needed to wear a leotard and tights. But I just don't think she really knows what a leotard is - and she won't wear tights to save her life now....so, if you were a betting man or woman, what would you place the odds of Claudia taking ballet at age 3?

Stay Away From the Wolf Den

Rhys playing wolf and fox den with a school friend.

Dogs

Claudia continues her love affair of the four-legged variety. In Minneapolis she dragged Playa around by her bandana morning, noon and night. Thankfully Playa was a very sweet, well-tempered dog who also appreciated Claudia's special gifts of food..Sorry, Uncle Chris!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Parenting Class 3

I had to share this bit from "Confident Parents: Remarkable Kids" from my (ahem) third parenting class I have taken at the Family Center.  

"Society's most influential and powerful people did not reach their goals with smiles and kindness alone..." -- or something like that.

That made me laugh - I guess it is to make you feel better about having a mini-General on your hands - and in fact, it does make you appreciate assertiveness in a new way. A child  who is assertive has a better chance of running the country or launching his own fashion-line -- but sure is harder to parent. 

And it isn't nice to have nieces and nephews that you can spoil and NOT worry about how to parent them.

Minnnesota Fun

Our quick visit included a trip to the local Playground (with the temp dropping to more Minnesota-like levels quickly), lots of time to cook, and time to play at an amazing indoor climbing play facility called Edinburgh. (Dom and I took our two and Dax came along with Nanny.)

If you can't make it to Europe....well, it isn't even a close second, but anyone age 2 to 12 will love it. And it is perfect for expending energy when it is below 30 degrees.

At the playground - three sillies. 

Dax and Claudia racing at the indoor play area - somehow I didn't get a shot of the climbing structure -- it kept Rhys busy for more than an hour AND exhausted him. Claudia took a few turns climbing up - with mom in tow.

Like father like son - and daughter.

It wouldn't be Thanksgiving without time in the kitchen. Luckily, Claudia loves to help "cook" these days...scrambled eggs are her specialty. So she enjoyed helping Nanny make a salad and french toast this visit.

Who is that Bearded Man?

Thanksgiving 2012 was spent in Minneapolis with Chris, Jeanine and Dax (and their dog, Playa, and four chickens). Nanny and Papa jetted in as well and were able to divide their attention between three grandchildren of differing sizes and interests.

It's Uncle Chris - that's who!

On the way to the playground - on the last balmy day in MSP.

It was a wonderful visit - filled with Jeanine's side of the family and the Carlson side (my mom's sister, husband and one of my cousins and his wife and two sons).

More cousins (on the left, my cousin Peter's two boys), middle Rhys, then Claudia and Dax.

J and C know how to throw a party - and they definitely put on a grand show! Despite having a tight family bed with elbows and knees in our faces all night (Rhys and Claudia are not the best sleepers on the road), we look forward to doing it again.

And more cute photos and stories to come...

Mr California

My dad breezed in to town last Friday for a long weekend at our "new"house -  his first visit to Chez Oldham in St Louis (since we moved in to the house last September 2011). He brought lovely LA weather and we enjoyed a great day at the Botanical Gardens on Saturday, tromping all around the Japanese and Chinese gardens and feeding the large koi fish.

Our Ninja in the Rain Forest

 My dad and I also enjoyed a wine night (for charity of course), dinner out in Clayton using our walking feet, and trips to the mall and grocery store, a regular weekend. Thankfully, having my dad here meant that both Dom and I could get a work out in on Sunday - yoga for me, tennis for D - and one happier mom! And my Dad survived his 45 minutes of being in charge - perhaps next time he can be convinced to watch them overnight! 

Picking up Claudia from school - the weather got a bit chillier after Saturday.

Sadly, all good things must come to an end and our visit quickly wrapped up with a trip back to the airport on Monday.  Come back soon!

Goodbye Zjou Zjou -- Rhys said he can't wait until he can drive to the airport and get on a plane by himself to see Z.

Is that a Jingle I hear?

Or a roar -- I love this photo as Rhys is charming and Claudia looks like she is coming out at you down the Rugby field. I would run...she is Fierce.

Safety first

Just like her brother and uncles, Claudia loves her wheels. And she is quickly learning that a helmet must accompany her scooter rides.

I hope you can't see too many of my "new" gray hairs! Eck.

Breakfast at the Donut Shop

Otherwise known as the coffee shop, to most of us, but to Rhys and Claudia it is the donut shop, located a few blocks away. We stopped there before "jammie" day on Wednesday. Rhys was feeling shy and put his on when we got to school. Claudia insisted on wearing a pair of Rhys's...never a dull moment getting everyone out the door.

Halloween 2012

Our third Halloween on the Lane -- and one of the best so far.

The morning started with Rhys and Claudia participating in their school's parade. It was a chilly morning - not made much better by the bagels and fruit set up - but the children's excitement didn't need coats. (Well, my wise Claudia did suggest that she could go to her classroom early and decorate pumpkins, thereby avoided the chilly wood parade as the two-year-old class doesn't participate).

Ninja in the middle (in black).

After a fun-filled morning, I picked up both kids and somehow we made it all the way until 4:30 when the activities started up again back at home.

Following a long deliberation, finally sealed by Claudia realizing just how chilly it STILL was, she changed from her Ninja T-shirt into the Oldham Family Firefighter Costume before the pizza arrived.

It's Claudia this time...Thanks to Aunt Kate for a long-standing gift.

Rhys enjoyed being with all his "big" friends and running through a haunted house, taking a hayride, eating pizza, and, of  course, trick-or-treating. The capstone for him probably was the Razor Scooter Race in the dark -- he won one race out of 11, beating the 7-year-olds.

And Dom and I enjoyed some adult conversation and cold beers - all while keeping an eye on the littles. Another successful Halloween!

The big kids - and Rhys.

Enjoying Fall

Gutting our pumpkins for the pumpkin carving party down the Lane.

On our way to the Pumpkin Carving Party with pumpkins in tow.

C hard at work.

Home Sweet Home - my new car is the mini white one hidden by the tree.

SCARY Skeleton (and a scary working mom rant).

Only five more days until Halloween -- Rhys' class has a countdown chart and everyone is ready for the sugar high and excitement. I have to admit that I LOVE Halloween again now that I have children.

This year, however, it's hard on working parents that the holiday is smack dab in the middle of the week. Dom is going to make the preschool parade in the early am - and will head home early for the Lane's Party, but it is tough to make it all happen. Wednesdays are my usual work days too, so I have to somehow get my 20 plus hours of work in next week on a condensed schedule from preschool by increasing my sitter help -- however, our sitter is in Chicago so I am feeling heart palpitations thinking of this week. Oh, and it is our 7th Wedding Anniversary on Monday...and I have a big meeting scheduled with a presentation (which is still in the works as of Saturday) and have to have Dom pick up the kids from school since said sitter is out of town. Not exactly the most romantic October 29th, but it may be memorable. 

And really, if I have to be honest, I would just like to read my new book for a few hours this afternoon curled up on the couch and maybe bring my stress to my yoga mat (a long lost friend these days).  But a pumpkin and Halloween Party items need to be purchased (did I mention that I agreed to co-chair the Lane's party this year?), a PowerPoint created and a presentation polished, and when I start to struggle, I remember that I am bringing this all on to myself. 

The ongoing juggle of my life. 

Pumpkinland

Our visit to the nearby Pumpkinland didn't include many pumpkins...but it was a fun fall fest with a corn cob shooter (really?!), mazes, zip lines, and slides on burlap sacks. Both C and R loved the mini-zip lines, eagerly taking their turns - and ran through a castle, hay tower upwards of 20 times.

What fall fest is complete, however, without the requisite pony ride, I ask? And how can you say no to a charming two-year-old?

Wagon rides

Always a fun pastime, especially with all the neighborhood kids playing taxi cab.

Some of the crew...

Mud Babies

The gem of St Louis in my books is Forest Park ... today's visit included lots of water, mud and stormy skies with bursts of blue. What Joy!

Party in the Patch

A last minute cancellation by our babysitter changed our Friday night plans. Instead of dinner out with friends, we were heading to the Party in the Patch at the local park with our neighbors.

It was actually a great night for it - not too hot, nor too cold - with candy and money hunts, hotdogs and popcorn, a hayride and bouncey house to enjoy. All for a small fee, of course.

Waiting patiently with neighbor friends for the candy hunt.

Success! C found one piece -- fortunately or unfortunately depending on your view, the kind firefighters handed out bags of candy to ALL the children.

A fun hayride through the park -- a little spooky as dusk neared.