Dance, dance, dance!

There's one thing that's popular in the Kim household and that's dancing. We had a mini dance party this evening and I was lucky enough to capture it on video. Enjoy!

Hip hop performance #2

The weather was horrible today. It was so rainy, windy and cold. However, it was a good day because you were good. I was actually listening to the radio on the drive to your dance class and Roz from Roz & Mocha (KiSS 92.5FM) was talking about a video he had seen that made him cry. I was curious to know what this video was so while I waited for your class to be over, I checked it out. Basically it was a video that taped a few moms and what they thought of themselves as moms. All of them were pretty negative about themselves (which is understandable because that's how I feel 99% of the time). And then the video goes on to show the children of these moms and what they thought of their moms. Take a look and it will make you cry. As quoted from the website the Stir, Making our children happy can be so simple. They don't care about parenting philosophies or long-range plans.
For kids, a trip to the ice cream shop, snuggling, or being tucked in each night are the things that make them happy. It's easy to beat ourselves up about all the things we don't do perfectly or the little mishaps that happen every day. But while we are doing that, we lose sight of all the things we are doing right. Like our little ones, we should focus on those seemingly simple moments that make them feel so special.

I didn't expect to see another hip hop performance so soon (as the teachers let us in last week), but it was a pleasant surprise. All of you guys were so cute.

First dance performance

After last week's tantrum fiasco, I wanted to make sure you would go to your class today without a hitch. I talked to you all this week preparing for your dance class. I kept asking you all week, "Aidan, are you going to cry at dance class?" Where you would answer, "No!"

I then kept saying, "Remember, if you listen you get EVERYTHING. If you don't listen, you get…" And you would answer, "NOTHING!" Lately, you've been acting up and just being a total nightmare. It's really draining daddy and I out because we're already tired as it is. Every day is just go, go, go and having to deal with tantrums is just so… hard.

Luckily, you were pretty good today. You went in your class without any hesitation and I even got to go in near the end of the class to observe you. Because of your good behaviour I took you to Walmart where I treated you with your own Batman umbrella. You've been asking me for your own umbrella and it was the perfect day to get it as it was rainy. I even treated you with your favourite lunch- a cheeseburger (hold the pickels) happy mean at McDonald's. This is what happens when you listen!

How can a boy so cute by so… BAD?!

I really don't know what to do with you. You can make me so mad!

What started off as a nice morning- you playing with spoons (I know, you're weird…) and singing The Wheels on the Bus turned into a nightmare of a day. I really didn't think you were going to have a tantrum when I took you to hip hop class because you've been to several classes now and it's been pretty good, but I should have known better. I realize that I have to constantly talk to you so that you don't suddenly turn a 180… 

We got to the community centre a little early so we were watching the kids by the swimming pool. We always pass the swimming pool area when we are heading to your hip hop class. You kept saying, "Mommy, how come you never take me swimming. I want to go swimming…" I took a mental note to sign you up for swimming classes in January, once your hip hop class is over. I guess the longer you stayed with me, made you more clingy and just not wanting to go. When I told you it was time to start heading to your class, you started whining and saying how you didn't want to go. I tried taking off your jacket and you freaked out. I just started walking ahead telling you to follow me. You started screaming at me and you actually charged at me and hit me. I was shocked and embarrassed as there were a lot of parents milling around waiting for the hip hop class to start. I was so mad that I started grabbing your arm and talking to you sternly (I would have yelled at the top of my lungs if we were alone). You were just flailing your arms and just screaming. I thought once the teacher came out of the class to take you guys in you would calm down, but no. You were not consolable. I dragged you into your class and tried to get you to stand up, but I couldn't. All the other kids were being distracted by your screaming/crying so I told the teachers that I couldn't put you in this week. All my energy was put into getting you to calm down that I forgot your water bottle in your class. By this time I was fuming and so angry that I just started screaming at you in the parking lot. When we got to the car I just yelled at you nonstop. I was so angry that you couldn't be like the other kids in your class, angry that you didn't go to your class when I had paid for it, angry that you never listen and angry that I forgot your water bottle. 

I know it doesn't seem like it, but this was you before the whole tantrum fiasco. It's like a switch.
One minute you're such a sweet boy, and the next a little devil.

I was so angry when I got home that I just didn't want to deal with you. I literally threw you down in bed and forced you to take your nap time.

I was so angry at daddy too because he never takes you on Saturday mornings to dance class. It's always me. I never spend time with Kendall because I'm always with you. I think daddy just doesn't want to deal with you sometimes. I just am hoping and praying that this is just a phase and it will pass…

The only thing that made my day a little brighter was when Kendall smiled and played with me.

First day of hip hop dance class

Knowing how much you love to dance and perform, I couldn't resist signing you up for hip hop dance class. Daddy wasn't too keen as he would rather have you in hockey, soccer or any other sports activities. However, it is apparent to me that you don't really have a penchant for sports and you seem to lean more towards the arts field. 

The first class was good. I know you are always a little weary when it comes to new environments, but you didn't cry and you actually went into the class without a hitch. I thought that parents would be allowed in to observe, but we weren't. I guess it's a good thing because sometimes parents can be a distraction…

Now that you have started Kindergarten, I am teaching you new words. Your teacher has put together a communications folder in your backpack and it has a few beginner words for you to learn. Already you have learned quite a few. It's great because now I'm making you read these words while we read our bedtime stories together at night.

Some of the words that you know. I used an invisible marker that I got you to colour to
reveal the secret words. You loved that.

Who likes going to the doctor??

Let me tell you about a strange boy who likes going to the doctor, the dentist and the hair salon. I don't know any kid that can sit still and enjoy being in an environment that many other kids his age find terrifying.

I think the last time you had your shots was when you were 2 years old. I was a little nervous because today was your 4-year checkup where you were getting your shots. I didn't have daddy with me today as he couldn't take time off from work. I had to take both you and Kendall. It's not easy taking 2 kids to the doctors office, especially if it involves getting shots. Last week was Kendall's 1-year check-up where she got her shots and she was a hysterical mess. I expected you to be the same. With Kendall, I had to hold her on one side while the receptionist held the other. All this, while the doctor was administering the shots. Kendall was trying to kick us off while crying at the top of her lungs. It was very stressful. 

The doctor called in the receptionist again when it was time for your shots to help me hold you down. I had talked to you all morning telling you you were getting shots and you seemed pretty calm about it. I was shocked when the doctor put the needle in your arm and you didn't even squirm or cry. You just had this blank look on your face. And it was the same when the doctor put the needle on the other arm. Even the doctor and the receptionist were stunned. They were so surprised that they gave you 2 toy cars and a lollipop. You were just so excited to get a bandaid and your toys. 

So here's where you are right now:

Weight: 32lbs

Height: 38.5"

The appointment was at 11:30am, but the doctor was running a bit behind so we went to the
public library that is in the same building. I read you this book- Sylvia's Spinach, which is about
a girl that hates spinach (perfect book for a picky eater like you, no?) and you fell in love with it.
You kept asking me to buy it for you, but you tend to ask me to get you things that are über
hard to find…

After the doctor's appointment it was lunch time. I had packed lunch so we ate in the office building, just outside of the food court. While we were eating you noticed a glass partition that had a mirror. You kept going in front of it and dancing while looking at your reflection. It would have been fine if this was in a remote area, but it was a high-traffic area. People kept looking at you and smiling because you were dancing so much! Luckily, I was able to get a video of you.