Cincinnati Weekend

It is SO nice to grab a couple more weekends in Cincinnati before the season starts up again.  This weekend was packed  and perfect.

After a Saturday morning play date, we swapped with Pappa at Coffee Emporium - then I headed off to a fantastic  Underground Tour with a friend ending at the Taste of Belgium.  Our evening was filled with excellent Indian food from Dusmesh and large train tracks, dump trucks and cranes.

Sunday we woke up at dawn (literally) and I ran the Erlanger Friendship 5k - which was an incredible feat.  My first run after having Soren, completely unprepared - was able to run the entire race and even finished 3rd in my division.  We came home, I caught a quick nap, we all showered up and headed to Eli's BBQ - SO.... GOOD!  We went around 4, so the wait wasn't as long as usual.  There was Rhinegeist on tap and Dojo Gelato in tow.  Soren and I dropped Pappa off at work, and headed out to the park to round out our evening. 

Perfect. 

Tantrum Tough

Soren's tantrums are getting tough.  Tougher to understand, tougher to control and tougher to handle.   

I have done SO much research and read SO many articles but am still left without options.  The most success I have had was during a one on one play between the two of us and I mimicked his behavior.   

He responded with all the right corrections - even ones I didn't think he heard or responded to.  Super impressive.  But I worry.  Like most parents.  I'll level - he's a thrower... of toys.  He's accidentally gotten myself and Rick and once - another kid (I felt SO awful.  He apologized... but still, so terrible!).  I worry - always when we are in public.  And I know that doesn't help. 

We aren't corporal punishers and trust me - we have tried just about everything.  Time outs, counting, breathing, songs, distraction, display, etc....  He's a tough kid - and strong.  Even stronger willed.  

I guess, in some ways - I should admire his strong will.  There is this funny Louis CK bit that resonated a bit too well.  If you can stand the profanity, it's worth the listen.  Like 'be near a toilet, 'cause I almost peed my pants' kind of funny!

 so much 'tude!

Cousins

They just know.  It's interesting to observe, really.  Soren and Avery don't see each other often, maybe 2-3 times a year.  Of course we prepare them for one another 'Soren - are you ready to see your cousin Avery??' 'Avery, are you ready to play with cousin Soren??'.  Just like you would for playdates and outings.  But for some reason - when these two get to see each other, it's as if they know - that they are cousins.  

Their interactions with other kids are always different.  I'm told Avery plays a shy - keeps to herself, parallel play, and Soren is a bit quiet but quickly turns into the clown.  I'm not implying Soren didn't act the clown or they didn't parallel play, but they did instantly interact.  

Avery was super excited and started pulling Soren around to see all her toys and showing him how EVERYTHING works (she's almost exactly a year older, took on the big kid role!).  And Soren was quick to follow asking questions and examining her every move.

It was different.  Maybe that is a better way to put it.  In the best way.  Like you could see the warmth and love between them even though the depth of that word they have yet to really comprehend.  It was something special.  I miss her already and her little sister.  And so does Soren.  

Every morning we were there, Soren would wake up asking 'Where's Avery?'.  I would tell him she was still sleeping in her room.  He would go in, climb up on her bed and wish her a good morning.  Avery would then instruct me to make them oatmeal and orange juice as they began a day of play.  Our sweet little blondies.   He asked me yesterday morning, our first day back in Cincinnati 'Where's Avery??'.  My heart melted.