Kid Fears

Wesley had been grilling me with questions about snakes: Where do they live? What do they eat? How do they crawl? I am not an avid lover of snakes and my knowledge is limited, so we headed to the library for a book. I was apprehensive when the subject of venom and swallowing live prey came up, but he seemed to take it in stride. There was one picture of a boa squeezing a opossum, and Wesley asked me if that was his baby he was hugging. That should have been the red flag. The next night, around 9:30, Wesley bolted from his room and said with terror and near tears, "Mommy, there is a snake in my room!" I investigated the situation, finding no snake, but a problematic shadow from the nightlight. He slept in my bed for one night, and an alternate light source is being used until a more suitable position can be found for "the bug light" (his usual nightlight). The snake book has been returned to the library. This week we are reading about bees, who, as it turns out, die after they sting a mammal because it tears out part of their innards. Wish me luck!

Craft Corner

When my mom came to visit before Christmas, she suggested to Wesley that they might do a project together while she was here. "What kind of project, Mimi?" Wesley asked. She told him maybe they could make some Christmas ornaments. "But, Mimi, why? They already have Christmas ornaments at Target." I guess he gets that from his mother. :)

Separation Anxiety

Marc has been away for almost six months. Sure, he has been home on an occasional weekend and for 12 days at Christmas (yes, I was counting), but it has been a long haul. And I'm not the only one feeling the strain. Wesley asked him on the phone today when the Army was going to let him come home. Marc assured him he would be back as soon as possible. "Daddy, could you just say to them that you have a little child at home who likes to play with you? Then maybe they will let you come home faster." [tear] That is love.

Christmas the Whole Year Through!

Over Christmas, Wesley discovered two new movies (well, new to him, anyway): The Polar Express and Charlie Brown Christmas. Thanks to the magic of Tivo, he has enjoyed watching them over and over throughout the month of January and into February! The other day, he came downstairs wearing a red Folgers coffee "bucket" on his head and holding a plastic popcorn bag (a conductors hat and lamp). He told me I had to be the little boy that did not rustle the sheets and he was the conductor. When he said, "All aboard!", I quickly responded, "Where are we going?" (Hey, I've been watching the movie too.) "Why to the North Pole, of course!" Wesley quoted.
He also told Catelynn the other day, "I am not your sweet baboo!" Classic!