Ivan partying at J’s birthday party
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“Isn’t it LUCKY we got dese Wiki Stix?”
Yes, Ivan, and you wear them well.
Winter Break
Upon opening several of his favorite Christmas presents this year Ivan exclaimed merrily, “FINALLY!” These were not gifts he had actually been requesting. But every time we passed the magnetic dart board display at our local bookshop he played with it and has for the past 3 years. So, Santa brought him the magnetic dart set this year even though it wasn’t on his list. “FINALLY!” smiled Ivan.
Many times over break often when we were walking and I was holding his hand, Ivan would ask, “Amanda, is this a good day?” I’ve realized when I am particularly happy spending time with my children I tell them, “This is a good day. I like that we’ve gotten to do X (play, walk, snuggle, read, eat-out, what-have-you) together.” Ivan was noticing that we were enjoying time together and asking me to notice too.
Ivan and Ezri went to a park district lead day adventure on a day school was off but the parents were working. Ivan has trouble with new people and places but having his sister with him meant he was able to adjust more easily to going to the park district program. Ezri when talking about the day told Ivan he would get to spend the whole day with her. She knew his worries and stepped in unprompted to reassure him.
Later we talked about how he will go to the park district’s adventure day camp with his sister this summer when school is out. He was commenting on the return to school today that he wished he could go to summer adventure camp instead. I asked why. He said, “Because I get to go WITH Ezri.” They go to the same school, of course, but completely separate classrooms. It is nice that after two weeks off school and much time together my kids still want to be together. As an only child, I wondered sometimes about raising two kids but I’m glad I decided to have two. They squabble but they love and care for each other.
Here’s Ivan celebrating New Year’s Eve in the best way – having a friend over and sharing things you love with them. They are building a bad guy prison tower here for Star Wars bad guy figures.
Holiday Magic
Carrot for reindeer, cookies he and his sister made for Santa, and his first time lighting the Hanukkah candles without an adult also holding the shamash.
The lighting
Snow and Cold
After school in the snow, they don’t let the cold stop them from playing.
This snowman may not melt, but he still didn’t last long when brought home from the last day of school.
So long, snowman.
How tall a tree can you build out of green cups?
62 inches according to Ivan.
Ivan at School
Learning to code for Day of Code.
Ivan and his friend making Gingerbread Man art.
Ivan loves the tablets being used for math education.
I visited for VIP Day at school and made a craft and played bingo with Ivan. I got to take a tour of the classroom with my favorite tour guide.
Snowy Sunday second week running
Ivan’s invited his best friend over to play today.
It is 27 minutes until Ivan’s first playdate.
He keeps checking his watch and telling me an updated count of how many minutes it is until the playdate.
He is so excited.
We invited J from his Kindergarten class to play at our house.
Ivan proudly announces,
“I have a schedule for my playdate
FIRST Balloony Bounce
THEN Snowball Fight
THEN Hot Chocolate
THEN Play Inside”
All agenda items WERE accomplished.
J declared it “the best play date”
Ivan agreed but did feel the need mention it was his first play date, so it had to be the best.
This photo looks like Ivan watching the year’s first snow, but he has checked his watch and it is noon and he is watching for J to come. Luckily, dad arrived with J on time.
Here is the game of Balloony Bounce in the living room.
And the Snowball Fight. I was the villain for the latter half and this involved three children pelting me with snow. Snow boy, Icicle and Super Ivan definitely defeated me with their winter powers.
Hot chocolate happened too.
J is a great kid and it’s been great to watch Ivan making his own friends instead of just tagging along after his big sister.
Meeting Santa
Ivan was interested in meeting Santa after he noted that kids leaving Santa’s shack had candy canes. We were out in downtown Downers battling at Pokegyms, not planning to meet the jolly elf but then there he was.
Ivan told Santa he wanted candy for Christmas and liked tablets.
Santa’s helper gave him the candy cane which he clutched smiling.
He ate the whole thing except a small section that broke off in the unwrapping. I’m flattered to say he gave that to me. I love you too, kid.
Then we went to the library and celebrated by playing some Mario on the WiiU console there with friends. Ivan is very intensely focused in the photo below.
