Mercer at school

Three weeks ago, I got to spend the morning with Mercer at school - helping out at his class making Halloween crafts. It was fun - and actually he did really well sitting at other tables doing things with other people's parents. In fact, he never did make it over to the table I was sitting at. He did ask me to come sit next to him on the rug, though, when one of the teachers was reading a book. (smile)

This past week, Todd went to Mercer's school to have Thanksgiving lunch with him. In their class earlier in the week, the kids made headbands and decorated t-shirts with symbols. They also strung beads to make bracelets and necklaces. Mercer is pretty happy with his jewelry that he made, but doesn't like the headband because it is scratchy. Todd snapped some photos on his phone. This one captures an image of both of his teachers - Ms. Tiffany (in back) and Ms. Neda (at left). He had Ms. Tiffany last year in the toddler room, but she moved up to the 3 - 4 year old class. I think that made for an easier transition.

There are a couple of (free) fundraisers that we're coordinating for his school - basically turning things in and earning points so the school owner can "buy" things with their points. So - if anyone has Labels for Education UPC codes (from Campbell's Soup, Pepridge Farms products, Post Cereal, Emerald Nuts, Bic Pens, etc)... clip them if you don't mind. Likewise if you've got old cell phones or MP3 players that don't work anymore or empty ink cartridges... save them. His school can use the points on supplies and equipment. Thanks!

This weekend, Mercer got a new baseball glove. He and Todd pitched a baseball around a little today. He's got a pretty good arm when he steps into his throw. (Todd's words) He's a little afraid of the ball when catching - but that's to be expected. He's not afraid of many things ater he tries them - so he'll overcome this quickly.

A funny thing little guy is saying: "oh yeah." He crashes some cars together and he yells "oh yeah oh yeah!" He wins a game and he blurts out "oh yeah!"

11.11.11 was yesterday.

Meant to post to the blog on 11.11.11 but didn't make it. Oh well!

We recently checked out a new park called Chattahoochee Bend State Park. We went on a green building & site tour with the designers. It said kids welcome. We were the only ones who jumped on that. Mercer was bored during the building tour, but he stood out when showing all of the adults how the playground equipment worked. We want to go back to this state park this spring to camp.

There are platform camp sites, the river nearby, and bath houses ~~ it's not roughing it, but it would be a big step to camp away from home.

This last picture is really over exposed, but still captures typical Mercer... walking along the wall - then jumping off & loving every second of the descent back to the ground!

Last week, we had our first parent-teacher conference. Mercer is having a hard time concentrating and focusing on "sit down" activities nor will he take naps after lunch with everyone else. He is, however, doing very well academically-speaking. This week, I popped in during day to watch him play sports with a guy who comes to teach classes at the school. He brings equipment from different sports. When I was there, he had them doing some sort of balance exercise and later throwing around a ball with a lacrosse stick.

We've noticed that Mercer gets pretty frustrated and will burst into crying. (We've heard this from other parent of boys of the same age. Maybe they don't know how to cope??) We are thinking that a sport may help him with control, focus, and getting some physical energy out. We've talked about signing him up for a sport (soccer or t-ball) in the spring when he's 4.

Mercer is very into Mercer Mayer books right now that feature the character Little Critter. We have a ton of the books ~ partially because we like the author's name : - ) but Mercer is actually really into them & the stories. I don't think this made it to the blog previously, but after we brought Mercer home - months later - I was going through some things and found one of my favorite books as a kid... it was a Mercer Mayer book! There must be something appealing to children in the drawings and stories!

He's also getting into Dr. Seuss & Cat in the Hat a bit. This is good b/c I'm a huge fan of Dr. Seuss as well and enjoy reading it to him. Some nights, Mercer reads his books to me. It's pretty cute to hear him make up lines that go with the images and/or recite part of the storyline of the book that he remembers from the times that we've read them over and over again. He's really starting to show a lot of imagination!

Several days ago, Mercer played as if he was taking Todd to school. He did this over and over and over again for at least 15 - 20 minutes. He has also been "making" us food out of thin air and having us eat it. He usually makes pizza or sandwiches. And- he does things that is "all boy" - turning almost any object into a sword, an airplane, or a car & flying it through the air.

He also thinks it's hilarious to say the word poop and to burp (which is usually followed by an excuse me). Yes... he "all boy!"