Last week, Casey had been complaining about pain in his butt. And I mean a literal, physical pain in the butt; not a figurative 'Sydney is being a pain in my butt'... We automatically thought 'diaper rash'. Sure, its been awhile since we've had an episode of diaper rash, but sure enough, there are a few random red spots on his little cheeks. So, we applied the butt cream and called it a day. During the night, he woke up screaming and crying.. about his pain in the butt. So we responded by applying gobs and gobs of the butt cream.
A couple days later, Casey was still really complaining, so we scheduled a doctor appointment to get him checked out. The doctor started by checking his ears, nose and throat. Maybe that's just standard operating procedure, but part of me was thinking that doc needed an anatomy refresher course; the symptoms were on the other end!!! Finally, she had Casey drop his pants and she checked the danger zone... and promptly diagnosed him with... strep throat. Or more accurately, strep butt. Apparently, the two conditions are one and the same... or at least closely related. According to doc, the symptoms are very similar. I recall the times I've had a sore throat, and swallowing was the most painful thing in the world. Well, butt strep is the same. When one tries to poop, its very similar to swallowing with a severe sore throat.
Who knew???
Sunday, November 9, 2014
Friday, November 7, 2014
No License, No Problem
A classic car has been passed down in Da Wang family for a few years. Initially, Nai-Nai bought this Pink Cadillac brand new from the dealer for Chantal and Elena. Recently, Da Cousins decided to pass it to Da Boys. It came home and Da Boys were anxious to drive it. But the battery was dead, and needed a charge. With all the electric cars these days, that phrase doesn't sound so odd. But this pure electric vehicle was ahead of its time! Once it was charged, Da Boys took turns driving it, and riding shotgun. As can be seen in the videos, Casey needs a little practice judging turning radius and reverse steering. Meanwhile, Sydney... Let's just say he seems to have inherited the Wang family gene that causes stop and go/lurching driving...
Does it look like Casey is very scared of Sydney's driving? I've been told many passengers have this same expression when Casey's dad is driving too..
Does it look like Casey is very scared of Sydney's driving? I've been told many passengers have this same expression when Casey's dad is driving too..
Sydney Caddy from p wang on Vimeo.
casey caddy from p wang on Vimeo.
Sunday, October 26, 2014
Kindergarten
On Sept 4, 2014, Casey had his first day of kindergarten. It was at Hickory Elementary, which is within walking/ bike riding distance out the back gate of our complex. On this day, we all walked him to school. I've heard horror stories about the first day of school. Alas, none of that played out here. Casey was just fine. We dropped him off in time for the 9AM start. We escorted him into the classroom; it was utter chaos in there. Casey got separated from us, found some toys and forgot all about us. So, we left. Talk about anti-climatic. When he got home, we asked him how school was. He said it sucked. MAYBE not his exact words, but pretty close. Actually, it wouldn't surprise me if that's exactly what he said. When asked why, he said, 'No recess'. Yup, some genius decided to introduce 5 year olds to a school year with short days... with no recess. Obviously, who ever thought this was a good idea as never had kids, and have never been an actual classroom teacher. I don't know who had it worse. Casey, or his poor teacher. Imagine a classroom full of 5 yr olds, who are cooped up all morning. That would be, ummm.. patience trying... Fortunately, the short days with no recess were only scheduled for 2 days... After that, they went to full days, (9am-2pm).. with recess.
Unfortunately, Casey didn't get recess on that third day either.. Because... Mid morning, mommy got a call from the school nurse. Casey fell in class, whacked his head and needed a trip to the ER. I can imagine how unsettling it is to get a call from the school. I mean, it's never good news. When is the last time a school called a parent during the middle of the day to say, "Just wanted to tell you Little Jonny is great!"... No way. It's either the kid is in trouble, or hurt.. or some other emergency.. like I said, never good. But as far as emergency's go, this one wasn't bad. Some glue, (no stitches required) and some time to heal is all it took. No permanent injury!
As an aside, Daddy learned something new while writing this post. It's kindergarten, not kindergarden... I always assumed it was garden... like a place where you plant the seeds of learning... where you nurture little ones at the beginning of the life cycle... Apparently not... It's a garten.. whatever that is....
This photo reminds me of those jail intake processing photos. Sorry, had to say it.
This kid doesn't look too traumatized on his inaugural walk to school!
Casey and Daddy on the way to school. Casey actually ran back into the house and said, "I want my cowboy hat"... and wore it for about 100 yards, until he handed it to Daddy.
Da Boys ran into their buddy Sammy on the walk to school.
Daddy and Casey on the first day of school; with Sydney photobombing! (Casey's unsure look wasn't about going to school, it was about posing for yet another photo)
Unfortunately, Casey didn't get recess on that third day either.. Because... Mid morning, mommy got a call from the school nurse. Casey fell in class, whacked his head and needed a trip to the ER. I can imagine how unsettling it is to get a call from the school. I mean, it's never good news. When is the last time a school called a parent during the middle of the day to say, "Just wanted to tell you Little Jonny is great!"... No way. It's either the kid is in trouble, or hurt.. or some other emergency.. like I said, never good. But as far as emergency's go, this one wasn't bad. Some glue, (no stitches required) and some time to heal is all it took. No permanent injury!
As an aside, Daddy learned something new while writing this post. It's kindergarten, not kindergarden... I always assumed it was garden... like a place where you plant the seeds of learning... where you nurture little ones at the beginning of the life cycle... Apparently not... It's a garten.. whatever that is....
This photo reminds me of those jail intake processing photos. Sorry, had to say it.
This kid doesn't look too traumatized on his inaugural walk to school!
Casey and Daddy on the way to school. Casey actually ran back into the house and said, "I want my cowboy hat"... and wore it for about 100 yards, until he handed it to Daddy.
Da Boys ran into their buddy Sammy on the walk to school.
Daddy and Casey on the first day of school; with Sydney photobombing! (Casey's unsure look wasn't about going to school, it was about posing for yet another photo)
Boys Stuff
Mommy is on a girl's Vegas weekend Sat-Mon trip. That means Da Boys are home alone with Daddy. Which means we do 'Boys Stuff'. On Saturday, Daddy made chocolate chip pancakes for Casey: he ate 3, and 'round waffles' with chocolate chips on top for Sydney: he ate 2. We went swimming in the pool, where we played "Hulkie"... Which is Casey's name for the Incredible Hulk game in which Daddy plays "Hulkie" and chases Da Boys around the pool and throws them about like rag dolls. At Sydney's request, we played 'Marco Polo'. Afternoon activities included a bike ride to the toy store, where Da Boys picked out "Rocky and Rubble" figurines from the TV show Paw Patrol. After a stop home to trade Sydney's bike for the trailer-bike, we rode to Soupplantation for dinner. All that bike riding must have worked up appetites, cause Da Boys killed it at Soupplantation. Casey had a plate of veggies and 3! bowls of Mac and Cheese... and ice cream... and Jello. Sydney had a bowl of Mac and Cheese, 2 plates of veggies ( he asked for 2nd's!!).. and ice cream.. and Jello.
On Sunday, we went for a hike along Del Cerro trail. We overlooked the Pacific Ocean, saw people riding horses, and were very careful not to fall down the cliffs. We also took another couple of bike rides; the furthest destination was Daddy's office (4 miles roundtrip). Da Boys did really well, obeying all traffic laws, and really playing attention to intersections and traffic. So proud of these little riders! Dinner is gonna be spaghetti with meatballs. Lots of exercise and large Italian dinner... Da Boys (and Daddy) should sleep good tonight!
On Sunday, we went for a hike along Del Cerro trail. We overlooked the Pacific Ocean, saw people riding horses, and were very careful not to fall down the cliffs. We also took another couple of bike rides; the furthest destination was Daddy's office (4 miles roundtrip). Da Boys did really well, obeying all traffic laws, and really playing attention to intersections and traffic. So proud of these little riders! Dinner is gonna be spaghetti with meatballs. Lots of exercise and large Italian dinner... Da Boys (and Daddy) should sleep good tonight!
Monday, October 13, 2014
One-on-One with Sydney
Big brother had a party with some of his classmates, so Sydney and Daddy got some one-on-one time. Since he seldom gets to choose where he goes, and what he does, I let Sydney be in charge. Amongst the activity choices I gave him, he choose a bike ride to the ice cream factory. Mind you, he has never ridden his bike (without training wheels) outside the confines of the gated community. But I figured, "What's the worst thing that can happen?" Yeah, there was THIS (CLICK HERE FOR SCARY STORY. But, I'm thinking Daddy is smarter than that now.
So we set off on the long trip ( one mile each way). I took him on a slight detour to traverse some big speed bumps. Apparently, he liked 'em cause right after we went over them, he said, "That was fun, Daddy!" We made it to the "Ice Cream Factory" where he got 'green ice cream with chocolate chips... and gummy bears'...
On the way home, he wanted to hit Wilson Park. So, we rode through the park, played in the tree house, checked out the water fountain before heading home. We found the speed bumps again on the way home. After taking a water break at home, we headed back out on our bikes to explore the complex. At his request, we also listened to children's music in the garage, swept out the garage and played t-ball. His version of t-ball is to find the most creative ways to contact the ball with the bat. Of course, we did the traditional baseball swing, but in addition we made like a golf club, and a pool cue to strike the ball!
He rode all the way to the "Ice Cream Factory"
Favorite Ice Cream: "Green Ice Cream with chocolate chips... and gummy bears"
So we set off on the long trip ( one mile each way). I took him on a slight detour to traverse some big speed bumps. Apparently, he liked 'em cause right after we went over them, he said, "That was fun, Daddy!" We made it to the "Ice Cream Factory" where he got 'green ice cream with chocolate chips... and gummy bears'...
On the way home, he wanted to hit Wilson Park. So, we rode through the park, played in the tree house, checked out the water fountain before heading home. We found the speed bumps again on the way home. After taking a water break at home, we headed back out on our bikes to explore the complex. At his request, we also listened to children's music in the garage, swept out the garage and played t-ball. His version of t-ball is to find the most creative ways to contact the ball with the bat. Of course, we did the traditional baseball swing, but in addition we made like a golf club, and a pool cue to strike the ball!
He rode all the way to the "Ice Cream Factory"
Friday, September 19, 2014
Kindergarten (Mommy's version)
My big boy started Kindergarten on September 4th. It's bittersweet for
me. I am proud of the wonderful boy he has grown into but I am sad he is
not my little baby that I could hold with one arm anymore. Time passes
so quickly! On to new adventures and my hope is that Casey will enjoy
Kindergarten. It started out a little rough.
The first 2 days of Kindergarten are shorter days then on Monday, the 8th he started his full day. Here is a brief re-cap of Casey's feelings after each day.
First Day:
Mom: How was your day?
Casey: Good
M: What made you happy today?
C: Lunch
M: Hmm, did anything make you sad today:
C: Yes, the teacher read 2 stories instead of just one.
M: You didn't like having to sit still for 2 stories?
C: No!
M: Anything else make you sad?
C: No recess.
M: What? You didn't get any recess? (I was shocked, I didn't expect the teacher to keep them in the whole time.)
C: No!
M: Sorry bud maybe tomorrow.
Second Day:
M: How was your day?
C: Okay
M: Anything make you happy today?
C: No
M: Anything make you sad?
C: Yes we had to do art and we had no recess again.
M: Hmm, well on Monday you will have a full day so I'm sure you'll get recess on Monday.
Third Day: (first full day)
Mom's thoughts: Oh I hope they get recess today but it was raining during the night and morning so we'll have to see.
We arrived at school early so he could play a little before class began. His teacher came out to round up the kids because they were going to have "rainy day schedule" which meant no recess. Oh NO! Well, hopefully tomorrow will be better. I explained to Casey that they would have some play time in class but not outside. He was sad but accepted it. So Sydney and I left Casey at school and walked over to the YMCA for Sydney's tumbling class. We were sitting at a table Sydney having a snack and mommy filling out school papers while we waited for Sydney's class to start. Casey's class starts at 9am. Shortly after 9:30am I get a call from the school nurse. Uh oh! Casey had fallen, hit a table and split his ear lobe.
Off go mommy and Sydney walking as fast as Sydney's tired little legs could go home to get the car. Casey doesn't look too bad when we get there, a few specs of blood on his shirt and 2 small bandages holding his ear together. Off we go to the ER, his pediatrician's recommendation. ER is not too bad, they got us in pretty quick and the nurses and doctors were all nice and great with Casey. Casey was really scared, he didn't want stitches so he kept crying a bit repeating "I don't want stitches." Luckily, doctor just used glue. The most painful part was when the nurse had to clean the wound by squirting water in it. At the end, Casey and Sydney both got Popsicle's! Before getting to the ER Casey said he wanted to go back to school. After he was ready to go home. So home we went.
Fourth day: (second full day and no rain)
M: How was your day?
C: Good
M: Anything make you happy today?
C: RECESS
M: Yay! You got recess! What did you play?
C: I played basketball!
M: Did you make any new friends?
C: No
M: Anything make you sad today?
C: Art
Fast forward 11 days. Casey's ear has healed well and the glue is almost gone. After about a day or two the bump and bruise behind his ear stopped bothering him. He has also made friends and is always smiling when I pick him up at the end of his day. He had his first week of homework which has gone well, not too much fuss. Plus, for the past 2 or 3 days he digs into the art supplies at home and draws and colors pictures. He is also proud to show me what he has done at school each day. My baby is growing up!
The first 2 days of Kindergarten are shorter days then on Monday, the 8th he started his full day. Here is a brief re-cap of Casey's feelings after each day.
First Day:
Mom: How was your day?
Casey: Good
M: What made you happy today?
C: Lunch
M: Hmm, did anything make you sad today:
C: Yes, the teacher read 2 stories instead of just one.
M: You didn't like having to sit still for 2 stories?
C: No!
M: Anything else make you sad?
C: No recess.
M: What? You didn't get any recess? (I was shocked, I didn't expect the teacher to keep them in the whole time.)
C: No!
M: Sorry bud maybe tomorrow.
Second Day:
M: How was your day?
C: Okay
M: Anything make you happy today?
C: No
M: Anything make you sad?
C: Yes we had to do art and we had no recess again.
M: Hmm, well on Monday you will have a full day so I'm sure you'll get recess on Monday.
Third Day: (first full day)
Mom's thoughts: Oh I hope they get recess today but it was raining during the night and morning so we'll have to see.
We arrived at school early so he could play a little before class began. His teacher came out to round up the kids because they were going to have "rainy day schedule" which meant no recess. Oh NO! Well, hopefully tomorrow will be better. I explained to Casey that they would have some play time in class but not outside. He was sad but accepted it. So Sydney and I left Casey at school and walked over to the YMCA for Sydney's tumbling class. We were sitting at a table Sydney having a snack and mommy filling out school papers while we waited for Sydney's class to start. Casey's class starts at 9am. Shortly after 9:30am I get a call from the school nurse. Uh oh! Casey had fallen, hit a table and split his ear lobe.
Off go mommy and Sydney walking as fast as Sydney's tired little legs could go home to get the car. Casey doesn't look too bad when we get there, a few specs of blood on his shirt and 2 small bandages holding his ear together. Off we go to the ER, his pediatrician's recommendation. ER is not too bad, they got us in pretty quick and the nurses and doctors were all nice and great with Casey. Casey was really scared, he didn't want stitches so he kept crying a bit repeating "I don't want stitches." Luckily, doctor just used glue. The most painful part was when the nurse had to clean the wound by squirting water in it. At the end, Casey and Sydney both got Popsicle's! Before getting to the ER Casey said he wanted to go back to school. After he was ready to go home. So home we went.
Fourth day: (second full day and no rain)
M: How was your day?
C: Good
M: Anything make you happy today?
C: RECESS
M: Yay! You got recess! What did you play?
C: I played basketball!
M: Did you make any new friends?
C: No
M: Anything make you sad today?
C: Art
Fast forward 11 days. Casey's ear has healed well and the glue is almost gone. After about a day or two the bump and bruise behind his ear stopped bothering him. He has also made friends and is always smiling when I pick him up at the end of his day. He had his first week of homework which has gone well, not too much fuss. Plus, for the past 2 or 3 days he digs into the art supplies at home and draws and colors pictures. He is also proud to show me what he has done at school each day. My baby is growing up!
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
The Letter S
Casey is now in kindergarden. Each week, they learn a new letter. This week, it's the letter S. He learns how to write it and what words begin with S. At home, the letter S comes up. He's asked what he is sitting on... "Sofa". He is asked what he is wearing.. "Socks... Shirt". Then he pulls up his shirt, exposing his underwear, points and says, "Sac". Oh Sh!t, apparently he knows his anatomy.. and the letter S.
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