Technology for Kids

Arden's school provides non-functioning cell phones as toys.  It just reminded me of the dreaded challenges we will have involving technology as our kids grow up.  Every parent has their own opinion about what technologies are acceptable at what age, but once kids start school there is so much peer pressure on them to have what everyone else has.

We have always allowed Arden to play games and watch movies on our iPad.  However, we're not ready for him to have any kind of portable technology that he can call his own for many more years.

At what age is it normal for kids to get cell phones?  I'm sure it's earlier than I would recommend it to be.  There's going to be a lot of tests in responsibilities with our kids before we trust them with such an expensive gadget.

 

A Day Out with Thomas

The timing of my hospital admission could not have been worse for our social calendar.  We had planned a couple of activities for September (ending right before my last two months of pregnancy), but apparently even two months was not early enough to stop making plans.

The first weekend in the hospital I missed out on Cirque du Soleil, but they did not allow photography at the show so I don't have any photos or videos to share.  I was told that it was a great show though...maybe I'll get to go next year.

This past weekend I missed out on going to Strasburg, PA for A Day Out with Thomas.  Brandon and Arden went with some friends and their kids.  A great time was had by everyone as you can tell from the photos below.  I doubt that we'll do this particular event again next year, but at least I should be able to experience it whenever little brother is old enough to enjoy the day.

Special Time with Daddy

Arden has gotten to do some special things with just daddy recently including:

going to a softball game (recreational adult league) which included a milkshake stop afterwards

going to eat at Chic-fil-a and enjoying the playroom

going to the eye doctor for daddy

and practicing spinning stops on his plasma car with his friend (note that the the plasma cars are intended to just move slowly when you wiggle the steering wheel, but they don't work very well like that at our house so the boys have found new and more dangerous ways to use them).

Missing home

It's been a long few days in the hospital already and there's a lot of time remaining, so I'm sharing some hospital photos as well as a couple of cute ones of Arden, which really make me miss his silly behavior and being at home with the rest of my family.

It's been a week in the hospital and I have gotten to see Arden every day so far, but it's still hard to miss out on the cute things that he says and does when I'm not around.  His behavior has been pretty good for daddy and he has stopped asking me if I'm going home with them every time he leaves the hospital.

Below are the views I have on a daily basis:

Hospital visits

Arden's teachers helped him make a special card for me (I think it's obvious what parts he traced / got help with and what he did by himself).

Arden enjoys visiting the hospital, but gets bored very quickly so he watches the iPad and I also help him with his homework.

Soccer

We enrolled Arden in soccer classes, which were expected to end right before the new baby's arrival.  I am thankful that I was able to attend the first soccer class before getting put in the hospital.  Now soccer has become a special Saturday morning daddy and Arden time.

 

Daddy's little helper

Arden usually likes to help with chores, especially when it involves him getting a special treat.

Scraping your plate clean

Here's a suggestion if you want to teach your toddler how to scrape their plate clean....take them to TGI Friday's for an Oreo Madness dessert.  Isn't it funny how kids claim to not be able to do something until it's something that they really want to do?  

It's also worth noting that Arden didn't like ice cream when he was younger because it was too cold, but he has no issues with eating it now.

 

In the Womb

Here's a comparative look at our babies so far:

Arden in the womb (26 weeks)

little brother in the womb (27 weeks)

Arden in the womb (22 weeks)

little brother in the womb (22 weeks)

Arden in the womb (22 weeks)

little brother in the womb (22 weeks)

Arden in the womb (19 weeks)

little brother in the womb (18 weeks)

Arden in the womb (19 weeks)

little brother in the womb (18 weeks)

Arden in the womb (19 weeks)

little brother in the womb (18 weeks)

Arden in the womb (16 weeks)

little brother in the womb (16 weeks)