Reading today: Catalogues in the mail; MHSAA Rule Book for Swimming (Diving & Water Polo, too!)
Music today: Nyet, but I did talk like a pirate during bathtime
TV today: Sesame Street
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Yesterday Roman said his first discernable word; that is, we said it, and he said it back, and used it correctly. That word? "More." :) If that tells you about his eating habits! He is also attempting sounds that we make now; he practically said "kitty" the other day (slurred and sloppy), and says "da" for yes. Shakes his head for no. "Da", by the way, being Russian for "yes." Interesting.

We give Roman lots of choices as a means of "raising" him; true Love and Logic. "Would you like to walk up the stairs or be carried?" "Would you like to watch Elmo or Blue?" (showing him the tapes). He knows exactly what we're saying. He even knows now that if he fools around and we count backward from 5 and he doesn't make a decision, we make one for him. Today on the count of "1" he turned and scrambled up the steps rather than have Doug carry him. He also is getting "bedroom time" (a modified time out, I suppose) for misbehavior; recently this has been temper tantrums. He also bit me the other day, and head-butted Doug today. These are all out of anger. That boy has a temper!

This morning was funny; we watched a construction crew tear out a neighbor's driveway. Roman was fascinated, just stared in awe. Later, on the other end of the street, a work crew was digging out concrete storm drains near the dirt road. Roman watched them too, and then started poking his finger in a nearby mud puddle. I got a compliment from one guy on the work crew because I was "letting the boy get dirty." Upon hearing himself be addressed, Roman toddled across the road to him with his arms outstretched. All three burly men stopped their work to come over and talk with us and pat Roman. It was hilarious! The one guys said his grandson was almost 2. We're going to have to talk with Roman regarding strangers pretty soon. :)

The teachers at daycare love him; how friendly and adorable he is. I gotta tell you, we've got a fine specimen of a child!

First day of "real" school today, a full day. I had all kinds of energy at school; I faded quickly around dinnertime. Sports news: MS fee for pay-to-play has been dropped to $50, flat fee across the year. Stink over swimming is still occurring; powers that be (principals who don't want to bother themselves with looking at budgets) still claim that swimming and softball will be "gone" after this year. Our Athletic Director (and former swim coach) Kathy is really p.o.'d about it all. She's been trying to gather budgets and numbers from all the schools. She wants to have a powwow with all of us in January to present an argument to the school board in February, with the promise to update numbers after this season. So we'll see how that goes.

I was asked to be a new person's mentor, which made me pleased. I reminded him we were stuck together for 3 years. :) He said it was practical advice he wanted, he just needed guidance his first year on lesson planning. So that's cool, I'm full of practical advice. :) Who to avoid, who to bum-kiss...

And just when I thought My Enemy had retired; the darn woman has decided to sub in the school for a little extra money! I walked into the teacher's lounge and there she was! Ack!