Mommy, Daddy, ?

I thought it'd be fun to play a little game...Guess the Source of This Behavior...

*Max loves to pee outside...when he's finished, he carefully picks a single blade of grass and meticulously dabs off the drop(s).

*Alex likes to stuff her onesies with marbles.

*The other night Max threw one of my plates at the playset to see what would happen. What a surprise...it broke! "Hey, Mister, that came all the way from China!"

*Alex has this extreme need to put everything BACK...as it was...doors, toys, partially eaten food, dirty laundry that's been sorted for the wash...she especially likes to put Maxs' dirty clothes back in his drawers.

Future Resume Material

I love building these train tracks and have become obnoxiously proud of my accomplishments. To prove it, I even took a picture of my latest creation. See?! This takes some skill...especially with your younger child taking apart every other piece helping and your older child screaming, "Is it done yet?!" every 5 seconds. I have to admit though, it was Max's idea to go over Tidmouth Sheds. He likes watching them careen down the big hills and off the table. Alex likes the same thing, only she uses marbles.

Don't Let These Pictures Fool You

I wanted to capture and post these delightful moments because... well, they seem a bit scarce these days. These little buggers barely sleep and they yell and scream at eachother... and me... A LOT. Max now says things like, "I can do it if I want to!" and Alex is particularly fond of saying,"NO!" although she at least throws in a "Ya." fairly often as well.

Luckily, no matter what the state of affairs, there is no shortage of these moments: We are all getting our swimsuits on and Max picks up the top part of my bikini and asks, "Mom, is this for your BOOBS or your BUTT?" ...and with exactly that emphasis.

T-Ball

Here's a shot of our Little Slugger. Last night was our last T-ball game for the summer...and I hope think maybe our last one ever. In the end, it was a great learning experience. We learned that Max doesn't like to catch balls...at all! We also learned that Max is extremely good at entertaining himself when there is a lot of standing around involved...like when the other team is up at bat. (There were a few older, much more skilled kids on the team who were severe ball hogs, so whenever our team was in the field most of them had nothing to do.) "Which one's Max?" - "He's the one dancing around with the mitt on his head."..."Oh, look at that, now's he's taken to running around in circles while singing to himself!" "Pay attention, Max!" He finally looks in the direction of the hitter and follows the ball as it rolls right by him...another kid runs after it and pounces on it...another one is just behind him and lands on the first kid....NOW Max is interested...Ah, Ha!... and he proceeds to add himself to the pile. I'm thinking rugby may be more in line with his character. However, since there's no Little Rugbers league out there I think we'll try soccer.

Better Than Any Playground

After a very long bout with a super nasty stomach flu (everyone had a turn), things are finally returning to normal here. I'm running again and today I remembered to pack the BOB for river play. I even remembered to charge the camera battery and, as you can see, I also remembered to put the battery back in the camera, put the camera in the car, and to then bring the camera on the run with us. I'm feeling very proud of myself.
We moved lots of rocks around, climbed all over the boulders, felt the slime between our fingers and toes, watched a little frog swim and hop around, and ate Fritos. But most of all I really enjoyed watching Max and Alex just sit and feel the water moving by their bodies...they were completely mesmerized at times.

If You Give My Kid a Camera

The other day Max happens upon the disposable cameras in the grocery store.
"I think we still have some at home." (Thanks, Tootie.)
We get home and I am immediately reminded that he needs a camera.
Once it's in his hands, he sets off on his photographic adventure...wildly winding and clicking with delight.
The number of remaining shots dwindles rapidly.
Half-headed bodies.
Unsuspecting trains.
Toes.
Pillows.
Hands.
Eyes.
A bowl of cereal.
and undoubtedly,
My ass - as I am bent over in agony after stubbing my toe.
"Oh, I've got to take a picture of Mommy!"...and then..."Ha! That's a good one!"
Nothing is spared.

B.O.B. Testimonial

The B.O.B. is a Sport Utility Stroller...and it ROCKS! We have two in fact. I bought a single for Max when he could finally sit up and ride. We had lots of great strolls and, eventually, lots of great runs. Then when Alex was born, I bought a double. I got it onsale, online and the only color available was this extremely bright yellow. (It can't be that bright I thought...then, Who Cares?...then, Holy Crap!) In terms of getting the much sought after workout, there is never a need to jog with the double stroller. Once it's full of kids-snacks-water- all of the extra things you just might need- and you hit a slight head wind, the whole thing puffs up as if about to set sail and provides you with maximum resistance for the duration. As captain of your large, extremely bright yellow ship, maneuvering is a breeze (you just have to constantly push very hard) - the beverage and snack service you must provide, however, is not.

We had lots of great strolls with the 'yellow Bob' and then Max decided he really didn't want to sit anymore. Not even with a lollipop or two...or three. But he's not really a great walker...at least not if you want to cover a mile in less than an hour. So we decided a bike might be the answer...and it has been...sort of...

He's really figuring things out on his new wheels and can actually ride for a while at a pretty good clip if he's into it. Hell, he's even got skills already that I've never had. (No snorting.) Anyway, I decided to go for a run last week so we loaded up the single B.O.B. for Alex and the bike for Max and went to a new trail. It's near our house and is usually pretty empty. I also thought something that doesn't have a river with Class IV rapids running along side it would actually make the journey a little less stressful....it doesn't have a park anywhere near it, but I didn't really think that would be a problem...we were going for a run and a bike ride. Right?!

So, we're off. Running. Stopping. Running. Stopping. Mostly running though. There was a lady ahead of us. She really liked Max and Max really liked talking to her...the whole show kept us moving forward quite nicely. I actually started to breathe heavy and sweat! Then we came to the end of the trail and the lady left and we were about to turn around when -Ssssscccrrrrrreeeeeeecccchhhhhh!!!!!- Max said, "Where's the park?" I said, "There is no park on this trail. We have to turn around and go back to the car. We were just out to run and ride your bike, remember?"

"But I want to play at the park."
"Then ride back with me and we'll go to a park."
"But I can't, I'm too tired."
"Well, if you're too tired to ride back then you're too tired to go to a park." This really pissed him off and my rationalization completely backfired. He wasn't moving. Big surprise.
"I don't want to ride anymore. Hold me."
"I can't, Max, I have to push Alex." Thinking to self: You're so screwed! (Alex's window of contentment was narrowing.)

We went back and forth for a while, but he stood firm. I looked at my options and eyed the B.O.B. *Ding.Ding.Ding.* The B.O.B.!!!!

"Alright, Max. You sit on the foot rest and put your feet on the wheel guard. Watch out for the wheel and watch out for Alex's legs. I'll sling your bike over the handle bar....and...Yay! It works!!! I could probably fit another child somewhere on here!" I can barely steer, but it moves forward!!!! So, we're off! Max is thrilled to have his new vantage point and to have won in general. Alex is thrilled to have Max's helmet to poke at. I'm thrilled to not be carrying anyone! We now resemble a wrecked ship slowly making it's way back to port, but moving nonetheless. Max even feels compelled to belt out the ABC's and Twinkle-Twinkle Little Star for our enjoyment.

We even managed to make it back before I lost my sense of humor. Thanks B.O.B.!