Rainy day fun

It rained today. Epic, biblical, torrents for hours rain. At least we don't have to shovel it, right?

After breakfast, bathroom issues, some sibling rivalry and the resulting tantrum and time out, we headed out to Target. And both boys passed out in the car. What's a mommy to do? Why, hit the drive-thru Starbucks for a chai latte, find a sweet parking space, crack the windows, and read the book she had the foresight to bring with her. Oh, and nap a little too.

Once Paul woke up, we had our Target run, then met Daddy for lunch. What a nice surprise! Then after lunch - the indoor playground!

There's a pirate ship, and a castle, and two huge inflated bouncy slide thingies, and a race track with friction cars, and an infant room stocked with a few baby slides, play table, and mirrors.

Oh, and a triceratops.

Paul was fearless.

Joss was chill.

Mommy wished she had brought a flask. Friday of vacation week + RAIN = a million-gillion screaming crazy kids. *sigh*

Paul enjoyed climbing. . .

. . .and Joss enjoyed crawling.

Well, until he was stopped by the cops.


(Sorry for the blurry cell-phone pics.)

It's my Potty, and I'll poo where I want to. . .

Paul is in Sudden-Death potty training. Day Care has told us in no uncertain terms that Paul MUST be potty trained before the end of March. (I don't know what the "or else" could be, but I imagine it involves water boarding and multiple viewings of Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo.)

Anyway, they suggested that we send Paul to school in underpants, and with a few several changes of clothes, and we'll all go for broke. The first day he made all his pees in the potty, but had a poopsident (poop accident). The second day he made all his pees in the potty, and didn't poop at all. He came home, peed in his cow costume, threw an enormous tantrum when Mommy and Daddy couldn't instantly clean the costume, then peed his pants again.

This morning, we started out in underpants, peed twice on the potty, then despite being never more than 12 steps from the bathroom, pooped in his underpants, then duck-walked over to tell Mommy that the deed was done. *sigh* Pull-ups were called into play, but remained dry throughout the afternoon.

Part of today's activities involved the purchase of more underpants. Mommy chose some adorable Paul Frank monkey-pants, and Paul chose Cars and SpongeBob.

Cross your fingers. (And legs.)

Irene comes to visit!

Mommy's friend-from-waaaay-back Amanda, who we last saw Summer of '09, was enjoying her President's Week break in the Boston area, and came over to visit with her husband, Dave, and daughter Irene. It was great catching up and comparing parenting notes, especially since Irene is going to become a big sister in a few months.

Paul dished the "oldest sib" dirt over a dinner of spaghetti and meatballs.

What you do not see in this picture is the utter chaos of the rest of the front room, the result of lots of great playing by the 3.5, 2.5, and 1 year old masters (and mistress) of disaster. =)

Bath time! Difference between boys and girls: Irene immediately began to gently wash Joss. Paul has NEVER tried to "wash" Joss, but he has dumped many gallons of water on Joss' head.

Joss has begun the phase where he needs to pull himself up everywhere, even in the slippery bathtub.

Post-bath hugs with Dave, Irene, and Paul.


We had a great time seeing you all - hope to meet up again soon!

An artist's rendering of Joss' current dental situation.

Joss finally cut tooth #4 today! The upper right lateral. Hopefully, we'll have one or two nights of sleep before he continues on teething the other upper central inscisor. (Fingers crossed and Tylenol at the ready.)

From the mouths of babes. . .

We're sitting at breakfast, discussing birthdays.

M: Do you know whose birthday is coming up next? Safta's!
P: Safta doesn't have birthdays!
M: Oh yes, she does. Do you know how old Safta will be?
P: How old?
M: Sixty-one years old.
P: 61?!? My goodness! That's a LOT of numbers!!!

I swear, Safta, I did not coach him on that! =)

Um. . .

Daddy: Paul! Time to put on your coat and shoes and go to school.

Paul (sitting in the couch, wearing sunglasses, eating a bag of popcorners, watching Curious George): No!!! I'm too busy to put on my coat and shoes!!!!

Left Alone with Daddy

This is what happens when they leave the kids with daddy all day. Thank goodness Annie distracts so well. (Don't ask about the couch cushions.)

Where ever thou goest, I will go. . .

. . . even up a huge flight of stairs. . . several times in a row. . .

The Video:

Old toys

Gotta find more of Paul's old toys - poor Joss was using a diaper carton as a walker!

This is one of Joss' favorite toys. (Note his little tongue sticking out.)

He has figured out how to place the pegs in the holes. . .

. . .but prefers to eat the pegs!

This one tastes green, and the other tastes like a cylinder. . .

Joss update

By the way, Joss now:

*has three teeth (upper right incisor, both lower central incisors), with 2 more upper teeth about to cut through. He looks like Cleetus, the Slack-Jawed Yokel.

*can crawl, and crawl very quickly.

*can pull himself to a standing position, and does just that at every given opportunity.

*loves to feed himself. He loves chicken, banana, cereal, yogurt melts, apple snacks, and rice.

*follows Paul around like a puppy.

Friday Fun at the Playplace

Although the weather was gorgeous on Friday, the playgrounds were all still covered by snow and slush. What's a boy and his brother to do? Hit the playplace, of course!

Despite appearances, Paul made a few friends. . .

Joss wanted in on the car fun.

OK, who gets to drive first? (Note how they picked up a chick? These guys are smoooooth.)

Paul conquered Mt. Inchworm.

Joss enjoyed having freedom to explore.

Paul spent quite a while with this marble puzzle, figuring out how to manipulate the circle ball-diverting thingies to make the marbles go along the right path. It was really cool to watch.

And Joss only wants to do whatever Paul does.

Paul loved this mirror when he was about Joss' age. . .

But Joss has more teeth!


It was an eventful outing. Joss had his first creeper - this little girl (with a very loaded diaper, ugh) kept hugging him, and playing near/on top of him, and tyring to get/keep his attention. Joss seemed unfazed by the experience.

Paul had his first attempted mugging. This little boy - 4, maybe 5 years old, who already had a tussle with another kid - liked Paul's skull sneakers. At first he just tried to touch the skulls, which did not thrill Paul, but then the kid tried to grab the sneakers away! Paul is patient, but no push-over. He hung on to his shoes and wailed, "NOOOOOOOOO, MIIIIIIINNNNEEEE!!!" Mommy intervened at this point, and shooed the would-be mugger away.

Ouch.

Mommy: Come here and give me a hug!
Paul: No. I just gave you a hug.

With love from Shawn, Beren, Paul, and Joss

Joss' first Birthday Party!

Bring on the partying hoards! We have baked ziti and grapes galore!

At times it seemed like the lil kids out numbered the adults. . .

Binghamton University reunion by the play kitchen. Just like back at the Nite Owl.

Jon and Stacy dance, while Joss sneaks up on the tiger.

Party!

Paul two-fists the drink boxes. He's ready for college.

Amy and Jack wish Joss a happy birthday.

Cullen and Connor take a quick rest from partying like crazy.

It's not a party if Daddy's not at the piano! Here, Tesla helps him with the more complicated section in the second movement of "Old McDonald's Farm in Gmaj."

Sophia and Paul have an under-the-table picnic - very reminiscent of Mommy's extensive history of hiding under tables at parties.


Ahhhh. . .the cake. Just like at Paul's first birthday, Mommy splurged on an AWESOME cake. . . Top View:

Front View:

Paul supervised the candle placement.

Joss - your hat is to stylin!

Happy Birthday Dear Joss! Happy Birthday to you!

CAKE?!?

Blowing out the candle. . .

. . .and CAAAAAKKKEEEE!!!!!


Extra special thanks to Safta Sheila who was an amazing help with set up and break down. we love you Safta!

Whew! That was fun, but exhausting. Hope you had fun, Joss!