My Two Year Old Baby

Sam turned 2 this week! And I'm still waiting for the terrible twos to set in, so far so good! Sam was a bit harder to please this year, all he wanted was a hotel. He has expensive taste in parties. We distracted him with a park, cake, ice cream, presents, and a sleepover (with his siblings - not ready for a friend sleepover).

A few interesting facts about Sam:

- Very, very mild - has been known to lay in our bed and play with a toy for over an hour

- Loves to throw things down the stairs. There is always a ball or two at the bottom of our stairs - always.

- Loves to play games, but will often ruin a good game of Yahtzee

- Hates fighting and reminds his siblings to be nice at least a few times a day

- Favorite toys: Cars and Legos

- First thing he does in the morning: asks for chocolate milk, just can't start the day without it

- A phone conversation with Sam always involves a peacock

This one's a keeper! Happy Birthday Sam!


* If you are wondering about the cupcake, it's supposed to be a monster.

Weekend Highlights

After spending all week at home with the kiddies for spring break, we thought spending the weekend with them in a hotel might be a good idea. And it actually was.


Chad in the top of Yaquina Lighthouse





Favorite Moments:
- Chad's overwhelming joy with kite flying, and his warning to all on the beach that seagulls were on the loose.
- Aubrey professing her love of sausage and her aspiration to live in a light house and turn the light on every night.
- Sam's demand on our trip home: "Bored, bored! Need a hotel!"

Not so favorite, but secretly funny:
- Aubrey spotting an elderly couple - leaning over their walkers, and then insisting that she walk like them as well.
- Chad falling in the waves, fully clothed.

I just want to go back. Anyone else? Seriously, just name the day.

Hope

We had a few rough days, but I think we are sticking with it! Training an almost two year old is quite different than working with a 3 year old. In one year, a child can become quite obstinate and manipulative. Or is that just my personal experience? Sadly, my carpet cleaner did not make it. I have to get me a new Little Green Machine, I love it so.

Misinformed?

I've been told the best age to potty train is 22 months. I believe I have been misinformed. Nontheless, I am committed to giving it 3 days. We are at 1030 hours on the second day, enjoying the latest issue of Car & Driver. Lets just hope my carpet cleaner can hold out.

It's elementary, my dear Watson

The kiddies and I were on a walk recently, when I spotted an opportunity to educate my children. And this is what I saw:














Trying to impress my kiddies, I said "Did you know, that those are called cattails?"

Chad responded in a rather patronizing way: "Actually, I believe those are called Bulrush."

I hate when my 6 year old sounds smarter than me (or is it I, now I'm self conscious) . I couldn't just let it go, I had to look it up and see who was right. Thanks to Wikipedia, I believe we are both right.

"These plants are known in British English as bulrush, bullrush or reedmace,^[1] in American English as cattail..."

I'm beginning to think that my child's education is downright un-American (I had to look up that word too). Dang the English for always sounding smarter than the Americans!

Snow Fun

We got a white Christmas, just a few days late.

The learning curve is steep for my kiddies...



but they got it eventually!