pre-school

Big guy has officially been in pre-school for three days.  His teacher, Ms. K is very nice, but definitely isn't huggy/kissy teachers of daycare.  In fact, she's on a mission.  When I picked big guy up on Wednesday and asked about his day... She was like, "big guy likes to run.  He really likes to run."  To which I replied, "Yes.  Have you gotten him on an open soccer field yet?  Then you can see how much he likes to run." As we walked into class, she started peppering me with questions about talking and potty training.  whoa!!!  She mentioned how he was grunting and pointing at things he wanted, but was sure that he was talking a lot when I was with him.  I explained that he definitely talks a lot with me, even more so then he does when it's he and hubs.  I just said to ask him to use his words.  She was like, "OK, I'll prompt him more."  Then she went right into potty training questions.  Which honestly, I kind of made up an answer.  I was so going to do it this summer, but that didn't work out.  I mean, big guy will sit on the potty and he thinks it's fun, but he's not interested in doing anything on it.  But when he gets into the tub, he will pee if you tell him to.  and he knows what pee and poop are.  He's very interested in seeing his poop.  We have deep discussions about poop in the diaper.  Anyway, I told her this and she was like, "OK, I'll keep offering him the potty."  and then I thought, Oh, crap, I better start that too!!!  hehe.

let's chat

Talking has been taking off recently.  Big guy talks all the time.  And I love it!  I thought that when he learned to walk, it was really fun- arms out like frankenstein, stiff legs, falling over.  But talking is so much better.  He says new words every day.  And they can come out of nowhere.  He's just figuring things out all the time, it's so amazing watching him.  And really cool development happened this weekend where he has started to repeat back phrases that he hears, not just words.  Which of course means I now have to be careful about what I say since I curse a lot. It's bad, like truck driver bad!  But I think I can curtail it as this whole talking thing gets better and better.  Just like how big guy keeps getting better and better.

I'm an adult

this morning, big guy and I were enjoying a free day together- as we have off for labor day weekend- five day break until we both return to school.  Big guy was watching curious george while eating a bowl of cereal.  I was tidying the kitchen and hubs was frying up some bacon.  The kittens were running around like crazy.  And our old cat was looking at me desperately to let her out the screen door.  I slid the door open and bam!  it hit me- I am an adult!

Not like I haven't been an adult for a while.  But something about letting the cat out made it seem real.  really real.  And I had some perspective.  I'm an adult with an awesome life.  Job. House. Cars. 3 cats. Wonderful hubs.  Fantastic son. It was a pretty amazing moment.  Then one of the cats started climbing up the screen door and I had to yell to get down.  Back to the day to day.  But it was nice to have that moment.

first day of school

Today was big guy's first day back at school.  Hubs said drop off was awful- the guilt got to him.  Big guy apparently gave him the, "wait, aren't you staying with me like mommy did the other day," look!  And then he said, "me not bad!"  As if he was being left there as punishment.  hubs was pretty upset, but I called around 10:30 and the director was super nice and said he was doing great by the time she dropped her daughter off.  When I came to pick him up, he was still awake- but his teacher said he sat quietly during nap time and practiced taking his shoes on and off.

When I walked in, he gave me a big hug and proceeded to eat all the food in his lunch bag, though he had eaten a good lunch.  he had a great day back at school.  played outside, played with a fire truck, rode a bike, planted a lima bean- overall, a really good day.  Upon leaving, we headed to the whole foods to get some fixings for dinner.  Big guy managed to eat in the hour we were shopping- a bag of pirate's booty, bag of baby carrots, 20 pretzel chips, a fruit and yogurt bag, half a granola bar, and drink a chocolate milk drink box!!!  Then he promptly fell asleep from 4-5:30.  Upon waking he was super grouchy, but we watched puss in boots the movie and ate a yogurt.  A successful first day of school!

Kisses

big guy has been on a kissing frenzy.  So sweet.  He'll just run over to me and give me a big kiss on the lips,  Then grab my cheeks and turn my head to one side to kiss a cheek.  Just love that he is a kissy boy.  He gives the kittens kisses which include a lot of drool.  And whenever we leave somewhere, he says bye bye and then makes kissy noises with his lips to all around him.  love bug.

end of summer

tomorrow starts the school year again.  and, I'm in a foul mood and have been all weekend.  Which is of course unfair to big guy and hubs.  Snippy-ness, short fuse, it's all bad.  the truth is, I'm sad that I have to go back to the real world.  Sad that big guy doesn't get to be with me every second of the day.  I'll miss him desperately!  WE've had so much fun this summer.  And this week was really fun, as we tried to squeeze in every ounce of summer we could.

Monday we visited his new teacher at school- excuse me- pre-school!  Ack!  She seems nice.  there is a new director whose daughter will be in big guy's class- bonus!  So, I'm feeling better about his school situation.  Tuesday we went to the zoo- so fun!  We hit up the carousel, tree house, train ride, and big guy's favorite gift shop before we even stopped to see the monkey house.  We visited the birds for the first time in a while.  It was really enjoyable, just me and the little man strolling through the zoo, going at our own pace.  WEdnesday, we went into work, where big guy again was on awesome behavior.  He sat and watched all of Toy Story 3!  Impressive, and then I sobbed at the end.  Thursday we got big guy's haircut!  Such a big boy cut- he looks more and more like a little boy, which I suppose he is, but it's just so bizarre.  For goodness sakes- he'll be three years old in six months.  Following the haircut, we went to the pool and didn't nap!!!  But friday we made up for it and slept most of the day away.  So relaxing just playing and sleeping all day.  We watched the Lorax at night and continued to have fun. Saturday is mostly the same as friday.  But today we went to the Morris Arboretum, where they have a model train exhibit- which was just awesome for big guy.  He only tried to break into the train tracks twice!  And after a great nap- which took me an hour to wake him up from, we had an "end of summer" dinner out at Ruby's- where I downed an entire peanut butter cup milkshake, mmmmm.

and yea, I know I will be fine.  and big guy will be fine.  But i'm still sad that my real world isn't the time in the summer.

Taking it to the beach- day three and four

Wednesday morning started much the same way tuesday morning had- big guy was up and read to say hi to the "fishies!" Which meant saying hi to the Koi pond filled with fish!  He was obsessed with them.  In fact, I'll admit that I wielded the power of saying hi to the fishies when he was getting a little punchy.  We said hello to our fish, talked about the rocks, water, and broken tree ( it was a log really) and then went for an early morning walk on the boardwalk.  big guy loved seeing all the people on bikes and the wildness of the boardwalk while there weren't as many people around.  And the hermit crabs.  loved to say hi to them.  If he had said hermitcrab, I probably would have gotten him one.  maybe next year!

The Fishies!

We returned to have another breakfast in the kid's dining room.  The other two families from yesterday were back.  so the kids all recognized each other and ran around while eating.  very fun.  We went to our spot under the wooden pier again.  Back to running in the sand which someone had run over with a go-kart- thus making- duh!  Choo Choo tracks- which big guy kept yelling as we followed them all along the beach.  Eventually, gmom and gpop made it to the beach and we dug holes, filled them with water, and then big guy started jumping into them butt first.  hilarious!  it was so much fun and we definitely stayed longer before heading to the boardwalk to get caramel corn and then to wash off- which I think might compete for funness to the ocean.  Big guy loved using the faucets to wash off the sand.  In fact, he was such a big boy that he washed off all the sand from his legs and arms!  then lunch and nap.

Big guy making his choo choo tracks in the sand

Big guy hosing off!  It's the cutest picture I've taken of him in a while!

Upon waking, we chilled out and ate a snack.  Then we got out the stroller and walked the boardwalk to the very end to the other set of rides.  Which were definitely more rickety and scary!  but we enjoyed the carousel, train, and fire trucks.  Unfortunately, big guy also begged me to take him on a baby coaster- MISTAKE!  he kept trying to escape and I had to wrestle him into his seat.  He was so upset.  But when we got off, he was all smiles for grandma C to hold him!!

After our rides, we stopped on the boardwalk for some Italian food- which was super yummy!  big guy did awesome again- eating six huge raviolis for dinner.  Then stopped to get some pour your own frozen yogurt and toppings, which big guy held and ate while we strolled in the stroller back to our room.

We woke up on our last day and walked the boardwalk before having breakfast with the family.  We decided to skip the beach b/c we were leaving.  But the pool proved to be challenging.  It was cloudy and breezy.  which no one enjoyed except for big guy, who doesn't care about weather, as long as he gets to swim!  WE decided to walk the boardwalk to find hubs some caramel corn, fudge, and a junky ocean city hat.  All of which we accomplished before saying goodbye to the fishies and drove home.  where big guy promptly passed out in the car!!  An awesome vacation and I think I've convinced hubs to go with us next year, hopefully for a week!

Taking it to the beach- day one and two

At the end of july, big guy and I packed up, ditched hubs, and went down the shore.  Grandma C and
Grandpa J invited us down from monday to thursday to a really nice hotel- Port O Call in Ocean City.  Which was a really nice hotel and we had a great time!  really, it was probably the best four days of the summer.  Big guy was on excellent behavior and his talking took a definite leap while we were there.  We arrived early monday afternoon and after checking into our room, we went right to the beach!  it was hot and sunny and we played for a couple of hours before hitting the board walk.

big guy loved the board walk, every time we were on it. Following a dinner where big guy didn't eat very well, we watched the go karts for a while, which big guy thought were fascinating.  Then we hit the rides!  At first, big guy would only ride with me.  We did an awesome train ride that went around the whole area twice!  then we did a mini log flume which was super fun and we got splashed a little.  And then big guy was ready to do a ride without me!  I know!  I was proud- these rides were making me wiggly.  But also, how sad that he didn't want me to ride with him anymore.  Instead, he rode with Uncle I and when the ride was over, he threw a huge fit, so much so that we had to give more tickets so he could stay on again!

 Big guy saying cheese to me in the sand!  OMG- he was covered from head to toe with sand!

 Big guy on a ride with Uncle I- without me!!

The next day brought a fun breakfast in the "kid's dining room."  Which was cute- lots of tv's playing disney channel, video games, a lego table, and giant blown up toys.  Following breakfast, we headed straight to the beach!  We got there pretty early- around 9ish, so we scored an awesome seat under the wooden pier- which provided some much needed shade, but then quick access to sand, beach, and of course lifeguards.  Big guy was much like he was last year on the beach.  He loved it.  playing in the sand was endlessly fun.  going in the water and being knocked over by waves was even more fun. 


But big guy's biggest thrill was clearly flirting with the bikini-clad  young women on the beach.  He had his cute smile, flirtatious talking, and giving his beach toys away to them.  They were giggling and talking back.  It further solidified big guy's position as a woman magnet!  I'm clearly in trouble if he stays this cute! 

Following lunch in our room and a quick nap- big guy passed out!  no joke, one minute we were wating, the next he was out!  We headed to the pool!!!  of course!  swam for a few hours, got rained on, ate a snack, swam some more, and then got changed for dinner.  We actually drove out of ocean city to a seafood restaurant called Obidiah's.  It is a huge seafood restaurant.  big guy did awesome when we were there.  reading books, playing with trains, and eventually, because I had ordered his dinner before everyone else, he got to watch some Thomas the Train movie on my phone.  Big guy's pizza was delicious, my salad less so.  But we had fun.  

Following the rain storm- snacking on some pretzels before heading back in the pool

After dinner we ran around a local park, took a huge poop, and then went back to the hotel, where we bathed and passed out for a great night's sleep.  And to think we were only halfway done our vacation!

The Franklin Institute

Aunt M came to visit for the weekend before big guy and I headed down the shore. So, we decided to try the Franklin Institute, which as a family, we've never been to before. Big guy's first time, too! We picked up Aunt M from the train in the morning and went over, just in time for the IMAX movie, which was a showing of the history of the Railway that goes through the Canadian Rockies! that's right, an hour long movie on a giant screen about a choo choo train. Greatest. Movie. Ever. big guy did awesome. We sat near the top, where the exit is and where the IMAX isn't as nauseating. We munched on goldfish and juice. Big guy jabbered throughout the movie talking about train, tracks, trees, things that were broken (spoiler alert- it was a treacherous journey building this railway- lots of people died). Following tbe movie, we went to the kids zone where there is a real steam train that you can "ride" for about ten feet and incredibly slow. But big guy got to make the steam come out and was totally enamored with standing and looking at it. We also ventured into the Heart, but big guy wasn't too impressed. He liked the kid zone where he got to splash in some water and play with boats. And we almost saw two women get into a fist fight. Classic. A definite success, capped off by a trip to the gift shop where there is a huge train section and big guy dozing in the back seat!

Big guy and hubs in the heart.

 Big guy with Aunt M going through every train in the gift shop

Newest members of our family

And introducing the newest members of our family... Kingsley and Zelda a.k.a. the kittens! Kingsley is the gray kitten. A total giant and wild man. What is it with me producing wild, giant boys?? But he's also a total love bug, but only when he's ready. At his four month appointment, he was already 7 pounds! and totally didn't even notice a needle jabbing into his back. Unlike my little lady, Zelda who totally noticed the needle, as well as the thermometer up her butt! She's a tuxedo cat (my personal favorite) and a complete snuggle kitty. She loves being loved. And she is dainty (only 5 pounds). But she plays really well by herself except when she wants to play fetch with the milk ring. that's right, fetch. But the nice thing is that they love each other very much. they wrestle and run around like crazy people making a mess and lots of noise. And big guy LOVES them. "Kitties!" is what he yells most of the day at them. We've been practicing being gentle which sometimes big guy is totally. giving pets, playing with cat toys, slobbery kisses, and giving "treats," lots of treats. Then there are times where he picks them up by their tails or tries to smother them. So, it is a work in progress. But the kittens have brought the realization that it might be chaos, but full of love and lots of fun!!

Snapshot

Its about noon on Monday. One of my last two Mondays of summer vacation. I have scarfed down my lunch and I am casually reading at the table while trying to entice big guy to the table. And I look around and see a snapshot of this moment in my life. Big guy is on the couch doing acrobatics. Throwing pillows around, jumping and playing with a car that lights up when you hit it in the floor. The girl cat is playing wildly by herself with a baby sock she found. The boy car is of course eating a broken pretzel big guy left on the floor. My old white cat is sitting in the kitchen chair next to me. Clearly she's excited about eating lunch with me. Such a nice snapshot of my life.

It's August already!

I can't believe it- it's August! Time has been flying this summer. And the onset of august means that it's almost the end of August which means its back to work for me and back to school for big guy. Pre-school, because he's old enough now to be in Pre-school. Crazy! Anyway, we've been busy. And while I wait for hubs to fulfill my request to put the pictures from my phone onto the computer so that I can thoroughly show what we've been up to- I'll give a brief overview. We got two new members of the family- don't get too excited- they are kittens. We went down the shore and had a blast! we started our music class. We bought big guy a big guy bed( still to be built... Notice a trend with hubs). Hubs finished his second masters. We had a disastrous first couple/kid date at a local diner. We've visited two local zoos. We've frequented every park around us. We've been swimming at the pool a lot. Big guy and I have been to work and it's actually been a pleasant experience. So, as you can see, we have a lot of catching up to do. Oh, and did I mention the child said his first sentence? Promises to catch up. :)