An Ode to Crocs

Thank goodness it wasn't raining today. Yesterday the three of us were like of bunch of caged animals. I was still recovering from our "vacation" and had no really swell activities up my sleeve. By the 14th round of "If Your Happy and You Know It" we were pretty much NOT showing it.

Today, the weather was beautiful. I was so excited that we went outside right after breakfast. I thought to myself, "We're staying outside until we can't stand it anymore." Good plan. I didn't really take into account that our yard would be a big, muddy bog after all the rain. Things ticked along just fine at first-the kids played in the sandbox and on the slide while I got to chat with a friend on the phone (gasp!) Once they realized that I definitely wasn't going to let them eat the dog's food, they moved on...to the yard. In a matter of about 2.5 seconds they were covered from head to toe in mud. The best dirt spot of the day was the complete bottom of Lyla's bloomers!

I decided that we might ought to move on from the backyard. I put the kids in the wagon and handed them a granola bar and made a couple of laps around the little loop. Let's just say that stagnant yard water, mixed with mud, mixed with chocolate, mixed with snot, is not a good look-even for a toddler! I had no choice to but to put them in the bath before lunch.

In the meantime, their little crocs sat on the kitchen counter. After I put them down for a nap I put their shoes under the faucet and in mere seconds they were as good as new. Whoever invented Crocs is a genius. Whoever made them toddler size deserves a nobel prize!

There's something about the ocean

Sorry for the lack of new entries.  I've decided that family vacation for a mom really takes up about 3 weeks of time.  1 week getting ready, the actual vacation, and 1 week to get everyone and everything back on track!!

We had a GREAT time at the beach!!  We (the Hulls, Kelleys, Edmondsons, & Grammy) left in the middle of the night on Thursday and got to our condo by noon!  The condo was totally fabulous, with plenty of room for the kids to run around and spaz out.  Which they completely took advantage of!

The first afternoon it was a little overcast and chilly, but the benefit of that was that the water did not feel cold.  As we walked down to the beach, Drew got very excited, and when we got near the ocean, he started running towards it!!  I was so excited.  I thought he might be scared or overwhelmed, but he was totally into it.  He and Dan had a total blast playing in the waves.  He also learned about a jelly fish and spent the rest of the day going around "stinging" people.  (Just yesterday I was reading a book that had a jellybean in it and he turned around and poked me, saying "buzz".  I had no idea what he was doing, and then I realized I said jellybean and he heard jelly fish!  He remembered after all those days!)

The next couple of days were warmer and he was not a big fan of the cold water, but he did still play in the ocean.  We had lots of sand drama-sand in the eyes, TONS of sand in the mouth, snacks in the sand, sippy cups encrusted with sand.  It was delightful.  

Saturday night we ended up going out to eat after we swore we wouldn't!!  The weather was not great, and we needed to get out.  We ended up at a great place with a playground and outdoor seating.  Minus our horrible service it was actually a really good time.  Drew was totally pumped to feed the fish some "bite bites".  He's still talking about it.  I'm still shivering over it.  It was a whole giant throng of disgusting catfish who fight over the little fish pellets.  Shoo!

Another big moment came when Drew and Lyla had their first ice cream cones.  Weston is a total ice cream cone pro, so he led the way.  We found these super cute tiny ice cream cones at the store.  They were a total hit!

I loved being with my sisters and mom.  It was total co-op parenting.  We all just took care of everybody, and it was such a great feeling to be moms together.  I loved spending so much time with Weston, and having my Lyla there with us.  It was an amazing, special memory.  I can't wait to make a million more.

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

Drew loves anything that has to do with a ball.  He has loved balls and games involving balls for a long time.  I think this is less about loving balls, and more about loving Dad!!  Since Drew was a little guy he and dad have piled on the couch and watched ballgames-football, basketball, baseball.  Several weeks ago during March madness he would fuss at me unless I could find some basketball on for him to watch.  Forget Sesame Street, or Wonder Pets, or even the beloved Tigger & Pooh.  Somedays only ESPN will do.  I'm doomed!!

Anytime we watch ball or play ball, Drew talks about Daddy.  He already knows that it's something they can share.  It makes me cry a little. =)  

Here is a picture of his new t-ball set.  Granna is helping him get the hang of it.

Ribbit on Your Head, Head

Almost every day there comes a point in time where Drew's energy outruns my creativity.  This particular point in time is called "just hang on 'til bedtime".  It is usually at this time that I end up making up some dumb song or game just to keep things moving along.  Oh, how I regret those songs!!  Out of all the songs we sing, it is the dumb, made-up ones that get stuck on repeat.  Drew is super into putting Ribbit on my head.  Don't ask me why.  I have no earthly idea why this is even remotely entertaining.  So, in one of those desperate moments I made up a little song about Ribbit on my head.  Now I get to sing that song at least 107 times a day.  My only hope is that because his attention span is sooooo short maybe in a couple weeks some other desperate ditty will take over top spot!

By the way, I tried to get a pic with Ribbit on Drew's head.  He was not interested.

What's cookin'?

Any good toddler knows that some of the most fun activities include random and sundry items from Mom's kitchen.  Anything will do, really.  Drew and Lyla are becoming kitchen experts and have recently started "cooking" things up for me to try.  They are also quite fond of wearing the oven mitt-sometimes an oven mitt, sometimes a puppet.  Here are some pics of them in action:

I went upstairs to change my clothes.  When I came back down this is what I found.  Take note of Drew's face.  It speaks volumes about our week!

Here is Drew with Ribbit (his beloved blankie) in the skillet.  Frog legs anyone??

And of course there is always the dishwasher...such good helpers. (I have no idea why this is underlined.  It's taken me about 10 years to get these pics on here, so I'm leaving it!)

Pee Pee and Poo Poo

I apologize if you are offended by the title.  Life with a toddler is a dirty job.  In an effort towards pre-pre-pre-pre potty training, I've been discussing the contents of diapers with Drew.  The other day when I was changing his diaper he offered up for the first time, "Pee Pee".  Ok, well, it doesn't sound exactly like that- more like "zee zee", but it gets the point across.  So then I said, "What else goes in a diaper?" and he said, "Poo Poo!" and DIED laughing.  Seriously.  How do kids know from the very beginning that poo poo is funny? (And don't try to act like you are too sophisticated to think it is-you know you do!!) I, of course, cracked up and thus set the course for us to talk about "Poo Poo" all day.  Laughing our heads off all the way. =)

On a side note (remember I told you you might have to endure some mommy stories, too!) I TOTALLY scored at our neighborhood yard sale on Saturday.  I was able to procure so many items I was on the hunt for, including a Little Tykes table and chairs for TWO dollars!!  AND, I have finished the first coat of paint in the playroom-to-be.  Almost there!!

Ween, Ween, Go Away

One of the best things about hanging out with toddlers is that it can be great for your self-esteem.  Sometimes they look at you like you are the most brilliant creature they've ever encountered.  Which is not hard, considering the small pool of actual creatures they've encountered! But, it's still a great feeling to have those little faces looking at you like you're amazing.  

Today we were sitting at the table eating lunch.  It was raining outside, which put a huge damper on my main back-up plan for entertainment.  I started singing, "Rain, rain, go away..." They looked at me like I was the most amazing songwriter of all time!!  I'm almost positive they have both heard this song before-from me, I think!  But, for some reason, today, it struck a chord. (Pardon the pun)  They were so excited.  They were both laughing and saying, "More, more".  (The toddler equivalent of "encore, encore!") Then, Lyla began swaying in her seat, singing "Ween, ween, ween, ween."  It was great.

They are starting to really interact with each other more and more.  Sometimes lovingly, sometimes, not so much.  But I've been trying to get Lyla to call Drew "Cuz".  Today I was saying, "Say, 'Howdy, Cuz!'" And she started laughing and said, "Hey Cuz."  I died laughing!!

Drew was on the Diego car and started rolling towards the kitchen and she shouted, "Bye Cuz".  Well, I was done for.  I laughed so hard, and of course we said "Cuz" about a zillion more times in a row.  Despite all the madness of this week, times like that make it all worth it.  At least I can say so after a good long break tonight compliments of Dan!!

Pickin' and Grinnin'

I have been trying to play a variety of music for the kids.  They are both really big fans of bluegrass.  So today, for "music time", I turned on some bluegrass and we played the rhythm sticks (a.k.a. wooden spoons).  It was a great time made even better by the fact that both kids like to clog.  Hilarious little legs flying around.  Today was classic since Drew insisted on wearing my red socks!

Food Fight!!

Mealtime around here has become REALLY exciting.  Between the discovery (and subsequent love) of ketchup and self-feeding it's more like hands on discovery than actual eating.  There is a desire as a parent to teach your child at least a decent amount of decorum while they are at the table.  I don't think I'm making any progress.

Yesterday at lunch I left Drew and Lyla at the table "eating" while I got a few dishes done.  When I turned around-less than a minute later-Lyla had stuffed all of her grapes down her shirt!!  Next up, a plate went flying into the floor, a child (who shall remain nameless!) jumped on the Diego car, and proceeded to drive through the ketchup.  It was awesome.  As if my floor is not disgusting enough as it is.  Ketchup tracks.  Delightful.

How to write a blog

I'm brand new to this whole blogging thing.  The main purpose of this blog is to give Drew's grandparents an insiders' look at his day to day life.  Things are moving at break neck speed, and I don't want them to miss a thing. I can already tell this is going to be really addictive.  Hopefully, it won't be long before I can get some pictures on here, etc.