Day after Irene

We discovered a leak in our roof, thanks to hurricane Irene's wrath last night.  There was about a gallon of water pooled on top of our sunroom ceiling this morning, which we drained out by drilling a hole in the drywall.  Thank goodness this is the extent of the damage to our property.  It was a pretty sleepless night for us as we anxiously peered through the windows to see how things were faring outside.  The wind sure can sound scary!

This morning there were trees uprooted throughout our neighborhood, including one that had landed on a home.  It was ironic to see the destruction on our way to the playground, especially when it ended up being a nice sunny and breezy afternoon.  Tyler enjoyed his first swinging experience, plus his first time riding in the backpack. 

This praying mantis was on our patio right before all the rain started yesterday.  He was waving his arms around in an intense "prayer".  Maybe we should thank him for our safe night?

Claire's latest toy

One of Brian's co-workers suggested the Strider Bike for Claire, and after seeing videos of toddlers in action on their striders, we ordered her one.  There aren't any pedals, so the child just propels and steadies themselves with their feet on the ground.  Claire's strider bike just arrived today.  She insisted on riding it right away!  She mostly just "walked" it around in our driveway, but she did that for at least 1/2 an hour and was smiling the whole time. 

I think the strider bike is such a great idea.  Claire has had a tricycle for over 6 months and she never sat on it for more than 5 minutes.  Booooring.  The strider allows the child to learn how to balance and steer gradually, and within their own comfort limits.  You should check out all the youtube videos out there -- as children feel more confident they start to hold their feet up off the ground while they are gliding along.  So cute!

Claire also loves her new helmet.  She insisted on wearing it during our outing yesterday to the grocery store.  You can never be too safe.  Even at Safeway.

I like to move it

Our little man is starting to get around quicker.  He crawls over to toy bins and reaches his little paw inside, scrounging around for something tasty to put in his mouth.  Right now his crawl is more like an inchworm kind of thing, but it's changing every day.



Shake, Rattle, and Roll

Shake, Rattle, and Roll.  We had a 5.9 earthquake in Maryland today.   The destruction was more than anything we ever saw living in California.    

Our living room in dissarray:

A slightly uneven picture on the wall:

Claire's Room (It was actually like this before the earthquake):

George and Martha's Place

If it were up to me we would never stray too far from home, because I just love keeping the kids on some sort of routine.  I typically insist on planning a day-trip at least the night before, so I think you can no longer call it an "adventure" since it was planned.  I accept the fact that I have turned into a mothering freak and completely lost all spontaneity.  It's just that I go bonkers when I hear my baby crying!  It goes without saying that I go ultra-bonkers when Claire has a tantrum too.  Anyway thanks to Brian's unflagging spirit of adventure, we got out of the house and saw a historical landmark over the weekend.  Despite the heat and untimely meals I am glad we went because Mount Vernon was beautiful!  It wasn't just a home -- the estate includes a farm, gardens, and a wharf. 

The whole day Claire kept asking about George and Martha.  She wanted to know where they were.

We gambled and took the kids on the tour of the home.  They were just fine!

We were pleased to see that even George Washington had nut grass weeds in his lawn.

Claire was very excited about the 3 week old piglet.

George and Martha laid to rest:

The wharf was a nice surprise.  Very cool there.  We didn't know where the boat was headed.

California kind of day

It was 70 degrees and humidity-free this morning. The kids and I played in the front yard and enjoyed the cool breeze. Claire was absolutely giddy. She was frolicking like a little foal, talking to the butterflies, and drawing all sorts of fun things with her sidewalk chalk.  She practiced standing on one leg too.  This is something that she has been trying to master for quite some time now.  Tyler watched the leaves on the trees, and pulled at the grass.  I'm sure he was giddy too.  It was one of those days when you wish time could stand still.

Get your potty on

I'm surprised that I don't have any memories of my own potty training experience.  From what my parents tell me, I was slow in that department.  This was back in the old days when kids weren't expected to attend preschool (which I didn't), so hence the potty training wasn't a prerequisite until I was ready to go to kindergarten.  Shouldn't I then have been old enough to have memories of the learning process?  Surely I fell into the toilet at least once?  I think and think and completely draw a blank.

Brian and I are really working the positive reinforcement angle when it comes to Claire's successes on the potty.  If she drops a deuce in the toilet, we essentially have a full on party.  There are high-fives, stickers distributed, coins dropped into her piggy bank, hershey kisses eaten, and cartoons to watch!  I'm thinking she may remember each and every bowel movement of her childhood, at this rate.  I think I'll break out the party hats next.

You must think we are insane.  At least a bit indulgent, right?  Well, I'm telling you when your toddler poops in the potty there is no describing the sense of utter relief in knowing that you don't have to chase her down, wrestle off her pants and diaper, use at least 10 wipes to clean up the you-know-what (while she's squirming), and then dress her again. All of this while enduring THE WORST odor you've ever experienced up close and personal.  Yes, we will give her a pony if she wants one, so long as she does the deed on her little throne!

Potty training is such a special experience.  What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger.  I have to believe this.

\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
                                                          
                             Censored                        
                Picture of Claire Enjoying the Potty           
                                                                         
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\

Getting back in the groove

Okay okay it has been brought to our attention that we have been TERRIBLE bloggers lately. It is time to remedy that by getting our very extended cyber-family all caught up on our doings. First, I need to make a cup of coffee.

Ah, much better. So here is what happened in July:


First and foremost, Brian turned 33 years old! Alas, I am still older than him as he is ALWAYS quick to point out. My official mid-thirties birthday is just around the corner, and unlike Brian I may not have the energy to blow out all of my birthday candles. I do have Claire to help me out though. See, that is why we have kids. They are so stinkin' helpful!





In mid-July Papa Mike and Grama Becky came to visit for a week. Needless to say Claire loved all of the extra attention. Her grandparents are incapable of denying her anything! There were many "dance parties" at the little darling's request.



At the end of July we flew to Iowa to see Papa Bill, Grama Karen, and Auntie Ali. We had a lovely week of swimming at the local pool, playing tetherball, hiking, and exploring the children's museum.



On the home front, Brian finished staining our deck and we've been enjoying many surprisingly cool evenings out there. I mean "cool" as in weather AND "cool" as in good times, in this case. Also, Claire has been enjoying both the community pool and her own tiny wade pool at home. One of her favorite summer activities is to fill up cups and buckets with water, using an insanely small spoon. It keeps her occupied for hours!









Tyler is working his way toward crawling and sitting -- I'd say he's about 75% of the way there. He has started eating rice cereal once a day too, although it is debatable if we should actually call it "eating" or not. Seems like most of it ends up on his bib and lost in his neck folds.

























That pretty much gets you up to date! Hope everybody is having a fun summer!

Engines revving

Tyler's making steady progress towards crawling! He is now getting on all fours and bouncing. I tried it out, and I can't bounce even half as fast as Tyler does it. Every day there's something new. Today he is really into slapping things with his right hand. He's slapping me, for example, over and over again while I'm carrying him. It's how he shows affection, right?

We really need to get on the ball and baby-proof the house. This kid is unstoppable. Why does my little baby boy need to grow up so fast?