Adventures In Peeing

I don't know why, maybe it was when we were trying to convince Blake that peeing in the toilet was cool, but we developed a little "tradition". Whenever, I mean every time, Blake stands up to use the bathroom, he stands up, aims down and says, "Just like Daddy!" The funny thing about it, is that you have to acknowledge him by saying it back, "Yes, Blake, just like Daddy." If you don't, he will say it again and again, each time getting a little bit louder.

Today, he got a little creative. As he was peeing, he says, "Just like that guy that sleeps in your bed." I think that I may have gasped. He then says, "What's that guy's name Mommy." (because there are so many to keep track of...) "That would be your Daddy, Blake."

"Oh yeah. How could we forget that guy."

Like Blakey, Like Bopa

The relationship that my kids have with both sets of their grandparents is the most amazing blessing in all our lives. Blake and my dad have all of these special little games, (Mouse in the Hole and Slide A Bump are among the top two currently) and traditions (Starbucks for Coffee Milk and Scones every weekend). These two photos my mom captured on the ferry boat yesterday. The two of them find great joy in one another.

A Day at the Beach

We headed to Lopez Island with my parents yesterday to enjoy a day at a friends beach house. The boys played in the sand, found crabs, caught a fish and rode on a ferry. All very exciting when you are 3 and 1, as well as 29 and 32! Our friend's who own the home in Lopez are named Jacque and Steve. Blake thought that Jacque owned the Island, and Steve just got to stay there. Kind of like when he goes to Nana's house, I think he thinks Bopa pays rent.

Introducing...BRUCE!!!

Maybe you have not had the pleasure of meeting Bruce, but he joined the team back in May, the morning of Mother's Day. When we were growing up, we used to receive gifts on Mother's Day, because my mom said, "I wouldn't be a mom, if it weren't for you!" I liked that, so naturally, I have done the same with my kids. Bruce actually came as a larger group, but in order to buy the shark, we had to buy the 13 other sea creatures that came with it. No one is more loved, and adored, and abused, than Bruce.

And if you didn't know that they have Vacation Bible School for sharks, you do now. Blake wanted Bruce to come with him last week to VBS. I have learned too many times that Bruce has a tendency to get left behind, everywhere we go. Be it on the top of the slide at the park, in the far corner of our backyard for a month, (June was a rough season in our house) or most recently, underneath Nana's middle seat in her SUV, where Bruce suddenly became a Hammerhead Shark. I explained that Bruce (sometimes Brucey Bear) had to stay in the car while he was at school, and his response was, "Oh Mommy, that is just fine. Bruce has his own fish "BBS" to go to anyways." Bruce Bible School? Perfect.

The first day, the two swapped stories back and forth (really, Bruce talks. His voice is just a tiny bit higher than Blakes) and shared all of the excitement from the day. "Bruce just loves Jesus, Mommy."

Day 2, not so great. I am not sure what Bruce said, but Blake decided he wasn't going. After a quick conversation over the phone with me, Dave marched him right back in. He was more than happy to tell me that day that for some reason, VBS was only two days now, not the four we had thought it was. Since Needham's are in fact winners, I decided to make him go one more day. We are not raising any quitters here, no no.

Day 3. Out he comes, Bruce and Blake sharing tales once again, but there is a dullness in Bruce's voice. Blake announces that VBS has just changed again, from 4 days, down to just 3.

Okay, you win. (that and the gift of a snotty nose that VBS gave us, left us home on Thursday.)

Material Girl

Tonight, there is not enough room in the bed for three of us. Dave is moving to the couch, as my NikonD40 will be needing it's own pillow.

Date Night Fun

Every weekend we are soooo spoiled to have date night, and our children spend the night at one of our parents' houses. It works out well for everyone, especially us. Big big big deal when you get to sleep in until 8:30 without anyone needing something from you.

Last night, Dave and I did something that we have been talking about for at least the last 4 summers. We rented a canoe at the UW and packed dinner. We headed out on the water and had the most amazing time together. We were warned that more than likely our time would end up in a fight due to paddle disagreements. I thought this through ahead of time, and was able to dissipate any disputes with just having Dave paddle the whole time.

Parker, the Water Buffalo

So as each day that passes in the Needham household, we begin to see the differences in our children. When Parker was an infant, all the way up until a couple months ago, it was like raising Blake all over again.

Now that Parker has reached 18 months, he is more commonly referred to as a Bulldog, or a Tank. The kid is unreal. He is full speed ahead. And if anyone gets in the way, he will hit you...on the back, and make his mean face (check the photos in the red shirt). Many times in the day you can see him racing through our house, with his arms flared, directly behind him.

So last Wednesday we headed back to Forest Park with our darling friends The Arnolds. Blake was quite timid around the spraying water that would randomly pop up from the ground. It actually took him about a half an hour to even walk close to it. Once he committed to getting his shoes wet, that was as far as he would go.

Parker on the other hand, I couldn't get to him quick enough. I brought extra shoes, swim shorts and a sun shirt. Parker dove right in, and within moments, was soaked. He was running back and forth between the springs, standing on top and placing his fingers on the water holes.

My favorite was when his little body would stand back from the edge and shake violently. He was freezing, but would head back for more.

Treasure Hunt

So we have recently discovered the most fabulous new cartoon, called "The Backyardigans". The music and choreography alone, have captured not only my boys, but Dave and I as well. It tells the backyard adventures of Tyrone (the moose), Tasha (the hippo), Pablo (the penguin) Austin (the kangaroo?) and my favorite, Uniqua ("Mommy, she is just a unique pink animal, that's all"). They have two episodes right now on On Demand about Pirates, not my favorite topic, but again, those moves... So Blake is into finding buried treasure, "Gold I tell ya".

Today we were playing at one of our favorite parks, with one of our favorite families. Blake and Tyler were wandering back and forth looking for sticks and Blake comes running out of the woodchips yelling, "Mommy, I found something really special!!" For some reason, it was almost like I knew what it was before he brought it to me. He was beside himself with his blue colored swirly treasure he had found, and it was all I could do not to burst out laughing. Angela had to look away, while I pried his "buried treasure" marijuana pipe out of his hands and off to the garbage can.

A Thirsty Belly

Blake and Horizon Organic milk, have always been crazy about each other. As of late, and thanks to Starbucks, we have now welcomed Vanilla Milk into the family. You gotta love it when your toddler belts out his order from the backseat when you are entering the drive-thru, and then wants you to roll down the window so he can flirt with the barista.

We were on our way to drop Parker off with his Grandpa this morning, with a Triple Tall 1% Vanilla Latte, and a Vanilla Milk in the box. I told Blake that I would give him his milk as soon as we dropped Parker off, because I didn't want to have to deal with Parker wanting a sip, while I was driving. This made Blake mad. He didn't understand why he couldn't just hold it, and why Parker couldn't just drink it.
Blake proceeded to get frustrated with me, as I continued to repeat my reasoning. He then told me no, and proceeded to "Growl" at me. Never okay. The first one, but especially the second action. I turned around and said, "Blake, you do not do that to..." and was interrupted with, "Oh, Mommy, that was just my tummy growling. It was telling you I'm thirsty."

Regrouping for Parker

Parker screams when he is frustrated with Blake. His frustration makes me want to scream. It is ear piercing. It is so unbelievably loud. It is beyond annoying.

I finally got so fed up with it, that I started putting my 18 month old in a time out. I march him straight to his crib, toss out all his blankets on the floor, and shut the door behind me. Sometimes he cries, sometimes he giggles. Then Blake says, "I am not happy about this Mommy. This is not okay." Give me a break.

I almost died when we were all in Blake's room this morning. Parker got mad at Blake because he was standing too close to him. He opened his mouth and out came the holy terror. I got right in Parker's face and said, "Parker Brent, we DO NOT scream. Do you need a time out"?

He emphatically shook his head, yes.

Potty Pods

Blake has a little friend named Tyler. Tyler's mommy is Angela. Angela is amazing. She has this wonderful garden on the side of her house where she grows everything from lettuce, to strawberries to pumpkins. She is constantly trying to pawn seeds or starters or whatever they are called off on me. I am not into that kind of gardening. I need immediate results. I think that I may have convinced her that I don't get enough sun in our backyard.

Yesterday we were at the Huse house, testing out the new backyard play set. You can only go down a blue slide and swing on a yellow swing so many times before you realize that throwing sand is the most fun of all. Angela decided to encourage all the boys to pick pea pods. Tyler filled his container, their friend Jacob overfilled his container, and Blake left his empty. Instead, he made a pile. Blake has been in the bathroom a couple more times than normal for the past 24 hours.

Oh, I love my camera...

And my mac. The love affair between the two of them is heating up.

15 1/2 People In One House!!!

So this last weekend to celebrate 4th of July, we rented a house near Camano Island with our dinner group. 8 adults, and 7 children all under the age of 3.5 (#8 set to join the world in a couple of weeks). We had so much fun! The kids played t-ball with the daddies, lit illegal sparklers at the beach, and ate and ate and ate!! Blake was able to take a run on the jet skis with Dave for the first time and was more excited to see Mommy ride the waves then he was himself! Now that we are home, I keep hearing Blake mumbling little sentences over and over. Once I listened closely, I realized that he is repeating word for word, conversations had between our friends and their kids, who were getting in trouble.