No Secret

It's no secret,

Anderson is almost two!!

And he is acting like a big boy.

After watching his big brother swim for 8 days straight at swim lessons,

he finally got over his fear and decided to embrace the water.

He is like a fish now and will lay back, kick his feet,  

jump in holding hands,

and reach for the wall to pull himself up.

And on his own, he changed up his bedtime routine.

No more mutton, just "rock a minute" and read books.

He puts together proper sentences like,

"Get me out please, mama."

Or "Rock this way now."

"Read panda book, please."

So big. So loved.

5 Before 2

 

Anderson :: On Luge, Ice Cream, and Worship

This kiddo had an explosive personality today.  He is a trip - and it is getting dangerous because he knows when he is being funny 

and catches on when anyone laughs at him.

During the parade, he decided to lay down in the wagon ...

or perhaps he was practicing for the 2026 American Olympic Luge Team!

*****

When the long awaited ice cream truck {post CW-parade} finally arrived, a whiny almost 2 year old did not want to wait in line but wanted ice cream NOW (at 9:45 a.m.).  And-And eat ice cream?!  We waited in line with friends and neighbors and finally got our ice cream.  Normally it takes Anderson 30 minutes to eat a Popsicle (all fruit/all natural) at our house, so I did not think he would be excited about a Popsicle from the ice cream truck.  Boy was I wrong.  Andrew and I ate a third of the Cream-sicle {for damage control} and then handed it over.  Anderson was a mess and ate every last bite (of what did not melt on him first).  Then, of course, he wanted to put his sticky hand in mine.  No wipes, no water to clean it, but of course I held his sticky, sweet hand during our short walk home.  Sugar makes everything better, temporarily, right?!

*****

In lieu of a cookout or pool, we did our normal SatPM routine and went to church. There was no childcare, so the kiddos were invited into the big worship/service. We had limited distractions with us, but both boys were pretty good. Anderson provided the most colorful commentary throughout. After hearing "7th day" and "15th day" celebrations, Anderson proceeded to pick up from each number and start counting {loudly}. Then he heard the Pastor talk about eating unleavened bread, and he said, "EAT BREAD" {loudly}. And after naming a few Sesame Street characters from one book and flipping completely through another, he shouted, "AMEN!" instead of "The End" {LOUDLY}. Worship had him intrigued and he clapped his hands in anticipation of prayer and pointed at the Pastor and said "Jesus heart" {not as loudly}. Precious, precious, busy boy.

*****

The moral of the stories :: be silly, do not be afraid to get messy or be loud, and children listen to and emulate everything! 

CW Parade 2015

Everyone loves a parade.  

Especially one with a volunteer fire fighter who offered 

to bring out a truck when his shift was over.

And especially one with free ice cream post-parade.

Wagons, strollers, bikes, and scooters...

Red, white, and blue...

Patriotism, community, and humidity...

Happiness in the 'Wood.

True Grit :: Carver's Gap Adventures

Luckily the boys have inherited Andrew's sense of adventure.

And I am always in for an outdoor challenge as long as it does not push 

my 'cautious-I have to be in control' limits too much.

Our limits were pushed on our hike from Carver's Gap to Grassy Ridge Bald

in terms of elevation, length, and weather conditions, 

but we learned the true grit of our family 

- and I am proud to say that we are all pretty tough.

We knew that we were embarking on a little over 3 mile round trip picturesque hike

 that would include rolling hills to climb and descend, 

rocks to clamber over, zig-zag curves to zig and zag,

and Andrew even, fairly, warned us about unpredictable weather.

I thought I had us covered.  

Some long-sleeve shirts, sunscreen, and homemade bug spray.

We had snacks and water galore thanks to our pack mules, Andrew and Alekzander.

And a standing bribe for Alekzander :: 

If you can do this without whining, you can get your first Lego set.

It was relatively smooth sailing to our destination.  

My muscles burned and I was out of breath at the beginning -

though it surely had nothing to do with carrying a 28-pound 23-month old on my back!

Alekzander was a rockstar leading the way most of the time with his full hydration pack.

Clouds moved in and we encountered a few pop-up showers along the way,

but they made us giggle, 

especially as we saw people coming down the mountain in a hurry 

or fighting with bright yellow plastic rain ponchos.

As soon as the rain started, it would stop, so we never got too wet.

Winds swirled, but we were still game for an adventure.

When we reached Grassy Ridge Bald, quicker than we anticipated,

we celebrated a little before turning around to head back.  

As soon as we did, huge, heavy, cold, stinging raindrops started falling.

It was pouring, and there was nothing to do but forge ahead and laugh hysterically.

Anderson and I ran ahead and sang "It's Raining, It's Pouring" and "Happy Birthday" 

at the top of our lungs so that we could hear over the rain.

Andrew and Alekzander embraced the rain and traveled over slippery rocks 

and splashed in growing puddles.

When the rain finally stopped, 

we were soaked, cold, and exhausted,

but we were surrounded magically by clouds rolling by.

Anderson eventually zonked out on my back,

and Alekzander's personal mission was to stomp, jump, or splash

in every mud puddle on our descent.  

It was hilarious and exhilarating.

We made it:

with smiles on our faces, soaked to the bone, and mud caked on our shoes and calves.

We were made for adventure!

CW Fish Release

Hot, humid, but happy

Goldfish crackers and minnows for the kids;

sunnies, small mouth bass, and catfish for the pond

at CW's annual fish release.

Checking out the minnows - 

they were interesting enough to get precedence 

over his {third bag of} Goldfish crackers.

He held his own checking out the big fish with the big kids. 

{Big brother was at a VBS camp this morning.}

One day, Anderson and Alekzander may catch these fish with Daddy.

23 Months

Love this little guy.

Serious face, silly face, messy face and all.

No longer is he a baby.

This has been a long time coming, 

but recently, this guy has exercised his independence.

Fiercely.

He calls himself "And And,"

and everything is "And And do it!"

"And And turn."

"And And walk."

"And And open."

He knows he can do most things

and rages if he does not get to do it on his own.

To say he is opinionated is an understatement.

Not even two, Anderson knows what he wants, 

when he wants it, how he wants it.

He still loves "rock a minute" every night, but now adds, 

"Rock a minute this way." {Sometimes sitting, sometimes standing.}

He likes to have his hair or face petted or rubbed. 

If you do not do it just the right way,

he grabs your hand and forcibly shows you what he wants.

"This way mama."

Some of his favorite phrases {and mine} include

"Want yum, Mama?" {Want some?}

"Yuv you."

"And And read it."

"Good night, buddy."
"What doin, Mama/Dada/Buddy?"
"Is it mutton time?"

Each word is calculated and purposeful.

He is so smart and so sweet...

his personality is big, his will is strong, 

and his alligator tears are frequent!
The joy he brings us is constant.

Love this almost two year old so much.