wrapping paper bliss

I hate to break it to you, everyone, but it's true.

The wrapping paper is the best part of the birthday present.

Happy Birthday Nile

Today was Nile's second birthday. Since I have vacation days to use, I took the day off and enjoyed spending time with him.

After dropping Nate off at preschool, we went to the gym. Then Story Time at the library. I have always wanted to go, and my mom usually takes him on Thursdays, so this week was my turn. We made Mardi Gras masks.

After Nate got done with preschool, Mom, Nate, Nile and I all ate lunch at the Victorian Manor, and both boys enjoyed a free scoop of ice cream.

Following lunch, we headed home and I had a blissful 3 hours of naptime. Yes, really. Three hours. I doubt it ever happens again.

When Tom got home after school, we celebrated by opening the gifts from Nile's party Sunday, and had ice cream cake.

It was a good day.

found time

Sometimes, on these days that I am home with the boys, it is way too easy to get caught up in the day-to-day routine. We've been in a fixed pattern on Monday mornings for a while now. We eat breakfast, Nate gets to watch a show on PBS, then we head off to preschool at 9. Nile and I go to the gym so I can get in a run, then afterwards we run errands until Nate is done with preschool at 11:30. Then we rush home, I scramble to get a relatively healthy lunch on the table, eat, and play for a short time before naps. Some days I am more stressed managing this routine than I have ever been at work.

Today I found myself with extra time. The post office was closed, and Nile and I had a full hour with nothing to do. Even though it was only about 30 degrees, we went to the park. The sun was shining, and Nile and I had plenty of time to wander around.

It did wonders for my psyche. Today I remembered just why I stay home (part time) in the first place. I was able to show Nile the war memorials at the park, teach him about mud (or as he called it today, "mooud"), and just enjoy being with him. I am refreshed and energized.

a duet

I caught them in a particularly agreeable mood today, they were singing together at lunch. So I asked for an encore, and they were happy to oblige. I think they were more excited about being able to watch it on the computer later.

Nile really does know all the words, but the TV was on (I had it muted) and he kept getting distracted...

daredevil in the making?

Out of the blue this morning:

"Mommy, when I get bigger...when I get 4...I'm going to get a skateboard. Because I'll be a cool skater..."

Please, no.

Spring in February

We took advantage of the beautiful weather this weekend to get the boys some much-needed fresh air. Of all the spring-like activities that were available to them, what did they choose?

Shoveling snow.

Tom also enjoyed the fun, directing the snow distribution.

To our credit, I did take the boys for a walk later, so we did at least have one "springtime" activity. If we could only have a few more days like this...

car seat, part 2

Today in the car with my mom, apparently Nate figured out how to unlatch his seat belt while the car was in motion.

I told him that if he does that again we're going back to the "baby" seat...grrr.

Riding in Style

From day one as a parent, you're continually told how vitally important it is to have your children securely fastened in a car seat. They won't let you leave the hospital without showing you can secure your child in a car seat. The pediatrician asks at every appointment what type of seat the child is in, whether it's rear or front facing. Fire stations have checkpoints to make sure you are strapping your kids in correctly. Heck, they even have five point harnesses in baby swings and highchairs.

Then there's the LATCH system. Who knows how many countless hours we've spent trying to get the car seats so tightly installed that they can't move at all. No matter what the book says, an inch of motion seems like a lot...when it's your baby that will be riding there. And I've struggled many times with why they use just a single strap to secure the car seat. I mean, aren't there better ways? But I digress.

By the time the child is four, you've pretty much been brainwashed to think that there is absolutely no safe alternative to the five-point harness and the LATCH carseat (which is virtually bolted to the frame of the car).

Then, the child gets big enough for a booster. And suddenly, you're faced with two straps of fabric. Two. That's all that holds your child in the car. No straps to secure the booster to the seat, no harness, nothing. Just two straps of fabric and one latch. Now, I know it's "federally approved." I know that millions of people wear just those two straps every day. But for my baby? It just doesn't feel right.

And let's not get started on what we were strapped in with as babies. I've heard those stories. But like I said, I've been brainwashed. I'm surprised we survived a trip to the grocery store.
I'm sure you can tell where this is all going. Nate has "graduated" to a high back booster. He had totally outgrown it, we were having trouble getting him in and out of his old seat. I want to be excited, we'll be able to move him between cars more easily, and he loves it. But inside, I'm freaking out just a little. Not enough to put the "baby seat" back in, but enough that I will be nervous for about a week driving him around.

Here's a picture of Nate in his new booster seat. And for kicks, one of the old seat. Doesn't it look lonely sitting there???

"dis Emma"

Nile just ran up to me and pointed to his chest and said "Dis Emma!"

Although he's a bit confused, I think he's excited for Emma to come visit this afternoon.