First Pool Swim of the Season

Six years ago, I purchased an Intex "pool in a box" kit from Wal*Mart.  It was a 48 inch deep pool shaped in a big 18 foot circle.  The air inflated ring around the top would pull the walls up when water was added, leaving us with a big blue bowl in the backyard.  It cost us almost as much to get a delivery of pool water from a truck as the actual pool kit itself.  Fast forward, and the pool is still holding water.  We have had to replace the pump, the ladder, the vacuum hose and the skimmer over the years, but I still can't complain.

Tonight was our first family swim of the season.  I did a hasty vacuum and then we all piled in for some relief from the 90 degree weather.  Garrett is very confident in his puddle jumper pool float.  He was able to swim around for several minutes independently with us just hanging close to make sure his face stays above water.  Very impressive for a 21 month old.  Gabriel chose to sit on top of the large sea turtle float and paddle around instead of getting into the water.  We definitely love our Puddle Jumper Life Jackets.  We have the green crab and the blue turtle.  The boys seem so proud when they can swim around on their own.  And all the kicking and splashing tires them right out!  The boys went to bed without much protest tonight after swimming.  And Garrett even peed on the potty!

Garrett and Gabriel love their Puddle Jumper

Gabriel was excited by the new covering of snow from the past two days of stormy weather. He talked about sledding on the way to school and wanted to know if we could go sliding on a "stay home day." We haven't had a chance to play as a family in the yard since our last big snow event on Halloween weekend. Considering the freezing rain and sleet predicted for overnight and tomorrow, I suspect we will have no snow left this weekend. So when we got home from work/school tonight, we made a quick dinner of leftovers, and then went outside for some night sledding before the rain comes. Michael dragged his work light from the basement and lighted the little slope on the far side of the yard. Gabriel used the new Christmas sled from Nana and Papa, and Garrett used the purple hand-me-down purple sled from cousin Maya. Both boys enjoyed cruising down the slope. Garrett had no hesitation getting into a sled with Daddy and Gabriel, or by himself. He would shriek delightedly going down the hill. The cold air and the walking up the hill worked wonders at bedtime. Both boys never made a peep after we put them in their beds.

The Boys are Roommates

I pulled Gabriel's old Christmas jammies out of a storage bin and passed them down to Garrett tonight. Glad they will get another round of wear.

The boys have now both been sleeping in the same room for more than a week. They are going to bed at the same time, and most nights they are quickly settling down and falling asleep. Gabriel tends to awake and cry out in the late evening and Garrett usually stirs in the early morning, and would go back to sleep if we snuggled him. But the last two nights, they both even slept until wake up time with no stirring through the night. It only took 14 and a half months to get to this point.

Garrett's Greeting Turns Sad

One of the highlights of my work day is when I go to pick up the boys from their day care center. I usually gather up Garrett first, and I get a huge greeting from him. When Garrett first sees me, he gives a big smile, makes a guttural laugh, and comes charging me with his arms stretched out. He hugs me and grabs at the hair at the back of my neck with his little hands in a loving gesture. Over the past few pick ups, this lovely greeting then turns immediately to a "throw himself on the floor and cry and out" demonstration. I wonder exactly what he is saying. "I love you, Mom!" Quickly followed by him trying to tell me how hard it is to switch from two naps to one a day, or how exhausted he is from toddling all day. His sadness is usually short lived and I assume has more to do with Garrett exerting some of his own independent feelings.

Finished Knitting project!!!

I am sad to say I started these socks in April 2009.  I just don't get to knit much now that I have beautiful children.  These brown bamboo socks are now finished and way too small for the original recipient, Gabriel.   But they fit Garrett just right.

Candy Corn Inspired Cupcake

Feeling Halloween festive today and whipped up these cupcakes.

Gabriel's First Dental Cleaning

Gabriel has visited the pediatric dentist a few times now, but this morning was his first attempt at an actual tooth cleaning.  Gabriel brought his listening ears and did great.   His teeth are all sparkling clean!  A little decay on a top right molar that we need to watch.  And his knocked in front tooth is still trying to decend.  It's crooked but not discolored, so I am keeping my fingers crossed.  Gabriel picked a new pink toothbrush, got some kid toothpaste and he chose a red dragonfly for a prize.  The hygienist said that Gabriel should receive a special reward envelope in the mail for giving up his paci last March.

Swapping Footwear

Inspired by the upcoming clothing swap at the boys' daycare and the change of season, I went through all of the boys shoes and the storage bag of shoes not in circulation.  I pulled out things that no longer fit to store them away, handed some of Gabriel's shoes down to Garrett, and made a list of essential footwear items we need to get for Gabriel.  Gabriel hated these slippers in the photo when he was young enough to wear them.  Now that they have been passed down to Garrett,  he wants his own pair of "bear feet."  At one point he thought he might like dinosaur feet. He keeps cramming his feet in them hoping his feet will fit.

Mountain Dew Cupcakes

Mountain Dew cupcakes with lemon frosting and a Mountain Dew reduction for Gabriel's teacher assistant's birthday tomorrow.   These should NOT be shared with the children at the day care.  I am not responsible for caffeine overload.