Lots of days: trains

We've been taking pictures of the train tracks that we've made since Christmas.  :)  Isaac likes the ones with instructions from the book, but Ben and I really like the ones we make.

This is probably one from the instructions.

Under the table:

On/off the table:

Double decker:

Carousel

With a new X piece:

Figure 8 tilted:

Spiral:

Quad loop:

Up on the table:

Hmm...we've also made some "wormie" ones.  Those have two little circles on either end and a long section in the middle, using as many pieces as possible.

Wednesday: Monday and Wednesday

Monday Joshua turned 50 weeks.  The big 5-0.

He's been busy chasing balls, rolling cars, and just started to throw things.  Although sometimes they're dropped before he moves his arm...he faked me out very well the other day.

Monday I also cut Isaac's bangs.  I love his curls so I let them stay around.  (He has been called "she" a few times lately though.)  He wanted to have his hair cut while laying on the floor, hence the tears in this before picture.

And after.  It's not very straight...I still haven't figured out how to make it straight.  But when it's all mussed up and the rest looks like it hasn't been cut recently, I don't think anyone will notice.

Here was today's game.  We were going to use the magnets to run around the couch looking for bones.  When we found them we would beep.  The magnets had to be one in each hand, magnet side out, but only one magnet would beep a given bone.  His detailed explanation cracked me up.

I also had {what I think} was a good parenting moment during lunch.  Isaac didn't want to eat his broccoli because it was too hot.  So I gave him an ice cube to dip the broccoli on.  Now, I'll agree that the ice cube could cool the broccoli down, but he tended to "dip" the broccoli for only a second.  But it went from being too hot to edible.  Phew.

Tuesday: shoes

We cleaned the house on Sunday because some people were coming over.  With a bit of help, it really didn't take all that long.  And we do love a clean house...there's something so relaxing about it.

Anyway, I managed to keep it (mostly) clean on Monday.  I managed to keep it (mostly) clean today.  There are some toys that are creeping back into the main area, but the kitchen stayed clean.

And since the kitchen was clean, I was able to check off several of the random short items on my to-do list.  I got my winter coat in the laundry basket.  (Laundry is for tomorrow.)  Joshua enjoyed playing with the shoes.

I glued the soles of Ben's shoes back on.  We're not sure they'll stay, but it seems worth a try.

I finished putting away stakes from camping so that "clean up camping stuff" can be crossed off the list.  I did one coat of water-proofing on the tent rainfly.  I finished cleaning the bee nest out of the mailbox.  I mostly cleaned off our dresser top.  We did a few errands.

It was nice to have a productive day.

Sunday: squirters

We got some new toys for outside.  A few noodles, a few random toys, but of most note, squirters.  We played with them for quite a while inside, but it was time for them to go outside.

We got big squirters.  We got little squirters.  Isaac played with them for over an hour.

Joshua took a bit before he'd go in the water.  The water was nice and warm, so we sat in it together.

I also saw Joshua put the watering can into the bucket a few times.  I'm excited for the "look! things go into things too!" stage.

Saturday: teaching Joshua to say Dad

Isaac to Joshua: Dag.  Dag.  Say Dag.
Isaac to Ben and me: I'm teaching Joshua to say Dag.
Isaac: Dag.  Say Dag.

I feel like Joshua will really have to work hard to learn to speak correctly.

Friday: pictures

This morning Isaac took two pictures of himself with the Ipad.  I find the progression interestng.

First: what happens if I push this button?

Second: it takes a picture!

This afternoon Isaac had just gotten up from rest time when I heard Joshua wake up.  Isaac wanted to play Ipad, so I said he could go get it in Joshua's room.  Then Joshua was a bit quiet, with random squeals here and there.  I looked at the monitor and saw this...Isaac was playing a game and letting Joshua watch, but Joshua was contained and so not bothering Isaac.  Joshua was too loud for me to sleep more, but I was at least able to wake up on my own.

Thursday: smelling

Today's fun activity was do watch a Magic School Bus episode and do an activity.  Isaac chose one on smell.  We watched the episode, although I'll admit I feel asleep about half way through it.  Joshua is still getting up once in the night and then early in the morning and I haven't adjusted my night time sleeping at all.

Then we found a bunch of things to smell.  I think Isaac was most excited about the blindfold.

This child doesn't seem to understand how to smell things.  He always breathes out with his nose instead of in.  (And when trying to blow his nose, breathes in.)  It isn't exactly something that you can demonstrate well either, as I have often discovered.

Joshua got in on some smelling action too.

Isaac got onions correct, but everything else he either didn't know or guessed sugar.

We played in the basement a bit.

Isaac dressed himself today.

All day I was trying to get a video of Joshua doing his "pick me up" motion because it is super cute.  I was giving up again when Isaac said, "take a picture of me!"  So I did...and he said, "Pick me up" with a huge smile.