Thursday: when Ben is running late...

Give your kids some frozen tasty water in bowls and tell them they can't use their hands and the bowls need to stay on the ground.

I got a good 20 minutes from it with minimal mess.  Although Joshua's face was stained rather red.

27 months

Joshua has turned 27 months a few days ago.

Attitude: most of the time he is much more happier than previous months.  Except when he's not happy, and then he's very not happy.  I think some of the happiness is being able to play with Isaac more.  Some of the unhappiness might be due to hunger.

Activities: he has been enjoying playing with Duplos, coloring, and running.  Er...dancing.  Which is running with music.  Periodically he likes putting people or baby night-night.

Potty training: Has been going really well, but doesn't go to the bathroom on his own.  This often results in about one messy accident a day.

Routine: he is starting to understand that we have a routine.  He often asks if it is a school day and sometimes if it is a gym day.

Talking: He has lots of words, but it isn't uncommon for him to whisper.  Apparently he does this a lot at school.  He does it sometimes at home, but usually he is normal or loud.  He doesn't like to count around Ben, but can sort of do 1-13.  I've never heard it all at once though.

People: He doesn't seem to favor one person more than another as much right now.  Ben and I tend to be pretty equal - sometimes he wants one, sometimes another.  He loves playing with Isaac.  He gets excited to see grandparents or CC.

Tuesday: reasons Joshua cries at night

1. He wants his blanket back on.  Understandable.
2. His wipe is 2" away from his hand.
3. He threw all his books out of his bed (for the second time) and wants more.
4. His pillowcase is messed up.

Monday: gymnastics and halloween

The day started out with gymnastics, and Mondays do lately.  Both classes had fewer people than normal.  Gymnastics seems to be one of the highlights of Isaac's week.

This evening we went trick or treating at a nearby church.  It was a nice night out, but I love doing it there because the amount of candy is just right.  Joshua wouldn't put a costume on until Ben told him he had to in order to get treats, so there aren't any great pictures of them together.  Isaac and I both told him he had to put it on, but I wasn't about to put it on a screaming toddler.

Isaac's costume worked pretty well, although I wish I had made a mouth hole and the eyes a bit bigger.  He ended up with a damp spot by his mouth.

Isaac had a great time; Joshua seemed a bit wary the whole time.  He especially wasn't a fan of the marshmallow man.

Sunday: a busy, but fun, weekend

Ben got home Friday night with Zach.  He stayed until Sunday.  We didn't really do anything all that special, but had fun hanging out.  Then Life Group (aka Bible Study) was at our house Sunday lunch time.  The kids played quite well and the adults enjoyed some time together too.

Saturday: parenting key

I think one key to parenting is moving toys around.  Often this is putting toys away (although that could be done by kids too).  Putting some toys away and bringing them out later is good.  Yesterday I found that moving the Duplo table from one room to another made it awesome again.  The proceeded to play with it for 45 minutes.

Thursday: Ben's still gone

Ben's still gone, so Dad and Pat invited us over to their house for dinner.  It was a lovely way to break up the evening, and the kids were so excited!