Wednesday: Grandpa's machines

Friday we ended up going to Ben's work to see his desk and all his circuits.  We also looked at the other interesting things in his workplace, including the machines.

Joshua was rather distraught when we left.  He loved the machines.  (He still asks Ben about his desk and if he used the circuits that are on it.)  I suggested that maybe we could see Grandpa's machines sometime.  Joshua remembered, and we set up a time with Dad.

We went the the machine shop.  First Dad showed them all the machines.  Then Dad cut some wood and the boys used the drill press to drill circles in the shape of their initial.  Oh, Dad also used the sander to smooth the wood.  I saw lots of smiles while the "smoother" was being used.

Isaac was still curious about the metal cutting machine, so we went back and Dad made a few cuts.

Dad mentioned that his grandpa was a carpenter and that he remembers sitting on a step, watching him cut his pieces with a table saw.  It was fun to see him demonstrate it to his grandkids now.

Isaac: 61 months

Isaac turned 61 months...a week ago.

on the future: we've put Isaac name in the lottery for some schools; we'll find out near the end of the month or early next month if we're in.  Isaac would choose his school based on the playground if he were given a choice.  Yesterday I told him that he was growing up so fast and it made me a bit sad.  He asked why, and I said he would move out someday.  That almost made him burst into tears, so now he is living next door to us and will send pictures, texts, emails, and videos daily, along with seeing us.

on being a puppy: oh, he his still embracing his puppyness.  Joshua has joined in, and now Ben and I often have two puppies crawling around, barking, with their tongues hanging out.

on family: Isaac and Joshua are still getting along very well.  Isaac helps Joshua often, but they play together a lot too.  There are periodic sadnesses between them, but they tend to be resolved fairly quickly.  I am still the favorite parent, but he also has several special things that he does with Ben.

on having fun: He still really likes his screen time, but Legos, circuits, running, and going places are all high on his list.  He can usually turn anything into a game.

For the most part, it's still the same as the past few months.  Isaac is a wonderful boy to have around.

Sunday: something I'd never do

Today I did something I was sure I'd never do.

I sorted Legos by color.

I know, it seems weird.  But growing up all the Legos just went in a box.  Ben's collection just has everything in a box.  Why spend the time sorting the Legos when you're really looking for a specific shape, not a color.  Why spend time sorting Legos at all when it is rather fun to hunt for a piece you need only to find something that will work even better?

But it turns out that I have a son who is enjoying putting Legos together using the instructions.  (That makes sense to me.  I enjoy that too.)  However, this son is still having a hard time searching through a large amount of Legos to find what he needs.  To facilitate fewer "Mom, I can't find this piece" calls, I decided it was time to sort them by color, as the book recommends.

I feel I've started down a slippery slope.

Saturday: shows

Joshua gave me a few music shows today.

During the last one, Isaac decided to be the dancer.  "I'm the person you watch" is how he put it.  It might be one of those videos that only parents care about, I'll warn you.

Joshua: 2 1/2 yrs

Joshua turned 2 1/2 ...about a week ago.  I know, it's late.  Oh well.

Toilet training: the most exciting thing, at least for me, about this month is that something clicked with Joshua for toilet training.  He has about two accidents a week now, but they're small and easily dealt with.  He knows to go to the bathroom when he has to go.  He is dry at night.  Frankly, it's incredibly surprising to me.

Clothes: oh, clothes.  Joshua has definite ideas about what he wants to wear, and something that is nothing that he owns.  Sometimes getting him dressed is easy, sometimes it is difficult.  Also, he hates wet clothes.  If he gets the tiniest spill he wants to change his clothes immediately.  I often let him, but sometimes make him deal with it if it's really small.

Eating: eating is getting a bit better, but he still doesn't eat vegetables.  But he doesn't get a treat after meals then, and it doesn't seem to bother him.  He loves strawberries.

Playing: He got his running boosters, like Isaac, a few weeks ago.  He is starting to enjoy playing games, although doesn't always have the attention span for them.  He likes to color and play with Duplos and sing.

Cuddling: Joshua is a great at cuddling.  Isaac is pretty good at it, but Joshua is better.  He is often content to just sit with me, especially after being upset about something or after a bath.  His "no, not yet" response to my question of whether he's ready to get up is so cute that he often does get several more minutes.

Going outside: Joshua often puts his sunglasses on with his hat on backwards.  It is the middle of winter and we've just seen our first sun in about a month, so the sunglasses have been a bit weird.  He is really good at putting everything away once we get home without being asked.

School: Joshua seems to really be enjoying school.  Every once in a while I get a tidbit from him, although some of his stories are a bit sketchy and I wonder what was really going on.  Joshua's favorite thing about today, a non-school day, was going to school and playing...

Thursday: life

*I should post the kids' monthly updates, but just don't feel like it.  I actually got some good pictures this time.

*Thursdays are my busy days.  I was really glad when the day was done; by dinner time I was not doing so well.

*This evening I asked Joshua what his favorite part of the day was.  Without hesitation, he said, "Granola bar," which he had for breakfast.  Then he said, "Yogurt", also part of his breakfast.  "Freda gave to me" (a caregiver).  Joshua opened his mouth.  "Freda fed it to you?"  "Yes.  I swallow."  Well, I've expected for a while that they way to Joshua's heart is through his stomach.

Wednesday: icebergs

The kids played on the back deck for a while this afternoon.  A bunch of water had gotten into our toy tote, making ice and slush in it.  They tried to find "icebergs" in the tote.

Near the end Isaac found this gigantic ice berg.  There was a lot of screaming as he was getting it out, so I ran to the back door expecting to see him face first first in the tote with water spraying all around him.  But no.  He was just using his muscles.




P.S. Do you like his wrist guards?  They're socks with the toes cut off, but nicely add a layer of protection between the mitten and coat.