House Helper

Young John is so eager to help around the house. He started emptying the small trashcans before he was two, learned to effectively use the cordless vacuum about that age, loads clothes into the washer and dryer (which he calls "my chipper job") and here lately has kept our recycling bin empty since he gets his shoes on and empties it into the rolling cart outside if anything is in it. I could use a dose of his eagerness! One major highlight is that he not only lifts up the toilet seat 75% of the time, he also cleans up if he misses during his bathroom trips. 

John has also gained several skills that help him get around some of the safeguards we've put throughout the house. He can easily open a door with a knob cover (or hit it in such a way that it falls off); move chairs/ottomans/baskets to get things that are out of reach like screw drivers, chef knives, and books off the mantel; push down the cabinet door locks to get to the contents; and so on. His independence has resulted in many messes, a broken refrigerator shelf, and some small-scale meltdowns (as well as a few large-scale ones) and needs for discipline and teaching. Channeling his energy in this area is a challenge but mostly fun, and I really appreciate how adept he is at helping. 

Earlier this evening, I realized our toilet paper roll was almost out but I didn't get a new roll. We had dinner, sent John off to work for the night, went to Trader Joe's for peanut butter (and $40 of other not needed, but oh-so-tasty groceries), and got ready for bed. I headed upstairs to do some sewing and computing and heard him out of bed. I wasn't happy since he's not to get out of bed, but he said he needed to go to the bathroom. I conceded, he came up for help to get his pajamas back on, and we walked back to his room so I could tuck him in.

Fast forward two hours. I've been upstairs working and dawdling and head down stairs to use the restroom and wash my face. I find a new roll of toilet paper waiting for me. How sweet is that? I guess he saw the need, went into the hall closet for another roll and set it out. Lord, help me think of this tomorrow when his desire to help results in a fit or a mess.

Children--a wonderfully bewildering adventure!

Garbage Trucks

Back in October, the city hosted a trash festival (of sorts). Our neighbor told us about it and knowing John and William's fascination with trucks and garbage trucks in general, I knew we couldn't miss it. Ironically, then I told them we were headed down town to see something special, they were not convinced. I even told them we were going to see garbage trucks and they asked to go back home. (Could have been the nearly thirty-minute car trip traveling into town in only one lane of traffic since the lanes had shifted for rush hour!)

We approached the block where the trucks were parked and their mood shifted immediately! We loaded up and headed to see the trucks. The waste management team did a great job of answering our questions and helping the boys in and out of the trucks. We are so grateful for their kindness to us and all their hard work to keep our city clean! 

William is happy to sit in the big truck

Brothers posing in front of a front loading garbage truck

John is not ready to get in any big trucks, but is happy to check out the electric cart they use around down town.

His confidence boosted, he climbs into a big truck...

and is very pleased!

Here's William in a 1950s garbage truck--his brother is also inside telling him about the "controls"

Riding the garbage truck like the workers

Now, every time we drive by this block, William asks about the garbage trucks and John informs him, "Nope. No garbage trucks today!"

William's Birthday Week

Sweet William turned two today. I didn't plan a big birthday party for him, but we decided to make a big deal about it as a family and celebrate in small ways many times. So, this week, we celebrated with bike shopping (his birthday gift) and a trip to Monkey Joe's with his girlfriend and down-the-street-neighbor Lola, and a brownie tonight with dinner. William is a sweet and gracious child and loved every minute. Today, we sang "Happy Birthday" at our meals and John was so happy to tell people that today William turned two. 

Leaving the bike shop, "walking" with his dad. After knocking over two big bikes, William was embarrassed, so we picked out a blue bike and silver helmet for him!

(John was so in love with his new helmet that he didn't want to take it off.)

John checking out his reflection. Safety never looked so good.

We headed to the mall for lunch and play. William enjoyed a grilled cheese.

Who needs hands?

Taking his first ride--he's a natural!

A little help from Daddy

Going in circles

Here's Lola--looking a little terrified!--at Monkey Joe's

Young John loves this place!

William is all smiles.

And as usual, William is not afraid of much and is happy to have his picture taken with Monkey Joe.

Happy Birthday, William! We love you so much and can't imagine our family without you. You are so kind and sensitive. You remind me of how important it is to be tender and thoughtful of others. You love digging in the dirt, reading books, and taking walks. You don't really like watching movies, you'd rather chat!

Recent Conversations

While watching Mighty Machines:

J: Mom, they're at the demolition site. You know what happens at the demolition site?
Me: Tell me.
J: (with preschooler intensity) They tear buildings down. The buildings die!


While "reading" the Bible:

J: The word of God says...and he hit him and killed him. Cain was angry and killed his brother. Then Noah built the ark and fight the animals!

And another time:

J: The word of God...glory it says...and the word of God said to him...and many people...glory and grace and the Jesus...


While eating dinner:

J: Mom, my food is sad because my teeth are crushing it.


While reading with Gigi:

Gigi: Maisy arrived and Cee-ril was buying tickets.

J: No, cee-ril is something you eat. His name is Cy-ril.

Gigi: (silence)


While riding down the road:

J: Mom, don't do that with the horn. You scared me.

Me: Well, that car was breaking the law and I was reminding him of that.

J: Well, you scared me.


At breakfast:

J: Hey Dad. It's rainy outside you you'll want to make sure you wear a jacket.


Learning about a new babysitter:

Me: Boys, Monica isn't going to babysit tonight.

J: Who is going to babysit us?

Me: Her name is Mary Fran.

J: That's a strange name!

Pause

Yesterday, John was so excited to tell his dad all that he'd done during the day. We usually give him a run-down, but John had added two Mighty Machines episodes to his repertoire and wanted to tell his dad about every detail among other things. His excitement was really sweet. Here's a sampling of their conversations:

Young J: Dad? Hey, Dad?

J: Yes, son.

YJ: I was watching (voice deepens) "Under the Sea"and the boat went under water!

J: Was it a submar--

YJ: Pause! There was a man and he dived down!



Later on...

YJ: Dad? We read George (voice deepens) and the chocolate factory!

J: You did? What was it about?

YJ: George ate all the chocolates.

J: Why did he do that?

YJ: Pause!


While getting ready for bed...

J: Ok John. What would you like to pray--?

YJ: Pause! Daddy I want to sing another song.

Self-control

There's a lot of talk around our house about treating each other with love and respect, considering another more precious than ourselves, and exercising self-control. (Please tell me this is totally normal in a home of a preschooler and toddler.) We have a great CD with songs about the fruits of the Spirit that the boys love to listen to. 

Yesterday, John and William were in the basement playing while I folded laundry. I headed upstairs to make lunch and within 90 seconds heard William crying. I went to the top of the stairs to see what happened and I found William working his way up the stairs crying and saying, "Took it from me!" Below is the conversation that transpired:

Me: John, was that gentle to take the tricycle?

J: (through gritted teeth) I needed to do that because I don't have self-control!

Me: (chuckle in agreement) John...

J: (teeth no longer gritted but still yelling) I do that because I don't know self-control!

Lord, help me!

Bike Ride

At least once a day, we talk a walk around the neighborhood. Lately, William has asked to "Ess-ercise" (walking as fast as his little legs will take him and swinging his arms in earnest) instead of riding in the wagon. John rides his bike and has learned to wait for us at the end of the sidewalk.  Sometimes we see our friends along the way, but either way, it's a fun way to pass the time.

KY State Fair and Around the House

In mid-August, I started feeling better and John was wrapping up his vacation just in time for the State Fair in Louisville. We thought about it that Saturday morning and were on the road with our picnic lunch by 10:30. 

What a cute goat!

Goat comes close and it's almost too much for John

You may not be able to tell, but the rooster in that cage is crowing at us. John was on his knees examining the cage when the rooster began his chorus. It was slightly alarming and funny at the same time.

What an outlaw!

Stroller nap--they missed the petting zoo and police helicopter :(

A couple weeks later at home, I'm upstairs trying to get some things done for work and I heard an unusual clanging and came downstairs to find this. That's probably two pounds of flour. Thankfully they're very willing to vacuum and help clean up!

John took the old iPhone and asked to take pictures. He came in with this one--I love his little shadowed hand and fingers over the lens.

Late Summer

I've never been faithful in updating this blog, but I'm feeling the urge to post some pictures of our darling children, so I'm going to catch up on what we did over the summer. For six weeks, I felt terrible, and it all made sense when we learned I'm pregnant with twins. So, there was a lot of laying around, reading books, and watching Might Machines. We went to the beach with John's parents and while I wasn't in top form, we had a great time.

This is not a picture from the beach, but look at that sweet face!

Grandaddy reads a new favorite Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site 

William works the remote on the largest TV we've ever seen.

Young John isn't a water bug, but once I convinced him to try the slide, he loved it.

William enjoys the water swing

Digging with Grandaddy

Just asked

It's after 9 and a certain three-year-old should be in bed, but I hear him at the bottom of the steps.

Me: John what are you doing?
J: Is Daddy a doctor, Mommy?
Me: Yes.
J: Where does he deliver babies? In a delivery truck?

We've repeatedly read a book from the library about delivery trucks, forklifts, and cranes. He's trying to figure out how this world works.

.....
Before we headed to the neighbors for birthday cake, I told John he'd meet the nanny's husband.
J: What's his name, Mommy?
Me: His name is Thad.
J: What does he do?
Me: He's going to be a doctor.
J: (With skepticism) Why does he want to do that?

Bahaha! I told him what John said and he admits he asks himself the same question.

....
We've taught John a few songs that we sing most weeks in church--the doxology and the gloria patri. Here's a transcript of his version of the doxology:

Praise God from who mall blessings flow....

Sad face

I was looking through some old pictures and found this of William when he was almost two months old. He's nearing the 20 month mark and I realized he makes this same face now! Funny how some things don't change! Young John never had a face like this and still doesn't. William is such a sweet child, and I do love it when his face scrunches up like this when he's upset!

Zoo

This past weekend, we headed to the Louisville Zoo with good friends and their two little girls. It was a great time. The children loved seeing the animals and the adults had plenty of time to chat.

The children get to see their Dad's favorite zoo animal.

A dromedary camel, just like Curious George's Alphabet Book

Elizabeth and her dad Jon feed the giraffe.
(Yep, three of the four males in our group were named John. :)

John and John get their turn.

William and I waited for the lion to emerge and quickly scale those steps to the right to a sunny spot. The sound that animal made still gives me chill bumps!

The tiger and young John seem to be making eye contact.

Here John and John watch the polar bear play with his toys--also known as "Throw a rain barrel about like it's a rag" and "Bound around making fierce growls and throwing a kettlebell."

Sweet William spots a monkey.

Elizabeth and John enjoy watching the monkeys swing across the window.