Special Request Photo

Alex trying out his new wheels!


A few weeks ago, we headed to the local bike store to see about moving Alex up from a VERY noisy big-wheel-type bike to a big-boy bike. When we arrived, we cornered a salesperson and asked him about modifications we might make to help make it easier for Alex to ride. Perhaps a bar end of some sort? Maybe something that wrapped around a bit so that Alex could rest his 'little arm' on it? Or, perhaps we should just stick with a tricycle-type bike for a while? As we were chatting, Alex, happily balanced on a new 12-incher, maneuvered around us and made a tight turn around the corner. Okay, then. Nevermind ....

"No, Alex. The Buddha has pretzel legs."

The boys have been playing independently for longer stretches of time in recent days which has led to some pretty amusing overheard conversations. This one was from Owen. My best guess is that they were acting out scenes from The King and I.

When not instructing his brother in the finer points of pretend play, our pancake-making, construction-paper assembling, lego-building boy is finding other ways to keep himself entertained.

How did this happen?

I still see glimpses of my baby.







But then, when I least expect it, this big kid shows up.

It's been a good week

The college broke ground on a new community garden.

The women of Chi Omega offered free babysitting.

We took advantage and had dinner, with friends, at a local restaurant that had not one, but several, vegetarian options.

A new community library opened. We can walk to it.

Alex made significant progress in potty training.



And fresh air and lots of exercise have done wonders for the boys' ability to get along during the 4pm to 5pm 'witching hour'.

Conversations with a two-year-old

These are the sorts of conversations we've been having around here lately.

Me: Okay, boys. You both get a vote. Would you like to go to the library, go bike-riding, or go to the park?

Owen: Park.

Alex: Boat.

Me: We don't have a boat, silly. You need to vote. Would you like to go the the library, go bike-riding, or go to the park?

Alex: Boat

Me: Oh ... I didn't say "boat". I said "vote".

Owen: Alex, do you want to go the park?

Alex: I want Mommy.

Spring is here

Although the last few weeks of cold weather were hard to endure, they did drive the boys to new heights of imaginative indoor play. Here is our couch converted into a train. Note smokestack and steely-eyed conductors.

Owen's bed has been used as a sailing ship...


and the Millennium Falcon (note laser cannons and cardboard lightsabers).

Alex has been hanging around with a lot of movie producers and Hollywood types lately and it's begun to influence his fashion sense (cue "Puttin on the Ritz")

This last week we have been spending much more time outside, biking, hiking, and today, some kite-flying.

Happy Easter everybody!

A real blog post ....

is coming. Someday. In the meantime, we bring you the only decent new-ish picture I have saved on my computer at the moment ...


All is well here. We're LOVING the warmer weather!