Summer Plans

Tonight was the end of year party for James's class at his day care. It was so fun to see all the children playing together! Tomorrow is his last day. I got out a week ago, but since James is paid up through the end of the month, I've used the time to get a few tasks done (cleaning the office, cleaning the house, running errands...).

We do have some big plans for the summer.

First off is potty training. I know, I know, I blogged about this a year ago! Well, James's classroom this year didn't have a potty in it, so once we found that out, we decided not to move forward with the training last summer. Sure we have the little potty chairs in the house, and James has sat in them from time to time, but he's never actually gone potty on one. We also have a potty seat for the big toilet that we bought a few months ago after James was impressed by a friend's skills on a playdate. "You want to poop on the big potty like Cora." And we have underpants as you may recall from the big boy nap in April.

Our plan is to use the three-day method. It goes something like this-- wake up, get your diaper changed, and have breakfast like usual. Then after breakfast, put on underpants and throw away all the diapers in the house. All of 'em. Even the ones in the car, in the stroller, etc. Because big boys wear underpants; babies wear diapers. Oh, no pants, just underwear. Then tell the tot to keep the underpants dry and be sure to tell you if he has to go potty. As accidents happen, run off to the bathroom and try to at least finish on the potty. From what I understand, the first day is AWFUL and full of accidents. Day two is better. Day three is great. We'll see how it goes-- I'll be sure to keep you posted!

Other plans for the summer include a return to music class, a week at Isle of Palms, the possible/probable move from crib to bed, and hopefully the purchase of a house.

Happy Half Birthday!

James is two and a half today!!!

(How did that happen?)

To celebrate, I picked up half of an apple pie at the store today.

Cutie Pie

This week has been rough, but as mentioned before, James has provided happiness and light. Here are some pictures from the last month or so...

A little gardening:

Cooling off on a hot day:

Clapping for the Vets in the Memorial Day parade:

Mr. Potato-- James's new best friend:

James looked particularly Big Boy this week:

James and Daddy made Mommy cookies today (thanks, guys!):

I love my son.

When things don't seem to be going just how one hopes, it is so wonderful to have this super cute curly-haired child (yes, child; that kid is getting big) look up at you and say, "You need a tiss." (Tiss is James-ese for kiss.) Of course, the "you" meant "I," but he was actually spot-on. Mommy needed a kiss.

A hug from a two-and-a-half-year-old just makes it all better.

Poodles

So James has an animal puzzle which includes two cats (one orange, one black & white), a turtle, a horse, a bunny, and three dogs (a collie, a black poodle, and a nondescript brown dog).

The first time he played with it, several months ago, I asked him what each animal was as he took it out. Or maybe he said, "And that's a...." and then finished the phrase accordingly. Either way, Mr. Poodle was last to be named. And James's first instinct was "sheep" because come on, those silly curly puffs made that a strong possibility. I told him, "No, that's a poodle."

That then brought the puzzles tallies to: 2 cats, a turtle, a horse, a bunny, two dogs, and a poodle. Because, it seems, a poodle is a different animal than a dog.

And when we'd make sounds for each animal, James had a special high-pitched bark for the poodle. Ha!

Plus, the way he pronounces "poodle" is quite cute.

In related news, we've been enjoying raspberries lately. James likes to pop a berry onto his finger tip and then eat it off. Recently someone (Grandpa maybe?) asked him, "What's that?" pointing at the raspberry finger. "A poodle," James replied, "you got a poodle!"

After that, raspberries became poodles.

Prayers

Thought you'd enjoy hearing about James's bedtime prayer tonight.

He stood at the side of his crib, folded hands resting on the crib railing, with his head bowed, as I thanked God for everyone in our family:

"Thank you for Grandma and Grandpa, Nana and Pops, Auntie Ali, Uncle Preston, and Auntie Peg."

"And..." James said.

"And Mommy and Daddy and James."

"And..."

"...and all of our friends," I offered.

"And ZimZim" he concluded, smiling.

So, Zim the cat, James is looking out for you!

Jamesisms

James is quite the loquacious kiddo these days. He chats away. Especially when he's in his comfort zone (with Mommy and/or Daddy, at Grandma & Grandpa's, at school). The tricky thing is that he reverses his pronouns.

For instance, "I need to make the train! I make it! I!" (And those italics are not to identify the pronouns, but rather the words he's stressing.) means that "you" need to make a train for him.

Similarly, "You did it!" is a triumphant declaration of self-achievement.

Dan and I have internalized the translating, but it's trickier for others. Grandpa and James dialogs are particularly entertaining. "I need to do it." "Yes, you do it." "I do it!" "Yes, you can do it." "I do it! I!" "Well, then do it." Good times.

Apart from the pronoun reversals, here are some fun catchphrases and such:

• "That sounds like a plan."
• "Eggs and jegs" (I have no idea what jegs are; he made this one up.)
• "I love you all to pieces."
• "One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, eleventeen, sixteen, . . ."
• "I love Target."