TechyDad

This past weekend, B’s family members were in town to celebrate her grandmother’s 85th birthday. My boys love seeing Mimi and all of B’s family. Especially Cousin’s S and B. NHL seems particularly enamored with Baby B, wanting to see him, hold him and talk to him all the time.

JSL and Cousin S seemed joined at the hip so many times. They would hold hands while walking, even throwing temper tantrums if they couldn’t.

On Saturday, we headed to Aunt S and Uncle M’s house on by the lake. We tried to go for a boat ride but had to hightail it back to shore when it started to rain.

Of course, once we got everyone off the boat and the cover on, the clouds parted and the sun came out! We stayed indoors for a bit but then decided that it was time for Plan B. We got the kids in their swimsuits so we could head for the beach. Wouldn’t you know it, it began to rain again! Not to be daunted, we decided that the kids and I (the only adult in his swimsuit) should play in the rain. JSL was hesitant at first, but then got the idea that I was actually permitting him to get wet and step in puddles!

This didn’t last long, though, as the rain soon ended. You can see JSL wondering where the wonderful rain went.

We then headed to the beach for some sand fun time.

Then, we decided to head to the pool. This didn’t go over well with JSL who wanted to play in the sand more. He threw a temper tantrum and refused to go into the pool. Opting, instead, to sit on the side with B. NHL did a good job of walking through the shallow end while I carried Cousin S through the pool.

Might I add that B has turned into quite the photo-bug. She even took a few “artsy” shots like this one of our pool/beach items on the pool chairs.

After drying off and changing back into clothes, it was time for wind down time, dinner and fun with family.

The next day, we stopped by a new supermarket with B’s brother and his family. Then, we headed back to the lake. This time, our boat trip wasn’t interrupted by rain. You can see B’s post for photos, but I’ll just add two that she neglected to post of her showing how much she appreciated my constant photo-taking.

I love you too, B!

The rest of the day was spent with family, playing games and enjoying the company of family.

Monday morning, I let B sleep in (or at least lay in bed for a few hours) when JSL woke up early. Then, NHL joined us and we tried our best to be quiet. (Which, with two young boys, is never quiet enough.) Eventually, we got up and headed out to meet one of JSL’s classmates who is new to the area. The boys had a blast playing in the playground, seeing some older kids playing baseball (and retrieving stray balls for them) and just enjoying the great weather. Before we knew it, we have been there 4 hours. After playing, JSL accompanied me for a grocery store run and then we went out for one last dinner out.

This morning, the hard reality hit. Summer vacation is over and school time has arrived.

NHL had his first day of second grade and JSL was going for his first ever day of school – even if it was only 45 minutes of nursury school with mommy by his side. (His first mommy-less day will be tomorrow.) How did my boys get to be so big, so quickly?

My parents visited over the weekend and we all had a blast. First, we went to a local playground. While B pushed JSL on the swing, NHL skipped the usual slides/climbing playtime routines to check out the hedge maze. Soon enough, his brother joined us and we were running through the winding hedge maze paths together. We also checked out the duck pond which seemed short on ducks but loaded with fish and people sailing model boats.

After this, we went to a local ice cream place for a sweet treat. Here we learned three important lessons: 1) Their small is really large, 2) They have huge ears of corn for sale, and 3) They’ve got cows! In fact, JSL seemed more interested in the moo-ing cows than his ice cream. (Sadly, the cows weren’t out on a return trip the next day.)

The next day, we went to the Altamont Fair with my parents, B’s parents, B’s brother, his wife and their kids (aged 2 and 5 months). Here we went on a lot of rides:

We also saw horses and rabbits:

By far the most terrifying experience (for me, at least) was the ferris wheel. You see, I have a huge fear of falling. So why would I willingly go up 100 feet in one? For the photo opportunity of course! My photo geekery did battle with my falling fear and won. In the photos below, see if you can spot B and our families talking. (For a better look, click on the photos.)

All in all, it was a fun, but exhausting couple of days. It didn’t help that the day after this was NHL’s 7th birthday party. But that’s a post for another day.

There are moments during parenting when you stop and think “Nothing anyone ever told me could prepare me for this moment.” We had one of those moments tonight. After NHL’s 7th birthday party (more on that in another post), NHL was laying on the floor watching TV. JSL decided to lay on top of his brother to give him a hug. Then, he moved so he was using his brother as a bench. Finally, he decided to change his seat… right to NHL’s face! Yes, JSL was trying to sit his rear end on his brother’s face.

I told JSL not to sit on there as B, looking up as the sight, asked “Did he fart on his brother’s face?”

Apparently, NHL took this question as a suggestion because he said, “JSL, fart on my face!”

B and I couldn’t stop laughing. I ask you, how could you possibly be prepared for an unexpected requested head fart?

One of the shows I’ve introduced to NHL and JSL via Netflix/Roku is Rugrats.  NHL has developed a passion for this show, burning through season after season.  He’s up to Season 4 already, the last season available on Roku.  The show went on to Season 10 meaning that the babies were "10 years old" and yet still in diapers.  I guess it could be worse.  Bart Simpson’s been 10 years old for over 20 years!

One of the premises of Rugrats is that the babies can talk.  The adults can’t understand them, but they do talk amongst themselves in nearly perfect English.  (Some words get replaced with similar sounding ones to humorous effect.)  The only one who can communicate with the babies and the adults is Angelica (and Susie later on).  Instead of becoming "The Baby Whisperer", Angelica uses this communication advantage to impose her will on the babies every chance she gets.

Getting back to our kids, JSL has developed a problem speaking.  He’ll drop syllables and seem to expect that we’ll understand him just fine.  If, for example, he wants fruit chews for a snack, he might ask for "uitews."  If he wants his feet covered, he might ask for "ahk."  Needless to say, this can get frustrating.  He thinks he’s being perfectly clear in what he wants and we can’t figure out what he’s saying.

We had one of those moments yesterday.  JSL didn’t want to eat dinner.  Instead, he wanted to play.  But he didn’t want any of the toys we had out so we asked him which toy he wanted.  "Idoam."  We looked at each other, had no clue and, on a whim, asked NHL if he knew what his brother wanted.  Calmly, NHL said "He wants his video game."

Apparently, NHL speaks fluent JSL the same way Angelica spoke fluent baby.  Let’s just hope that NHL uses his gift for good and not evil.  And by using it for good, I mean he is now the Official JSL Translator.

JSL and NHL love superheroes. From Batman to Iron Man to Spiderman to Ben 10, they love watching and acting out the exploits of various superheroes. So they both loved it when I introduced them to Hero Machine. They each had a blast creating their own superhero identity.

First, JSL made himself into Fire Guy:

He was quite adament that Fire Guy be blue and have a cape. Those were non-negotiable. I’m guessing his powers include the ability to throw fire around.

Next up was NHL. He came up with Disco Man:

When I asked why "Disco", NHL replied that it was because of his eyes. They looked like disco balls. (I pointed out a disco ball one time when we bowled a month ago. Good recollection!) He also declared that Disco Man had the power "to die sharks." I’m not sure how useful that power is in the day-to-day life of a super hero. If there’s an evil Shark Dude villian out there, he’d better steer clear of Disco Man.

Of course, I couldn’t let them have all the fun. I designed a superhero for myself and B. Now, we’re a superhero family!

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I believe some evil needs to be vanquished! TechyDad, away!

Over the weekend, we went to a family wedding. First of all, my kids do not have good track records with weddings. The last one we were at, B’s brother’s wedding, saw NHL scream out “I GOTTA GO POTTY” twice. Not because he had to go, mind you, but because he was bored and wanted out of the room. I wasn’t too shocked when, as the wedding party entered to ceremonial music, JSL started getting fussy and announced loudly “ME HUNGRY!!!” We had already gotten him some food (thanks to the catering staff), but he wasn’t satisfied and got more and more vocal.

I picked him up and carried him outside as quickly as I could, but he got even more vocal as we left. I was able to calm him down outside and entertain him with watching some ants and rocking in some rocking chairs. Eventually, I heard different music that indicated to me that the ceremony had ended and soon afterwards, B came out to see how we were doing.

A short while later, my boys were happily eating – crackers and cheese. The appetizers were being served and they were loving it. At one point, NHL informed me that he was almost completely full but had just enough room for cake. I told him that the main course still had to be served and he gave me a “You’re kidding right” look. Of course, they both almost completely shunned the main course. Not because the food was bad, mind you. It was quite good. They shunned it because it was “adult food” and not chicken nuggets, macaroni and cheese or pizza. *sigh* I really need to work on that.

After the cake was sliced, the music started blaring and people starting dancing. Here is where my boys really enjoyed the wedding. NHL and JSL proved that they were both dancing fools, even if video was being taken of them. Please excuse some of the dark videos, the lighting wasn’t the greatest. The room was darkened so rotating colored lights could be seen. If anyone knows of any free or low cost video editing tools to lighten dark videos, I’d love to hear of it.

Do The Twist

Dance Around (very dark, you can see JSL running in circles but can’t see NHL attempting to break dance)

Music (And Trying To Snap Fingers) Trumps Cake… Who Knew?

Shout!

By the end of the night, both kids were exhausted and passed out quite easily. We’re going to have to have dance-offs for them more often!

Before I begin, I must warn you that I’m testing out the new Euphamism-inator Turbo 3000.  This post will contain references to some pretty dirty activities but, these references will be masked with something a little more palatable.  I think I’ll set it to "Star Trek."  While it warms up, let me set the scene.

On Sunday, I decided to spend time with the boys and give B some time off.  First, I needed some supplies for an upcoming Cooking With TechyDad series.  While B went with her parents to shop for dresses (for BlogHer and an upcoming wedding), I took my shopping buddies to Price Chopper. We had a great time getting everything on our list (and a few things not on the list).

At one point, we smelled a heavenly smell and followed our noses to the Price Chopper bakery.  There we saw some wonderful looking breads.  As we examined which ones we might like, one of the bakers came over and handed the boys a slice of bread each.  As they devoured their slices, we picked out a loaf of Tuscan bread, finished our shopping and headed home to put the refrigerated and frozen foods away.

After putting the food away, I noticed that… wait a second, it looks like the Euphamism-inator Turbo 3000 is warmed up.  Perfect timing.  I’ll switch it on now. Read more…

Before NHL was two, we went for a trip to see some friends in Pennsylvania.  While there, NHL slept in a bed by himself for the first time.  (He was still sleeping in his crib.)  When we got back home, NHL was restless at night.  We quickly figured out that his problem was that he had gotten a taste of a big boy bed and wanted more.  We got a twin bed, put it in his room and retired his crib to the basement for storage.

After JSL was born, the crib was brought back out and JSL slept there.  As he began approaching three, he seemed to have more and more restless nights.  We would often find him pushing his body against both sides of the crib at once or with arms and legs in the crib slots (at which point we would need to help him get free before he woke up).  We would get him a bed like NHL’s but their room isn’t big enough to support two beds.  There would be literally no space to walk past the beds.

We’ve considered our options and right now our best bet seems to be bunk beds.  JSL would get the bottom bunk and NHL the top.  Of course, we’re worried about potential dangers of bunk beds, but we also don’t see any other option considering their room size.

My Aloha Friday question for this week is: Have you ever had bunk beds?  If so, what do you recommend we look for/look out for?

Thanks to Kailani at An Island Life for starting this fun for Friday. Please be sure to head over to her blog to say hello and sign the MckLinky there if you are participating.

Aloha #40