Monkey Toes

I haven't updated the blog in forever! We had family come for a visit and went to tour DC with them. Took TONS of photos and haven't had time to upload them, but I promise I will soon!

On another note...
Yesterday, I took Libby and Drew shoe-shopping WITHOUT the stroller. BIG mistake. At first, they were pretty well-behaved and stayed close to me thanks to the kiddie leashes I had. But the A/C was out in the store, so it was hot. They looked at the really sparkly shoes and those with Dora. But for some reason, Libby did not want to try on ANY shoes at all, even though she was so excited to go to the shoe store. All she has that fits her are 2 pairs of Crocs. So, she needs shoes! I basically had other customers watch in disgust as I forced a few pair of Mary Janes on her. Finally, she resorted to the bargain that she only had to stand up with them on oe time and then I'd take them off. I thought it was because I put socks on her in the hot store-- she was not a happy one about that. She had a full-blown tantrum and after I paid and wrangled them up to the car, I was exhausted. We got home, unloaded from the car and then guess who wants to put on socks- and wore them the rest of the day! This morning when she woke up, she wanted to put on her new shoesm too. You never know what the day will be like for her. Can't wait til she's a teenager!

In my search for shoes for her, I came across this website called Monkey Toes with hand-painted shoes for kids. They are TOO CUTE. I'm impressed at their prices since they are each individually hand-painted like pieces of art! They are so cute that I'm not sure which ones to get. I'm thinking the Little Ladies or Flutterflies. Love those curly shoelaces! Decisions, decisions...

Grandpa would be proud

My Grandpa Carbon had 1 million uses for duct tape. My mom tells me that he used it on any and everything. Then again, he also painted their car with a paintbrush! Regardless, when he passed away many years ago, my mom and aunts and uncle found tons of rolls- some almost empty, some almost full all over his house. That makes me chuckle. Well, Grandpa, I'm thinking of you a lot today because we found yet another use of it that I wonder if you ever tried.

Turns out that Drew LOVES to be naked and is taking off his PJ's and yep- diaper, too- but let's not talk about that part-- every night now. He thinks it's so funny, but we don't. Libby is starting to join in, but she usually can't get her zippered PJ's off. But Drew can. Remember that he was the one that could get any shoe off, too. I used to order their shoes from Preschoolians.com because they had flexible soles and were made really well. Some were even described as so good that "even baby Houdini couldn't get them off". Well, looks like we have a baby even BETTER than Houdini since he got those $30 puppies off in a matter of seconds!

But back to the duct tape-- we've now resorted to using 1 strip of it on the front of their diapers to hold the tabs down nice and tight. For the past 2 nights, it's worked, but we often find him in bed with just the diaper on- pj's off of course. So, I'm going tomorrow to look for some footless zippered PJ's and will try putting them on backwards. HA- now that'll get you, baby Houdini! At least I hope. Oh, and for those of you who might think this trick is mean, well at least we haven't resorted to this:

...at least not yet anyway!

Boy, are they TWO or what?

Drew is ALL BOY and ALL TWO lately- phew weee. It's been really tough lately, but I guess it just keeps us on our toes! ;) But what he's learned so well lately is also how to be a little lovey boy. He gives kisses all the time, whereas Libby barely offers you her cheek. He's trying to pucker and everything- it's so cute. He's also learned how to say, "Sorry, Libby" REALLY well since he's had soooo much practice! He's also hugging her afterward and it is just adorable. I was finally able to catch a photo of them the other day-- isn't it so sweet?

I've read a few books about these tough days of two's, including Making the Terrible Two's Terrific. Mostly, it's about normal development of them wanting to explore things, so the best remedy is prevention-- putting away delicate crystal and other temptations while also letting them just "play" with things that are safe. So, I've decided to let them tear the sofa apart- and they do it many times a day- and have a blast. They make choo-choo trains out of it, bounce on them, tackle each other on them, bury themselves in them, and play peek-a-boo. It's so much fun for them and hey- if it entertains them in a safe way, I'm all in!

Little DaVinci's

It's been pretty hot and sticky or rainy lately, so we've been trying not to kill one another while being inside most of the day! I pulled out the crayons and happened to have some Teletubbies and Sesame Street coloring books with my teaching supplies. I also had a paint-with-water book, but that was a little tricky with the water, so we stuck with crayons! Plus, since they're washable, I didn't care much if they colored the table, too-- it wiped right off.