Reading together

Part III: Singing and making music with Aunt Deb and Uncle David. Theo as always showed a great interest in the piano, playing it gently and watching Aunt Deb play. Both boys loved using the tambourine, trumpet and  kazoo to accompany favorites like Itsy Bitsy Spider and Mary Had a Little Lamb.

Boston Part II: Leibowitz/Genovese family

Back from our Pilgrim Thanksgiving in Massachusetts

PART ONE-BOSTON CHILDREN'S MUSEUM WEDNESDAY

We had the museum almost to ourselves. I guess everyone else was traveling. Highlights of the day: no diapers all day; riding the train to and from Boston; family bathrooms in almost every room; macaroni and cheese at the cafeteria; full-size front loaders to climb on; hairstyling at the Black Boston beauty shop; cars to drive; hanging with Big Papi.

First snow

Happy half birthday!

Mama made frugal soup from the rotisserie chicken carcass from last night plus some beans and chicken sausage, so we splurged by going out to Gannon's to celebrate the boys' half birthday. Both asked for raspberry ice cream, which was a surprise to me since we have never had that at home. I guess they must remember that the one time I've taken them there before they had raspberry ice cream. Amazing. Not surprisingly, on a cold, rainy night, we had the place to ourselves. Today I also taught them to say "two and a half" when asked their age.

Two and a half--our 500th post

Thursday November 21 the boys will be two and a half years old. Whoa!

Beckett:
Very interested in figuring out how words go together. Has mastered past tense and me/I. Favorite phrases from the last few weeks: when told that it is time to use the potty, says "I already did!" When told time to change your diaper, "Mama already changed my diaper!" Is always trying out new phrases, and likes to repeat phrases he has heard, in appropriate context (watch the swears, Mama!). It's amazing how "TUP IN!" has turned into "Mama, tuck me in!"
Has really come into his own in the last few months. Whereas he had been more timid, more cautious, and seemed less sure of himself, he now wants to be first up a new playground structure, and first to try anything physical.
Used to be the pickier eater but recently has accepted wholeheartedly the house rule to try one bite. Frequently tells Theo, as Theo is protesting the rule, "just try it! it's not bad."
Is still the most rugged, tough little guy. Which is good, because he is incredibly clumsy. At least once a day I watch him walk head on into something, or stumble while running (or walking) and bonk his head on something. And no matter how much it must hurt, he always just looks stunned for a moment, rubs his head, and then moves on.

Theo:
Has memorized a few of his favorite books, including Auntie Alexis' Curious George (the part with the firefighters) and rattles them off, word for word.
Is concerned with accuracy, so often cocks his head, rolls his eyes, and says things like "Not horse, actually pony". Usually it sounds so condescending that you can imagine him saying "dummy" at the end of the sentence.
Has been more clingy lately, concerned with who will be caring for him on a given day. "Daddy not leave Theo" was a particularly heart-wrenching statement he made before Jeff's overnight trip away Tuesday.
Loves the new trampoline and can jump for long stretches.
Used to be our more adventurous eater but these days has become more picky and grumpy about eating.
Is frequently told, when we are out meeting new people, that he will be an engineer when he grows up. Last week at the library he was so curious about a track lighting fixture that the librarian commented that no one had ever looked at that fixture for so long--he'll probably be an engineer when he grows up. He's very interested in how things operate, what makes them move, and how to manipulate them.

Both boys
Are great eaters of salty, fatty, carby and sweet foods. Surprise? They usually eat 2-3 normal human size bowls of cereal each morning. Lunch and dinner are spotty depending on what is being prepared. We continue the rule of "just try it." No "clean plate club," just everyone has to try one bite of everything on the table. My favorite is when they resist, resist, resist something, and then finally try it and a smile creeps across their faces as they realize how delicious it is!
Are voracious readers. They love sitting with books, even books they are not familiar with, and carefully examining the images.
Are prone to major meltdowns over what appears to be minor infractions, usually over within 10 seconds. When you're in the middle of it, though, it seems like the most horrible thing in the world has just happened. Then you realize it was just because Theo's left shoe was put on before his right shoe, or because Beckett had in his mind imagined reading the book Theo just picked, and now Beckett will have to wait a minute to read it.
Go through about two diapers each a day now, when we are home or sticking close to home (i.e. not in the car for more than an hour each way, or visiting someplace where a bathroom is not close). Still using diapers for naps and for overnights, but not much else. They both use the potty and the toilet with little prompting when we are home, and only a little urging when we are out. Beckett is doing better pooping on the potty by himself but Theo has still only pooped in the potty a few times.
Are enthusiastic and unafraid in public places, as demonstrated at Eastlake Recreation last Friday when they walked in, looked around, and started exploring by themselves. Also at the Rochester Museum of Play Sunday, where they ran full-speed through the museum checking out all the neat stuff.
Love Halloween candy. Having never had much sweet stuff before, the boys are loving the "one piece" rule following Halloween. Though they will sometimes pick Grandpa Stu's dried apples over candy.
Know some letters and can count, sometimes as high as 10.
Love to sing, especially Itsy Bitsy Spider, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, the alphabet song, and Old King Cole. We love listening when their bits and pieces of songs get mashed up together.

Note: there have been no pictures or posts since last Friday when Mama lost her camera at the ball pit at Eastlake Recreation on a great playdate with Sarah and Toby (and Sam and Josh). BUT tonight Grandma Joanie made the save of the year, tramping through the ball pit with her tennis buddies until they (Robin!) found it. Thanks guys! More pictures to follow when I get the camera back....