The Griff

There are some things about our Goofy 3.5 year old that must be chronicled.

Do not eat the cookies he decorates. You have been warned.

The child cannot be trusted around frosting. Or sweets of any kind. This holiday season he took to sneaking a candy cane off the tree and disappearing downstairs for a few moments to hastily cram the forbidden fruit into his mouth.

Of course, the moment he came back upstairs his sticky face and hands would betray his crime. Also, he would confess without even being asked a question. Do not tell him your secrets.

Too bad for him I won't actually let him play football while he's on our health insurance plan.

The child is silly. Like, seriously silly. Always. He has an overactive imagination that, on the one hand gives us this great game of Mama & Baby Penguin (explained below), but on the other hand contributes to his frequent nightmares and deep fear of the dark.

Mama & Baby Penguin
In this game (or reenactment, call it what you will), G rushes straight to his bed after his bath and curls up in a ball with his towel covering him. I come in and envelop him until he's ready to "hatch" and then he pops out of his "egg" and says "Hi Mama Penguin!" At which point I can now dry him off and he can put on his pajamas. This happens every night at our house and is partially based off of a book the kids have called A Penguin Pup for Pinkerton.

Mama's Boy, 1,000%

Griffin loves his Daddy, even though Bryan jokes that he's the last man on the totem pole with his son. But Bubby looooooooooooves his Mama. And I used to find that a smidgen frustrating when he was smaller and needier. But I no longer feel that way.

One day the scales will tip back. Mama is no good at throwing baseballs or playing tackle/tickle (his favorite game to play with Bryan), so I will take my dozens of kisses a day now and hopefully save the sweet memory of them until, many many many many many years from now, I get a grandchild who will love me with the same unconditional fervor. (Or a niece/nephew - hint hint Nic).

Speaking of kisses, G has taken to counting our kisses. I usually get 10 at a time. I think it's because he loves counting. LOVES. He counts everything.

I get flowers at least once a week.

If there is a flower on the grass, Griffin will pick it and give it to me. Without fail. Often, on the way home from school with the babysitter, he'll pick a few pretty weeds and have them in a cup of water waiting for me when I get home.

It is adorable. It is heart melting. It is awesome.

Little boys can be messy, dirty, and smelly. They can play rough. They often forget their own strength. They are quickly swayed by their emotions.

They are also sweet. And kind. And loving.

Because really? All kids are those things.

"That was the best ever!"

Penelope says or does something every day that makes me laugh. Today she was on a roll.

As we pull into the parking spot @ G's Pediatrician's office:

"Whee! Whee! Whee! That was the best ever!"

Waiting for the doctor:

P: "I'm a snake! Ssssss! (this was accompanied by an Axel Rose like dance) I'm a giraffe! (she continues to list other animals)"
Me: "Penny, pretend to be Lightening McQueen."
P: "Beautiful idea! I'm Lightening McQueen! Ka-chow! Ka-chow!" (this said while jumping around)

At 'It's a Pita' she was dancing to the music, but he dancing looked like she was miming cross-country skiing.

When she spilled something this morning: "Oh man!"

Putting on her seatbelt in the carseat: "I did it! I'm doing it!"

She's also taken to playing "monkey bars" which is when she stands on her bed and hangs onto the windowsill and then attempts pull-ups.

She's a weird one. But we love it.

Good idea, bad idea?

Bryan's birthday was on Tuesday. We had a small celebration at home and I ordered an ice cream cake. The kids went with me to order it and so I let Penny help pick out the decorations - she chose Toy Story (big surprise).

The cake turned out well, but choosing the theme may have been a mistake.

It came with Woody and Buzz figurines, and the Buzz figurine isn't really a figurine at all. It's more like a hologram card. The Woody figurine is about 2 inches tall and he's sitting on a letter block.

Anyway, Penelope (obviously) got the figurines.

And has proceeded to take them to bed with her every night since then. She also took "Buzz" to the zoo with her and showed him the animals. "Look Buzz! Giraffes! Mama, Buzz see's giraffes too!"

It is crazy how in love she is with these tiny, cheap, plastic toys. Crazy.

Also? I have a cloth reusable bag that has the Toy Story characters on it. Penelope took it with her to nap today. I am not kidding. This child is CRAZY for Toy Story.

My children are weird

Occasionally Penelope and Griffin will sit next to each other and just laugh. Penny will do something and G will laugh, then P will laugh that G is laughing, and the cycle will repeat. It's nice having kids that are so easily amused.

In just a few weeks Penelope will turn 2. TWO. Two YEARS. TWO YEARS OLD!

Holy monkeys in a jar, where did the time go????

We're still working on a location for her birthday party. At this age the party is still more for us than her (and if we're being completely honest it's mostly for me, I think Bryan would be just fine with a low-key family thing, but I *need* a party. Don't ask me why, I just do ok?).

It's been so crazy here that party planning has fallen by the wayside. But my last seminar class is Monday and then all I have are TPA 3 & 4 (TPA 3 is practically finished), a few silly hoops to jump through for the CCTC (CA Commission on Teacher Credentialing), finishing out the semester of student teaching, and writing a thesis. Haha, "only".

So I won't be sane until at least February. If then. Hold your sarcastic comments please.

Other things:
*Penelope is perhaps the sweetest, most loving, and wonderful two year old in the history of toddlers. She is constantly giving hugs and kisses, loves her brother, the dog, her dolls, and everything ever. She tells me I look "bootaful" when I wear hats (which I will now wear every day just to hear her say it). She ASKS to be tickled and loves to try and tickle you. She hugs the dog at least once a day. She kisses characters in her books, she HUGS THE GROUND. Seriously.

*Griffin is a goober. He also sounds like Chewbacca. And OH MY GOODNESS is he a mama's boy. Penny was always more of a Grandpa's girl (and still is) but sweet baby-jesus-on-a-stick Griffin LOVES his mommy. I am not complaining. One day he'll slam doors in my face so I'll take the love while I can get it. Don't get me wrong, he loves his Daddy too - but the child will leap out of Daddy's arms when I pass by.

*Bryan and I are sick. Boo. Not really big news, but it's certainly no fun. Luckily yesterday was the last day of school before Thanksgiving break so I have a chance to recuperate. I'm looking forward to spending a week with the kids. I miss the SAHM gig. I have a ton of papers to grade, but I can do that during naps and at night - during the day I will soak in as much of my munchkins as I can.

All for now - must get back to my babies!

These pictures require a bit of explanation...

This morning Penelope had oatmeal for breakfast. This is always a messy endeavor, and generally results in a shirtless baby after breakfast is completed. I could use a bib, but it really doesn't help with the mess. So after she was done I wiped her down, pulled off her shirt, and let her run around the house half naked.

She's been on a scarf & necklace kick lately, so the first thing she does is grab her fuzzy scarves and put them on.

So now my toddler looks like Steven Tyler (only oodles cuter).

See?





I think it's hilarious.

A real update later, much to talk about.