Summer Reading

Now that it is summer time, and summer break from work I am spending more time at home with Connor. I have been overheard telling people that my summer plans involve being a "free spirit" and basically doing whatever I want all day long. Of course this is kinda difficult with a rather independent thinking 2-year old. I should revise...we basically do what ever Connor wants all day long. Thus, this is my favorite activity of the day...Usually once a day, at random times Connor decides he would like to do some independent reading. (In fact, I think I just might sign him up for one of those free summer reading contests where you count the number of books you read and win all kinds of fabulous freebies. I think he might blow those 8-year olds right out of the water.) This reading activity basically involves taking each book out of the book cabinet, one at a time, and flipping through each page. It takes between 25-45 minutes. Thus, this is exactly how long I have each day to be a "free spirit." If this occurs in the morning, I chill on the couch, drink a huge cup of coffee, and basically try to pull myself together for the day (I am NOT a morning person). If this occurs later in the day, then I read the most recent novel off of my summer reading list, paint my toenails, or something equally as mindless. Occasionally this occurs right at dinner time. Now, I know that dinner time is supposed to involve some high quality family together-ness including all members of the family. But please, just trust me on this one...when a 2-year old wants some alone reading time YOU. JUST. LET. HIM. BE.

A Yacht for Two

Connor's boat has gotten a lot of use over these past two years. First, as his personal boat, then when he was the Captain. These days it is a yacht made for two. Despite the occasional difficulties in sharing toys, Lauren is his pal. Once he saw Lauren in the boat, he insisted on climbing right in. It was a bit of a tight squeeze, but apparently when you are pals, you can make it work.

Party #2

Party #2 was a family BBQ, complete with a large showing of Dodger Fans.

Take me out to the Ball Game... The life of the party, little puppy "Clipper" (not ours & not a birthday gift...although by the end of the party, I think that Connor really REALLY wished he was!)
Connor & Lauren eating some hot dogs, cracker jacks, and peanuts (okay, not really. Just hot dogs & watermelon this year...)

Connor (and Lauren) opening gifts...

Connor & his trusty side-kick trying out the new trike!

Clapping for himself during his favorite part (candles, of course!)

Party #1

Either Connor is spoiled, or his mama is crazy (or maybe a little of both) because Connor got TWO Birthday parties this year. Sheesh! The first one, was for all his little friends (and their mamas) on his actual B-day. Here's the Birthday Boy excited as ever... Quietly playing with his friend Ty & cousin Lauren. And, for the record, this "quiet play" picture is NOT a good representation of the chaos which was his 2-year old party. Let's just say that 12 two-year olds do not "quietly" play for very long...

Candles...Connor's favorite part! After he blew them out, he said, "More. More! MORE!" and I had to explain that the candles are only blown out once...
A bunch of tired 2-year olds, full of sugar, & singing at the end of the party....

Cheers!

Happy Birthday, Connor!

Dear Connor,
Today you are two! I never really thought that I would say this (especially not when you were a "high maintenance" infant) but I wish I could stop time & just keep you the way you are right now. The terrible twos aren't so terrible after all (knock on wood...). You appreciate the little things in life. Such as rocks. You love to collect rocks. Plain, ole' gray rocks. They seem kinda meaningless to most people, but to you they are treasures to save (and exchange later for gold perhaps?). You get really excited to read the same books over, and over, and OVER again. In fact, you get excited to do almost anything these days. Last night you helped your dad pull weeds for almost an hour...super exciting (obviously)!! But not as exciting as your nightly wrestling match with your Dad...now that is halarious (to us all).

You are talking up a storm (even though we can't understand some...er many of the words just yet). Some of your favorite phrases include: "Daddy fix it!" (because you think that he can fix anything, including the broken grocery cart at Trader Joes); "More buoys, peas" (translation: more blueberries please); and "No, Connor do it!" (which means that you insist upon doing it all by yourself). You have even said a few long words recently like "Montana" and "Pentagon" (although you were holding a hexagon at the time...ummm, so we'll have to work on that a bit.)

Since your whole life revolves around your Elmo & Zoe monsters, we often have conversations about them. The other day as we were driving home, I asked you what you thought they were doing at home. Your reply, "Ernie Puzzle." Of course. What ELSE would they be doing? The next day, you said "Baseball. Zoe hit it!" Apparently those monsters have all kinds of fun when we are not around. Its kinda like Calvin & Hobbs (a reference that will likely go over your head).

For your birthday, your Aunt Erica took some pictures of us at the Portland Rose Garden (See her work at ericacunninghamphotography.blogspot.com). What a great gift! Uncle Troy was the "entertainment" ...you obviously enjoyed yourself!

Happy Birthday, Connor!

Love, Mom xoxo

King Connor

One of Connor's favorite activities is to boss people around. This works especially well with his two Grandma's... "Grandma sit here." (Points to chair) and Daisy..."Daisy come on!" (Although Daisy is a much less willing participant.)

The other day Connor sat down in his chair and demanded "feet" (his foot stool):

As if this wasn't enough, he then demanded some "ice" (shaved ice in a cup...at least this "treat" is virtually free!). Apparently we need to do some more work on the word, "Please." SHEESH!