Sunny Days:)

Feeding the ducks at the park

The kids are both sick this week, but we have all really been enjoying these warm days we've been getting here and there, lately. Lena is really hard to keep up with outside, but she LOVES to be out there playing. She wants to do everything that Cooper does and go everywhere he goes, and you have to follow her every move, so it is a good workout for all of us. I am really tired right now, so I can't think of anything else to report - oh, wait, there is one thing I thought I would mention. We finally found Cooper a loft bed on Craigslist. We all really like it, but we had a talk with him about how Lena was not allowed to climb on the latter, and how he had to help up make sure that she did not try. Well, the day after he got it, Mom overheard him (she was coming down the hallway) showing Lena how to climb up the steps, and then trying to coax her up the ladder! She caught him doing this twice that day. So, we put his bed under the new bed, and told him that he could not have his new bed back until his birthday. Even then, we don't think we will put the ladder back in the room. We may just have to put him in and get him out of the bed for a while. I have to wonder if it is his sabotage plan? Here are some pics we took lately enjoying being outside.

Just checking in. . .

It's been a little while since my last post, so I thought I might jot a few things down. As far as what Cooper is up too, that would be Wii, specifically Mario Kart. I always said I would not let him play video games all of the time, and I never imagined him playing at 3 years old (thanks John), but that is becoming more and more the reality. I try to only let him play for 30-40 minutes 2-3 times a day, but that is more than I would like. He, however, would play it all day if I would let him. It's scary, because I know it's only going to get worse. We are going to have to lay down some strict rules in the near future. I have to admit, it is alot of fun. I'm an adult, and I really enjoy the Mario Kart game, so I am sure it is tons of fun for him.

He is also getting along better with Lena lately. I think the worst has passed (knock on wood) and even though his jealousy is still very obvious, he does "play" and interact with her more and seems more and more to have a genuine love for her. His behavior, in general, is a little better, I believe. I know that a few months ago, I felt at my wits end, and I am not feeling that way right now, so I definitely think it's better.

Speaking of Lena, she is into everything. Although, she is not fond of the Wii, as she knows that it takes away her attention and play with her brother. Today, she reinterated that sentiment by throwing one of the Wii remotes in the toilet:) She is talking more and more, but she is much more a mover than a talker at this point. Her new words are her own name. When you call her name, usually telling her no or stop, she will often repeat it back to you. She also says "thank you" while she puts back the things that she scatters about, because she is used to me thanking her for her help. In the last few days she has started trying to carry Cooper's stools around in order to try and climb onto things, and she has the knots on her head to prove it! Today, she carried a small chair from Cooper's room to the dining room, and placed it next to a chair in the dining room, and was using it to try and climb onto the chair so that she could get to the rocks that Cooper was playing with on the dining room table. Yes, she has taken toddler to a whole new level for me. Cooper did not learn how to use a stool until John showed him at 2 or 2 and 1/2. I also remember that Cooper was more likely to stay in the area where I was, where Lena LOVES to go about the whole house pillaging her loot. I am trying to get used to keeping the doors in the back of the house closed.

I think that's about it for now - times are good.