I Want A Big Hug

Last night putting James to bed, we had an absolute laugh-fest about saying that his dad was Scooby-Doo or that bear's daddy (from the book) was Scooby-Doo. (He's been obsessed with Scooby-Doo lately, though I don't know if he's ever even seen the dog. One of his friends from daycare is going to be Scooby-Doo for Halloween, so he must talk about it a lot). Wow was James ever cracking himself up. So, he was a little wound up; when I left the room (even 15 minutes later than normal) he was still settling down. As I was walking out, he whispered something. I couldn't hear, so came closer and asked him to repeat. He said, "I want I want a big hug" and stretched his arms out toward me. I had no idea my heart could grow so big.

Pumpkin Festival!

Last week-end, we joined our friends Jon (or, as both I and James call him, Marbach) and Amy, and their lovely daughter Genevieve, to a pumpkin festival. The kiddos had fun romping around the pumpkin patch (well, romping in the case of James, being propped up against pumpkins in the case of Evie). There are some photos here:

10.10.09 -- Pumpkin Festival

Where my sasuage at?

Last night we went out for dinner at a nearby sports restaurant/bar...not for the sports, but because they had cold beer, chicken wings, and a patio -- three things I was looking for on this lovely early-autumn evening. Alas, the patio was booked so we sat inside and had a pleasant meal. To our surprise, Becky and I were actually able to have a sustained conversation (the first time this has happened in a while) as James was completely mesmerized by the various large-screen TVs showing various sporting events. Now we know how to get ourselves a peaceful dinner without the need for a babysitter!

After dinner, we walked across the street to the grocery store to purchase supplies for the picnic dinner we had today with Jamie's best love Addie and her mom (and our dear friend) Auntie Jen. One of the first items we picked up was a miraculously vacuum-packed salami. James spent the next twenty minutes or so throwing the salami as far as he could down an aisle (which is pretty far; maybe he learned something from watching all that football at dinner!) and then chasing after it, picking it up again, and doing the same. Occasionally, he would throw it at a display of cereal boxes or dishwasher detergent instead of down the aisle. It would disappear behind the racks of dry goods and he would exclaim, laughing hysterically, "Where my sausage at?" The packaging never opened and the salami was delicious.

Just Right!

I'm sure everyone feels this way, and in fact I think there was a TV show whose title expressed this sentiment, but sometimes James just says the most amazing and surprising things. Yesterday we had two of those incidents...

First, we returned home after work/daycare and James needed a diaper change. He was very cooperative and when I was done I said, "All finished." James sat up and said, "Thank you Mommy." It was the first time he ever thanked me for changing his diaper and seeing as it has been more than two years - about time!

Later we were playing in his tent to which his tunnel attaches. James would crawl through and laugh and laugh and then say, "Mommy's turn." I attempted this a few times - no easy task even before I was pregnant. (I'm still cursing my parents for buying James the tunnel. Maybe we'll see if grandpa wants to crawl through when he is here in December.) Finally, I had to give up. I looked at James and said, "Mommy's too big." He was thoughtful for a moment and then replied, "James is just right." I could do nothing but wholeheartedly agree.

Sometimes it's hard being a dad...

Parenting sometimes involves a great deal of sacrifice: of time, of personal interest, of other hobbies and commitments. This past week-end was an example of the opposite: we went camping, found snakes, played at the beach, and rode on a train (Thomas the Tank Engine, no less!). Actually, I felt like I was returning to my idyllic childhood only now I was able to enjoy a cold beer at the end of such an exciting day. Jamie's best buddy Benton came on the train, too -- along with his parents and his new (as of 4 months ago) baby sister Maria, who James was very curious about and insisted on giving a kiss at the end of the night. Enjoy some of these photos, especially the ones of James with the snake and the very, very cute photos of him and Benton together!

10.09.19 -- Camping & Thomas

Swimming!

Our favorite pool closes this week-end, so we spent this very, very hot afternoon enjoying one last splishing and splashing rumpus. James gets more comfortable and more bold in the water every time. Today, he insisted on "swimming" back and forth between Mommy and Daddy at least 7,000 times. He wanted more more more of going under together and even intentionally dunks himself. This boy loves the water! We got some good photos of him at the pool:

10.09.05 -- James at Pool

And, just for Grandpa Slater, we got some video of his diving:

From 10.09.05 -- James at Pool

What Jamie Says

Yesterday morning while driving, James and I were playing the "What does a _____ say?" game. It went like this:

"What does a firetruck say?"

"WEEEE-OOOO! WEEEE-OOOO!"

"What does an ambulance say?"

"WEEEE-OOOO! WEEEE-OOOO!"

"What does a doggie say?"

"Woof! Woof woof!"

"What does Jamie say?"

**pause**

"I love you!"