Daddy Time

What a relief last week when Steph came home from her trip in Las Vegas! Not that things weren't going well, but I was beat and my cold was still beating me up. On top of it, its been raining every afternoon this week, so the kids haven't been able to get outside and play during those key post-nap hours.

However tough the three days/nights that Stephanie was gone were easily made up by the cool things that I got to experience by spending time with the kids.

The picture is of Mason and Isla at the zoo on our picnic. They so loved sitting down and watching the carousel and train. I loved that almost no one comes into the little park within the zoo where we were eating. In addition, this trip to the zoo was the first time I got to see Mason use the map to take us around the zoo. He knows right where to find the kangaroos, the elephants, the penguins, the lorikeets, the monkeys, the carousel and the train. Given time, I'm sure he would have taken us around the entire zoo. Its so neat to see him looking at the map and trying to figure things out.

Another highlight was feeding the lorikeets. Mason was brave and held out the nectar for them to drink, while Isla was fascinated as the lorikeet jumped on my arm and drank the nectar from my hand. It was a really cool time with the two kids.

On Wednesday morning, Isla decided she wanted to wake up early. I was going to let her cry a little before getting her, but a minute later, I hear Mason talking to Isla. He was trying to calm her down. He said "Don't worry Isla, I'll get daddy." But she wouldn't let him leave. She kept crying, so Mason said, "Here's your binky Isla, don't cry, I'll get daddy." She kept crying because she didn't want Mason to leave. Again he tried to leave saying that he would get me, but felt trapped because she wouldn't stop the tears. I decided to get up and help him out. Both were relieved.

The next morning as I was taking a shower, I left the kids to watch some cartoons. I came out of the shower, but Isla was nowhere to be found. I asked Mason where she went and he didn't know because "Handy Manny" was on the tv. So I walked downstairs and found Isla on the kitchen floor with a handful of Chex cereal. She was hungry, so she had opened the newly stocked lazy susan and found the cereal and the pop tarts. Once I was able to wrest the cereal from her hand she showed me the box of pop tarts and then went to the table where she had placed the package of poptarts on her high chair. So I decided to reward her cunning with both cereal and pop tarts. I never thought I would find her amongst a pile of food, but on reflection, I should have known better.

I also got to see Isla and her favorite thing to do outside. If the screen door is Isla's only obstacle to the patio, Isla will put on her Crocs and walk out to her playhouse that Steph and I got at a garage sale for just $10. A steal. She loves to walk into the door and look out all the windows.

Finally, is it strange that Isla doesn't have the standard "lovie" in her crib. Instead of a stuffed animal or blanket. Isla insists on sleeping with a book or two. Right now "Time for Bed" "Brown Bear" and "No No Yes Yes" are in the bed favorites, while outside the crib, the animal book from Poppi is requested about 98% of the time. She doesn't tire of looking at the animals and she's starting to pick up my signing of the animals. She now makes an elephant noise and raises her arm like a trunk. She also loves the chickens and the ducks. Hopefully a stop at Amy, Ryan, Nils and Eden's farm will be in the works this summer. Isla would love the chickens. Oh yeah and Isla has a new cousin. Edi came early Sunday morning. So now when we are back in the Midwest, Isla and Edi will be running to keep up with the five older boys. Congrats Amy, Rye, and Nils.

Next Monday Mason will be moving to the Rainbow Fish room and I think he's excited, but leaving the Little Javelinas today was pretty tough. The 4th of July weekend looks to be a lot of fun with friends and we are excited to share our remodeled home!