This and that in mid-July

Kieran playing trains (note the tunnel made from a pie box) with Papa and Elmie. Kieran is crazy about this puppet he's the first one KP greets when we visit my folks. In fact, he insisted on bringing Elmie over for a sleepover tonight- they are cuddled up in Kieran's bed right now ;)

This is Kieran's favorite way to eat- with his toes curled around the edge of the table- so sweet :)

Kieran is a big fan of spaghetti and he does not hold back when we have it- thus the shirt-less look. He had three servings of pasta at this dinner as well as some off my plate!

Love that he's eating this cheese stick like someone might smoke a cigar.

Got to love his marinara five o'clock shadow!

A boy after his father's heart- reading a comic. I love that he chose to do so with George in a laundry basket.

Mommy gets in on the comic reading action- we are a household of nerds.

So we are going to try potty-training in earnest this week. In preparation for the big event, I found this fun book, How to Potty Train Your Monster at the library- KP is mad about monsters so I was hoping it would capture his interest. To bring the point home, I bought him a monster doll (a character from Yo Gabba Gabba) so that he can train his own monster too. The frog is a new potty chair- we had another one that had a soft foam seat that Kieran chewed a large chunk out of and then later pooped on it and I couldn't get it clean- gross and weird I know... I think I really will be potty training a monster!

I got this idea from a friend- a potty bank- pennies for pee-pee and poo-poo! I looked all over for a typical piggy bank but they were all ceramic and I want to keep it in the bathroom and I didn't think it would last long on the tile floor. So I found this plastic jug at Hobby Lobby and cut a slit in the lid- viola! A do-it-yourself-piggy-bank! Of course I couldn't leave it plain so I bought some paints and let Kieran go to town! We also added stickers with his name and happy faces... here's hoping this thing is filled with pennies by the end of the summer!

Kieran and Koshka

Kieran and his pal Koshie watching The Polar Express and possibly sharing a treat.

A boy and his dog- so sweet (as long as Koshie is in a good mood ;)

Happy 4th of July! (plus some train time)

Kieran spent a considerable amount of his time over the holiday weekend playing trains- of course ;)

He's been yelling "ALL DBOARD!" recently as he plays trains and then just randomly whilst eating or riding int he car... he has the inflection perfect but the pronunciation isn't quite there yet- however I kinda' like the way he says it!

Play time with the Shibas. He calls Koshka "Koshi" and "Kosher" he also calls Neko these same names. However, today, he started calling Neko "Niki". He loves to boss them around and play ball and "lazier light" with his Buzz light year toy which the dogs LOVE to chase around the house.

"Drop it Koshi!"

Kieran in his red, white and blue for the July 4th holiday at my folks house watching Finding Nemo- a new favorite movie.

Presley showing her American spirit whilst eating a yummy meal curtsey of nana :)

Kieran loved waving the flags around and carried one off and on most of the night.

Kieran with Elmer/ "Elmie" the somewhat creepy puppet my dad brought back from a trip to Bennett Springs. Presley is a little scared of the doll (as she should be) but Kieran LOVES Elmie as you can see here as they push the shopping cart together.

The kids and Elmie "playing" the piano- Presley also sang for us ;)

Kieran thought Elmie should play too ;)

After dinner, lots of playing and far too much ice cream cake, the kids had a bath, got into their PJs and headed outside for some early fireworks. Here's KP rolling in the rocks...

Pouring rocks wearing his hat in his monster jammies...

Watching Papa light fireworks and RUN!

"Whoa!! That was a big one!" I LOVE the kids expressions in this and the fact that they have obviously lost track of the rocket ;)

Late June

Kieran enjoying some breakfast whilst wearing his Thomas shirt, conductor cap and holding a "ticket" which is actual a flyer that came out of his nature magazine. Don't you love his face? So much attitude already!

Reading to Kieran from his monthly conservation book... notice he still has his "ticket" in hand.

Another Friday morning spent at Flipz gym- this time with Papa and cousin Presley. Here Kieran is making train tracks and a tunnel with some of the foam cubes out of the "pit".

Presley really liked Flipz (first time there) and had a great time running around and rolling in the cubes!

Papa and Kieran playing trains- of course- what else is there?

Here is Kieran with his new haircut- which apperently aged him 12 years to become a surly teenager throwing up gang signs...

Another teen moment- "NO Mommy!"

Ahh- there's the sweet baby I know and love :)

This first full month of summer has been so much fun and it's even better now that Rick is done with summer camps and can be home with us all day! We've spent a lot more time outside on the deck splashing in the pool and driving trains around the table. Kieran got a new summer haircut today- auntie Shannon used the clippers for the first time and Kieran actually did very well with them- wasn't afraid at all- although they did tickle some. However, he wasn't too keen on the tiny bits of hair down his shirt and all over his face and neck. Although I think the new cut is very cute- it is a bit sad as he looks like a big boy all of a sudden.
On another note- Kieran's new favorite saying is, "STOP IT TREES!!" Which he says whenever something doesn't go his way such as a train derails on the tracks or he stubs his toe. Seemingly very random although there is a sliver of logic to it... He confuses trees and wind and the wind has been the source of some frustration recently as we have had our windows open and the incoming breeze occasionally knocks over a precariously perched train or toy upsetting our fragile little boy. So now when ever something annoying happens Kieran blames the trees and will run to the window and yell, "STOP IT TREES!!' Very funny stuff ;)

Some summer time fun!

Kieran chose this look for play time on the deck- note the Thomas undies and sock-gloves-  Rick thought he was looking rather "super"!

A favorite treat this summer- frozen yogurt pouches- mmmm and surprisingly a lot more tidy than a traditional Popsicle!

Fridays this summer the Flipz gymnasium is open a couple hours in the morning for free play for the toddler set. Kieran and I met Julie and her boys for an impromptu play-date. Kieran really liked the place and who wouldn't?! They have mats galore, balls of all sizes, multiple trampolines and a HUGE bouncy pit filled with foam cubes- what could be better?!

Kieran in the "cube pit"!

Julie, Jacob and Evan hanging out in a wheel mat.

All the boys together and still- this didn't happen again ;)

I took Kieran to the Parks and Rec Family Fun Fest at Flat Branch Park. Although he wasn't all that interested in the activities they had (probably for older kids really) he did LOVE the "tunnel" and creek.

He spent at least half an hour running up and down the creek throwing in leaves and rocks and yelling "TUNNEL!" Here Kieran takes a break to gaze thoughtfully into the creek- looks as though he might break into song Disney style at any moment- don't you think?

One activity Kieran was interested in was a chance to explore a firetruck- very cool! He kept yelling in his deep, serious voice, "Stop the breaks!"

Checking out stuff on the firetruck

Even though it was getting late and past Kieran's bedtime, we were both hungry so we had a little dinner at the new International Cafe- we split the vegi dinner and Kieran seemed to really like the feta, humus and spanokopitas- a boy after my own heart ;)

Mmmm- filo due stuffed with cheese is sooooo good!

Of course since the best ice cream place in town is right across the street from International cafe, we couldn't help ourselves :) Kieran had a cake batter cone and pet Sparky while he ate!

Kieran with his ice cream face- so sweet :)

We took a rest on the benches and planter at the corner of Broadway and 9th- Kieran seemed to really like sitting not near the planter- but actually in it!

A truly mischievous face!

"Who- me?"

So far our summer has been great. We have traveled a little and spent a lot of time together enjoying the beautiful weather. Kieran loves his new "swimmy-swim"- that's swimming pool for those of you who don't speak toddlerese- although he mostly just gets in and out of it and pours water all over the deck and his toys. He is enjoying the newly fenced yard as are the dogs. Yesterday he helped me pick rocks out of the ground- I had to explain that rocks are typically grey or white and hard- rather then the softish brown ones he had been finding- ewww! Darned dogs!
We have spent some time at the Arc for the Little Swimmer's hour and after multiple trips Kieran is finally warming up to the "big pool" again. We did hit a little bump in the road yesterday though when Kieran decided he was ready to go down the slide in the kiddie section of the pool. He wanted to go it alone and I was glad since the slide, although short, is a tube and I wasn't too sure I would fit. So I let him go- thought what's the worse that can happen- the water is less than three feet deep and we had been playing in it for the past half hour? Well- apparently Kieran has no sense of self preservation because when he went down the slide he landed, rolled over and then just floated belly down and my panic set it. I tried to go back down the stair but there were children blocking the way so that was it- I had to find out if I fit down the slide because Kieran was still just floating there- face down. Turns out I do fit in the toddler tube- thankfully! I grabbed him and he coughed up some water and his lips were a disturbing shade of blue- but otherwise he was fine. He told me, "I scared mommy" and with that we packed up, dried off and drove straight to McDonalds for a guilt-soothing Happy Meal which we had to eat in the Shelter Gardens since Mommy was still in her swimming attire ;)
On another note, napping has been a struggle ever since we took Kieran out of daycare. I guess he slept hours every day for Tori but for me- nothing- not even a five minute power nap- unless of course we are in the car. Followingthe  advice of friends and of course the all knowing internet, I put him is room, read him some books, took out all toys and other distractions, laid him on his bed (the same one he sleeps 12 hours on at night) and left the room. He usually will fuss and maybe bang on the door at first but then he just plays and talks to himself the ENTIRE time- no laying down to rest no getting so bored he fell asleep- no real rest at all. Three weeks into our summer and this no napping thing has become a major headache. Yesterday, Rick was home early because he only is teaching classes for the morning this week, and he said he'd try- "good luck!" I hear a lot of crying and protesting and go out on the deck for some peace and quiet with my new Nook and not five minutes later Rick joins me- solo- sans Kieran. Turns out the trick to getting this wild boy to nap is to force him to stay in his bed and eventually he tires out and sleeps. Wow- father of the year as far as I am concerned! Of course that has only worked for one day and we still have a lot of summer left- but from here on out Rick is on nap duty!