Rub-a-Dub-Dub, One Kid in a Tub

Last night as I pulled the plug from the drain to let the water out Harrison routinely began covering up the drain with the duck shaped slip guards while singing:

The ducky saved the day,
Ducky saved the day,
I know a dairy-O!
Ducky saved the day!

Cracks me up every time.

When Even Blueberry Love Goes Awry

I've made mention of our nap dilemma this Summer, Harrison went from happily and peacefully going down for a nap to SCREAMING until his voice cracked, "I don't want to take a Nappy!!".

He often requests things that he knows he can't have on the way home from an outing only to break into Total-Toddler-Meltdown.

He can be dead-tired [and he knows it] let out a yawn and if I catch even a fraction of a glimpse of the yawn he blurts out, "That's a pretend yawn, Mommy".

And, after a nap sit-out, when the frozen blueberries that he insisted on having can't even suffice, you know it has been a LONG day...

Yesterday that was it, he was going to nap; I told him several times during our outing the plan of events for the day, up to and including a nap. He agreed - of course, doesn't he always at first? Then on our way home he asks to watch a show, I remind him that it's rest time when we get home. He needs to take a nap or play in his bed for a while and that he may watch a show after his rest/nap time. He begins to whine. He WANTS to watch a show.

Lately he has been all about begging with Please for what he wants, then whining, arguing, screaming, crying, some last-ditch effort of reasoning with me - and it just goes down hill from there. The thing is, I don't give in; yet he is persistent.

So yesterday, while in the car we're going through that regular routine when he says to me:

Mommy, I need you say, "Yes, Harrison, you may watch a show".

I understand that you need to hear me say that, but I can't say it because you need a rest time. You may watch a show after nap or some rest time.

More tears, and pleas, and screeches.

A pause.

Mommy. You call...you say, "Harrison, I want and need to let you watch a show but..." [sic] Do you hear my words, mommy?

Oh, I've heard him alright, I'm choking on my words because I heard him. Finally I answered him with what he wanted to hear.

Well most of it anyway.

Harrison I want and need to let you watch a show but you need to have a nap first, then you can watch a show.

Not what he wanted to hear.


He didn't win this battle...



Oh yeah. That was a pretend yawn.

Theme Thursday - So Long Sweet Summer...

This spider web is the sign that Fall is almost upon us and Winter is just around the corner. What you can't tell by this photo is that the little spider in the middle of the shot is about the size of a dime, he had created this amazing web right outside our livingroom window! They appear every late Summer to late Fall, making webs everywhere. I can't tell you how many webs we've walked into from their overnight work regime.

Ugh, I admit, I really do hate them.

With that said, I thought I would give you a instant replay of the Summer and all it's glory. (Or should I say, my missed - and not missed - opportunities to post adventures.) through a series of snapshots, diptychs and 3-up collages [that is inspired by the photos at Six One Way created by Vintage Chica and Blue Yonder - 2 blogs I enjoy visiting].

As fun as Summer was, we had our share of challenges too. Harrison decided that he didn't want to take naps anymore (many battles lost, but the war isn't over yet.)

He also decided that he was done with that high chair (good - he was too big) and the Jr. chair (bad - he's too small for the regular chair and REFUSES booster seats).

Potty training came to a screeching halt. We're still working on it. He's starting to really notice when he has to potty - but he doesn't want to sit on the potty. College is a little ways off so we still have time!

We started playing games together, Candy Land and Cherry Ho.

When we stay around the house, we play music, read books and, well, make messes.

We tried to get out to a few places - the "dinosaur museum", Disneyland, the Aquarium, the beach. you name it. (Although we missed quite a few places.)

After the Page Museum and La Brea Tar Pits, Harrison wanted to head the local library to get books and a movie about dinosaurs. That led to a book about space and astronauts, which led us to building a rocket out of paper towel tubes and papermache. I love that Harrison ASKS to go to the library!

At camp he made binoculars out of toliet paper tubes and at Vacation bible School he made gak (slime). He watched Star Wars Episode V for the first time with his Daddy and acted out freezing Han Solo with the gak for several days (only we don't have Han Solo so CP3O had to step up to the call of duty). Luckily the guy I dig knows the Star Wars series pretty well and skipped any scary and dark parts.

He also took over big Brother's scooter and the other day we even went and got a new, better fitting bike helmet.

The most bitter-sweet moment of the summer was my annual pass for Disneyland expiring. What a blessing it has been to get in our car and go to Disneyland on a whim! We have so many wonderful memories. I know the next time we go, he will be potty-trained and tall enough to ride on Star Tours. After all, he's a "big-boy" now.

Where does the time go?


So long sweet summer
I stumbled upon you and gratefully basked in your rays
So long sweet summer
I fell into you
Now you're gracefully falling away...

~ Dashboard Confessional

Go see more moments of Summer at the Land of K.A.

Wordless Wednesday - The Smallest Critic

I have a friend putting the final touches on a CD he's recording. Harrison had an opportunity to sample some of the songs.


Can I hear it?
Hmm...
Two thumbs up!!

To see more Wordless Wednesday go here.

Best Shot Monday - Take a Picture!

When you want him to smile he runs away or puts up the hands; when you're busy with something else, he comes and gets in your face to say, "take a picture, Mommy!".
Some days I just can't win.
Then again, those are the days I get a shot like this.

(Now if only I could easily figure out why my photo colors are no longer saving and/or uploading to the web in the full color saturation I see in Lightroom or Photoshop. sigh.)

For more Best Shots go see Tracey at Mother May I.

Photo Story Friday - Skeletons in the Closet?

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

No, but how about skeletons in the hedge?

Last Fall Harrison went through a phase where each time he got out the car he stopped to say something like, "I see my body bones", "Mommy, I'm looking at my skelton!" or "I'm saying hi to my bones!".

We had been talking and learning about bones in our body so I [being the typical distracted mom that I am sometimes] would just hurry him along saying things like, "Yes, there are bones under your skin..." or "You're correct Harrison, you have a skeleton inside your body"... not noticing that he was actually peeking into the bushes as he told me about the bones.

Finally one day a light bulb went off in my head I obliged as he asked me to come see his skelton; I squatted down to get the Toddler point of view on what I was supposed to be looking at. After all, I was now fully engaged and curious.

"See Mommy!"

Sure enough.

There they were, a strand of skeleton lights, dangling among the branches tucked back in the underside of the bush. Little friends that ONLY Harrison at his height could have found.


You've got to love the curiosity of a child.

Fav Phrase Friday - What's for Dinner?

"Do you have something hungry?" Harrison asks a secretary at the office. In other words, "do you have a cookie for me, I'm hungry for a cookie".

I'm not sure where he got this, but it works for him.

As I was making [a late] dinner tonight, he calls out, "Mommy, I need something hungry!" Again, the actual translation would be, "I'm hungry, I need something to eat".

I love it, I think I'll cut my words back and start using this phrase.

After all, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Let's start with words.

Last week was the GID's birthday, I asked Harrison what he wanted to do for his Daddy on Daddy's birthday. He said make cupcakes. So last Thursday, after a trip to the park, we came home and made cupcakes before nap.

They were a big hit at the dinner with our friends to celebrate the G.I.D.'s birthday.


Gotta run...

I need something hungry.

I Wonder...

What the heck this is!?

We saw it in the shallow water where the boats are docked at the pier. It doesn't loo like any Stingray I've ever seen.

Anyone? Anyone?

Bueller?

Bueller?

Feel free to enlighten me. In the mean time Harrison has requested a printed copy to show everyone this find from our latest excursion to the pier.

I could fill a book with the looks of wonder Harrison has produced over his short, little life. Summer is such a magical time to go on Grand Adventures.

He wakes up each day lately and asks, "Are we going to somewhere fun today?" he's been taking 3 hours naps for the past week only to wake up and ask, "Are we going to fun place, mommy?".

Truly, I am relieved to know that just a walk down to the pier or simply to the library can be an exciting adventure for him.




But that's another story.

Wordless Wednesday - Discovering Worms

More from Mud Mania 2008.

More Wordless Wednesday here and here.

Mud Mania! - Best Shot Monday

Yesterday we went to Mud Mania! Can there be an outing more perfect for little boys?

I just don't think so.


The kids were in a mud pit mixing dirt and water with their feet to make adobe bricks.

There was actually a sign that said No Wallowing...
...three-year-olds and a mud pit - yeah right.

Harrison even jumped right into the tug-of-war with both feet - literally!

Now this is what I call camouflage. My best shot today - well, favorite shot.
To see more from Mud Mania you can go here.

"The world is mud-luscious and puddle-wonderful."

E.E. Cummings

Tuesday, August 19
*On a separate note, as you can see I never did get this posted yesterday. the Guy I Dig went into the hospital very early yesterday morning for his out-patient surgery. All went well and he is resting at home and recovering nicely with minimal pain. I haven't spent any time at the computer since I finished my work projects, so please forgive me for being behind. Thanks to all that kept us in your prayers yesterday.

Harrison spent the entire day at a friend's house and had great time. Thank you again friends!!

To see some of the best shots from Monday go to Mother May I. You won't be disappointed.

Run, Darth Maul, Run!

Another shot from our final day at Disneyland with the Annual Pass.
This is one of my all-time favorites, and Harrison has already added a printed version to his own photo album.





Run over to Mother May I to see more Best Shot Monday pics!

An Open Letter to the Mouse

Mr. Mickey Mouse
Disneyland® Resort
P.O. Box 3232
Anaheim, CA 92803-3232

Dear Mr. Mouse,

My three-year-old son and I went to see Turtle Talk with Crush while visiting the park on July 24, 2008. We sat down on the lily pad in the front. Crush came out, my son was delighted and began interacting right away. As Crush asked another child his name, my son responded with his own name. When Crush asked for questions from the audience my son eagerly raised his hand. I asked him what he wanted to ask and he told me his question.

The show ended and my son was not chosen to ask a question. I understood but he started to cry. We sat for a few minutes as I talked to him to calm him and help him understand; as I stood I saw that we were the last in the theater. As I ushered him quickly to the door the cast member looked at me with a smile and I said, "He's sad that he didn't get to ask Crush his question." .

The cast member asked me my son's name and I told him. He looked at my son and said, "Well Harrison, sometimes Crush doesn't swim too far away, maybe we can call him back."

For the next few minutes Crush and the two cast members gave Harrison a private question and answer time. Crush was wonderful and funny. Harrison got to ask his question, a Star Wars/Han Solo/Star Trooper laced question with short plot commentary. After a few more questions Crush offered a virtual high-five to Harrison and said good-bye.

I was truly touched by the actions of the cast members that day, even now I get emotional thinking that special audience just with Harrison. They didn't have to take the time to bring Crush back, they could have easily smiled and sweetly said, "Oh, maybe next time!" After all, we didn't win anything, we didn't ask for that, we were simply blessed by a couple cast members committed to making it the Happiest Place on Earth.

If this is a Year of a Million Dreams, then count us as two more Dreams Come True. A little boy having Turtle Talk with Crush all to himself - if for only a moment; and a mommy blessed beyond words at the delight of her child and the kindness of these cast members.

Thank you!

Sincerely,
A Very Happy Mommy

Oh Yah, There Was Eye Contact All Right...

Just not the warm, fuzzy, show-me-your-baby-blues kind of eye contact deemed desirable for pictures ... or dinner conversation.

Not only was he enjoying making these freaky faces, he was having riotous fun previewing them on the camera LCD screen.

This is how we spent our dinner hour.

And just when you thought my son was PERFECT.
(Later we went to our home group and Harrison ran right up to my friend and demonstrated that face.)

After several minutes of the smeary face, Daddy said, "Better not do that too much, your face will get stuck."

I missed the "picture moment" immediately following the remark as Harrison stopped, surprised, for a moment.

Let's just say, it looked like one of these. [without the runny nose.]

Which led us right into this fun...

Peek-a-boo!

Hey, at least it was eye contact! Which is what Theme Thursday is all about at The Land of K.A.


Go check it out. Eye am.


I know. Bad pun.

If only I would stop blogging at midnight.

Wordless Wednesday - Mmm, Nummy, Nummy

Good things come in small packages.

I'm Ready for My Close Up...

My annual pass officially expired last Thursday, I don't know when we will renew; but it's been a sweet journey that I will post more about over the next couple days. In the mean time here is my best shot for Monday.


EEK! Wait that's Darth Maul! Quick, someone purchase him a dental plan!!

(I'm actually quite happy with these because I shot them completely back lit not knowing if I got the focus right in my 30 seconds of time; I used fill light in Lightroom afterward and found happy [Star Wars Love] results.)

We went to the Jedi Training one more time at Harrison's request, he opted to just watch and enjoy.

Shortly thereafter the Darths arrived!

As you see, Darth Maul came and gave us some nice personal close ups.


We loved it.
Not everyone loved it as much as we did.


Here is my best shot from the Jedi Training Academy. Maybe by the time we make another visit to Disneyland Harrison will be ready to take on Darth Vader first hand!

(Click on the picture for a close up from Flickr, Blogger is doing weird things to my pictures today...or not even uploading them at all! Anyone else experience this?)

Best Shot Monday is hosted by Tracey at Mother May I - check her out for more best shots!