Of Things to Come....

Does this make you think of what he's going to look like going off to kindergarten, or what?! It almost makes me want to cry!

Daddy took Collin on a man-date to the movies this weekend and for some reason, inexplicable to me, that required a backpack. Don't ask me, I'm just the Mama around here. I don't ask for explanations when Daddy takes him out of the house for two hours and leaves me in peace. I'm sure there were lots of necessities in there though.

I missed my little guy though. I got in some snuggle time by the evening. He happily obliged a hug...for a piece of candy!

No Pain, No Gain

No one said that we don't suffer for the sake of health, strength and all around well being. I mean that's why we see people panting on the side of the road or puking at marathons, right? Wait, you mean, it's supposed to be FUN to work out? Oh, wait, I kind of love running to the point of insanity. Well, today was an exception...at least for the first five minutes; that's because the hill at the beginning of our run put us at an elevation that I'm pretty sure was the equivalent of Mt. Everest. I'm not joking. I saw skeletons on the side of the path belonging to people who didn't make it. I stole their oxygen masks and energy bars to make it to the top. It was awful.

Collin was similarly afflicted with the side effects of this workout. Eddie was so tired afterward, that he panted non-stop the whole drive home, despite my giving him my ENTIRE water, (yes, I'm that selfless). The worst part of the pant-parade was that he chose to pant atop the boy. Sad, sad state of affairs for Collin as he seemed not to enjoy it at all. What can I say? It's hell to look that good, my boy, just hell.

You Can Lead a Horse to Water....

I'm beginning to think that it will take me longer than anticipated to teach Collin colors. I'm also beginning to think that teaching Collin anything may be a struggle considering that providing him with the answers doesn't seem to help any.

A New View of Manny

I've decided that I hate sitting outside like a weird-o waiting for the garbage man. Maybe it's just me; but, it's occurred to me that I don't totally enjoy sitting on the curb at dawn to wait for trash collection. There are lots of reasons for this:

1. It's cold
2. I'm beginning to wonder if the trash man thinks it's actually me who is waiting for him and the kid is a cover
3. It's boring to wait for him to come back around the cul-de-sac
4. The neighbors think I'm weird
5. Collin gets filthy while we wait because we have no grass
6. It smells like trash next to the cans
7. Half the time, I'm still in my PJs too...that's fun for the neighbors to see (see 4)
8. I just don't get it!!?? Garbage truck, hydraulics, woo-hoo? Can we move on now?
9. He arrives at unpredictable times, meaning sometimes I have to drag the kid from his breakfast chair out there, covered in food and we look like white trash on the curb just so we don't miss him. (aka covered in food, filth and in PJs...nice...see 4)
10. I'm sick of it!!!

Alas, I've devised a plan. It's wacky. It's crazy. It's out there. It just might work. A chair in front of the window!! Collin can see the garbage man from the window, and he can see him all the way down the cul-de-sac and back! It's better than before. The greatest part is we don't have to go outside and I can continue on with my life indoors! Wheee! How great is that!? He was a little displeased when he drove out of sight, but otherwise it went well.

How Mommy is Surviving Right Now

I'm pretty sure that Collin's sweet disposition was attached to his hair; and when we chopped it off, we removed all the sweet boy. That can be the only reasonable explanation for his sudden change in demeanor of late. He's become unruly, unresponsive to the sound of my voice and all around snarly. I'm pretty sure that in the next twenty-four hours, I'm either going to have a nervous breakdown or leave him outside for the crows to pick at. Something's going to give. Or, I'm just going to keep holding onto the cute, sweet moments that I hate to admit do happen more often than not.

Like this morning when he was pretty certain that this was a reasonable ensemble in which to start the day. Yes, those are PJ's, sunglasses and....underwear on his head.

In all fairness, it boils down to one issue...stop, and I do mean STOP touching your pee, Collin! For the love of all that is sacred on this earth, STOP!

You Know You're Cool When....

You wear your shades in the bathtub.

And your mother takes blurry, extremely close-up pictures of it in an attempt to NOT capture the fact that your Daddy caved and got in the tub with you to play after your relentless begging. Yeah, it's cute and fun but not so pleasing to the general public eye. Oh, don't worry, there are plenty of blackmail images available for my future use.

Big Shoes to Fill

Collin loves it when Daddy comes home from work. He gets a little excited; so much so that I have a two minute video of Daddy throwing Collin all over the room today. Too bad I don't feel like waiting a million years to upload it. Sorry! That's just way too big of a file! But, look how cute they look just chilling and Collin telling Daddy all about his day.

Then, randomly Collin decided that it was vitally important that he learn to tie a shoe...NOW! (Is there any other time period for a two year old?) You can guess how well that lesson went. He is only two, after all.

Of course, walking a mile in Daddy's shoes is great fun for all to watch. He did surprisingly well considering the stiff nature of stupid chlorframs.