Fun pics from Wednesday

Nothing groundbreaking here.  Just some cute pics of Dalton in his pirate bathing suit. Stella had to get in on the action too.

And Darby decided to take a few hundred selfies.

The Battle of the Bathroom

Last night we went to the baseball game, but more about that later...

After Dalton had continually woken up screaming all night long I had finally put him to sleep in my bed.  So when Darby woke up and wanted me to read her Olivia, I told her I couldn't do it right then without waking Dalton.  That was the start of our problems. 

Appeasing her with letting her play with her Kindle in her room worked for a while, but then she had to go potty.  Dalton was restless and laying down against me, so I was afraid if I moved I would wake him.  So I told her to go by herself. Yeah. That didn't work so well.

So, the screaming and crying started.  I had to get her away from Dalton quickly, so I whisked her to her bathroom, but for some reason I decided it was time to take a stand on the going to the potty by herself issue.  Apparently my brain was still asleep.

Now she is perfectly capable of doing it all herself, and does it all the time at school, but when she's home she insists she can't.  The first battle was the Battle of Getting on the Potty.  There is a stool there, the toilet is child sized, and there is a potty seat on it.  She can totally get on it, but she dug in her heels, all the while dancing around, about to wet her pants. I held my ground though, and after 10 minutes of fighting she kicked me out of the room and got on the toilet.  There was minor pushback on the wiping, but we got that done too.  By this time she had woken Dalton up and he had joined the adventure.

Next came the Battle of the Hand Washing.  She insisted she couldn't reach the faucets - she can.  She insisted the cabinet handles "tickled" - they don't.  Then she insisted she couldn't reach the soap - she can.  That took another while, and Mommy got sent out of the room again. 

After the hands were washed and dried, I insisted she hang the towel back up - it was a casualty of the Getting on the Potty Battle. Another tantrum ensued.  Many minutes later I got kicked out a third time and she picked it up.

So 40 minutes later, success was finally mine.  I know Tim is thinking - why do you do these things to yourself - but the next time she had to go, she did it all by herself and the only help she asked for was a poop wipe - and of course a poop viewing.  That's always essential.

Still Riding the Wave

"Please sir, could I have some more?"

Little Mommy serving.

We were curious to see how the kids would react to Daddy leaving again. They asked about it, but generally took it in stride. I guess that's an upside to Daddy being gone so much.

They seemed to be in good spirits Monday night. Dalton seemed pretty sure that Mommy could be talked in to letting him jump on the bed. Mommy could not.

Of course - this happy scene is not characteristic of the whole night - when they both got up in the middle of the night and wouldn't let me put them back to bed.  We had hours of "Mommy rock" both Monday night and last night.  While on the one hand I always love to rock my baby, after a while (and several unsuccessful attempts to put him back in bed without his screams waking Darby) you start to wonder if you will be spending the rest of your life in that chair.

Sunday, Daddy Sunday

Picking the chocolate out

 I took Dalton to the store with me Sunday.  I got him a cookie. It was bizarre - at first he didn't want it at all.  Eventually he did, but he picked out all the chocolate and didn't seem to want the cookie part.

This outfit befuddled Darby as it only had one sleeve hole. I think that bugged her all day.

In the afternoon, Ms. Elizabeth and Miss Eva came over to play in the pool.

.

Oddly Majestic

Daddy Love.

Studs.

Saturday with Daddy

 

 

Lunch with Dad.

Love the look on her face.  Classic.

Saturday they were all over Daddy. They both wanted to sit on his lap at lunch. We were able to convince Darby to just sit next to him. The highlight was when Darby serenaded us while accompanying herself on the Mountain Dew can (see videos).

In the afternoon we went swimming. Darby's still a bit skittish, but Dalton's a crazy water rat (see videos). He lives to jump in and will swim halfway across the pool underwater - holding his breath the whole time. Our hardest choice is deciding how long is long enough to let him stay under. When he comes up he can't wait to go again.

The Return of Daddy

First we have to start with some cute pics of the kids making a Welcome Home Banner for Daddy.  Dalton was all in from the get-go.  Darby took some time to warm up, but once the stickers came out - all bets were off.

Waiting for Daddy's luggage

 

Friday we had a playdate with the Daycare Crew. I was cut short a bit when we found out Daddy had gotten on an earlier flight - which in turn got in early. Because of this the kids got to go to the airport. I took them through security, but Daddy beat us out, so we met him in Baggage Claim. When Darby saw him she started running. Dalton was in my arms, so he just burst into tears - overcome by emotion. They could not have been cuter. The two of them together dragged Tim's suitcase to the car. I would say rolled, but it was really dragged at the angle they were pulling it. Poor suitcase. But they were so happy.

"I got it"

Sooo excited to have him home 

The viewing session of the banner.

They literally dragged it all the way to the car.

Daddy sure knows how to make them laugh.

Mr. Blue Eyes

TBT pic of Mr. Blue Eyes

So when I dropped off Dalton Wednesday morning, the son of his teacher was there.  He was about 13 years old - hardly of an age to appreciate a toddler.  When Dalton came in he said to his mother "Look at his eyes! They're sooo blue!!"  It was really cute and quite unexpected.  Then as I went to leave, the boy turned to his mother again and said "His eyes are just so blue - I want eyes like that". It made me think - he might not have blue-blue eyes, but I would consider myself lucky if Dalton grows up to be a boy like that.  I have to believe a 13 year old boy that notices and appreciates beauty has to be a special kid. 

So last night we did a little surprise project for Daddy - more on that tomorrow... - but afterwards we did have a little "Dance Party".  Darby gets very into it - I swear she was a Break Dancer in another life - way back in the 80's.  Dalton is more subdued in his dancing,  but he did come over and stare at my I-phone as it was playing music.  Apparently he's going to be like his Daddy and just like to attend "shows".

Vogue

Some serious Break-Dancing

Headbanger

Groovin'

Pretty girl

Listening to the "show"

He did manage to pull a few sweet moves.
Kind of looks like Hula...