Big 4 Year Old

Andrew turned 4 years old this past week. We were visiting Grandma on the day of his birthday. When we'd say "Happy Birthday" to him he'd say "No... it's not my birthday yet."
"When will it be your birthday Andrew?"
"When I get my cake and blow out the candles," he says. I guess it's gotta be official with him. So after dinner we finally got out the cake and he got to finally be 4. Nevermind that months before he was saying he was 4 already. I guess he was tired of waiting for his birthday, but once he realized his real birthday was getting closer he consented to being 3 again for a while. He refused to even try any of the special ice cream cake we got him. We sorta knew he'd refuse so mommy and daddy chose the flavor.

Five days later we had a real birthday party for Andrew with some of his friends. Surprisingly he ate 3 cupcakes that day, I guess he's willing to eat some cake now. But no ice cream for that boy. He blew out 4 candles again and announced to another mother that he was now 5 years old since he blew out more candles. Nice try buddy.

The birthday party theme was Disney Pixar's Cars. Lightning McQueen was every where. I made a poster size McQueen for the kids to color. They did a good job for a bunch of 3 & 4 year olds. They played with cars of all types and we had a lot of fun with balloons. What's a party without a bunch of balloon wielding sword fighters?

I See London, I See France,

I see Isaac's underpants. I can't keep this boy's pants on. Every chance he gets after I put pants on him he tries to pull them off. If I stop him, he runs to hide and then pulls them off.

When we are out of the house things are a bit more difficult. The problem (for him)... shoes. He can't get his pants past his shoes. While at Andrew's preschool this week, twice I was notified,

"Isaac's taking his pants off."

I look at him. His pants are around his ankles.

We make eye contact.

He starts waddling away as fast as he can.

He doesn't get far.

Is it a sign of bad parenting if he walks around half naked in the winter?

UPDATE: February 11, 2008 - Isaac is now into pulling off his shirt after he's had his pants off for a while. So now he's practically naked (besides diaper of course) part of the day. I'm a great mom.

Life is an Education

Things I've learned this year.

• Take all food and dishes away from toddlers as soon as they are done. Although the sign that they are done is when they (Isaac) start throwing the food. Then it is almost too late.
• Splashing in the tub is no fun if the glass door is shut.
• Mario Kart and Super Smash Bros. are much more fun to a 3 year old than educational computer games.
• Learning to walk doesn't make a needy child less independent and needy. They just have an easier time getting into things they shouldn't, and can follow you around crying more easily.
• Forbidden fruit is much sweeter. Toddlers have a 6th sense knowing when a door is open or unlocked that normally isn't. (That is how Isaac disappeared for 5 minutes on a cold Christmas morning.)
• Child proof knobs aren't always child proof.
• Six adults CAN get along for 9 days together in a RV.
• You always have a lot more stuff in your house than you think.
• Two little boys are tough, but a lot of fun to raise.
• Being positive is essential being a happy wife and parent.

I wish everyone a happy 2008 and hope your 2007 was as good as mine.