November 2007

Jammie Time
One night I thought it would be cute to dress the boys in matching pajamas and take a picture. After 20 pictures, this was the best I could do, with James sticking his fingers in his ears and Andrew's head cut off. We bought the smaller version of the Jammie's before we left for Kazakhstan and then we received the bigger set as a shower gift for Andrew. When we were in Kazakhstan Andrew wore the smaller outfit several times, and it's hard to imagine Andrew that small with James bursting out of it at the same age Andrew was when he wore it.

James' First Birthday
James had his first birthday the beginning of the month. We celebrated it Taylor-style by having a play date with ours friends the Rounds and their 3 boys to tire everyone out, then with our 2 neighbors at home. Nothing but the best for James...a store bought Entenmens cake. Actually I had to buy 2, Rob accidentally ate the first one the night before his birthday, after all who would think that an Entenmens cake would be a birthday cake.



James was quite smiley with his cake, unlike Andrew a year earlier who had his serious face on.









Cheap Entertainment
In our on-going theme of Thrifty Parenting we are continuing our quest for cheap entertainment. Any parent will tell you that a cardboard box is more fun than the expensive toy in the box. This month we have moved on to balloons. Not just any balloons, but the ones left over from the blood drive at work. Not only did the boys have fun with them, Uncle Scott also enjoyed slamming them between his hands at Thanksgiving making a VERY loud sound which was greeted with endless giggle.

Since the balloons were filled with helium that caused issues when they floated to the peak of the cathedral ceiling. That problem was remedied by Uncle Scott standing on a kitchen chair and lifting Andrew above his head to snatch the balloon string. Yes, it was unsafe and fun but no one was hurt. Later when the balloons floated up again, Andrew got the chair out climbed up and tried to jump up to reach it, but he was about 7 feet too short. Then we realized a long handled mop worked just fine to reach them. Duh.

When the enjoyment of balloons runs thin, then it's off to the super market. They have race car or fire engine shopping carts, I am not quite sure which it is. At the beginning of the shopping trip the boys are quite content in the cart as seen here, but by the time we reach the canned fruit aisle the mayhem is starting to brew and the brotherly rivalry starts. By the time we hit the frozen food aisle, someone is getting kicked or pushed out of the cart to an audience of fellow shoppers.



When the excitement of free shopping carts peaks, then we head home for the ultimate in cheap entertainment: shadows. Andrew has been entertained by shadows for a couple weeks now. He likes his shadow, mommy's shadow, the shadow of the cow puppet and for the ultimate entertainment: the shadow of a latex balloon which not only is a shape but also takes on the color of the balloon. Unfortunately when the sun sets, the fun goes away. One night we were driving in the car and Andrew was quite upset that he lost his shadow.

Thanksgiving
This year we had Thanksgiving at our house with my brother's family and my Dad and his wife. Small enough to be enjoyable, but large enough to enforce the Kiddie Table for Andrew and James. We had the traditional turkey, stuffing blah blah blah, and we also had this fine centerpiece made from the kids' puppets to represent our favorite meats: Chicken, Pig and Cow (on the side you can't see). I could not find the turkey puppet, and I could not bring myself to adding a horse, regardless of the Kazakh meat preferences.


The day after thanksgiving most people go out shopping, instead we went to our friends the Greening's house for Black Friday Breakfast. It was really just an excuse to get the kids out of the house and burn off energy (read: Trash a house). It was a chilly morning so we had to bundle up the kids. James was so warm and toasty he fell asleep in under a minute, which was a miracle because Andrew, in the muck-a-luck hat, was busy singing Pooh Bear songs while grasping his Pooh Bear Baby Wipe dispenser.


Play Time
For James' birthday the neighbors got him a ride on toy. James sits and Andrew pushes. One day Andrew decided to make a train and push all of the other ride on toys. Jame usually enjoys this until the leisurely ride means a full speed crash into the wall. After a while Andrew grew bored of pushing and decided to cluster all of the toys in the middle of the room, then drive around them and spin out. I think this is a sign he is out growing the ride on toy he got over a year ago.



Young James is starting to walk on his own. One day he was pulling himself up on a walking toy getting ready to walk around, when the Krazy Kazakh came flying in, causing him to re-think his strolling plans.



When the boys finally do settle down, they like to sit at the play table and color. Well, Andrew colors and James eats the non-Toxic markers.














Bath Time
One night we (read: I) thought it would save time to put both of the kids in the tub at once. It was an experience. Between the tub farting ,trying to wash 2 kid's hair, it was an experience. I also don't think James liked it when Andrew tried to wrestle him in the tub. Certain body parts need to be clothed prior to contact sports.


After bath time, it was time for goofy matching pajamas and story time.


This brings me to another new favorite tub past time of Andrew's, one I hope will not continue. Let's call it submarining: He lays back in the tub so his body is just under the surface of the water, then 1 body part in particular 'surfaces' and sprays like a fountain. Of the joys of having little boys.



Bedtime
Andrew's bedtime ritual is getting a bit easier, at least once he gets into the tub. Turning out the light has become a piece of cake. I ask Andrew which of the stuffed animals he wants to help blow out the light and he picks up the animal and pretends to make him blow out the light. One night it was CHICKEN. The Chicken sings the chicken dance, then dances it. He takes it to eat, to sleep and to daycare. After a couple days at Day Care they were happy to see us take it home, only to have it return the next day. His teacher gave it too him, so we don't feel too bad. But usually it is Pooh Bear who blows out the light, and then blows the door closed.

James is a piece of cake at bedtime. We rock him for a couple minutes and he is out. Then it's off to the crib where he flops over and sleeps for 11 hours, 12 if we are lucky. but when he wakes up he goes from pleasant to cranky hungry in about 35 seconds. Unfortunately it takes us more than 35 seconds to get every dressed and ready for breakfast.

Hair Cut

Andrew was in dire need of a hair cut. Here's the after and before (with chocolate birthday cake) pictures.

TV Repairman
A couple of years ago we bought a new TV and there are a couple moving parts on the inside. We had had to replace just about every one. Why call a qualified professional when you can think you can do it yourself. This month was the most difficult one to replace, so we called in a specialist, a guy Rob work's with. Andrew thought he would lend a hand by wielding a screw driver to a piece of electronics that cost more then the present value of his college fund. He still continues to play with the screw drivers, but only to 'fix' his Fischer Price toys. BTW, the TV was fixed for the price of a pizza and Italian Hoagie.

November Artwork
This month's artwork features an abstract depiction of what our family looks like to Andrew. I can only guess that each of the family members is a color and the colored lines in no way are meant to symbolize our actual shape.

The week after Thanksgiving Andrew brought home this brown gem. It's about 2 feet long. When asked what it was first he said "Tehhd" (turd) and then "Cat Pooh". We are not sure what it is supposed to be, perhaps a turkey leg or a tree of some sort.

Get Ready for Christmas with the Taylor Elves.