Photo Friday-Kissin Cousins

It's bacccckkk....with possibly the world's cutest picture taken with only a little parental staging. Tyson and his cousin Tyler-easily the best of friends. We can only imagine the trouble these two will get into in the years to come.

Terrible Twos

I'm fairly certain we've entered the forbidden land of the terrible twos. It's a dark and scary place from which we're praying to emerge from soon and with relatively little scars to show for it.

Don't get my wrong-Tyson can still be as charming, precocious, and adorable as he's always been. It's just that he can also go from that charming cute little boy to one that's quite possibly possessed in less than the time it takes me to say, "wow." Please note, "wow" is a one syllable word. It's also only three letters long.

I present to you the evidence:

Exhibit A-morning wake up


Me: Morning Buddy!
Him: NOOOOOOO!



Me: Did you have a good night sleep?
Him: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Me: I missed you while you were sleeping. Did you miss me? (yes, I realize I'm walking into this one)
Him: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!



Me: Let's get up and get our clothes on.
Him: NOOOO! NOOO! NOOOOOOOO! NOOOOO! ::insert screaming, crying and fit throwing::





Exhibit B-dinner time

Me: Time for dinner buddy
Him: NO!



Me: Let's eat.
Him: NOOOO!


Me: Tyson we have to eat to grow big and strong.
Him: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Me: If you don't want to eat, you still need to sit at the dinner table with Mommy and Daddy. Him: NOOOO! DONE!!! NOOO! DONE!!! ::insert screaming, crying, and fit throwing::

Perhaps the above are only examples at our failing parental skills, but those same skills that send the kid into fits one day seem to work surprisingly well the next. Confusing, no?

We introduced time outs a few months ago, however, this too may be an example of failed parenting skills. Yesterday when I told him that we don't hit Lola and if he did it again he'd go to timeout, he happily ran to our time out area, sat down, and started counting his toes. Seriously. The kid put HIMSELF into timeout and COUNTED HIS TOES.

I've heard that three is actually harder than two. For that reason alone, I'm considering putting a down payment on a room at the local mental hospital just in case I need to put myself in a timeout during the next couple of years. If you see me in the corner counting my toes, please feel free to drive me there.

Summer Vacays

I've had really good intentions of writing a big post about our first summer vacation. It happened well over a month ago, which, to the general population probably seems like ample time to type up a few words and edit some pictures. It seems that raising a 20 month old has gotten in the way of the whole ample time thing.

Last weekend we went on our second summer vacation and it's now officially driving me nuts that neither trips are appropriately documented.

Tyson loved both trips and (luckily for my sanity) he's getting easier and easier to travel with. We managed 4 three plus hour car rides with little to no screaming (Praise God and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse).

The first vacation was to a cabin on Long Lake, MN where Tyson fished for the first time, played in the sand, rode a paddle boat, visited his first flea market, and hung out with his Great Grandmas and Grandpas. The cabin was amazing and we're hoping Nanny and Papa make it an annual tradition.

Ahh, now THIS is the life.

This is what all the hype was about? I don't even like the taste of fish. Can I go back and play in the sand?

Seriously lady-haven't I told you before how ridiculous you look when you point at the camera? I realize we're taking a picture. I know where to look. I'm practically two.

The second vacation was to Duluth, Two Harbors, and Gooseberry Falls. The kid is well traveled-his second trip to Duluth in less than two years! Tyson had a blast throwing rocks, chasing birds, playing with this cousins, climbing on waterfalls, and swimming. Side note- throwing rocks? Easily the only activity that can keep my son occupied for more than 15 minutes. If it was socially acceptable and less dangerous, I'd probably carry around rocks in our diaper bag for him to throw while we are out to eat. It's possible that would allow me to eat a full meal without wrestling a toddler back into his highchair every ten minutes.

Mommy, come check this out! They have beaks that could peck my eyes out and I'm chasing THEM!

Dad? Did you know there's a giant shower behind us?

Honestly? You guys should try this out. Throwing rocks is waaay more fun than fishing.

I'll give you a kiss if you'll put me down. Look at all those rocks waiting for me to throw them!

The proof is in the pictures. Vacations were awesome this summer. I'm loving the memories we're creating for Tyson and hoping he's having as much as we are.