Baba is now in a “big boy bed,” better known as “the blue car toddler bed that used to belong to Freebird.” But he hasn’t quite figured out that he can get up on his own, so in the morning he wakes up, babbles, then starts to yell for us to come get him. I’m hesitant to tell him he can get up on his own because it makes me think he’ll start dancing around his room at 10pm instead of, you know, sleeping.

Freebird now has a twin bed, and he is SO proud and SO happy. It has a bookcase headboard, and a really soft and awesome mattress, and new sheets. He loves to sit in it, cuddle in it, pile all his stuffed animals and play on it—and when he sleeps on it.... Well, even though it’s a sign that he’s growing up and getting bigger, he looks so small in that big bed that I’m reminded how old he is-- older in some ways, and still so, so young in others. 

Usually the evening routine means that I make dinner for the boys, then make their lunches for the next day while they eat. Yesterday something different happened and I was so happy.

I’m making an effort not to turn on the kitchen TV while they’re eating, and last night Freebird asked me to read “Cat Heaven” to him and Max while they ate. So I stopped making lunches and read to them. Then they asked for another, and another, and by the time Hubby got home, I’d read both their PJ library books, plus “Cat Heaven.” It was an amazing moment. They were quiet and attentive and it was so cool. I don’t think they really hold attention together like that, but if that’s something they’re growing into, I’m all for it. It was wonderful.

Then we colored tissue paper for me to make into Valentine’s gifts for all their school friends. Tonight, there will be a huge chocolate party for the boys.

I ordered snow boots for Freebird and Baba last week, because we’re going skiing in March and we’ll probably have another snow storm before then. When did boots get so easy to put on kids’ feet?! These are awesome!

Anyway, Baba wasn’t too sure how much he liked wearing them because he’d never worn shoes that restricted his ankles, but when I told him they were for stomping in the snow, he started to get the hang of it. Freebird opened the box and was SO excited. I told him they were a present so he could have fun in the snow.

Good thing we have a snowstorm coming this weekend. Fun for everyone!

The best part was Hubby calling me on my cell so the boys could tell me how much they loved their boots. They went and stomped around on the patio in the 2” of snow, having a very good time.

Yay!

I’ve been trying to spend time with Freebird on his own, apart from Baba, because while Baba is a loud and charismatic dude, Freebird is a little more quiet and very much like me - happy to be in his own head. But I don’t want him to get lost in the weekend chaos, so I’m planning things for just him and me. Since the planetarium is closed (Dang it) this weekend we’re going to a concert.

Freebird loves music and loves musical instruments. So we’re going to see Miguel Zenon & Esta Plena at Montclair State on Saturday. He’ll probably be the youngest person there, but I bet he loves it. I’m very excited and hope he likes the music - though with saxophones and drums, he’ll probably be very happy.

What’s funny is that last night I told him about it, and he said, “Like when there was banjos and a bass and the woman played guitar and it was red on the bottom?”

That was last summer. LAST SUMMER, IN AUGUST, and he remembers the color of the guitar? Whoa. Makes me feel better about having bought these tickets. He’ll remember the drummer’s haircolor for years.

Last night I had the opportunity to pick up Freebird early and wanted to take him to dinner, just him and me, then go back for Baba O’Riley. Baba has been cutting molars and has been very clingy, and I felt like Freebird hadn’t been receiving as much attention. So I figured, dinner with just mommy would be fun for both of us.

And of course I get to the school, and I’m putting his coat on when the phone rings - and it’s the school. Calling to tell me that Baba is running a temp and I need to take him home, too. DANG IT.

So we all went to dinner, which was chaotic, but I did get to have the following conversation:

Me: “I saw your friend C. give you a hug and call you his buddy. Is he your buddy?”
Freebird: “Yeah.”
Me: “What about T? Is he your buddy.”
Freebird: “No, he’s more a man of action.”

0_o?!

On a recent trip to AC Moore for cake baking supplies (see the cake?) I bought Freebird a beginning reader based on Toy Story. It was a level 2 book but he can read it without difficulty. So I looked at the level 3 books when I went back - and OH MY GOD. They had one about Balto, and I thought, ok. Dog sleds! Iditarod! Snow! Alaska! So I pick up the book and I page through it.

I SHIT YOU NOT: three pages describing children dying of diptheria. Sweet holy crap. For an age range of K-3. Are you kidding me?! How in the world am I going to explain that, let alone the concept that “diptheria” is a good word to know at that age.

Maybe there’s a beginning reader about antidisestablishmentarianism. 

I am so freaking tired. Do I go to bed early? No. Ergo: I am a moron.

Freebird: TOTALLY into Tag reading with the Leapfrog books. HOW in the name of POTPOURRI would anyone make a device that holds 8MB of data and make it NOT EXPANDABLE?! Are you Leapfrog bastards completely Daft?! On the other hand, Freebird is reading and reading well above his age, so he’s very happy to have books that he can read and if he can’t figure out a word, he uses the pen to tell him what it is.

Freebird also drew himself skiing at school in a picture for the classroom wall. I had no idea that he knew what skiing was, but I think he and I are going to go out for lessons very soon one day on a weekend. Have to find him some snow pants, first, though.

Baba: The most verbal 2 year old in the world. And because he can articulate what it is that he wants, he expects you to get it for him. NOW.

Baba: I WANT YOGURT.
Me: How do you ask for what you want, buddy?
Baba: YOGURT POOPY?!
Me: No.
Baba: Yogurt Poopy Poopy? (trying to crack me up at this point)
Me: No.
Baba: Yogurt Pee pee Poopy?
*I start to smile*
Baba: YAY! YOGURT POOPY MOMMY! GO GET IT FOR ME NOW!