Three Much

Dexter likes to play a little game with me at mealtimes by putting two pieces of food on his fork and shoving them into his mouth. I worry that he's going to choke and when he does this I say, "Too much." Yesterday, Dexy and Ben were eating hot dogs for lunch and Dexter put two pieces of hot dog on his fork then added a third on top. Ben (who never says two pieces are too much but apparently feels that three are too much) said, "Too much," to which Dexter replied, "Three much".

Mama Need Go Kiss It

What started as a way to soothe Dexter's boo-boos has become a game. When Dexter is in the mood, he will throw himself (dramatically but safely) onto the floor and then come running to me, pointing to a part of his body and saying, "Mama need go kiss it!" I can't tell you how many times I have literally kissed his butt in the past week.

Young Creedence Fan

I've heard Dexter sing along to Creedence's "Down on the Corner" when we've played it on the stereo but as Ben was getting ready to get Dexter out of bed yesterday morning he said he heard, "Down on the corner, out in the street," in perfect pitch coming from Dexter's bedroom. Looks like this is Dexter's latest favorite song.

Ellerie's Birthday Party

Dexter's friend Ellerie celebrated her third birthday party yesterday. Ever since we went shopping for her birthday gift (starting on the ride home from the store), Dexter has been saying it's time to go see Ellerie. He was so excited yesterday morning when I told him "today we will go see Ellerie". On the ride to Ellerie's house, I told Dexter that Ian would also be there and he said, "Yes. And Elissa and Jason." At the party Dexter enjoyed pinning the "kiss" on the "frog" - he was the last to go and he just walked up to the frog (no blindfold) and placed the lips on the frog's lips and then proceeded to give the frog a real kiss, playing with Ian (trying out their paddle ball prizes from their awesome pin the kiss on the frog efforts and tickling each other), eating (pb&j sandwiches, fruit, and a homemade birthday cake exquisitely decorated by Gretchen's sister), and picking up the candies from the pinata.

Returning to the Scene of the Crime

On our fifth wedding anniversary this past Friday, Ben and I took Dexter for a picnic at the spot where we got married. It was a perfect day - walking through the Japanese gardens with our son, remembering all the hope for the future that we held on those grounds five years earlier and truly appreciating the manifestations of that hope.

Tabbi and Lukas Visit

Yesterday, Ben's cousin Tabbi and her almost-two-year-old son, Lukas, got up super early and hopped a train from Quincy to Chicago to spend the day with us. First, let me say that I am so impressed that Tabbi was brave enough to make such a long one-day trip (they were on a train back to Quincy by 6pm!). Let me also say that I am so thankful that she did it. We all had a great day, very relaxed just hanging out at home watching Lukas and Dexter play together and catching up on family news. A few impressions:

1. Lukas is extremely bright - I couldn't believe the methodical way that he approached Dexter's puzzles. It was amazing to see him examining each puzzle piece from every angle and turning it so that it fit into the appropriate spot perfectly. Not once did he get frustrated and he completed every puzzle in the house! I think he would make an excellent researcher!

2. Dexter would be a wonderful big brother (not going to happen) - he reveled in showing Lukas his toys and his room, did a fabulous job sharing everything, and "helped" Lukas get over some toys when he was "stuck" in a corner. I was very proud of him and he seemed pretty proud of himself too!

3. Both boys played together (and separately next to each other) like pro's. They were excellent sharers and collaborators.

4. It was like a hurricane (a happy hurricane) had followed the boys as they went room to room exploring toys. Ben and I were amazed at how much "destruction" two perfectly behaved little boys could cause. We also realized that part of the problem is that Dexter has too much stuff! It's that time again to continue the circle of good karma and pass along toys that have been passed along to Dexter.

It was a really great day for all of us! We hope Lukas was worn out enough to sleep on the 5 hour train ride home!!

At the Zoo with Friends

I will be so sad when this adorable hand-holding phase comes to an end.