Wylie meets Granny

Granny returned from Sanibel and finally got to meet her newest great grandson!

Easter Festivities

 

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Tallies for the Weekend

We went into the weekend making a concerted effort to combat Finn's exasperating behavior by staying positive, being patient, yet going straight to "1, 2, 3 time out" when necessary.  In order to measure the success of our methodology, I figured I could sort of keep track of "wins" and "losses."

Wins

1.  Both boys slept until 7:00 am Saturday morning!
2.  I folded laundry & drank coffee while Little Slept and Medium played, with minimal assistance.
3.  Happy, low-splash bath with slinky.
4.  Got dressed, when told to, with zero help!!!!!
5.  I fed Wylie while Finn played nicely: two Macs and three McQueens all talking to each other.
6.  A lot of pooping in the potty!
7.  Tried on eye glasses at two stores without breaking any, while Jason tried to find a pair.
8.  Pleasant lunch at Pot Belly, entertained by two guitarists.
9.  Straight to nap with no complaining.
10. Happy to have Ellie come over so Mama and Papa could go out to dinner.
11.  Read a book in his room until "the 7," then came into our room Sunday morning.
12.  A lot more pooping on the potty!
13.  Loved being at the park and ran around happily.
14.  Motivated by a "clean-up contest" and went to town cleaning up toys!
15.  Only got out of bed once to ask for a glass of water.
16.  No accidents all weekend!

Losses
1.  Time out for trying to climb the banister.
2.  Time out for excessive and defiant splashing at end of bath.
3.  Time out for screeching at end of lunch.
4.  Time out for spitting on the floor.

While four time outs may seem like a lot, it really was not.  We ended the weekend way ahead and were thrilled to be able to enjoy Finn and Wylie throughout a successful, enjoyable, frustration-free weekend.

Another First: Finn Feeding Wylie

Wow, so this is how it works.

Are you getting any?

Chatting away to provide Wylie with entertainment during his meal.

Last night Finn fed his brother for the first time.  Of course his interest waned after a few minutes, but it was very sweet while it lasted.

Zoo with Grandma

First stop: the train.

Finn and I took a ride while Grandma and Wylie walked behind.

Second stop: the park. (Yes, they do have animals at our zoo, but they weren't high on Finn's priority list today.)

Getting closer, a statue of a kangaroo.

We did see the dolphin show.

From the very top row.

Last stop: the carousel.

The Pigeon Show

This morning Jason, Finn and I attended a fabulous performance of Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus at the Emerald City Theater with our friends Kimberly, Lauren, and Madeline.  (Wylie chose to spend the day with the grandparents and Brian chose to play basketball instead--their loss!)  This outing was a huge success, especially after the Mouse show debacle of 2009, which took place at this very same theater.  And, this time we were sitting in the front row!  I held my breath when the lights went down, watched Finn's reaction, and was relieved that he wasn't running for the door. 

The Pigeon was a riot--an adult male dressed as a goofy-looking bird acting like the quintessential pre-school-age child, with the kind of attitude we all know and love.  Realistic requests--"Can I drive the bus?," "I want a puppy," and "I'm not tired I need a glass of water I don't need to go to bed!"  A compassionate attitude toward others--"I don't want to share my hot dog!" And, a positive attitude--"I never get to do anything!" 

Finn and I liked the bus driver best.  I supposed I liked him because he was the driver of the show, teaching lessons and trying to guide the Pigeon toward good choices, responsibility, and growth.  Finn was probably drawn to him because, well, he gets to drive the bus! 

Family Rivalry

Go Cubs, Go!

Since Jason's been getting Finn dressed these days, he stole the opportunity to appeal to Finn's Philadelphia allegiance.  Wylie did not take this lightly and stripped down to only his Cubs hat in order to show his loyalty.  It appears a new family rivalry has begun just as the 2011 baseball season begins.

Celebrating Wylie at 2 Months

A Day at Grandma and Grampa's

Last Saturday Wylie enjoyed his first day in the care of the Grandma and Grampa Baby Sitting Service.  Finn is an old pro, so was ready to show his baby brother the joys and benefits of spending the day with his grandparents.  Yet he was armed and ready to protect Wylie:  "Grampa, no cookies for Wylie!  He can only have milk!" 

Both boys enjoyed the day in Schaumburg, including a trip to the park.  Finn stayed for a sleepover while we snuck Wylie out late that evening to bring him back home.  During breakfast Sunday morning Finn apparently asked a lot of questions about his brother's whereabouts.

Meanwhile Jason and I were thrilled to have the free time to clean out the garage (woo hoo!) and go out to dinner at Bonefish in Schaumburg.  And, since Wylie chooses to wake up to eat around 4:30 am these days, I was able to sleep in until 9:00 am when he was ready for his breakfast!

Smiles on April Fools Day