1. Two year olds need about 6 or 7 different things to do. And they need to change activities every ten minutes.
2. If the two-year old starts crying and doesn't want any of his toys, pull over, change his diaper, and then turn on your favorite music when you get back in the car. He'll fall asleep, just like magic.
3. Six-year olds can watch the DVD player for a LONG time. But they get cranky. Very very cranky.
4. Six-year olds actually like looking out the window, but the DVD player must be put away.
5. Baby carrots are the best travelling snack for everyone. We went through several bags of those things. Bardo especially like the small individual sized packages.
6. Grandma's are better than six-year olds for entertaining two-year olds, but six-year olds will do in a pinch.
7. My mother in-law is the best travelling companion in the world. Really. She's awesome.
8. If the hotel doesn't have a swimming pool it should not even be considered.
9. Driving is easier than taking care of the kids. In the past, I've allowed the Warlock to do the lion's share of the driving. This will happen no longer. Equal portions of driving and child care providing make for a much more pleasant journey.
10. Meal times do not need to be regular if you bring plenty of snacks.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Saturday, July 19, 2008
A Word from Everybody's Favorite Unauthorized Guest Blogger - The Warlock's Vacation
Sometimes, despite all the warm fuzzies that we married men tell our wives that we get from the whole nuzzling/caring/watching Jane Eyre instead of the NBA Playoffs marriagegig, it's nice to be a bachelor.
Last Saturday, I did some minor routine maintenance on my car in the hope that in preparation for the Witch's trip to Montana. After a lecture or two about the importance of checking oil (she didn't listen, by the way), she was off, and Dog (my name for the dog) and I were left home alone. For a month. With no supervision and a credit card.
I could say that I've been struggling with the wife and kids gone. I could also tell the Witch that I actually enjoy the collected 250 gazillion hours of estrogen-infused British Jane Austen cinema, but it wouldn't be any more believable.
Okay, I do miss the kids and the missus, but they're only gone a month, and in the meantime I can do all the stuff I'd never do when they were home. Like turn up Rock Band on my home theater until I'm afraid my eardrums will spontaneously combust. And then turn on the subwoofer extra loud to see if I can make my shoes bounce off the floor before the neighbors call. Or fall asleep on the couch watching movies every night. Or order pizza and not worry about the leftovers getting eaten by somebody who does not understand that they would lose a hand for such a crime, if only I could catch them in the act.
I can also get a ton of stuff around the house done. I did not realize how easy it is to keep a house clean and tidy - when you are the only one in it. I've actually undertaken a project or two to keep myself entertained because all I need to do is vacuum here and there and do a load of dishes once a week or so. Nothing to it. Obviously it's much different with a couple of kids around when you're home most of the day, but I'm gone most of the day and I make Dog (who was smart enough to try to attack a functioning lawnmower this morning) stay outside.
I think I'll host a block party next Friday. Maybe go really crazy and get two or three kegs of Diet Dr. Pepper (they'll match the case I picked up at Costco today).
Last Saturday, I did some minor routine maintenance on my car
I could say that I've been struggling with the wife and kids gone. I could also tell the Witch that I actually enjoy the collected 250 gazillion hours of estrogen-infused British Jane Austen cinema, but it wouldn't be any more believable.
Okay, I do miss the kids and the missus, but they're only gone a month, and in the meantime I can do all the stuff I'd never do when they were home. Like turn up Rock Band on my home theater until I'm afraid my eardrums will spontaneously combust. And then turn on the subwoofer extra loud to see if I can make my shoes bounce off the floor before the neighbors call. Or fall asleep on the couch watching movies every night. Or order pizza and not worry about the leftovers getting eaten by somebody who does not understand that they would lose a hand for such a crime, if only I could catch them in the act.
I can also get a ton of stuff around the house done. I did not realize how easy it is to keep a house clean and tidy - when you are the only one in it. I've actually undertaken a project or two to keep myself entertained because all I need to do is vacuum here and there and do a load of dishes once a week or so. Nothing to it. Obviously it's much different with a couple of kids around when you're home most of the day, but I'm gone most of the day and I make Dog (who was smart enough to try to attack a functioning lawnmower this morning) stay outside.
I think I'll host a block party next Friday. Maybe go really crazy and get two or three kegs of Diet Dr. Pepper (they'll match the case I picked up at Costco today).
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Preliminary Training Drills
We got something special in a box this week:
Before it was even out of the box, we had some fun with it. You will have to forgive the fuzzy picture of Bardo.
Pippi's photo is edited because Bardo is standing completely nude right behind her. Nude is appropriate potty training attire, right? That's what spurred on the potty purchase. Bardo refuses to keep clothes on. We even have air conditioning.
Pippi spent the afternoon we got our Baby Bjorn Potty Chair pushing Bardo around on the potty, in the box. Bardo went potty 5 times that day. Every other day hasn't been quite so exciting. I should not have thrown away the box.
Other preliminary training drills include but are not limited too: reading books about the potty, allowing Bardo to observe when anyone else uses the potty, and songs. Oh yes, songs. He thinks potty time is show time, requesting favorite songs for 5 or 10 minutes while sitting on his little potty. Maybe we can have this kid trained by the time the baby comes.
Before it was even out of the box, we had some fun with it. You will have to forgive the fuzzy picture of Bardo.
Pippi's photo is edited because Bardo is standing completely nude right behind her. Nude is appropriate potty training attire, right? That's what spurred on the potty purchase. Bardo refuses to keep clothes on. We even have air conditioning.
Pippi spent the afternoon we got our Baby Bjorn Potty Chair pushing Bardo around on the potty, in the box. Bardo went potty 5 times that day. Every other day hasn't been quite so exciting. I should not have thrown away the box.
Other preliminary training drills include but are not limited too: reading books about the potty, allowing Bardo to observe when anyone else uses the potty, and songs. Oh yes, songs. He thinks potty time is show time, requesting favorite songs for 5 or 10 minutes while sitting on his little potty. Maybe we can have this kid trained by the time the baby comes.
Saturday, July 05, 2008
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