Nemo

This weekend the boys and I were supposed to make it to New York but only made it as far as Philadelphia.  The failed attempt was partially due to blizzard Nemo and partially due to my lack of energy and mental fortitude.  The trip didn't have an auspicious beginning as we started out with a flat tire.  Then again the boys LOVED the extra stop.  After watching the guys at the gas station Charlie decided he wants to be a 'tire changer' when he grows up.

Despite only catching the tail end of the storm there was enough snow for sledding.  While Diego is my kindred spirit who hates the cold, Charlie seems to have much more of a stomach for the cold....and  steep sledding hills.  This hill seems to have been made for sledding. He, Mary and my mom went down on various sleds while I watched in horror.



The boys also got to work on some works of art.  Diego really took to painting - check it out - two hands and seated!  He even wanted to re-paint his painting when we got home.  Charlie worked hard on his 'jackson pollock' painting and his cityscape.

 

We've been working on Diego using the toilet by himself.  The tricky part is that without a stool he isn't quite tall enough to pee into the toilet.  At grandma's house he yelled "I have to go peeeeee" and I heard pitter-patter running.  By the time I arrived in the bathroom I found him propping himself up just high enough to lean  in.  I burst out laughing and yes, this is his naked butt, but it was just so cute to see him solve the issue himself.

I'm never really sure if all the activities I sign the kids up for are worth the effort and money.  The only one where I have seen marked improvement is swimming.  Last class Charlie actually swam a full length of the pool.  Granted it wasn't the most graceful performance and there is no telling how much water he drank, but it was still exciting to see.  His friend Cici joined and they were hysterical together - very competitive.  They kept saying "this is too easy!"  Little does Charlie know that her mom was a competitive swimmer and her father played on the brazilian national soccer team....I think he has his work cut out for him if he wants to keep up.  

Charlie also made it to the top of the climbing wall.  Diego took up climbing too!  Check out both of my boys on the wall!

Charlie has been torturing Diego more than usual recently.  Poor little Diego adores his brother - he calls for him in the morning, he wants to sleep in his bed with him, he says that cutest things like "charlie - you share with me?" - and Charlie torments him.  It seems to be a very recent switch and I wonder if it is something he is picking up at school.  The worst part is that he seems unphased when I tell him how mean he is being.

My good news is that despite feeling crampy, lethargic and generally crappy my cervix is intact.  no baby yet!