Turkeys

J has really started to develop a sense of who he is. He can fake emotions to get what he wants and he can express his feelings. Last week, we were watching the kids. I asked him if he needed to tinkle. He didn't respond.

Parker: J, she said do you need to tinkle?

J: (I think misunderstanding P's pronunciation of tinkle) No Parks! I NOT a turkey. I just J!

We all started cracking up. So now, anytime you ask him if he's a turkey he'll tell you "no, I just J". I don't think he's nearly as amused as we all are.

Cereal

J's favorite breakfast is cereal. He's particularly interested in whatever kind mama and daddy are eating. So the other morning he asks for SEER-wul. I let him look in the pantry where he picks out Crispix (also my favorite).

Me: Good choice, crispix is delicious!

J: No mama, that not Christmas. That panda seer-wul.

Hmmm, guess the kung fu panda on the front made the name change.

Santa Claus is Comin' to Town

Ask J anything about Christmas and the response that's likely to follow?

"Ho, Ho, Ho Man! Merry Christmas Tree!"

Poor Santa has been demoted to Ho Ho Man.

Who is Matt?

I think the time has come to stop referring to my husband by his given name. Apparently J has picked up on this. Yesterday we were eating breakfast and he says "where's daddy?". I told him daddy was in the office.

"MATT!" he yells at a deafening pitch.

I inform him that daddy's name is daddy, not Matt. He looks pensive.

"HONEY! Come to kitchen with me, honey!"

Poor Matt is heartbroken, and I'm careful not to call his name anymore.

Toddler Manipulation

Yesterday J had crackers for snack. He had eaten plenty and it was close to dinner time. Here's how our conversation went:

J: Mama, more crackers please.
Me: No, it's too close to dinner and you've already had enough.
J: (at an ear piercing decibel) MAMA, WANT MORE CRACKERS!
Me: J, what did mama say?

[pause...J looks thoughtful]

J: No screaming? (whispers) mama, more crackers.

The Anti-Toddler Diet

Yes, this is a typical lunch for my child. It's grape tomatoes and blackberries. He will clear the entire plate, and then ask for more. It's really perplexing. I mean, I know plenty of adults that don't eat tomatoes (myself included) and blackberries. But aren't toddler diets supposed to consist of chicken nuggets and cheese?

J, he won't touch meat with a ten foot pole, but plop down a bowl of black olives and he's good to go. He actually woke up from nap one day and demanded broccoli. He looooves broccoli...seriously, can't get enough. Other favorites: red pepper hummus, any type of fruit, yogurt, and black beans. That's pretty much his entire diet.

To make him seem a bit more normal, I've also included a picture of his breakfast from this past weekend. It's a banana pancake in the shape of a Blue's Clues paw print (isn't daddy so thoughtful and fun??)

Fire Engines!

J and I went with our playgroup to the Fire Department today. He LOVED it. He kept showing the firemen his little "bire truck". He's been talking about it all day long.

Pointing at the trucks:

Driving the truck:
Standing on the front of the truck (and saying "cheese" with a goofy grin):
He actually put himself in this pose (again, saying "cheese"). Future model? ;)
Running around with his girlfriend, Kaitlyn:

And the best news of all??? He was wearing big boy underwear the whole time! I think we're mostly potty trained. He's been out of diapers for a week now, and we're having a much easier transition than I expected.

The Mom Mobile

Sadly, my camry has seen her final days as a member of the Cadle family. It was time for something with more room and also LATCH. So, I present to you our new car!!



Yes, I'm sure you're wondering what the car actually is. A station wagon? An SUV? A minivan? We're choosing to call it a mini minivan. With third row seating it's great for when all 4 kids are in the car, but it's also small enough for our family of 3. And the best part is it gets great gas mileage!

Here's a picture of "The Baby Factory":

Blackmail shot

Yup, he's stuck. And the first words out of his mouth?

"You aren't going to post these pictures on the internet, are you?"

Yes, as a matter of fact, I am.

Basketball Clubbies

This is the game I was taught today. Apparently it consists of lining up tennis balls and swinging a baseball bat as if it were a golf club, in order to hit the balls as far as possible. The balls can also be kicked from time to time, as in soccer. Ironically, the sport not included in this game is basketball, so I'm not quite sure what possessed him to call this "basketball clubbies". But there ya have it. If you're interested, we're open for lessons, as this is the only thing he likes to play.