E. B. W.: February Top Ten

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

February Top Ten

Alright, we know we haven't been good about posting lately, so here is our top ten for the month. They're rough estimates, but you get the idea.

10: Number of times we've "done the Skype" by talking to Grammy and Papa on the computer, give or take. It's quite possible this estimate is on the low end.

9: Number of times (at least) we've watched Calling All Engines, Blanden's favorite Thomas the Tank Engine episode. We must admit, television does come in handy when Mommy is home alone with the boys and needs to get ready for class and when Daddy is home alone with the boys during dinner/fussy/bedtime hours and needs to get the family to wind down. So when Blanden says, "I want to watch a movie -- I just got home from school," implying that he, too, would just like to relax, we sometimes let him.

8: Number of teeth Ellis has! Four on top and four on the bottom. He is well ahead of his big brother here, who didn't get a single tooth until he was 10 months old! Ellis likes to try them out too. He's a very enthusiastic eater, and it's fun to feed him.

7: Number of swim lessons we've completed for the first winter session at the YMCA. We've signed up for another, which begins this Saturday. Blanden is improving. He has always liked the water, but he is clearly getting stronger. Ellis takes it all in stride.

6: Number of Wednesday morning music classes we've attended: 3 lessons each for both boys. We switched from Monday nights since Mommy has class. Blanden is really gaining confidence. It took all of last year for him to feel comfortable using the teacher's microphone in front of the class, and this year he runs right up and volunteers to go first! Again, Ellis takes it all in stride.

5: Number of times we've ordered Thai Basil, Blanden's favorite local takeout -- especially pot stickers, which also happen to come 5 to an order. We always get two now, one for Blanden and one for Daddy. It probably won't be long before we'll be ordering one for Ellis too.

4: Number of baths the boys have taken together. With swim lessons on Saturday and our evenings so busy, plus the Colorado winter weather drying out their skin, we're down to just one a week at home (and showers after swimming). Ellis can sit up now in his baby bathtub inside of the big bath tub and together they laugh and splash. They love it!

3: Total number of occasions on which we've taken photos this month -- that's it! Considering we now make a year-in-review calendar of the past year for each new year, we have slim pickings for February 2012. Ed and I better get crackin -- or, rather, snappin! We have one week to go!

2: Number of times Blanden and I have made cookies this month -- peanut butter for Daddy, his favorite. (We made Valentine's Day cutout cookies, loaded with frosting and sprinkles, at the end of January.)

1: Number of Valentine's-card-making-parties Ellis attended with Mommy and her book club friends.

All in all, a busy but good month, we just have scant photos to show for it!

Yesterday Ed had the day off, so while I dove into some schoolwork for the week Ed took the boys on a father-son adventure. They rode the light-rail downtown, just for fun -- Blanden loved riding the train! They walked the 16th St. pedestrian mall and had pizza for lunch. Even Ellis was a nonstop chatterbox when they got back -- I have rarely seen him so animated and excited! Clearly, the boys had a great time.

Today, I took Blanden and Ellis to the Museum of Nature and Science. Currently, they go to daycare Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays. I continue to feel blessed and lucky and am soaking up every moment of my extra time home with them on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Here are a few photos. Enjoy!