Ride Bike Please?

Gryffin's bike seat arrived today. We had just enough time to eat dinner, install it and for the guys to take a spin round the back yard before a haircut appointment. I did mention to Mike that we used to make fun of the neighbor for riding his motorcycle in his back yard but I guess a bike is a lot different. This is the most unique seat we have seen. It just seems so much safer with him riding infront. That and he can't kick Mike in the butt. Thats my job!
Oh and did I mention that someone went in the potty! We bought him a Royal Throne. It has sensors in the bottom and when he does his thing music goes off. I want to get one for our toilet. Just in case you didn't figure it out, Gryffin was the one to go potty in the throne. Hee hee hee.




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Today was Gryffin's 2 year checkup. No surprise, he is as healthy as a horse. The doctor declared him normal- makes me question the doctor- but I guess for a two year old he's right. I think the appointment wiped him out though. He actually asked for his lunch and nap today. Hmmm, maybe we should do that more often. Ok, maybe not considering the cost of a doctor appointment today. Don't get me wrong, I think the people that should be paid the most are healthcare workers, teachers and law enforcement. Lets face it, they are the ones that make life better. Especially teachers. Its a shame this country can't recognize that they guide our future. Instead they put these silly parameters on them that if their class doesn't score a certain number on standardized tests that they don't get money. Without parental support, a teacher can only do so much. The classes are overcrowded, one bad kid ruins the whole class and oh my gosh if they give a kid a hug they are slapped with a charge of sexual assault. Hugging is inappropriate after a certain age but through grad school is fine. It may be the only positive attention a kid gets these days. I worry for this countries future, thank goodness there is a cap on presidential terms. Ok ok, I won't start stirring that pot.
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From here.......

...........to there in the blink of an eye.

HAPPY 2ND BIRTHDAY GRYFFIN!!!!

I have been fighting this day for the past two years. You are always told that your children grow up too fast. Its true. Just a couple years ago he was a helpless, tiny newborn that I loved to look upon and hold, even when I was too tired to keep my eyes open. I remember the first time he ate babyfood, his first clumsy steps and first words. But now they are only memories. Now he tells me what he wants to eat, I chase him around and he is learning to string words together. Of course, I am loving watching him grow and learn and become a big boy. I cherish every day because I know I won't get a second chance to.

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Today while Gryffin is in Day Out I am getting tested for hearing aides. I have been trying not to get my hopes up too much but... I really (really, really, really, reeeeeaaaaaalllllllllyyyyy) want to qualify for this trial of a new model made for people like me, can't hear what someone is saying if there is any background noise or the person isn't looking at you. In social situations everyone sounds like Charlie Brown's teacher. Whah whah wa waaa. I'm even to the point where if they work I won't even ask the price. Ok, I'll ask but I won't let the price be the determining factor. That is why I need to qualify for the trial. If I do I will get them at a 'substantial' discount, at least thats what the hearing place tells me. But hey, anything will help.
Yesterday I ordered the birthday cake. Still having guilt about buying one but I did have less than two weeks to prepare for this shindig. Ah, there is always next year. I also bought all the stuff for the goodie bags for the other kids in attendance. Not an easy task when Gryffin was with me. You try picking out toys, gadgets and candy for OTHER kids and explain to yours that they aren't for him. Lets just say, he did get a few but total they only cost about $2 and I didn't bribe him, I just gave them before he started to act up. Kind of a 'nip the bull in the buds' thing. I still need more streamer and some balloons. Then its all fun, decorating and wrapping presents. And the weather looks like it might hold out.
I also tamed the wild laundry beast yesterday. Yeah I know, I was going to do that Sunday but the glass of wine and a bubble bath won out. But it is done now. For now anyway. I can't believe how long it takes me to get back into my routine after I vacation or slack off. Luckily, God keeps giving me time to try and straighten myself out.
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You know he's going to turn out ok when...

Yesterday we all made the haul out to Target. I got a new dry erase board for the fridge since Gryffin has taken my other one for his aspiring art career. We picked up gift wrap and a couple of CD's. What were they you ask? Oh, you didn't ask. Tuff! One was a CD of lullabyes that Mike and I felt compeled to buy, and not just because it was only $3.50. No, this was all Metallica songs turned into instrumental lullabyes. You know it sucks when 'Enter Sandman' is calm and relaxing. It was worth $3.50 for the funny factor. The other was Johnny Cash's 16 biggest hits. We are big Johnny Cash fans, that was when country music was still good and well, country. So after yanking out the Metallica before our ears rebelled and fell off our heads we put in 'The Man in Black'. All of a sudden someone is singing along with 'Ring of Fire'. It wasn't Mike, or me. Yup, Gryffin. He's in the back seat singing the song in toddler speak but when the chorus of 'Down, down, down' came he was right on it with the 'downs'. Yeah, I think the kid won't be scared too much from the Metallica fiasco. Looks like his music taste will turn out ok. Especially since when he was a baby in need of lullabyes his favorite was Foo Fighters and the other day he was singing along with The Clash's 'I Fought The Law'.
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Here comes Peter Cottontail...

Easter time again. I wasn't planning on getting Gryffin's picture today when we went to the mall but kind of had too when he took off running to the Easter Bunny and jumped in his lap. It was fine though. Gryffin had a good time with it and the Bunny was left with a dry lap. They gave him these really cute paper ears to wear on this head. He luuuuved those, mostly when they would fall off and he would scream at the top of his lungs for them. Yeah, that only happed 3or 8 dozen times. I lost track along the way. After the shopping was done, more like after Mommy was exhausted, he wanted to ride the train on the way out. Ok, cool. He had never done that before and he had been as good as a two year old can be when he's about 3 hours late for his nap. He climbed in, rang the bell and was all happy smiley, until the train started to move. He started crying the 'I'm not going to breath until you make it stop' cry. The conductor stopped the train and Grandma Dianne hopped in the car with him. Now mind you, this is a child size train so Grandma didn't fit real well, but she would do anything for him. That calmed him down and after a couple times around the track he began to enjoy it. Right now, he is sleeping off the experience- Thank You God! I'm inventorying all the clothes we, scratch that, Grandma bought him. Not to mention all the toys he suckered her out of too. Little devil.

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Gryffin has officially graduated.

He has been bumped up to the big boy class of 2-3 year olds. Previously he was in the 1-2. As I'm sure you are aware there is a BIG difference between 1 and 2. I think his late onset of separation anxiety was a result of him being in a class where he just didn't fit in. He wasn't challenged by it and the kids really didn't play together.
When I took him this morning he didn't scream or put me in a choke hold. He looked around at the new classroom and then headed to the gym. His bottom lip quivered slightly but quickly vanished after he saw all the 'bikes', to him thats anything you can ride on. When I picked him up this afternoon he was sitting in the playhouse chillin' with his buds. Apparently he has made a friend because they were sitting there with an arm draped over the other's shoulders and talking in only a language a toddler can understand. He just didn't want to leave, but finally agreed when I told him that we had to get home before Daddy so he wouldn't be scared. A PB&J with some Goldfish and the kid was happy. Yup, he is his father's child.

Mr Brown Can Moo, Can You?

Gryffin LOVES Dr Seuss. He loves to have it read to him or to just flip through the pages and look at the pictures. I must say, I never enjoyed reading until I was out of college, living on own and couldn't afford cable. Funny how deprivation can lead to good things. Gryffin already has a pretty extensive library started and if I have anything to do with it it will only grow with him. Mike is already looking forward to reading the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings to him. Me? Well, Harry Potter and Alice in Wonderland ( the original and only good version, Disney ruined it ).