New Territory for All

We're in the middle of toilet training. Our first success is that Simon isn't as scared of the toilet and will actually sit on it without all of his clothes on and without the lid down ... We are just waiting for the first successful use of the toilet and then maybe Simon will understand the new idea.
We have training pants on him, but during nap and bed we are of course putting on pull-ups.
The doll has been named Rachel and Simon taught her how to go potty first.
The special treats are skittles and m&ms, though we are prob'ly switching to raisins soon b/c he loves those just as much and they are in our pantry.
Simon was proud of all his bubbles he made with the soap (and we were, too) so we snapped a pix. I have taken pix of him in various stages of potty-usage so that when he sees the pix he is reminded of how far he has come.

Simon is still into the crazy rubber chicken. Currently he just asked "Where are you chicken?" He tucks him in at night and I saw him give him a goodnight kiss last night. The chicken sleeps on the changing table or on an extra 'bed' somewhere. First thing in the a.m. is sometimes, "Where's chicken?" Then he runs to get him. "Good morning chicken. Did you sleep good?"

This morning the first thing was "China is on the world." And then he made the shape of a globe with his hands. The other night he and Matt prayed for China after devotions and the idea has really stayed with him of China.

I always ask Simon in the morning, "How did you sleep?" And he responds, "I sleep good."

Sweetheart.

Stages in Rearranging and Decorating

We are working towards having Simon in a different bedroom by his birthday, which is coming up quickly in only twelve days! The former guest room twin beds were reconstructed as bunk beds Thursday evening by Matt and Alex (our friend, not our nephew) while I was at a GFA Ladies' Meeting. These are the same beds that my dad used when he was little, that Kelly and I shared, and that Scott had in his room for a time! I am not planning on purchasing comforters, or even flat sheets necessarily for Simon's bed. Trying to keep it simple ... We have lots of rearranging and purging to do before we can move Simon in that room as well as a few other purchases, among which the most important is a very high quality water-proof mattress protector that is easy to change for those inevitable middle of the night moments. Come to think of it, we might need to invest in a couple of those for the same reason ... we won't have time to wash/dry the protector in the middle of the night! I've also got to arrange his toys in an appealing way so that he is super excited to move into the new room and isn't sad to leave the old one. Hopefully he'll forget it was his room before Evie is born ... Maybe we'll let him open his birthday presents in his new 'room' to create positive memories in there ...
The second pix is of the sham that I am going to use in Evie's nursery. I'm trying to feminize the blue denim futon cover with two of these shams. There is also a really cute queensize quilt/comforter that came in a set with the shams.

Snapshots

The top picture is of Simon breaking all of the conservative fashion rules. Notice the rubber chicken in his right hand.
The 2nd picture is of Simon reading to his "friends" as he called his blocks. He was reading them the Popcorn book.
Simon wanted me to take a couple of pictures of him being silly, hence the third and fifth photos. The fourth photo is of our new dinnerware that we had to supplement our dishes with. We began running out of dishes when we have lots of people over; it kind of runs contrary to my minimalist nature, but it is nice to have a set that is fun for the summer and spring! The set was originally from Target, though I picked up 25 pieces for $20.99 at the local thrift store. I'm thinking that almost competes with IKEA prices, though I haven't found any dinner plates that I like there yet. The dishes were still in their original packaging, so that was nice. The only problem is that we are brutal to dishes here and they kind of chip easily :)

Leaving VBS

As much as Simon loved VBS, it was hard for him to say goodbye. Actually, I think it was saying goodbye to Gigi. He kept crying to go to "Gigi's house." Matt and I were prepared as we had heard reports of all the fun he was having there, walking to the park, painting, playing with watercolors, playdoh, watching Toy Story, playing golf in the backyard. He had a few minutes of sadness which we captured on film :) , but was fine as we actually left. Unfortunately, it was a late night with us getting home around 11:00 and getting into bed around 11:50. Simon was up, though. Didn't fall asleep in the van, just pleasantly looked at the big buildings and a few picture books.

Vacation Bible School 2007

Simon was able to attend VBS Wed-Friday this week. From what I hear and what I saw at the closing ceremony, he LOVED it! He was really into singing and dancing and loved the crafts and games and hopefully sat still during the bible lesson! Gigi picked him up a red cowboy hat for the western theme and he quickly became acclimated to wearing it instead of just holding it. So, Simon stayed with Gigi Wed and Thursday night and we picked Simon up Friday night.
The third pix of him looking right at the camera was the first time he saw me at the ceremony and was so happy! I had to mention that given how sad he became later when we began the leaving process.
Simon at one point left his row where his class was sitting and sat with Gigi. Then, Gigi reports, when he went back to sit with his class, that he said he, "wanted to sit with his friends."

Father and Son

Matt wasn't thrilled when he saw that Simon was dressed like him last Saturday, he even went to change clothes, for fear of being labeled as 'cute,' but he was a good sport and stayed matching for the rest of the day! It was so sweet and cute!

Simon loves to 'help' build things. We saw some pictures of landscaping rocks somewhere yesterday and Simon said, "I wanna help daddy build." He calls the deck a 'duck.' Yesterday he built a deck with his blocks. He is also really into building something that sounds like 'jokes' but we aren't sure what those are. He has also pointed out 'jokes' driving along the highway. We are currently trying to solve that linguistic mystery.

We often ask Simon questions like "Who made the sky?" "Who made Simon?" "Mommy has to go to bed now but who is with you?" Simon answers "God" and we of course don't know to what limited ability he understands that theologically, but I think he might be using God's omnipresence to his advantage. For example, yesterday he made a huge mess with his blocks and I commented "What a mess! Who made this mess?" Simon answered, "God."

The other night's bedtime conversation was interesting. Simon told me that daddy was a man. Then he said Daddy is a daddy is a man. I said, "I know." Then Simon said, "Daddy's scary." I said, "That's silly. Daddy's not scary." Simon laughed and smiled and said, "I know. Daddy's good."

Simon is all into parties, so this upcoming birthday should be fun! We have parties for everything. Sometimes I deem an "Ice Water Party" and we all sit at the table (Simon gets to choose a seat) and, you guessed it, drink ice water and Simon loves to "cheer" the party on.

We had a bandaid party a couple of days ago. He was intrigued by bandaids after reading Doctor Dan before nap and I promised him that when daddy came home we would have a "Bandaid Party" So, after dinner, I pulled out a small pack of spngebob bandaids that we received in the mail, and had a "Bandaid Party" We all put a bandaid on and that was pretty much the extent of it, but Simon was thrilled. We would run down the hall and say "Bandaid Party!!!!" So, putting him to bed that night he kept rearranging his bandaid. I usually sneak in there for one last check and just to hug him a couple of hours after he is bed, as I head to bed. Apparently the last place the bandaid landed was on his pillow, b/c when I went to bed I had a bandaid in my hair. Next morning, Simon's first words, "Where's my dand-day?" (That's how he prounounces band-aid.)

Snapshots of different stages of deck-development as well as a shot of Simon trying out Nana's mirror and makeup brush ...

Rain Rain Go Away ...
I remember when rain was a novelty for Simon - and for us. I'm actually enjoying the difference in climate thus far this summer. And the greenbelt outside our home is still green. Usually it turns brown and brittle by this point.

We had a 'deck raising' reminiscent of old timey barn raisings on July 4th!

I love the pix of the four men going 4 different ways ...

Matt is pretty tired in the pix; he is really motivated and determined to finish some projects outside this summer (deck, climbing wall, paint, etc)

What Simon would Look Like with a Haircut

I took these pix while Simon was in the bath last night. They kind of show what it would be like if we cut his curls in the back. Matt came home mid-bath and thought I had actually cut Simon's hair! He was a bit relieved b/c he thought Simon looked like a girl. I think if we cut his hair, it has to be pretty short, not just with 'front' curls. The last pix is of Simon around Christmas last year (2006) with his short haircut!

Simon is in the habit of asking, "Are you happy?" if he sees someone smiling or laughing. Then he says, "I'm happy. Simon's happy."

We're trying to work on quick cleaning or 'pick up' with Simon. We use a kitchen timer and if he isn't done when it goes off, well then he gets a quick reprimand/rod and a second chance to clean up quickly. If he is tired, I usually don't set the timer, and I clean with him or either I wait until after nap to have him clean up.

Simon and Timothy during their "quiet down" part of their playdate on Wednesday.
I love their little facial expressions!
Simon and his "tuba" straw. He pretends it is a tuba and makes musical 'noises.'
Matt and Simon playing the game where someone rolls the ball down the picnic table and someone catches it at the other end with the bucket!
Simon on his new tricycle!
We didn't take any pix, but today Simon and I painted/stained the inside of his playhouse and while the stain was out, Matt painted our very 'weathered' Coca-Cola tables and chairs. Simon loved painting and didn't seem to mind getting dirty. It was fairly hot outside so we kept making him drink water and then we turned on the water hose for even more fun :)

Snapshots of Action

Matt came home a week ago Thursday for lunch and noticed our back tire on the van was flat; apparently, we'd driven over a screw. So, Simon was able to see his dad change a tire!
Simon 'found' his easter bunny in the garage and was so excited. For a few days, he wanted the bunny to sleep with him, but when we wouldn't let that happen, he would tuck the bunny in the red chair to sleep and would run the next morning to check on him! I guess SImon is ready for a little brother or sister! Simon at the time this pix was taken was looking at a photo album that kept his attention for a looong time.
Simon also looked at this teddy bear book for a looong time.
These last two pix are of Matt and his adventure in fixing our ibook that took a plunge a few weeks ago (open and on, it fell 5 feet and still works) SO, Matt ordered a part for $2 + $8 shipping and fixed it! The only iffy part is a couple of leftover screws and a bracket ... ??? :) I"m amazed at how people can fix things. Matt looked at a website for helping in the taking apart of the laptop. I can't even follow IKEA's instructions to put together simple things like a box...

The LAST INSTALLMENT from the trip

Simon on the plane with Mom AND Gigi this time. Mom had the privilege of sitting next to Simon until we were able to use laptops, and then we switched places while I held the laptop for Simon playing "Curiious George" (appropriate considering his t-shirt) and mom worked on her report cards on her laptop.
Matt picked us at the airport in Dallas on Tuesday evening. Simon ran to him and his first words to Matt were, "Daddy, play bibles with me?" (he pronounces marbles, bibles)
We met Dad at a SpringCreek BBQ so he could get mom. After eating, we showed the men pix/videos from the trip and Simon impressed them with his reading skills (with expression!)