More Books

Tyler has gotten very good at negotiating more books at bedtime. I am not sure how much of it is a love for books and how much of it is procrastinating going to bed. I have a feeling it is a little of both. However, I love reading to and snuggling with Tyler at bedtime so I usually indulge him unless it is way past bedtime. Michael usually gives in too on his bedtime nights.

Bicycle Pedals

Tyler is very aware that his bicycle does not have pedals. We have told him that he will get a bike with pedals when he is ready for them. Every time Tyler sees other bicycles he likes to point out that they have pedals. This weekend we stopped in REI and Tyler went bananas in the bicycle section, which is located right by the entrance. He pretty much tried to rotate the pedals on every bike he could get his hands on. It was way too cute!

Memorial Day

Memorial Day

Click above for photos at the park today.

Scarring Our Child for Life

Michael and I thought Tyler would enjoy the dinosaur exhibit that just opened at the zoo for the summer. Boy were we wrong! I do not recommend taking a two-year old to see animatronic dinosaurs. The exhibit at the zoo is very nice but the dinosaurs seemed too real for Tyler and the roaring sound effects did not help. We whisked through the Dinosaur Walk pretty quickly and Tyler perked up once we started looking at the normal zoo exhibits. Of course on the way home I asked Tyler what his favorite thing about the zoo trip was and he said, "Dinosaur Walk." We think he will just remember that the most because he screamed his way through most of it.

Go That Way!

Tyler can be pretty bossy with instructions these days. (I have no idea where he could possibly get this from!) He often directs Michael or I to "Go that way!" such as:

• Approaching daycare Tyler sometimes tells us to keep going straight instead of turning into the daycare driveway.


• During recent trips to the grocery store and Target, Tyler has tried to get me to go in the direction of promotions (on TV or cardboard displays) for the new Cars 2 movie. He hasn't even seen the original Cars movie but he has a few of the toy cars. Tyler particularly likes Mater (the tow truck).


• Today Tyler wanted me to follow a school bus instead of turning onto our street.

At the Park with Calvin and Christopher

I have created a diva! To get my attention at the park today, Tyler called out "Cheese!" from the top of the slide and waited for me to get the camera and take his photo before he slid down. Then he gave me instructions to take photos of his friends.

Family Bike Ride

We went on our first official family bike ride today. Well, we went on family bike rides last year with Tyler riding in the bike trailer, but today was the first time we all rode our own bikes. Tyler is getting really good on his bike and is riding a lot faster. Michael and I had to ride pretty slow but it was fun to take a family ride together. Tyler often liked riding in the lead and would tell us to stop if we pulled ahead of him.

Dozer Day

Dozer Day

We had a blast yesterday at Dozer Day in Vancouver. The Nutter Foundation held an awesome kid-oriented festival at the Cemex/Fisher Quarry. There were tons of heavy vehicles on site to check out. Some were stationary for the kids to climb in and on. Others could be "driven" by the kids with the assistance of a trained pro. We did not wait in line for Tyler to "drive" anything because he was a little freaked out just sitting in the stationary vehicles. There were other play areas and activities for kids. We particularly enjoyed the dump truck ride and I think the highlight for Tyler was checking out a real fire truck. Click on the photo above for entire album.

Say What?

Tyler's latest expressions:

• Yep


• Nope


• Cheers! (Tyler likes to clink our glasses and say cheers. We are trying to get him to cut back to one Cheers! per meal.)


• CHECK OUT! (I usually tell Tyler when we only have a few items left before check out at the grocery store. During our last two visits when I have mentioned this Tyler has loudly and excitedly exclaimed, "CHECK OUT!" He knows that means we are about to head home where he can go back to playing.)

Tyler the T-Rex

Here is Tyler rocking out to one of the songs on his favorite show, Dinosaur Train.

Thoughtful

Michael and Tyler often play together while I make dinner. When I prepare something with cheese, like Parmesan, I usually give both Tyler and Michael a small slice. Tonight I gave Tyler a piece of cheese and Michael happened to be in a different room. Tyler was very concerned and wanted to make sure that Daddy got a piece of cheese too. What a sweetie!

"Hey you Mommy!"

I wasn't sure if I should grace "Hey you Mommy!" with a reply!

Scared

Tyler was watching some bigger kids ride a kiddie ferris wheel this weekend. Only kids under 48" were allowed on. Michael asked Tyler if he wanted to ride it and Tyler said, "No. I'm scared." That is the first time Tyler has verbalized emotion!

What's that?

Tyler has started pointing to things and asking, "What's that?" It is exciting to see his inquistive mind at work. Last week he pointed to the ceiling fan in his room and said, "Helicopter." Today he pointed to it and asked, "What's that?"

At the Park

We saw about 30 baby geese at the park this morning. Talk about a gaggle of geese!

Things That Go

A few days ago Tyler and I saw five or six buses at a transit center and Tyler told me he wants to ride a city bus. Then tonight when we read "Things That Go" before bedtime, Tyler told me he wants to drive a school bus, tractor, airplane, and motorcycle. My favorite part was when Tyler told me he wants to drive a van and he wants Mommy to ride in the back seat. I think I will take him up on that when I am a very old woman!

Noisy

Tyler thinks it is hilarious to loudly blurt out, "Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah! Noisy!" He picked this up from an opposites book. The left page shows a quiet little boy and the right page shows a noisy little girl pretending to talk on the phone saying, "blah, blah, blah..." (you get the picture).

Biker Boys

Bike, play, snack... how nice it is to be a 2-year old boy!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms! I had a great day with my boys. They took me out for a nice breakfast and then we went for a walk through Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden. Click on photo below for entire album.

Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden

Today Tyler discovered how much fun it is to splash in puddles. Although we came prepared with rain jackets, I completely forgot to put Tyler in his rain boots. He was a little disappointed that we stripped off his pants, shoes, and socks for the car ride home because they were soaking wet and covered in dirt. But you better believe he had fun splashing in those puddles!

Jamison's Birthday

Jamison's 3rd Birthday

Tyler's classmate Jamison had his 3rd birthday party this weekend at a video arcade. Tyler was a little overwhelmed by the arcade at first but decided that he loves to play air hockey! Standing on a stool and pointers from Daddy definitely helped. Click on photo above for entire album.

Latest Expressions

Tyler's most recent expressions:

• I don't want it!


• Leave it alone! -or- Leave [me] alone!


• Not yet.


• Come on Mommy! -or- Come on Daddy!


• Tickle Mommy. -or- Tickle Daddy.


• Oh yeah!

Tyler repeats just about everything he hears. I know this is how kids learn language but it makes it really hard to ask Tyler questions because instead of answering a question he just repeats the question back to you!

Dancing

Tunnel

Wheels, Wheels, Wheels

Using the Potty

We have decided not to do any hardcore potty training until we think Tyler is ready. He is so willful right now that it is a struggle just to get him dressed in the morning! We do encourage him to sit on his potty at home when he is in the mood and his teachers put him on the potty a few times a day at daycare. Usually he just sits there and nothing happens. Today, Tyler used the potty twice at daycare. This is very exciting!

"Tyler Picture"

Tyler is so used to me taking a gazillion photos of him that he gets a little jealous when I take photos of other people. He will come up to me and say "Tyler picture" and then stand still while I take his photo. Did I create an egomaniac or are all toddlers egomaniacs?

Mr. Baseball

Have I mentioned that Tyler calls all the shots these days and throws a tantrum when he doesn't get his way? We played a little baseball today and he insisted that I put the ball on the tee every time. I tried rolling the ball to Tyler to put back on the tee after I retrieved it but he kept insisting, "No! Mommy do it!" Then when Michael joined us I was no longer allowed to put the ball on the tee. Only Daddy was allowed to put the ball on the tee. Sometimes I don't know what goes on in that head of his!

Viola's Birthday

Viola's 3rd Birthday

Tyler had a blast helping Viola celebrate her 3rd birthday today! Click on photo above for entire album.

Playground

Tyler has been getting pretty brave with the climbing and has been scaling a variety of ladders at the playground. A few days ago he figured out how to climb up into the barstools in our kitchen. I fear he will be climbing out of his crib soon. However, Tyler loves playing in his crib so he may not have much incentive yet.

Not many parks have the old school see-saws anymore. Tyler was delighted to ride this one. It is quite the squat workout for Mommy when there are no other kids around the same size as Tyler!

Honey!

I often use the term "Honey" instead of "Michael", especially at home. Until recently I was not aware of how frequently I call out "Honey!" to get Michael's attention when he is in another room. Tyler likes to also call out "Honey!" after I do, which is why I now notice this habit. It is pretty cute to hear Tyler bellow "Honey!"