Happy Sounds

Eliza has gotten very into the song We Are Young.  She sings it in this sweet, dramatic voice in the car.  "Tonight... we are young."  So cute.  And Ezra has started saying, "Wow!  Whoa!"  I don't think he knows what he's saying but he sounds like quite the little surfer boy. 

Wild Man

I'm starting to think Ezra's middle name should have been "Danger."  And I'm starting to realize why websites like this: http://www.onestepahead.com/osa/safety.html exist.  With Eliza, we put safety locks on the cabinets and covered the outlets.  And that was pretty much it.  A lot of the baby proofing gear seemed to me to be an industry trying to profit off the paranoia of new parents.  Now I realize we just had a calmer, more easily distractible child the first time around. Sure, Eliza tried to grab harmful stuff at times, but basically we just distracted her with something else or moved her to a new room and she forgot about whatever mischief she'd been pursuing.  Ezra is focused.  He wants to figure out how things work and even if you remove him from the area 10 times, he'll just quickly run back to where he was.  He gets out of child safety restraints, including his stroller straps, his high chair straps and his baby swim straps.  Thank goodness he hasn't figured out the car seat yet.  He'll stand on anything.  Like his toy barn the other day.  Or his sister's doll bed.  He almost got the child safety lock off of the cabinet last night.  He's working on opening door knobs.  The after hours staff at our pediatrician's office now recognize him.  He's been to urgent care once, the ER once and I've already had to call poison control.  He's curious about everything around him and he needs to get to the bottom of it immediately.  Not in a mean spirited way.  He's still a great cuddler, adorable smile, very loving.  He's just mechanical and driven and curious... like his dad. 

4th

Last year (Ezra's 1st July 4th) the drought was so bad that fireworks were banned.  We ended up going to a neighborhood block party in Mueller and watched a fireworks video on a screen.  So, lame.   Two years ago we had a great July 4th with Phin and Troy down at Auditorium Shores but getting home with the crowds was a nightmare.  I'm happy to report this year went much better!  We had a picnic with Marshall, Janet and Lola and watched the fireworks from a great viewing spot that meant no crowds and easy parking.  We could see the fireworks very well but we couldn't hear much, which was was fine, as no kids were traumatized!  Ezra sat so still in my lap and watched in awe, occasionally signing "light."  Eliza gave us a play by play, "Did you see that purple one?  That one looked like a rainbow!  That one was my favorite!" 

During the day I was at home and S was at work.  I took the kids to Lake Park, where we fed ducks, Eliza rode her bike, and we watched a little parade.  Later we had Dipping Dots at the mall and played at the indoor playground. 

Friday I was at work and S was home (School was closed Wed-Fri).  S took the kids to a farm where they saw all sorts of animals and got to see a cow being milked. 

Saturday we went to visit the grandparents, and Eliza was excited to help make homemade ice-cream, pick a watermelon from the garden and watch Daddy shoot fireworks from the driveway.  Shooting fireworks turns S into a 12 year old boy.  I think he may have been even more excited than Eliza!  Both kids loved swimming at the rec center.  Ezra is completely fearless in the water (and tries to drink it) and Eliza has started going all the way under and opening her eyes.  They were amused to watch Papa and both of their parents conquer the Wibit obstacle course and to see Grandpa give it a royal effort. 

Sunday we headed home and spent the afternoon swimming with Eliza's best friend and her family.  It's cute to watch Ezra play with two 4 year olds and a 7 year old.  He clearly thinks he's just as big as they are.  All in all, a great long weekend!