Happy Jumper

Today's moment in bad parenting is brought to you by the song about the five little monkeys.



I think it might be time to look into that mini trampoline...

Also, when watching this video Noah blew my mind by pointing at it and saying "Noah." This is the first time I've heard him do this without prompting.

Also, I told him we were only going to watch the video one time (I held up one finger to illustrate). When the video was over, the little negotiator held up one finger and said "time?" "time?" Needless to say, this totally worked and we watched it at least two more times.

Fair warning

Dear Noah,

Keep up the practicing with the doll stroller.


I'm glad you like your new baby doll. You can help him find his pacifier


You can practice telling the baby funny stories


And make sure the baby knows who Mommy and Daddy are


I'm glad you like your baby doll, though we might need to practice being a bit more gentle when you want to drop the baby in order to play with something else.


It's good that you like it because shortly after your birthday, you are going to be a big brother.


Exciting news, huh. :)

Beach!!

On Sunday we went to Nahant beach. We never made it down the shore last summer, so this was actually Noah's first time at the ocean. He was interested, but skeptical about how cool the water was.


We informed him that it doesn't get any better than this in New England, kid, so get used to it.


Luckily there was plenty of sand to play in.




We have lots of pictures of him sitting and playing in the sand, but the majority of the time he actually ran around on the sand, saying "run run run" to himself and cracking up. It was very cute. I think it will be considerably less cute when he gets big enough that I actually have to run to keep up with him...

Eventually we got him to sit still for long enough to eat a sandwich. Exciting times.


Overall, a beautiful day. We thought Nahant beach was a great choice - it's 30 minutes from Boston and definitely toddler friendly.

(Chad and Noah are the green and red blobs on the left side of the picture)

Birthday Party!!

We had an awesome time at Christopher's 6th birthday party last weekend. Christopher told Noah all about cake and ice cream.


And even got him to eat some!


We also spent some quality time in the pool. Noah was skeptical at first...


But his cousins helped convince him that swimming is a good idea.





We may have to ask Lenore for a second opinion about this, but at the moment Noah thinks having a bunch of older cousins is just about the greatest thing ever.

Noah's Ark

Don't worry "affe" (giraffe), Noah's laundry basket will keep you safe from the flood. That is, unless he throws you to the sharks.

More tricks

Including that comedy classic, the fake sneeze

Another boring video

I'm sorry, watching Noah learn how to do stuff isn't super fascinating to everyone? Huh. Must be a hormonal thing.

Pollock had to start somewhere

"Bear"
Noah Pytel, 2010
watercolor pencil on canvasboard

Haircut at home

So Noah's hair has been getting a little long.


And even though I love his curls and may or may not have told people that Noah will never have his hair cut again, it's been really hot here and the poor boy has an itchy heat rash on his neck. Also, he's looking pretty scragley. (sp?)

Anyway, I bought some scissors and decided to tackle the matter myself.


Could have gone a lot worse, huh?


Man, he is cute.

Watering the trees

Noah is helping our plants beat the heat



I think this is particularly cute because it is my understanding that watering the trees used to be my job when I was Noah's age.

Also, I think it is worth mentioning that we do require him to wear pants. Occasionally.

more jumping, etc.

From dancing to jumping to catch to dancing to jumping to hugs.



Not a bad evening's activity, overall...