Meltdown Mania

Meltdowns are not a new experience to me. I had many a student throw the biggest, longest fits one could imagine. I have carried (actually drug, kicking and screaming) students onto buses, off of buses, down hallways, out of closets, out from under tables, off playground equipment, and once out of a pool (got to love the fact that my district taught fourth graders Water Safety). In fact, one of my students had to be removed from an assembly after he called the superintendent of the district "unclean." (Long story, which I should not go into due to confidentiality issues. However, I feel like I can mention the event as it did happen during a public assembly with lots of witnesses.) Nice. I have had lots of experience with the human spirit melting down into a puddle of raw emotions.

Yesterday such behavior was inflicted on me by my own flesh and blood. Yes, dear reader, we are rapidly approaching the two year old phase were life suddenly becomes dramatic and all issues are of the most dire situation. Apparently Isaac was not ready to leave Cool Cuts for Kids yesterday when I was, which resulted in a heap of small boy weeping uncontrollably on the floor. Lovely. Imagines of all my former students' parents snickering at me now that it was MY kid melting down flooded my brain as I scooped up this 25 pound wailing mass and lugged him and a very large baby stroller out the door. Good times.

On Friday we purchased Isaac's "Big Boy Potty" or as he calls it the "Baby Mode." I had intended to start potty training a few months back, but the pregnant belly caused me to give the bath time duties to Tobe (bath time was going to be our jumping off point in the land of potty training). We purchased this potty on Friday and Isaac talked about it the whole trip home, during lunch, immediately upon waking from his nap, and during an entire doctor's appointment. Needless to say, he is excited about the potty. Friday afternoon we assembled the contraption, which brought Isaac great joy because it required the use of tools (he loves tools). Upon finishing our project, Isaac disappeared. He returned a few seconds later with toilet paper for his new potty. Hilarious. He has yet to actually do anything in his potty other than sit on it, but he is always ready with a square of toilet paper should something happen.

Here are some latest pictures:

Early Smiles

Isaac saw this little blue skirt lying on the changing table and started calling it a hat while attempting to wear it on his head

Nothing says Saturday morning like watching cartoons with Ink-Ink, Raffes, Ike, and green blankie

(He sleeps with all of these, plus three additional blankets. I must have been pretty tired on this morning because we typically do not allow any of these cuddly creatures out of the bed. I can only imagine the nightmare it would be if he thought he needed to drag "The Trio" with him everywhere.)

We went to the pool Saturday morning....this is how Evelyn enjoyed the water and the sun