Pee Pee in the Potty!!

Colden started showing signs of getting ready to be potty-trained over the past month or two.  

He would tell us right after he went in his diaper...

He didn't want to sit in his dirty diaper...

He wanted to watch us go to the bathroom (fun times)...

He started using bathroom-related words (i.e. bathroom, potty, pee pee, poopies, wipe, flush)...

While Mike and I were proud of these steps towards using the potty, we weren't sure when to actually start the potty-training process.  Colden answered that question for us.  Colden and I were in the bathroom brushing teeth when all of the sudden he stopped and said, "poopy potty".  He ran over to the toilet and started to take off his pants.  I thought, why not?  I'll sit him down and see what happens.  He was on the toilet no more than 5 seconds and then he peed in the toilet!!!!!  I don't know who was more surprised, me or Colden.  :-)

Mike and I went out and bought him his very own toilet seat to fit on the toilet.  He has yet to go again in the toilet, but he loves to try.  Not sure we have entered the "active" potty-training stage just yet, but at least he's interested - and that's Step #1.

 

 (Yes, his favorite part is to flush the toilet and watch the toilet paper "disappear")

Haircut

We used to get Colden's hair cut at our friend's barbershop.  However, with nothing to distract him from what was actually going on (besides 2 frantically dancing parents, snacks and a mirror), the haircut experience turned into a 20 minute nightmare for everyone involved.

We decided to try some place new.  A place specifically designed for kids.  We went with our friends, Nicole and Benjamin.  Both boys got to pick which car they wanted to sit in.  Benjamin picked the snazzy red race car.  Colden picked the pink, Barbie jeep.

For once, I didn't have to dance around to get him to sit still.  After all, he was sitting in a car AND watching Sesame Street on his own private flat screen TV. 

 

After the boys were done getting their hair cut, they were each rewarded with a balloon and a lollipop. 

 

So handsome.  Such a good boy.  SOOOOOO worth it.  :-)

Colden Reading

Colden has so many books that he could open his own library.
Out of all of his books, he definitely has a few favorites that he routinely asks for.
One of those books is "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?"
We have read it to him so many times, that he can now read it to us!

 

(Click here for "Brown Bear" video)

"Ribbit"

I'll give you one guess as to what Colden's favorite animal is.  

Here is a hint:

 

(Click here for "Ribbit" video)

"Me Tum"

We are officially in the "Me Tum" stage. 

Translation:  My Turn, I do. 

Allow me to illustrate the point with the following translations...

"Yay!  It's time to go outside!  I got my shoes!"

"I don't care that I can't actually put the shoes on myself.  And I don't care if I have been trying for the past 10 minutes and we are in a hurry to leave.  They are MY shoes and I will do it MYSELF!"

(I'm guessing, no translation needed here)

(sigh)

Take the above scenario and apply it to almost everything - getting dressed...brushing teeth...getting in the car or stroller...

The new rule of thumb is to allow an extra 10 minutes for every (and I mean every) activity.

As annoying as his newfound independence may be when we are in a rush, we try to embrace it every chance we get.  You want to do it yourself?  Be my guest!

 Done eating?  Wipe your mouth.

 ...And your hands

 ...You missed a spot - don't forget to wipe the whole tray!

He's also gotten really good at doing his daily routines by himself.

Bath time:

He can get undressed by himself

And he always reminds us that he needs to put his earplugs in.
Go for it, you know how to do it.

Brushing Teeth:

All we have to do is ask, "do you want to go brush your teeth"?  

"Yeah"! - Colden

And then he will run to his stool and go through the motions himself:

 

 He gets his toothbrush

Puts on his kiddie toothpaste

 Turns on the water

 Wets his toothbrush

And brushes away.  Sometimes we even get the "ch-ch-ch" or "aaahhh" sound effects.

After we give him his turn ("Me Tum"), then he lets us do some real brushing.

Story Time:

Before bed every night, we read him a few books.  He picks out his own books, which lately has been the same 3 or 4 books every night. (He probably has over 100 books, but hey - it's fun when you can recite the book in your sleep)

After we read him the book, he jumps off our lap, says "Me Tum" (big surprise) and proceeds to read the book himself.  He is actually getting pretty good and can say some of the words in each of his favorite books.

Good job, Little Man.  Practice makes perfect and tomorrow is another day...Feel free to dress yourself, clean yourself, feed yourself and get yourself ready for bed.  Just make sure to set aside some time during your busy day to snuggle with me!

Meppy Hanumus

The Karl Clan would like to wish everyone a "Happy Kakak" and a "Mehwee Kissis"

 

(Click here for video: "Meppy Hanumus")

This year we had a lot of fun with the holidays...

Colden decorated gingerbread men and dreidel cookies

He decorated the windows with decals

Mom and I made peanut butter balls 

(I know you are excited, Uncle Andy!!)

While Mike and Howard put together the gingerbread train

Which Colden decorated with icing, M&Ms, pretzels and of course goldfish and raisins

(we hope to eliminate the goldfish and raisins next year...yuck)

We even had a good system of making latkes and put both my cousin, Ariela, and Colden to work. The latkes (not pictured here because we ate them before I could take a picture) were absolutely delicious thanks to our prep work and Mike's cooking.

We even got so creative this year that we made (that's right, made) a crayon in the shape of a Jewish Star from old crayon pieces and a Jewish Star muffin pan.

 

(It works!)

Colden loved lighting the Hanukkah candles and would point to the Menorah and say "more kakak" (more Hanukkah)

Amid all of the activities, we did manage to find time to just kick back and relax.

Here dad and Colden enjoy each other's company while sipping their "drink of choice"

Colden would even "read" us books about Hanukkah and dreidels:

Speaking of dreidels, do you think he liked his "Dreidel Bear"?

 

 (Click here for video: "The Dreidel Bear Dance")

Colden also kept pointing to his pile of presents and saying, "more sesents" (more presents).  So, we know he loved opening his presents and playing with the toys...

My question is, when does he stop enjoying the packaging just as much as the gift inside?

 

This year, we also added a little twist to our Christmas Day celebration.  We attended the annual reenactment of George Washington's December 25th crossing of the Delaware River - on his way to storm Trenton, NJ (where his victory proved to be a turning point in the Revolutionary War).  The reenactment takes place in Washington Crossing (so aptly named), which is about 25 minutes from our house.

I actually just read that you can apply to participate in the reenactment...and that "all registrants who meet eligibility requirements are welcome to participate".  ...Anyone?  Next year?  Anyone?

(http://www.ushistory.org/washingtoncrossing/reenactment/index.htm)

 

  

We were on the Pennsylvania side - which was packed.  Across the Delaware River is New Jersey - which was packed.  And as you can see, the bridge connecting the two states was also packed.

A fun holiday season all around! 

Thanksgiving

My favorite holiday!  

Last year we spent Thanksgiving in WA.  This year, we spent Thanksgiving in NY.

Colden had so much fun hanging out with his family.

Cousin Alex read him books

Cousin Brad helped him string together a necklace (while watching football)

He found a best friend in his cousin Sydney

 He enjoyed a mini tea party with his Uncle Craig

And perhaps most importantly (to me), was that he loved being around...and helping...his Uncle Adam (my brother).

Colden loved sitting next to him:

He loved offering Uncle Adam his favorite sock or picture frame:

And he loved imitating Uncle Adam:

 

 (Click here for video: Imitating Adam)

It was great spending Thanksgiving with the family 

(of course we missed the rest of our extended family that was spread out around the country!!)

 

And what would Thanksgiving be without some yummy food?!?

Way to go on the delicious bird, Mike!  

(Which he smoked on the grill)

And I'm sure Colden's baby-doll loved eating the carrot.  In the eye.

Thirsty?

 

Halloween

Colden loves to hide under tables, behind curtains/doors, around corners...wait for you to get close to him...and then jump out (or peak his head out) and say, "Boo"!

Which was the inspiration behind this year's Halloween costume:

Colden the scary ghost.  

Pillowcase...black marker...Grandpa Howard's artistic touch...and scissors.

The Friday before Halloween, my office hosted a "family trick-or-treat" event, where the kids (and some adults) dressed up and went from office to office trick-or-treating.

Colden had a blast!

He got so much candy, that he could no longer lift his ghost bag.  Instead, he had to drag it along the floor.

Colden taking inventory at the end of the party.

After trick-or-treating at my office, Colden was ready for the real deal on Halloween. 

He knew the routine well:

Walk up to a neighbor's house and knock on the door...

Say "Boo" and take some candy...

Say "dank you" (thank you) and head off to the next house...

Colden didn't let the foot of snow we got two days before slow him down.

Colden didn't want to stop trick-or-treating.  He kept asking for "moe" (more).  We were finally able to convince him to settle down by giving him one of his candy bars.

 I think Colden really enjoyed Halloween (and eating candy)!