Toddler Time!

We can't say we've had a dull October. After coming home from the lake, we had a day or two at home before Rick took off on his bike for Oberlin and the day after, I met him on the way. You know the rest -- the Oberlin visit and Jeff's wedding. Two days later we were headed to metro Detroit to spend four days toddler sitting.

The boys are three and four-and-a-half. Four days is a very long time.

We had fun. Most of the time. When they were good, they were very, very good. In fact, better than good. That first evening we had a great dinner and enjoyed playing. Play is good. Then, on our first full day, we did a good walk and colored Easter eggs. I wish I had pics of the boys doing the eggs. (Or "Colorful eggs" as they were called!). Only three were broken (we dye them raw so they are good for scrambles) and one of those was rescued before it actually hit the floor. But all in all, pretty good for toddler!

Later we went to the library where the boys liked riding the glass elevator and checking out the fish tanks.

There is always time for a story at the library.

Outside they had a fun story with different stations and they enjoyed that too. We also got a free activity kit for each boy, which would come in handy the next day.

That night we talked them out of watching the same Cocomelon music video to watch "101 Dalmations." We didn't know if it would be a hit or not but they liked "Small Puppies" and I suspect will watch again. (Trying to get toddlers to watch anything new is not easy!)

The next morning after "Colored Eggs" for breakfast, we decided to go to the pumpkin farm, which was really far more than that. It was a cider mill and kid's playing heaven.

The guys loved this enormous sandbox. It was filled with corn and the kids all got inside, buried themselves and just loved playing in it.

Corn is very tactile. I have to admit, it felt nice running through the fingers!

They had slides and a trike track, which was fun but some of the bikes were missing pedals!

You could see the various animals and press a button to hear about the Three Little Pigs or other stories. It was quite well done.

We passed up the overpriced train and skipped the hayride, though maybe another time for that. We could hardly tear them away from the corn box!

Things went a bit downhill from there for awhile. The three-year-old melted down after getting home (but before getting out of the car). We were afraid the neighbors would call child protective services! He wouldn't let us unbutton his car seat harness and screamed for a very long while! And when we did get him out, he didn't want to be picked up or touched. We were afraid he would get out of the car and start to run and I knew darned well I couldn't catch him. But between the two of us we managed.

There were puzzles, toys and more Cocomelon. I never want to see Cocomelon again. If you don't know what Cocomelon is, that's probably a good thing. It's like video kiddie cocaine.

The next day more pretty laid back. We watched "Winnie the Pooh," they actually napped and we did the activity kit from the library, which was paper pumpkins and bats to color and hang by strings. Rick had a good idea!

And there was true enchantment on each face. It's hard to be mad at someone with a face like that. All you want to do is hug it!

And so, you do.

And then you go home and rest.

I have an entirely new empathy for parents! 

October has been rugged for us. Between the travel and the toddlers, Rick's tenant issues (finally solved, we hope!), a nasty sinus infection, a series of doc appointments. return of the wax-impacted ear for me and prepping for my sale, I just feel "done." Discouraged. Total lack of energy. Overwhelmed.

 This, too, will pass. With luck, I'll get a few decorations going before Thanksgiving!