Potty Trained ... at last

Yea! Bug is finally potty training. I swear, I thought it would never happen. But this weekend, bam. He said he wanted to wear underwear and we have been happily, Ne I say, messily peeing in the potty. He tried the big potty but changed to a little one we bought at target a few months ago. He insists on peeing standing, just like big brother. I know I shouldn't compare, but his process is to pee every 10 minutes. I swear, by the time Papageno decided not to wear diapers he had a bladder like a whale. He never had to run to the potty. Bug, every store, every stop, every half hour its a trip to the potty.

We ran into trouble at the babiesRus because he couldn't reach over the seat. Since he wouldnt do it sitting down we had to resort to a diaper. Oh well, at least he is trying.

Today was fun, we went to LACMA (LA County Museum of Art). It was a "Family Sunday" and his school had arranged to be there. There weren't many of his school mates, but there were a couple. We started off with a music and music area. This was a couple of guys banging on somed drums while a "leader" got the kids to all sorts of movements to the music. It was fun, crazy and right up Papageno's alley. While Papageno was dancing Bug was in another tent doing some sort of toddler craft. It took him a while to warm up, but he enjoyed it in the end. When it

We then went on to a sort of art exhibit. There you were supposed to write a joke and then paste it to a "sculpture" that was then painted. Papageno thought his joke where hysterical. I, nor anyone else for that matter, didn't get them. The joke reads "There once was a squirrel who was a human being" He just told me that is funny because "it is not real." The other joke was "I threw the clock out of the window". That is funny because "you can't really take the clock off the wall", again met with raucous laughter. "there once was a boy who had no brain" That is funny because "nobody has no brain, otherwise they wouldn't remember something" So there you have it, humor to a six year old. Here is the official link to the art work: http://www.flickr.com/photos/26008925@N07/sets/72157617693454384/show/

After this we moved on for a tour of some highlights in the museum. This was led by Papageno's art teacher, a employee of LACMA who comes to the school once a week. She is great and does some really fun stuff with the kids. Unfortunatley Papageno was to amped up from his dancing and creating of great prose to be able to handle calmly looking at pictures in the museum so it seemed a good time to leave. Besides, we had a t-ball game to get to.

Story of the day:
So this morning we took the boys to our favorite local diner for chocolate chip pancakes. Papageno had two servings. After that we took Dan home to work and went off to buy Papageno a new car sear, shoes and then go to me his friends at LACMA and then go on to t-ball. Basically a whole day revolving around him. While driving to the store I was listeing to a song I like (Hotel California by the Eagles ... don't say anything!) and he wanted me to put on the Batman CD he likes to listen to (the soundtrack to The Dark Night) I said no. Some arguing ensued about my not being kind, blah blah blah. He then states " mom it would really be kind of you to think of someone else once in a while". I mean ... what do you say to that? (other than beast!)

being practical

So last night we went to check in on the boys. I have decided to let them go to sleep together. Papageno is supposed to read to Bug and then they play together a bit. It's not a quiet way to go down, but I hope the more they do it, the less like a sleep-over it will be.

Anyway, we went in to check on them as usual, before we go to bed, and found that Papageno had dressed for school. I guess he felt it was a more efficient use of his time to do it at night.

Come morning, I was trying to get him out of bed just before 7:00, he announced he was ready to watch TV. Since he was already dressed and all. Of course I had to explain the flaw in his plan, which was it was already 7:00 and getting dressed before bed didn't really work in the long run.

We will see if it happens again :)

Memorial Day Weekend

It was a nice weekend. We spent Saturday at Flavyn and Gero's house. It wasn't meant to be that way, it just sort of happened. We went for a walk and a quick swim, I was going to head home for bug's nap around 1:00. But, Falvyn being Flavyn spent most of the morning at the market. By the time she got home it was after 11:00 and they were determined to do the walk. Which we did and it was very nice. We went to Pierce College, which is an agricultural school near them. We saw cows, goats, ducks, sheep and tractors. Super fun for the kids. By the time we got back to her house it was after 1:00. I couldnt tell the kids we had to leave without having gone swimming so I sacrificed Reeces nap and we stayed untill 6:00. She put on a nice spread for lunch and had some other people over. It was a fun day for all. Of course I invited them to our BBQ on Monday, they didn't show. Again, typical Flavyn.

Monday's BBQ was nice. We had papageno's friend Dillon and his mom Terry over as well as Bren, Jeri and the kids.; oh and Joe, who decided to come down last minute. Jeri and I discussed sharing a kindle account. Her and her sister do it and love it. That way we could all read eachothers books. Of course Dan didn't like the idea. I have to probe that issue more. I find choosing all my own reading material exhausting. I just downloaded "The Dreaming Void" which seems great. But then Jeri downloaded a sample for me up "The Outlander" which I must say is starting off a bit more intriguing then "The Dreaming Void" I guess I can't help it, I like scifi, but my heart really lies in fantasy.

Today I have been really tired. So I put the boys in their room and told them to read together and go to bed. I can't believe it but it is 8:15 and after a lot of laughter, there is quiet. I am too afraid to look and see what is really going on, so I am going to hope for the best.

Papageno is still into this girl Jaylen at school, who apparently is now spurning him. He said tomorrow, with guns blazing, he is going, in his most authoratative voice, tell her to "get back in the game". I wish him luck with that. Personally I think she got tired of playing star wars. It certainly sounds that way.

BTW the noise has started again. I am going to have to go in and do something.

El Matador

On Saturday Papageno and I went to the beach, El Matador in Malibu, with Susan and Sharkey.

The plan was for Dan and Bug to join us after Bug's nap. Unfortunately it took us well over an hour to get there and when we got there it was cold and overcast. June gloom. Fortunately the boys didn't care and had a great time. They
spent time looking for hermit crabs. Also found, but not by us, was a star fish and a crab. When we went in search of such exciting creatures we found a rocky outcrop with sea urchins. So that was fun. It was a fun beach because it is a little more secluded than our Santa Monica/Venice beaches. You have to walk down a path and some stairs to get to the beach. There are lots of rocks as well as big waves. So that part was neat. Of course we did the usual jumping in and out of waves. Papageno loved it. Next time we will be sure to include Bug and Dan. It wasn't as much fun without them.

Story: As often happen's Bug was mad at me (he has a very fiery temper). I don't remember why, but I told him I wanted a kiss. He said "No, mad boys don't give kisses, they give hugs, but not kisses" you got to love him.

Papageno in love

I know, it's been a while. It's hard getting back into something.

I am posting because ... Papageno has a girlfriend! Can you believe it! In case you forgot he is 6. He came home the other day and told me that he and his friend Jaylen play husband and wife all day. The like to do everything together and when they are seperated by their teacher, Miss Weng, they are sad. I almost died. Isn't that the cutest thing?

On another note I am exploring the possibility of going to another school. He is doing well I guess I just want something where I feel we are more connected with the other people and that has more active parents. I have a meeting with our local elementary school this morning to try and get release papers. I was told by the office staff that they are not releasing anyone from the school so we will see what happens. I have applied to West Hollywood Elementary which everyone likes and the Beverly Hills School District which would take care of us through high school. We will see.

Bug is still Bug. Unfortunately the constant singing of star wars themes is beginning to grate on my last nerve. Please, make it stop!!! He does it unconsciously while he plays, walks around, whatever; and at top volume. Agh!

Dan is still part of the ranks of the unemployed but he is enjoying it. He has plenty of freelance work and thinking this might be the way to go for a while. Lots of people are telling him how great it is to work for yourself, master of your domain and all that. He is expecting a job offer, I hope they take a long time so Dan can really decide if he like working from home. We certainly like it. He is now home for dinner and sometimes he takes the kids to the park in the afternoon.
Yesterday, he Bug and I went up Runyon. It was nice.