This weekend was the beginning of the end. No, not really. It was an onset, though, of... Temper Tantrums. Oh no! I genuinely had the subconscious idea that Hunter wouldn't have them. Does anyone else think like that? In my dream world, I think that Hunter will be a mostly well-behaved child, the glowing example of "perfect parenting." We all know: this doesn't exist, Dream Girl! So, there I was with my screaming, crying, throwing himself on the floor child and my "dreams" shattered. What is a mom to do?

Now, please keep in mind that I am an only child. My parents did a good enough job but I don't have many take-away points from my childhood I am implementing now. I have heard: let them cry it out, ignore them during the tantrum. Even in public? At a restaurant with friends? I was a wee bit embarrassed. I tried both because it was so new to me. Finally, I gave up and was fortunate enough to have my husband to rescue me. "I can't get control of this child. Please take him and let's go!"

I am a little more prepared now. I truly have wonderful, godly friends from whom I can ask advice ("A wise man is he who listens to counsel" (Prov. 12:15)). I am ready!

Now, for those of you concerned about Hunter's picking up naughty language, I wrote that for entertainment value, not out of true concern that my little 1 year old was cursing. It was truly a shock, though! I discovered he was saying "football." Wiesel! :)

Blessings to you! Michelle

Hunter, my almost 20 month old, was "helping" me unload the dryer this week when he starts blurting out a word that I am sure he has never heard. Okay, maybe he has heard this word being yelled out at a Va Tech game- not by me, Mark or his Papa but some crazy, rude fan.

I kept trying to figure out what it could be that my innocent, little angel could possibly be saying. He was not mad, which is what people are when they use this expletive. As a matter of fact, he was so happy to be helping his mama. Maybe he was saying "truck" or "duck" or maybe even "frog." My ears were ringing and I couldn't help but snicker and be in shock at the same time. I don't want to hear this word, especially not out of my baby's mouth. I thought fast; I quit trying to figure out what he was saying and changed the subject. Sock? Towel? Shirt? He faithfully repeats what I say and ahhh.... the swearing was over.

Fortunately, he hasn't said it anymore since Monday. I am still not sure what he was trying to say but I am certain he had no idea what he was saying. Until the next time he goofs on a new word, here's hanging in there as a mama in training.

No, we didn't really make our children jello shooters but when you watch toddlers try to eat them, you can call it jello shooting. My neighbor, Betsy, brought over some jello cubes yesterday for the kids and instead of a snack, we had a game. Who can shoot the jello in their mouth? (On the left is Jen and her daughter, Chloe; on the right is Betsy with her daughter, Sydney.)

This week, Hunter decided to establish his independence by going in my bathroom and shutting the door. Now, this is a toddler who loves to be with his mama, so what was up?! I was dusting the bedroom and would periodically knock on the door. Each time I opened it, Hunter would scream and shut the door on me. I knew he wasn't doing anything dangerous, but why was he insisting on keeping me out? On the third try, I was able to peak in. He was running a make-shift car saying "rumm, rumm" along the length of the bathtub. He, apparently, wanted some privacy to test out his new race track. How cute; I couldn't stop laughing! Oh, the peculiarities of a toddler.

So, we decided to try something new with Hunter and venture out into this amazing city in which we live. I have always wanted to go to Arlington Cinema and Draft House in Clarendon. Saturday had Mr. Knick Knack as the featured kid's entertainment. It was at Noon, they serve food and it's only one hour in length. It seemed like the ideal setting for a toddler.

Let me say that nothing bad happened but it was an event that was less desirable than an uneventful afternoon at home. Hunter had to sit on our laps to eat, the cheese slid off his pizza onto my lap, & he wasn't very interested in Mr. Knick Knack (and neither were we). Oh well, you can't win them all. At least we tried. Maybe a slightly older child would have had a better time, even if the parents don't.

Attached is a picture of Hunter's new do. :)

After reading my friend, Lora Lynn's blogs over the past year, I thought it was about time to start my own. I, however, am not a gifted communicator/writer but I always enjoy a good laugh and laughing at myself. So, here goes.

I have stepped into the 21st century and Mark bought me an ipod shuffle for Christmas. I finally connected this bad boy to my pc tonight to download a few songs. This ipod business is pretty cool. I guess that's why Mac is making millions. Or is it billions?

Anyhow, Hunter got his fifth haircut yesterday and for the first time, he got scalped. Indeed, it looks like we've signed Hunter up for the Marine Corps. Poor guy. At least his hair grows really fast like his daddy's.

This past weekend, Mark and I took Hunter to this amazing park in McLean called Clemyjontri Park, created for disabled children. It's also wonderful for toddlers. We had a good ole time riding slides, climbing playground equipment and chasing Hunter all over the place.