Grumpy Pants and Other News

Isaac has been wearing his grumpy pants for about a month now.  He takes them off here and there, but my goodness, I am at a loss of what to do about his grumpiness.  We try to be so positive and patient with him, and teach him good alternatives to being bossy, grumpy, and whiny, but man...it has been hard lately.  I hope this is just a stage that will soon pass, because I miss my boy.  Of course everyone has grumpy days and it's a tough lesson to teach...balancing emotions, letting kids know it's okay to be sad and grumpy, but with things that are WORTH being sad and grumpy over.  Parenting...it's a roller coaster.

In other news, I did take Isaac to The Lagoon as he calls it, for the first time yesterday.  It was just he and I, and he MOSTLY had on his elated pants.  That was good for both of us.  I was a little worried when he had a mini tantrum before even getting to the front entrance, then after seeing him white knuckle it on the Carousel, but it turns out he is quite an adventurous little thing!  He went on every ride he was able to go on at his height, and was sorely disappointed that we could not go on the white roller coaster and some of the other adult rides.  His favorite ride was a roller coaster called Bambora, and he wanted to go again and again.  It was fun to watch and share in his excitement as he experienced his first amusement park.
He also started soccer last week.  He has had two games with mixed results. Initially, he hated the whole idea.  He was frustrated because he really wanted to use his hands, and he was extremely sensitive to every little thing that happened on the field.  He came running back to us crying every few minutes.  He did better in the second half, and was totally convinced by the end (which also happened to coincide with the discovery that they get treats at the end.)  During his second game, it was sheer joy and humor to watch him play.  It was adorable, because about 85% of the kids just form into a big cluster and follow the 2 kids on the field who understand the game.  Isaac was running and was cutely distracted, but kept up with following the ball.  I think he got a few small kicks in, but it was enough to sell him on the idea that he is working hard and good at it :)
Sam has been super adorable, as usual.  He definitely has the stubborn gene that can't escape our household.  He is not nearly as cautious as Isaac was at the same age.   I seriously can't believe how many humans survive infancy and toddlerhood with the moves they make on a daily basis.  He is getting 4 teeth all at the same time currently and that part is a little hellish.  He has picked up quite a few new words that he says regularly.  His repertoire currently includes:
bahl (ball)
mama, mim, mam (all for mom)
dada
Ida/Isa (Isaac)
Abba, days (Abbie and Day-Z)
ah-do (I do, with his hand raised)
cok (clock, which is any type of box with a cord coming out.)
up
out
bud (bird)
sooz (shoes)
hot
book
dat? (what's that?)
ba ba (bye bye)
mur (more)
doggie
There are other things that he has said pretty clearly, but has not repeated, which makes me thing they were either a) totally coincidental or b) he can mimic to some degree, but isn't necessarily putting meaning with what he's said.
Either way, he, like Isaac did, has the cutest little baby voice.  Why can't I just bottle it up?
Other random, but exciting news:
Julie and Tim are engaged!  They have been engaged for at least 2 or 3 months, but made it official last month when Tim gave Julie a beautiful ring.  Dave and I have booked a trip to Maui to be a part of their wedding in October.  We are super excited for them, and to be a part of such an important event in their lives.  I could not be happier with the person my best, dear friend Julie ended up with.  Hooray for the engagement and hooray for Hawaii!
And speaking of vacations, we are going to Pensacola next month to enjoy the ocean and spend time with the Vala posse :)  We are really looking forward to it, and I hope our boys love it, too.  I am sure they will.
Summer is already passing by way too quickly...
Until next time.

At the zoo...he became a fan of the Carousel with his first ride :)

Eagles at the zoo

This was how he initially felt about soccer (and many, many other things lately...)

But he has changed his tune :)  Phew!

Isaac and his team

The surprise ending

Isaac was very, very protective of this ball.  He knew exactly which one was his even though all the kids were given the same ball.  Sam is upset here because he wants to eat a piece of that orange ball pictured in the bottom left.

The hairy eyeball

Cute lil' guy