Slow Month

I feel the need to squeeze one more post in this month, but am lacking material. When it rains every day for weeks on end, one loses their photographic and creative inspirations (or any inspirations, for that matter). But four posts for the whole month is unacceptable (although some fellow bloggers who shall remain nameless haven't had one post in four months, but who's keeping score?). :) So I dug through the archives this morning, and found a few pictures (now about a month old) to share.

This one just cracked me up:

Check out that wedgie! How can that be comfortable? Ethan LOVES his big boy underwear. Every night before he heads to bed, we lay out his full outfit for the next day, down to socks and undies. Underwear is a very important part of said outfit, and must coordinate appropriately. Ethan has been daytime potty-trained since before Christmas but he is *almost* out of diapers at night. He is completely dry six out of seven mornings and is ready to give a night without diapers a try (whether Mom and Dad are ready to deal with the consequences is another story). He has also recently learned to pee standing up, which is quite a feat when your anatomy doesn't quite clear the top of the toilet basin. So there you have it - all the hot-off-the-presses bathroom news from our house. I told you it has been a slow month...

As for Adam, he is turning into a little boy overnight. He has lots of words now, and especially enjoys using his two favorites - "Mine" and "No", both said in a lovely whine and accompanied by a pout. He is quite theatrical, this one, and has a special look that is reserved only for Mommy when he is displeased with her. He has been flexing his climbing muscles of late, and can now make it all the way up onto the kitchen table and grab hold of the chandelier (Katie, did Oliver teach him this trick?). He has always been stealthy in his mischief, and often gets quite far into trouble before anyone notices. But we have a hard time getting mad at him because he flashes this adorable, proud little smile as if to say "But look! Don't be mad - I'm cute AND I can climb up on the table!". His big brother has caught onto this trick and replicates exactly what Adam does and sees what sort of reaction he gets (to his dismay, it's usually a harsh "You know better, Ethan").

When removed from the kitchen table or other mischief, Adam always takes solace in his lovey. Ethan never got very attached to a lovey - he's got a bunny that he doesn't mind toting around, but he could really take or leave her in the end. But Adam and his "Horsey" are truly attached at the hip (or the cheek, actually). I need to start looking for some replacement Horseys because we've had a few near-disasters when Horsey has momentarily disappeared. Ben laughs at me because I sort of encourage the Horsey habit. I admit it - I do. I feel like Adam, as second child, never got quite as much affection and attention as a baby, so I am glad he found Horsey to keep him company and cozy when he's feeling sad, mad, or anxious. I think it's a healthy attachment (ask me again when he's six and wants to bring Horsey to kindergarten) and I think it's cute that he asks for Horsey (more than he asks for Mommy) so for now, I'll let him have his little pal as much as he wants/needs him.

So that's the news from the Stockwell household. We've just been hanging out in our undies, reading and snuggling with Horsey. We're due for some downright summery weather this weekend, plus a visit from that Big Bunny, so I'm sure we'll have more to report next week. Until then, stay dry!

Belated Happy Happys

First off, Happy Spring! It sure doesn't feel much like spring today, as I look out my window at the big white flakes coming down, but we got a taste of it last week, and I like what I tasted. With the mild winter we had, I feel a little guilty saying "Spring...finally!" this year, but I'll say it anyway: "Spring...finally!". Actually, if we're being honest, spring is my least favorite season, with its unpredictable weather, its gray days, and its MUD. But nonetheless, I am happy to see it come every year. People just seem happier when spring rolls around. I am feeling an extra spring in my step this week, having just come off a long weekend in Sonoma. (Special thanks to my wonderful husband for letting me loose for the weekend.) Don't get me wrong - I missed my boys (big and little) terribly, but sitting around picnic tables in the sun, drinking wine and eating cheese with a dozen lovely ladies ain't a bad way to spend the weekend.

In addition to celebrating the first of spring, I must also wish my father-in-law a belated Happy Birthday! I don't think it's a coincidence that his birthday falls on the first day of spring. Tom personifies all things spring (okay, maybe not the mud and rain, but everything else): rebirth, optimism, vigor, growth. Sixty-two years young, this guy does not act a day over twenty-five (and I mean that as nothing but a compliment). He has more energy than his thirty-year-younger son (sorry Ben), is always up for a game or activity (making yours truly feel a bit lazy when she wants to just sit and read on the dock), and loves running around with his grandkids. He is sensitive, kind, and caring, with a healthy appreciation for family and legacy. He has instilled all these traits in his son (and grandsons), for which I am thankful. He is my favorite x-country ski partner, and I truly admire his positive energy and outlook on life. Happy Birthday Tom!

This now concludes the year of tributes. Now back to regularly scheduled programming (aka bragging about my kids).

Best Buds

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I have to note yet again how much I enjoy watching the brotherly relationship develop between our two. These boys do EVERYTHING together and pretty much rock each other's worlds. When Adam naps too long, Ethan gets bored and wants to wake him up to come play. When Ethan wakes Adam up every morning (notice a theme here?), Adam greets him with a huge smile and a great big "HI!!". This is followed by their morning hug, all before either of them acknowledges my existence. All day long, they create their own games and fantasy worlds, chase each other around the house, wrestle, read books to each other, sing songs, and drive lots and lots and lots of cars/trucks/bulldozers/trains/boats/snowmobiles/planes/etc. Their emerging personalities are quite different, but they manage to get along so well, sharing toys and food, getting toys for each other, and cooperating on tasks and projects. That's not to say that there isn't the occasional knock-down (often purported to be "an accident"), toy theft, or hit to the head. But for the most part, they play nicely together (please don't misinterpret "nicely" to mean "peacefully", "calmly", or "quietly" - none of those adverbs would describe their antics). I can only hope that this early bonding is a predictor of a long, deep, and fulfilling sibling relationship, as both Ben and I have been lucky enough to have with our own siblings.

You can't see much in this first picture, but that's Ethan and Adam in their "cozy corner". I was folding laundry and heard the two of them reading together, and Ben tried to sneak in and get a picture without them noticing.

"Why are you busting up our fun, Dad?"

And here they are on the kitchen floor, "sharing" a bowl of frozen peas. This usually involves Ethan picking out the pea runts, putting them on the cathair-covered rug for Adam, and saying "Here you go, Adam". What a good sharer.

Weekend Snowbirds

Our always-at-the-ready (and willing) babysitters Noni and Papi generously relieved us once again this past weekend so Ben and I could enjoy a much-needed Florida mini-vacation with friends. While flying 1,500+ miles south only bought us an extra 15 or so degrees in warmth, it did buy us the ability to relax, sleep in, enjoy a meal for longer than 7 minutes, have some uninterrupted conversation, sit in the sun, catch up with friends, plan whole days without having to think about nap schedules, etc., etc. It was ... dreamy. We came back Monday night missing our boys tons, but feeling incredibly renewed and refreshed. Recharging those parental batteries every once in awhile is a definite must.

In keeping with our intent to be completely lazy and unhindered during our getaway, we took not one picture. But Noni and Papi documented all the fun we missed back at their house. We hear they took the "Playgrounds of Fairfield County" tour, which included testing swings and slides at every playground within a 10 mile radius.

Having sun and 50+ degree temps every day certainly helped keep everyone busy - no cabin fever for these boys! Apparently, trips to the beach were part of the daily ritual.

Ethan is finally at the age where he can converse on the phone (up until pretty recently, he would just do a lot of nodding and whispering - not sure why, considering that I am a LOUD phone talker - ask my husband). This if a fun development when we're away, as we can call home and have him tell us what he's been up to. He learned the word "excursion" on this visit, and told us about his various excursions every night when we checked in. He also liked to share stories of all the good food Noni and Papi were stuffing in his belly.

We didn't hear much from Adam while we were gone. He was too busy climbing stairs when no one was looking, throwing himself headfirst down slides, trying to break out of makeshift contraptions to keep him enclosed...

and emptying Noni and Papi's cabinets. He is definitely flexing his independence and limit-testing muscles these days - ah, 16 months, I forgot about you but you're not my most favorite.

Please note in the above picture that Noni is preparing a gourmet dinner while watching Adam. As usual, Noni and Papi made us wonder what exactly it is we do all day, with the amount they manage to get done while also watching small children. We came home to a car cleaner than it has ever been, not one piece of dirty laundry, the boys' stuff all packed (wait a minute...maybe that was to get us out the door more quickly?), and yet, happy and safe kiddos, full of stories of adventures, excursions, and special memories. I'm not sure how they do it (or how they enjoy doing it) but they always volunteer to do it again, so who am I to question? Thanks Mom and Dad for taking such good care of our boys!

Hip to be Square

On Saturday night, while some world-class athletes were finishing up their events in Vancouver, others were fighting for the title of world champion right here in Maine. The International Olympic Committee somehow overlooked four-square yet again, so these athletes were relegated to a gym at Bridgton Academy, rather than the world stage. That didn't stop two rising stars from California, a reporter from ESPN Page 2, a NESN reporter, the infamous Tiger Claw, or the Stockwell team from attending. For those of you unfamiliar with competitive four-square, you should really check it out some time. Most of us left four-square on the playground years ago, around the time we abandoned Trapper Keepers and headgear. But for some, the dream lives on, and they descend on the World Championships each year with passion and character. This woman, for example, always comes dressed in costume. This year, she was "Phoenix Rising from the Ashes".

I'm not sure what it is about four-square and capes, but they seem to go hand-in-hand. Ben's biggest rival in the sport is the infamous Tiger Claw, who wears a cape, knee pads with tigers on them, and a headband that reads "Tiger Claw". He also bounds into the square roaring, often announcing "Welcome to Tiger Claw Theater". I am not making this stuff up - you need to see it for yourself. Here's Ben sticking it to Tiger Claw with a nasty spike.

Almost as infamous as Tiger Claw is the feared Stockwell duo. Uncle Tommy Stockwell has won the heated Senior Division six years in a row, and Ben is a quiet force to be reckoned with in the Mens Division. For the second straight year, Ben was one point shy of the championship. I am secretly happy with this result, because it means we don't have to find room for another obscenely large trophy. I'll be much happier once four-square is an Olympic sport and we can take home some small and subtle medals instead. Anyway, here's the Senior Champ and the crushed runner-up.

Ethan and Adam had a blast watching the flying balls and the people in capes. With Stockwell blood, there's no way these two aren't going to be groomed for the podium.

Besides four-square playing and spectating, we were able to enjoy lots of wintry activities, thanks to Mother Nature blessing us with a late winter dumping of snow throughout the weekend. I got in several hours of x-country skiing, and the boys got to sled and play in the snow. And, of course, shovel. Ethan could really take or leave sledding, but if there is snow on a deck or a walkway, it MUST be shoveled.

There is actually lots of work to be done at Grandma and Grandpa's. The birds must be fed...

There's lunch to be made...

(This was a soup mix Ethan made for his grandparents, aunts and uncles at Christmas. We got to enjoy it this weekend.)

And Adam was busy busy too, making sure that everyone got their share of snuggles and kisses.