18 Months

I have decided that 18 months is currently my favorite age in children. Kids this age are so stinking cute (have I mentioned Daniel is 18 months?)! They are happy, fun, and playful without being testy and needing to exert their opinions. I feel like I kind of missed out on this age with James because that's right when Daniel was born and I was busy taking care of him. Daniel is enthusiastic, aware, involved, and playful and I just can't get enough of his cute little self.

I think one reason I am so totally cherishing his goodness is because James has been a piece of work the last two weeks. Doing everything he knows he's not supposed to and meanwhile testing us to the very limits. Throwing his food all over the floor, chucking (and breaking in the process) his toys across the room, wanting to play with friends all day, beating up on Daniel, and yelling "No" at everything and everyone. I do have to remind myself that he's hasn't been feeling well with a cold, etc and that's the root of the majority of the bad behavior-- but still. Thank goodness for McDonald's play areas, the Dinosaur museum, the toy aisle at Smith's Marketplace, and the above-freezing temperatures we've had the last two days that have allowed the boys to get out and release some pent up testosterone.

This Week:
---We went skiing as a family yesterday. Daniel was happy as a clam cuddled up in the backpack on Mike and we came up with a fun game to help James enjoy skiing on his own. We call it "Leap Frog" where he skis through our legs (instead of hopping over our backs) and on to the other parent. He's able to balance and go in the right direction when he's focusing on where he's headed and he stays up pretty well. His highlight of the day/ the biggest worry of my day was our first ride on the chair lift. He looked at it like it was a ride at Disneyland and all I saw was the huge drop. Needless to say, I held on to him Very tightly and took a sigh of relief when we were on the ground again. Fun times and so good to be outside.
---Mike and I had a dream date on Friday night. Mostly because we weren't rushed to get home after a couple of hours. I was also more than ready to get a break from the 3 year old. Ama came over to watch them plus she spent the night which allowed Mike and I to pull a late night at the Gateway for dinner, shopping, and a movie. I have to say that shopping was awesome without the kids crawling under my dressing room stall and into a strangers' one. Dinner was yummy and we saw a chick flick because it's almost Valentine's Day.