Tyson-isms

There was a time when I was afraid of toddlers. Nay, terrified would be a better word. To me, they appeared full of endless energy (true), void of reason (sometimes true) and really great at finding trouble (usually true). Oh yeah, and they are kind of loud too.

Now I have a toddler. I won't sugar coat it. It can be exhausting chasing a naked (un-potty trained) kid through the house while trying to explain that his super hero jammies are dirty so the monkey pj's will have to do. It's also a complete riot watching them develop their own personalities complete with quirks and idiosyncrasies.

This particular day Tyson was developing an interest in trying to put on Jason's sandals.

When he finally got them on, he stood straight up, looked me in the eye and said proudly: "daddy's shoes. I cute!"

Some other little gems he has blessed us with are his frequent attempts at showing off some new skill while yelling "ta-ya!" (which, when translated means ta-da).

Or who can forget the day I was getting ready when Tyson said, "mama, you have cute shirt and pants on." I don't know if Jason had coached him in my absence but who cares. The sooner my little nugget learns how to compliment a woman, the easier his life will become:)

Luckily these moments happen daily and are always good for a laugh. Because no matter how challenging parenting is, the "love you mama's" make everything better. The universe knew this cuteness was crucial to the design of toddlers. Otherwise there might have been a whole lot of only children out there.

Because everyone needs a cape...

The cape has an interesting history in my family. My sisters and I have all owned/donned a cape at some point in our lives. I know you're probably thinking, 'big deal lady, what kid doesn't run around with a dish towel tucked into his/her shirt pretending to be a superhero?' (sidenote: I actually used the dish towels to create a nuns habit but that's a topic for another day). I mean our adult selves have all been wearing a cape for one reason or another. With the help of my mom (because who else could make red pleather boot covers?), I made a kickin' wonder woman costume my freshman year in college. I will not be including a picture for many (many) reasons but you'll have to take my word for it that I was indeed wearing my cape.

My sister Jo owns a cape. Currently. She's an art teacher. And she's Jo.

My sister Jen made a cape out of an old t-shirt to wear underneath her clothes on the day of her GRE exams. She wanted to feel it's super powers so she would rock the exams...and to take over for Clark Kent in the case of an emergency.

I guess I've never asked my sister Julie if the cape has made it into her adult life but with her love for halloween and anything to make life more fun, I would be more surprised to hear that she hasn't owned her own cape.

So when I saw these Captain Adorable pajamas in Tyson's size (on sale!) with cape included, I knew I had hit the jackpot. He immediately had to wear them at grandma's on our recent trip to South Dakota.

The moral of this story is that everyone needs a cape...

but pants are optional.

Stuck in the middle with you...

Hey all-
Well we are smack dab in the middle of our "summer vacation." Our trip to Oklee, MN for the centennial was an absolute blast. It was wildly hot but full of fun. Now we are in South Dakota and get to do the whole big celebration thing all over again for Jason's all school reunion (because when you grow up in a tiny town like both Jason and I did, the whole school gets together instead of just the class).
I've already got some great pictures to post but they will have to wait until we are home. Right now I'd better tend to the cape wearing, piano playing, pantless toddler that is my child.