I'm not ashamed to admit it - I am NOT a technologically-savvy consumer.  I don't have an iPod.  I don't have a smart phone.  I've never used a Kindle or an iPad.  They're expensive!

I read a LOT.  Cecilia nurses to sleep every night for at least an hour, and once she's asleep enough I can read.  But the problem is, turning the pages and trying to read library books with crinkly dust covers often disturbs her, so a Kindle really would come in handy.  Plus have YOU ever tried taking two kids under 2 to the library even just to pick up books that are on hold?  It's a disaster.  But the library website lets you check out E-books!  If only I had a Kindle on which to read them...

You know who wants Mom to get a Kindle?

This kid.

Wait, no, maybe she's terrified of the possibilities?

"If you give my mom a Kindle, I'll have more free time to crawl under the table - do it!"

Who has two thumbs and ALSO wants Mom to get a Kindle?

This guy.

But wait, how is this even possible?  Don't we have like, absolutely no extra money?  That's right!  But, check out this website.  It's a brilliant advertising venture - social marketing.  They give people free products with pretty much no strings attached!  You get a product (that you agree to receive) and use it.  If you like it, you share the info with your friends and give them coupons.  This has really helped me try out new products that I wouldn't otherwise have paid for, like the facewash I've been using for the past 3 years. 

I think that we, as consumers, are generally hesitant to try new products that haven't been tested by people we know.  If I know I can trust someone else's judgment, I'm much more likely to try something they recommend.  Hence the brilliance of this social marketing.  If you haven't joined BzzAgent.com already, do it!  You've got nothing to lose.

Also, can I have a Kindle, please?  The kids promise to share...

Permanent marker...

I suppose it was only a matter of time.  John Paul went downstairs earlier than usual while we were getting ready in the morning.  He was suspiciously quiet.  I assumed this meant he had foudn some food and was stuffing his face - no biggie.

Not so lucky.  He found a Sharpie!  It was purple, so he assumed that it was the same marker he uses to write in his numbers book (which came with a purple wipe-off marker that has been hidden because last time he found it he drew in his book for a while and then started poking his lips and eyes with it saying, "Makeup!").  Andrew found him with marker all over his legs, face, and on the rug.  He did manage to get quite a bit in the book, too.

He was SO confused as to why he was getting in trouble.  "Draw numbers?"  He really thought that all he did was draw numbers.  We told him he did a "Bad Thing" and he has been repeating that every time he notices the marks all over his leg.  He keeps initiating the following conversation:

"Bad thing?"
"Yes, you did a bad thing when you drew on the rug with a marker."
"Dwaw oooooon?"
"Do you draw on your leg?"
(very somber face, in a hushed tone)
"Noooo."
"Do you draw on your face?"
"Noooo."
"Do you draw on the rug?"
"Noooo."
"Do you draw on your numbers book?"
"YES!"
"Do you draw on paper?"
"YES!"
"Do you draw in a coloring book?"
"YES!"

We have had this conversation at least 5 times/day since the incident.  I think he may even have learned a lesson.  But the Sharpies are going WAY out of reach from now on.

Fountains!

We visited the fountains at Fairfax Corner a couple of weeks ago to make sure we hit that attraction before the weather gets cooler.  Apparently it was also an evening with live music, which was a little bit of a distraction!

"Water?  Cool!  But a little bit intimidating..."

"Wait, there's music playing over there!"

"Did you guys notice how awesome this is?"

Getting braver...  Maybe he'll finally touch it!

Victory!  Head down, face away, reach that hand out and grab the water!

He spent much of our time there running in place and dancing to the music while trying to work up the courage to touch the water.  He cried when we left, of course.  I'm pretty sure it stays open for a while longer, so we can head there after all the pools close this weekend to get our water fix.  And next year Cecilia will be ready to play!

The best place to climb...

Cecilia will climb on anything - the couch, the stairs, the coffee table, the laundry basket...

Her absolute favorite thing to climb?

People!

The moment one of us lets a body part touch the ground, she's there grabbing and pulling until she manages to stand.  This is easily managed when she's pulling up on our legs.  Pulling up on Andrew's waistband is another matter...

Do you see John Paul sneaking into the picture behind Cecilia?  He thought this was pretty hilarious.  And he's a really good sport about her constantly climbing on him while he gets his diaper changed.  The moment he lies down, her eyes light up and she starts FLINGING herself towards him to climb on his face and chest.  She's starting to master cross-crawling, but when she gets excited the bellyflops prevail!

Utensils

John Paul is pretty terrible at eating with utensils - he really just doesn't care, and would rather eat with his hands because it's faster.  Lately he's been asking for a spoon at lunch time, but he doesn't actually eat with it, he mostly just holds it while he eats with his other hand.

The other day I was putting away dishes while he ate and I kept hearing him whine, only to go to the table and see that, after much frustration, he had succeeded in spearing an apple slice with his spoon.  He held it up triumphantly in the air saying, "Stab!"

Today he didn't eat any of his potatoes, chicken, rice, or green beans with the spoon.  The one food he *did* eat with the spoon?  A Babybell cheese.  It actually worked quite nicely!

I am wondering at what point utensils will become a regular guest at John Paul's place...  Not any time soon, I don't think.