Bringing Up Boys

Parker is becoming quite challenging. He is really testing his boundaries lately and it is about to put Joshua and I over the edge! The child had a red spot on his leg the other night from us popping him repeatedly for climbing on the hearth and then trying to propel himself onto the recliner. He would do it, we would pop him, he would cry, then he would walk right back over and do it again! It was a battle of wills....and he's only 13 months old. He loves to climb and bang and be loud and throw things. I guess you could say he is "all boy." Gone are the glorious days of putting him in the jumperoo and letting him entertain himself for an hour or so. We are constantly running to rescue him from some peril danger...like watching him push his riding toy to the table, stand on it, climb in the chair, and climb halfway onto the table in 2.6 seconds flat...or cleaning up some mess that he created....like when he pulled the floor lamp down and glass shattered from here to Alabama....or when he pushed the garbage can over....
And just when I think I'm about to go nuts.....he pulls out the charm. The video below is proof. He was laughing hysterically at me popping and un-popping some bath toys. And there you have it...all is forgiven.

Musical Entertainment

Parker decided to provide me with some musical entertainment while I cooked dinner last night. It was such a LOUD beautiful serenade. This is just 43 seconds of what lasted for about 45 minutes!!!

A Boy and His Balloon

Parker has a new found LOVE for balloons...of the helium kind. It started with Aunt Beth bringing him a balloon as a "special prize" one afternoon. At first, he was scared of it. But once he got acquainted, it quickly became love at first sight. Parker and his balloon are now inseparable. He doesn't put it down. I literally have to pry it out of his hand for him to eat. It has become quite a handy "tracking device" throughout the house. Need Parker? Just look for the balloon. We have had many different balloons since that first "prize" about two months ago. (yes, it's been going on that long) Parker shows no attachment to the "flavor" of the balloon, just the fact that it floats. Although... it is a sad, sad morning when we discover a "fallen" friend. Currently, we are toting around a "Bob the Builder" balloon from Great-Grandma. Obviously, the way to Parker's heart is helium.