Oo Un Tum Too?

Lennon is sort of a one step forward two steps back kind of kid so far, but when he takes those forwards steps, he's so much fun. He can be really silly and fun these days. Right now, he is very much into building fires in the backyard. He's actually quite good at it too. He goes into the woods and gathers sticks and piles them all together in a really nice circle. He gets very serious about it. If another kid wants to help they have to do exactly as he says or the world comes crashing to a stop. He totally loses it if someone "messes up" his fire. We have yet to light one that he has built, but we think they would be really good if we did light them.

Another thing he's into right now is Dora, who he wants to be for Halloween. We're not going to give in to that, although we think he would be a really hilarious Dora. He says "how about" all the time. How about Doia Mommy? I suggest something else to which he replies, "How about Doia?" He also says "oo un tum too?" That means "You want to come too?" Yesterday when he got up from his nap and found Mia home from school he went over to her and said "Mia, I waked up. Oo un tum atch Mick Mouse Cubhouse if me?" Translation: Mia, I woke up. You want to come watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse with me?" He talks pretty much constantly.

I was just realizing the other day that I had such a hard time feeding him for so long and thought for a while that he was going to be picky eater. I had forgotten because as of the present, he is a really good eater. Equal to Mia I would say. There are some things he won't eat, but for the most part he eats whatever he is served. Neither of my kids really like to eat onions or peppers unless they are well hidden in chili or burritos or something of the sort. But, I can't think of another vegetable that I cook on a regular basis that they won't eat. Lennon balked at Rattatouille at first, but once he tried it he liked it. He loves fruit, eggs, any type of meat out there, especially sausage. I think the boy could survive on sausage alone if we would let him. He loves cheese too and crackers. We were packing snacks the other day for something and he suggested we pack "cackees and ban-aids." (Crackers and band-aids.) He is very much obsessed with band-aids right now. He needs them any time he bumps anything and acts very dramatically about teeny little boo boos. Not so much with tears, but lots of heavy breathing and sighs and "Oooh, owee, oweee." Very silly. He's so much fun when he's happy. And likewise, he is a veritable nightmare when he is not happy.

Inspecting his apple at Nashoba Valley

One day recently Lennon was convinced that if we got him tin foil, tupperware and water he could make a rainbow. We let him have a go at it, but didn't seem to get results. He was so confidant that I almost expected to see a rainbow myself.

This is first thing in the morning. He wakes up and says "I'm eady go downtairs. Need amol.(animal. whichever is closest. Usually swimsuit doggy, mickey mouse or elmo.) Then we turn on Dora, Backyardigans or Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. He has to sit on his Elmo couch with two pillows behind his head and one as a foot rest. He needs a snack while I prepare his breakfast and his animal has to be to his right on the couch. I am never allowed to sit next to him on the couch. I must either be on my couch or the chaise, although he usually doesn't want me on the chaise even. He's a weird little dude.

And yes, I know what you're thinking. My house is so clean right? Sadly, no, it's not. And yes, that's pretty typical. I'm not a fun person when I work too hard to keep the house clean. So, it usually looks a little bit like this.