The Chris and Amy Show

The Chocolate-Santa Incentive

There was a Christmas potluck at my office yesterday and one of my co-workers brought a box of these chocolate Santas.  They're maybe an inch and a half long.  I thought Ian would like it.

When I picked him up from Grandma's, I showed him the little Santa...  

Santa!  Can I have it?

I told him that he had to be a good boy for the rest of the day, eat all of his dinner, and then, for dessert, he could have the chocolate Santa.

He was easily the best behaved kid he's been in the last six months!  Saint Ian.  

There was another chocolate Santa available today, so I'm hoping for a repeat.  Fingers crossed!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We didn't really take any pictures of Thanksgiving this year (its about eating food, not taking pictures) but did want to post this one of Ian at his school Thanksgiving party.  They all donned Indian feather-headbands and ate some turkey.  I thinkt that each of the kids at ate their dessert first!  

Happy Halloween!

This year, Halloween was extra fun.  Ian was old enough to know what was going on, and seemed into wearing a costume...  The trick was, what costume?  

Dad:  Ian, what do you want to be for Halloween?

Ian:  A red robot

Ummm..  A red robot?  Where do I get a red robot costume?

Dad:  Ian, how about Batman or Spiderman?  They're good and they help people!

Ian:  No...  I want to be a red robot

I thought I was toast until the Sunday paper started showing kid costumes in the Toys R Us and Target ads...  Then, we went online.  He said he liked Batman, so Batman it was!

On top of the world! (at Jan Park)

Today, Carmichael Parks & Rec held the grand opening of Jan Park.  The playground, has the "Adventure Park" theme, complete with giant fake rocks to climb, rope nets, etc.  Fun stuff for a little kid.  Ian had no problem scaling this boulder.

We (the Active 20-30 Club, both my club and the women's club) built the park a few weeks before, paid for generously by grants we received from Northwestern Mutual Financial Services.  Nice work Active 20-30!

Happy 2nd Birthday Ian!

Ian's 2nd birthday was great. We took the day off to celebrate the day with him. Since our house had just been painted and we were getting new gutters on, there was lots of activity. We also had a birthday party with family and good friends. Good times. Last year, the singing and blowing out candles did not do much for the little guy. This year, he was all over it.  Chris and I let him "practice" the day before his birthday just to get the hang of it. Well that led us to singing to him every night for a week after. Here are some pictures from the birthday weekend.

What do I do with this thing?

Ohhhhh, okay. I get it.

And now I love it!

Friends

Family

Who even knew that room could hold that many people?

Singing to the birthday boy

Who's this shy guy?

Oh yeah, I like cupcakes.

Getting down to business.

Ian's birthday was such a fun day for all of us. I look forward to many many more birthdays where we can all celebrate one of the greatest gifts we have ever been given.

State Fair, You'll See Us There

I love the state fair. I have gone for every single year that I can remember. Except the year that Ian was born. I didn't want to be the girl that brought the tiny baby to the 195 degree all asphalt event just so I could indulge my craving for State Fair tacos. Anyway, Ian is big and pretty mobile now, so off we went. He loved it. Except for the parts when I wouldn't let him walk off on his own, climb on everything, or tried to make him ride in his stroller. Silly me.

Since I spent a lot of time chasing our boy around, I didn't take too many pictures. Here are a couple when he tried out the fire truck though. Future calling?

 

4th of July

Last year, the three of us had a great time at the Carmichael 4th of July parade. We learned a few things, namely the need for shade and some chairs. This year, we set out with the E-Z-Up (that thing has been getting a workout!) some chairs, and Grandma and Papa. We settled into a parking lot of a furniture store and had it to ourselves.

I sometimes feel like I don't give my boy enough credit. I always fear things like "What if he is tired?" "What if he loses interest and wants to walk around?" Chris will tell you I drive him bonkers with the what-ifs. But this was a perfect example of mom not knowing best. Ian was hooked from the first fire truck to the last police car. He would wave his flag and if someone wasn't looking our direction, he would yell "Hi!" and get their attention. We had a great time, I beilieve I easily lost 5 pounds in sweat. Not to worry, I made up for it in cocktails and food that evening. It was a perfect little day.

 
 

 

 
 
  

 

It's amazing what parents get excited about...

Ian has a new "activity." He likes to use his potty...to go potty.

Hooray!

Not all the time, and not everyday, but it's becoming more regular.

We bought him a cool little potty about 3 months ago, and we sat it next to our toilet to get him used to it.

 Verdict?

No interest whatsoever. He would step in it, on it, and around it, but never sit in it. Then, about 3 weeks ago, he was in the bathroom and said "potty" and I said "Do you want to use your potty?" He agreed,  so I took off his diaper and he proceeded to do his business. He was so proud To be honest, I think he loves the aftermath (the flushing, the hand washing, etc.) but I'll take it. Chris and I have no expectation that he is going to potty train himself, or that this will happen in the near future, but it's a sure sign that our baby is a baby no more.

I'll just eat down here, on the ground...

Stubborn Ian Ives: 1          Mom and Dad:  0

It was a nice night, so we ate outside for dinner last night.  Ian's been trying to get out of sitting in the high-chair...   Two nights ago, we took off the tray so he could belly-up to the table.  Last night, we tried the same, but he climbed down, out of his chair.  He grabbed his plate, and enjoyed his meal on the ground.  We pick out battles...

By the way-  This is what he looks like with his new buzz-cut.  We'll try to take more pics (he doesn't like to hold still and say cheese lately). 

Happy Father's Day!

Ian asked me to help him out with this little project for his dad. I think he wanted him to know just how special he is. Without further ado....

The 10 Top Reasons Why My Dad is the Best!

10. You buy me cool clothes

 
9. You showed me how to work on the pool and mow the lawn.

 
8. You think it's cool that I dip all my food in ketchup.

7. You taught me how to wash my belly and my hair.

 
6. You fix me hot dogs and Spaghetti-O's and stuff my mom wouldn't want me to have.

 
5. You teach me about cool stuff like Star Wars, Airplanes and Giants Baseball.

 
4. You fill my piggy bank with all of your change.

3. You share your food with me, even if I don't want it.

 
2. You sleep on a tiny slice of the bed so we can all sleep together.

1. You do everything you can to show me everyday that you love me and my mom.

 

Happy Father's Day Dad!