Barry’s Daily Web News

Sean is Learning

I was driving to Sean’s gym tonight, and out of nowhere, Sean tells me “don’t is spelled D-O-N-impossible-T”. Even though he doesn’t understand the concept of apostrophe, I was still impressed.

A Lazy Evening

I had to drive down to Tempe to meet with my boss first thing this morning, so I just took it easy this evening. I made sure Sean did his homework (writing his name), but then put in a video for Sean and Ethan to watch while I helped Cortney out by cleaning the kitchen. I also read Sean and Ethan two bedtime stories, but that was about it. I will likely go to bed early as well.

Fun at the Library

Today, I passed the exam to become a certified Project Management Professional. I have been studying for the test for the last few days, so I’m glad it is over.

I came home early, so we ended up eating early, and I took Sean and Ethan to the library earlier than usual. That turned out to work well. Sean and Ethan each had their own train table to play with, and by the time other children showed up, they were ready to do other things. So, sharing at the library was much easier for them.

Ethan sat still for story time today! I hope this is a positive trend that is starting to signal his maturity.

Sean Has A Good Day

Sean was in a good mood when I came home from work. It sounded like he had a good day at school. He also did really well at his gym class tonight. The instructor had the kids swing from the bar over the big pit. The instructor had to pick up each one of the other kids and hold them under the bar until they could grab a hold of it. I was wondering what the instructor, who is quite tiny, was going to do with Sean, who must be more than half her weight. It turns out Sean was able to jump and grab it on his own! The kids took several turns, and on one of Sean’s turns, the instructor gave him a bit of a push while he was swinging. Sean almost did a back flip. It was a good thing they were working in the pit with all of the foam blocks, as Sean did not land in the best position.

Sean also did well on the rings. He went from an inverted position and fell backwards all on his own. That is the first time I have seen him do that.

Sean maintained his good mood all the way until he went to bed.

Cool(er) Weather

It was nice and pleasant this morning, with much cooler temperatures than we have recently. I took advantage of the weather to fix some items inside and outside the house that I have been putting off for a while. The combination of the good weather and getting things done has me in a good mood.

After the work was done, today was a typical Sunday. Barbecued chicken for dinner, and a nice swim in the pool afterwards. Good times.

A Trip to the Zoo

We had a forecast for cooler weather so we decided to go to the zoo. We left early this morning, and arrived just as the zoo opened. That turned out to be a good idea. Even though we had cooler temperatures, the upper 90’s is still hot in the sun. We left after just two hours, but we did get too see some animals. Sean’s favorite was the otters, but I liked the rhino’s, which are a new addition to the zoo.

I took Sean and Ethan into the pool again this evening. The pool water was noticeably cooler, but still comfortable. Sean and I had fun hitting the beach ball back and forth, and Ethan enjoyed watching.

Working From Home

Cortney went to Sean’s school to be trained to be a volunteer parent. I worked from home so I could keep an eye on Sean and Ethan. They watched the videos we picked up from the library on Tuesday so I could get some work done.

We went to McDonald’s this evening for a change of pace, and Sean and Ethan had fun. They both did a good job of avoiding the video games and concentrating climbing through the play area.

The Balloon

At Cortney’s MOMS club event, they had an early birthday celebration for Cortney (and others with birthday’s around this time). Ethan ended up with a helium balloon, and he and Sean were having great fun playing with it when I arrived home from work.

As usual, Sean was tired around dinner time, and he kept saying he did not want to go to the gym. At least he did not fight me getting into the car this evening. And as usual, he had great fun once he got there. Go figure.

Pool Night

We had no planned activities this evening, so I took Sean and Ethan in the pool. Ethan does not like the pool much any more, and I can’t figure out why. He spent most of his time sitting in the chair watching. Sean just loves the pool, and it is hard to get him out once he gets in. At any rate, it won’t be too much longer before it cools off enough that we do other activities, like walk over to the park.

Return of Story Time

Sean and Ethan were both tired and cranky around dinner time, but I was able to convince them to go to the library for story time this evening. It helped that I promised that they could each pick out a video. We looked over the videos right after arriving at the library, since we have to walk by them to get to the story time room. Sean picked out a video on roller coasters, which happened to match the theme for this evening’s story time. Ethan picked out a Thomas the Tank Engine video. After we checked out the videos, they did not want to let go of them, but they eventually conceded the that the videos would be safest in the backpack.

Sean and Ethan both enjoyed the stories and the video at story time, so this was a good way to end the evening. I’m sure Sean and Ethan will want to watch the videos they picked out the moment they get home from school tomorrow.

A Day Off

Of course, I had the day off today, and Sean and Ethan had the day off from school as well. We didn’t do much. Cortney went out shopping all morning long, so I spent time with Sean and Ethan, while trying to get some minor repairs around the house done. Still, I enjoy the family time, so it was a good day.

Ethan Poopies on the Pottie

Ethan has reached a major milestone in his development; he did a number two on the toilet today. This means that we are real close to being free of diapers! Ethan received a Thomas Train Toy as a reward. We actually bought the toy months ago, but Ethan has refused to even try to use the toilet, up until know. Ethan has also suffered some severe diaper rash in the last month, which may have been a factor in Ethan trying the toilet.

Labor Day

This weekend is Labor Day Weekend. The holiday is supposed to celebrate the labor movement in this country, but I started the weekend by performing my own manual labor. I needed to do some heavy trimming on the trees and bushes in the yard. That work took up the entire morning, and required me to take a nap this afternoon.

I wasn’t even able to cool off in the pool afterwards. We have a bad algae problem. I know we have had a few cases in previous years, but I don’t every remember the pool being this bad, and this is the second time it has happened this year.

Ethan’s Dance

Ethan was full of energy this morning, and he was dancing all over the house. Cortney told me he was like this all day long. Well, not all day. When we drove to Burger King, he fell asleep. And then, the little booger, he kept getting up after we put him to bed.

The New Job

I started my new job today, and met my new boss (the interview process was all by phone). So far, I am impressed with my new boss, and I think I am going to enjoy my new job.