Happy 3rd Birthday J Bear!

Today marks Jonah's third birthday.  Though we are celebrating his third year, it really feels like this is his first real birthday.  He didn't really have a good concept of what a birthday was for his first two; but, this year, he has been looking forward to it, asking about it, and helping us plan it.  We've been counting down the days.  The excitement of his birthday started to increase when we put out his wrapped presents a few days ago.  Then, we started talking about the bouncey house we were renting for him and birthday cake.  He was SO excited.  He woke up this morning with a spring in his step and a smile on his face.  He knew that today was HIS day.  Before seven this morning, he had unwrapped all his presents- ooohing and ahhhhing over the toys, throwing the clothes to the side. "Hmmm, more shirts, " .  He did get a few things off his wish list- a coffee maker, a diaper bag full of baby 'tuff, gardening tools, and lots and lots of sunglasses.

It was a work day for me, so I went off to work and Cairo and Jonah had the whole day to play fight over all the new toys.  I missed most of the battle, but I know that at some point, Cairo thought it would be fun to start hiding Jonah's new presents from him.  Oh, sibling rivalry!  A bouncey house was supposed to be delivered between 8 and 10 this morning, but after waiting, waiting, and several unhappy phone calls, it arrived a little before 2- free of charge, with an extra day attached.  The kids bounced, took a quick nap, and then were up and going again when the Sparks and Maljian families came over the play.  Jonah was his unpleasant self- glaring at the rest of the kids, hovering over all his new toys, being completely antisocial, and falling apart over every little thing.  The rest of the kids had fun running around :o)  After dinner and cupcakes, Jonah began to warm up.  Xander, Cairo, Jonah, Uncle Danny, Bapa, and myself played in the bouncey house into the evening.  At the end of it all, both kids are now dead asleep... and I'm hoping that one more day with the bounce house means one more night of really tired kids.

Memorial Day

My dad, Cairo, Jonah, and I spent Memorial Day visiting some grave sites.  We started with my dad's parents at Live Oak Memorial Cemetery.  A flag had already been placed in front of my grandpa's headstone, but we added a nice little rose bush.  We spent a few minutes explaining to Cairo and Jonah where we were and what it meant.  I think Cairo has a basic understanding of death, but Jonah is still completely clueless.  It was a gorgeous day and we enjoyed watching the squirrels run up and down the trees around us, much like my grandpa did when he visited my grandma after she passed away.

Next, we headed to Altadena to the Mountain View Mausoleum, where my great-grandma and grandpa Biggle  and my grandpa's oldest brother Easton were laid to rest.  It was a beautiful old building.  The detail in the stone trim, the artwork that covered the ceiling, and marble covered floors... well, it was more like stepping into a museum than a mausoleum.  My dad remembers his grandma Biggle taking him on some of her frequent trips to visit there, preparing fresh flowers in the cutting room (which hasn't changed much since that time), and placing them in the holders attached to the wall.  We did the same while we were there.

Then, it was off to Inglewood in search of the Marks side of the family.  After a little help, a few free cupcakes, and two free flags, we found my great grandparents Pearl and Maurice Marks (along with their son Tommy and his wife, Ynez) in the Sanctuary of Meditation, another mausoleum.  Once again, the halls were covered in beautiful art work, this time stained class.

Lastly, we went to visit my mom's side of the family at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City.  Both my Nana and my Papa's parents are buried there, along with baby Susan, my mom's older sister.  While enjoying the sunshine and the nice breeze, we went to work cleaning up the gravestones and uncovering the buried vases.  I got to have a visit with Great-Grandma Steis, the only great-grandma I knew.  I was four when she passed away, but I can still remember how much I liked her.  We used to sit together after church drinking orange juice at the kitchen table out of the little green wrinkly glasses.

Before

Finally found the vase...

We cleaned away a lot of grass, hard to tell from this angle....

before

After- not a huge difference, but better...

I'm glad we took some time out of our busy lives to go back and say hello to those families members that have passed... and to let them know that we are still out there thinking of them.

Potty Training

After nearly five years of dealing with diapers, we are in the verge of being completely done with them!    Since late summer, Jonah has been dabbling in it.  Cairo took to potty training easily and quickly.  I know there were a few wet pants along the way with her, but it was just so easy.  Since January, we have really been making the push to have him out of diapers.  Now, fast-forward to April and Jonah wears his chonies all day except for naps and bedtimes.  We tried going without diapers then, but we just kept having to wash the bedding.  We still have an occasional accident, but they are becoming fewer and farther in between.  Yes!  Jonah is so proud that he's a big boy now.  

Pros of Potty Training: He can pee anywhere!  He loves to help "water" the plants.

Cons: He likes to water the toilet seat, the floor, the wall.... it's messy!  Luckily, he getting tall enough to not need a stool, so things are getting better.

A classic picture.  We have one of my brother doing the same thing close to this age :o)

This is how Erik found Jonah taking a pee the other day (for modesty sake, I blurred out his "peanut")

Baking, Textures, Art, and Silly Faces

I wish I could bottle up the everyday life I have with the kids and keep it forever.  It's fun to see them discover, learn, and be creative.  It's fun to see them play, be silly, and, yes, even get upset about the most ridiculous thing...  'cause, remember, when you were three everything was a big deal.

Jonah loves to help cook.  Here he is making something yummy (doesn't he look so big!?!).

After watching Sid the Science Kid, Cairo was inspired to investigate textures and draw them in her "science journal."

Of course, no day is complete without some silly faces.

Jonah is, especially, getting good at these.

And what day would be complete without a little of this...

Everyday, we do lots and lots and lots... and lots of art.  It is Cairo's preferred activity.  She spends hours at the table drawing, coloring, writing, and making paper creations.