Joseph's Room

Joseph's bedroom is finally really his. I started decorating it last fall in preparation for his first birthday and just finally finished all of the major parts. I definately learned some new skills with this endeavor as most of what you see are DIY projects. 

 

Joseph's room has a window covering nearly an entire wall and it gets afternoon sun. I made the giraffe curtains with blackout backing that cover the entire window when closed. The curtain rod is a spray-painted 9' closet pole with finials on the end.

The name letters are plastic "canvases" from Target that I spray-painted and covered with scrapbook paper.
 

   It was tough to find a shaggy rug in the right size in color. After ordering a few online that just weren't right, I found two large bathroom rugs that Scott and I attached to industrial carpeting with carpet tape, with this as the result. The shag hides the seam entirely. It is exactly what I wanted and feels so good under bare feet!

I love paper lanterns and I was really happy to find them in the right colors for his room. Every morning he points to them and exclaims "baaaawaaaahs!" (balls) and points to one cluster of lanterns and then the other, back and forth.
 

Ikea frames with scrapbook paper backing and an animal cut out of... you guessed it, more scrapbook paper. There is an elephant, a giraffe and a bear. Joseph insists the giraffe one is a "goggie" (dog)
 

Scott got that cute little elephant for Joseph for Christmas. Joseph does an adorable impression of an elephant -- he lifts one arm out in front of him (like a trunk) while blowing a raspberry.
 

It is fun to have another room finished and I love that it turned out well under budget.

Houston Aquarium

 (I didn't take this picture. But I should have gotten a picture of Ian with it. While we were waiting to go in, every time Ian disappeared this is what I found him standing in front of.)

Several preschools got together at the Houston Aquarium this morning for a fun outing. My best friend was able to join us too, even though it was in the middle of a work day. We felt really spoiled and it was so much fun!

 With Daddy there we were able to ditch the double stroller. The boys had a blast roaming free and looking at all the incredible fish. Fake rocks adorned the fish tanks, and Joseph loved to find a perch as high as he could climb, where he would then press his nose to the glass and watch the fish intentl, saying "Wishy! Wishy!"

Outside of the aquarium is a ferris wheel, a carousel, and a miniature train. I am sure you can guess which Ian was most enthused about.... From the time he saw the train from afar, until we rode it into the first tunnel, Ian laughed hysterically. The first tunnel is enclosed by a giant shark tank. Joseph thought it was too loud. Ian just wished the train would keep on moving. Scott and I thought it was awesome how all the sharks were right next to us.

 The carousel was also a huge hit. Ian selected a "shark" to ride.

Joseph rode an alligator and hopped up and down on it until it actually started moving. He wasn't so sure that he liked that.

 When the carousel stopped, Ian slid right off his "shark" and hung there by his waist belt until a ride worker noticed and brought it to our attention. Oops!

It felt like a holiday to have Daddy there with us. What a fun memory!

Can you guess what Ian told me he was doing here?

Apparently he is sitting on the toilet, complete with sanitary paper on the seat, at a public restroom. Eating a "potty treat" tiger.

I guess it takes some practice and visualization to master this potty training thing. 

Whenever we leave the house he tells me: "I am so excited to sit on the toilet at HEB/a friends house/the museum!"

The Athlete

Ian loves to run around with basketballs and footballs, hopping and rolling and flailing as he goes. He flings himself on the floor and tackles imaginary opponents.

And today after a good game of basketball/football, he declared, "I am so so sweaty. I am going to go take a shower."

Up the stairs he went, and a few minutes later he called down "Mom! I can't open the shower door!"

He had neatly stacked his "so sweaty clothes" on the counter and was ready to hop in the shower!

 Hands on hips, just like dad.

Splish splash!

Joseph was content to watch from the outside. Mostly.

All clean! He then said "Now I am going to go play more basketball and football and take another shower!"