We are nearing the end of Angus's first week of school, and already the change in him has been amazing. He loves art projects again, hallelujah! It had been quite some time since he wanted to create artwork, but now he is back into painting and drawing constantly. He parks it at his little table and pulls out his art tackle box and gets right to it. Oh, and also...he let me apply his very first temporary tattoo yesterday. We had tried this several times in the past, but they always made him freak out and act like they were burning his skin.

Angus pretty much wants to do everything all by himself, and is much more accepting of guidance and instruction than ever before. He watches intently as you demonstrate how the task is done, takes mental notes, and then practices the new skill until he can do it without assistance. "No, Momma. Angy do it!" has become his new favorite phrase, which is fine by me, since it is replacing, "No, Momma do it!" He pushed Noah in the stroller all the way from the library to the car yesterday afternoon with only minimal help with the steering. You could see the pride radiating from his smile as he did it. He felt so big kid you could see it!

Yesterday, he had zero potty accidents and this morning he went potty twice before heading off to school...and he left without tears today. Every single day I am more amazed by just how awesome this kid is.

First Day of School

After a quick cup of milk and a conference with Hand the Puppet, Angus and Daddy headed off to Angus's first day of school. Daddy dropped off, and I picked him up. When I got there, Angus was busy experimenting with an Indian Drum and dragging his beloved blankie along behind him. According to his teacher, he did really well, and only cried periodically, and played well with the other kids and was well behaved. Good job representing the Browns for realzies, Little Man. We are proud of you.

Three Years Old

my baby is growing up so fast

A Potty Training Success Story

Day Three of potty training proved that we are on the right track and that our big boy is on his way to being a bonafide big kid. Day One consisted of a strict no diaper rule with a side of heavy potty talk. We went through 6 pairs of undies and a nap diaper. On Day Two I started to get wise to the underpants substituting as a diaper and left them off so Angus could go commando most of the day. We had some accidents, but less laundry to do. We talked potty endlessly, read potty books and watched the Elmo's Potty Time DVD three times.

So, today was Day Three. A magical number for the boy about to turn three, I suppose. Angus was naked from the waist down from 9am to 2:30 and DID NOT GO. He toted his potty chair from room to room, and even stayed dry while we played outside. He simply held it in all day. I realized that if he could hold it that long, then he can certainly hold it until he gets to the right spot to go. So, after his nap he tried a few times to sneak away to poop, but I was on it. I would mosey on in with his potty and just sit it down near him and suggest he use it. After the third time I did this, he gave in and asked me to put it in the playroom and then he sat down and WENT. He got the funniest expression on his face when it happened, then he stood up and went, "Oh! Look! Poop in potty! I did it!"

It was a 1-2 combination platter. And it was the best birthday present ever. And the shittiest birthday present ever. Ba-dum-bum! He was rewarded with a cookie and later on that night he yelled "Angy poop in potty!" at the hostess who seated us at dinner. He knows he's the man.

Happy Birthday to....Me!

It was a really good day.

How Do Dinosaurs Eat Their Food?

Angus and I checked this book out of the library yesterday, only to get home and find that my Aunt Kathy had sent a copy and a stuffed dinosaur to Angy for his 3rd birthday. He calls him Diwowar Baby, and is caring for it as if it were a real baby. Too cute. Thanks so much, Kathy!

The Gangs All Here

The entire cast of Wizard Of Oz in plush form arrived in a package from my Grandma and Grandpa and Aunt Kathy and Uncle Steve. Everyone is in the set: the representatives of the Lullabye League and the Lollipop Guild, both witches, and even the Wizard himself. The Flying Monkey (who kinda is dressed like Elvis in the Vegas years) is by far the most loved by Noah. Angus is still partial to the Tin Man. I can't thank them enough for passing this Rousey family gem along for us to enjoy.

July Fourth Fun

Fourth of July. We got there too late for the horse races, but in time for the brass band. Angus was over the moon for the musicians. He went right up to the front row and stood directly behind the conductor and led the band, clueless to the fact that his position meant that he was being broadcast onto the large closed-circuit screen for the whole stadium to see. That kid loves to see himself on screen, so he'd be pretty bummed to know he'd missed that. Angus was especially fond of this one clarinet player, and stood right in front of him, staring into his face and nearly making him laugh several times. At the show's end, one of the band members pointed out that we have a future band nerd on our hands. Obviously. The fireworks were eeh, but they weren't too loud so Angus and Noah weren't afraid of them, which is what I was really worried about. It was a happy Fourth of July.

Noah's First Cookie

Deuce had his first real self-feeding experience yesterday. Little man was way into the Zwieback Toast and he ate the whole thing like he had been doing it all along.

Good Times with Good Folks

Thanks to Doug and Beth for hosting July's first BBQ.

Everything in Twos