Lesson 80: Quiet Time

Books and blocks are good for when the baby is sleeping, but not so good once the toddler finds out he can stack and knock over them.

Lesson 79: How to Play Mommy

1. Find Mama's metal bracelet with the little charms and call it your "eeys"
2. Hijack Mama's bank card
3. Parade around the house with a dishrag "eening"
4. Say "No!" a lot

Lesson 78: Traveling

No matter how well you plan, and how many books you bring for a six hour car ride, you are still bound to have your young children crying at the same time. It's Murphy's Mommy Law.

Lesson 77: Baby Swings

When Mama gets a new swing for baby sister, Deci gets a new toy bin.

Lesson 76: Highchairs

Highchairs with wheels are great entertainments for little bodies who like to push them. But if you are a pillow on the floor and in the way: beware! And expect to get a good "talking too" in toddler-ese!

Lesson 75 From Deci and Cousins: Monkies Jumping on the Bed

A long silence and then giggling is not a good sign when you realize all three little boys have disappeared into one of their bedrooms.

Lesson 74: Rice

Rice will without fail attach to a toddlers behind when at someone else's house. That is, until they leave the table and track it all over your sister in-law's house.

Lesson 73: Kisses

Deci loves to show affection, especially kissing and hugging, so I decided to teach him how to be a gentleman and kiss the back of girls hands. (Plus as an added perk I can add that to his line of performing monkey tricks!) So I show him how to do it, kissing his hand and then he mimics me and kisses my hand several adorable times.

Then I get a great idea. I suggest he try it on his baby sister. So with lots of coaching and "be gentle, Deci"-ing he walks over to her. But instead of grasping her hand and kissing it, he puts the back of his own hand to her mouth and says "mmmwah!" as if she was kissing him.

So Today's Lesson from Deci: You can't choose the tricks your little monkey performs.

Lesson 72 From Elora: Baby Formula

Infant + Bouncy Seat = Sleep
Infant + Rocking = Sleep
Infant + Bassenette = Sleep
Infant + Grandma = Sleep

Infant + Daddy = Play time!
Infant + Mama = Lunch!

Big Changes in Deci Land

We are pleased to announce that Deci is no longer an only child! His sister Elora was born this past week and is a healthy and happy little girl. Hopefully I will resume posting here in a few days so you can look forward to more Lessons from Deci and maybe even a few from Sister!

Lesson 71: Sickness

Everyone likes to have their Mama when they're sick.

Lesson 70 From Baby: Walking

Mom was right - for some people walking slows labor. They should just sit on their bums all day and do nothing.

Lesson 69: Basketball Blocks

Playing basketball with your Mega Blocks doesn't work so well.

Lesson 68: Drills

Don't get your toddler a toy drill for Christmas. Once he figures out what it does he'll feel the need to "fix" everything in the house including the fridge, the door, the floor and your foot.

Lesson 67: Dancing

It's hard not to smile at the happy Blue's Clues dance. Perfect remedy to a bad day.

Lesson 66: Toys

Some toys are just more fun if they are sideways or upside down. Take T-Rex for example...

Lesson 65: Morning Bawl

The most effective way to wake up Mama is not to cry, or even call her name. It's to say "Bawl" over and over and over until she gets fed up and brings you one. Then you can throw it and say "bawl" again so she'll play with you.

Lesson 64: Beads for Books

Want to spend a few minutes perusing the books in a store? Wear beads on your shirt or a really sturdy bead necklace. The hunched over-reading a book pose is perfect to make the beads swing and entertain your toddler through at least a few pages of your favorite new book.

Lesson 56: Counting

Counting in order is over rated.

Lesson 63: M&Ms

They may "melt in your mouth, not in your hand" but if you don't swallow them afterwords, your chin will still turn blue.