Wrath of the Beast [otherwise known as "the terrible twos"]

So today was the very first full-fledged screaming, crying, tightening of entire body, struggling to get free tantrum of Greyson almost two and a half years - it was a doozy!



Protagonist: Tired boy w/ Low frustration level
Antagonist: New toy

10-minutes earlier

The tired boy is playing with his new toy (a Hummer with a trailer) on a 1.5'x1.5' table and occasionally during turns the trailer will become unattached from the Hummer. At this point tired boy becomes frustrated and cries. Mother encourages child to calm down, focus and fix the problem. Suggestion works for two seconds, and the it happens again.

Present

Grandma decides to move child to rock wall where there is more room (great idea), all goes smoothly until (you guessed it) the trailer comes off again. Mom decides that child no longer needs to play with trailer, that the Hummer is enough...so Mom proceeds to take trailer away explaining that it's time for a break from the trailer...the tantrum ensues! Mom picks up child who proceeds to scream and stiffen and push to escape, all the while Mom is calming telling child to calm down...suggesting that we take a walk or play with a different toy, to which the child answers NO! at the top of his lungs. Mom decides to take child into the bedroom where he can sit until he calms down....10 minutes later the bedroom door opens and out comes child, "Mom?" Child is much calmer, but not quite finished sniffling. "Are you all better?" to which he answers "all better."

It was grueling...at the same time I couldn't help but laugh (of course I didn't let him see it). It was just so funny (yet not) that he was having such a reaction to me taking the trailer away. Wow! Grandma was having flashbacks...he gets it from his daddy.

Mini-Vacation: Day 4

Saturday was the Poker Run for Make a Wish Foundation; Jim (Clayton's step-dad) and I went. I can count the number of times I've ridden on the back of a motorcycle on both of my hands...but I'm slowly becoming addicted...which means that sometime down the road (possibly very soon) Clayton is going to have to purchase a motorcycle. Of course, I had to dress the part (when in Rome, and all that jazz)...I can't be a biker babe/motorcycle mama in khakis and dress shoes. So Cris lent me her vest (you must belong to someone/something, or you're up for the taking - according to the rules of a motorcycle gangs [I guess]) and Harley Davidson clogs, I went out Saturday morning and bought a pair of black shorts from Meijer (clearance for $10) and then I already had a black tank...so that was my outfit. I thought I looked pretty good. When we got to the first stop I noticed that none of the other women were wearing shorts (Jim said it was cuz they were afraid to get road rash - which might have been half true...but then why were many of them wearing next to nothing on the top half? A mystery.) but that didn't stop the compliments on the shorts (from two girls) or the overall compliments (from the guys, most of whom were old enough to be my dad!)...still a compliment is a compliment, especially when my man is half a world away (which means I rarely get any compliments)...Jim had to beat them off with a stick. :o) Along with that I think I drank more that day than I have in a LONG time (3 coolers, 2 shots of watermelon shnops, and 2 jello shots)!!! But I started and ended the day with water. Overall it was a great day...and there was a lot of money raised (more than last year) which was the point of the whole event. Maybe I'll do it again next year.

Getting mixed up.

Greyson wanted to be part of the gang.

He's just too soft to make it.

Miss Kathy Burns (Adam's mom) and me

Jim in the background talking to Bob (I think)
At Pat's Roadhouse

My close-up

"Head out on the highway"

A picture [on the move]

Moorland

Cruising again...

Our second stop on the run...

Nice bike.

A bad ass biker babe, right?

Seriously sexy! :o)

Aww.

Greyson's first Harley.

Not quite sure how to work the helmet

Some troubles...

Get 'er motor running...

Mini-Vacation: Day 3

When did he become such a little man?

Figured it out.

Blindfolded?

Wrestling with Poppy

(whose back is currently broken and who isn't wearing his brace)

Strutting to the slide

After a hard day it's time to play.

The boy was in heaven!

Make a new friend ~ Fireman Dale

Sit in the driver's seat.

And go "swimming" in a fire jacket.

Got to hang out with the firemen.

Went to the fire station with Poppy.

How could anyone NOT want to gobble him up?

He is just TOO stinken adorable!

Playing with his new firetruck

Lookin' too cute!

A Mini-Vacation! Day 2

Always on the move...

Monkey bars...

Jungle gym under the fort

From the side...

The balcony porch

(gives me a heartattack)

Jim did a good job!

Silly boy!

Coming in from the porch

"I see you!"

In the loft of Greyson's fort

You can't tell, but Greyson's shivering!

Greyson's turn.

Poppy's getting you with the sprinkler

"Come on, Grey!"

Ready, Get set, Go!!!

A Mini-Vacation! Day 1

We spent this week at Cris and Jim's and since I didn't have to work it was like a mini-vacation! It was a fun filled week for Greyson and I both. Went out on the lake - Greyson loves to sit in teh captain's chair and help drive the boat (he likes playing with the keys more). It was a beautiful day to be out on the water. Decided to go for a swim...the water temperature had changed since the last week we visited. After that week of cold weather the water temp dropped considerably -Brr! But once I got in and was swimming for a while it didn't feel so bad. Greyson came in for a little bit. It was a very nice time.

Showing off his jammies.

Making bunny noses with Poppy.

Mmm! Marshmallows!

Sitting by the fire with Poppy.

Off to find some crackers (just in case) for the swans.

SUN-ing!

Looking for swans

I was interrupting his time with the boat keys
He wasn't very happy.

Being a "beach" babe

Always with the keys!

What a stud in his (daddy's old) ninja turtles life vest!

Such a good captain.

Greyson LOVES to drive the boat!