Dragon Hunts and the Ghan Train

It has been quite a while since our last written blog entry. With Logan
trying to wrestle the mouse away from us, it's hard to find time to
write! We've put that interest to good use -- having him play some
computer games that help teach him to use the mouse and to hunt for
numbers (or letters) on the keyboard.

Logan is every bit the 2 1/2 year old. Sometimes he's bright, cheerful
and fun to be around. He impresses us with his letter and number
recognition and is very curious about words (asking us a hundred times a
day, "What does that say?"). One of his favorite games is the 'numbers
game' where he chooses a card and runs madly to the number/letter
written with contact paper on the floor (I think we put a picture on the
site below somewhere.) We got some new DVDs from Auntie Wendy and Uncle
Joe that Logan has been excited about. "Muzzy" is a funny looking
character who speaks in Spanish so we've all been watching that to pick
up a few words. It's amazing that Logan has no objection to watching
the cartoon even though it is all in Spanish. (We sometimes tell him
what's being said.) Logan and Delenn were also given a sign language
DVD set that is geared towards kids. We've added a number of signs to
our conversations already. We signed to Logan a bit when he was a baby
and hope that this helps Delenn in the months ahead.

There's another side to Logan that's not as pleasant. He often has a
terribly whiny voice -- and threatens to melt down over the smallest
thing. We must say a hundred times a day "Use your nice words." It's
strange to have such temper tantrums from him since his language skills
are so strong. He speaks in full paragraphs and can hold up a
conversation well -- telling us about his day and asking us how are day
was. He even knows when Mommy (or Daddy) have been upset with him and
asks "Are you good?" (meaning, do you feel better now?). People tell
us it's the "terrible twos," but it sure is hard to see your little one
SO upset about the smallest things. A "no" (for example, "No we can't
watch a movie until after our walk.") will send him into conniptions.
Another example--on Friday Mommy, Logan and Delenn went to the pool.
Logan wanted to be carried. Mommy told him he could ride in the
stroller or walk. Logan cried (and cried and cried) -- spent time in
the naughty spot (for throwing himself on the ground in the middle of
the parking lot) and cried some more. Finally, he pulled himself
together, walked into the building and then had a nice time at the pool.

Most days, Mommy's dinner has been interrupted by a sleepy Delenn who
needs a feed and needs to head to bed. Both Daddy and Logan tell Delenn
"Night, night little Love Peach." It's so cute it makes Mommy's toes
curl in delight! (Logan's nickname has always been "Pumpkin Pie.") Our
Love Peach is generally asleep by about 6:30pm. Some days she sleeps
really well -- only getting up once or twice (in the 12 hours she's
asleep) to feed. Other nights she's up 3 or 4 times.

We had a great day today (Sunday) - we went to the Telegraph Station for
a breakfast picnic (with McD's food). Tony and Logan hunted for dragons
while Delenn and Mommy mostly just hung out on the picnic blanket. Then
at 10:30am we went on the Ghan train ride which is up and running
regularly now. That seemed to have wiped both kids out as they are both
napping soundly. Delenn really doesn't nap for very long when we're on
the go, but the up side is she then sleeps longer in the afternoon.

We hope to post a few pictures up from our adventures today. You'll
find them below this entry in the next day or so. Hope you're doing
well!