"i can do it myself daddy"

Seth has started his next big craft idea which so far is looking great (even though its only had about 30 minutes work on it). I will write about it when it's finished which could be some time away. As part of his new creation he needed some old fashioned wooden clothes pegs. I thought they were going to be a nightmare to find but luckily I found them in the forth shop I went in to, good old Asda living.

He needed white paint too and before I knew it I had a basket full of craft bits and bobs. It wasn't a great day weather wise so a craft session for me and Opeie was just what we needed. As soon as we got home we set the table up and began creating. Because Mrs M works all week we try and make plenty of cards to say thank you for taking care of us.

Using foam letters and getting them straight with a 2 year old is difficult but we managed it and it looked great. Opeie told me that he wanted to make one for nanny and grandad too so we quickly got to it.

After all the tag team precision foam letter placing, Opeie grabbed himself a new piece of paper and freestyled himself his own creation, which definitely had more character than the ones we created together, proving once more that "i can do it on my own daddy" (his new favourite saying).

From bath fear to bath obsessed, the story of one boys battle with being clean.

We've come a long way since Opeie's bath escapades. It's strange to think that he did everything he could to avoid bath time and the mere mention of the word bath or the sound of the taps running used to cause a storm or teary emotions. Strange because at 10am this morning Opeie had already had 2 baths. Mrs M was the first for the bath time company very early this morning and then when Seth had one, Opeie again didn't want to miss out on the fun.

While in the bath the boys and myself from the sideline did our best to make the most of the Nuby bath toys we have after doing the usual teaching Opeie his letters and numbers Seth decided that it would be a good idea to attach the letters and see if we could make boats so we got to it. The boats were happily sailing but then Opeie brought in the evil captain squid and he tipped the boats over (the tinker). 

Luckily super elephant the hero/coast guard was in the area and came to our aid squirting that naughty squid in the face. Needless to say they all became friends at the end and lived peacefully in the bath water. I've got a feeling this isn't Opeie's last bath of the day and I'm sure he will be be keeping me company in there tonight.

"Accept the challenges so that you can feel the exhilaration of victory."

Despite many failed attempts it finally seems that we have crossed the bath time hurdle with Opeie, it's been a long and frustrating process but we're now at the point (like this morning) where he is actually crying to get in the bath rather than out and seems more than happy to have his hair washed. Fingers crossed this is how things will stay. Thanks to Nuby he has more than enough things to keep him Occupied in the tub and as i write this Mrs M has just started coughing and spluttering because she yawned and Opeie shot her in the mouth with Squid the Squirter so thanks to Nuby also for my boy becoming quite the marksman.

This may have been a frustrating time but its only setting us up for the inevitable potty training saga which I'm sure is just around the corner (should be fun). Its great to know that he's in to a good routine now and enjoys being in the bath and brushing his teeth (even more so now with his new Spider-man toothbrush, thanks Nanny Roo and Grandad). He's really growing up fast and although Mrs M wanted her little baby to stay that way forever I'm really glad that he's now starting to understand things a bit more and is a lot more independent.

Congratulations Opeie on your latest victory me and mommy are very proud of you.

"Water is the driving force of all nature."

a couple of times a week i am faced with a dilemma when getting in the bath after either Opeie or Seth have been in last. It's that moment when i walk into the bathroom and look in the bath to find it empty of water but filled with ball pit balls and enough bath toys to start my own water park. Do i spend the next 10 minutes taking everything out so i can have an obstacle free bath... or, does that all just seem like far to much effort so choose option two, just fill the bath up and spend my relaxing time in what resembles Pat Sharps fun house.

Well tonight was one of those nights and i chose the latter. Maybe it was out of laziness or maybe it was my childish side wanting to have a play with all the toys, ill let you decide. Once in the bath though i decided it would give me a great opportunity to find out what these bath time toys were all about.

I did love how colourful the bath was but there was nothing relaxing about being in there especially when the boys came in and started throwing the balls about trying to knock the letters down (i can see now why Mrs M closes the bathroom stair gate when she's having a bath).

The tub time turtle and the fishing net were great but for me it was all about the squirty toys because that's when i can make a mess of the bathroom, which I'm sure Mrs M wont be happy about when she goes in the bathroom next.

I know from the photo's it does look like i have a terrible aim but i did eventually wipe that smug grin off cookie monsters face. I couldn't bath like this all the time but it made my time in there a bit more fun. Ive got a few new toys that i haven't opened yet but rather than hog the limelight i think Opeie can have the next post. Were still desperately trying to get Opeie to enjoy his bath time.