No baby bathtub for this big boy

Matthew has outgrown his baby bathtub. Actually, he probably outgrew it months ago but I procrastinated until he began sitting up in a tub that was clearly not meant for sitting. So today he had his first bath in his new toddler tub. He was quite intrigued by the other fellow in the tub. He appears so cheery, yet he's so stiff and unresponsive. Strong but silent type, I guess.

Cicada Lifeguard

Cameron is a self-appointed Cicada Lifeguard at our swim club. Today, while on duty, he found a cicada, more dead than alive, floating in the shallow end. Springing into action, he scooped up the unfortunate fellow. "He's moving!" he shouted. "He's alive!" He stood by attentively as the cicada dried off on deck and, as he began to feebly stir, Cameron tenderly lifted him onto his beach towel. It was actually quite touching in a creepy crawly kind of way.

As Cameron sat in a beach chair ministering to his charge, he noticed another little boy about his age. He watched as the boy caught a cicada buzzing about and then, moments later, dropped him in the water. Cameron's mouth dropped open and he quickly went to the aid of the cicada. From my vantage point, I saw Cameron pick up the cicada and then say, "OUCH! That must have HURT!" He came hurrying back to me, cicada in hand and showed me that the cicada (brace yourself, faint of heart readers!) had, well, lost his head. *swoon* Cameron shot a disapproving look at the other boy and then turned to me and said in a low voice, "He looks like such a nice boy! I thought he'd like cicadas!" I think this is Cameron's first experience with the old adage, "Looks can be deceiving."

Separation Anxiety

Today, we went to the park with my friend, Dena, and her two girls, Chloe and Ally. Chloe and Cameron were even pals prenatally -- they go waaayyy back. We had a great time and everyone laughed when Cameron suggested that Matthew and Ally could get married someday. As we were leaving, Chloe improved upon this plan by proposing that she and Cameron could get married as well. In the car, I had this conversation with Cameron.

Cameron: If Matthew and Ally get married, I want Matthew to still live with us. Why does Chloe want to marry me?
Me: Well, maybe she wants to marry you because you are such a good friend.
Cameron: I don't want to marry Chloe!
Me: Really? Why not?
Cameron: I don't want to marry Chloe and anyone because I just want to live at home with you. Well, until you're dead.

Going to the zoo, zoo, zoo

The boys and I have been busy, busy, busy the past few weeks mainly because the day passes by much more quickly (and harmoniously!) when we aren't just sitting around at home. So we've been hitting the library, the pool, the local playgrounds and, of course, the zoo! This morning when Cameron saw that Matthew was wearing a Buccaneers onesie, he HAD to wear his matching shirt so everyone at the zoo would know they were brothers. Aren't they CUTE?!?!
In the farm area of the zoo, a friendly goat poked his head out of the fence to get a look at Matthew. They stared at each other and I grabbed for my camera, thinking it was adorable, when Matthew suddenly gave a shrill scream and began to sob piteously. Apparently he did not find the goat to be friendly or adorable.

On our drive home, Cameron said, "We should stop at Michelle's."

"Who?" I asked in confusion.

"Michelle's! Let's go to Michelle's and get the car washed!"

Who the heck is Michelle? I wonder. And why would she wash our car?

"MI-CHELLE'S," he repeated. "You know? With the yellow seashell sign? Where you can get gas in your car and go through the car wash?"

"Ohhhhh!" It seems that Cameron thought the Shell gas station was called "Michelle's!"

Ancient History

Cameron loves to talk about the good ol' days. Now at the ripe old age of 4 1/2 (and don't you dare forget that 1/2!), it's quite nostalgic, not to mention amusing, to recall what is was like when he was only three. "Remember, Mommy?" he'll say. "When I was three years old I liked THOMAS?!?! Can you believe it? I don't like Thomas the Train now 'cause I'm FOUR AND A HALF!" He'll also reminisce about his previous inability to read, brush his own teeth, pump on the swing and any number of things. Because when you are three? Yeah, you are still LITTLE. But when you are four and a HALF? Well, now you are BIG.

All Are Welcome (except kids)

For day two of our Indy adventure, we headed to the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art. This place was much more to Cameron's liking, aside from the super boring photography (Ansel Adams -- *yawn*). To Cameron's irritation, we kept dawdling over the black and white photos when there were TOTEM POLES to see!!!
There was also a family activity area where we all had a great time. Ride 'em cowboys!
And, what visit to the Eiteljorg is complete without dressing up as a Bible thumper and posing in front of the stagecoach?
Our only disappointment was the Community Drum Circle. It sounded right up our alley, so we planned our day around it. The sign clearly said "All are welcome," yet every time Cameron wiggled or Matthew squeaked, the leader scowled in our direction or heaved a mighty sigh and loudly reminded the circle that this was "a sacred and solemn ritual, and I'd like to treat it as such." After a few minutes of discomfort, we cut our losses and instead spent some time at the rock climbing wall where wiggling is very much allowed!

Jazz Fest: A Study in Contrasts

This weekend we drove to Indianapolis to see Medeski, Martin and Wood at the Indy Jazz Fest. The car trip was marked by the traditional viewing of Rescue Heroes: The Movie (it never, EVER gets old!) and torrential downpours. As the Jazz Fest is an outdoor event, this did not bode well. Arriving in Indy, we hemmed and hawed before finally deciding to take our chances with the rain and head to the concert. Miraculously, the weather held and we remained dry but mud-splattered. I'd love to say a good time was had by all, but it turns out that Cameron is not a fan of sitting in a muddy field listening to weird music. He's so subtle, though, I'm sure the people around us had NO idea that he wasn't TOTALLY into MM&W.
Matthew, on the other hand, was unabashedly enthusiastic and hands down the best dancer there.

Is this what the future holds for us with two kids? If one is happy, the other must be seething in anger? If one is cooperative, the other must be completely noncompliant? Ahhh, the joys of parenting.