Engines, A Caboose, And An Indecent Proposal

There have been no posts lately due to the fact I've had NO spare time! This has been the busiest month of our lives so far.

This morning I was determined to do something fun with Sam. Nothing we'd done a million times (like the park) and not another set of errands. I've heard over and over about a great train store in St Paul and decided Sam and I would check it out.

Well, holy cow - this place did not disappoint! We could go back this afternoon and Sam would be thrilled. It's called Choo Choo Bob's Train Store. It has train sets for both kids and adults and tons of running displays. The back of the store has six train tables set up with the coolest, newest wooden train sets. There are even benches for parents to hang out while the kids play themselves into a frenzy. The (apparent) owner of the store was dressed in engineer's overalls, complete with the striped cap. I don't even care about trains and I was enchanted.

Sam played for well over an hour. It was past lunch time and almost past nap time before I was able to get him close to the door to leave. He was having so much fun, and was so hungry and tired, I could tell a meltdown was close to happening. I asked him several times to be a good listener and walk to the car with me. His head hung lower and lower and I started to get desperate, not wanting to cause a scene.

Just then, Choo Choo Bob sauntered over. "Hey, little man," he said to Sam. "The trains will be here next time you come. How about you give me five?" Amazed, Sam slapped his hand. "What are you going to do now?" Choo Choo Bob continued.

Smiling, Sam said, "I go wi' mama. I go in car." He skipped to the door.

Astonished, I turned to Choo Choo Bob. "Will you move in with me?" I blurted out.

He seemed too surprised to reply, so I slunk out of the store and got Sam strapped into the car. I want to take Sam back to the store very soon - I hope Choo Choo Bob doesn't have a good memory.

Where House?

Again, Sam and I have returned from the cabin. Again, we are exhausted, dirty, and have piles of laundry. Again, I'd have given anything to be able to stay there.

As I've said before, the cabin has gone through several transformations in its life. It was originally a hunting cabin. I have very clear memories of being there when there was no running water, one main room, bunkbeds crammed into a small porch, and an outhouse. Compared to that, it's now luxurious. A living room, kitchen, bathroom, and two bedrooms make it downright homey.

However, it is just one of many cabins on the lake. The other properties have grown and changed in much larger scale. Most of them are actual summer homes while ours is still a getaway. I feel both amused and defensive when I see our little red cabin sitting between large, landscaped houses.

The cabins are set back from the road and Jackie and I have always made a game of seeing who could spot it first. We'd stare out the window, peering between the trees, trying to make out its tiny form. Once spotted, one of us would shout, "There it is!" and the other would cry affectionately, "It's so SMALL!" Repeating that each time was as much a tradition as the ice cream cones. It wasn't a trip to the cabin without it.

That is one thing I've let go of. We have a marker by the road which means I no longer have to slow down and squint through trees to try to find it. Both times I was there with Sam, I didn't say anything as I slowed down and turned into it's grassy driveway.

That's why I was so happy to hear Sam figuring the game out for himself. As we wound down the road to the cabin, Sam began asking, "Where house? Where house?" He repeated it several times. As soon as it was in sight, he cried happily, "HOUSE!"

Some things never change!

Petting Zoo

Now that Paul Bunyan is located on a farm, the price of admission includes access to a petting zoo. Sam LOVED the animals and was much more brave around them than the last time we were at one. I am still terrified of them - so I just stand back, panic, and take the pictures!

A head-butt stand off.

Meh...Sam thought it would be easier to just feed it.

Sam loved this horrible thing. Is it a pig? A boar? I honestly don't know and hope to never see one again.

This sheep was a real jerk. He pushed all the other animals out of the way, ate all of the food, and baaa'd right in our faces. *shudder*

Okay...the calf was very sweet. Apparently I have no problem with cows. I certainly didn't touch it, but it didn't make my skin crawl.

Believe it or not, Sam and I are headed back up to the cabin today! I forgot several necessary items there last weekend. Eric has to work, so this time it is just me and the kid. I will post when we return!

Paul Bunyan

Paul Bunyan has always been the best part of the cabin. It is the world's smallest, cheesiest theme park. When Eric and I went to Saglibom in 2003, all the news was that Paul Bunyan was closing and being torn down. I was heartbroken that my kids would never get to experience it. Less than a month ago, I found out it was torn down - and moved, piece by piece, to a new location! All of the classic rides and novelties are now spread across a family's farm between Brainerd and Mille Lacs.

Sam and Eric model the classic cut-out.

This isn't the nicest picture of Sam...but it is proof that I really do exist! We were the only three people on the little train.

They have the little boat ride! Sam was only mildly impressed by it.

They even moved creepy cowboy-on-a-bench! I tried to explain to Sam that there are pictures of all of us with the creepy cowboy, even pictures of Bay in cat's-eye glasses. That was a LONG time ago.

The best part of Paul Bunyan: it is possible to go on every ride and see every attraction in less than two hours. The worst part? The sweaty, tired ride home.

Ice Cream Cones

I apologize in advance for getting nostalgic. I just can't get enough of the pictures of Sam at the cabin. I spent my childhood there, as did my mom. Grandpa Bob built it as a hunting cabin with several of his friends after the war. It has been transformed into a cozy little house over the years (indoor plumbing is a wonderful thing!).

No trip up north is complete without going to Crosslake for ice cream cones. When I was about 10 years old I was on a trip to the cabin with Grandma and Grandpa. Grandpa Bob and I were playing cards, and he told me we were playing to see who would buy our ice cream. I, of course, lost. I brought my little purse into town with me expecting to use all of my money buying cones. Grandpa pretended to be confused, saying, "No, no...when you're playing cards, the winner always has to buy. Don't you know that?" Aww, Grandpa.

So much has changed, and Sam won't get to know Grandpa Bob's quiet kindness. But I'll be darned if I break the ice cream cone tradition!

Backwoods Baby

Our little family got home a little after dinner time yesterday. We were dirty and exhausted - but we had sure had fun!

Sam absolutely adored the cabin. Every time we walked through the door, whether when we first arrived or after being at the lake, he sighed, "Ohhhh...nice house." That is exactly how I feel when I'm there, too. When I'm in that tiny, mothball-smelling place I am totally relaxed and feel like I'm home. The spirit of the place must have struck Sam, because he felt the same way.

We managed the perfect mix of laziness and fun. There will be several posts about our trip - I actually managed to take pictures and won't be able to fit them all into one post. We ate, we played, we went to the lake, we watched movies...I really, really did not want to leave.

But now it's back to real life and three loads of laundry - no time for a long post today! Here are a few pictures of Sam at a genuine tractor parade!

"Wait a minute...is it really just tractors? AND no candy?"

"Aw, who am I kidding...everything is fun up north!"

Saglibom

Eric, Sam and I are about 15 minutes away from heading up to the cabin. I packed a ton of water toys and enough groceries to last us the rest of the month. Unfortunately, we can only stay until Tuesday.

Regular posts will resume on Wednesday!

Later

Mommy guilt has struck again.

I have been unbelievably busy lately. The next month is booked with a million things to do. I have been trying to get all of my housework done before Saturday. Sam is so good about playing by himself, but he of course asks me to join him from time to time. Feeling harried and overwhelmed, I keep telling him that I'll play with him as soon as I get a chance.

Yesterday I heard him addressing his toys in a new way. They all have the last name "Laytah (later)." It's something like this:

"Pud-dah (puzzle)? Pay pud-dah? No pay. Pud-dah Laytah."

"Oh, game. Game Laytah. No game."

He doesn't even try to ask any more - he tells me I'm too busy. He loves going in the backyard to play in the water. Last night he said to me, "Go? Wad-dah? No. No go. Is okay. Wad-dah Laytah."

UGH. I feel just sick about it. Today is the busiest day of all. Tomorrow starts four days of family fun, but he doesn't know that. The guilt is killing me. I think I'm going to have to buy him a pony.

Edited to add: Ah, the power of the internet. Karen is on her way over to whisk Sam off to a park playdate. He is now following me around, asking incredulously, "Sau go? Sau GO?" and crying, "Hoo-RAY!" every time I say yes. I'm glad Sam is happy, but now I feel even worse!

A Fun-Filled Pedicure

Last night Sam kept trying to take his stuffed toys into the tub with him. As a compromise, I ran into the kitchen for several tupperware containers and spatulas. The toys were quickly forgotten and Sam spent his entire bath cooking with bubbles.

This morning Sam spotted his new bath toys drying on the edge of the tub. He gathered them up and took them into the living room to play. With the bathroom to myself, I decided to do a quick pedicure. I sat on the edge of the tub, filled the bottom with water, and soaked my feet.

Sam poked his head in to see what I was doing. Once he saw the water in the tub it was all over. He dashed to the living room for his tupperware. I was barely fast enough to keep him from throwing all of it in on top of my feet. I kept thanking him for trying to share, but insisted I wasn't interested in playing.

Well, that wasn't the end for Sam. He tugged on his clothes, desperate to get in the tub. I struggled to keep him dressed and had to nearly wrestle him to the ground to keep him from jumping in. I had to give up and drain the tub.

I ended up sweating and my clothes got soaked by the splashing. Aren't pedicures supposed to be relaxing?

...And Everything In Its Place

For the last few days, Sam has been carrying around three big bottles of paint. It's washable kids paint but I imagine it would make an amazing mess if Sam chose to open them. He does know how to open a twist-top. I have been so busy working on the house I couldn't bring myself to care about the paint. I saw him walk through the room carrying them, and all I could muster was, "Sam, just don't open them, okay?"

What? A two-year old, choosing to skip a colorful, fantastic mess? Yes, that is my son. Instead, I walked in to the living room to find this:

Sam does not want messes. He wants things as orderly as possible. And if that means balancing a red, yellow, and green car on top of the red, yellow, and green paint, he's the man for the job.

Let's Start At The Very Beginning

Nearly every afternoon, Sam and I can be found in our front yard. We blow bubbles, color with chalk, try out the bubbles, and color with chalk again. I have a horrible time thinking of things to draw every day, so my section of the sidewalk is covered in preschool basics. I write the names of colors, written in each specific color. I print the alphabet, draw shapes, and write the names of everyone Sam knows. Sam watches happily and then asks to play with the bubbles.

On Friday I was sitting on the front steps reading a magazine while Sam played with the chalk. (I think I've firmly established by now that I am not a perfect mom.) Sam said, "Mama, A!"

"Oh, awesome!" I murmured without looking up.

"Mama! Mama! A!" Sam persisted.

"Ooooh, A!" I replied and turned a page.

Sam walked up to me and put his hand on my face. "Mama," he said, making me look him in the eyes. "A." He pointed down at the sidewalk. I just about fell off the steps when I looked down and saw this:

I'll be darned. The kid wrote an A. I was so excited, I ran inside to get the camera. He was happy to pose next to his masterpiece. Here he is, with his first clear letter by his right foot:

I have to admit, I still get a thrill looking at these pictures. Aw, what the heck, it's my blog...let's look at that again!

Fire Safety

It's staggering to try to comprehend just how much a child learns in his/her first few years. They start out with nothing! They have to gain control of their bodies. They are taught to talk, to play, to eat, to follow instructions...every tiny thing in every person's brain was, at one time, taught. I have to admit I am overwhelmed with the awesome responsibility I have to teach Sam...everything!

His brain is a little sponge right now. I take every opportunity to explain something new. Yesterday we were looking at one of his many truck books and we turned to the page about fire trucks. Within a few minutes Sam knew to point at the black smoke and make coughing noises. He touched the picture of the flames and said, "Hot!" He pointed at the oxygen tank on the ambulance and took deep, cleansing breaths. When I ask him what to do when there is a fire, he now points to the door and says, "Outside!"

Tonight, looking at the book, Sam remembered everything he learned. I pointed to the firefighter and explained that if he was inside and a firefighter was looking for him, he should go with him/her. I continued that if he was stuck and no one could find him, he needs to yell help. We took turns yelling "HELP!" until I was satisfied that he was yelling it as loud as he possibly could. We continued with the book.

A few minutes later, we were looking at another book. I pointed out a picture of children cleaning up and remarked that they were being good helpers, just like Sam. Smiling, Sam agreed, "Sau keen up. Sau HELP Mama!" While the rest of his speech was at a normal tone, he had managed to scream 'help' so loudly it just about shot me off the couch.

I know I don't have to worry about a firefighter not being able to find my kid!

Samuel Lagasse

One of Sam's favorite activities is cooking while I'm working in the kitchen. I pile a miscellaneous assortment of pans and utensils in front of him and he takes over. He chatters happily, pouring water from one pan to the other and pretending to add the sealed ingredients I've given to him.

Really, he loves to cook. I don't know why he became so solemn when I brought out the camera. Perhaps he felt he needed to lend an air of seriousness to his work, as it was for posterity.

(Honestly. Doesn't he look like I'm forcing him to do this? Especially in the last picture. He truly loves it - I might have to try pictures when he isn't looking.)