Pre-ice skating helmet safety check complete. I’ve got your back, bro.

Ok ok, I realize it’s Jan 8, but I just got around to scanning this one in. I can’t get over how big they look!

One thing I hate about living on the east coast is that it’s far away from my best friends. Sure, Skype makes it a teeny bit easier, but nothing can replace hanging out at Starbucks or going to dinner in person. And I really hate the fact that our kids don’t know each other. There’s something so wrong about that!

But that is life. And until the universe corrects itself, I’ll have to settle for a few hours of together time whenever and however I can get it.

I’m so thankful we were able to hang out with my friend Cara and Baby Luca when she was visiting NYC from Australia back in November. (This kid has been in more countries than I have and he’s 4 months old!) It was too too short- and I can’t wait to see them again.

Columbia University, NYC - November 2011

Wayyy back when we first started potty training Sammy, we learned pretty quickly that the standard M&M and Matchbox bribes weren’t going to fly. And when he didn’t so much as look my way when I promised him a huge motorized Lightning McQueen cars that he could sit in and drive - I thought we were destined to have 12 more years of diapers - give or take a few.

But then, out of the blue, Sammy announced there was one last hope. One thing that may be cooler than sitting in poop …

Hanging out with a big fat rat named Chuck E. Cheese.

So in early December, after many months of begging, pleading, prodding, threatening, screaming and crying, Sammy had had two full weeks with no accidents and won his visit to see Chuck.

Both boys went absolutely nuts, running from game to game for more than an hour making darn sure they didn’t miss a thing. Sam was beaming.  He was giddy with pride over the fact that we were there because of something he accomplished that was NOT easy for him.  Watching him almost made me forget the long road we’ve been on to get to that point. Almost. (It really has been a lot of poop)

Of course, we’re still not totally out of the woods … but I’ll always remember this day a a turning point in our little man’s life.  The day of Chuck.

Here are some pics that prove once again that boys will be boys. Even before you think they know how …

(Jack and Sam with their school buddies A.J. Tornatore, Christopher Restaino, Jack Harniman)

During last year’s preschool Holiday concert, Jack didn’t sing one word. In fact, he rolled around on the floor more than anything. Later, we found out he was coming down with something, but still - he didn’t really know the songs. But this year? He knew - and sang - every single word. Over and over and over again. (still is)

Sammy, who somehow nabbed a front and center spot, did a pretty good job too, singing along on most of the songs, especially the Dreidel song, which my budding Rabbi latched onto even before Frosty. It seems to be the one hanging on weeks later too, being turned into such catchy tunes as “Jackie, Jackie, Jackie - I made you out of clay. Jackie, Jackie, Jackie - I poopy on your head.” (What, you don’t know that one?)

And yet, once again, I find myself torn between wanting to wash his mouth out with soap and wanting to give him a high five for knowing the words and tune well enough to mix it up a bit. Nice work little man.

Proud of both of you!

Tonight as we were getting dressed to ventured out to Christmas Eve service Sammy flung open one of his closets and insisted that he and Jack both wear ties. Good call buddy. You look handsome.

And when we got home we started a new tradition … movie night with Frosty and Rudolph. This was their first time seeing these classics and I’m happy to say they were transfixed - bad animation and all. (wait, is that called animation - or claymation - or puppets? who knows) Between these movies, Star Wars, Strawberry Shortcake and My Little Pony, I feel like I’m reliving my childhood! I wonder what they’ll be sharing with their kids in 30 years?