We had a great time visiting the Bronx Zoo in our costumes for “Boo at the Zoo” this year.  Getting lollipops along the Rihino trail was a real highlight, along with all of the animals, of course!

Jack was Kion from the Lion Guard and Lena dressed up as Dory from finding Dory, so it was a real Disney-fest.  We hit about eight or nine houses on our grandparents’ street on Halloween night, too.  A good time was had by all!

The month started out on a bit of a low note, with a series of doctors appointments.  The first was to get my two year blood draw and flu shot (no thank you, please!), and the second was to address an elevated heart and breathing rate brought on by a high fever.  Ugh – can cold and flu season be over already?  On the bright side, doctors visits usually come with stickers, and my cooperation can be bought for a few Sponge Bob or Mickey stickers.

Other than being a little sick, I’m my regular spunky self.  I’m acting every bit the part of a two year old, and asserting my independence regularly.  Mommy and Daddy hear the phrase “no, MY do it!” repeated with great frequency, especially when getting dressed and buckling my seat belt.

I’m also getting really good at communicating what I want, which is usually whatever my brother is holding.  I sometimes mix up the meanings of the words “also” and “either,” so it’s not uncommon to hear me complain “aw, that’s not fair, Mama, I wanna have that ei-der (meaning “too”).  That makes me angry!”  I have even learned from watching my brother that this statement is best punctuated with crossed arms.

While I’m definitely developing a little toddler attitude, and don’t like to be pushed around, I’m still an overwhelmingly happy and easy going kid who would rather be in a good mood than not.  I’m also getting slightly better at lying in my crib at night to go to sleep, although now I usually demand that both Jack and Daddy make an appearance to say good night to me, while Mommy sits in the chair.  At least I don’t require constant back rubs anymore!

Current likes: Snuggles

Current dislikes: “stinky bugs” (stink bugs) – they’re everywhere this month!

Milestone alert: I got my first big boy haircut at a barber shop this month.  It came with a lollipop and the promise of screen time, so I was super compliant during the whole thing.  My short ‘do looks very cute when it’s swept to the side and gelled into place the way it should be.  I feel passionately about pulling it straight down over my forehead, however, and do this at every opportunity.

I’m learning lots of new things at school, and came home able to recite the pledge of allegiance in full the other day.  I’m also learning how to draw letters, which I find to be very frustrating.  As a lefty, I’m having a little difficulty gripping my pen/pencil in a way that gives me adequate control.  Because I have little patience for things I’m not immediately good at, my first instinct is to get angry and give up, but I’m making a little bit of progress.  I’m also increasingly concerned about “coloring in the lines,” which is not something that’s previously registered with me as desirable.

Although I am easily irritated, I’m also very sweet, and especially snuggle-y at nighttime.  I recently had the following exchange with my Dad just before falling asleep:

Me: “Daddy, I’m going to love you for 600 days.”

Daddy: “How about 600 years?”

Me: “How about forever?  You’re the best daddy I ever had in my whole life.”

I have also discovered that it’s fun to play with my sister (on my terms) now that she’s more of a toddler.  I really like building forts in my room to peek out of, and I’ll frequently invite Lena in to hide with me.  I also like to wake her up in the morning by crawling into her crib and reading her books.

Current likes: Wonder Woman and Elena of Avalor – action princesses!

Current dislikes: frustration tolerance