Oh our funny, BUSY, little Joe!!

We have entered a new phase with our youngest.  It's a little early, but it is definitely here to stay.  Yep, you guessed it: the TERRIBLE TWOS!!  Or, depending your point of view, the TERRIFIC TWOS.  I like to think of myself as a positive person, so I try to think of it as a time of learning and growth, a good place for us to be.  I have to be honest though, Joe is such a busy, curious guy, I am starting to think of this phase as the TERRIFICALLY TERRIBLE TWOS!!  Since the big kids have all gone back to school, I just cannot keep up with Joseph.  I didn't realize how much help they were at keeping him occupied and out of trouble.  Now that they are gone all day, I cannot get anything done, except chase after our little guy and clean up his messes.

In case you think I'm exaggerating just what a little tornado he is, I'm going to give you a few examples of what he's done in just the past few weeks:

• While I was getting dressed, I heard him screaming at the top of his lungs.  I dropped everything and came running down the stairs (half-dressed, of course) to find him eating the last of the jalapenos from the garden.  Crying, but still chewing said jalapenos.  Washed his mouth out, all better!!
• Same day, he decided it would be fun to throw last of the tomatoes all over the kitchen floor.  Apparently, they make a really fun noise when they squish, because he was laughing hysterically every time he chucked one out of the basket.  (Side-note:  after the tomato incident, I moved the garden basket out of his reach...why didn't I move it after the jalapenos??)
• Same day, (at least I discovered it the same day)  sweet little Joseph finds a pen and decides to color INSIDE the toilet bowl...I know, I'm totally up for mother of the year, huh??  No idea how he managed that one, but I scrubbed his hands really well after I found the pen floating inside the potty....(I never knew that a ball-point pen would work under water.)
• He really loves bathrooms, so I try to ALWAYS make sure that potties are always flushed, lids are always down, and doors are always shut.  But there are four other kiddos here, and they are not always as diligent or careful as I am.  I must admit that I have found numerous items floating in our potties, including toothbrushes, toys, and binkies. These items have always gone straight to the trash, and baby has had immediate sanitizing procedures performed. 
• He loves to unload the bookcase, and does so pretty much every day, without fail.  Also, the toy box, pantry, and any cupboard he can get open.  Also, Dad's desk, Mom's purse, and kiddos backpacks.  The new rule at our house is if you don't want it destroyed, you put it above Joe-level. 
• As I mentioned before, he LOVES the bathroom.  One Sunday, I accidentally left him in mine long enough to put on my dress for church (two minutes, maybe).  The lid for the potty was down, so we were safe there.  But in two minutes, he managed to find and unwrap all the feminine products in the bathroom, and smear Vaseline all over the lid of the potty. 
• He also loves Logan's plants.  (I say Logan's, because he is the one that takes care of them.)  One of his favorite things to do is dig the dirt out of the pot and throw it all over the living room.  One day,  I heard him spitting over and over. Went in to check on him,  and he was eating the dirt from the plant.  Fortunately, he decided it wasn't edible on his own, so I didn't have to dig it out of his mouth. 

I could go on and on about the exploits of our busy little guy, but I think you get the point.  Lucky for me, I am learning along with him.  I have learned that when he is awake and active, I just need to play with him, and engage him in more productive activities.  I have learned that if I try to clean up, or sew, or bake, or craft while he is up and going, I will have triple the mess to clean up when he goes down for a nap.  I have learned that the dishes, laundry, and housework are not as important as enjoying  time with my son.  How I wish I had learned this thirteen years ago!!

I have also learned what a huge help my big kiddos are with their little brother.  They are all so good to play with him, and keep him out of trouble.  I must admit, I breath a big sigh of relief every day when they come home from school.  It's like the reinforcements have been called in to help the troops that are tired and in need of relief!!

What a gift this little guy is to our family.  He brings such laughter and light to our home.   He is helping each one of us to learn and grow in different ways.  I am so thankful that we were blessed with our little Joe!!