Big Boat!

I am sitting on the 4th floor of the Carnival Dream as I type. This is the mandatory safety briefing where we learn how to put on a safety vest. They also tell us that in the event of an emergency, it's women and children first. I am thinking about the book I read last night about the Titanic. Now I am thinking I should probably not jinx the trip. Ha!

My mom and dad are next to me. Alex and Bryson bailed and are snoozing back in the room (smart fellows!) Our room rocks - on a top floor with a balcony. Definitely beats my first cruise with my parents as a sophomore in high school where my brother and I shared bunk beds with my parents crammed in one room way below deck that had the tiniest of windows.

Mr. Bear's comment, "Big boat!" Man, he is a lucky bear.

Enough with my pointless thoughts, let's get to the pics!

Mr. Bear checking out the boat.

Mr. Bear boarding with Daddy. The entry way is part disco and part holidays.

Mr. Bear and Daddy on the balcony in our room.

Mr. Bear spots the Disney cruise ship next door.

Looks like I won't be able to post for the 8 days we're out to sea (heading from Port Canaveral through Roatan to Belize City), but I will take some good DSLR pics to make it up once I get back.

Happy holidays!!

Cracker in the Mailbox

I had foolishly thought I'd be able to confine the Bear's kingdom to his playpen, but it is becoming more and more clear how I am losing this battle.

Bryson's domination of the living room table.

In fact, the mailbox has become a staple item for the Bear so much so that it has a special place as our living room table's centerpiece.

Today while slotting the mail, he kept saying, "Cracker, cracker." I tried to ignore this (he tends to repeat his favorite food item in hopes that he will get what he wants) and so said back to him, "Mail, mail." He eventually gave up on me (to my relief since I probably would have just given him the cracker).

Imagine my surprise when I spotted B's secret hiding spot.

 Here he is running away with the cracker in response to my, "Is this cracker mama's?"

The Bear not only has the box but also a book about mail. This was the Bear's choice for his bedtime story tonight.

Bryson's new bath time trick.

12 days.

Daddy and the Bear's Toothbrush Duel

Mr. Bear kicked off the day in bright holiday Buckeye red and rounded up his assorted cavalry.

First the Dino.

Taking a pause to adjust the corner table protectors.

Then the cat.

Then the other cat.

Then the car carrier.

Caught the Bear in a GQ pose as he watched Tu Bebe Puede Leer.

What other choice to do but have a toothbrush duel.

Daddy and the Bear at the Library

I had a work meeting in Stamford so Alex handled drop-off and pick-up. I luckily made it back just in time to meet them at the library.

Here is Mr. Bear pointing out some books for Daddy.

Bryson has become solid at counting in Spanish but somehow misses tres and ocho.

Daddy shares his fashion with the Bear.

Hey Mr. Postman

Bryson invited a couple others to our morning playtime today - not just Mr. Reindeer but also Mr. Wolf and Ms. Lamb.

On the way home today, B checked out the puppies.

He also impressed me by seeing a ups and fedex trip and saying, "Mail!"

Bryson's highlight of today - playing with Aunt Corey's gift. B's very own mailbox! I think he shows lots of promise as a mail carrier.

Pull mail in. Take mail out. B probably did this a dozen times straight.

There's even a key to lock the box. Fancy! Later B used it to store his precious kitten on wheels.

FAO Schwarz, Lady of Liberty & Jay-Z's apartment

Mr. Bear has quite the library collection. Between Nana, Aunt Corey, and Lola shopping for books for him, he's probably got 150. That's pretty close in number to Daddy's collection. (Mommy has a measly 10 or so books.)

Here's what happens if you ask the Bear, "Do you want to read a book?" Two seconds later...

Thank goodness for independent reading.

Baby Can Read continues to be on Boo's top 10 list.

And of course his dog book is in the top 5.

In addition to reading, Daddy is teaching the Bear other very important skills. Like this one.

Daddy coaches the Bear, "Almost, almost, Bryson. Now put your hands over your ears."

Daddy's continues coaching, "Ok, just one more change Bry. Open your mouth really big!"

Voila! 2013 skills in full flesh.

Now off for our excursion of the day. Stopping by Fifth Ave's holiday fun. Massive candy canes. Not sure if Bry even knows what candy canes are. I'm guessing Daddy, being the healthy guy he is, probably won't teach the Bear about this.

But Daddy does spot a critical transportation learning moment. Bry and Daddy check out the car carrier - not Hondas or Fords, but a Rolls Royce, Land Rover, and Mercedes.

The massive UNICEF snowflake hanging in between the streets.

We arrive at NYC's ultimate toy store.

Mr. Bear says hello to all the animals.

Monkey impersonation.

Bryson loves the dogs.

Alex and I have decided that the Bear would make a great stock keeper. He loves to organize the inventory, line them up, and then put them back in order.

Mr. Bear among his own folk.

The Bear becomes obsessed with a giraffe and attempts to ride it. It takes a bit of coaxing for him to eventually give it up.

Bry spots toy bliss. Firetrucks, helicopters, ambulances, trains, taxis, buses!

Oh but what is this - something even cooler...

Train!

Can it get even more awesome? Planes and trucks in lego form!

Experiences like this push the Bear to reflect on the meaning of life.

But no so much in the mood to hang out with our Lady of Liberty.

At Jay-Z's apartment - well not really - but outside his apartment building admiring his Christmas tree.