Happy Birthday Poop

You constantly recognize everyone's birthday in this forum so I thought I owed you one. You may not be the easiest little brother on the planet, but I wouldn't trade you for too many others.

In recognition of Paul's 33 years on the planet, if every reader could post a favorite Poop birthday memory or some other funny story about him that would be great.

Happy Birthday baby bro.

And happy half birthday to my oldest daughter. She has amazed me every day for the past six and a half years and has taught me much more than I can ever teach her. Happy 1/2 Birthday munchkin face.

Caption Contest

I got this great picture of Chase and Cayla playing behind the bars of the railing, I'm just not sure what to call it.
"Attica! Attica!" or "Better get used to those bars, kid."
If you don't get the second one, your name is not JLeary.

All the Cousins

Despite the trouble trying to photograph the kids at Tali's party, we tried again this week to much better results.

Taking Pictures of Kids is Not Easy

It's been one of Mama Poop's fondest dreams to get a good picture of all her grandchildren together. But photographing one wiggly rascal is hard enough, never mind 3. And now that Lyla's here, the grandchildren picture seems like a pipe dream. But at Tali's party we tried to do the best we could.
Here's what happened:


No Chase, stay here:


Don't worry Uncle Paul, I'll hold him:


Oops:


Ok, let's try this sitting down:


This is the best we're gonna get:


And a bonus photo of the birthday girl:

Girls, Girls, Girls

I think Chase and I can expect a few visits from Master Bates in the coming years, maybe to play catch, maybe to wrestle, because his house is going to be overrun with females.
Mrs. Bates is pregnant and the Bates clan is adding a new little girl to their brood in December.
Cayla is ecstatic to have a baby sister as she looks forward to making bottles, changing diapers, wiping tushies and applying butt paste.
We're all thrilled for them as well.

Reason Why I Love Mrs. Poop #415,769

On her first Halloween my niece Cayla was a butterfly, because Mrs. Bates loves butterflies.





On her first Halloween my niece Jenna was a sunflower, because Step On Me loves sunflowers.



Because Chase is already a baby, Mrs. Poop dressed Chase up this year as something I love.

Silly Hats

Mama and Papa Poop recently traveled to Alaska. She spent every day shopping and came back with these ridiculous hats for her very put upon grandchildren.

Kidstock

Mrs. Poop and I spent Sunday with our nieces, Cayla and Jenna (and their parents) in Central Park for a concert. A free concert by Laurie Berkner. If you've never heard of her, you will. Someday. I must admit I was very wrong. I expected 2,000 - 3,000 people. There were that many people named "Madison."




Cayla got to the park at around 10am because she wanted to get a good spot, and then the rest of us snuck in right before the concert started. Laurie came on at about 1, and her first song was an Izzie favorite, "Victor Vito." Victor Vito is the story of two polar bears on a trip around the United States discovering the local food like rice and beans (in New Mexico), tobasco (in New Orleans) and spaghetti (in New York). But they also discover themselves.

Note: links on song titles will direct you to the music video from noggin. It will launch a windows media player but you will have to sit through a ten second open before the song starts.




The second song was the club banger, "Bumblebee (Buzz Buzz)." This song is sort of like "Ruff Ryderz Anthem" for kids. But instead of 6 idiots jumping around in 920 Ackerman, there were 6000 toddlers jumping around in Central Park. And instead of "Stop! Drop! Shut em down open up shop," there is "buzz buzz buzz-buzz-buzz, buzz buzz buzz-buzz!"

They also played a Cayla favorite "Catch You," which she sang while running away from Aunt Step On Me. Mrs. Poop likes this song because on Thursday you are supposed to have yourself a nurse day.

We also heard the educational "We are the Dinosaurs" which teaches kids about prehistoric creatues and the possible ramifications of global warming, as well as how to march, for those children who aspire to military careers. Whaddya think of that?

Then came my least favorite song, "Let's Go Swimming." Before this song, if you said to Cayla "Let's Go..." she would reply "Mets!." But this song ruined all of that. Now if you try it she says "SWIMMING!" Fish don't take showers. And noses and toeses don't rhyme. Well, they do rhyme but only because toeses isn't a word.

One of the last songs is appropriately title "Pig on Her Head." I think you can figure that one out.

More Jumping

Spent Sunday with my adorable little niece (Cayla, I have 2 now) at her brand new house. We took a dip in the pool. She loves watching people dive off the diving board. She also likes to be picked up in the air and splashed back down into the water. Each time she says "more jumping."
We also got her to do a couple "let's go..." "Mets!"
And Yankees "boo!"
Their new house is awesome, in addition to the pool they have four bedrooms upstairs, a beautiful kitchen with an island (which I love) and an office and den downstairs. And also Cayla has her own playroom, of course.
Apparently, Nails will be visiting this weekend. I'm sure he'll have a great time teaching her how to say "shots!"

Dueling Caylas

My brother and my sister-in-law dressed their daughter up in two very cute Halloween costumes. Use the comments section to vote for your favorite Cayla.