Pumpkins at the Park

We went to the Wild Animal Park today with our neighbors and friends. Every October, they have "Pumpkins at the Park" where they have crafts and decorations and various pumpkin themed exhibits and shows. We didn't really focus on the Halloween aspect of the park since we were there to see the animals.

Will's been learning a lot of new words and concepts lately. I think I've mentioned that. Let's see how he puts these things together, shall we?

In the morning, we made lunch. Will announced, "Stool. Help". He got his stool and stood at the kitchen counter ready to help. I got out the stuff for sandwiches. He pointed and said, "Turkey. Cheese." Who knew he could say "turkey". Not me.

One of the first animals we visited was the elephants. The baby elephant had some business to take care of as we were looking at him. Will said, "Poop!" I confirmed that, yes, the elephant was pooping. Will looked down at him and yelled, "WASH!" while making a wash hands motion. I guess that lesson has been learned.

Later on, we visited a "Halloween carnival". Will played some carnival games. One of them was finding the right key to open a closet/outhouse door. Once open, something "Halloween" was inside. The one he opened had a witch in it...the motion sensing, scary sound making kind. She spookily said, "Trick or Treat". When I asked him what he saw at the Wild Animal Park today during dinner, he told me "Witch. Trick Treat" Umm...what about the animals we saw, Will?

As soon as we pulled up to the park, Will was shouting out, "MONKEY!" He has recently learned this word and has been asking to go see the monkeys for a while now. We visited the monkeys. I asked him what the monkey was doing. He said, "hang". Indeed.

Will is sure to tell you the "roar" (lion) was sleeping (insert snoring sounds) on a "rock tower".

We visited the gorillas last. Our favorite. Will was captivated by them. He kept saying, "HI!" and trying to tickle them and give them "high fives". Then he grew concerned when he turned and said, "Mommy. Chew tree." The gorillas were munching on some branches. Will said, "Eww!" Agreed. But we're not going to fight the gorillas on that one.

He wore his undies the whole day. No problem.

And, in case you were wondering, child #2 made sure his/her presence was known during the day as well, including a nap-time full of kicking/nudging. They're already conspiring against me.

phone calls and lyrics

Mommy's phone rang right at 7am this morning, just as Will and Mommy were waking up. It was a call from East Timor! We haven't had much luck with phone calls since they are always really scratchy and filled with background announcements and alarms on the ship. This time, though, Mommy could actually hear Daddy. But, the phone call wasn't for her. After retrieving sleepy-head Will from his bed, Mommy and Will cuddled under the covers while Will talked to Daddy on the phone.

Words can't even described how much Will's face lit up when he heard Daddy's voice. He kept saying, "HI!" "Daddy?!" "Muv!" He spent the rest of the day saying, "Daddy! Muv Will!", and pointing to Daddy on the world map that adorns our entry-way.

What a way to start a Saturday.

After breakfast and a shower, Mom and Will headed over to the outlets for some new sneakers for the boy. Apparently, his feet have been growing. It took a while, but the lady finally found the pair Will wanted in his size. At 2 years old, he already has very distinct fashion tastes. He could not be swayed from this particular pair of shoes. Thank goodness the lady was patient and looked in her inventory.

As I've mentioned before, Will's been adding to his vocabulary almost hourly. Recently he has told Mom, "Undies bunchy"...our first wedgie introduction. He's also really paying attention the the lyrics of songs, both kid-songs and radio songs. Here he is, performing his version of "Complete the Lyrics: Toddler style".



In other news, it appears as of now that we will be moving to Quantico, VA next year. More details to come, but we are excited to be closer to "home" as a family of four! We should find out who number 4 is on November 16th...so stay tuned.

A Shellback

Dear Megan and WillBlog,

Today I took place in a crossing the Equator ceremony called “WOG DAY”. Wog day is when your ship crosses the equator and all the Marines and Sailors that haven’t crossed the equator before get treated like the scum of the sea. Translation: I was a “Pollywog” when I woke up this morning at 5:30 and was told to put my desert cammies on, inside out and backwards. Then I had to put my green shirt on over my cammie top, all so inside out and backwards, tuck my pants into my green socks and put my running shoes on. What an outfit.

First: We crawled every ware we went, pushing our breakfast across the floor with out heads. Ohh, eating it along the way… 50ft to the trash can.
Second: Duck walking through the ship to the hanger bay 100ft away, while quacking like a duck…
Third: Singing songs at the top of our lungs to the already shell backs…
Fourth: They put us on the hanger bay elevator while the shell backs were spraying us with salt water from their fire hoses…
Filth: The shell backs put us through different events like:

1- Blowing water out of the padocks which are the anchors on the ships decks used to chain down the aircraft
2- Singing more songs while waiting for the next event
3- Paddling in a rowboat full of green dye
4- Crawling through a lard filled tarp tunnel
5- Trying to stop an impossible leak in a long pipe with just our hands
6- Conducting PT with fire fighting gear on. Push ups and sit ups


After all of the wog day events we finally got to meet King Neptune “the ruler of the raging main” one individual in our group was asked a trivia question to release us from the wrath of the almighty shell backs… After the third individual finally got a question right we got to be cleansed in a dye filled rowboat. Once we were clean, we were pronounced newly recognized Shell Backs of the USS Bonhomme Richard.


This is one of the Navy’s proud traditions.

I have only one question. Is Walter Trainor a pollywog or a shell back?

Love,

Daddy

Sgt. Josh Platenik

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Dear Josh,

Great Grandpa confirmed that he is, in fact, still a pollywog and plans to remain so. Congrats on your new status. We miss you and love you.

Love,

your family

Happy Birthday, Joey!

Hard to believe that Joey is 7 already! We didn't make it to the actual birthday party, which we hear was a smashing success with a water slide, really cool Star Wars cake, and lots of friends, but Will and Mom headed over to Joey's for dinner after the party. It was a nice, relaxing dinner and the boys got to play a bit before bedtime. I was actually able to get all 3 in a fairly decent picture...after a few attempts. Will and Jesse were sitting next to each other already, so Joey quickly dashed over and told the boys to look at Megan. He was very helpful getting the boys smiling and looking. When thanked for his help, he replied, "Yeah, I'm good at pictures." A humble 7 year old.

Will learned to say "Joe" and "Jackie" and spent the whole way home saying, "Jackie, cake!" Apparently, if you give the kid cake, he will learn your name and remember you for your good deed. Thanks for a fun and relaxing evening!

Fire Prevention Week

Did you know last week was fire prevention week? Will did! On Saturday, we went to the San Marcos Fire Department's open house. Will got to sit in all the trucks, wear firefighter clothes, practice his stop, drop, and roll technique, and high five Sparky, the fire dog.

It was like little boy heaven. Until the tantrum at the end. Could have used a hose to put that one out.

Will got an email

Dear Daddy,

Thank you for the nice email and picture. You are soooo cool! I muv the a-do and Daddy on the boat, to wook.

Love,

Will

Three Seasons of Pumpkins

Why don't we take a little walk down Pumpkin Memory Lane?

Will was 1 month old the first time he visited a pumpkin patch. It was the pumpkin patch, The Pickin' Patch in Avon, CT. No other pumpkin patch has ever come close to that one.

Then, last year, he was 13 months and a new walker when we went to Bate's Nut Farm for Luciano's birthday.

Today, we went to a small pumpkin patch/stand in San Marcos after Stroller Strides. It was tough to get pictures because Will was highly distracted by the golden oldies music blaring from the speakers at the pumpkin patch. [video to come] They have a small petting zoo with goats, chickens and bunnies, a few small carnival rides and a bunch of bounce houses/bounce slides. Will's new word of the day: puh-kah! *translation: pumpkin*

Will and his buddies, Jack and Mason, rode the rides, bounced in the house, pet the animals and enjoyed a Friday morning at the pumpkin stand.

Will simply cannot wait for the holidays this year. He's already made a "ho-ho lisssssst", looked at "ho ho trees", read some books about "gobble gobble" and, most importantly, learned to say "Happy Halloween" and "Trickertreat" [that is all one word to you]. He can tell you that he's going to be an "ah-do" for Halloween and that he has an "ah-do hat and shirt". The new words just keep flowing from his mouth lately, and there is pretty much nothing that he cannot repeat.

From the Boat

Daddy sent these pictures from the middle of the ocean. It's actually tonight's sunset, so try to wrap your brain around that one. He's a day ahead of us now. Hello from the middle of the ocean! We miss you and muve you!

Blanket Statement

We have plenty of receiving blankets. Will was nice enough to show you. All. Of. Them.

When asked who got all the blankets out, Will made Snuggles take the blame. Oh, Snuggles, such a trouble-maker!

Dream Big, Aim High

A Day at the Gardens

First, before you notice this:

Will fought the law playground, and the law playground won last night. Those playgrounds sure are built out of tough material as Will checked out the post that holds it into the ground with his head last night. He'll tell you it was a "bonk, ow". Forgotten by morning, yet still visible.

This morning, Mom had a flu shot appointment very early. Luckily, though, it was the first Tuesday of the month which meant the Quail Botanical Gardens is free, and Mom and Will have been meaning to go there again. Laurie joined us for our morning adventure and off we went. Mom was a bit nervous to have such an outing in undies since it was our first time doing an all day outing sans diaper, but Will is amazing. No accidents, no problems. Undies all the way!

The Gardens recently built a brand new children's garden, complete with giant tree house and musical discovery area. Will had a blast exploring everything, playing music and sitting in the giant Adirondack chairs. After a picnic lunch, we checked out the bamboo forest where Will ran around shouting, "Bamboooo!!!!", and frantically pointing to the sign showing a panda eating bamboo leaves. Actually, he made sure to stop and check out all the signs throughout the gardens, and run his finger over the words while babbling on and on to us. Apparently, we should read the information more, so he took care of it.

We had a great morning at the Gardens followed by a great nap. Josh called during naptime, so that added to the nice day (for Mom), despite the bad connection. We miss you, Daddy! Muv you!