I had no idea today was Fasching Tuesday (or Fat Tuesday to all you Americans). There was people everywhere wearing all kinds of costumes, confetti everywhere, lots of kids in strollers. I knew it was “Fasching” time, but forgot that there’s a specific Tuesday for it to go with. I wanted to go to Hertie to pick up supplies to make stuff for Michael’s birthday tomorrow, but because of the holiday, everything closed early. At least Tenglemann’s was open so that I could get my normal supplies. I have to go to Hertie to get the special chocolate cake mix and taco supplies.

Michael asked for cupcakes for his birthday and I decided to embellish it with chicken salad sandwiches for lunch and tacos for dinner. What a feast day!

We had a funny incident coming out of the train station. I was waiting for the escalator with the stroller - it’s one of those two way ones and right as I was about to get on, these two guys get on coming down (I was trying to go up). I was waiving my hands telling them not to get on, and they obviously saw me with the stroller, but they decided to get on anyways. This guy behind me was so mad at them for getting on and even yelled at them and pointed to my stroller. The guys were like “whatever, we have just as much right to be here”. They didn’t even try to quickly off the escalator, they just stood there. So the angry guy pulled the emergency brake to force them to walk down. Kind of shocking. And then he scowled at them as he went up. But then, I didn’t know how to turn it back on!!! So now I couldn’t even go up, I had to go up another escalator across the street. The guy felt kind of bad, but he meant well. People are usually courteous with me and the stroller and don’t usually get on, so I’m thinking these people are tourists who don’t understand the system. One of them even stood on the left hand side, so they’re probably American!

I’ve been having a fun time with the boys. For a few days, especially since I was sick last week, I haven’t been able to pay much attention to them, so they’ve been kind of cranky and demanding. But the last two days have been pleasant for the most part. There have been several small breakthroughs. One is that they are starting to get really good with using utensils. They always insist on having a fork even when they are eating cheerios. When they were eating rice, I noticed that Elijah has learned that he can get more food if he holds the bowl with one hand and scoop with the other. Big milestone!!! They also say some words really cute like “rice” is “wice” and “cereal” is “so-we-o” (or maybe it’s cheerios). “ear” is “oer”. “hair” is “hoer”. I’m trying to do less “free play” since that seems to make them frustrated more than anything. This morning we went down to the basement and they rode their cars. They haven’t done that in awhile so they really enjoyed it. Other days we play with water - scooping it out from one pot into another. They are getting good with drinking it as well from a normal cup. Only minimal spillage. Although AFTER they’re drinking is when the problem is. They get all nonchalant with the cup that still has the water in it and spill it all over the floor. So I only give them little bits of water in the cup, and I make them stay in the kitchen when they drink it. It really is improving their drinking skills. We also watch TV every day, sad to say. They really love the Baby Einstein “Neighborhood Animals” DVD. They love all the animals and repeat the words. Every time the DVD is finished, they both clap!

I also introduced them to the world of PEZ! I bought a couple of dispensers - one of Nemo and one of Buzz Lightyear. I figure since they’ve seen the movies, they might like it. Well, they LOVED it. I make them “pet” Nemo and say “hi” before they get a PEZ. And for Buzz, I make them say “To infinity, and beyond!” That one’s harder, but they are oh so willing to say it. I give them like 3 pieces a day, after they’re done with a meal. The first time Elijah was so mad that I took it away, but now he knows that he’ll only get one or two at a time and is ok with “Nemo” saying goodbye. It’s so cute to see their faces light up when I say “I think Nemo’s coming!” It’s weird though because they’ll say “Mo-Ne” and not “Nemo”. They both do it.

In knitting news, I’ve started Michael’s socks, but had to “frog” it (take it apart) 3 stinking times now. I’m so mad! First it was too big, then it was still to big, then it was too small, now hopefully it will be big enough but not too big. The problem was that I wasn’t knitting enough of the pattern to see if it will go around his heel. The ribbing is very big and stretchy, but the pattern kind of condenses everything so you have to knit a good ways before you know if it will be ok or not. Bummer. I did do a swatch too, but because of the way the pattern is knit, I thought it was out of whack, but it wasn’t. Arrrgh. This happened the last time too. The red socks I made for Michael a few months ago I had to re-do like 3 times. I hate this pattern!