So last week Atticus had a hard time going to sleep and then decided to wake up at 5 a.m. to boot. We tried unsuccessfully to get him back to sleep and I decided to give him a little juice and let him play with his puzzles and books quietly in his room. When he and I lived in the apartment in Huntsville we had to turn the knob around on his door as he liked to go out and explore while I was asleep. We did the same when we got back home since our house has 3 levels and he can be quite the rascal. Well, after I delivered the juice and got him settled in, I climbed back into bed and dozed back off next to a sleeping Justin. At some point in the future our bedroom door flew up and Atticus came running in holding a banana. Apparently I had forgotten to lock his door. He climbed up on the bed and said “Mama! want banana!” “Help, want banana! Need help, banana!” I was too stunned to do anything except peel the banana. Justin said “He has a banana, they’re downstairs!” I said “on the counter downstairs!”. I think he had a blast exploring while we were asleep. We found his juice cup by the computer where he attempted to start up his game. The barstools (which are now in the shed) were pushed together where he could climb onto the counter and the bunch of bananas were in the middle of the kitchen floor. We’re very lucky he didn’t get hurt or eat something that could have made him sick. However, we’re also proud of him for being so independent. We sure love our clever little boy.
So this weekend we were visiting TN as Justin had to work most of the weekend. Atticus loved it because he got to play with his cousins and with the rain he got to play in the mud and puddles. He has a pair of rubber wading boots that he absolutely loves. I think he would wear them to bed if I let him. I told him that since he had on his boots that he could splash in the puddles. He wasn’t too sure at first (I think he was expecting a time out the minute he stepped in). He carefully walked to the middle of the puddle. Then all at once he lifted his feet and stomped as hard as he could. The more muddy water that splashed on him the more he stomped. He had so much fun splashing.
The next day we were out walking (in our boots of course) and he took off running straight into the freshly plowed garden. Keep in mind it had JUST rained 4 inches of rain and local valleys were flooding. The garden was very wet. He made about 4 steps and the mud lake consumed his feet. He was sinking so fast that I ran (in my sneakers no less) out to get him and I had mud part of the way up my legs. My feet were completely buried in the mud. If you look - you will see several little holes that go straight into the garden followed by big holes. Then the big holes make a u coming back out of the garden (carrying the little rascal that made the little holes).
Houdini Atticus — Atticus was having a very hard time going to sleep Saturday night. He ate a very good dinner and had his bath but just could not slow down enough to go to sleep. Mom and I decided to ride him around a little because if he’s tired that usually helps him go on to sleep. He had on his pjs, a long sleeved shirt and long pants. It was very dark outside and my parents live WAY out in the country. No street lights to be found anywhere. So, we just drove around the country roads for a while. I even got to see my first commercial chicken house. Anyway, we were unable to see him in his carseat but we could hear him fidgeting around. He kept pulling at his clothes and grunting but we just figured he was fighting sleep. At long last he fell asleep. As we pulled onto Mom’s carport the outside light shined into my car and his bare legs were shining in the light. I could not believe my eyes. His carseat was securely fastened, quite snug I might add. I said — “he took his pants off!” My Mom said, “surely he didn’t take them all the way off, maybe they’re just pushed way up.” I pulled a pants leg that was hanging out and out came the pants. No rips, no tears — fully intact. We still have no idea how he did it. Maybe he’s the young David Copperfield?
