Munchkin turns 2

Blog What an eventful week it has been. Tuesday we celebrated Giovanni turning two and took him to Jones Beach for the first time. He was so adorable pulling his wagon filled with sand toys all the way, while telling us to run and hurry up to see the water.  "I go swimming momma! Run daddy!!!"  It was just about lunch time too and Steven and I were starving but of course toddlers want to do what they want when they want, so we were not hungry and no eating according to him! He very willingly got into his bathing suit and let me apply sunscreen with no resistance and then bee lined for the water. To me it was chilly but he didn't care and started jumping, splashing, and telling me to swim with him (which meant laying on my belly and kicking). The great thing about toddlers is that if you tell them to show you how to do something a few times they quickly forget about you doing it.  After about thirty or forty minutes of "swimming" Giovanni had started shivering and lips chattering, but he insisted, "No cold momma, I swimming. No get out!!!!"  At times you just have to bribe them to do what is better for them. For this I used yogurt and cuddles (two of his favorite things), which he refused to my surprise. So daddy said he'd build a sandcastle with him. This surprisingly worked and together they dig a hole.  Being a extremely hot day the little munchkin began getting tired and was out like a light shortly after. When he awoke it was all smiles as he realized that he was still at the beach and was still able to go swimming again. He was do excited that he gave me his new swimsuit and water diaper and made it quite clear that he wanted it on and to go in the water to join daddy....NOW!!! It is amazing how fast a two year old can move with such short legs when they want to. Giovanni had for the most part dressed himself (and insisted little help from momma), gave me the sunscreen while standing arms opened to be sprayed, then took off running towards the ocean. No fear, hesitation, or care in the world just for the pure joy of splashing in the cool ocean water. Running close to the water and screeching with excitement as the waves approached. Then running away yelling "they get me momma, the water get me!!!" a game that he came up with the first  time at a lake, now a must whenever there is moving water involved. Soon this turned into being a little more daring and going up to his knees before the waves hit and screeching once again with excitement as the cool water splashed up his torso. He got knocked down a few times while he wasn't quite ready for the strengthen of the waves "No push Giomanni down water. Not nice!" Yet at the same time he was back out there up to his knees waiting for the next big wave to come.  Ahh the wonder of being a toddler and all it has to offer.  Of course then came the time to leave the beach and head into the city to see the lights, train, and wonder it holds for such a curious little man.