Ivan does not like strawberries. He loves apples. I was feeding him strawberry pieces and to show him how delicious they were I ate one saying “yum.” He looked at me and smiled wide. He picked up a strawberry piece and held it up towards my mouth. I took it and ate it. He proceeded to give me all the remaining strawberry pieces until he had only apple chunks left on his plate. Problem of what to do with that unwanted strawberry was solved.

You know the parent trick of sniffing a baby’s bum to determine the need for a new diaper. It is never really pleasant, but it is effective. I have a new work around. I call in the big sister and say, “Ezri, can you sniff Ivan’s bum and tell me if he smells poopy?” Ezri is quite good at this big sister job. Just as effective / less malodorous for me. Why didn’t I think of this months ago?

Look carefully and you can find both Ivan and his big sister playing in this castle.