Joshua decided tonight that our couch was just a little too plain-looking.  While I was cooking dinner, Josh was playing nicely & quietly (or so I thought).  I went to get him when things were ready to eat, only to discover that he’d found a ball-point pen in the toy box & was coloring all over one of his books, the couch, & his (new) shirt.  He was playing happily until I pried the pen from his hand, at which point the little guy threw a fit.  He then refused to eat dinner—at least initially.  Now he’s in bed & I’m online researching how to remove ink stains from fabric…

Other than tonight, things have been fairly normal since we’ve gotten back, with the exception of frequent power outages from the weather.  Fortunately, they haven’t lasted longer than a few hours at a time but they’ve come at bad times (as if blackouts can really come at a good time).  Last night, I’d just put dinner in the pre-heated oven when the electricity shut off.  I hadn’t had time to fully restock the kitchen so all we had needed some sort of power to heat up, & Joshua started asking for food.  After distracting Josh with a few puffs & raisins, the power eventually came back on & dinner plans proceeded as before.  Even though we haven’t even been back in Maryland for a week, I’m already looking forward to leaving (sorry to those of you who live here & love it—I’m a wimp in regards to inclement weather).  Less than a year until Erick graduates & we may get transferred elsewhere.

We went to the park down the street to meet friends for a playdate at the carousel.  Joshua enjoyed riding a horse & zebra, however his little friend Will did not.  Will hadn’t been on a carousel before & it seems he’s got awhile to get used to the idea of one.  Later, the boys played on the crowded playground & managed not to get run over too many times by the big kids.  Today, we went to another spouse’s house for a SSC event & Josh tried his best to destroy her house.  He’s such a curious little boy—to a fault!  The host didn’t mind his curiosity & said it was a good babyproofing lesson for her 4-month-old.  Maybe I should rent him out…