Toddler-mpics

I had no idea the 2016 Summer Olympics would affect our life so greatly. Now I’m only being slightly facetious here. I love the Olympics and find myself a little lost now that I don’t have a new series of events to cheer for every night. Maybe I’ll get into bed before 1am now. Yeah right.How else did the Olympics change us this year?Well, Bubba thinks he’s an Olympian. What sport or event, you ask? All of them. He definitely excels at running. Running circles around the island in the evenings, that is. I can’t believe he doesn’t get dizzy and fall over half the time. He makes me dizzy just watching him. I’m guessing he’ll be a distance runner because that boy can run for.ev.er. Then it becomes a relay: “Mommy follow me! Daddy, Follow me!” That kitchen island is much smaller when you’re jogging after a toddler repeatedly.Does he specialize in other events? Why yes, he does. The few that come to mind are:Lap racing: see above. I hear Follow me in my sleep. It’s amazing I don’t sleep-walk follow.Peek-a-boo shotput: Never heard of it? That’s ok. I’ll enlighten you. This is when the athlete finds a ball or anything of a projectile-type-weight and hurls it as hard and as far as he can, unexpectedly. It makes for matrix-like reactions from the fans, diving to protect the tiny one, and a mad dash to hide every-ball-with-weight-you-can-find. Did I ever mention that Oma & Daddio gave Bubba a ball pit for Christmas 2 years ago? (No joke, best gift ever- he still loves it) Yet, it has 600 balls in it. Let that sink in.Jumping: Yup. Just jumping. Off of everything.Coffee table: 7.5,Steps 9.0,Thomas Train Toy: 4 He falls off of this one more often than not. Would that be considered a fault? I don’t know, I’m still learning the rules.Guess what, we’re getting better at jumping!Olympic Repeating: This is when the athlete takes a deep breath and shouts the name of a loved one repeatedly until he runs out of air. He then sucks another huge breath in, and starts again. The Olympic record for this event is 19 Mommys. Soon to be broken, I’m sure.Sister Squishing: All of a sudden he’s a 10-hug-an-hour-kid. But only for Little Bear. Mommy wants a hug, sorry- disqualified!Talking Back: This may be his strongest event. At least the one he’s most practiced in, recently. Hopefully, he finds another passion soon. We (as parents) just need to stay the course in discipline here.Mess Making: This final event is the culmination of the Toddler Olympics- Toddlermpics It is the longest event usually spanning 4-5 hours and involves all of the toys, several sets of snack crumbs, some spoons, and a few clothing items. I may have misinformed you earlier, this may be his strongest event. We know he’s well prepared, he’s been making messes since he figured out how to use his hands.I think I need one of those “excuse the mess” signs. No qualifier. Just Excuse the Mess. It’s here and so are we.So far, the Toddlermpics have been fun but I have an odd feeling they’re going to last longer than the two week Summer Olympics. That’s okay- I get to have several attire changes: his favorite colors change about every 3 hours. Gotta support the team.Do you know anyone who excels in these events? Any of your own to add?Be Great,M