Isaac's language skills are coming along very nicely.  He says quite a few words and recognizes probably 500 or 1000 words he can't say (though it is very hard to be precise about that second number).  Smilodon, for example, he knows right away (that is the scientific name for the sabertooth tiger).  He also knows his name.  We will play this game where he points to each of us, ending on Isaac.  He almost always gets them all right, even his own name, by pointing to himself.

So Sunday night I decided to throw him a curveball.  We did "Mom", "Dad", and then "Isaac" and his little chubby finger went to all of the right places. Then I asked him "Where's Stink-a-link (one of his many nicknames)?"  Without a second's hesitation he pointed directly to....ME.

He is working on a new trick for his grandparents, so we may debut it soon, like hopefully around Thanksgiving.

At this age, about 17 months, Isaac is not QUITE as excited by Santa as Mom and Dad are, nonetheless he tolerated us as we talked to him incessantly about the "Big Guy" all week.  We were trying to scope out the perfect Santa and there were two competitors--Natick and Burlington.  Both had nice set ups.  Both had real beard Santas (is there any other way, really?).  So the tie breaker was which was more convenient.

I called Burlington on Friday and here is the transcript of the conversation:

ME: Is Santa there yet?
Bored Lady on the Other End: Yes, sir.  He has arrived.
ME: AWESOME!
ME: What are his hours?
Bored Lady: An hour before mall hours and closes 30 minutes before we do.
ME: GREAT!
Bored Lady: Is that all sir?
ME: YES! You made my day.

In hindsight I recognize that I was probably a little too excited, but hey, this is Isaac and Santa.  What is not to get excited about?  Right?  Right?

Oh wait.  Isaac wasn't exactly thrilled about Santa this time around.  Here is the shot:

Everyone was pretty happy, especially me, as you can tell.  Everyone that is, but our serious sam, Isaac Anthony.

Isaac Anthony didn't want Santa to try any of his elf tricks on him.  Isaac was not impressed by all of the snow and jingle bells.  He was not taken in by the free candy cane, or the fake reindeer.  Isaac was serious.  He wasn't impressed by the Big Guy, because Isaac Anthony, like the Honey Badger, doesn't give a shit. 

I love that kid.   

Last Thursday Isaac was sick.  He is better now, but he didn't really feel all that great, so Dad stayed home with him.  Unfortunately it was raining and I didn't really want to take him out, so we stayed inside all day.  I am not sure how to explain it, but 9 hours straight, inside with a sick toddler is an entirely different kind of cabin fever.

Despite being sick Isaac was still very mobile.  Here is a brief list of the things he figure out how to do:

1. Open the doors to the fireplace
2. Flush the toilet
3. Turn on the burner on the oven (just the gas, he couldn't light it....AGH)
4. Pull the vacuum cleaner around

Here is a video of him getting PISSED at the vacuum:



All in all it was a trying day as this kid is still a bundle of energy even when under the weather.  He felt better the next day and is positively bouyant now.