If ever a kid had a roller-coaster emotional personality, that kid is John Paul. His highs are so high and his lows are very low. And regularly there are milliseconds between those highs and lows. (Maybe, hopefully this is just a symptom of being two).
Mostly, John Paul's personality centres around his chatterbox. We're told he surpasses his age in his ability to talk, but truthfully who knows. But he does talk. A lot. All the time.
In addition to repeating everything Joseph says, just in case we didn't hear it the first time, John Paul loves to repeat anything remotely funny (or not) ad nauseam. Stuff like "ketchup fart" become the most hilarious things. Oft repeated phrases include, "Want _____ (cereal/milt, watch Thomas, etc.) NOW." Anything worth saying is worth saying emphatically. And he issues demands like a dictator.
John Paul's vocabulary has as sweeter side too, of course. "I'm like you!" he repeats often, cuddling up to me. He also really likes M&M's and juice, though, so I'm not quite sure where I stand on the totem pole.
He has recently mastered his own name. For a long time, he called himself "Paul," but in the last week or so he's come out with "Jun Paul" and is incredibly proud of himself. And since he knows who he's named for, he often tells us he's "Pope Jun Paul!"
Our kids are currently on a huge Thomas the Tank Engine and Veggie Tales kick. It's perfectly normal to hear Joseph ask John Paul, "Do you want to sing a whole Veggie Tales CD?" And they do. Or for John Paul to request us to join in with his singing of "Bump, bump, bump, bump" otherwise known as the tuba prelude to the Veggie Tales theme song ("If you like to talk to Tomatoes..."). Another favourite is Barbara Manatee, when John Paul likes to repeat Bob's line, "What doing Laylee?"
During Holy Week we watched part of the Ten Commandments with the kids. Ever since, there's been an ensuing argument between Joseph and John Paul over who is stronger, Moses or Joshua. Emphatic as ever, John Paul insists "Moses strong Joshua."
Just recently, John Paul has begun to play and entertain himself. It's both a blessing and curse. As long as he's left uninterrupted he will play happily, lining up Magna Tiles, or driving his favourite little concrete mixer and other machines. All HE-double-hockey-sticks ensues, however, when Joseph breaks in to show him how something's "supposed" to be done.
We bought John Paul some toy food for his birthday. One of his favourite past-times is pulling out utensils and pots/lids/containers from the kitchen and cooking up food. Not only do we now have the advantage of someone to bring us food whenever we're hungry, but we can just eat it right off the living-room floor where it has taken up permanent residence. That is to say, he loves it!
On one hand, John Paul has been an incredibly difficult child most (all) of his short life. We've often joked that perhaps we should have given him a patron saint with a little less temper and clout in Heaven; maybe then he wouldn't be such a determined and obstinate child? But with great sacrifice (on our part) comes great reward. He is so full of life, laughter, and personality. He keeps us on our toes and laughing openly or trying to stifle laughter at his craziness. Joseph and John Paul, despite the obvious quarrels of normal brotherly love, are the best of friends.
We all love this little man so, so much! Happy birthday, little "Jun Paul."
