SUPER WEDGIE

Laughing at Little Boy Lingo

It has been so long since I have documented the cute funnies of my boys.  These are things you SWEAR you will never forget but life gets busy and sweet memories can be fleeting.  I'm going to commit to a post remembering sweet silly things they say at least every month.

Andrew is anxiously awaiting the arrival of his baby brother or sister!  He loves to talk to the baby through the well known sound system directly to the womb...my belly button.  He routinely says "hi baby, goodnight baby, are you a girl baby or a boy baby?"  On March 30th we will have a sonogram to finally answer his question.

Mason asked me recently if he could be in the delivery room when the baby is born.  I told him he could be there until just before and immediately after the baby is born but probably not durring, I explained it is a bit private and a little bloody and messy (something he admittedly would rather avoid).  This lead to questions about the birth process.  He was so cute and inquisitive and ended the conversation saying, "So this is more for when I am a husband?"  I agreed.  He is such a smart boy!

Andrew had a kids meal one night when we were eating Dairy Queen for dinner.  He left his toy surprise for me...

He said he knew green was my favorite color so he thought I would like to snuggle this green Teddy bear.

I fell asleep early that night and Andrew came downstairs to kiss me goodnight.  He tucked the little green bear under my arm then kissed me on the cheek.  Of course I woke up when he did this and I hugged and squeezed his sweet little face!

I love these boys so much and can't wait for another sweet little face to kiss in August :-)

Summer is fleeting...

We have had a GREAT summer! We went to Six Flags, church camp, water parks and Colorado. I don't know what more we possibly could have done. We enjoyed every bit of it! Our trip to Colorado was without Daddy this time but we still had a blast even though we missed him. We turned Aunt Laura, Uncle Jake, Josh and Brooke into Geo caching nerds. If you haven't heard about this fun family activity I suggest you check it out.

Here we are waiting for the July 4th fireworks to begin.

Getting ready to take off on our roller coaster!

Self portrait during our flight to Denver. I think Andrew had a mouthful of peanuts!

I hope their summer was special for them. Lots of adventures together and secrets shared.

As sorry as I am to see it's freedom come to an end, I am always ready for the routine of the school year. Even my boys are usually ready by the time we reach mid August. I have posted before here about how much I love school and how I always want my boys to develop that love. I know, I'm a nerd... but hey, a leopard never changes his spots!

Tiny Tot Tuesday

This morning it was just Andrew and I heading to Ms. Ronda's house so he asked if we could stop and get a donut. We stopped and I ordered him two pigs in a blanket and a chocolate donut with sprinkles. He was nibbling away in the back seat and telling me all about his Lego Star Wars characters. When I looked in the rear view mirror I could see chocolate all over his face. I told him to get a napkin and wipe his face good before we went into Ms. Ronda's house. He looked in his little white bags and told me there were no napkins. I huffed a bit and said "this is the second time they didn't give us napkins." Andrew said, "that's OK mom" and I heard him crumple up one of the little white bags. I looked in the rear view mirror just in time to see him use the crumpled up bag to wipe his face and then look up to me and say, "did I get it all mom?" I just laughed and laughed. Such and industrious little guy. Who needs a napkin when you have a paper sack? Check Mary's blog to see what the other tiny tots had to say this week.

Easter Weekend

We had a great Easter weekend. It went by so fast, but good times always do :-) We went to a WONDERFUL Good Friday service at our Methodist church in town. The youth did the service and it was phenomenal! It provoked very good questions from both of our boys and opened the opportunity for conversation about the sacrifice Christ made for us all.

We went "Easter Eggin" (as my friend April's little boy calls it...I love that too much not to say it here!) at our town Easter in the Park festivities. My kiddos love the sack races and Mason took second place this year. My camera died so I only have the one shot of Mason in action.

You gotta hold your tongue just right to win a sack race.

On Sunday morning we went to church for another wonderful service.

Don't these little guys look so handsome!

Our music minister always sings He's Alive on Easter Sunday. It makes me cry EVERY TIME! I guess I can just relate to Peter in the gospels, always wanting to put his whole heart into everything for the Lord but failing miserably sometimes. We had a nice lunch at home and hunted eggs again in the backyard, this time with money inside. It was fierce competition but once it was all done I was happy to see that both shared with each other nicely. We didn't ask them to so that made it even sweeter!

I love this picture of Andrew pulling his pants up as he runs to get some eggs! Excuse they yard...it looks like a plowed field since Mark is workingto level it out before we landscape.

Andrew was posing with his BIG Easter bunny.

The boys were so sweet they gave me an Easter bunny too. They know momma loves her chocolate...but what is wrong with this picture? (Beside the fact that I look like a line backer...what is with my GIGANTIC neck) My bunny must have shrunk! ;-)

We had a great weekend together. We hope you did too.

Look Who Has A Hole in His Smile!

I love how he had to roll down that bottom lip so we could get

a good look at that hole where his tooth used to be!

Andrew has had his first wobbly tooth for a few weeks and it finally gave way. He was so excited to finally lose a tooth. He couldn't wait to leave it for the tooth fairy. Losing teeth is when I feel like they officially become big kids...bittersweet.

One Word Wednesday

WONDER

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

Meltdown

Well, it has happened. Mason had his meltdown about his whole situation last night. He has rolled with everything so calmly...true to his personality. I knew he had to have his moment at some time, I just wasn't ready to see how emotional this all really is for him and how much he is keeping it in. We were getting in the car to pick up our pizza and Mason threw on his Heeley's and started to roll out to the car. I told him he couldn't be skating with his arm in the cast. That was it, he just unloaded and cried. He told me how much he can't do...no PE, no recess, no football, no riding his scooter, no video games, no Guitar Hero. I tried to explain to him the cast only had to be on for another 2 1/2 weeks. He then said he knew he had to do therapy for a while and still won't be able to do everything that kids get to do. I had to giggle when he said he thought getting to sit around and watch a lot of TV would be cool but now it's boring. I did my best to just listen and let him vent. What could I say, watching TV does get boring after a while. Then, from the back seat I hear Andrew say with his slight little lisp, "Bubba, I wish I could wear your cast for you". AWWW! My little guy was feeling compassion for his big brother. Don't get me wrong, my boys love each other so much, but sometimes it is obvious that Andrew gets tired of being in Mason's shadow and Mason gets tired of Andrew following behind. Normal sibling issues I suppose but it is nice to see them be there for each other when one is having a hard time. We will continue "X"ing the days on the calendar until the cast comes off. We've been playing chess, reading and having extra movie nights. Any suggestions for calm indoor activities? My creativity is zapped.

UPDATE ON MASON

MASON IS NOW ON HIS LONG ROAD TO RECOVERY. WE SAW THE HAND SURGEON (DR. HO) ON MONDAY AND SHE DECIDED TO DO SURGERY THE NEXT DAY. WE DROVE BACK IN THE WEE HOURS OF THE MORNING AND SENT OUR BABY BACK FOR HER TO FIX UP THAT FINGER. SHE SPOKE TO US AFTER THE SURGERY AND INDICATED THAT THE FINGER WAS ACTUALLY WORSE THAN SHE INITIALLY THOUGHT. THE BRANCH TRIMMERS CUT THROUGH THE BONE AND SLICED OFF A PART OF THE CARTILAGE IN THE KNUCKLE AS WELL AS CUT THROUGH THE TENDON. SHE SAID, "I DON'T KNOW HOW THE BONE WAS SLICED THROUGH AND THE NERVE AND ARTERY STAYED INTACT". I SNICKERED AND THOUGHT...I DO. :-) OUR GOD IS A GOD OF MIRACLES AND PROTECTION. I DON'T KNOW WHY IT HAD TO HAPPEN BUT I AM SO THANKFUL THE LORD WAS PROTECTING HIM AND HIS FINGER STAYED INTACT. SHE WAS ABLE TO REPAIR EVERYTHING, NOW WE WAIT AND SEE HIS HEALING PROGRESS, THERAPY AND GROWTH OF THAT BONE SINCE THE GROWTH PLATE WAS CUT THROUGH, THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT RISK THAT IT MAY SHUT DOWN.
FOR THE NEXT 4 WEEKS IT MEANS HE IS ON EXTREMELY LIMITED ACTIVITY. HE CANNOT STRAIN THAT ARM. SHE SAID HE CAN'T EVEN PICK UP HIS BACKPACK WITH THAT ARM. THE PIN IN HIS FINGER CANNOT BE DISTURBED. THE INCISION IS CLOSED UP IN THE CAST SO WE CANNOT CLEAN IT. HE CANNOT EVEN GIT A BIT SWEATY INSIDE THERE FOR RISK OF INFECTION SO HE CAN'T EVEN GET OUT IN THE SUN. I AM THANKFUL IT IS OCTOBER AND COOLER WEATHER IS HERE FOR NOW. ONCE WE MAKE IT THROUGH THE NEXT 4 WEEKS AND THE CAST IS REMOVED, THERAPY WILL BEGIN. HIS ENTIRE HAND WILL BE STIFF SINCE ALL FOUR FINGERS ARE ENCASED IN THE CAST TO ENSURE THAT FINGER HEALS PROPERLY. HE WILL BE VERY STIFF AND WE WILL HAVE THE "NO PAIN, NO GAIN" ATTITUDE AROUND HERE. DR. HO WILL THEN MONITOR THE GROWTH OF THAT FINGER FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS TO SEE IF THE BONE GROWS NORMALLY OR ADDITIONAL SURGERY WILL BE REQUIRED.
THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR YOUR PRAYERS. WE HAVE FELT THEM AND KNOW THE LORD HAS HEARD THEM. PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY THAT HIS RECOVER STAYS ON TRACK AND WE DON'T EXPERIENCE ANY SETBACKS. WE WILL NEED TO BE STRUCTURED, OBEDIENT AND DISCIPLINED TO GET THE BEST RESULTS SO PLEASE PRAY THE LORD WILL GIVE US ALL WE NEED IN THESE AREAS.
ON A LIGHTER NOTE, MASON GETS TO SIT AND WATCH TV MOST OF THE DAY, NOT SOMETHING BY BOYS GET TO DO FOR MORE THAN A COUPLE OF HOURS ON SATURDAYS AND MAYBE AN HOUR DURING THE WEEK. MASON ALREADY WANTS SOME SORT OF ABDOMINAL BELT THAT WORKS YOUR ABS WHILE YOU JUST SIT THERE. I GUESS HE IS A PRIME TARGET FOR INFOMERCIALS RIGHT NOW. I'LL MAKE SURE HE DOESN'T HAVE ACCESS TO MY DEBIT CARD ;-)

FRIDAY FUNNY - THE SMELL CHART

ANDREW BROUGHT HOME THE SMELL CHART HE MADE AT SCHOOL. THE CLASS IS LEARNING ABOUT THEIR FIVE SENSES AND THE FOCUS THIS DAY WAS THE SENSE OF SMELL. HIS TEACHER HAD SEVERAL SAMPLES FOR THE KIDS TO SMELL. THEY HAD TO DRAW A PICTURE (AND WRITE THE WORD IF THEY COULD) OF WHAT THEY THOUGHT EACH SMELL WAS.

ITEM 1 - I THINK WE ALL KNOW WHAT HE THOUGHT THAT SMELLED LIKE. IT WAS ACTUALLY VINEGAR. HOW DO YOU CONFUSE VINEGAR WITH...I DON'T EVEN WANT TO THINK ABOUT THAT ANY FURTHER. I'M SURE IT WAS ALL ABOUT THE COMIC RELIEF. HE DOES LOVE TO MAKE PEOPLE LAUGH.

ITEM 2 - "CADOL" APPARENTLY CINNAMON AND THE ONLY CINNAMON HE SMELLS COMES FROM A CANDLE...I GUESS I SHOULD BAKE MORE :-).

ITEM 3 - "SANUTISR" WAS RUBBING ALCOHOL. YES, MY KIDS ARE VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE SMELL OF HAND SANITIZER...THEIR MOM IS A GERM FREAK.

ITEM 4 - "TETEE" WAS NOT A CONTINUATION OF THE BATHROOM HUMOR I FIRST THOUGHT IT WAS. IT WAS PERFUME THAT SMELLED LIKE HIS TEDDY BEAR JUST AFTER I WASH IT.

ANDREW AND I HAD A TALK ABOUT NOT TALKING ABOUT HIS FIRST ITEM. "ANDREW, IT IS NOT NICE TO DRAW POOP ON YOUR SCHOOL PAPERS OR TALK ABOUT THAT STUFF WHEN IT ISN'T PRIVATE TALK." MY, MY, MY...I DIDN'T THINK I WOULD EVER PUT THOSE WORDS TOGETHER IN A SENTENCE. MARK AND I DID LAUGH LIKE FIVE YEAR OLD KIDS ABOUT THIS AFTER THE BOYS WENT TO BED AND NOW I'M POSTING IT ON OUR BLOG...CLASSY FAMILY AREN'T WE?

Life with boys...

This is what I found on my bed this morning just before we jumped in the car to head off to school. Maybe Andrew was doing his best to try to replace the little blue throw pillow I let him take to school for nap time (how could I resist when he asked for it because it smelled like me). This new look could grow on me...GO STEELERS ;)

Flashback Friday

COPS AND ROBBERS!

Fall is just around the corner and I can't wait! I love that season and love Trick or Treating! This was one of my favorite costume theme ideas I had with the boys. Mason, as always, was helping his baby brother by carrying his bag. Now that they are getting older they don't always want to go along with my theme ideas...how dare they form opinions of their own! ;-) I still want them to be Yip Yips this year but they are starting to stray from my great idea. Maybe I can convince them to be the Pest control man and a giant cockroach. How funny would that be!

What do you do when it is 100 degrees in Texas?

The boys and I, along with our little buddy Cameron, went for a swim this afternoon. It was a nice break as the week comes to a close.
These little happy faces always make me smile :)

On your Mark, get set, GO!

Mason and I ran in a local 5K that my work co-sponsored this past weekend. When I told Mason about the event and the kid's run before the 5K he quickly told me he wanted to do the big race with me! Now I had intended to run/walk the event with coworkers since it has been quite a while since I have done that kind of running. Mason made me step it up a notch since I knew he wanted to run the entire race and I would not want him so far ahead of me that I could not see him. Luckily, my friend and coworker April is in better shape than me and kept up with Mason about a minute ahead of me. I was so proud of my boy. He loved running that race and wants to do many more. I guess this momma will have to get her rear in gear to keep up with his pace. If that is not motivation to stay in shape, I don't know what is! He wants to go run tonight to continue his training...too cute. I'm so thrilled to have this be something for the two of us to do together. So I'm off to take these stiff legs out to run off the soreness!

Little Mister Roo

My little Andrew is spunky, full of energy, a clown, and down right full of life. He always has something brewing. He keeps me on my toes to say the least. He is becoming such a big boy and one that has a generous heart. I took him with me to do the grocery shopping yesterday and he was such a big helper. He took his dollar to buy a Matchbox car and was shopping the selection so carefully to ensure he picked the best. But the best part of his shopping was not for himself. He wanted to get some dogie bones for Ms. Ronda's dog Molly. This week is the first week he will be going back to Ronda's for the summer. He was so excited he packed the little dog bones in his backpack and gathered some special cars and football cards to give Ronda. He was so excited to give his gifts to his loved ones he has been missing. My heart was so swollen with pride as he cheerfully gave. I just love that little monster so!!

THE GRADUATE

OH MY HEART!

PUT ON YOUR GAME FACE...AND KEEP IT ON TIGHT.

ANYONE THAT KNOWS ME WELL KNOWS I HAVE A HARD TIME KEEPING IN A GOOD LAUGH WHEN THE SITUATION CALLS FOR SERIOUSNESS. WELL, I KNEW ONE DAY THIS PERSONALITY TRAIT WOULD CAUSE PROBLEMS IN THE PARENTING DEPARTMENT. THAT DAY WAS SUNDAY. WE WERE IN CHURCH WITHOUT DADDY WHICH ALREADY IS A TOUGH GIG SINCE I START OUT THE SITUATION OUT NUMBERED. AS USUAL, I WAS ARMED WITH COLORING BOOKS AND CRAYONS TO KEEP ANDREW BUSY DURING THE SERVICE BUT HE INTENDED TO USE THESE ITEMS TO ENTERTAIN HIMSELF MUCH DIFFERENTLY THAN I HAD INTENDED. WHILE THE CHOIR WAS SINGING, ANDREW WAS MAKING SILLY FACES TO HIS BROTHER. HE PLACED A CRAYON UNDER HIS NOSE TO MAKE A MUSTACHE TO COMPLETE THE CHARACTER HE WAS PORTRAYING. MASON, WHO NORMALLY KEEPS HIS COMPOSURE, CRACKED UP LAUGHING. I DID A GOOD JOB OF MASKING MY APPRECIATION OF HIS HUMOR. I SCOLDED BOTH OF THE BOYS AND TOLD THEM TO SETTLE DOWN AND BE RESPECTFUL AND MOVED TO SIT BETWEEN THEM. WE STOOD WHILE SINGING AND I TURNED TO LOOK BACK AT MASON JUST IN TIME TO SEE HIM BREAK A CRAYON TO MAKE "ANGRY EYEBROWS" TO MAKE A FACE BACK TO ANDREW. I LOST IT...AND COULD NOT KEEP A STRAIT FACE. THE SMILE AND GIGGLES I WAS TRYING MY BEST TO HIDE WERE OBVIOUS AND THE BOYS GIGGLED LOUDER ONCE THEY SAW THE DING IN MY ARMOR. I FINALLY CONTAINED MYSELF AND FOUND MY STERN VOICE AGAIN WHICH MASON QUICKLY RESPONDED TO BUT ANDREW WAS ANOTHER STORY. ONCE HE SAW ME CRUMBLE UNDER THEIR SILLINESS HE WAS NOT GOING DOWN WITHOUT A FIGHT. I FINALLY HAD TO TAKE HIM OUT OF THE SERVICE AND TO THE BATHROOM FOR SOME DISCIPLINE TO SETTLE DOWN AND BE READY TO RETURN TO THE SERVICE.

PARENTING THESE BOYS BRINGS JOYS EVEN IN THE TOUGH LOVE TIMES. I'VE MADE A COUPLE OF MENTAL NOTES FROM THIS SITUATION. EVEN IN THE TIMES THAT I AM TEACHING THE BOYS THAT THERE IS A TIME AND PLACE FOR EVERYTHING, I AM LEARNING THAT THERE IS EVEN ROOM FOR A GIGGLE FOR ME IN CHURCH SO THE BOYS SEE THAT SIDE OF ME TOO...AND WE WON'T EAT CAPTAIN CRUNCH FOR BREAKFAST ON SUNDAY MORNINGS. WE WILL STICK TO SATURDAY'S ONLY!

ENJOY MORE TINY TALK AT MARY'S. IT'S ALWAYS FUN TO SEE WHAT ALL THE KIDS ARE SAYING AND DOING.

IT'S A SNAP!

THESE ADORABLE LITTLE FINGERS ARE A SNAPPIN! ANDREW IS SO PROUD OF HIS NEW SKILL. NO MATTER WHERE HE IS OR WHAT HE IS DOING, YOU CAN HEAR ANDREW SNAPPING HIS FINGERS. IT IS SUCH A SWEET LITTLE SOUND.

THIS AGE IS SO FUN WITH ALL OF THE NEW SKILLS THEY MASTER. THIS IS ONE OF MANY THAT HE HAS GOTTEN UNDER HIS BELT LATELY. HE GETS HIMSELF DRESSED IN THE MORNING AND AT NIGHT AFTER HIS BATH. HE BRUSHES HIS OWN HAIR AN CAN ALMOST TAKE HIS SHOWER OR BATH BY HIMSELF! HE JUST NEEDS ME TO TURN THE WATER ON AND WASH HIS HAIR. HE BRUSHES HIS OWN TEETH IN THE MORNING BUT MOM STILL HELPS AT NIGHT. NOW FOR THE KICKER...HE IS READING VERY INDEPENDENTLY! HE IS READING HIS LITTLE PHONICS READERS TO ME SO CLEARLY IT IS CRAZY! HE LOVES TO BE INDEPENDENT AND MOMMY IS TRYING TO LET HIM BE THE BIG BOY HE WANTS TO BE. AS BITTERSWEET AS IT CAN BE, I LOVE WATCHING BOTH OF OUR BOYS BE CONFIDENT AND PROUD OF THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENTS BECAUSE I KNOW IN MY HEART THEY WILL ALWAYS BE MY BABIES.

DI STATE FINALS

We arrived in Houston last night and will be competing today in or state competition. The kids are having a blast and I am too. Andrew can't wait to have his turn at all this fun. Mason had a pin trading event last night and met kids from all over the state that will be competing as well. It was such a great exercise for him to walk up and introduce himself and make new friends. I'll post more later so for now...we are off to "break a leg" ;-).