Fun Family Weekend

This past weekend we had a family weekend. And you absolutely loved it. On Saturday we took you to the Woodlands Children's Museum and you had a ball playing with the sand, looking at fish, writing on the chalkboard of the school room and playing in the tar pits with the dinosaurs. Mom and Dad really enjoyed it as well. There was so much to see and do that we couldn't finish everything so I am sure we will be going back soon.

Sunday, Dad suggested to go ride go-karts, which we hadn't done before. Oh My Gosh...you so loved it! You went out with your dad first and every time you guys came around the corner you had a big o smile on your face...ear to ear. Then it was mom's turned and dad went and got the camera and he got some stellar shots of you thoroughly enjoying your first go-kart experience. By the time you were riding with me you would be my spotter and tell me when other karts were coming up from behind..."Go faster mom". One for the memory bank!



We are planning a trip to San Diego in May. We have started talking with you about riding on a plane. You are very excited. We still need to work on your behavior at school. Trips to the office are coming to frequent. Listening ears...Your dad and I are trying hard to remind you to go talk to your teacher if you are frustrated. Keep trying.

Love,
Mom

31 months and 7 days

You turned 31 months a few days ago...all I can say is I'm trying. You are changing weekly it seems. Growing older and wiser by the day. Your dad and I continuously ask you if you grew up today. You give us a look like "mom..dad, put down the jagermister."

Your eating habits still do not include any vegetable that does not start or end with corn. You eat more pancakes for breakfast than I do. Your Dad bought the fam a quesadilla maker and you LOVE those. Mickey D's is still your favorite weekend lunch and frozen spaghetti and chicken on the bone come in a close second and third. Your dad and I have been able to insert "Dora" yogurt as a dessert and always top that off with a chocolate coin. "Can I have a coin?"

The potty training front is improving. You do not like to use the potty at school because you are afraid you will fall in. I saw those potties and I can totally relate. You are doing well with training at home. You always go before your bath because Mom has burned in your brain that pottying in the bathtub is gross. Especially with the amount of bathwater you consume each night.

The past few weeks we have had to work with you regarding your behavior at school and at home. Your dad got a call from the school and you had to talk with him and tell him why you were in the office. You did not like that. We took away your shows and you were not allowed to watch TV. The following Monday you were sent to the office again and no shows or TV. By Tuesday you got it and we haven't had a return trip since. We had a conference with your teacher, Ms. Viviana yesterday and she told us how much she enjoys you in her class. You are so smart but you are having a hard time with structure. Mom and Dad are working on that with you and we can already see a difference in a just a week.

Somewhere in the past week you decided to call us Mom and Dad. "Hey mom?...Mom" thanks "Dad". It cracks your dad and I up.

Your favorite TV shows are Dora, Diego, The Wiggles and Handy Manny. Your favorite movie this week is Antbully. I hear you quoting lines in the bath every now and again.

You have started role playing much more openly. I could hear you talking in the bath when you thought I wasn't listening but now you are doing more physical role playing. You like to pretend you are a dog or a baby at night and you go and hide from me in your dad's office. When I ask your dad where you are I can hear you giggle.

You have learned to crawl in and out of your bed but thankfully you have not put two and two together and figured out you can do this when mom and dad are not there. I think this is because you are a most excellent sleeper and when you are in your bed you are sleeping and not contemplating your escape.

You are very well mannered and polite. Always saying yes, please and thank you. You execuse yourself from the table and put your dishes in the sink. Your dad and I watch with pride and amazement at how fast you are growing into a young man.

You and I went to visit Great Granny and Papa Boley last weekend. We had chicken on the bone for dinner. You weren't very hungry because Granny kept giving you "treats". That's okay...it's Granny's job. I love how very affectionate you are with them, including "that other boy", Uncle Donald.

Daddy was sick last weekend and you and I spent a lot of time together. We made a magic ball out of crystals, we built forts with Lincoln Logs and you crashed them with your truck. We also played video games on your Vcast. Well...mom did most of the playing, you watched. You were so cooperative. Like you knew things were off and it was very important to help mom and be on your best behavior.

Your and Dad and I are so proud of you and how hard you have worked on your behavior at home and school. I am so happy to be your mom and I love you very much.

Love,
Mom

6 Weird Things About Me

Thanks Jodie! Since you used half of the things I would have posted I'm going to have to get creative.

The Rules: Each player of this game starts with the six (6) weird things about you. People who get tagged need to write a blog post of their own six (6) weird things as well as state this rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose six (6) people to be tagged and list their names.


1. I absolutely must take a shower at night before I go to bed. It doesn't not matter if I have had three showers earlier in the day or that I have not left the house all day. I do not sleep well unless I have had my shower.

2. Although food touching is at the top of my weirdness list I also eat one food at a time. None of this mixing and matching. Eat all of the taco, move on to the enchilada and finish will a little bit of beans and rice and I may elect to eat chips along with my beans and rice.

3. I hate feet. Yours...mine and ours. Feet disgust me. That's all I'm going to say about that.

4. I cannot sleep if I do not have the fan on. I don't care if it is 20 degrees outside the fan must be on. I may concede and turn it down to medium during cold weather. If I am in a hotel I turn the A/C down as low as possible...I have to have air circulating.

5. All doors visible in the bedroom must remain close. Hello...panick room and the guy standing in the door way when she was sleeping. Hell no! Bedroom door, bathroom door, closet door...all closed at night for safe sleeping.

6. Man I thought I was the only one that was freaked out if the toilet paper was upside down. I am a big proponent of making sure the toilet paper dispenses from the top. I hate spinning and spinning and spinning looking for the start of the roll and it remains upside down. I will also fix toilet paper, even in a strangers house if it is upside down.

I tag Scott, Sandy (my other blog) and Jen. I am still developing a blog circle.

Your first SNOW (ICE) day

Yesterday school was cancelled due to the ice storm that rolled through town on Tuesday night. You do not yet fully understand the significance of a snow day in Texas. Although it did not technically snow Houstonians are not used to driving around on ice and do it very poorly. So we had a mommy and me day!

I got you up around 9:30 due to the most excellent sleeper that you have become and I will forever thank you for that. You helped me make pancakes and we pigged out during an episode of Dora.

After Dora we moved on to Over the Hedge, anything but The Incredibles or Cars...I can recite every line. I really enjoyed snuggling with you on the couch and protecting you from the bear. After two back to back showings of Over the Hedge you had lunch and went down for a nap until 4:30, that's my boy.

I know I won't win any "mother of the year" awards for filling your day with TV but you seemed to enjoy it and I enjoyed "enjoying" it with you. :D

When daddy got home we broke out the Quesadilla maker and made you a chicken and cheese quesadilla. You absolutely loved them. You ate more than I did. From now on we will forever have a quesadilla night once a week.

I enjoyed spending time with you yesterday and perhaps in about 5 more years we may have another Snow day to enjoy together.

Love,
Mom

No More Fish

This weekend was a sick weekend for you. On Saturday morning when I went to get you up around 9:30 there was a pungent smell of vomit and poo in the air. Sometime during the night you became sick and you didn't even call for your dad or me to help you. Saturday morning we got you up and you didn't want a bath but your Dad calmed you down and you and I layed on the couch together watching Cars and The Incredibles.

We thought it may have been the Mahi Mahi with Chipotle sauce you bummed from your Dad on Friday that upset your stomach but on Sunday morning when we were eating Taco's you had another explosion. So we think it was a bug going around.

You are such a good boy and so loving when you are not feeling good. You and I again watch more Cars and Incredibles. By the end of last night you were actually quoting from the movies during your bath.

Your Dad and I went out to dinner on Saturday night to celebrate our anniversary so we put you to bed early. You did not want any part of that. I'm getting ready and I hear..."Mommy...Mommy...where are you?" "Mommy...Mommy...good night." "Mommy..." A promise of CostCo and a bike ride forty-five minutes later finally quited you down. You know...you always know.

You are feeling much better thankfully and went to school this morning. Looks like we made it through unscathed.

"I'll be your best friend"

Yes...at 2 1/2 you have officially mastered the art of bribery. You were in the tub the other night and wanted me to "fetch" your cars that were downstairs. I told you I was fixin to bathe you and we would get your cars tomorrow. With a smile on your face and your head cocked to the side and your puppy dog brown eyes you said "I'll be your best friend!" What! Where it the world did you hear that and how do you know the context in which to use that remark? Son...you continue to amaze me everyday.

Christmas was great. This was the first year you were truly excited and understood all that was going on. You made quite the hall. Here is a brief list, there was sooo much:

Two dinosaurs - rah
"Cars" Cars: Chick Hicks, Mater, Doc Hudson, Red, Sheriff
A wooden tractor trailer truck with "Seth Allen" on the side - Nana and Papa
Ornaments - Nana and Papa
Gasoline Truck with Helicopter - The Hess'
VCast Video Game - Mema
Tractor from the "Cars" - Aunt Sue and Uncle Roger
Police Car - Granny
Big Truck - Uncle Donald
Tank - Aunt Denise and Uncle Gene
$50 gift card - Grandma and Grandpa
Gumby and Pokey
Fort
Lincoln Logs
Bath water coloring
Bath paints (do not recommend)
Shoes
Clothes
"Cars" Bedding
"Cars" Blanket - The Dugan's
"Cars" Shirt - The Dugan's
Aquadoodle - The Reeves'
Horns - Eric Reeves
"Cars" Tricycle
Books
Safari animals
Hungry Hungry Hippos
and...and

That is most of it...lessons learned...scale back for next year. It took us two days to open all of the gifts. You will be fine sweetie...you won't even notice. We had ham for dinner, by the way, you LOVE ham. And for dessert you asked for a brownie and I told you we didn't have any brownies and you preceded to say "we have cookies though". Boy...you proving to be someone your Dad and I are going to have to stay one step ahead of.

You went to Jump Town with Taylor on Friday and you had a great time. Jump town is an indoor facililty that has several different types of air jumpers. You climbed, slid, bounced and showed off to your hearts content. We grabbed lunch at Johnny Carino's and he wanted no part of settling down to eat, you were too ramped up from the 1.5 of jumping so mommy and you had to make a quick departure. By the time I read your story you were OUT. It was a fun day.

The rest of the weekend was low key, you helped me take some of the Christmas lights down and rode your tricycle. You also helped take our donations to Goodwill. You are starting to asert your authority and Dad and I are prepping for the challenge.

Sunday we went to visit Granny and Great Papa. They were very much looking forward to your visit. You played with Papa and he showed you his toys and you showed him yours. We are going to make an effort to see them once a month in the upcoming year. It was great to see the love and joy on their faces with having a little one around.

Happy New Year little one. It's going to be a great year.

Visit with Santa

It has been a while and I apologize. Mommy has been very busy with work and visits with Santa regarding your presents.

You had your first "official" visit with Santa on the 9th. Our community had a "Winter Wonderland" and Santa stopped by.

While we were standing in line Dad asked you what you wanted and you said Cars, you love cars! We asked you what else you wanted and you said you didn't know. Mommy tried to help you out by asking you if you wanted world peace and you just looked at me funny.

We continued to prep you with your list for Santa. Just before the big moment we asked what you wanted and you said "Cars but not World peace". Your dad and I almost fell on the floor laughing. It was hilarious.

It was your time to shine, the moment arrived and as you walked up to Santa you were a bit intimidated. I can see why. An over weight, bearded guy with a red suit and boots. Did he realize it was 80 degrees outside? Anyway, you stood beside him with your figures in your mouth, clearly messmermized by the magnitude of the event of actually meeting Santa. Daddy took a few pictures to document the event and we were on our way to the balloon animals. You never quite got to tell Santa what you wanted for Christmas but he knows...he always knows. Plus...Mom and Dad got some extra "Santa" time and we told him a few things that we thought you might like as well.

On our way home we went and looked at lights. I think you were still reeling with your visit from Santa and we promptly called it a night.

One more week...it is so amazing to see the excitement and awe through your eyes. You ask Daddy to tell you the story of the cardinal and Grandma Helen. Every time a new present appears under the tree you squeal with excitement. We can't wait to share Christmas morning with you.