Halloween Fun

Rachel and I have actually been "all out" on Halloween this year. Most years, we have really good intensions, but never really get around to doing anything. Monday night we tie-dyed the kids little pumpkin shirts and were really pleased with how they turned out.

Then tonight we decided to carve our pumpkins. At first we had planned on just making the mess outside, but it turned out a little colder than we thought it would be. So, inside we went and we dug in. The kids didn't really know what to think. Reese was pretty grossed out, Booker touched it a little bit, and Bodey just played with toys.

Then, when it was finally time to see our masterpieces all lit up, all the kids wanted to do was blow them out. So after several pictures, we finally let them. Alert to all neighbors, sorry if your pumpkins are all blown out Friday night... the kids seem to think that's what you do with all lit candles!

The Sick Test

Today Booker got sent home from daycare with a 102.5 fever. I never know whether to just wait out the fever or go to the doctor to see if an antibiotic can just take care of it. So, I decided to play a game with Booker. Booker, does your leg hurt? No. Does your arm hurt? No. Does your ear hurt? Yes (and he pointed to his left ear). Does your tummy hurt? No. Does your nose hurt? No. Does your ear hurt? Yes. Then he later told me that his eyes hurt. Not quite sure what that means other than he is extremely congested and maybe there could be some pressure? Anyways, I am going to take him to Dr. Yu after his nap to see if he has an ear infection. We'll see if our game works!

Gotta Snap These Pics Before He Won't Let Me

As you all may know, getting an innocent picture of a two-year old is almost impossible. Booker can sense the camera, and there for is either making a goofy face, turned away from the camera, or trying to see the view finder on the back of the camera. Bodey, on the other hand, is a camera ham. Booker had his days where he would do anything to be adorable for the camera. But they are over. Already. So, I have taken advantage of Bodey and tried to get as many shots in as I can.

No Longer

I used to get so stressed out when my child was sick and I had to stay home and miss work. Literally, it would put me into tears because I was so worried about what my boss thought. No longer. First and foremost, I am a mother. If my child is sick, they are my #1 priority. Work is not. I do still care what my boss thinks, but I have learned that it is out of my control. I have a 1-yr old and a 2-yr old at home. They are going to get sick and need mommy. The thing I remember most about being sick when I was little is my mom. She was ALWAYS there for me, and that made me feel better. It was a huge shocker to me the first time I got sick after I had left home. It's like I just moped around waiting for someone to pamper me like my mom did. But, those days are over for me, but just beginning for my kiddos. And I proudly accept that as my responsibility.

I Take It Back

Bodey is a mini-Dusty. Once again we visited Dr. Yu today. Bodey was diagnosed with viral pneumonia, wheezing, and some other crud in his lungs. He was bumped up on his breathing treatments and given amoxicillin to try to clear up some of the gunk in his lungs. Tonight his fever was 102 before he went to bed. Poor little fella! I do have to admit how happy-go-lucky he has been though. Other than his fever and sleeping a ton, he is pretty much the same ol' Bodey. Like father like son, Bodey will most likely be asthmatic for life. Oh yeah, and thank you grandpa Mike too! :)

Ok, I have to admit, that blogging is constantly in the back of my mind. I think it's like an internal obsession. Today, when Bodey was getting his x-rays, I almost asked the technician if she could hold on for a minute while I take a picture. Seriously, what is wrong with me? But I just knew how hard it would be for me to explain this contraption they put him in to x-ray him. Long story short, he was sitting up with this clear plastic thing confining him with his arms above his head. It was really sad, and he hated it. However, I did snap a pic of how snuggly Bodey was being back in the doctor's room. I had to hurry and get my camera out, snap the pic, and put it away before the nurse came back in.

Pride

Last week I pulled Mrs. Phyllis (Booker's teacher) aside and talked to her about Booker's potty training. I told her that it has just been dragging on and we aren't really getting anywhere. He mainly goes on the potty at school, and doesn't really care if he goes in his pull-up because it is just like a diaper. She said he does pretty good at school. I asked her what she thinks about pull-ups and she said she hates them. She believes in diapers to underwear. She always used to do that until parents started bringing pull-ups, so she let them. I said I hate pull-ups too. They are way too much like a diaper and the stupid things are expensive! She said, great, he starts Monday. Bring lots of extra clothes. So, I did. Monday morning Booker wore his big boy underwear to school and we took 4 changes of clothes. When I picked him up we had 3 baggies of wet clothes and he was wearing the 4th. Well, ok, it was the 1st day. He was dry all evening at home. Tuesday we took new pairs of clothes and when I picked him up, he was wearing different pants, but only because they got wet at recess! He pooped his pants during his nap, but went all day in the potty. Today when I picked him up he had a clean report. My little man went in the toilet ALL DAY LONG. I am so proud of him. I wasn't sure how long it would take him. This is also better for Dusty and I. I am guilty of "forgetting" to take him to the potty every 30-45 minutes at home and on the weekends. Let me just tell you, it is a little easier to remember when at any given time your couch, carpet, etc can be drinched. Booker boy, keep it up, mommy and daddy are so proud of our big boy!

My Little Snuggle Bunny

Some people say that Bodey is more like me. To some he looks a little more like me. But to me, he is my little mini-me. I was a major thumb sucker, and so is he. I was severely addicted to a blanket. Lately, Bodey is often seen with one in tow. Parts of me really don't want him to be dependent on these things. I don't want it to be a struggle to ween him off of them. But on the other hand, he is just so darn cute and snuggly when he has them. To Bodey it's not really about the blanket. It's all in the tag. Anything with a tag. He loves his stuffed animals, simply for the tag. They just calm him. Once he finds the tag on something he immediately falls into a tag coma. I don't know if I should say this, but tonight he came out of Booker's room with a pair of Booker's underwear up at his face, thumb in mouth, tightly gripping the tag. Gross, but cute.

Since It Was the Chiefs Bye Week...

I allowed the boys to wear Denver Broncos gear. Only for the crazy grandparents, Grandpa Mike and Nana Sharon!

Doesn't Bodey look like a natural QB?

3rd Annual Kerby's Pumpkin Patch Visit

Today Dusty and I took the boys to Kerby's Farm in Basehor to pick out pumpkins. They had a great time and love their new Halloween pumpkins. Here are some pictures of the day, and some looking back to previous years.

Booker 2006

Booker 2007

Booker 2008

Family hayride last year.

Family hayride this year.

Spiderman Retires at an Early Age

Since poor Bodey gets all of Booker's hand-me-downs, we had to buy Booker some new PJs. While at Kohls, Booker had his eye on one pair and one pair only. Spiderman. So I had to give in. The other night Booker got ready for bed in his new jams and was super excited. He always makes a bad guy expression when he talks about Spiderman. So, this picture is of the bad guy himself. The thing you can't see in this picture is that Spiderman lights up every time Booker moves. I put him to bed and for some reason he kept waking up. It happened at 9:15, again at 9:30, and again at 11:30. I finally figured out that Booker wasn't sleeping because of Spiderman lighting up. So needless to say, we changed PJs in the middle of the night and will never wear them again.

$5 of Fun

Friday night after the Basehor Homecoming Parade (a big deal in our little town), Dusty and I took the boys to dinner. When we got back, it was the boys bedtime. But, I really wanted to take Booker over to the football game. So, Bodey went to bed and Booker and I got our jackets on and headed over to the game. It was so nice just to be the two of us. Booker was so excited on the walk over, which he held my hand the entire way. He was just really pumped about the atmosphere. When we got to the gate they were still charging because they hadn't announced King and Queen yet. So we paid our $5. We got in right at halftime. Booker was immediately in love with the tiger... or the bobcat mascot. I finally got the bobcat's attention and he came over and gave Booker high five. Then we sat down at the bottom of the bleachers in front of another couple with a 3-year old little boy. The parents immediately started conversation and introduced themselves to us. Booker met his new BFF, Gunner. These two were inseparable. They ran back and forth from the bleachers to the fence, rolled down the hill, and picked up and threw away everyone's trash. I know, it's kind of gross, but it was very cute seeing how excited they were about each new piece of trash they found. They brought back memories of highschool football games when I was growing up... never having a clue what was going on in the game, but having the time of my life. It was really nice to meet some Basehorites outside of my neighborhood. We were excited when we realized that Booker and Gunner were going to be in the same class in school. Anyways, at the beginning of the 4th quarter we decided to head out, Basehor had a comfortable lead of 35-14. On our way out we stopped to look at the firetruck and the nice fireman let Booker sit in the driver's seat and pretend to drive. He was so excited! Then the fireman found Booker a Junior Fireman badge sticker and sent us on our way. Needless to say, Booker wouldn't go to bed without his badge. Overall, it was a wonderful night, and one of the best $5 bills I've ever spent.

Nighty Night Boys

Ah, to be a kid again... to have to relax in the tub, to have to get out and be lotioned, to have to get in snuggly pjs, to have to watch your favorite cartoon while having a cup of milk, and to have to go to bed early. Boys, enjoy it now.

Lil Swimmers

Booker is a cheese. Note that in every picture he is in he makes this cheesy face. That's his picture face. All the time. You can't get just a picture of him smiling, he is always cheesing. He's a hoot!

Bodey is going to be the water one of the family. He absolutely LOVES the water. He's not afraid for his face to go under. He already tries to blow bubbles, and just cracks up when he face gets dipped! As you can see from the pictures, he loves to pour cups of water on his head. Oh yeah, and the concept of "water stays in the tub" doesn't mean anything to this young man.

Dear Grandma Jenean and Grandpa Mike-

We know you don't get to see us very often, so hopefully you will enjoy a video of us just being us in the tub. We love and miss you so much and can't wait to play with you next month!

Love, Booker & Bodey