Zach earns a ROCK!

Do you see that little blue 'rock' in his hand? He has worked almost TWO months to earn it...In his classroom, he gets a sticker for each day his 'card' doesn't get moved. After ten stickers, he gets a trip to the treasure chest to pick a small prize. He's been 3 or 4 times now- but the ROCK is a special prize- and can only be handed out by the teacher for being EXTRA special good.He's been wanting one since the first day of school, and today he came home with one! I am so darn proud of him, because today, over half the class got their cards moved. Not only did he earn his sticker, he earned his first rock! He's also earned 9 stars in the last 9 nights for not peeing in his overnight diaper. He earns his final star tomorrow, and then he will earn his prize. (Then we'll start wearing big boy underwear to bed!) This picture was snapped when we got home, the boys wanted their kitty babies in the picture. I just can't believe what a big boy he's becoming...

Way to go Mr. Zach Baer!!

Some serious PUMPKIN Patch FUN!

Here's my two lil' pumpkins...On their THIRD trip to the pumpkin patch. Two of those trips were this week, and phew, I think I have my fill- sort of- because I never get tired of taking pictures with great scenery.This was Zach's kindergarten field trip to the local pumpkin patch. He got to ride a SCHOOL BUS for the very first time. (Yeah, he's been in school for a couple of months, but the bus doesn't come out to us!)This is his best friend Jimmy, and they've been friends since pre-school. They go waaaay back.Then we went with my brother and sis-in-law to the BIG pumpkin patch. The boys got to go down some huge slides, another train ride... and Zach got to pan for marbles. This is why he's all wet... but he really thought he found treasure. So don't worry about family pictures, Mom... being soaked is a great look for pictures!

I was hoping for a couple of good pictures for Christmas cards..... but it's just impossible to get the entire family looking at the camera.

Three out of four wasn't bad... I'll take it!

I don't think this was their idea of having fun at the pumpkin patch... but I remember getting dressed up and going to a studio. Those didn't seem like much fun, and they always ended up with such bad lighting. I will gladly take wet shirts, and happy faces any old day!

And besides... that's how we roll! :)

Birthday Extravaganza

We throw the best parties around here. Can you tell by the birthday boy's face how much fun he's having? And with our extremely LOW turn-out, I guess he wasn't the only one who wasn't in attendance.

I shouldn't say that like it's a bad thing... all of Zach and Kyle's friends showed up- and that was the most important thing. (It's just a little disappointing to have so much food and drink go to waste.) But I SWEAR we tried our best to drink all the watermelon margaritas we could get down! lol...This is me and my second cousin- Baby Kelsey. She was just a newborn the last time she was on the blog!
Zach loves his new kitten- Clickety. And of course, his favorite Aunt Missy.So, I must admit that every year, I throw these big parties... and I don't enjoy them. I get so stressed out, because I am decorating the cake... and cooking all the food. This year I ordered everything, and had a blast. I didn't really enjoy this 'fishing' themed cake... but I guess you've got to give up control sometimes, and just roll with it. (Gosh, I needed you Nana Flo!)See, even the kids are trying to figure this thing out... lol. Nah, actually they thought it was cool- and I did too. I just couldn't figure out what the bottom half was... maybe fish tails or the body?! I dunno... but it was the best fish I've ever eaten!! Mmmmm...This is Zach's friend J.J. from across the street... and Danielle from next door. Looks like Neapolitan ice cream, huh?Kyle did finally wake up in time for the cake and presents. Did I ever mention not looking at the camera RUNS IN THE FAMILY?Kyle was VERY excited to open his gifts this year. This kid will NEVER be good at playing poker!They got lots of track for their "Geo-Trax" train station. This makes two train nuts VERY happy.And of course, we had a train pinata. Don't ask what that has to do with fishing, other than Mom ordered an extra one last year... :)

So, Zach took the first string...

And little Elizabeth took her turn...
Then Morgon came over and pulled them all at once! LOL! I don't think the kids really cared, the end result is what it's all about, right?

This is Morgon's daddy- he had his hands full with baby Riley. Until Grandma came over and snatched her up.

It took me most of the afternoon to get a snuggle. This was FIVE seconds after she took her from daddy. Both of my kids run, as fast as they can to her house every chance they get. This is why we call her Grandma... she's one special lady.

I didn't seem to get any great shots of everyone on the trampoline... it was the big hit this year... and also the boy's birthday gift. They LOVE it, almost as much as the adults did! And if your back's are all killing you... I don't want to hear about it!

And of course, one more picture of baby Kelsey with her Grandma. I am not sure if my Aunt came to the party to visit us, or because she heard her grand baby was going to be here... either way, we were glad to see all of them!

Thanks to everyone who came to the party and help us celebrate another cherished birthday event. My boys are the entire world to me, and I want them to know that the day they came into this world is worth celebrating each and every year. It means everything to me that you all think the same, and I appreciate you taking the time to share an afternoon with us!!

Your NEVER gonna believe this....

Tonight was like most any other night. We put the boys in the bath, and I was working in the kitchen... Zach came out of the bathroom, wrapped in his towel. Then he made his big announcement...
"Mom, when I came out of your tummy, I was all wet and slippery."
(Insert record scratch.)
I looked up, and seen John was also trying to figure out if what he'd just heard was really what Zach meant to say.
"What Babe?"
"Mom, when I was a little baby, and I came out of your tummy... I was all wet and slippery."
"Yes, yes you were babe." (My head is now racing, trying to remember if we'd seen any videos of live births. Nothing came to mind.)

Then the second bomb dropped.

"And Mom, I was trying to get out of a little hole, but I kept climbing and I couldn't get out."

Ugh...
Ummm.....
Ugh....

Now what the heck do you say to that??

I look to John, and he's no use. His jaw is dropped to the floor, and his eyes are wide as saucers. (Much like his expression during Zach's birth, lol.)

"Mom, I seen a little hole-" He says with his hands cupped in front of his face. "And I tried and tried, but I couldn't come out."
Then he motions a downward movement, and says "I remember going 'whoooop'. Then down, down down... but I still wouldn't come out."

Ugghhh...
Ummmm...
Ugghhh....

Let me give you some back story. I have NEVER felt the need to share with Zach where he came from, exactly. When he asked "Where did you get me and Kyle from?" I simply replied: "When you were all done growing, I went to the hospital, and the doctor gave you to me."

Unlike some moms, I have found no need to share stories about things that seem way too big for a four year old. I have not let Zach look through the pictures we took of his delivery, nor do I watch any graphic sort of television. I don't believe he's ever seen a live birth from any sort of animal... and I am positive I have never referred to any sort of "HOLE".

Fast forward, four years and 362 days.

Ughh...
Ummm...

I am standing in my living room, with my jaw dropped to the floor. I still don't know what to say to him.

I wrap my arms around him, and I say "Yes, you were very wet and slippery when you were born."

Sounding so defeated, he says again "But I just couldn't get out."
(Does anyone remember my labor? He wouldn't come out because the nurse was trying to deliver him 'sunny-side up'. And it wasn't until the doctor pushed him back inside of my womb, twisted him like a pretzel, then let him come back down the canal the right direction, did he finally come out!)

So could someone PLEASE explain to me what he could be talking about besides his birth?

Or is this just normal conversation for a little boy about to turn FIVE?

And if this is normal, I can only wait to see what Kyle has to say about his birth. I had drugs with him... I can only imagine what he'll have to say about it!

Pumpkin Patch Fun

We had the most incredible weather on Saturday. It was cool and a little breezy... the absolute most perfect weather for going to the pumpkin patch. So I took out the Ugg Boots, grabbed a warm cup of coffee, and headed to the little pumpkin patch down the road. The boys were mostly interested in the train. They stood in front of it for the longest time, just staring at it. I just love that they think trains are so magical... they've probably been around them more than most kids their age.
Speaking of kids their age... that's all three of my guys in the caboose.

And Zach was so grateful for the train ride, he allowed me to take his picture!!

I also snapped a few pictures I thought would be fun to blow up for their room.

Perhaps I am fueling their need for all things 'train'. Nahhhh.....

This guy wasn't grateful at all. He yelled... 'I don't wanna ride the pumpkin!'. Whatever, sit there and look 'fall-ish"... thanks.

This guys is ALWAYS smiling.

Kyle liked the train ride... but I think the 'horsey-ride' is his favorite. :)

We had a blast spending some time together as a family. All of the work we've been doing has us worn out, so we are going to close down the 'construction' zone for a while. We'll do a few more finishing touches, like installing the bathroom faucet... but we are going to try to enjoy our holiday season.

For our family, that starts this month. We have the boy's birthdays in addition to all the year end holidays. Their party is next weekend, and I locked my inner "Martha" in the closet. Instead of doing everything myself, I am ordering the cake AND the food!

I am hoping to sit and actually enjoy this birthday extravaganza.

Untill the other side of next week... peace out!

My lil' munchkin.

I swear this boy has been happy since he was in the womb. He has such an incredibly infectious smile. And those dimples melt my heart.

He's started saying " I wuv you soooo much Ma." He also insists on holding my hand when we walk. And when I kiss him he says 'too much ma' or 'that's enough lady'.

He also laid down in the middle of his bean bag, and said "I'm a Hot Dog!" the other day.

Man that lil' munchkin tickles my heart!

p.s. I am still working on the pumpkin patch pictures... and I promise to have them posted tomorrow. Here's a sneak peek... it's the boys standing in awe of a train. They just stood there and stared... it was funny.

And in case you didn't hear the FIRST scream...

That was me, the pansy screaming about 6 o'clock tonight.

John said, "Oh my God... get out of the kitchen."

There was a freakin' SNAKE on the light fixture overhead.
(Thankfully it was non-poisonous)

John ran to get his gloves, and just then, I heard thump. It fell from the ceiling, and landed on the floor.

John swooped by me, and grabbed it... meanwhile me and the boys were perched up on the barstools... screaming like PANSIES and her PANSY off-spring. He threw the snake out the back door....

and I am supposed to cook dinner now. Good Lord... I need a beer!

The SCREAM heard 'round the world!

Okay, let me first start off by stating a fact.
I am a pansy in the worst way when it comes to 'creatures'. Frogs, snakes, MICE, bugs, etc. I don't like them... and as much as I try to be brave... I am not. I AM A PANSY!
So imagine my horror when in the last 3 days, we've caught two mice. (And by we, I mean JOHN!) I asked him last night if he sealed up the hole left in the laundry room floor by old plumbing, he said "Yeah, I stuffed some insulation down it."
Ugh... NOTE to HUSBAND: Mice can chew through almost any substance known to man. Especially the soft fluffy stuff. (Can I hear a "Here's you Sign?")
Sigh...
As luck would have it this morning... I see another freakin' mouse come out of the laundry room.
Great, John's at work and today is laundry day.
So, I am a brave woman, I find the mouse traps. (I have never set one in my entire life, but they come with directions!) I set TWO before I take the boys to school... dang, I am a bad ass!
Then, the thought occurs to me...what the heck am I going to do if I actually catch it?? (I have seriously downgraded from 'bad ass' to PANSY!)
No worries, I didn't catch it. Oh no, that things got to run a few laps around my house before he can find my trap. EEKS.... and yes, I was screaming!
SNAP... he finally finds the trap. And when I am brave enough to walk over to it, I see it's still MOVING!! (More screams... )
So I find a shovel, and try to scoop it up... but no, it's got to flip over.
Meanwhile my TWO year old boy says "I have a idea... let's pick it up."
And believe me, I thought about having him do it... but what would that do to my ego?? Even us pansies have pride...
So I grab another stick, wipe the sweat from my brow, and flip it onto the shovel. Kyle opens the back door for me, and I throw the whole thing out the back door. I shut the door, lock both locks, and think...
A. I am a BAD ASS PANSY...
and
B. John's honey do list just got a little longer.
And how is your morning??