Bankok and Indiana

Why do sisters choose to live so far away? Indiana was far. Very far. I only see those in Indiana once a year IF I'm lucky. But at least it doesn't require a passport and very, very long flight. Bankok? What time zone is that? I don't think I can afford that plane ticket (not that I've afforded the Indiana one often either...) I can pretend that its about as far as Indiana- since I see Ann so rarely anyhow... maybe they're both on the other side of the world. I think I'm going to need to start saving money again. Now I need to go to Indiana AND Bankok. Good thing we have computers and cameras. Best yet- computers WITH cameras.

Woes of a Toddler Bed

Once there was a little boy. His mother REALLY wanted him to learn how to sleep in a toddler bed- but he thought it was more or less a game. Every night they would let him start in his toddler bed, but after a few minutes of giggles and running back to his bed every time his parents came in, he inevitably ended up back in his pack-in-play. That was all fine and dandy until the day he learned how to climb OUT of his pack-n-play. Now what would they do?
When a kind lady in the neighborhood so generously offered to give him her crib that she was trying to get rid of, his mother of course said yes. She was hoping he would dare climb out of the crib yet since it was high off the ground. The kind lady went above and beyond the normal kindness and even came over to help set it up. What did the little boy do? Did he say thank you? Did he mention how nice free beds were? Did he offer to sleep in it all night? No. He simply climbed out in record time. Sigh.
Needless to say, the next TWO HOURS were spent putting him back, and back, and back, and back, and back, and back.. you get the picture... in his bed (instead of having him run around his room!). When he finally crashed at nine pm, his mother too collapsed in bed and promptly fell asleep. There's got to be a better way to do this right?

For Ames

If I could cook... I'd make these.
http://cococakecupcakes.blogspot.com/2009/05/wont-you-tell-me-how-to-get.html
Dedicated to a sister who probably could...
Remind me, if I'm feeling up to it (and if I remember) the little guy's next birthday will hopefully have the "Hungry Catapillar." Adorable.

Family Picture

Just in time to be outdated. But nice none-the-less. We're all in it and we're all smiling. Amazing.

Adventures

Today I am cooking. Cooking, cooking, cooking. I was invited to join a group of girls in the ward who exchange freezer meals. This round there are six of us. We each make two meals- enough for six families (six serving sizes). That's roughly 36 serving sizes. We bag them in freezer bags and trade. Vwala! We now all have 12 freezer meals. YUM! So.... we're making huge batches of stew and stroganoff. A little boy I know (we won't mention any names) was supposed to be over at a neighbors while I cooked (we were going to trade babysitting) but their kids are sick- so he's been at my feet all morning while I've been at the stove. He wants to get up so badly. Usually I lock the oven (because he likes to pull on it)... but if its locked, he climbs on the drawer, holds onto the oven handle and climbs up to the stove. BAD BAD BAD. Does anyone else see a problem with this? So while the oven is not on, its not locked. When it IS on, it IS locked. Who taught him how to climb?
His other new... feat (not yet accomplished) is trying to sleep in the toddler bed. I need his crib come January, so we figured we'd try to switch him over to a bed. Hmmm. He says, "ni-night." (Night night) and lays down holding a blanket and looking very sincere about his desire to stay on his bed. Half a minute (or less) later he's off and playing, or opening the door, or turning on the baby monitor, or climbing on his dresser (yes, he can do this) or getting in the diaper pail, or, or, or, or, or. When we walk in- he JETS back to his bed and says, "ni-night" like he's never going to leave his bed again- because he knows he's about to be put in his crib. Sure enough- in the crib he goes and he HOWLS. Hmmm..... how long can we keep this up?

All Boy

LOVES:
dirt
the word "yuck"
holding rocks in his mouth
cars
trucks (which he calls cars)
anything mechanical or electrical... or off limits
switches
sticking out his tongue
spitting
riding his toy horses
only one book: "Mr. Brown can Moo."
any kind of ball
water
pouring water out of cups... out of anything
shoving large amounts of food in his mouth
his belly-button
anyone's belly-button
being outside

Somewhat less boyish- but still favorites:
having dance parties
shoes

Happenin Times

Lots has been going on lately. Sorry for the lousy commentary, but at least there are some pictures.
King got to take some extra time off due to a family reunion and his brother and his family coming in town to visit. It was great to spend two weeks visiting, playing, and pretending we had lots of kids.
Mason was sure glad to spend the extra time with his dad. Dad took him to the zoo!This is sadly the best shot of our guests. The girl in the middle isn't theirs- but imagine another spunky brunette. And if you look closely you can see the top of their toddler's head. Our little guy snuck in... maybe he wants to be part of their family instead.

Oh yes, I got older. That is important.

This is King's brother. Any resemblance?

As previously stated, he was VERY excited to go to the zoo.

Try number two. Still no luck.

This was the zoo clan. King's mom is right behind the brothers... with various kids spread throughout.

Ah... more of them.

I think the boy was all pictured out by this point.

Head Cold...

IN AUGUST! "I'b assubing/ hobing this beans I get to skib out on being sick while you all have colds this winter." This is really what I sound like. Crossing my fingers.

It's a ...

Girl!
They seemed pretty positive (and that is what I thought anyhow...) so that's what I'm banking on! I hope they're right, because we have NO girl clothes and I think I'm going to go buy a cute little dress!

A toy for all ... jobs?

Some days its a vacuum, others its a lawn mower. In either case, which ever job we're doing, he just wants to help too.