State Park Day
We had a great day riding bikes, playing putt-putt, and playing on the playground at the state park. We also got in a little fishin’ but the fish weren’t bitin’ so that didn’t last long! In the pics, I am talking smack while playing putt-putt. Cay is trying to feed me snacks with his mouth and I am enjoying stealing kisses. Jeb is “waiting patiently” as he said.
The other pics are of my cherub in the bathtub. He has had those kissable cheeks since he was born. I can’t go a day without kissing them hundreds of times.
The other pic is of Jeb with his GREAT aunt and uncle who take him to the rodeo EVERY year! It is a fun tradition for him and them. This year they fed him BBQ, coke, cotton candy AND m and m's. Remarkably, he went to bed at midnight when he got home and slept the entire night despite the sugar and caffeine. To say the least, he had fun.
The other pic is of Cuz Carson and the boysz at their grandparents' house one Sunday after lunch.

What are little boys made of?

What are little boys made of?
What are little boys made of?
Frogs and snails
And puppy-dogs' tails,
That's what little boys are made of.

In this case it is fish tails and puppy dog tails still...
We had a fun week with one of Jeb's best buds...one of the highlights of the week was when J said he was going to cook his fish and JJ said that he loved fish. J said that he would not eat it and I said oh yes he will I bet. Well, he took one look at J's fresh trout catch and he said he would eat it, but not the tails. After it was all fried up he did indeed enjoy eating the tails and all with J. I don't know if he liked the fish best or beating up J, or tire swining with Jeb. They had a fun week, which is normal for these two...I have to say, they just have fun Moms--hee hee. In the pics you can see them roasting marshmellows on their snow day.

We had a great Valentines Day together up at where the local river begins. We were amazed at how peaceful and quiet the 1.5 mile walk there was. It snowed the entire time, but it didn't seem cold since we were moving. The quietness is something I never imagined enjoying on this day. I was looking forward to laughing and just talking with Jonas (which we did) but the peace and quiet of the snow falling and the light breeze in the trees was so refreshing. I love the smell of the woods and it smelled great out there. It also reminded me of our time in Colorado and that add to the romance of the day! Then, J decided to take a 9 mile gravel/dirt unmaintained road "short cut" to get us home. There were times I really wanted to get out and walk as we were on the edge of sheer cliffs that drop down into ravines and rivers...ugggh...my peace of mind was shattered for sure. He enjoyed the thrill of it all and so I mostly held my tongue and let him do the man thing. Glad we drove the 4 W drive vehicle for sure!

SNOW EVENING AND MORNING...

I say snowy evening b/c we went out about 4ish and played till we couldn't stand it...the snow was falling all around us and it was gorgeous! Then, I say snowy morning b/c it melted before you could call it a complete snow day (around 1 it was gone!) We had a blast...okay, okay, this is ONE fun thing about winter. It felt like the good ole' days....all our neighbors came over, and all the grandparents and we had so much fun! Well, it felt like the good ole days except that we had the 4 wheeler out and not our mule!

Hearing the kids yell and run around in the snow was really good for my soul!

Books we love!

Books that Jeb and I love!

I love books...reading, writing, being read to, discussing books, looking at the pictures, and taking lessons from books! I thought I would compile books that we love here A. so I can remember when I have grandkids B. so they can remember when they have their own kids what books they loved C. so you can enjoy these treasures TOO!

Books parents Read:

The Best Pet of All--this kid tricks him mom into a Dog by having a pet Dragon.
Stuck in the Mud—a book about a little chick that fools everyone on the farm
The Big Red Barn-a going to bed book at the farm
Copy Cub—a little bear copies mom.
If You Give A Pig A Pancake, If You Give a Moose A Muffin, If You Give a Cat a Cupcake
Franklin Book Series—based on the TV Show
Llama Llama series by Dowdner—Llama llama is cute and opinionated
Mommy’s Best Kisses—Mommy kisses are animal babies all over
Bear books by Jane Chapman, Bear Stays Up, Bear Gets Sick, Bear’s New Friend, Bear Stays Up For Christmas, Bear get Scared, Bear’s New Friend—they are all good.
Stuck Truck—who can help—everyone
Rowdy Rooster—he wakes everyone up all the time and they finally “get” him
I Can Do It—so Can You—motions books
Mommy Mine—so sweet…grubby mommy, chubby mommy, clumsy mommy, lazy mommy, funny mommy on and on.
Where did Josie Go?—a family can’t find their little girl who is hidden on each page..
David- by David Shannon—a real troublemaker
David Gets in Trouble—David Shannon
Fergus—a book about a very funny West highland Terrier
Ain’t Gonna Paint No More—a messy kid and mom who’s sick of it..
The Water Hole—Graeme Base—a book about water and how it affects the world/animals
Princess Pig—so funny…she finds out she likes being a normal old pig! By Spinelli
The Birthday Pet---Javernick
Where’s My Teddy—for boys and girls who love their teddies—Jez Alborough
I Know An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly—we’ve got this one memorized.
Animals Should Definitely NOT Wear Clothing—great illustrations! Funny.
Only A Cow—who says that cows can’t race? By Arlene Hamilton
Chuck’s Truck—Caleb is OBSESSED with this book…he loves it and we all have it memorized and Jeb can read it to him too! BONUS!
Chickens To the Rescue---the chickens SAVE THE DAY over and over!
You Can Do It Sam! --a great snuggle-in and read winter book...
Books He Reads:
Splish! Splash! Just how many animals can fit into a tub?
Tiny series by Carl Meister, Tiny Goes to the Library, Tiny’s Bath
I Love Rocks (and he likes most all of these little first readers)
Loose Tooth
Lulu’s Shoes, Too Many Cats, and The Three Little Pigs—“We Both Read” books that are fun and EASY!
BUGS, ROCKS—by Rookie Reader.
Biscuit’s Day on the Farm or Biscuit anything…Capucilli…easy, run reads.
Mo Williems’ books are funny and great for kids to read!
I AM...fire, catepillar, etc..

Fun in February...makin' it happen...

The picture of Cay kissing J is just too much for me. I was THRILLED that I snapped this moment of total adoration before Jeb's program. Jonas took the day off and came with us. I love this man and his boys think he is a superhero.

We went to a local swim center and although the water was a bit chilly (even indoors in the heat) we had so much fun and lots of laughs. When Caleb unabashedly came down the pipe slide and bulleted into the deep end smiling all the way I was laughing so hard that I thought I might drown.

Some fun friends who love and enjoy their kids like we do came with us and so that was fun. We also brought our sweet neighbor (one of many that we have) swimming with us and Caleb had fun stalking him all over the pool. Jeb and Daddy still love playing Marco Polo and Billy got into that too.

Caleb has a black eye...he looks cute with it...kinda like a puppy with a spot over the eye...but it was sad too. I am calling him Bruiser.



We had fun today outside. It was finally 50 and sunny so we went out and after dragging Cay around for a while in the wagon Jeb had a much better idea (see pics). He pulled him all over the yard and it was funny to watch.




We had an awesome dinner with Uncle D and Aunt Jeanie...it is so refreshing to have someone cook for ya!



Jeb did a great job singing at his program called "Pastries for Parents." He did try to hide behind a friend most of the time, but at least he was not a frozen. Even though he is NOT shy by any means the kid has a serious case of stage fright.

Cay is going potty! It is so exciting...we've had about an accident a day for the past 5 days--no poopy ones though so I can hack that! We had one dry day! He amazes me. He yells BOOK when he has to go ...it is like our codeword b/c I read to him while he potties and he loves the undivided attention. I don't know what is cheaper though...diapers or Reeces Peanut Butter Cups--which he demands. I have at least gone through 2 5 dollar bags so far! Whatever works.




Cay has been walking around saying "sit" lately...maybe I should listen??? He is really starting to talk and say more complex things. Today he picked up a book and said "Opposites" plain as day...yes, it was our opposites book..so ...he is listening..I didn't think he was!!!