Big Changes

The boys got a bunk bed a couple of weeks ago. (I haven't yet taken a picture, but I promise to post one very soon.) What a hit! Carson had been a little upset about giving up his bedroom, but now he won't sleep anywhere else. Spencer has the top, of course, and loves it. They enjoy their bed as much during the day as at night. It becomes a ship, an airplane, etc. I made Carson a Batman quilt, which made it even more fun. The night before the bed was delivered, the boys had a sleepover at Grandma's house. So I spent all the next day tearing into closets and cupboards, reorganizing things, particularly toys and kid stuff. I was amazed at how productive I can be without constant interruptions!

Spencer started piano lessons recently. At first he was against the idea. He didn't want to go to his first lesson and complained all the way there. But ever since then, he's enjoyed it more and more. Today he kept asking "how much longer" until his lesson time! I realize the excitement will probably fade, but I'm so happy that he's having fun. I told him he can quit taking lessons when he gets better at it than I am!

The boys have so much fun together. Today (the 20th--I'm doing this in a couple of installments) we woke up to several inches of new snow. They went out and played for a good hour and had a marvelous time. They said they played "The Adventures of Fat Men," which means they had so much clothing on, they could hardly move. They pretended to be hiking through the wilderness, and evidently having a difficult time because of their bulk! Then they played an old favorite, "Bones and John." Spencer is Bones, the dog, and Carson is John, his owner. John is also sometimes a firefighter. Bones had a wild good time romping in the snow, just like Dakota did earlier today. Now they will both be exhausted just in time for church!

As for the pets, they are mostly the same, except Slippy has become more actively aggressive toward the dog. If Dakota invades her "safe zone," Slippy no longer remains in place. Now she jumps off the bed, hissing, spitting, and growling and chases my 84-pound dog back out to the kitchen. Dakota just puts her head down and looks hurt. She just can't understand why that kitty is so hateful--she only wants to play!

New Pictures

Grandpa came for dinner one night and Carson showed him how to kick back and relax.

Crazy Hair Day at school! Spencer invented the style himself. He wanted to do it on a regular school day, but I wouldn't allow it! Luckily they have stuff like Crazy Hair Day occasionally.

Have you ever fallen asleep with your football helmet on? I bet not even NFL players love their helmets this much!

Spencer is becoming ever more proficient at reading. He's finally to the point that Carson will ask him to read a story if I'm busy. Convenient! It's also very cute to watch. They are the best of friends. They are both quite excited that Spencer is out of school for the next three weeks.

Carson has a phobia of pooping. He tries his best to prevent it and will resist for days. We have done our best to assuage his fear, but nothing is working, so we started bribing him. The deal is that if he goes on the potty he earns $1 toward a toy car (he likes to collect the ones from the movie Cars). So when we went to see Andy's new secretary at work the other day, the first thing out of Carson's mouth was, "I'm gonna go stinkies on the potty today so I can get Ramone!" She was a little taken aback, but amused.

Yesterday I had a lot of trouble spilling things. We went out for burgers at lunch time, and I spilled my drink all over my hand and arm. Then I dropped the cup of ketchup on my pants. Carson said, "Let's get out of here!" He's only three and I already embarrass him!

Carson loves dressing up as different characters. He changes his persona many times in a day--firefighter, knight, Lone Ranger, Buzz Lightyear, etc. He has been interested in Batman for a while now, but lately his infatuation has deepened. So when I found Batman pajamas on sale the other day, it was not just a want, it was a need! As I suspected, he is crazy about them. As soon as dinner is over he asks if he can have a bath and put on his jammies. On the second night of the pajamas, I was at a meeting, so Andy was giving the boys their bedtime snack. He gave Carson a white chocolate/macadamia nut cookie. Apparently Carson didn't care for it and gagged to the point that he threw up all over the beloved pajamas. He then exclaimed, "Mommy's cookies are NASTY!!" When I came home I heard all about it from each of the people present, especially Carson, who continued talking about it all the next day. I ate one of those cookies myself to see if they really were "nasty," but I found them quite delightful.