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.

Cute Stories

I've recovered now from my frustration at my children. They really are very good kids overall. They're just normal.

So, where to begin? Carson is at the stage where he says hilarious things all day long. He is finally accepting that he is getting a baby brother, not a sister as he hoped. The other day he asked, "Mom, could you open your mouth so I can see Baby Brother?" He is so confused about how a baby could be in there. At one point he was worried that all the food I ate was piling up on the baby's head.

He just graduated from the Nursery at church and is now with all the "big kids" (ages 3-12) in Primary. I asked him which he liked better, Nursery or Primary. He said he liked Nursery. When I asked why, he exclaimed "Because they EAT there!!" (No more snack time in Primary!)

One day he brought his favorite blanket and pillow into the kitchen and laid on the tile. I said, "What are you doing? You don't want to sleep on this hard floor!" He told me he wanted to sleep in the kitchen so he would already be there for breakfast in the morning. He thinks about food a lot.

The boys are both into football lately, to their father's delight. They get their little helmets on and Spencer shouts instructions while Carson furrows his brow and runs helter skelter. One night Spencer explained that Carson should hold the ball down and say, "Down, set, hike!" So Carson made his football face, held the ball to the floor, and said, "Down, set, hike... Now what??" Spencer is a very patient coach!

Naughty

Whew! I am glad today is done. It was not one of our better ones. Actually, it was all good until this afternoon. Spencer was home from school and found a little block of styrofoam and decided to shred it all down the hall. I was not amused and told him to clean it up. He thought he'd just be silly and put it on the walls instead, so I turned on the timer for ten minutes. Of course, he didn't make it and lost his privileges for a show, bedtime stories, and treats for the evening. When I explained the consequences, he fell apart and cried to his father that I was unjust and cruel. They had a talk, but Spencer was mad at me all night.

Carson's turn came later, when I told them both to go to the bathroom. Carson was afraid that Spencer would get there first, and, not to be outdone, bit him on the hand to slow him down. It worked! He also lost his bedtime stories and treats and thought I was a cruel and horrible woman. I sent them both off to bed ASAP and I hope things go better tomorrow. I had actually planned on blogging some cute stories tonight, but I am no longer in the mood.

New Year's Eve

I've never been crazy about New Year's. What's the big deal about getting a new calendar? Every month we turn the page and we don't have a party about it. As far as resolutions, if people need to make changes in their lives, they should do it now, not wait for a "new year." It's just an excuse for procrastination. Yes, I am a New Year Scrooge.

Nevertheless, I made a couple of treats for Andy and I to enjoy while we watched "Marley and Me" last night. (He ate a lot of bean dip--wish me luck!) I thought the movie wouldn't be as emotional as the book, but it was. We both bawled at the end--such a great story, and so true to life. Hopefully Andy is beginning to understand the benefits of a family dog. People started shooting firecrackers toward the end of the show, and Dakota got nervous. She was pacing quickly around the room and making worried little "woofs." Finally she came and sat right between our two chairs and watched the show with us. She is a sweet dog. Yesterday the boys and I took her down to the field to play. She has such a blast in the snow. She tears through it at full speed and bends down to scoop up a mouthful of snow midstride. Pretty impressive! Carson slipped on some ice and started to cry, and Dakota immediately ran to see what was the matter. The boys adore her. They drive their little cars on her and include her in their games of basketball, Follow the Leader, and pirate ship.

Christmas

Christmas was nice this year (I don't really remember one that wasn't). On Christmas Day we all stayed home, took naps, and played with our new stuff.

The day before, we had a family Christmas party with Andy's side. Look at these cute wise men and shepherd! They were all so solemn and sweet.

We gave Spencer a volcano kit, so we tried it out that night. It was a little boring, so Andy jazzed it up by pouring large amounts of vinegar and baking soda in. The kids thought it was great.

Look at that cute face!

Practicing the water flutes Grandma gave them....

This is one to show the girlfriends in a few years. Carson HATES sweaters!! He was quite unhappy about wearing one to church the day after Christmas, but I told him he had to.

A quick story: Spencer occasionally says he doesn't want to go back to school, he'd rather stay home all the time. So I tease him by saying he would turn into a "dumb kid" and not know how to read or add. So on the Sunday mentioned above, Carson came out of the bathroom with his pants around his ankles. Andy told him to pull up his pants. He said, "I can't--I'm a dumb kid!" Someone's been eavesdropping! He has all kinds of excuses for not doing things. Also in his repertoire are "I don't know how," "It will take forever!" and a good standby "I don't want to." People get sudden tummyaches when they don't want to finish their dinner, too. Too bad kids have been using the same excuses for generations and parents know better!

Santa brought Andy a snowblower! There was no snow on Christmas, but we got plenty the next day. He plowed four driveways and the sidewalks. The neighbors all think he is so thoughtful and kind, but he is just having a good time with his new toy!

Birthdays

I have a bit of catching up to do! Last week I had a lovely birthday, even though I was sick with a cold (it's not the first time, and probably not the last). I told the boys I wasn't going to do any chores, I didn't even do my hair. We just played and relaxed all day. Andy brought home dinner, so it was a pleasant, quiet day. He gave me a hardback copy of my whole blog! It has been so fun to have it in book form and browse through memory lane. There are so many things I thought I'd never forget, but I'm surprised at how much I did!

Thanks, dear, for a great birthday gift!

The boys all made my favorite strawberry cake. I think this is a first! Andy is showing off his baking skills (he made several Jello pies this year and thinks he is quite the chef)!

The next day was Dakota's birthday! She is now two years old. People keep assuring me she will "settle down" sometime in the next year. I sure hope they're right. She is lots of fun though. The boys are SOOOO in love with her! We gave her a couple of toys and treats for her birthday. We would have taken her out for a romp in the park, but it was wet all day.

"Look at my new trick!" The little boys think she is hilarious.

The grooming place was booked all that week, so we had to wait until after Christmas to get her spa treatment. She had a nice bath and even got her nails painted! Isn't she a pretty princess?? She sure smells better!