The Attraction

Keith has always had an attraction to old pick-ups.  He's always on the lookout for the perfect old pick-up, often veering sharply off the road or whipping a u-turn on the highway, so he can take a second look at a "beauty."  Last week he finally found one he just couldn't resist.  

Come to find out, this attraction is hereditary.  As soon as Keith pulled in the drive with his "new" find, my little men were suddenly sucked out the door and glued to his side.  These days he can hardly walk toward the door without sending all three boys scrambling to find their shoes and coats and follow on his heels.

We took the pick-up for a little Sunday drive today, all five of us lined up on the old bench seat.  Tyler turns to me with this surge of happiness and says, "When I grow up, I'm gonna drive a pick-up!"  Even as he said it his countenance fell and you can imagine the next thing that was running through his 5 year-old mind.  "Why is it taking SO LONG to grow up?!"

Just Need a Horse, Mom!

The boys love to dress up as cowboys.  They are very particular.  It's not okay to just wear boots or hat or Wranglers.  If yur gonna be a cowboy, ya gotta have the whole getup.  Only trouble is they have no giddy-up! Boyd informed me he has everything, now he just needs a horse...hmmm.  Sorry boys, I'm not seeing that in the near future.  I sure love my little cow pokes though!

Monte Turns 18 Months

Things to remember about this stage:

Monte loves to tease. He finds a way to make us laugh, then repeats that behavior over and over.  Like holding out a piece of sandwich like he wants to share with me.  And just as I try to nibble off a corner, he  snatched it away and giggles.  Or running away when I'm trying to dress him, or going limp when we're trying to pull his pants up, giggling all the while.  Have you ever tried to put pants on a toddler when they're too silly to stand up straight?!

Something else to remember is his enthusiasm for potty training.  I've always had anxiety around starting this process, but Monte makes it fun and entertaining.  What a thrill to see him learn to communicate his needs and take on the challenge of staying clean and dry.

He's become very passionate about his tricycle lately.  He has learned how to mount and dismount, stand up and push it forward or backward, and make motor noises while turning the handlebars.  He's still a half inch short though - not able to make the full pedal rotation.  So, Keith figured out how to hook the ski harness onto the handles and pull him down the street.  This way he feels like one of the big boys and they can all ride together.

And lastly, his talking.  He is learning a new word every other day or so.  He has been using baby signs for words like "more" and "hat."  However, now he's saying the word while making the sign.  Whenever he really, REALLY wants our attention, he looks up at us and says, "Mom, MOM, MMMOOOMMM!"  No matter who it is.  If he gets what he's asking for, it's, "Tants, Mom."  (Thanks, Mom) Very quiet and polite.  And again, no matter who he's speaking to.  I love it.  It's like payback time for me, because his first word, of course, was "Daddy!"

Saturdays Are Daddydays!

And Daddy is our hero!

I love cozy, wintry Saturday mornings.  The satisfaction of watching the family wake up one at a time, the comforting sound of hymns being played softly on the piano while the water boils on the stove.  The entertaining process of making coffee, one large mug for Daddy, three little cups for the boys containing mostly milk and maple syrup.

I love Saturday breakfasts too.  Sometimes waffles with strawberries and whipped cream along side bacon and fried eggs.  Sometimes omelets with sweet potato hash browns.  But my favorite is Pioneer Woman's recipe for Migas - a southwestern dish of fried chopped corn tortillas mixed into super flavorful scrambled egg.  My mouth is watering and it's only Wednesday!

We've had some wonderful Saturdays this winter.  I think the one pictured above may be the most memorable though.  The day Daddy built the igloo!  He started with a small pile of snow from the driveway.  As he dug out the center, he piled that snow on top, and the igloo began to take shape.  Several hours of digging, packing, and shaping and the boys had a sturdy, frozen play house in the front yard!  Yes, Daddy is our hero!

Tyler's ABC Dance

The kindergarten classes at Tyler's school did not do a Holiday performance this year.  Instead, in February, under the direction of Dancer's Workshop instructors, they practiced and performed the ABC Dance.  It was an impressive 40 minute show in which the kids displayed incredible focus, courage, and talent.  When the parents filed into the theater, it was still and silent with the children all frozen in a position of their choosing.  As the music began to play, they slowly and silently warmed up and then bravely maneuvered through four dances featuring each individual student and their respective letters.

My heart melted watching these sweet, innocent kids each trying to do their very best.  And they all did a wonderful job.  Tyler had been nervous about the performance.  He wanted to do everything just perfect!  And in my book, he did.  I absolutely love this age!  Every moment I get to spend with Tyler and his classmates is such a treat!

Special Sister Time

 How perfectly pleasant to have these special ladies in my kitchen yesterday!

Keith suggested we try something new and interesting...

 ....thanks to all the help it turned out new, interesting, delicious and fantastically fun!

Heidi and Sandy, I am forever indebted to you for showing us how to make this melt-in-your-mouth chocolate mousse!

I am grateful for my time with these special "sisters."  They brought smiles and sunshine and wonderful fellowship.  Are there any greater gifts on this earth?

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend!