fishy face

I'm so glad I finally caught Blake with one of his infamous faces ... he has been doing funny things with his lips since birth. When he was born, he kept his lower lip tucked under his top one. It was so funny! He also makes what we call the "old man, gummy face" and has now started his fishy lips.

What a silly boy!

an ode to the binky

Well, I don't really know how to write an ode, so I guess this won't officially be an ode, but maybe more of a eulogy. 13 days ago, Max had to say "good-bye" to his binkies forever. Now, it's very obvious that most people don't think older children (like 2 and 3) should have binkies. They usually share their thoughts on it right away, and I was one of those people. I couldn't stand it when I saw kids talking with a binky in their mouth and told myself I'd never let my child do that. But, then that time comes, and you find yourself in a totally different spot.

As a mother, to see something so little and so harmless bring such joy to a little boy ... it's hard to break their heart and take it away. Max loved his binky... probably more than he loves his mom (just kidding). You should have seen his face when he would find a binky that had fallen behind the bed or under the couch. It was like a treasure of gold! His face would like up and he'd scream "BINKY"! When he was sad, it would comfort him; when it was bedtime, it would lull him to sleep.

But, it was time to let it go. The first two days were really hard. I won't even say who was ready to give it back to him (and it wasn't me!). It's hard to see them so sad about something. But, it's day 13 ... and he only mentions it once in awhile now. Usually in saying, "No more binky for Max" very matter-of-factly.

Bye-bye binkies. You were dearly loved. May you rest in peace.

What happens when Uncle Bob sends us silly computer games ...

The whole family gets into it! First it was Daddy and Max and then Grant had to have a turn. Max gets to push the button to launch the missile! I think Daddy has the high score on that game. To play the game, go to:

CANNON GAME

nuthin' better ...

then licking frosting off the beaters! We made some homemade cupcakes and frosting the other week for a friend, and even though it made quite a huge mess, it was a lot of fun and tasted really yummy!! Max thought so too!

is it summertime?

Well, I feel a little bad for having such nice weather, when it seems like other parts of the country are buried in snow. Of course, that is for a fleeting moment, and then I go back to enjoying the warmth!! :P It's been in the 70's off and on this last week, so we had to get out and enjoy it. Blake had his first experience with bubbles ... and had fun! Not too fond of the grass on his legs, but was able to get past that enough to enjoy the bubbles.

Max loves it outside. If he could, he'd probably live outside. He is always busy playing with something and hates it when it's time to come in!

no greater joy ...

At this point in my motheringhood (is that a word?), there really is no greater joy than to see my children laughing together and enjoying each other's company. While it is easier for them not to get along, I truly appreciate it when I get to see these moments. Being an only child who wanted so badly to have brothers and sisters, it is hard for me to see them be unkind, disrespectful and rude to each other, and I try hard to teach them it's unacceptable, but it must be something about being a sibling that I just don't understand.

Fortunately, Katelyn and Max have had a great connection since the day Max was born. She takes great care of him and always spends time with him when he asks. If anything, he is the one that can be a little mean to her, but she loves him anyway.

I am so happy I caught these moments on film (guess not film, but on memory card? that sounds weird! LOL!). The two of them were goofing around in the kitchen; Max being his regular ham and giving Katelyn some crazy looks! I love Katelyn's smile ... so real!

some fun with the wiggle racers

So, Steve will probably never go back to a home and garden show. We just went for shower cleaner and left with some wiggle racers. I mean, come on, they are good exercise! And we couldn't get Max and Grant off of them, so we added them to the collection in our garage. Seriously, they are fun, though. We've had some crazy races in our kitchen. Here is Grant showing me some of his stunts. Oh, and if Grant tries to tell you that he beat me at our 3-lap kitchen race, don't let him embellish the story ... it was only by 1 second! I will be back!