clean-up, aisle Grant

"I'm so sorry Mommy, I'm so sorry.  Mommy, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to.  I forgot to hold onto the bowl Mommy, I'm so sorry."

Before I could dig my way back out of the refrigerator, where I had only been for a few moments trying to pull a gallon of milk out of the far back corner, I could hear Grant saying those words.  I heard a loud thump of something hitting the floor first....yes, an entire bowl of pancake batter.

I might add that Parker had managed to climb up onto the same chair Grant was standing on and then proceeded to climb on top of the kitchen counter and looked like Superman by the time I could get to him.  Needless to say I think Grant had some help in getting that bowl off the counter but none-the-less, I had a colossal mess to clean-up and it was near impossible to keep Parker out of the bulk of it before I could get it all cleaned up.  

In Mrs. I's words, "UFF DA!"

rain helps the flowers grow

As we were pulling out of the driveway, a couple of weeks ago, Grant said, "Mommy, it's raining again?  That's okay Mommy, the rain will help your flowers grow."


Wow, does he know how his Mommy thinks, or what? And why is it that it takes a 3 1/2 year old to change my attitude about the weather?  I loathe the winter months here...or shall I just admit to having a bad attitude about it October through June?  I'm not a fan of the constant grey and liquid sunshine as many call it and evidently I haven't kept it a very good secret from my kiddos.


I love you Grant and you know what little buddy?  You were right, it does help Mommy's flowers grow, the daffodils are already up a few inches!  Thank you for helping Mommy to open her eyes to some of the beautiful things we do have this time of year in our part of the country!

lights

I'm behind, what seems like way too far behind, but for now I found this photo from putting away our Christmas decorations, I love our little Bear!

respect

31 BIBLICAL VIRTUES to pray for your kids


9. Respect (for self, others, authority). "Father, grant that my children may show proper respect to everyone, as your Word commands" (1 Pet. 2:17).

P Bear talking

Parker can do sign language like crazy but still seems to prefer screaming to get our attention, pretty much all the time and especially if there is something he's not in favor of!  He does have a few words and seems to be adding to them daily which we are loving, especially Grant!

uh oh = uh oh
ball = baaaaw
golf ball = gawf baaaw
cookie = cookie
apple = apple
banana = aaaana
blue = blue
doggie = giiieeee
cheese = chhhhsssss

Lastly, an update on the teeth count, one of Parker's bottom molars finally has come through with the last one on its way along with both eye teeth.  Poor guy has the brightest, hottest, rosy pink cheeks ever these days.

faster Daddy, faster!

In the car yesterday Grant told Frank to drive faster.

Grant: "Daddy, drive faster!"
Frank & I:  "There are speed limits...blah, blah, blah (to Grant's ears!)."
Grant: "Well, Lightening McQueen goes super fast Daddy!  He goes around and around and around, past all of the other cars!"

Christmas with the R's

We had our grand finale with Frank's family when Grandma R returned from her trip.  The boys loved having another Christmas!

 Of course, there was a lot of assistance given in opening everyone's gifts!  Grant got a kick out of Grandma Billie's hatchet!

And Parker got a kick out of the ribbon used on all of the packages!

What a surprise and amazing gift from Grandma Billie, paintings she made of each of the boys, we absolutely love and adore these and will treasure them always!

Merry Christmas ~ 2011

The morning started with stockings and the boys couldn't have been more ready!

Lollipops in the stockings, Parker's ended up on the floor, the couch, the coffee table, lots of extra protein on his!

Yes, one of Parker's gifts was a near empty roll of toilet paper, he delighted in ripping it apart, just as I had suspected!

Grant's lone wish for Christmas was a pair of gloves like his Daddy's.  Here he is, just having opened his white cowhide John Deere gloves, he immediately stood up and started singing his own made-up John Deere glove song (choreography and all), it was absolutely priceless and had us all rolling on the floor laughing.  If only we had the video camera rolling at that moment!

Parker LOVES to be read to and everyone took full advantage of cuddling with him on the couch!

Great-Grandma Billie and Grandpa R joined us in the afternoon after having dropped Grandma R off at the airport to fly to be with her Mother and family.

 This little guy was certainly spoiled, Grandpa and Grandma O surprised him with his very first balance bike.  He's already riding around like he's been doing it for months!

Singing, Happy Birthday Jesus, after dinner, Parker and Grant fought to blow out the candle as usual.

Lastly, Bob the Builder helped Grandpa O put together one of Frank's Christmas presents from his parents, a lawn mower.  As excited as we are for this gift I think it's safe to say, we are officially old.

Christmas Eve

Our two little peanuts looking quite dapper for Christmas Eve service at church!

 We chose to put the gifts under the tree on Christmas Eve, note to self: do NOT do this if you want your 3 year old to actually fall asleep before 10 PM!!

I love this picture of Uncle Mark and the boys being silly!

Frank, you big goof ball!