Logan's Fifth Birthday

We spent our weekend in Abilene to celebrate my nephew's fifth birthday. Caleb was so excited all the way there talking about playing with Logan and Dylan and seeing uncle Mike and aunt Steph. We asked Caleb how daycare went, he said "I play with Aidan, and Carson". I asked him if he had to go to "tiki time". (I thought I should ask since we've been having such a tough time at home.) He responded "nooo, I's a good boy", Greg and I thought that was pretty funny. Saturday we got up early to watch Logan's soccer game. Then the boys went to the coach's house for an end of year party with apparently a huge slide and bounce house, while Steph and I went shopping and had some bonding time. Later the boys enjoyed playing outside in the backyard, they were constantly going all weekend. I should be mad at Greg for teaching Caleb this trick, right?

Today we celebrated Logan's birthday at Chuck E Cheese's. The kids had a blast and Caleb loved the dinosaur theme. We played lots of game and ate pizza and cake, all the ingredients to a successful party.

Caleb meets the Dentist

Caleb had his first dental exam and teeth cleaning today. I originally made the appointment because Caleb's lower lateral incisor's weren't in yet, and they usually make their appearance around 10-16 months. This morning before his appointment I thought I'd check one more time and there they were, one just a swollen mound, and the other actually breaking through with its pointed edge. That figures huh! Well they recommend their first exam around 2 years anyway, so off we went. I was worried he might have a problem with this exam, but the hygienist and dentist were awesome. Caleb had so much fun and actually cooperated throughout the whole cleaning, which I was surprised they actually did on a 2yo. I thought they would just take a look and tell me to continue brushing daily. What a success! I don't remember liking the dentist as much as he did.

Well he was at least cooperative for them. Now me on the other hand. We have been struggling with this "no tell me no, mommy" and, as of the last few days, biting as well. Time out is not doing the trick. He is becoming a very strong representative of the terrible twos. Any advice would be welcomed.

Today Caleb tripped on the carpet and must of hit his arm because he ran to me with his arm held up for kisses and with the most pitiful voice said "the carpet did it mommy". I told him I was sorry and he said " carpet goes to tiki time mommy". I guess that's timeout at school. He tried to put daddy in "tiki time" several times tonight when daddy didn't do what he wanted.

Here are some pictures of Andrew and Caleb at the park today. We met up with them for some fun after the dentist appointment.

Scary Monsters!

So Caleb's fear of the dark has heightened. He walked into the dark kitchen this evening and scared me to death as he ran out of the kitchen screaming "scary monster mommy." He's been talking about monsters and how "this is scary", and "that's scary" for weeks now. Then last week when I was picking up Caleb one of the other little boys was saying something about monsters, and the teacher says "there's no monsters Carson." Ah ha! It all made sense, I can just imagine the kids trying to scare each other discussing monsters. Later this evening, Caleb wanted to get his triceratops suit, but he had to walk way around the entrance of the kitchen keeping a very watchful eye out for monsters. Poor thing, I'm going to have to keep lights on in every room so he can walk around the house. He did enjoy wearing his dinosaur costume again.

We have several lizards that camp out on our window. Greg introduced them to Caleb, so every night Caleb enjoys watching them and talking to them. When they run away, scared off by Caleb, he says "wizards went to seep".

Pumpkins, pumpkins, pumpkins

We finally made it to the Pumpkin Patch this weekend. Saturday we woke at our usual 7:30am and had a leisurely breakfast. Then off for fun at the Patch. Caleb loved the Disney artwork, getting closeups with Mickey Mouse, Elmo, and Cookie monster to name a few. Dad helped, or really Caleb led daddy through the hay maze. Caleb went back through the maze two more times on his own, he liked it so much. Next was the huge slide and bouncy houses. Caleb was reluctant to be pulled away from those after multiple trips through each. He rode the kids "train" with me, then we all enjoyed the hay ride. Finally we wondered through the pumpkin patch trying to find the perfect pumpkins. Caleb went from pumpkin to pumpkin trying to pick each one up saying "I want this one". We had a wonderful time.After nap time we traveled over to Caleb's friend, Teresa's pumpkin carving party. Sarah and Ken, Teresa's parents, host these toddler parties every few months. You may remember the splash party from this summer. The kids always love hanging out, and it's a nice way for us grown ups to socialize as well. Caleb was so excited to see Teresa again, he was talking about her all day. The kiddos started out with a social snack of fruit and crackers. Then they enjoyed chasing bubbles in the yard. Next, we got down to business with the pumpkin carving. Caleb wasn't so sure about the pumpkin goo we had to dig out. He made the funniest faces when Greg made him touch the slimy insides of the pumpkin. He was easily distracted from the detail work, but the end result was good. All the pumpkins looked great. Lastly, after wonderful hamburgers and hotdogs cooked up by Ken, we made s'mores for dessert. I was harassed a little for my minimal knowledge in the making of s'mores. I have only had them once in my life back in college on a horrible camping trip (Remember Gin!). Maybe I didn't want to relive the experience, I'm not sure. But this time it was really yummy. I know Caleb loved them, he also liked the fire way too much. I would say it was a successful weekend.

Fun with Playdough

My mom came in last night for a quick overnight visit. Caleb was very excited to see his grandma. When I picked him up from daycare and told him grandma was waiting for us at the house, his comment was "she drive white truck." That's true, but I'm not sure why or how he remembered that info. After dinner, they enjoyed making snakes out of playdough. He wanted me to take a picture of each snake; he was so proud. All was going well with the playdough until mom and I got distracted in conversation and Caleb decided to bury the playdough into the carpet.

I had to work today to cover for another PA I work with, but I get to be off tomorrow instead. It'll be nice to have a long weekend to hang out with Caleb. We hope to make it to the Pumpkin Patch this weekend. Tonight at dinner Greg gave Caleb milk in his mug. Caleb informed us he was having "coffee". I guess I drink too much coffee.

I haven't been able to find a batman costume that fits Caleb for Halloween. I guess that's ok because he kept saying "no batman, spiderman!". But the toddler spiderman mask was too tight and I couldn't find any pull over masks his size anywhere. So tonight we went by Toys R Us, and I found the perfect costume. It was the last dinosaur left, and not only a dinosaur, but Caleb's favorite dinosaur, the Triceratops! He was so excited, he wore the "hat" all the way home.

Big Boy Class

Today Caleb was moved up to the older 2yr old class where most of his old classmates already have been for the last few months. It was Claire's first day to move up too (Caleb's girlfriend); we met her in the hall going into class. I had him hang his backpack on his new green hook and walk me to the door like usual. But instead of a hug and kiss, he just pushed me out and shut the door. Then he ran off after his best friend, Luke whom he reunited with right away. I should be glad he enjoys his friends and daycare so much, but it was hard to lose my kisses! Greg said when he got home Caleb wanted something to drink. But when he tried to screw on the sippy cup lid, Caleb was crying "no yid, no yid". Greg didn't realize what he was saying until he tried tightening the lid and Caleb got louder and more frustrated. He then understood, no lid. Caleb's new class doesn't use sippy cups, they now drink from "Big Boy" cups. We'll see how that goes.

Greg needed my help to move our huge headboard downstairs. As we were attempting to guide the massive board down, Caleb was screaming "Be careful daddy", "Don't drop the bed", "Oh no"... I almost dropped the bed I was laughing so hard. Caleb can be so dramatic. He then continued to help daddy move the bed out to the garage.

We are family, I got all my sisters with me!

It was a busy weekend. Greg and I were off Thursday and Friday for some vacation time, and my sisters came in for a visit. Thursday we spent most of the day catching up on house chores. Caleb and I snuck in lots of fun time too since Thursday is are usual fun day. We talked dad into taking a break and going to the park with us. Caleb brought his soccer ball to kick around with daddy, he met an older playmate too. It was cute watching him meet his new friend and engaging him in the soccer game. We let Caleb stay up later since uncle Rhett and aunt Dani were coming in that evening. Caleb was so excited by their arrival, his was actually giddy. I haven't seen him so hyper without sugar being involved. The next morning he was still on a natural high when things continued to escalate with the arrival of my older sister Steph and her two kiddos, Logan (4) and Dylan (2). Caleb and his cousins had a great time all weekend with the normal "it's mine", "no mine" arguments intermixed. They survived, but my house is another story. I had planned to take everyone to the pumpkin patch in Flower Mound, but Caleb must have picked up the stomach virus going around daycare, so are plans were limited. He threw up Friday after his nap, while we were at the park to play. Then all was fine, so I was praying he just had an upset stomach with the excitement and car ride. We continued to enjoy our time at the park. Aunt Dani played referee between Logan and Caleb.

Steph helped tow the kids across the play yard under the direction of Caleb.The kids really seem to have a good time. But then later after dinner, Caleb threw up again, on poor aunt Dani. Wonderful! Again after that he felt better and wanted to continue playing. I am not quite sure what we're looking at below, but apparently it was very interesting.Saturday morning Caleb woke much dehydrated and weak, only wanting mommy and with no effort made to play with the cousins. Now that's seriously ill! He ate some bland foods and stuck to pediolyte and water the rest of the day, and after nap time he was back to normal. Kids are amazing. Now everyone is just crossing their fingers, and praying we won't get this 24 hour bug. We watched the UT game, only by force, and the Texas Tech game. Both successful ventures for our teams. Actually, both my sisters and my brother-in-law went to UT, so Greg and I were outnumbered. They even brainwashed Caleb into saying "hook em horns". I tried to counter with "go Tech" and "get your guns up", which Caleb used to have memorized. But Caleb said "no mommy, hook em horns"! I am doomed. My parents will probably disown him now. (They both went to Texas Tech too.) Since we were short on time, we went to another park that afternoon instead of the pumpkin patch, and took uncle Rhett and daddy this time. Again the boys loved all the climbing, "driving", and sliding they could do together. Even the "big kids" enjoyed their outing. And these are the role models? What poor examples!

That night we went over to our aunt Jill and uncle Stu's house for a mini reunion. We had a great time cooking out and catching up. Overall, even with the stomach virus bout, we had a great weekend. I was sad to see everyone go!