If it hadn't been for...

Thanksgving Day Fun

A little random, these  pictures.  A new blogger set up has invaded my computer, so I guess I will catch up with the rest of blog world with these new features!
We had a lot of fun on thanksgiving day.  Time spent togther as a family is always good!  We ended up playing playdough at home that evening. This is always a hit with our boys!

Mama and her ice cream cone, not a microphone, just want to clarify that.  I don't sing or perform anything!

And leave it to a teenager to make her boots a part of my thanksgiving pictures.

Looks like he is really writing, eh?  Well, not so much, look closer he is sleeping!

2 little monkeys

2 little monkeys, jumpin on the bed
one fell off and bumped his head

1 little monkey, jumpin on the bed

he fell off and bumped his head

no more monkeys jumpin on the bed!

Oh, be careful little...

Every Tuesday and Thursday

Those are Sam's favorite days to wake up and get ready.

He loves preschool.

I am so thankful!

We begin by rushing to find out what the letter is for the week.

He is always excited to find out.

We talk about it a lot thru the week.

Things that begin with the special letter,

what sound it makes.

He has always been good with his letters, colors,etc.

But has learned so much already this year.

I know now that he recognizes all letters.

Then we head over to find our chart to flip it over so his teachers know he is there!

We talk about what month it is and the day of the week.

He has learned his months in order

and days of the week (right now he often forgets Thursday).

And then it is to this wall.

Not the toys, time for them later...

He points out each letter that he has learned

from the alphabet train. Along with the sound that letter makes.

Then we discuss all the colors.

And then it is shapes.

This is my favorite, he knows all of them (even the hard ones)

Like hexagon (DH missed that one last night).

To top it off, we talk about whether each word has that letter in them.

I love his zeal for learning. I am sure to send him full of breakfast. I would hate him to be distracted because he is soaking up so much right now!

Which reminds me...

O be careful little eyes what you see
O be careful little eyes what you see
There's a Father up above
And He's looking down in love
So, be careful little eyes what you see

O be careful little ears what you hear
O be careful little ears what you hear
There's a Father up above
And He's looking down in love
So, be careful little ears what you hear

O be careful little hands what you do
O be careful little hands what you do
There's a Father up above
And He's looking down in love
So, be careful little hands what you do

O be careful little feet where you go
O be careful little feet where you go
There's a Father up above
And He's looking down in love
So, be careful little feet where you go

O be careful little mouth what you say
O be careful little mouth what you say
There's a Father up above
And He's looking down in love
So, be careful little mouth what you say

Good reminder for mama & daddy too!

Need Names...

So, the fish from Sam's party are still going strong.

Well - at least the ones at our house.

Others took them home and named them, but they are not living anymore.

We haven't named ours yet.

I call them little boogers cause I change their water {yuck}.

Got anything better?

If we name them will they float to the top,

probably just my posting them for the world to see will cause their end.

Kinda like yesterday, while I was posting about potty training..

Joe was hiding in the corner {unknown to me} pooping his pants.

Yeah, you better believe I called him little booger

while I changed his pants and gave him another bath!

6 months, 2 boys, 0 diapers

I didn't plan it this way.

But, it could not have worked out any better.

Sam trained late {according to the books}

perfect {if you ask him}

and

Joe right on time {according to the books}

early {if you ask me}.

6 months, a lot of soiled underwear, a few pull ups,

{not really a fan b/c my boys treat them like a diaper}

a few frustrations, but many more victory dances

These boys are {trained}!

This came {and still does} with lots of reminders,

a few accidents here and there,

and lots of encouragment {and help} from Grandma Jean.

Thanks Grandma!

Zoo Day Hooray!

Our annual Evansville Zoo Day was {once again}

a ton of fun!

Trying for annual group photo with the giraffe,

not so successful {look close, Joe was NOT happy}

Kyleigh (almost 5) and Breanna (almost 3)

Sam (almost 4) and Joe 2

Note to self - max of 1 stroller next year. They were not it them!

We saw a lot of this smile.

And the bridge was a hit once again.

This exhibit is built for a rhino, no rhinos

no hippo, no lion, not many monkeys,

needless to say Novemember may not be the best month to visit the zoo

for animals, if that is what you are into}

However, the weather was perfect, warmer than years past.

And the kids could run endlessly b/c of no crowds.

It worked out good and if we saw the occasional animal our kids were pleased!

We got really close again this year.

{really close}

All the sweeties again.

The kids {and mamas} wanted to climb in this rope thing.

It was a lot of work!

And the spider web was fun again.

Then it was time to make our exit.

We had so much fun Melissa and girls, can't wait until next year!

Wanna see the fun last year and the time before...

http://guat-mama.blogspot.com/2008/10/2-years-2-more-kids.html

Falls Past

Our Falls in the Past...

Fall 2006 - Sam 10 months
Fall 2007 - Sam 22 months

Fall 2008 - Sam 2&1/2, Joe (just home a few days) - 14 mo.

Fall 2009 - Sam 3&1/2, Joe 2

Fall is so much more fun with these two little men.

4th birthday fishing fun!

What a great party Sam had on Saturday.

If you listen, he would tell you.

It was perfect {well, far from it} but perfect for him.

We had lots of fun opening his gifts.

He loved them all.

Thanks everyone!

And his cake - he was so proud of this fish cake.

And we got this grin as everyone sang him Happy Birthday.

And I did, yes, me - make the cake.
Unfortunately, my hopes were a little too high for this venture...
I will not be quitting my job at the pharmacy -
I am much better at that!
All things said it turned out good and Sam loved helping.


The favorite game? Magnet fishing of course.
Super easy to make with magnets and dowel rods.
The treasure chest was a hit and the gummy fish blue jello.

Papaw helped fry fish and then put together Sam's workbench.

We played checkout this night {and every night since}

we got our cart of groceries and cash register...

And grandpa great came even after a long day farming.

And of course we had to put Sam's new tent up before he went to bed.
Thanks Allison {wink} - paybacks...


And DH and I topped the weekend off with a trip to the Colts game Sunday.

Love Lucas Oil Stadium

Love the Colts 8-0

Loved the atmosphere

and

Time with DH

I think this is my favorite birthday yet. The first ones are great, memorable. But, Sam really got it this time. That is what it is really about. He loved the theme, pulled out all things fish in the days before the party. He named all the people he wanted to come to his party. Talked about it for months (since Joe's in august), helped with the cake. He smiled, loved all his gifts, has played with each one. Thanked everyone that came. He loved it.

Loved the attention but with a sweet spirit.

Now we sang to him, celebrated him, but just for the record -

I still have a 3 year old, at least for a little while.

Thank you Lord for this special boy you have entrusted us the raise. I am at awe at your awesome power in handpicking the perfect oldest son for us. Sam is everything we imagined he would be. Thank you for his sweet spirit and eagerness to learn and celebrate new things. Thank you for allowing us to celebrate this 4th birthday with him. AMEN