Half-pint Snapshot...

Tonight, as I visited with Half-pint at bed time about the happenings of today and what to expect tomorrow, I told him tomorrow is Aunt C6's 8th birthday. Then, trying to illicit a little conversation about baptism, I said:

"Do you know what happens when you turn eight?"

Half-pint thought for a minute, then cocked his head a little, and with innocence in his eyes said:

"Your hair turns white and you get a little old?"

Quarter-pint Happenings...

Quarter-pint is as mischievous as he is adorable. I literally never know what he's going to do next. A few weeks ago the boys were playing nicely together in the basement, while I was upstairs. I heard Quarter-pint whining as he was coming up the stairs. I was totally unprepared for what I saw as he emerged from the bowels of the basement... He wasn't actually whining like I originally thought, but instead was repeating "stuck, stuck, stuck.." over and over all the way up the stairs. I immediately started laughing-he looked so funny stuck with the bucket handle across his chest, and the rest protruding behind him. He was a good sport and let me get a few snapshots before I set him free.

I have also recently found him standing on the kitchen table...his little arms extended about his head..."inging, inging" (swinging, swinging - for those that don't speak his missing initial consonant language). The light suspended from the ceiling above the table rocking back and forth.

He has also had adventures on the counter tops. I came into the kitchen to find a kitchen chair pushed up to the counter, and little Quarter-pint standing on the counter top-cupboard open. "Ake...Ake...Up" (cake, cake) He was trying to reach the muffin paper liners on the very top shelf (I can't even reach the top shelf without a little assistance!) so he could eat cake.

I love our central vacuum, at least I did until about a week ago. That's when I realized all the vacuum hose "plugs" are right at Quarter-pint's level. And they are fun to play with...each has a door with a spring so it stays shut when not in use. Who knew one of Quarter-pint's brand new Christmas presents - a bakugan (it's a small spherical toy that magnetically pops open to reveal a transformer-ish looking creature) - fits precisely in the central vacuum hose plug door? We had to vacuum the whole house before the darn thing would appear in the vacuum bag (in the freezing garage...it's been a really cold winter in CO). When Daddy showed it to me, it was totally encrusted with vacuum dust...in every little crevice, and there are a lot of crevices.

It happens at least a couple of times a week...I hear Half-pint half screaming, half laughing and find Quarter-pint laying on top of his brother in a pint-sized tackle.

We've been talking up the potty quite a bit around here lately. Quarter-pint needs some encouraging to really get potty training finished. On a recent shopping trip, we picked up some "big boy underpants" in his size-complete with his favorite character-Buzz Lightyear. Quarter-pint was so excited about it when we got home he wanted to look at the different pairs. Before I knew it, he had put one on over his diaper. Then another, and another, and another. He would have worn all 7 pairs, (all over his diaper) but the leg holes were getting too tight, and another just wouldn't fit. So, here he is...wearing nothing but a diaper and 4 pairs of big boy pants!

Half-pint Gets Sick...Again...

It's been that kind of a holiday season for Half-pint. The weekend before Christmas the kids and I spent a few days at Grandma's house so I could utilize Grandma's help finishing a few homemade Christmas presents. The last night we stayed, Half-pint was hoarse and had a terrible night sleep. He joined Quarter-pint and I in the basement around 2 am, but neither Half-pint nor I slept very much...he was too uncomfortable and I was listening to his best sleeping Darth Vader impression. The next morning I promptly got him an appointment with the doctor so he could confirm what I already knew...croup. Then Half-pint generously shared it with me for Christmas! What a kid! A few days after the holiday I had full-on laryngitis (the adult version of croup).

It's taken three weeks to rid Half-pint of the residual cold after the croup (and I'm still working on getting rid of mine), and just as he was getting back to normal, his belly started to hurt, then his throat. So we headed off to the pediatrician again. The MD was surprised when the rapid strep test came back negative and informed me what I already knew: either the strep test would come back positive in a few days (after they grow the culture), OR he has a virus which means diarrhea is coming. The verdict is still out, but given the two options I'm praying for positive strep.

I knew Half-pint was really sick when (in a 3 day period) we missed or rescheduled: speech therapy, gymnastics, play dates, swim lessons and his friend birthday party, and he never put up a fight. So needless to say, we've been spending a lot of time on the couch in pjs watching movies. Thank goodness for the Movie Box! Quarter-pint is literally running laps around the house and I'm trying not to get whatever Half-pint has! Wish us luck!

Happy 5th Birthday Half-pint!!!

I had a hard time with this birthday...I realized that my little Half-pint (who's really not very little-50 lbs. and taller than my elbows) is starting "big kid school" in a few months. We have year round school, so he'll most likely begin early July-on MY birthday! Happy Birthday Mom, I'm off to Big Kid School. Thank goodness it's only half-day kindergarten! Enough of my whining...this post is about Half-pint.

It's amazing how your life changes the moment your first baby is born---and how it continues to change every day after that. Half-pint is such a blessing to our family. He consistently astonishes me-with the things he says, the concepts he understands, the compassion he shows, the ingenuity he displays, the tenderness of his heart, the joy of his spirit, the humor of his personality, and the creativity of his mind. He is a joy to all around him. He has a truly contagious smile-a flash of his adorable dimples and you can't help but smile back at him. He relishes in his role as big brother; and as all brothers, he sometimes wishes to relinquish that role. But he truly loves Quarter-pint; he's lost when they are apart (which, other than preschool, doesn't happen very often).

Half-pint likes to get Quarter-pint up in the morning so they can play together, or so Half-pint can show his brother something amazing he's recently discovered. I look forward to every discovery and epiphany that Half-pint experiences and shares with me.

Half-pint is still a momma's boy, but has bravery to support him through new events (like going to big kid school). He is fun--full of teasing and laughing, not to mention tickles. He is smart, clever, and happy. He is self-reliant, energetic, and helpful. He works hard at learning new things and often catches on quickly. He has a mind that easily figures out puzzles, patterns, and problems-just a week or so ago, he figured out how to get the hex key off the top of the door frame...he simply lobbed his toothbrush up and knocked it down-he was pretty pleased when his toothbrush came down along with it.

Half-pint is truly exceptional-not in a genius sort of way, but as a genuine kind of kid. Half-pint you are precious and delightful, strong and caring, beautiful and kind. We love you!!!

Happy Birthday Half-pint!

Half-pint Wants "Green Money"...

Half-pint has been talking about "green money" (i.e. bills, NOT coins) for some time now. The other night as I was on my way out the door for youth group, he told me about his grand plans:
"Mom! I know how to get green money!!!"
"How's that?"
"I want to sell lemonade! I can sell lemonade to get green money! Make me some lemonade so I can sell it tomorrow!"
It's been a warm November here in the inter-mountain west, but NOT lemonade stand warm!
"Where are you going to sell the lemonade?"
"On the street-outside-outside our house! What about flowers? Mom, you get some flowers on your way home tonight so people can pick the kind they like. I sell flowers to get some green money!"
"Who's going to buy your lemonade and flowers?"
"The people outside, going by."
"We live on a quite street, there won't be very many people. I have an idea...you can earn green money by helping me around the house...setting the table, picking up your toys, making your bed, that sort of thing..."
"No, I don't like that idea!!! I want to sell flowers and lemonade."

Quarter-Pint's "Marshmallow Power"...

Both the boys love cereal. One of the current favorites is Lucky Charms. They call it "Marshmallow Power". I don't think they even know the real name. A few days ago, Quarter-pint was really excited about "Marshmallow Power". He kept pulling it out of the pantry and getting a little bowl full. Like most kids, he eats the marshmallows and leaves the cereal. Fill, Eat, Repeat...

I was where I always seem to be when they begin their antics-at the kitchen sink-when Half-pint alerted me there was a problem in the family room. I was aghast to see Quarter-pint dumping the ENTIRE box of cereal out onto the sofa and floor. As I hollered at him to stop (before I could actually get to him), he proceeded to dump out the remnants. I quickly scooped him up as the last of the marshmallow dust was hitting the rug. The only "marshmallow power" he received was an expeditious trip to his room!

Half-pint Halloween...

This year, the Halloween season seemed to come earlier than ever before. I was shocked when the costume Half-pint was interested in was sold out in his size when I began the epic adventure of finding costumes for the boys-in mid-September! I thought, "we'll be able to find something...it's still early". Then, when I hit the search hard again in early October, I was stunned when literally all the costumes Half-pint was interested in were sold out in his size-even at the on-line stores. I was really feeling like a bad mother...I couldn't even find a costume for my little guy-what a slacker I was!?! (Quarter-pint's was easy...even got it at a discount at a consignment store...in mid-September.) After literally searching ALL the stores in the local mall AND the outlet mall with no luck we came home and hit eBay. I found one that he really liked, won the bid and we waited for it to arrive. When the green monster with 3 eyes (very adorable I might add) finally arrived, I could smell the stench of old cigarette smoke through the plastic packaging. I nearly pass out when I actually opened it! It went straight in the washing machine, but one trip through the wash cycle wasn't enough. Half-pint tried it on and to our utter horror, it was too small! I toyed with the idea of cutting it all apart, sewing hems on all the cuts and making a one-piece suit into three, but quickly decided that was entirely too much work. Luckily for Half-pint I got a great deal on-line on a pirate costume. I bought it with the intention of "dress up", but with the entire Halloween costume fiasco (which lasted a good 6 weeks) I decided to offer it up. He was thrilled and quickly decided that was the costume for him! Thankfully he's pretty agreeable about those kind of things!

(this little giraffe loves lollipops)

Then the week of Halloween, we were hit with a HUGE snow storm...HUGE...3 snow days from school-amidst 2.5 days of non-stop snow! (I nearly went CRAZY, especially because the timing of the storm was the first week back from a 2 week fall break!) Half-pint's Halloween party at preschool was postponed, and then cancelled due to the weather. The trunk'or'treat activity at church was a huge maybe right up until the 28th, and we were all praying that the weather would hold and the snow would stop in time for the actual holiday.

Thankfully, the snow let up and the weather warmed up enough that trick'or'treating was actually pleasant (I just wore a light weight jacket-no heavy coats!). The boys were excited about the annual tradition of trick'or'treating at Daddy's office. They get to see their cousins-that makes it really fun! Quarter-pint started to get the hang of the whole free candy thing. He loved it!

Then, on Halloween evening, we did more trick'or'treating at the church activity. All the way home, the boys ate as much candy as they wanted...it's it great to be a kid! We got pizza for dinner and Half-pint set his mind to man the door. By 5:30 he was sticking his little neck out the front door and yelling to anyone within earshot that we had candy and they should come to our door. He was actually soliciting trick'or'treaters!

I took the boys out in our neighborhood to fill their new candy bags (hand-made while waiting out a snow storm). When we came to houses with a bowl of candy on the porch, Half-pint would intentionally take candy he didn't like. I questioned him about it and was quite surprised at his response:

"You don't like that kind of candy."

"I know."
"You can pick a different kind, something that you like."

"I know, I want to take this one."

"WHY???"

"So I can sell it at home, to the kids who come to our door."

Wow, I was shocked...he understood it on some many levels...like we can take his candy and pass it out if our candy bowl runs out...what kid actually plans for that??? Is he a budding entrepreneuer?

As soon as we got about a block and a half away from home, Half-pint stopped going to doors to get more candy. He waited patiently on the sidewalk while I escorted little Quarter-pint to the door, then we headed home...we did not pass GO, just straight home. Half-pint was ready to eat his pizza and hand out some more candy. When we walked in the door, he quickly pulled all the "sell it" candy out of his bag-it went into the candy bowl by the door. He loves to man the door-even more than getting the candy himself (of course he has access to the entirety of our candy while manning the door-smart kid!)

So, Halloween was a success after all, despite the costume fiasco in September and the weather the end of October. They can't wait to do it all again next year!