Peewee-pint...

Little, adorable Peewee-pint is getting into EVERYTHING! A few weeks ago, I was working in the office when I heard a horrible scream coming from the family room. As I got closer, I realized it was a combination of Peewee-pint screaming in pain, and Quarter-pint yelling for me. Peewee-pint had gotten his finger stuck in the VCR. (Yes, you read that correctly...VCR.) Just as I got to the screaming boys, Quarter-pint succeeded in freeing Peewee-pint's finger, but not without moving the entire machine half-way out from the wall, and removing the skin on both the inside middle knuckle, and top cuticle. Poor Peewee-pint-this was the first "blood incident" we've had with him. I soon got him calmed down and a band-aid with anti-bacterial cream onthe injured finger, knowing the band-aid wouldn't last too long, but at least it was stopping the blood and it was an attempt in keeping the wound clean.

Last week, with the finger nearly completely (but not quite totally) healed, I heard a similar screaming...this time Quarter-pint was more calm: "Mom, He did it again!" I moved faster and was able to free the tiny finger without any assault to his tender skin. Quarter-pint and I were astounded that Peewee-pint would get the exact same finger stuck in the VCR a second time! This time I called Daddy and asked him why the VCR is still out with the rest of the TV/movie/sound stuff in the family room. I can't remember the last time we actually used the VCR!

Quarter-pint Gets A Bath...

Quarter-pint didn't want to miss out on ultimate bubble bath fun. So one evening while Half-pint was gone, Quarter-pint took the plunge in the big soaking tub with MOUNTAINS of bubbles! Peewee-pint watched with delighted curiosity...check out the bubbles he's trying to reach!

With "hair" like that Quarter-pint should be in a Dr. Seuss book!

Recovering...

We had quite the weekend! It did NOT go as we expected. We headed up to the mountains Friday afternoon and met Daddy there (he went up early to finish up some work). Everything seemed fine until Half-pint woke us up around 1 in the morning saying he didn't feel good. Everything went down hill from there---quickly. Daddy and I were up a good part of the night comforting Half-pint as he threw up and working Peewee-pint back to sleep (he was pretty restless and probably not feeling well). I had a few tender moments with Half-pint in the middle of the night teaching him (and him teaching me) about the Atonement and how Jesus knows what it's like to feel so yucky. We witnessed miracles with a tender prayer for comfort and then instant sleep and the relief that only came through sleeping.

It was obvious Saturday morning that I was going to be out of commission with the same sort of stomach bug that Half-pint exhibited in the middle of the night. Daddy was meeting a friend on the ski slopes for the last day of mountain biking of the season-and I told him to go and have fun. The boys ate crackers and popcorn and watched movies while I languished on the couch, or floor-wherever I happened to be when the waves of nausea hit. When Daddy got home early afternoon his day hadn't been much better. They were rained on all day (with snow at the top of the mountain) and he was quickly succumbing to the stomach flu as well. For the rest of the long, agonizing day Daddy and I took turns sleeping (the only thing that helped us feel better) and trying to do our parental duty to keep our children safe, fed and happy.

The boys were actually great, considering they were left basically on their own, with little food (lots of crackers, popcorn and cereal, some yogurt and cheese-and cookies). They enjoyed watching all the movies and TV they could stand, and played very nicely together-with very minimal fighting. They knew we didn't feel well and they both rose to the occasion. I was so proud of them! Peewee-pint was a little more high maintenance that Daddy and I had the energy for, but by the evening I was feeling a little better and explained to him that we did not feel good and we would appreciate him not screaming anymore. To my surprise he complied and the screaming stopped.

After the big boys were in bed, Peewee-pint threw up all over his lap. That meant an immediate bath for him and then we put him to bed. That maybe explains some of the screaming! Quarter-pint was the only one untouched by this weekend's nastiness (although he had it a little over a week ago) and he was bouncing off the walls by the time we all felt good enough to drive the 2 hours home yesterday.

I'm happy to report that we are all feeling much better now; not quite 100%, but so much better than Saturday! What a weekend!

Peewee-pint Loves Strawberries...

What more do I need to say?

Quarter-pint Has a Birthday...

I am honestly shocked at how quickly the past year has gone. Granted, it's been chalk full of sick kids, sleepless nights, Daddy working long hours (and traveling more than usual), kids having surgery, and a new baby; but all that aside, it's just flown by! The most shocking part is that my Quarter-pint is 4!!! He's so grown up and still so silly all at the same time. He's really become a great kid (especially when he's not writhing on the ground because I refuse to help him do something I know he can do himself--but I think we're all entitled to a tantrum every once in awhile).

Quarter-pint adores his brothers, and is an awesome big brother. He loves to make Peewee-pint laugh, and to spend his time with Half-pint. He is a happy and helpful kid. He is fun and sweet, and mischievous and crazy. He is wild, and noisy, patient and considerate. Quarter-pint loves to play and tease. He most definitely has a mind of his own and isn't afraid to do his own thing. He has tons of qualities that I know will serve him well as he grows; but the challenge for now is to teach him how to channel and use those qualities. He is precious and adorable. His speech has improved tremendously this past year (thanks in part to the loss of his tonsils/adenoids)...he is turning into such a little smarty pants. He doesn't miss a beat-ever, He's active; but can also keep himself quietly busy with toys or puzzles. He is everything you would expect from a little boy. Boy oh boy-he's ALL boy!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Little Man!!!

(We celebrated nearly all month-and he loved every minute of it!)

Peewee-pint Practices...

Last weekend, Daddy took the big boys to the mountains, so that left Peewee-pint home with me. I had a few things I needed to get finished, and wanted to take advantage of the minimal interruptions. Peewee-pint did a pretty good job of keeping himself busy with toys, and exploring while I was finishing my tasks. A few times, Peewee-pint took off out of the office where I was working. I could hear him, so I didn't worry too much. When I did venture to check on him, this is what I found...he was practicing, and practicing, and practicing...

When Mom Sleeps In...

You never know what might happen when Mom sleeps in...

When I got up this morning (I slept in until 7:30);

Peewee-pint had climbed 3/4 the way up the stairs, with Quarter-pint following him, and the big boys were fed and dressed-ready for school, EXCEPT they were wearing each other's clothes. Quarter-pint was TINY in Half-pint's shorts/shirt, and Half-pint barely squeezed into Quarter-pint's stuff. No one seemed to notice that even the underpants were the wrong size...no one except Mom-who noticed IMMEDIATELY!