Corn on the cob

I think it was on Wed., Chad brought some corn home. We all enjoyed it for supper. This was Carson's first experience with corn on the cob. Last year at this time, he still didn't have any teeth! He really enjoyed eating the corn and of course getting messy! Andrew on the other hand did not enjoy the mess.

applesauce

Monday evening we made applesauce. We did the bushel of transparent apples we got from Chad's parents' trees. Andrew 's job was to turn the crank to make the applesauce. He would come running each time we had the next batch of cooked apples ready from the stove. Then he would go back to playing. I don't remember how many apples we did last year, maybe a bushel, but we ran out this winter. The boys both love applesauce as do Chad and I. Maybe we should do more. This blog will also be a good way for me to know how many apples we did for reference next year.

diving board

Here are some pictures of Andrew going off the diving board at swimming lessons today. His face just lights up after he gets over to the side of the pool. What fun!

"Can I do that again?"

Andrew is really enjoying swimming. He had lots of fun swimming at Grandma and Grandpa's pool over the weekend. Chad and Andrew would "do bobs" (go underwater) at the same time. Andrew started out only putting his mouth and nose in the water, then he would put his eyes in and then got to the point of putting his whole head under ~ well almost. He would usually leave the top of his head out or the back of his head, depending on which way he would enter the water.

Yesterday and today at swimming lessons he has had so much fun. He continues to put most of his head under water. Today there was a young man leading his swim class with another female life guard. But this young man was wonderful! He was very encouraging to the children, giving them Hi-5s and telling them what a great job they did. Andrew loved it. Yesterday a few kids from his class went off the diving board in the deep end at the end of class. Andrew just watched. But today he did it!!! He didn't actually jump off, he was lowered by his hands by one life guard into the water, where another life guard was to catch him. He did go completely under water for a second. He really enjoyed it and said "Can I do that again?" as he climbed up the ladder and out of the pool. And so he did. Maybe by Thursday he might try jumping.

Just another example of how this little boy will do things much better on his own time.

What are you doing?!

I just found Carson in the oddest position. He was having some trouble going to sleep for his nap. I could hear him on the monitor, not really crying but fussing a little bit. I walked in his room and said "What are you doing?!" with a smile. He was on top of his crib railing!

His right leg was hanging down, pinned in between the crib side rail and the wall, his bottom and his left leg ~ stretched out ~ were resting on top of the crib rail and his right arm was holding on to the end rail of his crib; he was just perched up there on the crib rail! I wanted to get the camera but didn't think I should let him there like that any longer. Not sure how he got up there or how long he had been like that! I'm afraid now that he might start climbing out of the crib. He was happy, just kind of giggled when I asked him what he was up to. I laid him back down and he was out in a matter of minutes.

Accomplishments

Today was a big day for Andrew. He went #2 on the toilet! Woo-hoo! This little boy can be very strong willed. He has been doing wonderful with potty training and I would say he hasn't had an accident since probably the end of November, with urinating anyways, and with exception of at night. But he would NOT go #2 on the toilet. (he did go on the toilet 3 times in Jan. but then became scared - I will spare you the details)

We have tried so many different things....making a really big deal out of it, not making a big deal out of it, bribery with so many different items (we shall see if he remembers all of those!!) For a while, during the potty training process, he would ask us "What do I have on?" because he wanted to know if he had underware, pullup, or a diaper on so he could go #2. Then he would just say "I need a diaper so I can go poo-poo" He would throw a huge fit if you even suggest he tries it on the toilet; screaming, flailing of the arms! I had finally decided he will do this when he is ready.

Last week he was at least open to trying it on the toilet but never went. Towards the end of the week, he said he was going to do it at Grandma and Grandpa's house. That didn't happen, not that I was surprised.

But today he said his famous line "I need a diaper so I can go poo-poo" I asked him to try on the toilet. He didn't really respond, just marched to the bathroom. He said "I can do it. I can do it." and that was that!! He was so excited and so was I!! (It's about stinking time!!) I really praised him and told him how proud I was of him. He was smiling so big and said "How about a hug?!" He called Chad and both grandparents.

He does remember the last bribe we offered. After spending time at a friend's house, who had a battery powered jeep, Andrew kept talking about this jeep and asking if he could get one. We told him he could once he went on the toilet. His response was "Well, I don't think my animals will want to ride in it." Unbelievable! He has asked when we can go get this jeep. I'm pretty sure he is expecting this to happen when Chad gets home from work. Oh, the joy of a boy!!

Weekend at Grandma and Grandpa's

We spent this past weekend at my parent's house. My younger brother Tim was home for the weekend, so we all got together. Saturday morning we went to near by Sauder Village. I hadn't been to the village since our yearly field trips there in elementary school. We had a good time enjoying the historic village through the new little eyes of Andrew & Carson and reminiscing about the times we spent there as children and seeing all the changes. Their is a new area for little children to do lots of hands on things (with toys), which the boys really enjoyed. We were also able to see many of my aunts, uncles and cousins at church on Sunday. My aunts and uncles all live in the same general area and what a blessing it is to catch up with them and a nice surprise to see that some of our cousins were home as well.

Carson & Chad sitting on the wagon.

Tim & Carson on the wagon.

Andrew milking the pretend cow.

Andrew figured out all by himself that he could squirt Grandma while milking!

Carson, Chad & the cow.

The boys, gathering eggs.

The clan riding the train around Sauder Village.

Andrew & Carson helping Grandpa make homemade icecream. YUM!!

Tricia & Carson snacking. (check out their hair color!!)

Andrew loving on Buddy the dog. "I'm gonna miss him!"

From my parents', we drove to Chad's parents' house Sunday afternoon. We enjoyed a meal with them and Alan & Tisha and the girls. The cousins all love running around playing together. Wild times! :) We now have a bushel of transparent apples waiting for us to turn them into applesauce. Delicious!

Mowing

Andrew and Carson took turns mowing with Chad last Thursday night.

future ophthalmologist

At noon, the boys and I went to Chad's office to see him and so he could check my eyes. I would like a new pair of glasses, the pair I have now I have had for 9 years. Plus I need to order more contacts.

As we walked in to the office, there was a picture of Chad. I asked Andrew who that was, he said, "That's my Dad! Chad!" The receptionist got a big kick out of that. After we located Chad, Andrew was playing bashful and clung to Chad saying "I'm shy." to the office staff. He is not shy! And soon they all saw the real Andrew as he ran around boldly asking for candy from one of the staff that has given him candy before.

As Chad was checking my vision and saying "Better one or two", Andrew became rather giddy saying "Three!!" He enjoyed seeing all the equipment and pushing the buttons to lower and raise the exam chair. Carson on the other hand was terrified of this strange contraption that I was behind!

I didn't get any glasses ordered today, I'm really bad about making these kinds of decisions! But at least I know what my current prescription is.

Snacks

Today I gave the boys a "new" snack. I saw on the box of Teddy Grahams a picture of this snack. You slice an apple, spread peanut butter on the apple slice and then a few Teddy Grahams. It was kind of cute.

Andrew and Carson really enjoyed this. Andrew was a very tidy eater, he ate the apple slice intact just as it was with the peanut butter and Teddy Grahams on top. Carson on the other hand, not such a neat eater. He removed each Teddy Graham and licked the peanut butter off of it. Then licked/nibbled the peanut butter off the apple, kind of like eating corn on the cob ~ peanut butter on both cheeks, chin, nose even up around his eyes. Then he ate the apple slice and saved the Teddy Grahams for last. Too funny.

Swimming Lessons at "the outdoor pool"

This week the boys (& I) have had swimming lessons each morning from 9-9:50. We didn't go today because Carson and I have colds. It isn't easy to keep kleenex handy in the pool! Carson's nose sometimes runs like a faucet.

Andrew is in a class with other children and 2-3 life guards. At the same time, I am in a parent/child class with Carson. Carson's class is more about playing in the water and getting used to the water. I try to keep an eye on Andrew too.

When I singed them up for the lessons, we weren't sure what level to put Andrew in. We put him in level 2 so he would be challenged and if they needed to lower him to level 1 they could. The first day he was one of the younger kids in level 2. It seemed like he was doing ok, from the glances I would take in his direction. There were 2 female life guards and one male life guard in this class. The male just seemed so rough with the kids! After all this is swimming lessons for 3-8 year olds, not high school football practice!! At one point, I looked over and saw him sternly grab Andrew by one arm and put him back along the side of the pool. Perhaps Andrew deserved that, I don't know. I also saw him "helping" other children to float on their backs and the children did not look comfortable ~ I couldn't tell if they were crying or not.

I was enjoying Carson's class, playing with him and the other kids. I looked up and saw one of the female life guards carrying Andrew over to the level 1 class and he was crying really hard. I watched to see how he would adjust in the level 1 but he continued to cry. So I went over there. He said he didn't want to go under. I didn't see what happened, I sort of wish I had. He continued to cry a little but then eventually did ok and Carson and I could return to our class.

Perhaps I am being too sensitive about it, too protective. But I did not like the way this young man handled the kids. Andrew had never met him before and he was just way too rough. I don't know who was "encouraging" Andrew to go under but clearly he was upset by it. I was concerned that Andrew would be afraid to go back to swimming lessons, afraid of the water. He loves the water and I don't want him to feel pressured to do something he isn't comfortable with.

Andrew did fine on Tues. and Wed. in the level 1 class. In fact it is probably better that he is in that level, more age appropriate for him and fun. We have swimming lessons Mon.-Thurs. of next week too. Maybe he will get comfortable enough to go under or "do a bob" as the life guards refer to it as.

Who's bowl is it?

If you are familiar with Andrew & Carson's eating habits, you can probably guess who's bowl it is. They both enjoy peanuts and raisins for a snack. However recently Carson has been eating all of his raisins and leaving peanuts in his bowl; Andrew just the opposite ~ eating all the peanuts and leaving raisins in his bowl. Sometimes I find myself comparing the boys and thinking how similar they are in so many ways, yet how vastly different they are in other ways. This is just one small example of that.

happy 4th of july

We were up at a local park for some 4th of July activities (which they were really lacking) We did eat from the vendors and then the boys played on the park play equipment. After that, Chad and I were ready to head home. How lame are we??? They did have some local bands playing, softball tournaments, skateboard contest. I would have liked to stay for the fireworks but didn't think the boys would hold up very well, since the fireworks don't start till 10pm. So we headed home. We decided to make Smores on the grill. Andrew & Carson really enjoyed these!

My right hand is a little sticky.

YUM!!

What a gooey mess!

Carson is still awake, playing his aquarium that attaches to his crib. Perhaps a bit too much sugar for him. Chad went up to rent us a movie, hopefully he can pick out a better one than the last couple I have picked out for us to watch. Don't watch The Things We Lost in the Fire. ~ how depressing! I forget the other one. We did recently watch The Great Debaters with Denzel Washington, which was pretty good.

The Blog

I have had a few different people ask me if I have printed off entries from the blog. My answer usually was "No, but maybe I should."

I had a free 8x8 photo book from Shutterfly from my Pampers points that I needed to use by the end of June. I wasn't sure what to do with this book. So I decided to put some of the posts from the blog in it. It didn't end up being totally free; 20 pages were free, I ended up added 15 pages I think. It came in the mail today, I'm glad I did this. I was able to cut & paste posts from the blog directly into the book. I used posts that included both pictures and journal entries. Now I can just print off the ones that are only journals, if I want to keep a hard copy of those too. Here is the front cover and one of the pages from the book.

Twins

Over the past couple of weeks, we have seen these two twins frolicking around in our yard or the woods surrounding our house. Often their mother is close behind. They are lots of fun to watch. Sometimes they are very calm, walking around, munching on different items. Other times they run around very playful. Andrew & Carson enjoy seeing these baby deer. Andrew is full of questions "Why do they have spots?" "Where is their Daddy?"