International Mud Day

International Mud Day is actually meant to be celebrated on June 29, but the boys' childcare center decided that a day early celebration would really be quite fun!  So, here is the scoop on how we prepared for this wet and dirty day:


Step 1 - Send the boys to school in old clothes, and washable shoes.  As you can see, "K" is wearing an old t-shirt, some dark blue knit shorts and well, sandals.  They are currently buried in the mud!  "L" is wearing his swimming attire for the occasion, and is shoeless.  Someday, I plan to get him some shoes! 

Step 2 - Mud!  Thankfully, rain did happen last night.  We had about 1.50" at our house!  So, the mud making part was rather easy to do.  I think the staff added a bit more water, and then let the kids loose!

Step 3 - Play!  The kids were divided and given time frames to be in the mud.  This made the play experience a little less crazy, and less kids to commandeer. 

Step 4 - Clean up.  Clothes and swim attire was taken off, and hosed off.  Kids waited by the door, in diapers, for their turn to go inside for clean-up and a clean outfit.  Oh the fun!

I am so thankful that "L's" teacher was able to snap a photo of both boys!!  So, that is who we have to thank for this photo.  So, here's to a day dedicated to mud!!

Mom and "L"

"L" is my little buddy, at the moment.  When he wakes during the night, he will fuss if Mr. Fixit tries to rock him back to sleep.  It sometimes takes me 20 minutes to get him settled, but I can usually get him back to dreamland.  Yeah!  I just wish he would find that pacy, and find sleep again on his own!

Mr. Fixit snapped a shot of us hanging out on the floor.  "L" is a speedy crawler, who will soon be off and walking.  So hard to believe!!  I am excited for each new day, because one never knows what he will learn next!

Eleven Months

The learning adventures continue, and I think an appropriate phrase to describe the boys at this point in time is: "Monkey see, monkey do!"  Baby "L" has really started showing his sense of humor.  I do believe he has some orneriness from his Grandpa "F" and Mr. Fixit too.  It is such fun to see how the dynamic plays out between both boys!

So, other than yanking "K's" chain, here is what else has been happening this month:



*4 Teeth have appeared!!  They are the four top center teeth.  Total now makes 6.
*Table food time!  "L" is now eating mostly what we eat.
*Five steps!  "L" took five steps before he fell, so walking will likely be mastered this month.
*New words! "Quack, quack," "again," "tow (cow)," and "I did it," are words "L" has added to his vocab.
*Lazy Susan Door.  Not as excited about this one, but he can open the door, and then pulls the contents out -- across the floor!
*Bye-Bye to bedtime rocking.  We are not totally there, -- yet.  But, I have stopped rocking "L" most nights to put him to sleep.  We had some rough nights of crying before he eventually went to sleep.  I am still working on the middle of the night rocking/sleeping issues though.  However, I think, I might be making progress!
*Sandbox play! We have let "L" play in the sandbox.  He really enjoys it, and hopefully, soon, he will get past trying to "taste" the sand!

That is about it, in headlines and milestones.  We are looking forward to celebrating #1, in about a month!  Hard to believe that we will then have an official toddler!

Oh, funny note about this photo -- it took me about 12 shots to get one somewhat good one.  "K" was either in the way, or "L" would rip the sticker off his shirt!  In this snap, "L" is shrieking at "K," which "L" has discovered, gets quite a reaction!

Dirty Job

Summer weather has arrived, and the calendar will soon officially mark the season!  However, summer outdoor play has been in session much of this month!  Baby "L" got the chance to enjoy a little bit of mud play.  Check it out, baby "L" sat in a tub of mud!!  Who would have thought this could be such fun?

There are 3 little 10 month old guys in his class, and all 3 had the mud fun.  I think the experience was quite cleansing, and their skin is remarkably soft ;)!  Just kidding!  The mud play is actually a sensory experience, and really calms the babies.  I wonder if we should try this in the evening, so "L" might actually sleep through the night??

Dad and "K"

The most popular person to "K" is Mr. Fixit!  Mr. Fixit and "K" have this special morning and bedtime routine.  Mr. Fixit and "K's" morning involve a bit of weather/news watching and related conversation while both enjoy a "P-tart," as "K" calls them.  "K" has a bit of "mok" while Mr. Fixit enjoys a cup or two of coffee.

Eventually pajamas are exchanged for the day's clothing, and Mr. Fixit heads to work, while the boys and I head for "school."  Transitions are getting a bit easier for "K" as he understands more and more words now!   

Bedtime involves a bath (every other night), jammies and drinks of water while taking in a bit of the Food Network showcase.  They discuss the recipes being prepared and the ingredients that are shown.  Then a book or two, and off to "night-night!"

Really

Baby expressions are so priceless!  One would not expect them to be capable of such a variety of emotions at their young age, but they are remarkable in that matter.  The babies simply show their feelings as they feel them, and I think we lose that characteristic as we grow into adults.

But anyway, I thought this picture is too funny!  I wonder what he is thinking, observing or wanting to say?  Maybe, "Amazing!!!  Wow!!  That is unbelievable.!!"  We shall never know, but it is fun to imagine what thoughts may be floating through "L's" head in this photo!

Kitchen Pose

I found the cutest outfits for the boys while attending a conference in Wichita this spring.  They were purchased at this store called Ross.  It is a rack store, so you really have to up to digging to find the goodies.  However, there really are never many racks of boy clothes, so it worked out well for me!

I found these super fun Sesame Street themed outfits, and I could not resist taking a photo of the guys in their new duds.  I did not get a "good" pic, as one or the other tended to be fussing.  So, they will have to endure another photo session some day soon!  Mr. Fixit is not crazy about plaid shorts, so he had to interject his "groans" of disapproval as I donned the boys in their fun outfits!!

Almost Walking

Thanks goodness that Miss "J" at the childcare center takes photos of baby "L," because I have  simply not snapped as many photos of kid #2!  People told me this could happen, and I told myself, "Nope, not gonna happen."  Eeek!  It has happened!  I still snap more pictures of "K," even in his "older" days.

So, "L" is having big time fun in his childcare classroom.  Right now there are four little baby boys there.  Three are 10 months old, like "L," and the other little guy is 3 months old.  The 10 month olds are all on the verge of walking, so this toy is quite popular.  Enjoy your stroll!! 

Miss "K"

Miss "K" was "L's" favorite student aid this year!  She spent much time with the infants of KPI, and "L" developed quite an attachment to her.  Miss "K" rocked "L" for his naps, carried him outside for play and introduced "L" to many toys.  Miss "K's" last day ended with the school year.  We are sad to see her go, but excited for her new career that she began.  She is close by, and hopes to stop by KPI for a visit or two throughout the next months!  "L" has spotted Mom (who took this picture), so that is why he is a bit upset!

Wasn't Me

Much creativity abounds in our house with a 2 year old and an active 10 month old!  It is so challenging to take a pic of "K," because he talks to you when you snap the photo.  I thought this one was humorous, because he seems to be saying, "No, I didn't do it!"

I purchased fun outfits for the boys while I was attending meetings recently in Wichita.  I couldn't resist the fun plaid shorts, and I knew the Sesame Street crew would be popular with "K."  I am pretty sure we have a huge Elmo fan on our hands!

There are some days that I do not think I can stay ahead of the creativity generated by this little guy.  I shudder to think what adventures will entail this time next year, when I have two mobile toddlers hatching ideas!!

All Dressed Up

The cousins gathered on behalf of neice "K's" First Communion.  The weather actually cooperated, and was a little spring like!  Ironically, two days later, we had the snow experience once more.  I honestly do not know what season we are in!

So, here is the crew (minus my guys).  Age range is 12 years to 18 months.  Four of the kids are age kindergarten through second grade, so more First Communions to soon follow!  Thanks Sis #5 for sharing the photo memories!

First Communion

Just yesterday (I swear) this sweet girl was born.  I remember getting the phone call, to announce her birth, while visiting family in Maryland.  Now she has achieved her First Holy Communion.  Wow, time flies!  The weather was beautiful, and I think niece "K" was super excited for her day.

We did not make it for this memorable sacrament.  I was attending my KARL graduation event, and well, Mr. Fixit was on call for work.  So, we had to wait for photos and announcements from my Sis about the festivities!

More pictures of the family will soon follow!  Sis #5 took photos for the cousins -- whom I think are secretly standing on stilts!  They have all grown so much since I saw them a month ago.  Crazy!  Anyway, I will post the cousin pictures soon (minus my guys) so you can also admire how tall and grown up they all are.  You know, things that adults do to drive kids crazy!