"Where'd Kevin go"?

We are getting set for a trip to Minnesota. Kevin is now way too big for the pack & play, so we are borrowing a travel toddler cot from some friends. I thought we could put his new sleeping bag on top of the cot. We'll let you know if he actually sleeps in (or on) it. I am doutbful!

Finally caught this on video!

Reading time at school

Last week Kevin's teacher asked if I would volunteer to read the kids a few stories after nap time this week. I was thrilled with the chance to read to all of them! After all, the reason I am working part-time is to spend more time with Kevin.

I was asked to bring in 2 of Kevin's favorite stories to share with the class. We chose Pancakes, Pancakes and Make Way for Ducklings. As soon as I sat down to start reading, chaos broke loose!

The scene: 12 2-year olds, all post-nap, pre-snack. The teachers told them they couldn't have their snack until after story time (mistake #1). Kevin was so proud sitting in my lap, some were sitting on the floor next to us, a few more were roaming the room (seemingly crying for no reason whatsoever!) I tried to us my best friendly-library-lady voice. I started with the Pancake book. I asked all the kids to raise their hands if they LOVE pancakes. Kevin sure did, a few others were able to follow along and raise their hands too. We made it a few pages into the story, but most of the kids weren't listening. It was so frustrating. The teachers told me to keep reading, some would follow along. We finished the Pancake book, but only made it a few pages into the Duck one. The teachers thought I selected books that were too detailed, too advanced for kids that age (mistake #2). How could this be? Kevin loves these 2 stories, we read them all.the.time. Of course - it's because he's brilliant, right! In order to reign in the chaos the teachers let me help with snack time. That was really the only point in the afternoon where I had any control of these kids. They will do just about anything for some goldfish crackers & apple juice. Wow - I have such respect for his teachers who can handle the chaos each & everyday. I'd best stick to banking...

I'M LOUD!

Don't ask... sometimes he just likes wearing his bike helmet in the house. I sure hope this is just a phase

Very weird, chilly weather last weekend

Friday night was chilly. When we got home Friday night I asked Kevin if he wanted to change into long pants, instead of wearing shorts. When we went upstairs he decided to wear his favorite Elmo jammies, his lounging clothes.

We played with this popcorn tin all night - very silly! Sometimes it was a hat, but mostly it makes a very loud drum!

New Yard

-We extended some flower beds, added a shade garden & brick edging to our backyard. We hope to complete the the front yard next year. The best part is the landscapers removed 2 GIANT bushes infront of our deck, now we can see Kevin running in the yard.

-BEFORE-
-AFTER-

Bye-bye binky? Not so much

This weekend I tempted Kevin with the idea that he give up his binky at bedtime. I asked if he would like to trade his binkies in for a new tricycle. He LOVES the tricycle at his school! Of course he said "YES" right away. I told him if he went to bed on Saturday night without his binky that we would go to the store and "buy" a new tricycle with his binkies on Sunday.

Saturday night bedtime.... he could only make it through one story before searching throughout his bed for his binky. "Where'd my binky go, I need it", he repeated several times. I guess I was too weak, I gave it back. The first thing he asked for on Sunday morning was his tricycle. He doesn't get it....

Sunday we found this book at the library: Bye-Bye Binky
We have read it a few times. I think he follows the story, but through the course of the book, Kevin gets very worried about the little boy's binky.

We aren't sure if we're on the right track - how do we get rid of this thing? I think it would be way to0 traumatic to take it away cold turkey (guess I should have done that well over a year ago!!! hey - we were living in limbo in someone else's home last summer, I wasn't about to do it then!) I think we will keep talking about it during the day, he might surprise us and give it up sooner than we think.

Cute photos from our party last weekend

Kevin & McKenna posed for some photos before they left our house last weekend :)

Rainy day yesterday

It was raining yesterday so we could not be outside. Kevin helped me bake cupcakes. His job was to separate the papers and put one in each cup. He was really proud of the papers when they came out of the oven. I'm not sure if you can tell from this photo, but the papers have baseballs on them, his favorite thing right now. Who knew? The paper liners were his favorite part! Silly Kevin, soon you will know that the best part is the frosting on top!

Bubbles with Grandmom

Fireworks at the Lake

The Spradling's hosted us for a bbq on 4th of July at their lake house. Kevin loved the boat ride! We all bundled up to watch the fireworks on the boat. I was nervous Kevin would cry because of the loud noises from the fireworks. I was nervous for nothing, he loved it!

The Grand Finale!

Parade!

We went to our first local Iowa Fourth of July parade on Saturday. It had everything from horses, and fire trucks, to marching bands, and even a helicopter. It held Kevin's attention for 2 hours!

Cool dude, ready for the parade: