My funny little dudes

The more Garrett talks, the funnier he is. Just now we were all sitting around the table enjoying some ice cream left from his birthday celebration last night. He put his spoon in his shirt, handle side down so that the "spoon" part was sticking out of the neckline. He then said, "look mom, I'm a teacher!"

(I don't get it either).

Then Braden told me a joke that he found quite hysterical: Why did the chicken cross the road?

(the answer is not, in fact, "to get to the other side," as I said).

You ready for the answer? Are you sure? Here goes: To get to the other playground!

(I don't get it either).

Happy 3rd Birthday, Garrett

Some of the best gatherings are those that are impromptu, with no expectations except for the company of really good friends. Garrett's birthday celebration tonight was one such occasion. We invited the Corley family over along with Tiffany and some of her nephews. The Corleys have been close friends since our oldest kids were born a few weeks apart, and Tiffany's family is close with Garrett--her mom kept him two days a week when we first moved back from Oklahoma, so the nephews got to know him well. We picked up 6 pizzas at Little Caesars, a cake at Wal-Mart, and some glow sticks to enjoy after dark.

Due to the torrential downpour in the last few days, playing outside wasn't much of an option, so I got out the "color and draw your own fort" kit that I had been saving for a rainy day. Geary and Sheri gave this cardboard fort to Garrett for Christmas. We got a pretty good start on coloring it, and I think it will make an excellent summer project.






Garrett was a little goofball at cake time, and we didn't get a proper cake-and-smiling kid picture. He opened a few presents: a batman toy from Braden, a Little Einstein's Rocket toy from us, new flip flops, superhero undies, and Batman pjs from us, a motorcycle toy from the Corleys and a package of Matchbox cars from the Corleys.


After dark, we all went out on the back deck and played with glow sticks. What a nice night!

As I was typing this blog entry, the George Strait song from mom's funeral came on the radio. I've never heard that song on the radio before even though it came out in 2005. Kyle said, "Hey, it's like Grandma is telling Garrett happy birthday." What a comforting thought. I sure miss her and I know she would have loved celebrating Garrett's birthday with us today.

Easter celebration, phase 3

The Easter bunny came last night! He was a little worried about varmits and rain (and having to wake up really, really early), so he hid the beautiful boiled eggs around the house. The boys were up and playing at about 7:15 and found one. Braden's face was a beautiful mix of confusion and discovery as he realized the significance of this find. We dressed them and came out into the foyer to find their Easter baskets stuffed with goodies. Each boy got a pair of Diego "glubs" (Garrett's word for them) to help mommy in the garden.

After the baskets were emptied, the boys began their egg hunt. Meanwhile, the Easter bunnies helpers tossed some plastic, candy-filled eggs outside.

Linsey made pigs-n-a-blanket for breakfast and now, at 8:34, we've hunted, we've eaten, we've blogged, and I'm ready for a nap before Church.

Easter celebration, phase 2

I love making Easter eggs. It is, without a doubt, one of my favorite holiday traditions. I have this wonderful fantasy of my boys and me creating these colorful artistic eggs and ooohing and aaaahing as we do so. In my egg dying daydream, my children are well behaved and sit quietly and calmly while they dip eggs in and out of dye.





The reality is a far cry from the fantasy. Broken eggs? yes. Tears? check. Some pushing and shoving? Got that, too!





Here are the pictures that make it look like a fun affair:

The boys showing off the finished product:

And me showing off the final product:
Here they are leaving the baskets on the front step for the Easter bunny!

And, the all-time classiest picture ever: Me, Garrett and Braden (and a Miller Light bottle on the buffet behind us. Why? 'Cause I'm a good mom of course).

Easter Celebration, phase 1

Kristen, my step-sister, and her husband hosted family and friends today for a really fun Easter celebration. As she tends to do, Kristen went ridiculously overboard. The kids decorated cupcakes, hunted Easter eggs, smacked a pinata, and played with all of Morgan and Mitchell's toys. There were about ten or twelve kids, half of them preschoolers so it was chaotic fun!

Here is Tom with his grandson, Camden (Kristen's oldest). Camden is a junior in high school and currently has his heart set on Baylor. We're going to try to get him to stop on Hwy 6 about 90 miles earlier, though.

Here's Grandad blowing bubbles for Garrett and Morgan (with the long blonde hair).

Here is Jeremy, Kristen's husband, manning the grills. He cooked brisket, baby back ribs, country style ribs, spare ribs, and sausage. YUUUUMMMMM!! (are you jealous?)
And the egg hunting begins...

This is Morgan and Mitchell, Kristen and Jeremy's kids. Morgan is four months older than Garrett. Kristen had them all dressed up and they were such little cuties.

Here is Linsey and Matt. They've been a big help with the boys the past few days so that Kyle and I could have some much-needed rest and relaxation. We tried to take a family picture, but, like usual, not everyone would cooperate. Here are three tries:

Three new posts in one day??

"Why is that?" you ask.

"Procrastination," I answer.

Pee-Wee Swine Showmanship

Imagine this: A livestock arena. Dust in the air. The noise of hundreds of anxious parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles all crowding around. Twenty preschoolers, all dressed in their best cowboy (or cowgirl) gear. Eight pigs. One very nervous Braden:
Ready, Set, GOOOO!

This weekend was the annual Brazos County Youth Livestock Show, and our boys "participated" in the Pee-Wee Swine Showmanship yesterday afternoon. They did this last year, too, and this year was pretty much a repeat.

Kyle went into the show ring with them, and they hung close. Braden hung very close:

Most kids chase after the pigs. Here's Garrett's attempt (can you see him? He's in the bottom left):

Once the pigs (and kids) are sufficiently riled up, the judge (here in the blue, kneeling down) calls all the kids over while he talks to them about showing pigs. Kyle is with our kids on the left side of the pack here:

Notice all the spots on that picture? The best I can figure is that is the flash reflecting off the airborne dust.

This year, they ran out of trophies, so our kids received "participant" ribbons on their way out of the arena. They are supposed to mail our trophies to us.

After the Pee-Wee Swine Showmanship event, the 4-H and FFA kids show their pigs. This is Braden watching his babysitter, Victoria, show her pig: