Potty Training???

I'm sure it was just a fluke, but I'm hoping it wasn't. Kyle announced this afternoon that he wanted to use the potty. He's done that a few times and we always take him in. Today he had actual success, and we made a big deal about it in hopes of encouraging this. He even called a few people to say "poop in the potty." He asked to go again later today, but he was a little late on that one.

Presents

Okay, these are backwards. After presents the boys went for a ride on the tractor with Gumpa to help him mow the lawn.

Gumpa made him a firetruck to ride on. He even used a lathe to spin the wheels, and Kyle has already enjoyed riding it lots of places.

We should have waited to open the t-ball set because he played with this the whole time after he opened it and Evan finished opening his presents. You can see his new "baby" that Grandma is holding. We're hoping it will work like the little one we got Evan and he'll be a little more prepared come August.

The courtesy photo in the hat. He liked other people wearing them, but wasn't such a fan himself. As soon as we finished taking pictures of him we never saw the hat on again.

Pin the Nose on Elmo

I don't know how we had never played this game before. It was a hit. I felt silly buying Pin the Nose on Elmo when I knew Evan and Kyle would be the only kids there, but it is very fun with adults too. This was Kyle's first attempt.

He put it down really low, and when he took off the blindfold and saw where he put it, he pulled the sticker off and readjusted it. We didn't call it cheating since it was his party. He tried again with two more stickers later and got better every time.

Aunt Katie of course had to try....here I think she is a little off in her direction. The spinning must have worked.

Evan was there to help anyone who needed it. He tried really hard to help everyone get it in the right spot, but nobody did. Gramps did have good form trying from the knees.

Evan and Kyle tried helping Papa. Kyle also made (he really did go around and say who was next) Grandma, Grandma Jean, Grammie, Gumpa, and Evan play. I have pictures of them all if anyone would like to see.

Elmo Party

Due to the fact that today was pretty much the only day that worked for everyone to get together around Kyle's birthday, we had his family party today. He is a lucky boy to get to have all four grandparents and three great-grandparents able to attend his parties. We also had Aunt Katie and us, so it was quite a bash. Last on the party schedule was cake, and since we were having an Elmo party, Brandon created this masterpiece.I am thoroughly impressed since I just made two round cakes, and he found a picture and created Elmo. He even had to make the frosting colors and the frosting.

Kyle was so excited to see his cake. When he first got to see it he whispered in shock "Melmo," and just sat and stared at it. He was pretty pumped to have everyone sing to him too.

Amazingly he was doing a decent job blowing towards the candles, but he felt the heat and got scared so Papa and Evan stepped in to help out.

Fire Station

The preschool group that Evan is going to be in next year had a field trip to the fire station this past week and they invited us to go along. The boys loved it, as did I. We got to watch a safety video, tour the whole place, sit in a fire truck, and they got cool hats and coloring books on the way out. What's not to like?

I was amazed Kyle let the fireman put him in the truck, but he really wanted a turn (despite his face in this picture). After this he was right with the group wanting to see all of the other cool stuff.

I'm sad Evan's picture is blurry, but he was very excited to sit in the truck. They even turned on all the lights for the kids so they could have the full firetruck experience.

Baby Graham

The boys finally got to meet their newest cousin last week and they were so excited. I think Graham looks pretty pumped about it too. We were excited to see Bryce and Camille too, but especially excited to see the baby.

The boys on family picture day. My parents scheduled to have a picture done of all of us while everyone was in town. Hopefully some of them turned out because we three little kids I think the odds were against us.

Katie and her boys. They were never all looking at the same camera.

Grandpa having fun with all three grandsons. Graham had discovered the ceiling fan.

More practice with babies. Evan loved holding Graham and would hold him for long periods of time contently. Kyle held him a few times and was very concerned about him the whole time he was here. He was especially good about getting Graham his binkie and letting us know when he was crying. Watching my boys with the baby made think there is hope things will go well when #3 gets here.

Random Shots

I just thought this was cute. He picked out this baby doll for himself at the store and has taken great care of her. We wanted to get him a baby so he could learn to be nice before his sister arrives. I loved that he had to wear the back-pack too, which is almost as big as he is.

My birthday cake that the boys made for me. I requested rice krispy treats this year, so while I was out with my mom, grandma, and sister having lunch and a pedicure they made this. They were so excited to show it to me when I got home (and eat it). The best part of the day was Evan repeatedly telling me happy birthday, and then Kyle before bed saying "I love you" without me saying it first (that was a first) and coming back to say "happy....happy...." with a confused look on himself. I said happy birthday and he said "yeah" and gave me a hug. All in all a great day.

We tried to get a cute shot of all three of them, and this was the best we could do. It isn't too bad.

Swimming Lessons

The boys did swimming lessons again this year and just finished up last week. It was Kyle's first time and he loved it.

Evan at the last lesson....safety day. The go over basic water safety and use life jackets.

Learning the back float. By the end he could do this by himself which made me feel good. He did really well and learned a lot of new stuff. It was kind of weird having him in the pool by himself this time. We need to work on using his goggles and I think he'll be ready for the next level.

Kyle got to "swim" with us. He was by far the youngest in his class so I wouldn't say we mastered any skills, but he had fun. He did learn to kick and use his arms in the water, so hopefully he'll be able to maneuver himself in the lake with his life jacket this summer.

Happy Anniversary/Birthday

Today is Becca's birthday and yesterday our 7th anniversary. So this post is for you, babe.

Becca has been my best friend for over 12 years now and I am still amazed by her. She is intelligent, witty, funny, and the most beautiful girl that I could ever imagine. Becca is a wonderful mother to our children, always teaching them new things in ways that I don't think of. I remember when Evan was 2 or 3, while visiting a store he pointed to a sign and said, "That's an octagon." The patron who overheard was astounded. She offers me unending love and support as I continually try to work my way through my degree. Believe me, that takes more effort than she'll take credit for.
I think that seven years ago, I recognized that I was fortunate and lucky I was to be blessed by such a wonderful woman, but I did not know the extent of my good fortune and fully understand how much better my life would be after being married to her.

I love you, Becca! You are the best.

Kids Say the Darndest Things

Evan has had some pretty funny comments lately and I wanted to write them down before I forget.

First up....he blew some bubbles and said "these bubbles are lovely, because I blew them with love." I have no idea where he pulled that from, but it made me laugh.

Next while fishing with Grandpa he saw the ever hard to spot "bald headed seagull." I still have yet to see one, but from what I hear it looks just like a Bald Eagle. In his description it kind of sounds like a crow too.

Up next...he is working on reading two digit numbers. While we were out driving he saw a 25 mph sign. He said I could go two five, and when I asked what number that was he said "tootie-five." When you think about it that makes a lot more sense than twenty-five.

Lastly...today on the way home he says "remember when I was with baby Jesus and I was a leopard?" I paused so he followed up with something about us taking pictures. I finally remembered when he was a shepherd and posed with a baby as baby Jesus for a nativity thing at church. I was giggling though picturing my crazy leopard.

I wish I could remember the others, but for now that will have to do.
In Kyle funnies, yesterday Evan asked him to come play and he replied "I too sweepy" and proceeded to crawl up in my bed with his blanket and stuffed Georgie and fell asleep in less than 5 minutes. Why can't every nap be that easy?