GRANDMA!

Today we bid farewell as Jon's mom and dad headed south to their home near the beach. It was sad to see them go, for this week just did not include near enough time for everyone to spend together (or for the boys to have enough good quality playtime romping around with their GiGi & Poppy.) Hopefully when they return in June we will have more opportunities to do family activities and more photo ops in the nice spring weather.

When GiGi & Poppy came by this morning for a quick goodbye they surprised us by bringing with Jon's Aunt Lori and GiGi's best friend Philo. Shawn produced another "funny" today when our guests entered the house. Philo, who greeted Shawn in her usual cheerful Irish accent, was met at the door by Shawn who insisted that Philo was someone he knew. The minute he saw her he proudly exclaimed "Grandma!" Even when we tried correcting him, Shawn still insisted that this woman was a Grandma. The funniest part about this is he doesn't call any of his close relatives "Grandma." My mom is "MeMe" (pronounced Meem), my grandma is "Nanny", and Jon's mom is "GiGi." Jon's step mom in Idaho is "Grandma Carol" (however, they visit once a year, or every other year... so its not like this 2 year old is used to calling someone Grandma.) The things kids say, huh?!

Speaking of Grandma's... a few photos from GiGi and Poppy's last few days here.

Playing paddle ball. Is GiGi trying to eat the ball?

"This is how you do it, Shawn. Just don't attempt to eat that foam like I did. Yuck!"

My new tool set from GiGi. "Kid safe. Brother approved!"

Goodnight kisses from a very sleep boy.

Checking out my new penguin from GiGi.

Brother seems to be a bit more interesting at the moment.

Aunt Lynda gives awesome Piggyback Rides!!!

Saved by the Uncle. Uncle Cody making it all better after my spill.

Lynda Lou... my future sister in law. Isn't she prrrrretty!?

Peek-a-boo, I see you!

My 1st bath in a REAL tub (not one of those baby plastic things)! (At Nanny & Peeps; Shawn helped out.)

Little People. Blue House.

This little tale all started last night when Uncle John, Aunt Lizzy, and Baby Delilah were over for dinner. A Fisher Price catalog came in the mail yesterday and Shawn decided to thief it from the computer desk. After not so carefully flipping through the pages he comes across this "Blue House." Frustrated and determined, Shawn attempts to pick the house right out of the pages of this catalog. Earlier that day I promised my two year old "We will go to Toys R Us tomorrow." Well, since Shawn now knows that a Blue House is somewhere on the horizon and that Toys R Us is GOING to happen... put two and two together... and Mommy's gotten herself into a pickle. See, this "Blue House" is the Fisher Price Busy Day Home (not exactly a $10 purchase here.) Aunt Lizzy agreed that we could not possibly disappoint such a cute little boy's request... and we would take the kiddos for a Mommy & Babes day out.

All morning he had been talking about this "Blue House" that had to be his. Needless to say: Toys R Us did happen. With our feet barely in the door Shawn states, "Go find Blue House." And yes, the "Blue House" did happen too.

If we could all just pick the things we want out of a magazine or off of the computer and make them manifest into real life objects. What a nifty magical power that would be!

(NOTE: We do not make a habit of this kind of spoiling, but once in a while is nice, right?) ;-)

After a fun filled day shopping with Aunt Lizzy and Delilah (which I might add was a wonderful trip with all three WONDERFULLY behaved kiddos), the boys and I headed for home to unpack this eagerly anticipated addition to the Little People collection. Landon went to bed with out a problem and I headed out to the kitchen to feed this house some batteries. When the toy in question was lifted out of its box the real fun began in the form of Shawn's phrasing.

"Wow, Mommy! Its Boo-tiful!" (repeat 2 times.)
"Can we play?"
"Its won-dee-ful!"
(***exact phrasing***)

As the door bell on this little pretend item rings: "Whoooo issss itttt!"

Fast forward to bedtime and I am telling Shawn "Its time for bed and to put the house away."

"See you soon!"
"You guys are home!"
"Bye Bye, Have a good day."

"Oh Mommy, how could you possibly have known what I wanted!" Hmph!

Reality TV

It occurred to me tonight that there are too many junkie reality TV shows out there these days. After nearly 4 months of watching my favorite two munchkin babes interact with one another I've come to the conclusion that what America needs is some decent, gut busting, tear jerking, and original broadcasting.

In a world where no mouth goes ungunked... no bib goes unstained... and where explosive diapers run wild there are two creatures ready to take on the universe.

The Adventures of Pinkie & Bluesy.

On hand holding:
"Um, should we be doing this? Your dad is sitting right over there!"

"Maybe just a hand shake?"

"Oh, Its ok Pinkie. My Mommy will save me if your Daddy comes after me."

My Daddy's coming to get you Bluesy. You'd better make a run for it!

I can take him Pinkie... he just looks mean.

Here comes help...

The rusty trusty side kick!

S.F. Rawlings to the rescue.

And the side kick saves the day... taming the father figure of Pinkie.

Until next time... I'll leave you with this cute hat.

Pots & Pans

With GiGi and Poppy busy for the next two days visiting other family and friends I decided to take today to visit Nan and Peeps since Shawn has been bringing it up everyday since last Sunday. That kiddo sure knows when his weeks schedule has been changed. Not that he does badly with change, he's actually remarkable at handling new things ;)

Shawn went on a few grand adventures this afternoon. One included a trip to the bird feeders and a mouth full of bird seed. Yes, my child grabbed a big ol' handful of seeds and stuffed them in his mouth. As I frantically tried to swipe the germ infested muck out of his mouth Shawn is smiling and muttering "Good!" Boys! Then not more than 5 minutes later he's in an old flower pot and grabbed a handful of last years soil... where does this stale substance go? You got it, in the mouth. And once again, Shawn has no trouble muttering out an "Mmm, Good." Ugh! The one time I do not bring my camera outside, and he pulls these stunts. Go figure.

(p.s. Check out my photog site for new photo shoot pics of Marta, Aunt Lorrie, and I dress shopping with Miranda.) http://arawphotog.blogspot.com

This little red head is in love! (So is the gray head hehe)

Please refrain from asking me "What is she wearing?!" I hear it all the time. Unfortunately, I am not the one responsible for picking out her wardrobe.

Snugly warm with Nanny.

Nan suggested I bring out an old favorite of my brothers and mine. The Care Bears. These things must be collectors by now. They are nearly 20 years old.

Chomp. Chomp.

Mom's cutie patootie ;)

1st Pots and Pans session. This boy can bang bang!

Clang-Clang. Bang-Bang. He is 100% BOY!

Look at those leg rolls! Yumalicious!

Lend a brotha a hand.

After he got himself up on the landing, it only took Landon one try to figure out how to get down. He is such a careful and thoughtful baby. You can see the gears turning as he plots and plans his next move... Unlike his brother who had no fear of heights or falling (and just took leaps and tumbles off of this very landing... with many tears following.)
Two very different boys. Two VERY loved boys.

Wishing For a Stowaway

If a person (or three people) travel from the South to the North why can't they bring the warm climate with them in a giant SUV? It would only be fair that if the said people are traveling such a long distance to bring sunshine to the faces of their family that ACTUAL sunshine and a warm salty breeze should stowaway in the luggage bags.

Looks like we'll just have to wait for spring.

GiGi and Poppy (Jon's mom & dad) have made their way North with Pap (Jon's grandfather) to spend a week visiting family and friends. Shawn could hardly wait to see Poppy, for he knew that with Poppy comes some major entertainment! And to entertain Shawn... a Little People Construction Site for Valentine's Day... this 2 year old boy's dream! What a fun activity for Grandfather & Grandson. (Landon's entertainment was in the form of baby bongo drums... such fun!)

Today Jon's brother and future sister in law, Cody & Lynda, came up for the day. It was beautiful having all of Jon's family here together. Uncle Cody & Aunt Lynda were missed terribly! We all met my grandparents and sister for lunch this afternoon. Seeing everyone together laughing and having a good time was a wonderful thing for the boys to experience. We have come such a long way ;)

Jon, the boys, and I have a weeks worth of quality time to look forward to. You can be sure there will be tons of great pictures on upcoming blogs. This MaMa needs to preserve these memories for the boys since their grandparents live so far away and can only visit a few times a year. Cody & Lynda will be up again next weekend for a longer visit (something we are seriously looking forward to!)

The beginning of a great week to come :)

This watch looks yummy GiGi!

Time with my Grandma.

Uncle Cody is another great source of entertainment.

Not quite sure what a "saw" is yet... but this "saxophone" is pretty cool ;)

Poppy & Landon

Random pics from today.

Pull up a stool GiGi and watch the master at work.

Poppy & The Grands

The boys (all 3 of them) really enjoy each others company.

"How many hairs can I grab off of this? And how many toes off of this?"

Snuggle Session 101

Aunt Lizzy, Uncle John, & Delilah came by for a visit so GiGi could meet our little "niece." Landon couldn't stop kissing his baby princess. Then he'd smack his lips together as if to say "She's pretty yummy." Again, I must say they are sickening sweet ;)

Muah!

Get those piggy toes, Landon.

Picture Picture.
SIL in the making.

Taking it all in.

GiGi's hair is pretty fun to play with (and yank on!)

Uncle Cody sure is getting comfy holding this little bouncing baby boy ;)

Delilah's turn for some face pokin'.