Too Funny!

While picking up Anthony from daycare Renae told me how goofy he was being throughout the day. I guess he was quite the ham and had the kids laughing all day with his dancing and giggles. That goofiness didn't stop when I picked him up!

Chuckle #1:

Anthony kept saying "Mama owie" over and over again.  Finally I asked him if he wanted to kiss my owie as I was getting him out of his car seat.  He kissed my lovely zit.  Oh great...

Chuckle #2:

I was talking with my mom and learning about her walking pneumonia when Anthony starts yelling "bye bye" at the top of his lungs.  This continued until I finally asked him what was up. He wanted me to hang up the phone so that we could play.

It's amazing how much his language is growing and changing each and every day.  It's been fun to hear him put two and three words together to let us know what he wants.  Some days, though, we have to laugh at what comes out of his mouth!

I would grab the remote, but it's glued to Mark's hand!

This time of year means a number of things - back to school, crisp fall air, football games and season premiers when television shows start up once again.   Mark was a bit aghast that I opted not to watch Prison Break, a show I absolutely love, and that I said I wasn't going to watch anything with any regularity anymore.  It's just hard to find the time and I always feel so pooped by the time Anthony goes to bed.  

Earlier this week I read The Lefebvre Party of 4's post Grab your remote it's that time of year! In it Erin outlines the shows she's excited to watch.  While reading it I realize that I cannot just skip out on a show I've become addicted to on Thursday night's -- Grey's Anatomy. Even though I'm tired and busy and almost always have correcting to do I will be taking time out to watch the drama, get mad at Meredith and Derek for acting so childish and hoping that every patient makes it through whatever crazy procedure/disease they may have that week.  

If you are a fan too take this Grey's Anatomy quiz to see how well you know the cast!  

Hopefully you don't flat line like I did.  

Ouch.  

Halloween Fun

Yes, I know.  

Halloween is still over a month away.  

However, at our house we already have all of the pumpkins and other various Halloween decorations out.  Anthony was very excited about the pumpkins that light up and loves having them plugged in; therefore, they are out.  (On a side note, we've already purchased his Halloween costume as well...)

Anyway, while digging through the Halloween box I came across the mask that my Aunt Gretch got us.  Of course I had to put it on and Anthony freaked out a bit.  Completely understandable. The CRAZY part is that once the mask is off he asks for more.  And the cycle begins -- The mask is on and he freaks out; the mask is off and he wants more.  

Today Auntie Manda and Uncle Damon stopped by Becker on their way home from the wedding.  Damon was the first one to put on the mask and Anthony jumped then ran for cover. Immediately after he took the mask off he wanted more.  

More was what he got and we were definitely entertained.

Doesn't Mark look attractive?

Auntie Manda really got into wearing the mask and having some fun!

I think when he gets older it will be daddy and him watching scary movies while mom is doing something else!  

Thanks Aunt Gretch for giving us a goofy mask that has gotten so much use these past few years.  The best is when Mark answers the door wearing it and the trick or treaters freak out...

Morrow Wedding

On Saturday we drove down to Chaska to attend Ben and Charity's wedding at a local golf course.  Hands down it was the most beautiful location for a wedding that I have ever been at. They got married on top of a hill that overlooked a fairway lined with beautiful just-starting-to-turn-colors trees.  Gorgeous.

As for the ceremony, I'm not really sure how it exactly went.  Anthony and I left after he had hit the little girl in front of him multiple times.  (If ANYONE has any suggestions for what to do with a hitter PLEASE let me know.  We could use any help or advice at this point...)

Andy and Manda sang a duet at the beginning of the wedding.  Here's the funny part: I knew Manda was singing a song; I knew she had gotten together with Andy a couple of times to practice and I even knew the song they were going to sing.  As the music started I was looking at the parents being ushered in and trying to figure out what artist was singing this version of the song.  It sounded so unbelievable and had such a good sound to it.  When I turned around I saw the two of them up front and realized that it was her singing after all.  DUH!  Of course I immediately get a bit teary eyed because it's so beautiful and I'm so proud of her.  

I wish I could have taped it... 

I also wish I could have been blessed with such a beautiful voice like hers...  

(You should have gone on Star Search, Manda, with all that practicing you did on top of your bed as a kid!  I bet you would have done awesome and Ed would have loved you!)

Manda and Megan taking some time out for a pose.  Meg is expecting her third child in December and looked absolutely beautiful in her gown -- even if she didn't think so!

Congratulations once again, Charity and Ben!  

Charity is Manda's oldest friend.  My favorite picture of the two of them is when they were five and posing in their Easter dresses outside of our house.  They were quite the cutie patooties! 

It was so nice to be invited and have the opportunity to share in her special day.  

Mark's 32nd

Nothing says happy birthday and we love you Mark/daddy like a trip to Famous Dave's!   Anthony loved all of the pigs around the restaurant and the friendly wait staff while Mark was in love with his usual chicken and ribs dinner.  

I know it wasn't the most exciting birthday ever - no big party or drunk fest with the guys - but it was nice to have a relaxing, Saturday at home celebrating together.  (Maybe that's what happens when you start to creep further into your thirties...)

Happy birthday, Mark!  We love you lots and are so thankful you are in our lives.

A Beautiful Tribute

Today I had an amazing moment in class with my first block of students.  Towards the end of the block the students were writing down the homework in their assignment books when a couple students realized it was September 11th - 9/11 - which lead to a conversation about this day.  The students all agreed they would like to do something to commemorate this day and remember all the people who lost their lives.  At the end of the block we stood up, placed our hands over our hearts and said the Pledge of Allegiance.  

It really was a beautiful, spontaneous moment.

What happened quite possible could be my favorite teaching moment of all time.  

Those students showed such maturity and an understanding for something that happened when they were only four and five year olds.  I was proud of them, proud to be their teacher and I had to try really hard to stop the tears from flowing.  

I love being pleasantly surprised and reminded of all of the good that happens along with the bad in this world.

The Best Three Minutes

Tonight after supper Anthony and I bundled up and went for a walk.  (Partly to get some fresh air and exercise; partly because Mark was dying to watch the first Vikings/Packers match-up without being completely interrupted by us.)  

While we were walking I could hear a train starting to come down the tracks so we took a detour to watch it go by.  Seeing the look on Anthony's face was the best part of my whole day. Through the glossy eyes and runny nose - yes, he's sick once again - he had the biggest smile on his face and kept saying choo choo.  The moment was priceless and a great reminder once again why being a parent is such a wonderful blessing.

Through all of the "two" behaviors - hitting, biting, constantly saying NO and timeouts - he is always the best part of every day for me.

Little Gretta

On Thursday night Manda told me about a sad story that happened to a two year old up north in Grand Rapids.  A little girl had gotten caught up in a cord from a blind at her house and ultimately died.  We talked in length how awful that would be, how fast it could happen and how we hoped the family was finding strength to go through all of this pain.

On Friday from talking to my mom and getting an email from Angie I realize that this little girl, Gretta, is my cousin Mike's, wife Angie's , sister Lesley's little girl.  (I know that's a bit confusing.  I just wanted to be sure people would know who I was referring to.)

Even though I don't directly know Lesley or her family my heart just goes out to them and all they are going through right now.  I pray that somehow God will help them get through this awful tragedy.  I honestly don't know how someone could have that kind of strength with such an amazing loss... It could only be from God.

It also makes me realize how short life can be as well as how dangerous are homes can be for little ones.  No one is immortal or invincible.  

Even though you don't know Gretta or her family please say a prayer for them.  During this time they could use all of the support that others are willing to give. 

NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO!

When we first went in for a wellness check-up Anthony, 18 months at the time, only knew five words.   His doctor was a bit concerned and said there might be a need for him to see a speech specialist if his vocabulary/communication skills didn't grow by his two year check-up.  

So before his appointment Thursday night Mark and I made a list of all of the words Anthony consistently says.  We came up with 38 and thankfully there will be no need for him to see a specialist. Since Thursday his vocabulary has grown even more and it seems like he's saying new words daily.  

How is it with all of this new vocabulary and fun words to say his favorite word is NO?  He'll even say it when he clearly wants to do something.

Today he has had a NO morning.  

NO! - He didn't want his water, go outside with daddy, have a snack, help out with laundry, etc. All of which he definitely did want to do and ultimately did do, but kept insisting that NO he didn't.

The toddler mind is so fascinating.  

PS - I was proud of Anthony for being such a big boy at his appointment.  The nurse had to draw blood to check his hemoglobin and lead levels.  She poked his finger and then had to squeeze the drops of blood into a container.  He didn't flinch or cry.  He just sat there like a big boy letting the nurse do what she needed to do.  Afterwards he got a couple of prizes and was super excited about the sticker and ball.

I wish I could say everything went well for Mark.  As soon as he heard the phrase "draw blood to..." he freaked out.  He was pacing and had to stay in the waiting room.   Maybe next time he can earn a prize for being a big boy too!  :)

Oops!

While reading Another Parenting Blunder... this week I realized that we have never gotten Anthony sized for shoes. He's been wearing the same size and same shoes since we got him. After going to his two year wellness check up Thursday night and seeing how much he's grown in six months we thought it was about time to get him officially sized.  Last night we traveled to the Albertville Outlet Mall and found out that his size 5 1/2 shoes are clearly too small for him. His feet are a 7 1/2 wide.  

Poor kid - awful parents!

His piggies were probably dying to get out of those constricting shoes and get some breathing room everyday.

So we found a few pairs that were his size and we tried them on.  (They looked so big!  And his old shoes looked so painfully small!)  Ever pair that were tried on had the same result - OWIE! Anthony even took a pair of new shoes and threw them as to make his point even more clear for his parents.  He really wasn't liking any of them for whatever reason.

So off to Target we went.  

We found a pair and tried them on.  

No OWIE and no complaints.  

He got down and started running around with the new shoes.

SOLD!

Thank you Feierabend Family for your own parenting blunder to help us realize our own oops moment.  

I guess you just continue to learn as you go.

LUCY!

I would like to introduce Lucy Marie to everyone!  Molly, Dana and Ella Bella welcomed the newest member of their family this week.  We are so excited for them and looking forward to visiting Crookston soon and meeting Lucy!

Lucy Marie

Born 7:50 am

on September 3rd

20 1/2 inches

8 pounds and 6 ounces

Bring out the foundation!

Today reality came crashing down on me.  

For the most part the day started out like a normal day - nice and early - and stayed that way until I started to get ready.  My usual summer make-up regimen includes mascara and lip gloss. Today the blush, eye brow pencil and foundation all came out.  And if that wasn't enough I even put on a slip.  A SLIP!

Yikes!

Where did those summer days go?

The good news is that reality is a good thing and it was fun for me - yes, I said fun - to be back in the classroom and doing something I love.  Today we covered idioms and figurative vs. literal language all while wearing pickle hats from the State Fair.  Does it get any better than that?

  

Seriously?

Just this weekend I purchased a new flat iron at Target, which was greatly needed being the old one was only heating up on one side.  For whatever reason I decided to read the use and care guide.  Under the Important Safety Instructions Remington has fifteen WARNINGS listed, which seem, to me, to be an unusually high amount of warnings.  Of course I had to read on to make sure I would reduce the risk of a burn, fire, electric shock or injury.  

My favorite warning happens to be #6.  

"Never use while sleeping."  

Seriously?

Does Remington hire a team of people to sit in a room and come up with a list of these?  How is it that "never use while sleeping" even came close to being on the published list of fifteen?  Did someone actually fall asleep while using their flat iron and then had the audacity to sue the company?

Interesting.

Perhaps that could be my Plan X - work for Remington and come up with ridiculous and laughable precautions.

PS - I guess I should note that I burnt my finger the first time using my new and wonderful flat iron.  Perhaps I should have read the warnings with a bit more seriousness.  

"It's all about the angles"

Manda always seems to capture moments way better than I ever could, which is always a great thing for me.  I loved seeing the photos she posted on her blog of A's birthday party.  There are some great shots of CJ and the Feierabend boys!  (You should check it out and see your cuties, mamas Erin and Jenn!)