Behind The Chair

Silence is nice.

However, it can become worrisome when children are awake.

Especially when the pitter-pat of little feet precedes it.

This type of silence always needs to be investigated.

Those little feet went behind this chair.

 And after looking behind that big comfy chair,

I found this little person.

 And, more importantly, I found his beautiful art work.

On the wall.

 

Should I be happy that he has advanced on to making circles?

Or perhaps he was about to make a person on the left,

that just might be a head with a smiley face and stick body.

In any case, the wall is washable.

And so is this little artist.

Sneaky little bugger.

Vent

I am going to vent.

First time I've done this.

But it's my blog and I can.

So here it goes.

It should be short and sweet.

For those who have the opinion 

that a child need his "ass whooped", 

this is for you.

First,

you need to educate yourself on the effectiveness

and outcomes of  "ass whoopings" on children.

http://www.apsa.org/About_APsaA/Position_Statements/Physical_Punishment.aspx 

http://www.naturalchild.org/jan_hunt/tenreasons.html 

Next,

 educate yourself on the normal developmental stage of a child

and age appropriate behaviors.

Referenced below are links for a 5 year old's development.

The same age as my son.

The one you want me to beat for acting age appropriate.

http://childparenting.about.com/od/childdevelopment/a/fiveyearoldhome_3.htm

http://wondertime.go.com/learning/child-development/stages-toddler-5years_3.html

Now,

  take a good look in the mirror and see how well all those "ass whoopings"

you may have had as a child made you a better person.

Finally, 

keep your mouth shut.

Thanks.

Now, I am going to stand up tall.

Straighten out my shirt.

Pull my hair back neatly.

And walk away.

Right after I do a karate kick, 

and a left and right jab

to your imaginary face.

Which, by the way, will be the only "ass whooping" you'll see.

Lamp

I've posted a picture similar to this in a prior post.

Similar. 

Not exact.

(The subject in the picture is still cute in this one too.) 

I have a bazillion pictures of the same event.

I blame it on the camera.

And the memory card.

It stores lots of pictures.

I have a hard time erasing.

I also have a hard time getting them printed.

Quite frankly, I hardly have any pictures that I can hold in my hand.

They're all on those memory cards.

I make myself feel better by thinking that printed pictures are a thing of the past.

And maybe they are.

I just better not lose those tiny pieces of plastic.

They hold lots of memories.

Moving on,

and the real reason why I even started this post.

In the above picture is a lamp. 

Take a look at it again.

That's right, scroll on up and see what it looks like.

.

.

.

.

.

Because here it is now.

That cute little subject in the first picture is the culprit.

Pushed it right off the table.

I shuffled the boys into their room so I could clean up this mess.

And when all the tiny pieces were swept from the floor,

the boys came back into the living room.

A couple minutes later, 

while in the other room, 

I heard a crinkling sound.

And came out to this.

 Thanks Braxton for making sure that sweeping and vacuuming 

were added to the "to do" list for the day.

You're lucky you're cute.

 

March for Babies

Today,

was the March for Babies!

Walked 4 miles

with Sareese, 

her 32 week baby bump, 

some coworkers, 

and many other families and supporters

for all those babies born too early and sick.

The temp was 33 degrees, 

it was windy,

and snowing!

We were freezing!

 But,

in the end, 

it was worth it.

Sareese found some friends.

5 layers of clothes and still cold!

  Great Cause.

Great Day.

Easter Joy!

Saturday.

We got the exciting news that my cousin, Trevor, and his wife, Renae, delivered a baby BOY!

We are so thrilled for them and big sister, Ella!

After inheriting his dad's nickname of "Mooser Moose", 

today, he finally got a real name.

Cohen Jacob Spangler.

He's adorable.

(No picture but you can trust me on that one.)

Braxton started out his Saturday by greeting his brother.

I then took the boys to the Community Center for the 

"Easter Egg Hunt".

Which was more of an egg dash, 

no hunting, 

it was obvious where the eggs were.

 In less then a couple minutes, 

the basket was full.

 Thankfully, there was lots of inflatable balls and balloons to play with.

This boy loves them.

They also had an Easter Bunny there.

But it's not THE Easter Bunny.

Just ask Jaymeson.

He saw the man's arm.

Nice.

In the afternoon, we ventured out to meet the Dunham's.

The boys took a pic with another Easter Bunny at the mall 

and rode the train.

Jaymeson, Will and Sam waiting for departure.

There they go.

And we enjoyed their great company for dinner at Fuddrucker's.

Sammy opening his bday gift. His birthday was in January. Better late then never!

I did mention a visit with the Easter Bunny.

And a picture was taken.

Max, at 9, was a trooper. 

He told his parents on the way to meet us that
he is a little too old for the Easter Bunny. 

But he sat there too.
And don't forget small children are scared of such big creatures.

 Amazingly, we got a picture with all 5 boys!

Note the bottom says,

"Easter Joy!"

CLASSIC!

Hope everyone had a fun Saturday too!

Fire!

Don't worry, 

they're all pretend at our house.

My boys have been busy.

A big "thank you" to my friend, Moni, 

for sending Jaymeson his new firefighting gear for his birthday.

The boys can now fight the fires together.

Brother!  We need your help! Hurry!

Here I come!

Pretend play.

They love it.

I love watching them.

Where does the time go?

Yikes! 

It's been awhile, we've been busy.

Marcus was gone for a week in March so I was busy "single parenting" the boys.

 The major milestone the week he was gone was bringing Jaymeson to Kindergarten orientation!

Can't believe it!

We are learning the ropes of  "open enrollment".

Meaning, you can attend other schools in your district but it's based on a lottery system.  

So no guarantee that your kid will get into the preferred school.

Basically, it's a HUGE headache and heightened stress knowing that it's out of your control.

Not good.

So we were extremely disappointed that Jaymeson didn't get into the magnet school we were hoping for, but were relieved when we got the letter saying he was accepted into our first choice public school.  

Initially, he did not get into the Kindergarten Extra program, but we received a call last Friday that an opening became available, so today, he is now registered for that too.  

That means FULL DAY kindergarten!

And money out of our pockets.

(Yes, you have to pay for a full day of public education!)

On to other current events..

We were glad to be the pit stop for my parents in March as they traveled to and from Florida.  

They spent a long weekend enjoying the sun, a Twins pre-season game and great company with my Aunt Connie and Uncle Joe.  

Please say an extra prayer for Joe as he continues the battle with metastasized prostate cancer.  He's a fighter!

Braxton got his snuggles in with Nana.

and what good is a Papa if you cant "Hop on Pop"?!

 And, of course, we've been busy playing...

Here's the choo-choo train.  (I think Layla got de-railed.)

and it's never too early to learn computer skills.

I also learned some VERY exciting news!

News that I was sworn not to tell anyone else.

But, finally, after keeping the mouth sealed for what felt like forever.  

(It was less than 2 weeks.)

I was proud to reveal that I am going to be an auntie!!

Thank you Brother and sis-in-law!

Little Demery will be here late September!

Speaking of babies,

I was also busy preparing for and celebrating the upcoming arrival of Baby Girl Wilkinson.

My dear friend, Kaley, is expecting in May!

Here's the Mama-to-be holding the Sock Bouquet that I made for her shower.

I would also like to mention another special baby.  

My friend, Jilanne, is also pregnant and expecting a little girl!

My heart has been wrapped around her precious cargo,

she has learned that little Kaiya has a congenital heart defect called Hpoplastic Left Heart Syndrome.

Take a minute and send your thoughts and prayers to this little peanut and her family.
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/traynor

And the last news that I have to share, 

and I hope this brings us up to speed.

April 9th rolled around and I now have a 5 year old!

How did that happen? 

I know I will continue to say that through out the years, 

but seriously, 

How did that happen?

Opening gifts before heading to MOA.

 We had a busy and fun day at Mall of America's Amusement Park.

Per Jaymeson's request, he rode the train to MOA.  

Marcus and he met up with Grandpa and got on board the public transit system.

We spent the afternoon on the rides and then dinner at Kokamo's with lots of family.

Jaymeson and Grace had a blast!

Drenched after the log ride. His dad was equally as wet. HA!

Did you notice the hair style?

It's a mohawk.

He's cool.

Grandpa with the boys.

Now that's a candle!

Happy Birthday!

We ended the day with Jaymeson saying it was, "The best birthday ever!"

Can't beat that!