Saturday, January 30, 2010

Ryan's Special Day


Ryan had a great day last Sunday with me and Greg. We took Luke to Jonny's and Jenny's where he got to play and help cook, and Ryan headed out with us to Fantastic Fun. Interesting place, not really my thing, but Ryan had a great time. He was able to play games, jump in a ball pit (I know, disgusting, but all kids should experience it), ride on rides and be a general goof. Afterwards, we went to lunch and then picked up Luke. He really enjoyed his time with us and asked about Luke a few times, but I think he was glad to get us to himself. He did win enough skeeball tickets to pick out either 1 big thing or 2 little things - he chose the 2 little things so he could give one to Luke.

On the train - one of Ryan's favorite things to do on any day.

The teacup ride makes me sick to even think about. Greg was too big of a wimp to go on this one, so it was up to me to let Ryan get on. He loved it and spun us around in circles as fast as he could go the whole time. There are certain things I have promised to myself that I will do as a mother - ride on roller coasters (no offense mom, I know you don't like them), ski, and swim with my kids, even if it means getting my hair wet. The teacup ride is right up there with those things. When they're much older and if they want to jump out of an airplane, I'd do it with them if they wanted me to (really I would, although it would scare the crud out of me).

Ryan loved the ball pit and really loved it when Greg would throw him in.

I don't remember what these things are called - they're like the pre-plasma cars - and Ryan rode around on this for about half an hour.

He thought he was pretty cute in this.

Ryan tried to play Pac-Man with Greg but got bored - I found Greg still there playing long after Ryan had moved on to other things.

I don't think he ever made a basket, but he had fun trying.

Video of Ryan playing skeeball.


Video of me and Ryan on the old school plasma car things.

While we were out with Ryan, Luke was doing this:

Luke loves to help out with anything, especially in the kitchen. He calls himself Chef Luke and me Chef Mom. He's been helping me alot this week making anything from banana muffins to guacamole - all great chefs start young, and he definitely loves food, so who knows where this could lead - he'll at least be able to help his wife in the kitchen some day, at the very least (I'm not complaining about Greg, he does the dishes which is about my least favorite thing to do).

We've had a busy week and Greg will be in Maryland all next week - so hopefully next weekend will come quickly.

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Our Day with Thomas


Thomas spent the day with us on Monday. The boys and I were off from school and Jonny and Jenny asked if we could could keep him for the day. We had a great time with him. He was fascinated with the boys and the boys enjoyed watching him.

All 3 boys had a huge lunch - they just kept eating. It led to a good nap from all 3, but not all at the same time.

Ryan and Luke invited Tommy to have a picnic with them in the middle of the kitchen.

Below - Ryan's car, which included a picture of me and him in it.

Tomorrow we're taking Ryan out for another special day with just the two of us, we did the same thing last year and it improved his behavior then. He's been doing much better since he had the styrofoam ball removed from his ear, but he needs some one on one time with us. Luke is going to have a great day, as well. He's going to go to a children's concert with Jonny and Jenny - so both boys are going to have a special day.

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Back Home


We made it back from our Texas/Arizona trip on Wednesday night and we've been busy ever since. I had to busy days at work and then we had to unpack, do laundry, take down Christmas decorations and clean the house (the last has only been partially done, but at least the floors are clean). The boys had a great time with Nana and Grandad while Greg and I went to Phoenix to watch TCU lose at the Fiesta Bowl. Oh well, it was still worth the trip. One side has to spend their time and money to support their team even if they don't win. We'd do it again and will again next year if they can have another great season.

One of my only pictures that I took at the game. This was the beginning and the rest was so nerve racking that I didn't take my camera out again.

Greg in front of the stadium - obviously before the game. The picture at the top is of us in front of the TCU frog horn. It is usually blown every time TCU scores but it wasn't allowed in the stadium - that must have been the reason they lost.

One of the fun things about going was to see friends from college - like my old roommate Kim.

Things going on with the boys:

When I was putting Christmas stuff away, Ryan asked what I was doing and when I told him, he said "Ooooh, Christmas is over? But Santa will bring me more presents." When I told him it is was once a year and we needed to put everything up, he got really panicky that I was going to take his scooter away because he got it for Christmas. Greg and I both had to reassure him separately (and several times) that presents aren't decorations and he can still have his scooter.

Luke has been acting like cat for a couple of weeks. It started at first with him meowing occasionally (especially when responding to questions), but it has turned into a full-blown act. He wakes up in the morning and crawls on the ground meowing to whoever he sees and wants to be petted. It is really cute and also really obnoxious at times. I had to make the rule this weekend that he is only allowed to meow like a cat when he is crawling like a cat - if not it is constant cat meowing - which is annoying with a person or a real cat. I've threatened him several times that he might have to end up where we took Jackson last year when he became too obnoxious (Greg took him to the Dumb Friends League to be put down-he wasn't just annoying he was also sick). We'll see how long this act continues.

Ryan's behavior has improved somewhat. He still has an attitude but the anger has subsided a little. It turned out that he had something rammed down his ear canal - which likely contributed to his foul mood. I took Luke to the doctor before Christmas for his ear infection re-check and asked the doctor to look in Ryan's ears because he said his ears hurt (although we thought he just wanted some of Luke's medicine). He found what appears to be a small styrofoam ball. He was amazed at Ryan's toughness - he said most kids would be screaming in pain based upon how far it was jammed in his ear canal. No idea where that came from - probably the same place as the thing that got lodged in his vocal cords when he was 1. Ryan told the doctor that there was a spider in his ear and when he looked he said to me that it wasn't a spider but it could be a spider egg sack. He (the doctor) was kind of freaked out about it and had to think (out loud) for several minutes on how to get it out. He was quite relieved when he pulled it out that nothing came out at him when he squeezed it. Ryan was quite cooperative the whole time. He really is a tough guy, just a little emotional.

Lastly, my aunt and uncle (Jane and Charlie) came over to my parents' house for dinner before we left for Phoenix. We always enjoy seeing them and I wish we could find a way to see them more often. They've been such an important part of my life, as well to me and Greg's relationship. Jane taught me to make chicken fried steak last year (still haven't done that yet, but maybe for Valentines) and I was sure to get her Lemon Ice Cream recipe for my new ice cream maker.

Friday, January 1, 2010

...And a Happy New Year (From Lubbock)


The boys had a great Christmas, Part III with my family in Lubbock. We came on Monday and the boys did great in the car. They are such good travelers. Ryan was disappointed that we weren't flying this time, but he got over it pretty quickly. Greg went to Fort Worth for a couple of days to check on our house and the rest of us have had a great time watching the cousins play together. Last night, we opened presents and the main hit for all 3 boys were brand new Superman PJs, complete with a cape. Luke was so excited that he screamed out loud, rolled on the floor hugging his PJs and then proceeded to put them on over his clothes.

Greg and I head out tomorrow to go to Phoenix for the Fiesta Bowl. We'll be back on Tuesday and we'll drive home on Wednesday.

Really, they do love each other.
Opening stockings.

Ryan and his new Woody - he looks just like him.
Luke and his new Buzz Lightyear.

Luke reading one of his new books from Aunt Conny and family.
Ryan opening a present.
Handsome Superman.

No description needed here.

3 little Supermen.

Ryan wearing his new TCU hat that Greg brought back from Fort Worth.

Tim, Stephanie and Mackenna stopped by on their way up to Loveland after Christmas.

The boys boxing each other on the Wii. Ryan really gets into it, but he punches too low.
Video #1: Ryan and Luke playing Superman.
Video #2: I don't know how long this is but it is video of the boys boxing each other on the Wii.

Go Frogs!