Punkins and Pumpkins

We made our annual trek to gawk at the pretty orange pumpkins, today.

Holden was a complete HAM.

Cooper exhibited moments of joy lasting 5 minutes ... total ... during a 2 hour stint.  We aren't certain why he continues to have frequent outbursts, but we think it may have something to do with being out in public.  Coop is a mostly-happy kid at home and with family, but trips to buy milk have become dreadful.  Restaurants should be completely out-of-the-question, but as I tell him as I tote him back outside for some air, he can't hold us hostage.

Please oooo and aaaawww for me, it was a rough day ... but I think you can hardly tell.

One of my most favorite moments of the day ... Coop couldn't figure out WHY oh WHY the wagon wouldn't budge, completely unaware of the super-size stow-away....

Which was followed by this ...

Then this...

But then there is this guy ....

Sullen boy is still so stinkin' cute ....

-Carmen

Rub-a-dub-dub

I LOVE this tub and these boys and gush over this lighting.

-Carmen

Party in the Pantry

I've learned when the eldest son says, "mom, hurry Cooper is doing something he's not suppose to," I should grab the camera on the way.

Sadly, Holden wanted identical attention and as I took pictures of Coop.  Holden said, "uh-oh momma, I'm making a mess, too."  He grabbed a box of plain graham crackers and was in the process of smashing them on the floor and smiling.  "Take my picture, too momma."

I didn't.

-Carmen

First Day, New School

The boys began a new journey this morning ... a new school.

Moving them was a tough decision.  Holden is reading, adding and subtracting ... not to mention he has made many friends and LOVES his wonderful teachers.

Cooper has been gaining the early foundations of reading.  He knows "A" is for "apple" and "B" is for "ball." But more than that, Coop is super clingy with his teachers ... teachers he has been sharing with his cousin/best buddy.

Alas, Supermom has accepted Superdad's offer to chauffeur the wee ones.  This means switching to a school nearby the homestead.

The boys will likely make friends with some of the kids they will spend much of their "big kid school" days with, and the new school functions on a school-year curriculum ... lighter learning in the summer, which hubby pointed out - might be the best thing for Holden ... he could work on playing more because like his momma, Holden is mostly "business."

Drop off this morning went really well, except for Coop's dash to freedom from the classroom and down the hall when he realized mommy and daddy weren't staying, too.

Holden immediately wrapped arms and legs around his new teacher's neck and waist and said he'd "see you later."

Before my eyes ... sigh.  Anyone need to be rocked?

-Carmen

Summer Hopper

It's hot as heck.  Record high temps. And I have a cold.  Go figure.

This guy was hanging out on my window, today.  He's about 3 inches long, head to rear (or whatever you call it.)  Glad to see some species thrive in this horrible climate.

-Carmen

Super Saturday

We don't get out a lot.

When we do, the boys really appreciate it.

I did a pathetic job of documenting the trip to the zoo and aquarium with friends ... but I couldn't stop gushing over these kids .... tickle fights, "OOOOs and AAAHHHs," giggles, grins, meltdowns and changing THE WORST poopy diaper to date in the way-back of the car in 100 degree hot (a sock was sacrificed during the ungodly event, R.I.P.)

Holden with his best friend .....

Holden was very enthusiastic about this poster.  He was less interested in the shark tank ... terrified, really.

Bubba and sis ...

Sis loving the shark tank that Holden refused ...

And sweet Coop.  Tired, hungry and in need of snuggles.

-Carmen

What are Little Boys Made of?

"Oh what a cute boy!"

Even when you catch them eating boogs .....

At least they are his own.

-Carmen

Sweet Little Boys

Only have a few minutes to post anything, but wanted to throw these out there .....

~{{;-P)

He didn't know I was watching him sing folk songs before bathtime .....

~{{:-P)

Super Cooper

My little Cooper.  

Wild and cuddly.  

Silly and serious.  

Loud and really loud. 

When Cooper entered our lives, much of our family life was in "disarray".  I felt that Cooper was being cheated.  I prayed nightly that my little nugget wouldn't grow up too quickly ... that I would get at least a little bit of "baby time" with him when things calmed down. 

And my prayers were answered.  

We moved into the house (still chaotic,) where Coop had a room, and a crib, his own clothes and a place to be rocked.  And like a baby he would fidget and cuddle ... cling to me and cry.  Scream.  He screamed a lot and his tears were big.  Often "I-don't-feel-well-tears."

Cooper seemed to have constant sinus problems, and ear infection after ear infection.  And in-between antibiotic treatments, his strange mogwai-like babble turned into words, but always turned back into babble with the next ear infection.  Cooper didn't like to walk.  He wanted to be carried.  When Cooper felt like playing and running, he would fall a LOT and run into furniture and even walls, giving up in a heap.  Often clinging to me, while I would try to snuggle and soothe his frustration away ... my near toddler still small and helpless.  

My heart .... breaking.

We visited an ENT.  The doctor suggested tubes, and at the conclusion of the visit, the doctor asked if I wanted to go home and think it over, talk to my husband, etc.  I interrupted him (probably a little too loudly,) "NO, please schedule the procedure."  As any doctor should, he went back through all the details and asked again, if I wanted to think it over.  Confident in my research and soul searching leading up to our appointment, I urged him to schedule the surgery.

Super Cooper had the tubes put in and I am so happy to say that he is a completely different child.  He is now a rough, rambunctious little boy that runs and climbs stairs, tumbles off the couch and terrorizes his big brother.

It's been about a month and it was a historic day for everyone that is NOT me, too.  

Cooper now has a vast vocabulary, and talks constantly.

No ear infections.  No snotty nose.  No dizziness and no unexplained vomiting anymore.

My snuggle bunny is definitely no longer an infant.  He earned is Toddler Card overnight, and I couldn't be happier.

_____________________

Completely unrelated, but this dude keeps getting in my shots .....

And possibly one of my all-time-fave pics ....  Holden being my little prince, and Cooper being ... well ... Cooper .....

I'm posting to my Instagram site a lot more frequently these days.  If you have an iphone, follow stogzilla on IG.

~{{:-P)

Holden Name Boggling

H has been verbally spelling his name (and names of family members) for several months ... thank you very much Mimi and preschool.  He has been writing the individual letters of his name on occasion, too and loves arranging gibberish with Boggle letters asking, "wus that spell?"

This morning, H came to get me from the other room announcing, "I did it!  I did it!  I spelled my name!"

This is what I found in the living room ....

~{{;-P)

Early Riser

My precious angel has a multitude of endearing qualities that I adore without limit .....

.... his weekend morning ritual ...

.... not one of them.

Holden began getting up at 5 or 6 in the morning on weekends, several months ago.  We started telling him that he MUST stay in bed until the sun comes out.

Great concept during the longer winter days, but now with summer approaching, he is up way too early .... hovering in the hallway, singing quietly in a nearby room, helping himself to candy and chips for breakfast while intermittently stopping at my bedside to remind me I "have to get up, the sun is out!"

So, I do.  We have breakfast together, H <3 PB cereal and chocolate milk.  Mom <3 nodding off at the breakfast table.

~{{;-P)

Happy Easter 2011!

We joined a huge family egg hunt, today.  The boys loved it.

Why we love little girls ....

Why I love my little boy ...

-Carmen