Cake Man

This afternoon I was busy when I heard a boy wake up from his nap. It is usually the oldest one that wakes up first so I didn't hurry to see what was happening. It was boy number two that had woken up and I caught him with his hand in the cake box. When I knelt down to talk to him, he put some in my mouth. "Now mommy can't say anything if I am sharing."

Don't you want some, he will share!

Day of Oops

Due to a series of oops today, my dear mother and I ended up playing hooky today. Camlyn desperately needed a haircut and Daddy has forbidden me from ever getting close to the boys hair with scissors again. A new hair salon with a mini cooper chair for kids has just opened up about a block from us, so we thought this would be a perfect time to try it out. Camlyn was interested in the car, but no way was he going to sit down in it.

Grandma did get to come see Caeden practice as well. Caeden laid down the law with her before we left. "Now Grandma you can't cheer, but you can clap." Grandma forgot, even though is was just practice, she let out a whoop and got all the kids staring. Caeden modeling his new fancy soccer gear for Uncle Justin and Aunt Kathy.

Second Bi-annual Lollipop Harvest

So this is how Caeden's "fishy" cake turned out. Nerds and frosting are a surprisingly good combination we found out.


A few highlights of his gifts, a fireman's helmet with sound and a digital camera of his very own.
I think this was about the only time I got him to stand still all day, too much excitement for sure!

Our first crop of lollipops are ready for harvest at the end of September, just in time for Caeden's birthday. The second crop comes up in December. Although lollipops are not winter hardy in our zone, candy canes are. So nice that we can get both crops to come up in time for birthdays.

Camlyn harvesting his lollipop, Caeden is much too fast for me to catch on camera. Grandma helping Caeden to plant some more lollipop seeds.

Gone Fishin'

Caeden got some time alone with his daddy today. Moises said he was taking Caeden fishing for his birthday. I think that was just an excuse to get out there himself. ;)

Happy Birthday Caeden!

Happy birthday to my handsome little man. We love you so much, from the tips of your fingers all the way down to those little piggies.

You always were a smiley little guy.

And just a little mischievous, but

what is a boy without a little bit of spunk?

You are always so interested in everything and everyone.

We appreciate how you are always so willing to help.



And what a wonderful big brother you are.

New Toothbrush

Caeden needed new toothbrush. I ended up coming up with two Thomas the Train ones that play music for two minutes. Great idea right? The music gets them to brush for as long as they need to and also distracts them while they are brushing. I think distracts is the key word. Camlyn did everything but brush.

Sorry, it is sideways again! It really was the best one though. I realized what I was doing but by that time they realized what I was doing as well.

Midnight Raids

I'm sure you have all heard of the Midnight Ride of Paul Revere. Well, lately around here we have been having the Midnight Raids of Camlyn d S. In the pitch dark we will hear, thump, thump. There is Camlyn putting piles of books on top of a sleeping Caeden. Clank, clank, there is Camlyn getting in Caeden's desk to suck on the markers. Whir, whir, there is Camlyn turning Caeden's fan on. This is all pretty good for a boy that is afraid of the dark! Finally Moises got up last night and returned him to bed and turned the fan on. No more midnight raids. All of that just to get us to turn the fan on! Could of saved a lot of hassle if he would have just asked, "Fan, on, please."

Wedding Music

So, I have talked to a few of you about the music at Arian's wedding. This Josh Groban song was one of the songs that they sang. Melinda and Brett, in center and on the left, sang it and it was gorgeous. We have a picture of them singing but I was bemoaning the fact that we did not get a video of it. This will give you an idea though.

Questions

So one time I read that a father once researched all the questions his son ever asked him and wrote a book. I thought that would be great to do on here, since Caeden's questions are progressing past the why stage. My little researching train was derailed when his he asked how is lightening made? Something about ions and positive and negative charges. How do you explain that to a 5 year old when I don't even get it!The question train has left the station again though. Yes, lions can climb trees. They do so to get away from the flies.

Caution Football in Progress

This has been Caeden's new form of entertainment. He will run around at top speed and throw the ball as hard as he can, mimicking in his own way the little football that he has seen played. I knew dogs run around in circles, I guess to keep a boy happy, you just add a ball.

Time for a new pet...

Caeden found this dead, but unsquashed butterfly. He carried it around all afternoon. "It is time for the butterfly to sleep now. He is awake I need to feed him." Think it is time for a replacement for Llama Mama?

Soccer Team

The other day Moises took Caeden to watch the little guys play soccer. We learned that he is old enough to play now but we missed the sign up. Moises talked to one of the coaches and they are letting Caeden practice with the team. He thinks he is some pretty big stuff! I had some practice photos, but they are on the camera and not the memory card. They are proving harder to get off than I thought so we will have to settle for some backyard action shots. Any ideas on getting them off....

Sick Again

Another part of back-to-school is the hacking, coughing, and the wondering when and if we need to see the doctor. Caeden was up all night crying/screaming (all the same in his book) because his ear and his head hurt. Took him to the doctor today and it was confirmed ear infection. Only his second in soon to be five years. Not so bad I'd say. Our little book said that the likelihood of getting ear infections goes down after age six. One more year to go. Does grandma agree with that?

Steal of the Day

I found myself some 70 cent pork chops. Their mistake, my gain. Ummm, think how much better they will taste knowing they were 20 cents apiece.

Back to School

My little boy went back to school today. So grown up and different from last year. He gave Camlyn a hug, "I have to go now Camlyn." In he marched.

I Trust You'll Treat Her Well

By: Victor Buono

Dear World:

I bequeath to you today one little girl...in a crispy dress...with two blue eyes...and a happy laugh that ripples all day long...and a flash of light brown hair that bounces in the sunlight when she runs. I trust you will treat her well.

She's slipping out the backyard of my heart this morning...and skipping off down the street to her first day of school. And never again will she be completely mine. Prim and proud she will wave her young and independent hand this morning and say "Goodbye" and walk with little lady steps to the school house.

Now she'll learn to stand in lines...and wait by the alphabet for her name to be called. She'll learn to tune her ears for the sounds of school-bells...and deadlines...and she'll learn to giggle...and gossip...and look at the ceiling in a disinterested way when the little boy across the aisle sticks out his tongue at her. And, now she'll learn to be jealous. And now she'll learn how it is to feel hurt inside. And now she will learn how not to cry.

No longer will she have time to sit on the front porch steps on a summer day and watch an ant scurry across the crack in the sidewalk. Nor will she have time to pop out of bed with the dawn to kiss lilac blossoms in the morning dew. No, now she will worry about the important things...like grades and which dress to wear and whose best friend is whose. And the magic of books and learning will replace the magic of her blocks and dolls. And she will find new heroes.

For five full years now I've been her sage and Santa Clause and pal and playmate and father and friend. Now she will learn to share her worship with her teachers...which is only right. But, no longer will I be the smartest, greatest man in the whole world. Today when that school bell rings for the first time...she'll learn what it means to be a member of the group...with all it's privileges and its disadvantages too.

She'll learn in time that proper young ladies do not laugh out loud...or kiss dogs...or keep frogs in pickle jars in bedrooms...or even watch ants scurry across cracks in sidewalks in summer.

Today she will learn for the first time that all that smile at her are not her friends. And I will stand on the front porch and watch her start out on the long, lonely journey to becoming a woman.

So, world, I bequeath to you one little girl...in a crispy dress...with two blue eyes...and a happy laugh that ripples all day long...and a flash of light brown hair that bounces in the sunlight when she runs. I trust you'll treat her well.