A Bunch of New Pets!

Seth just got a bunch of new pets - well sort of.... They are actually the plastic bead filler that came out of a stuffed dog that our real dog chewed open. Seth had had way more fun with the beads than he ever did with the stuffed dog. The pets live in the "'quarium" and eat crayons. He has a spider monkey, porcupine, lizard, cat, dog, "hampsterd" and more. The best part about these pets? 100% Maintenance Free!

Yes, siree.

Seth has taken to calling our dog Pup-Pup (yes, that's her name), Mister Pup-Pup. It's terribly cute - even though she is a girl!

The Good With the Bad

Unfortunately, Papa George has been in the hospital. He is doing a bit better and we are all sending lots of prayers his way. Even though we were worried, we had a great day with Trey who got to come visit while his mom worked and Mimi was at the hospital.

Christmas with PPR

Friends

Seth told me that his friends are coming over today. Moose, Doynkey (donkey), Bird and Bird. Moose has snow horns on his head. They will be here soon but I may not be able to see them because they run very fast.

Overheard

Lamenting his oatmeal in a sad, quiet song...."I ate my oatmeal at the table, and it's gone, and it's gone."

El Farto

I can hardly believe that it's been two years since my Papa passed away. I can still hear his voice in my head. He usually had a gruff tone to his voice but you could always hear the underlying love. I feel sad that Seth will never remember him and at the same lucky that I had over thirty years with him.

All of my life, Papa's term of endearment for any child was El Farto. "Hey El Farto, hand me that screwdriver." Not just anyone would be able to get away with calling someone's kid El Farto, but somehow, he pulled it off. Every so often, Mark will call Seth El Farto to which I respond, "Aw....El Farto." I'm not usually a fan of the "F" word and Seth doesn't even know what it means, but somehow in this application it's sweet. It's just one of the little ways we keep Papa's memory alive.

Ebay Item of the Week

Vintage Fisher Price Woodsey Market Cart Replacement
Paid - $.20
Sold For $15.50

Salt Painting

I saw this little craft here and thought it might be fun to try. I had no idea what a hit it would be! Seth loved it and was asking at bedtime to do it again. It was so simple. Seth drew a picture, we traced it in white school glue, then he sprinkled salt all over the glue. I'm sure it won't stick around too long as it is "shedding" already but it was a quick and easy craft.

"Self-Portrait with Pup-Pup and Dirty Rock"

"Billy Goat and Sheep, the Lamb"

Wordless Wednesday

100 Things to Do Before Kindergarten

I came across this list a while back and just the other day stumbled upon it again. I thought it was fun to see how we measured up so far. Not to shabby!

* = things we have done
< = not quite, but getting there

1. Go to the zoo *

2. Visit a farm *

3. Go on a hike *

4. Play with kittens or puppies

5. Catch a frog *

6. Make a gigantic mess *

7. Help clean up a gigantic mess *

8. Master the monkey-bars

9. Swing high up into the sky all by themselves

10. Try ice-skating

11. Go sledding

12. Make a snow-man

13. Blow bubbles *

14. Plant seeds and watch them grow *

15. Have a pillow fight

16. Jump on a big bed *

17. Jump on a trampoline or in a bounce house *

18. Hang out in a tent *

19. Spend days at the beach *

20. Build sandcastles *

21. Go fishing *

22. Go out on a boat *

23. Play with blocks and puzzles *

24. Read the classic picture books *

25. Read a classic chapter book

26. Check out library books with their own library card

27. Get a passport

28. Carve a pumpkin *

29. Hold a newborn baby *

30. Love a special doll or stuffed animal *

31. Bake cookies and cakes *

32. Help plan their own birthday party *

33. Go to the circus *

34. Go to a museum on a quiet weekday *

35. Play hide-and-seek *

36. Play a board game *

37. Do nothing whatsoever all day *

38. Try a sport

39. Watch a sporting event

40. Learn to swim <

41. Be tickled in hysterics *

42. Paint and draw as much as desired *

43. Have the use of scissors and glue *

44. Display artworks and other creations around the house *

45. Learn to use a camera <

46. Play with clay *

47. Pick flowers *

48. Climb a tree *

49. Gaze at the moon and stars *

50. Toast marshmallows

51. Learn to eat an ice-cream cone *

52. Watch a sunset

53. Learn to write their own names <

54. Learn their addresses and telephone numbers

55. Learn their parents' full names

56. Set the table <

57. Clear the table

58. Help wash the dishes

59. Learn to say their pleases and thank yous and excuse mes *

60. Watch fireworks *



61. Go to the ballet or theater or a puppet show * 62. Put on a ballet or play or puppet show at home *

63. Face paint * (well he decided to have it on his hand instead)

64. Dress up in costumes at will *

65. Learn rhymes and poems and songs by heart *

66. Have a dance party

67. Enjoy friends at preschool and at the park *

68. Invite friends over to play *

69. Get to know grandparents *

70. Play with cousins *

71. Become attached to a wonderful preschool teacher and/or babysitter *

72. Learn the name of our president < (sometimes it sounds like Ronald McDonald)

73. Know the name of their town, state and country *

74. Be familiar with a map of the world <

75. Listen to music from many different ages and genres

76. Hear and learn words from a different language *

77. Learn the difference between trash and recycling *

78. Grow their own vegetables < (our garden died!)

79. Learn to ride a bike (or try!) <

80. Take a road trip *

81. Draw a self-portrait

82. Slurp alphabet soup *

83. Learn to twirl spaghetti on a fork <

84. Pick apples

85. Star in a home movie

86. Learn a magic trick

87. Try different hair-dos *

88. Practice writing letters *

89. Practice counting to 100 <

90. Make up stories *

91. Send a letter

92. Receive a letter *

93. Ride on a merry-go-round *

94. Give away toys and books to less fortunate children *

95. Learn the value of coins and bills <

96. Keep a piggy bank *

97. Start to learn a musical instrument

98. Have a heartfelt wish granted *

99. Have a heartfelt wish denied *

100. Receive a million (make that a billion) heartfelt kisses and hugs from their parents! *

Sneaky!

Every time I come across this photo, I laugh. I love how that little finger is sneaking in for a taste of icing just as I am snapping a shot of Mom and Grandma's birthday cake!

Ladies and Gentlemen

Today we were finally feeling better and ventured out. The Ringling Bros. clowns were at our library today! We were literally two feet away from the antics. They read a book about the circus, answered questions and put on a little show. Everyone got their very own clown nose! After, they were posing for pictures, but Seth wanted no parts..."I am shy at those clowns." When we were telling Mimi about our outing Seth really made me laugh. I said something about the circus clowns and Seth was insistent that they were NOT circus clowns. After a bit of discussion, I asked what kind of clowns they were. his reply, "Library Clowns!" Ha, ha, ha! Of course!

Finally some nice weather...

and our whole household was under the weather, so we just stayed home all week and muddled through!

Ebay Item of The Week

Lot Mega Bloks Figures
Paid - $2
Sold For - $19.76

Snap, Crackle, Pop!

The other day I let Seth try Pop Rocks for the first time - another "prize" from Chuck E. Cheese. I remember having them as a child. He wasn't sure what to think at first, but I think he liked them.

Big Chuck's House

The other day we went to Chuck E, Cheese with our playgroup. Seth has been asking to go for months but this was our first time. My cousin, David, used to call it Big Chuck's House when we were kids and when Seth heard me call it that he immediately adopted the phrase. He had a great time playing the games but was wary of the rides. He said several times, "I'm shy at Chuck E. Cheese." When he was playing one particular game bells started ringing and lights were flashing. I thought I was in Vegas for a second but then realized Seth had won cotton candy. I think they should give granola as a prize! He was so excited to win though. He had fun and keeps asking to go back to Big Chuck's House.

Good Times!

We had another great trip to Charlotte and Seth finally got to meet his new cousin, Chase. It was very cold so we pretty much stayed in the whole time, but we had lots of fun!

Happy Birthday Papa R!

We love you!

Baby It's Cold Outside....

but Seth sure looks cute all bundled up!

Happy New Year!