UH, OH...

Garrett Jake has a major booboo on his chin! I won't gross anyone out by posting photos of it, but it all started about two years ago with a nasty fall from a slide at preschool that resulted in a huge puffy scar under the chin. Then, last Tuesday, there was a note in his folder that said he'd fallen off of the same slide again, and hit his chin and eye. The result was a bit of a reddish/purple eye and a nasty bruise under his chin...right next to the puffy scar. The last straw was Thursday at swim class when he jumped off into the water and hit his chin on the side of the pool. It gashed his chin open, again. We had to leave because it was bleeding, but I managed to get it under control with pressure and a Diego bandaid. Where would we be without our Diego bandaids????? I just don't know what I'm going to do with that child! He's a walking accident! :0)

On a lighter note, I took the boys to see UP last night at the cheap movie with Erica and her boys. My two sat through the whole movie for the first time without melting down or having to get up fifty times to potty! :0) Thank goodness for fruit snacks...even though I had to sneak them in! I just can't feed my kids that junk at the theater. Speaking of sneaking food in, while we were in line to get tickets, my nephew, Tyler, asked his mother quite loudly when he could have all of that candy in her purse... You should have heard the two of us trying to explain (fib) to this child that all of that candy was for the Halloween carnival at his school...the things we do to save a buck...or ten...the two small sodas I sprung for were $7.50! OUCH!

T-ball, Trophies, and Bad Pizza...

Don't bother spending your hard-earned money at Pizza Warehouse! It isn't good (I'd rather eat Chuck E. Cheese) and the games are horrible, many not functioning properly!
Last night was the t-ball trophy party at PW. I had never been before, and I won't be back. It's no one's fault, just not a good pizza place.

Anyway, the kids had a good enough time and Braden is in love with this trophy!

Braden and his new prized possession.

Garrett and the bat boy chillin' over lukewarm dinner.

Eric and his assistant coach goofing around.

Pirate Party...

As a big four-year-old boy, Garrett was finally able to have his first "friend party" for his birthday. We phased through several options, beginning with Spiderman and finally ending up with pirates. As it happens, this time of year and pirates can only equal scary Halloween ghosty type pirates. I wasn't really sure what to do. I finally stumbled upon the Pirates Who Don't Do Anything!

We had all gone to see it at the theatre when it came out, so I don't know why I didn't think of it right away. But, it was perfect! Not scary, not nightmare-inducing, but pirates nonetheless.

The boys helped me make blue cupcakes with sprinkles for the guests. Everyone went home with treasure maps, pirate treasure, and great memories of the dance contest - soundtrack courtesty of Veggie Tales Silly Songs!

New Friends...

Eric, the boys, and I have finally gotten to know our new neighbors! We are all very excited, since we only knew one neighbor, Larry, on Blackjack...Noreen lived way down the street. Anyway, turns out that Michelle and I share several acquaintances from our younger days and the kids all love playing together on the swing set...not to mention building "castles" and "volcanoes" in the wide sea of dirt that stands between our lawn and their fresh build. It's great fun! I have also found a kindred spirit who is into sewing, scrapping, crafting, etc...I'm sure Eric is thrilled! More, more, more of anything and everything crafty!!! :0) So, welcome, new neighbors! Glad you're here!

St. Louis Vacation

Braden and Garrett practice for future careers as Supreme Court justices at The Magic House children's museum.

Declan, Garrett, Marlena, and Braden show their true colors as they reluctantly pose before going to feed the ducks.

Taking a break at Grant's Farm after getting on the fastest carousel I'd ever been on...WOAH!

Garrett finally looking happy after displaying enough questionable behavior to make us have to bail on the Cardinal game in the 8th inning.

Braden, also quite pleased with himself...maybe we'll make it through an entire game next year!

Braden and T-Ball...

In the shuffle this summer, I had misplaced Braden's t-ball photos. I ran across them this weekend while searching for his missing winter clothes (still MIA). After all the drama through the season, he said yesterday that he wishes the next season for St. Paul would start right now! Imagine!

Garrett, My Baby, Turns Four...

Today was Garrett Jake's fourth birthday! I cannot believe it's already been four years...

-bottles

-diapers

-pacifiers

-late nights

-early mornings

-carriers

-strollers

-burp rags

-10 pound diaper bags

It all seems so far away, and yet I remember it like it was yesterday! Poor Garrett. He always gets the short end of the stick. What with school starting at the end of August and his mommy being a teacher and all, I always let the date sneak up on me. That's why Garrett has never had a party with his friends...family only. So, this year it will be different...although it will be belated. Garrett has picked a pirate theme for his "friend" party to be held in a few weeks. Tonight, though, we had a "family" party here at the house. Unfortunately, I only got one photo because my camera battery died. But, it was a nice one with his Nana, who was helping him light the candles on his cake.

Garrett cried this morning because his daddy and Braden made a Texas sheet cake while he and I were lounging in bed watching cartoons. Garrett really wanted to help make the cake, but it was pretty much done by the time he woke up. Then, I didn't realize he wanted to put the candles on the cake, so I did it myself...he cried again. Nana saved the day by letting him help light the candles. Go Nana! As Garrett would say..."You rock!" Don't ask me where he heard that, but it came out in Sam's Club this afternoon. Who knew?

So, Garrett's four. I remember that he was born the day after Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans and that's all that was on television (between contractions) and all that the nurses were talking about. I also remember that Garrett was the smaller of my two boys, at birth, but look at him now! Definitely heavier and heftier than his big brother! :0)

Happy Birthday, Garrett! We love you!