One down...30 to GO

During the month of January we made our 2nd annual "Snowman List" - each morning the kids picked one thing that they wanted to do this year. It was fun to watch them come up with things together. When I reintroduced the concept, I let them know that they needed to agree on the items.

Brooke says, "Clayton, I think we should go to Disney World again this year."

Clayton responds, "Okay, Brooke."

B: Mom, we're going to Disney World - we both agree.

Mom: You might want to check with your dad on that before you write it down.

Brooke returned a few moments later, "Clayton, we're NOT going to Disney World. Let's think of something else."

During the blizzard last week we had plenty of family time to finish our 500 piece Wisconsin puzzle. CHECK - one down, 30 to go!

When I'm 65!

If I had known the number of times this conversation would occur I most certainly would have started a tally sheet so that you'd know I wasn't exaggerating to say that it's been DOZENS of times. Clayton has a really hard time understanding that Brooke will always be older than he will....ALWAYS! (Then again he still thinks that "tomorrow" is a day of the week as is Monday, Thursday, etc.) And the conversation (typically at breakfast) goes like this...

C: Brooke, I'll be older when I'm 7.

B: Yes, Clayton you'll be older, but I'll be older than you - I'll be 9.

C: Then, I'll be 9.

B: Then I'll be 11.

C: I'll be 11.

B: I'll be 13.

C: I'll be 26.

B: I'll be 28.

C: How old will Lincoln be?

B: 23.

C: Then I'll be 42.

B: Then I'll be 44.

C (yelling): Then I'll be SIXTY FIVE!!

B (calmly): Clayton, then I'll be 67.

And on and on...he always hits the number 65 with great enthusiasm. I think my favorite was when they got to 95 and 97, and then wanted to know how old I would be. I let them know that I'd be living with Jesus. "oh.." was the response I got. I am just amazed at how patient Brooke explains this concept (and how good she's gotten at adding 2 to some high numbers.) AND, I'm equally surprise how Clayton still has this conversation a couple times a week.

Lincoln's First Haircut

From the moment the we put the cape on Lincoln, his bottom lipped curled out and the tears started. Good thing he only needed a little trim to even things up a bit.

He did slightly better with the cape off...slightly better.

Pretzel rods cure all crisis! The happy little man is back.

Mr. Mom

Mike was so generous to let me go on a girls getaway weekend to Florida with my best friend, Karen, for her birthday. It was -30 degrees with the windchill when I left and 70 when I landed in Florida...yeah for vacations!! So while we were enjoying beautiful ocean views, Starbucks, long walks, and the best Chilean Sea Bass I've ever had, he did a great job holding down the fort. On Friday, Grandma Denyse joined them at the Children's Museum.

I love his smile - it's just infectious!!

Hey! Who's driving this bus?!

Clayton and Grandma Denyse playing bank. (Grandma's at the drive-thru window)

Monster Trucks!!

Thanks Mr. Kellner for such awesome seats to the Monster Truck show! Mike went prepared with the appropriate gear and the boys had a great time watching dirt and destruction in action. Clayton will be talking about it for weeks and is already asking when he can go back.

Super Glue Cures ALL!

Mike had no idea that this "string" was such a precious treasure. He was cleaning up after dinner and threw it away. Clayton got so upset that his precious playmate of the day had been discarded he decided to throw a tantrum rather than asking Mike to recover the "toy." His lip hit the corner of the desk and after examining a while and calling the Dr because it was so deep, they determined it was best to come in. A little dab of glue and we were on our way....super glue does cure all!

Great Grandma and Grandpa Kippert

We had a great visit with Great Grandma and Grandpa Kippert to start off the New Year.