Fall is here!

Fall is here (whether we like it or not)! We have been enjoying the mild weather because we know what happens in the months ahead. We have been outside as much as possible.
I realized that I forgot to do a back to school post, so I'm going to take care of the photos from that at the bottom of this post. Today we went to the pumpkin patch, it was a very windy and dusty day but we had a great time!

The pumpkin patch!


He found one he liked






Sam took a break from collecting rocks to pose for this picture





Happy Fall!

Sam loves to swing on his tummy


Sometimes they get along :)


Clayton is learning to play soccer!


He is #11 (one of my favorite numbers)


Sam is the goalie (actually he can dribble the ball very well!)


All ready for church


One of Clayton's many towers


This has been a popular playing spot lately (it is a great place to collect rocks!)


Sam got this for his birthday from us, forgot to post a picture :)


He loves trying on everyone's shoes!


Clayton was sick here and they were snuggling to watch a show, so sweet.


We discovered 11 Swallowtail caterpillars on this plant




Some of Clayton's drawings...


"Pirate Ship"


Cat in the Hat with friends, Sally & Nick


"Butterfly"


"Our house"


"Building with lots of windows"


"Shark"


Sample coloring, age 4.5

First day of Preschool

Sam's first day of "school" (KDO)


He loved carrying his own backpack




This was how I found him when I came to get him from school

CLAYTON
* Likes to point out all the "no parking" signs and "no trucks" signs as we are driving
* He is asking how to spell words and reading letters then asking "what does that spell?"
* He loves his brother. Oftentimes we will be looking at pictures and he will point out "Look at Sam, he is so cute, I LOVE my baby brother".
* Once when he heard Sam cry he remarked "Mommy, I don't think Sam likes himself!"

SAM
* Loves to try on everyone's shoes. We went to a birthday party with a giant bounce house (it even had a slide!). All he did was sit outside the bounce house and try on everyone's shoes! :)
* He is slowly beginning to talk (we think). New words include: binky, thank you
* He loves trains! Everytime he sees the train table at church (which he loves) or any other train he screams CHOO CHOO!!
* His favorite show is "Classical Baby" and when he wants to watch it he will sit on the couch, point and grunt at the tv, and do a little dance (it has music)
* His new found foods are mandarin oranges and chocolate covered sunflower seeds (they are colorful!) - he likes them both
* Likes to try on all of his pajamas - everything goes on over the feet
* He likes to call daddy at work, when daddy answers he will say "Hiiiiii!"
* He likes to pretend to blow his nose into a tissue (he only blows out of his mouth)
* Still loves collecting rocks

Cabin Fever

We are ready for Spring - enough with the snow!

He's a climber!


The stressed out look - like when he gets told NO :)


Getting his teeth brushed - he loves it!


Clayton telling Sam "you're a good baby!"


Sitting in the big boy chair


Hanging out


The Elmo trance


Clayton with is favorite friend :)


Look at me!


Practicing to be more handy than dad!


Brotherly love!

New & Funny Happenings....

CLAYTON:
- "Of course mommy!" and "OH yes - you are RIGHT mommy!" Ha!
- Recognizing letters very well. He says "C starts with Cookie!" and "T starts with TV" - a little backwards but that is ok
- He also likes to point at letters and name them (like the letters on the backpack)
- He can tell you where he lives (city and street) but not the number of his address yet - when I ask him to he says "Mommy STOP asking me that!"
- He is becoming less picky at mealtime. He is usually eating what we eat. If he says he doesn't like it we just leave it there and when he gets hungry enough he comes back and clears the plate, he knows he doesn't get his evening snack otherwise :)
- Can do the lazy river at the swimming pool without any flotation - by himself! He bounces his way through the circle. He is very comfortable in the water (though he still hasn't had swimming lessons).
- He can also do the SLIDE which makes him very happy! :) He can swim to the wall by himself and it is a pretty tough current
- Has a new belt (for his pants) and he is VERY proud and likes to show it to everyone
- He is writing his name, and quite well! At night he says he is "doing his homework" and writing his name over and over again.
- He can zip his own coat, and get his own hat and mittens on all by himself
- Favorite tv shows: Curious George, & Martha Speaks

SAM:
- Understands "on your bottom" and "no touch!"
- Runs anytime you pull out a wipe or kleenex (he hates having his diaper changed and his nose wiped)
- Found him standing on the play table and also standing in the play table drawer!
- Loves the hot tub at the swimming pool
- Sam's new favorite foods: kidney beans (from mommy's chili), bananas, guacamole
- His favorite toy is Mr. Potato Head
- Very ready to be a "big boy". He wants to sit in Clayton's high chair. We have been pushing his high chair up to the table because he wants to eat off of a plate with a big utensil (adult size). He is much happier, and eats better this way.
- He loves Shadow and likes to make purring noises when he sees him. He loves to play with Shadow.
- We love to play hide and seek! Sam gets so excited when he finds either of us. Watch a video of it HERE.
- He said "daddy" (1/16/10) and he says things that sound like words - especially for cracker (ga-ga) and "Shadow!" though not clear at all yet. Hurry! (I know I will regret wanting/trying to get him to talk - ha!)
- He loves to get his teeth brushed
- He is usually cranky in the afternoon after waking up from his nap, this seems to be getting better though (finally!)

Ashley

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Belated Merry Christmas to you all and wishing you the best in 2011!

Sprinkling food for the reindeer & glitter so Santa can find our house :)


On our way to church, you would never know he just recovered from a meltdown?


Clayton insisted I take this picture


On our way to see Christmas lights, this was our first stop


Oh no!


A child forever scarred by the kid getting his tongue stuck to the flagpole in "The Christmas Story"




Dr Seuss can make it all better

After Santa made his stop

Fun Craigslist finds :)








The action figures were a hit!


Hey brother, can I play?



Christmas kisses



He likes to run from you when it's time to get dressed (NOT funny)



Pop the Pig






Marketing at its best, Leapster NOT included



A fun new ornament



Christmas brunch with our favorite people



Sam loved the attention



Came home and let him finish opening his stocking.



A fun new Christmas toy for the adults too! :)

New & Funny Happenings:

- Clayton asked for Pop the Pig and Eve (the robot) for Christmas. He did get Pop the Pig - he asked about Eve and we told him that she was extinct! (They don't make her anymore - it's true!). So now he tells anyone that asks - that Eve is "ess-tink"
- Clayton still loves to read. When we read Sam wants to be up on the couch with us - but at the other end with his own book flipping through the pages like he is reading.
- Sam is VERY much into wanting to copy cat everything we do or have. He always wants utensils like us at the table. He is quite independent.
- Sam has some new favorite foods: raw onion, and edamame (not together) - really starting to wonder whose kid he is :) He still refuses any fruit (we keep offering!)
- Sam is still making NO effort to talk. We always use words to tell him exactly what it is we are doing and repeat it about 4 times before we give up on the fact that he is not going to attempt to repeat it back and give him what he wants :)
- Clayton what do you want for lunch? He responds: "I want a sandwich - and when I'm thirsty I want a beer!"
- Clayton asked daddy "Daddy - why do you always tiptoe out while I'm still asleep?"
- Our neighbor stopped by one evening and happened to ask where Kevin was - Clayton said "Kevin only comes out at night!"

Ashley