Ketchup

We're doing a little catching up from the past week or so.
(Thanks for those who mentioned you missed us.)Speaking of ketch(ing)up, that's a new favorite. He likes it on his eggs and french fries just like his momma. The funniest part is how he says it....'cap-itch'.
Unfortunately, he's developing some of my dislikes too.Once where he liked to play with and pick up bugs, now he says 'ewwwww bug' when he sees one. Sometimes he backs up quickly. I'm not that girly in general, but I'm definitely girly when it comes to bugs.

Daddy is working with him. He drew a bug with chalk and taught Reece to stomp it. It wasn't hard to teach...he loves to jump and gets pretty good air these days.

Slight Detour Home

...Just when you thought we'd be headed back home, we set out for more. Sunday, we left Austin and headed for NB, home of the Schlitterbahn. We just never get to see the Kyle's anymore.
With a house of 5 kids 6 years and under, who can blame them? We were just too close not to take a slight detour their direction.

Baker is their newest addition, only 7 weeks old. Momma is a SAHM and has a little help during the day. She says she just feels like she was meant for this. I believe it.I asked Brett how she felt about having all these boys around, and she just let out a BIG sigh. She is quite happy to have another girl around and is looking forward to her little sister growing up.

Contrarily, as she played quietly, the boys ran around turning over rocks to find geckos and spraying the water hose on any and everything.Now, I don't mean to choose favorites, but Cannen, he's my boy.
D and I are his Godparents, although not sure we are deserving of that title.
Know that we love, love those Kyle's...each and every one of them (did I mention there are 7!). Catcher, although the youngest of the boys at 18 months, is tough as nails. He got sprayed and pushed around, but held his own so well.
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It was soooo hot, we headed inside after a while. Reece's cheeks were as red as a tomato. Mmmmmm, tomatoes.
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The big leopard chair seems to be a favorite spot amongst the kiddos. At some point, each of them used the ottoman as a personal trampoline. Caught a moment when Cannen and his Daddy were playing on it.Cannen and 'Aunt' Sundee had some sweet time too. He sat in my lap and pushed the shutter button on my camera, giggling after each shot. It didn't matter what was in the frame, he just laughed and thought he was pretty funny. I did too.

A piano. That is one loud toy in a household of 7. Cannen was reminded several times about using 1 finger when he played. And when he did, it was quite a sweet picture...So glad we got to see them. I truly, truly hope we can be back really soon to visit longer. Love, love you all. Maybe Wurstfest?

Football Capitol

Went to Austin this weekend for fantasy football draft. I'm one of those gals that love that stuff.D picks the team and I run the computer, heckling and keying in every one's selections. It's a fun way to watch football during the season, and an annual get together with a few of our friends.Kerri and sweet Marshall kept Reece while Adam, D and I were drafting. They fed the fish, swam and played outside almost all day. Their pool has a wading area that was perfect for Reece.
The Wii was great fun. My tennis skills aren't as good electronically, but my bowling was pretty awesome. Hilarious was watching father and son, and then two grown men duke it out in boxing. They were SORE the next day! Hung out some at the pool before dinner and the Cowboy game on Saturday... Marshall is just a sweet boy and quite the fish. He was tender with Reece and I just enjoyed spending time with him.
I think we're friends.

Jackson and Pierce hung out together, being the big boys swimming and playing. They were much too quick for my shutter!
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Reece did well in the car, and did very well during the day considering very little nap time. At night, we had to sit with him until he fell asleep, but didn't awake until the boys were up and about in the morning.

I enjoy spending time with families, and this one was no exception. Now, if we'd only not wait an entire year to see them again...

MIT (Mower In Training)

The boy is fascinated with mowing. Anytime he hears a lawn mower (which is a VERY regular occurrence when you stay home), he points and says 'grass' or 'cut grass'. Used to, he'd call anyone that was mowing 'Dada', which was pretty funny.

Today, no more watching daddy mow, Reece is now 'helping' daddy mow. Although much, much more difficult to steer with one hand, Darren said it was well worth it.I love this picture above with sweet Audrey watching in the background. Although not in the next shot, Reece is proudly telling her that HE is mowing the grass. Love, love, love this last one.(BTW...he was NOT happy when it was time to go in, but he was ready for a nap.)

Rain

Friday early evening, we hung out with a few neighbors in the front yard as usual. With evening plans and clouds looming, they all went inside. We stayed for a few more minutes......and then the rain came.

Darren loves rain storms. He will go outside amidst the chaos of darkness, wind, lightning, and thunder and somehow find peace in it all. I'm more of a fraidy-cat.

We came inside from the front yard and then he and Reece went promptly to the back yard to watch under the protection of the patio.
Watching turned quickly into frolicking...

Good choices

Went to the library on Tuesday morning for story time. It is appropriately held in a separate enclosed room so as not to disturb the avid readers. We heard 'On top of Spaghetti' both in song and in book form, followed by a cute lesson about sneezing into a tissue.Another lesson we've been working on lately is about choices. You can see the frustration mount up inside these little ones so quickly. They just don't know what to do with it. Heck, sometimes I still don't know what to do with my own.

Reece sometimes raises his hand back to take a swat at me. In that moment, I usually acknowledge his frustration and talk to him about making good choices. Sometimes he does, but let's just say it's a lesson we're both still learning.After the story, everyone got an instrument to play for music time. Much too short for this jiggy family but fun while it lasted.
Story time at the library...good choice.

More Slide

With the generosity of the Henry's came two more trips to the KC pool this week. That place really is awesome, with a shaded wading pool, a very large adult pool, and a super cool slide.

On Monday, I barely rolled out of bed with enough energy to go after a long night at the hospital photographing the birth of sweet Truett.(No words can express how incredible it was to experience and capture God's handiwork, His blessing, the miracle of new life, and an answer to much prayer. It was truly an honor to be there.)

Once we got to the pool, the exhaustion was immediately replaced with a fun, sun-kissed day. The company, the sun, the food and most importantly, the infamous slide...I plunge into and under the water while holding Reece above my head. As soon as my head emerges and I clear the water, I hear 'more', 'slide', over and over. I plop him on the edge of the pool and he takes off toward the stairs.

I love how children bring out the children in us.
We had a great time.The boy has discovered french fries, and demands one whenever he sees them. Fries in grill and grilled cheese in hand. My snaggle tooth.

Here Too-tie, gone tomorrow

Actually, she left today. Tootie was here for a week and a half. Darren was gone for some of the week, so it was nice to have time alone with her and help with my little guy.Every teacher needs one, and Reece is this teacher's pet.
She's given him some beautiful books, with a particular eye for ones with brilliant imagery and/or a tender-hearted story.
The Whingdingdilly was a favorite growing up and will be passed down in this home as well.Staying cool in the air while I ran a few quick errands.
Went to the children's museum in Fair Park. The farm and the water areas were a ball. A few of the other areas seemed a little worn out and dirty. There was construction going on, so hopefully improvements are forthcoming.

He gathered eggs from under the chickens (aka 'bok bok'), planted seeds, picked vegetables, and rode a John Deere tracker.
All required a little encouragement. However, once we got to the water area, no encouragement was necessary. Unfortunately, we didn't notice the smocks until he was already soaked.I think he looks like Snow White in the smock. Mom and I had some major giggles with how pretty he looked and how he walked. The sound of his shoes rustling against the plastic as he tried to move was hysterical. He was completely focused on throwing the ducks (aka 'quack quack') into the water and making a big splash.The outside area is big with plenty of space to roam around. About the time we found it, it was time to go. We got out of the house late and all 3 of us were getting a bit cranky. Honestly, I think it was in this order...Reece, Mommy, then Mommy made Tootie cranky. Sorry, Momma.
The walkway over the water was a creative structure. Even though it was time to go, I had to see it for a minute. Tootie gave him his usual spa treatment.After D got home on Friday, we dashed in the car to Northpark and checked out the new Matt Damon movie.

Tootie, thanks for the visit, for loving on my little boy, for showing him things with new eyes, and for always being up for anything. Besides Starbucks, Ben and Jerrys (Chocolate Almond Nougat), fresh greens, a little garlic and olive oil, your needs are few. I love you.
Y'all come back now, ya hear?