Goodnight!

Nighttime Ritual:
Read Stories-We read in a chair in my room. Right now Busy Toes is read EVERY night. He is really good already at getting me to read one more story. "I wantneed Goodnight Moon!"
Into his room-turn on the rain CD, get the "dolk-a-dot" blanket, say ready set go, turn off the light.
Look at the "twinkle stars"- he has a bunch of glow in the dark stars that he likes to count as soon as the lights go out.
"Go rocking"-sit in the rocking chair, talk about the day and what will happen tomorrow, list all of the people who love him, say a prayer, sing songs.
"All done rocking"-Stand him in crib, wrap in his soft blanket, one more hug and kiss.
The Exit-blow a kiss and close the door. Then he calls "Be safe!"(I say this to Spencer on his way to work and he picked up on it), "Goodbye Alligator" (his version of See you later Alligator!)

Fun with Daddy

Boston feeding blocks to Spencer.

Hopefully they have no lead paint.

Boston often says "I wantneed tickle"

Relaxin'

We made smoothies last night. As we were sitting at the table we noticed it was way to quiet and we had not seen Boston since we gave him his "sorbet" (soy milk and frozen fruit). We peaked around the corner and there he was;

laying down, head upside down drinking his "sorbet". He loves this little beanbag chair. He carries it around and plops down on it whenever he needs.

What an idea!

I have seen sets of blocks with architectural images on them so that you could build your own Notre Dame, medieval castle, or Arc de Triomphe. They look like a lot of fun but are kind of expensive so I thought "I can do that." I got online and found some pictures, then printed them with colored ink. I used colored pencils to add more color and then Mod Podge-ed them on to the blocks. It was pretty easy, especially the Boston ones. You could do this with animals or whatever else your child was into. I even thought as Boston gets bigger he could make his own drawing to go on the blocks. It would make the block set completely customizable. If you have never used "Mod Podge" they sell it with craft stuff. It is similar in consistency and looks to Elmer's white glue. But it does not make the paper bubble or wrinkle and when it dries it is like a thin layer of plastic. Amazing stuff!

Conversations with a spider

As I was making lunch today I noticed that Boston was squatting in the middle of the kitchen talking animatedly to something on the floor. On closer inspection I could see he was talking to a spider. He was obviously speaking "spiderese" because I could not tell what he was saying but he sure meant what he said.

We seem to have a lot more bugs in this house than in previous ones. Especially earwigs! Which I hate. Spiders etc. I do not mind but earwigs creep me out. The other night as we were reading stories Boston pointed at one of the picture in the book and an earwig crawled from under his sleeve down his hand and finger to the book. I grabbed it and threw it to the floor (brave I know) I think I may have even screamed a little. Boston asked "what was that?" I explained that most bugs we leave alone but those bugs we throw away. Even now I have shivers thinking of it. Yuck.

Altiods?

Boston loves Altoids ...

and Tic Tacs and all minty stuff. Is this strange? I thought kids hated that hot mint flavor. We have to hide the Altoids or else when he finds them he begs for one.

Another Guest

I know this sort of ruins the festive feel of the blog but Spencer wanted this posted. This is the fourth and meanest badger. He would lunge at you if you came near him. He growled and snapped at you if you just looked at him. Boston thought it was great. His mouth is bloody from ramming into the cage. It is gross so if you want more photos or video you will have to email or talk to Spencer.

Favorite Christmas Stories

Most of my Christmas stories are Santa related because I taught school for so long. I am looking forward to building my "real meaning of Christmas" library (I know Spencer is too). If you know of any good ones let me know.

How Santa Got His Job -Stephen Krensky
What Santa Can't Do-Douglas Wood
Snowmen at Night-Caralyn Buehner
Merry Christmas Big Hungry Bear -Don and Audrey Wood
Santa Clause is Comin' to Town - Illustrated by Steven Kellogg

I tried to figure out how to post pictures of the covers of the books but, no luck.
Enjoy reading!

Found

We found an SD card we had forgotten had some photos on it. When we plugged it in to the computer these were some of the photos we found. The first two are of Boston at the hospital just after he was born. (he only used a binkie his first couple of days and then he figured out that there was no food and quickly wanted nothing more to do with it) The last is just after getting him home. What a cutie!

A Beautiful Day

For probably the last nice day in a while we went desert exploring. Spencer found an area near by that is like a mini Bryce Canyon Wyoming style. On our way we drove through a large herd of antelope. They were running right along side the truck. Boston loved it. Then we came upon three golden eagles and a raven eating something. They quickly scattered and this was the best photo I got.

We hiked around in the wind and found some great rocks. Boston kept saying "watch out for cactus's" He fell in one on Halloween afternoon when Spencer had him out in the desert. He got a lot of barbs in his hands and had little sores for the next couple of days. Hopefully that will be our last run in with cactus's. Well until the spring I think we'll be hibernating inside.

Reading

He gets his love of reading from his mother.

He gets his interests from his father.

He loves to get down the big books and pretend to read them. He talks away and turns the pages. Or he'll bring it to you and insist you read it to him.

I make a mess!

What do you say to that face?

Trick or Treat

Neighbors came over to have pizza before the big trick or treat. I spiked Boston's hair into a mow hawk and sprayed it green. He thought it was so cool to have "chaka burkey hair". He did not catch on to the whole trick or treating thing (maybe that's because there were only 5 places to go in the neighborhood.) He did love the jack-o-lanterns. He would yell "Happy Birthday" as we left any house with them. Whenever he sees a candle or something slightly resembling a candle he says "Happy Birthday" and then blows.

Another Guest

Spencer named him "Dagger"

Tagged

Andrea's tag:

Shoes-I love shoes. I have 50 + pair but usually end up wearing my tennis shoes. Right now I like guy shoe styles better than girls but my feet are too small to wear fit them.

Two at a Time-Hmmm ... Popcorn and lemonade, a book and a blanket/hammock, chocolate and pretzels, games and family.

Smells-I love the smell of rain and the mountains.

Kitchen Floor-I love the kitchen floor at my WJ home. It never looked dirty. Here it always looks dirty. Right now it is in need of a good mopping.

Closet-Once again I love my WJ master closet (a walk-in designed and made by Spencer). Here we just have a wall closet that is way too small.

Virginia's tag:

Sorry it took so long.

The 4th photo in my photos, V and I playing around in Snow Canyon.