The One About Vala's Pumpkin Patch 2011

    After the Homecoming parade on Friday, we headed down to Lincoln.  We had plans to meet Josh, Megan, and family at Vala's Pumpkin Patch on Saturday morning.  We thought we would stay the night in Lincoln Friday and spend some time with Mark and Shayla.  We left right at 2:00, and didn't roll into Lincoln until 6:20.  What a long trip!!  Potty training and traveling do not go together.  We made 7 stops...yes 7!  This was between the 2 boys, but still.  Ernie wasn't really happy with the situation.  We also go caught up in 5 mph interstate travel due to a multiple semi-truck accident in the westward lane.  By the time we got to Lincoln, we were exhausted. 

   On the interstate, Asher spotted the T-Rex statue advertising the Dinosaur Museum.  With his huge imagination, that led to a pretend T-Rex chasing us through Lincoln.  It was a very extensive pretend-play act.  Ernie just loved hearing, "HURRY, DADDY!!"  and then "STOP, DADDY!" coming from the back seat.  Luckily, he didn't hit the breaks and get rear-ended.  "The T-Rex is chasing us.  Hurry, Daddy!  Stop, Daddy!  He's in front of us!" 
   We had supper with Mark and Shayla, and then swam at the hotel until bedtime.   The boys loved jumping on the hotel beds and hanging out in their pajamas.

    The next morning, we met the Spanglers at Vala's around 10:00 a.m.  The kids had so much fun.  Here are some pictures from the day:

Waiting for the pig races to start.

     The favorite activity---the sling shot.  The boys loved shooting apples out into the cornfield, although I think Ernie enjoyed it more.  Gavin asked Ernie to build him a giant sling shot at the new house.  He informed me that he is going to shoot baseballs instead of apples.  Lovely!

The Hayrack Ride

     The dragon that Asher would not leave alone.  I think he gave him 6 High Fives, before I made him walk away and give other kids a chance.  

  
    One of the coolest parts of the day was the giant bouncy area.  I wish we could have spent more time there.  Next year, we are definitely making time for that.  The kids had so much fun jumping and sliding down the sides. 

     I wish the lighting on this picture was better.  The three older kids all picked out cowboy hats in the western barn.  Sydney's hat had a rhinestone princess crown on the front. 

     Here are comparison pictures of Gavin from last year to this year. 

The One About What I Love Most

There are so many things that I want to remember about my boys at this point in our lives.  I thought I would write a post reminding myself of what I love most about each of them.  Two love letters to my boys.

Gavin: 

My serious little man, named way back in the mid 1990's after Gavin Rossdale, lead singer of the band Bush.  Ernie and I would drive around listening to Bush, and I always told him that if we ever had a son, his name would be Gavin. Your big blue eyes are the first things people notice; that, and your long eyelashes.  You are so smart, and I know that all parents say that about their children, but you really are an intelligent child.  You are so analytical, such a little thinker.  I can see your mind going over things before you speak the words.  You ask me so many questions about things; you want to learn and know about everything around you.  Your memory is remarkable.  You are so much like me;  so cautious and shy when you are in an unknown situation or around someone you don't know.  You are quiet until you feel comfortable, and then your wonderful personality and sense of humor come out.  You are so cuddly and lovable, always the first one to come running when I say that Mommy needs a hug.  When I leave the house, I have to come back and give you seconds of my good-bye hugs and kisses.  One round is never enough.  If I forget, you chase me down into the garage.  I love to hear you ask if we can "cuddle."  It is the sweetest question in the world. You tell me you will continue to give me hugs and kisses, even when you are a grown-up.  I will hold you to that promise. 
  
Asher: 

Oh, Asher.  Where do I begin?  You are Gavin's polar opposite.  There are so many things that I admire in you, so many ways that I wish I were more like you.  You are such a go-getter.  Where Gavin is shy in new situations and around new people, you embrace those times.  You are constantly yelling to other kids on the playground or inviting them to play in your games.  You want to fully experience everything around you.  If we see something, you yell, "I touch it!"  If we see an animal, you yell, "I ride it!"  No fear holds you back.  You want to take on the world with everything inside of you.
    You are such a funny little guy...."hilarious" is the word Lisa uses to describe you.  You will do anything to get a laugh.  You are so dramatic in everything you say and do.  Your eyes get big, and your speaking volume has no control.   When we are reading a book, you completely empathize with the characters, showing so from your eyes and facial expressions to your words.  When we read Llama Llama Red Pajama the other night, and I asked if the little llama was scared, you got the most fearful look in your eyes and nearly cried, as you dramatically answered, "Yes!"  Gavin seems to be more sensitive, but you are much more so than anyone realizes.  You are very emotional and moody, and one look can make you collapse into tears---inconsolable tears.  When you accidently bump me or get angry and slap, you always apologize and send air kisses in my direction.  You are not a cuddler like Gavin, but you always want to "hold Mommy's hand" when we walk.  I eat up those times when you let me hold you close.
     
  
I am such a lucky Mommy.  How did I get so lucky to have you both in my life? 

The One About the ABC's and Talking Larry

Gavin has been bringing home some preschool homework occasionally.  Of course, when Gavin sits down to do his homework, Asher must do homework too.  So we have been working with him on colors, shapes, and the ABC's lately.  Right now, everything is green (because of John Deere, of course).  Here is Asher's version of the ABC's:   A, B, C, D, F, and G.   And I do believe the counting to 17 in order was a complete fluke, because tonight he was all over the place with his "teen" numbers.  9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 18, 15, 14, 20.....  Still, I am very impressed with him being able to count to 10 at age two.  I have some 4 and 5-year olds I work with who can't even do that. 

The other night, I discoved this hilarious app on my IPAD.  It is called Talking Larry.  Talking Larry is a bird, and he repeats everything you say.  The boys had so much fun.  I wish I had video of them.  They were taking turns saying things, and then when Larry repeated them, they giggled and giggled...which then made Larry giggle and giggle.  And on it went.  Because they are true boys, we had to do the whole, "You have a stinky butt" and "You have stinky farts" for Larry to repeat.  Lovely.  It is truly amazing how many times the words poop, butt, toot, and fart are mentioned in our house.  Dear God:  Please make my next child a girl!

The One About The Counting

    We had a nice, quiet weekend.  It started off with a 5k run.  Jess, Nate's girlfriend, and I ran the Neligh Bread N Jam Festival 5k.  It was a cool, crisp morning and we had a nice time on our jog.  We placed 4th and 5th in the women, which I might add that the 1st place winner was a Boston Marathoner, and the 2nd place woman was in her final stretch of training for a half-marathon.  So we were happy with our places and time. 

After that, I had a babysitter lined up so Jess, my Mom, and I could have a girls afternoon.  We went to Cuthills Vineyards in Pierce and did some wine tasting.  Then we went onto Norfolk to do a bit of shopping.  We ended the day watching the Husker game till I fell asleep on the couch.  I swear it is impossible to stay up after 10:00 these days.  Ernie and I have Netflix, and it takes us 2 separate sittings to finish 1 movie.  I always, always fall asleep. 
   Ernie was home on Sunday, so we had a wonderful family day.  We went out to the farm and borrowed my brother's 4-wheeler so we could go on a family 4-wheeler ride.  The boys loved it!  We went over to the house site, and I taught the boys how to play Cornfield Hide & Seek...a favorite game from my childhood.  We went bug hunting and looked at the animal tracks.  Asher claims he saw a mountain lion, but no one else saw it.  :)  After naps, we played some baseball outside and went on a family walk around town.  We just had a nice, relaxing day.  Ernie has been home a lot more lately---the calm before the storm of harvest. 
    I haven't taken many pictures lately because Asher is going through a bad hair phase.  I am hoping in the next few weeks it gets long enough to start lying down flat again.  Right now, it's this big poofy mess that sticks straight up.  Luckily, he likes to wear hats. 

Some highlights from the weekend:  
    Asher can count to 17!!  I haven't worked with him on this.  We do count when we are reading books, but I usually don't go past 10.  I don't know where he learned this, unless he is listening in when they do preschool at Lisa's.  Regardless, I was VERY impressed!! 
    Asher had tipped his recliner over in the living room and was climbing on top.  He fell off and hurt his leg.  His first words, "I have to go to the dentist."  ha ha  He thinks he has to cut things off now when he gets hurt.  Ernie joked with him one night that he needed to cut his foot off when he hurt it, and ever since then he threatens to cut things off when he gets injured.  This concerned Lisa the first time he said it at daycare. 
    On Friday night, we drove Asher over to see the horses, goats, and chickens on the outskirts of town.  Ernie had the pickup window rolled down, and Asher sticks his head out screaming, "Come here, Goat!!  Come eat this, goat!  Come get it, goat!"  It was hilarious.  He had a corn cob in his hand, and his loud, bellow echoed in the night.  The goat took off as fast as he could. 
  

The One about the August Wrap-up

   After nearly a month of not blogging, I decided to sit down and write.  August was an overwhelming month.   I had started writing a post about my Aunt Judy.  Before I could finish it, she passed away from Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.  That was very difficult for our family, because it happened so quickly and it was so unexpected.  We had been worrying about my Grandma Rita's health for so long.  We were all focused on her.  God threw us a curveball.  We were all in the hospital with Judy the night before she died.  Surrounding her and taking turns holding her hand as she drifted in and out of consciousness.  It's still so hard to believe she is really gone. 
   All of this happened in the middle of potty training, which was unfortunate timing.  I know my mind wasn't focused on the potty training.  Asher, however, has done well.  There are still accidents.  Good days and bad days.  He was doing well, but then I started back to work and he went back to daycare.  That threw him off for about a week.  It is what it is, and we'll just continue to work on it. 
   I went back to work, and received a new assignment.  I still have all of the Elgin schools, but now have Neligh/Oakdale birth-5 and the public preschool.  No more Boone Central Middle School.  At first, I was upset because I really do enjoy middle and high school students.  Ever since I worked with the Youth on Trac program through Mid Plains Center in Grand Island, I have loved that age group.  Yes, even with the "I know everything and you know nothing" attitude.  I am not a big fan of the birth-2 age group, mostly because I have to see the kids in their homes.  You never know what kind of home you may be walking into.  I have been in homes where you have to look before you sit for fear of sitting in dog poop, or worse.  You may go into homes where parents smoke nonstop, or homes with 20 cats.  Regardless, I decided to embrace my new assignment and enjoy it for what it is.  I really like the Neligh/Oakdale preschool.  I know one of the teachers, because she did her student teaching at Elgin a few years back.  Work has been busy, and I have quite a few new referrals already, but it is going well.  It feels good to be back at work, to be out of the house, to have a reason to get up and put makeup on.  I think my boys are happy to be back at Lisa's, and then we all look forward to our nights together as a family.
    My brother, Nate, and his girlfriend, Jess, moved back to Ewing from Denver.  I have been helping Jess paint at the rental house and get it ready to move into.  It is really fun having them here.  The boys love having Uncle Nate around to beat up.  We have made some progress with the house:  having the survey done, land appraised, and approval from County Zoning.  I am hoping they dig the basement very soon.  My Dad is putting a building up down by the highway on that corner, so they are going to start that this week.  I am getting really excited to just get started.
    This Labor Day weekend has been just beautiful.  The weather has been cool, and I can smell fall in the air.  I think I wrote a post last year about how much I love autumn.  It is by far my favorite season.  The boys and I got out our fall decorations on Saturday, and even put up some Halloween ghosts and jack-o-lanterns.  My goal for September is to take more pictures.  I haven't taken many pictures lately.  I also need to get out the video camera more and record the boys talking, singing, dancing, wrestling, etc..  We love watching those videos back.  This going-back-to-school process has reminded me that I only have Gavin at home one more year.  Time is so precious!
    I will end this post with some toothy grin pictures from Saturday night.  Josh & Megan and the kids came over, and I just had to grab the camera.

Gavin is wearing a Transformers costume, in case you wondered.