Game...

please note...storm door spring missing from this picture

this is a fun little game easton likes to play

i like to think he's sharpening his motor skills

step 1: is jiggle spring enough to get the screw to pop up where little fingers can grab

step 2: remove spring from door

step 3: try to get screw back in door

{here's where the motor skills come into play}

step 4: try to get pin back into spring.

step 5: not pictured...getting busted by mom, having a melt down because she makes you put the door back together before daddy gets home and busts us both.

please note---this game can sometimes last 30 minutes or more. 

he's not hurting anything, so i just let him be

checking in on him every few minutes...because he's super quiet during this game.

i like me some peace and quiet every now and then. 

i kinda like this game.

Pun'kins

i'm having a hard time finding words for this post...

because i can't get past the cuteness of this child.

i mean really, look at him walking in those pictures. 

he's no longer a baby.  he's a toddler.  a big boy.

sniff sniff.

pumpkins were a challenge. 

daddy was at work so i attempted this on my own.

we ended up with 4 pumpkins, one for each of us.  kirby included.

easton couldn't figure out if they were a ball or a seat.

i tried for some posed shots on hay bales and wagons- but forget that.

the cute little pumkins and gourds were being thrown on the ground.

i don't think the pumpkin patch workers appreciated our gourd toss.

i'd get the camera out and he'd come running at me saying 'no, no, no'!

all in all, i consider it success.

pumkins were bought and memories were made.

and i've got the pictures to prove it. 

First High School Football Game

Uncle Chris is Coaching the Hillsboro High School Football Team.

Thats him...on the left...in the white.

He looks professional doesn't he.

Why....that's because he IS professional! 

It was so fun to watch him!

Easton wasn't too sure what to think about all the hoopla.

Normally a fan of hoopla, but it took him some time to warm up.

We sat RIGHT NEXT to the band at first, but that was a little too close for comfort.

So we moved across to the visitor side.

{Grandaddy, Uncle Matt & Dude man the chains and the down box.}

Once we moved over to the other side, the boy let loose.

After some nachos and a hot dog his rhythm kicked in full gear.

He could feel the beat but it wasn't so loud.  He had the best time dancing!

Boy's got rhythm.  Get's that from his daddy.  For sure. 

I gotta work on these boys and their smiles. 

Fun times had by all.

And...he fell asleep on the way home, got him out, changed him, put him to bed and he never woke up!

Here's to more late night events with toddler in tow!

SCORE!

Bonfire

We are currently looking for outdoor activities to entertain a rambunctious toddler in the evenings.

In particular, when said toddler is attached to his mothers leg whilst she's cooking dinner.

Daddy thought a bonfire would be the best idea.

Fire.  In the fire pit.  On our wood deck.  Brilliant.

It really was fine though...it was an attended fire. 

And, when all the fun was over, a big bucket of water put out the flames.

Easton liked it for a little bit, then he'd come back inside to reattach.

I'm beginnig to think I have some sort of 'charge' in my legs...

he comes in, gets charged up, then heads back out.

Whining sometimes help the charge...

so, he'd get recharged then he was ready to go back owwww-schiii-de.

I managed to capture the 2 syllable word turning into 3 syllable's.

But after enough fun, fire and cold, he'd come back in to 'huuuuulp' me.

What can I say- I've got the touch....er...the charge. 

Kisses

These are the best kisses ever...

scrunched up face

closed eyes

puckered slobery lips

a hand on the face if you're lucky

I'll take those kisses any day of the week!

Soaking up the sun...

We had to take advantage of one of the last pretty weekends of the year...

that was warm enough for water and no shirts!

Daddy washed his truck... and Easton washed his 'ka'.

...and played in the water to keep cool.

...and mommy took pictures.

I love weekends like this!

Divine Opportunity

Since Easton was acting fine, but had a small temp the night before and his rash was still fairly visable, we opted for another day at home for healing.  But cabin fever was setting in and we had to get out.

We made the most of our last sick day.
We headed out to the park and met Aunt Kathy, Paige & Bret for some play time!

Thanks for the pix Aunt Kathy!

It was a beautiful cool morning with the sun shining down on us. 
Perfect for time outside. 
Fresh air and Sunshine are good for the soul. 

After the park we were headed home for lunch and a nap but Nana called and asked us to meet her and Grandaddy Baker for lunch.  You know me and The Schedule, and it was already pushing 11:30.  This would NEVER work.  We'd go, he'd be fussy because he was hungry and tired, he'd fall asleep in the car on the way home and wouldn't get a long nap...but screw it.  We turned around.  It's not every day we get the opportunity to have lunch with great and great-great!  And, as Nana called it...it was a divine opportunity. It was good for everyone.  Easton ate as much rice and broccoli as we could fork over and we all enjoyed each other's company.  It was Senior Day at the Captain D's so everyone knew "Brother Baker & Ms. Ann".  We were delighted to meet so many friends. 

And just as if it's what he was supposed to do, he stayed awake and happy all the way home and we took a big nap together when we got home.  Yep.  I'd say it was Divine Opportunity too.   

Sometimes things work out just perfectly.  It's days like yesterday when I long to be a stay at home mom.  Days like yesterday are days I'd LOVE...I know not every day would be like that, but it sure was sweet.  I'll cherish that time forever. 

This post brought to you by Swiffer...

It's no lie, Easton LOVES to help his momma.  So yesterday, whilst cleaning the house, he insisted that he help me dust.  Well, be my guest Buddy...here's your rag and a squirt of Swiffer...

He does not, however, like the vacuum.  He prefers to be high above the vacuum, like on the bed or in a chair.  He's a spectator when it comes to that chore. 

Hand Foot & Mouth

Bless my poor baby.  Friday night he came down with a fever, 102.2 at the highest.  Saturday we had an appointement for a well visit for his 18 month check up (25 lbs, 32 1/2 inches long).  After a good once over and a close inspection of some random bumps, a good look in his mouth, it was determined he had the dreaded Hand, Foot & Mouth.  It's a virus, so there's nothing you can do about it, other than keep him comfortable and hydrated as much as possible.  {Riddle me this: chicken pox is a virus also but we have a vaccine, so why in the world do we not have a vaccine for this?}

Saturday was tolerable.  Little fussy in the afternoon.  But Sunday, Sunday was AWFUL.  Poor appetite.  Fussy.  Mouth was very painful.  Lots of bumps.  On top of the usual eczema this makes for an itchy mess. 

We've had 2 days home and looks like we have a few more on the books.  Improving each day but still needs to be home.  The sores in his mouth aren't yet gone all the way and until they are we have to stay home.  SHUX!  I'm enjoying this time with my boy. 

His spots are improving today, however, his fever went back up to 100.3 this afternoon.  There are a few patches that look pretty bad so we'll stay home just to make sure we don't infect anyone else and that we get back to 100%.

Considering how he looks, he's acting just like his chipper self. 

I'll spare you the picture of his hiney.  It's awful.  But, good news is, it's clearing up nicely.  The eczema spots got the worst of the bumps for some reason but those too are clearing up.

I don't know if this helped, but we had a prescription cortizone cream (2 1/2%) and I lathered that on last night after his bath. I have also been using a prescription antibiotic ointment on those eczema spots to help heal those.  And vasoline on the hiney.  So, we're managing.

It's awful, but we're surviving!