conversations with toddlers

Posted on September 30, 2013 by mommyinthemidwest

Two weeks ago last Friday, we converted Dexter’s crib into a toddler bed. The first few nights went well, then when they both realized the freedom that this transition allowed them, all hell essentially broke loose. By the following Saturday, the madness reached it’s peak. They had been in their room for maybe and hour and a half, just running laps and going insane when I heard the door creak. We’ve been putting the baby gate up at their door to minimize their trips out to the living room to ask a question or pose a “guess what…” conversation. We muted the t.v. and waited for one of them to yell out to us.

Theo: Mommy?
Me: Yes?
Theo: Can you turn on the light for me?
Me: No. It’s bedtime.
Theo: But Mommy!! We’re playing shooters and all SORTS of games in here!!
Me: Then I guess you’ll have to play in the dark.
Theo: (very excitedly) OKAY THANKS MOM! (and slams the door shut).

Ryan and I busted out laughing. I’m assuming he was thrilled that I essentially gave him permission to continue playing. The best part of it was that Theo can reach the light, could have turned it on himself, and we would have never known…

Little tidbits:

Theo refers to tomorrow as “next day” and yesterday as “last day.”

Dexter calls tomatoes “buh-nay-toes.”

Can’t they just stay little forever?

little farmers

Posted on September 30, 2013 by mommyinthemidwest

Our last trip to Kelsay Farms (2 years ago) went pretty much like THIS. (Laugh all you like but HOLY MOLY, how have my kids grown up and changed SO much in two short years?) We received a flyer/coupon thingy in the mail the other day so I thought that might be a fun thing to do close to home this weekend while my cousin, Kara, was visiting. I forgot the coupon…par for the course!

We were only marginally more successful with getting a family picture. Such a neat little place and we love visiting in the fall (even if it was 80+ degrees out!).

Excited to see the big pumpkins – not so excited when mom asked to take a picture. Story of my life!

Playing and digging in the corn.

Hop Dot game.

Climbing Hay Bale Mountain.

Cousin Kara (that’s what the boys call her) helping Dexter strike a pose.

Mooove over, son, and let me show you how it’s done.

Hi.

3 day old big baby!

Taking a ride on the Moo Choo Express.

OH LOOK. Cousin Kara took some initiative, picked up my camera and took some pictures of me without being asked. It’s as if I actually exist in this family after all. Hint, hint. You know, to no one in particular. Cough -RYAN – Cough. P.S., thanks Kara! This means a lot to me. In case you can’t already tell.

Dexter was happy to pose for a pic mom dear ol’ mom & dad…

Theo was too cool, so we thought, maybe…if we leaned… no?

Bribed him by letting him hold a pumpkin.

And cut.

Reading Spookley the Square Pumpkin in the corn maze (too cute)! The boys were really into this, running from one story board to the next. Theo thought they were “clues.”

Sharing is caring. Especially when you’re sharing a chocolate milkshake.

I just love their little faces.

Playing on the antique tractor while waiting for the next hayride.

That sky looks like a painting – such a beautiful day.

And there’s the hayride tractor!

Theo’s flipping out with excitement while Dexter just blasts off towards it.

Well. We tried.

Such a fun visit with my sweetie cousin!

xo,

~C~

happy campers

Posted on September 26, 2013 by mommyinthemidwest

We planned a backyard camping adventure at our former babysitter’s house the weekend before last and it turned out great. We couldn’t have asked for better weather. It was just chilly enough to enjoy the bonfire and s’mores. We were thankful for the amenities of home footsteps away come 7am Sunday morning. It was cool in the tent and breakfast was cooking in the kitchen. Retreating to the cozy house after a restless night of sleep for coffee and scrambled eggs was the perfect way to end our adventure. The amount of rest I got was minimal, considering I was sleeping on about 2″ of an air mattress with a very floppy 3 year old next to me. I was worthless after we got home, but a week and a half later the boys are still talking about it so it was definitely worth it. Perfect trial run to see how the boys would do on an actual camping trip – next summer, we may try it for real.