Best Friends on the Merry-Go-Round

Ollie's Bargain Yard

I called Lowe's looking for sod and they had half a pallet they needed to get rid of for $15. I threw the kids in the monster truck and we grabbed it. It looks just horrible here. The nice thing was that is was dried up and not heavy so the kids were able to lay out most of it. Anything is better than rocks and sticker burrs. We just need to score about 5 more of those deals and we'll have Ollie's yard complete.

After a month of watering and mild weather it's not looking so bad now.

This is Harvey

Harvey is very old and grouchy unless he's sleeping. If he's sleeping and soaking up the heat of the sun then he's the best cat ever because he's in his little bit of paradise.

Clay Graduates Preschool

Miss Tamara held a wonderful luau for the preschoolers and their parents. There was a formal ceremony, a treasure hunt in the sand box for shells (Clay found a real penny!), lunch and lots of other games. Clay loves his preschool friends and is so excited to be a real kindergartner. He's an official school kid now!

Santa Clay

Clay found a rip in his pillow and decided to pull out the stuffing. We figured out what he was doing when we heard the ho-ho-hoeing.

Bestest of Friends Forever

People ask us on a regular basis if the kids are twins. They don't really look alike to me but maybe if I didn't know them so well I might suspect they are closer in age than they already are. Today they were having so much fun. Clay let Emmie dress in his clothes so they could match. What you can't see is that they have matching briefs on under their shorts too. They were also in such good moods they gave each other kisses on the cheeks and more than that they even let me try to catch a picture of it. They weren't going to pose but they weren't goingto hide either.

Helper Clay

Try as I might I just can't get Clay organized.

Workin' on the Dog Yard

Scott taught Clay how to use the cordless drill and they worked hard putting up the wooden part of the fence. Clay operated the drill and Scott gave it some force. They were a good team and finished quickly. Olliver was excited before he knew what they were really up to.

Hey, Isn't this Cute?

The cats usually avoid the kids like the plague but Harvey was desperate for attention. He laid his head on Clay's lap and went to sleep. Clay kept saying, "Hey Mom! Isn't this cute?" "Hey Dad! Isn't this cute?" "Hey Emmie! Isn't this cute?" "Hey Mom! Isn't this cute?" No, I am not repeating myself. He went on and on like this. We were all in the room together so this cuteness was certainly not missed.

Building Oliver's Dog Run

This little dog will gain 120 pounds and grow a couple of feet taller in the coming months. He cannot live inside forever.
Time to build the dog run. Everyone is getting involved with this big job.
Clay's handling the jackhammer like a pro. It's a bit loud!
Emmie loves the bounciness.
Emmie's on the tractor making sure the auger is lined up to dig the holes.
Scott is letting Clay use the jackhammer all by himself. "Look Clay, no hands!"
Clay is adding water to help Scott mix the cement.

The kids and Oliver take their maiden voyage in the back of the pickup. The kids liked the ride a whole lot more than the dog did. They took the tools down to the shed to put them away. After the ride Emmie helped Oliver out of the truck.
Time to call it a day. The posts were in just before the rain started

Following the Rules

When you are in a hurry to run oust and play but mom says to put shoes on first, does it really matter what's on your feet?

Clay's Secret Tattoo

I have never let the kids use any of the dozens of rub on tattoos they have been given until now. I 've always tossed them as soon as they forget about them. Clay got this cool pirate one and really wanted to wear it. He wanted it on his belly so it could be a secret and he could show it off when he wanted. I am really surprised at how long is is staying. He's been really careful not to wash that part of his belly to preserve it.

Fishy Business

Our neighbors brought us a 10 pound trout from Lake Comanche. They caught this monster fishing right off the shore. It was too big to go in the freezer so we BBQ'd it right away. Clay was trying to be helpful. Scott was showing off his gutting skills. The head and all the organs came out in one giant nasty piece. It was actually pretty good on the BBQ. I'm just glad Scott was here to receive the gift of a giant stinky fish needing to be cleaned.

Bath Time with Oliver

Oliver loves the water but mostly he wants to be where the kids are. He was begging to get in the tub with them. He was so jealous. It won't be long before he can just hop in with them if he wants.

Clay Goes to Preschool

The Big Preschool KidAll dressed with his Incredible Hulk backpack on in case he does a craft and needs to bring it home to show mom. Clay is wondering if he will get to play on the playground. That puddle looks like a lot of fun!

Clay was the first one at school. Miss Tamara was peeking at him from behind the door ready to greet him.
Clay is so excited, notice his big smile and his clenched fists.

Clay told us last night he was going to play with the blocks first. He kept his promise.

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Clay was so excited to go to preschool. He jumped right in bed the night before. His first words when he woke up were "Preschool Day!" He got dressed and ready for school and even wanted his hair to look handsome. He had me put gel in it and slick it down. We were actually ready for school 10 minutes early.

Scott came home right before it was time to leave for school so we all piled in the car. Emmie wasn't as excited of course it was just a regular day for her. It was a beautiful sunny day though after having torrents of rain and wind for almost a whole week. Clay is really hopeful he will get to play on the playground. Sadly it might be too muddy. He's been waiting for this day for years.

We dropped Clay off at 8:30. Miss Tamara greeted him by getting down to his level and holding his hands. She asked him if he was ready for this and he smiled. She told him to pick a cubby and he chose the very first one on the end. Clay went right over and started playing without any hesitation. When I told him goodbye he ran over from the blocks to hug me tight. Clay is a lucky kid. His class is mostly boys. In fact, when I left there were no girls there yet. At church and in his play groups he has almost always been the lone boy and he has always been in the minority. We're hoping he can control himself in this unfamiliar environment with a bunch of other equally crazy boys. We hope his day is great!

Preshool!!!!!!

I don't know who is more excited, Clay or me! Hmmm, definitely me! Miss Tamara called to say the preschool is finally ready to open. The state has been so slow about accrediting the program. There are only 3 months left in the school year, terrible. Miss Tamara said Clay gets first priority because he'll be in kindergarten next year and he's been waiting so long. Starting the 18th of February I will get child free time. No wait, I mean Clay will get to go to preschool and make friends 3 days a week. I know what will really happen. I will get sucked into volunteering one day a week in Clay's class and one in Em's. That's the right thing to do but I'll do my best to resist. What will I do with all my free time? Toilets, windows, floors, beds? So much to choose from!

The Super Wedgies

I really debated about posting this one. It's too funny and embarrassing not to. Last summer the kids pulled out some underwear and stretched the waistbands as far as they could to get them to be shoulder straps. They ran around in them pretending they were swim suits. They did it off and on for a few weeks. No, they never actually swam in them or even went outside. Even with our general seclusion here I wouldn't dare let them out. That would be the same moment the PG&E guy would pull up to check the meter or we'd get an unexpected package from UPS!

Slumber Party

Here's a not-so-good photo I just have to post from a few months back. The kids love to have slumber parties on their floors. Whoever has the cleanest room gets to host the party. We haven't had one in a few weeks because you can't even walk through their rooms without risking a twisted ankle much less having enough room to even lay down. The picture explains the rest itself.