"I wear my sunglasses at night..."

These were a Valentine's Day gift to Marin from my mom (in anticipation of our trip to Florida in a month). Well, they fit Kaden perfectly and he loves them, always wanting to try them on when we are in her room. Problem is Kaden has no less than 6 pairs of his own sunglasses. I'm taking bets on who will be wearing these on our trip.

In other news, Marin had her 3 month pictures taken this week in this same outfit....it looks so cute on her! It'll be at least a week until I get them, but when I do, I'll try to post them for you!

Converstation with the Dog

Here is what Kaden told our dog, Tori, today.

"Tori, stop putting your hair on my slippers. You understand that?"

"Mom, she doesn't understand that."

"Say 'I'm sorry' Tori!"

Fashion Plate

This is the picture I saw when I went to pick Kaden up from BSF (bible study) Tuesday. He didn't have "an accident" per se, rather he...well, let's just say his aim was off.

On the way out, as I struggled not to be embarrassed by his hilarious attire, Kaden was happy as a lark. He told me these were his "green" running pants and that he had on white undies. (Umm...yes, we are still working on colors, but he was right about the undies, they were white.) When we got home, he proceeded to run around and around the house (while I was rolling in laughter) proving that these were in fact running pants. He talked me into allowing him to wear them to nap, and it was a CHALLENGE to get him to change out of them afterwards. Funny what entertains an (almost) 3 year old. Let's just pray these don't become a daily, or even weekly addition to his wardrobe, although I'm sure there could be worse.

(By the way, it doesn't even look as funny in the picture as it did in person...those "leggings" were almost skin tight!)

Weekly Quotes

Oh there are a ton this week! Enjoy!

When asked what he learned about this week in Bible Study : "The Israelites. They packed up all their stuff." (we're studing about their Exodus to Caanan)

When Marin was crying in the car: "Mom, next time we need to leave Marin at home. She's too loud."

When Jason said, "Come on homey!" Kaden said, "I'm not homey, I'm Kaden."

When Marin spit-up: "She's spitting out!"

When I asked him why he doesn't put on his socks fast for me in the morning: "Because sometimes I like to be a bear and grouch. Kinda."

And, the funniest of all, last weekend when Grandpa Mike and Grandma Teri were here he asked Grandma Teri this as Jason and I were getting ready to leave: "Do you have a big chest like my mom?" to which she said, "I guess so." He then proceeded to ask, "Do you have milk?" to which she replied, "No because I don't have a baby." Very well done (and even with a straight face!) Grandma Teri!

Bathing Beauty

This may be the first bath Marin didn't cry through! Yea! Here's our little cutie at almost 12 weeks!

Latest Domestic Endeavor

Homemade Ranch Hamburger Buns

YUM!

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Ranch-Hamburger-Buns/Detail.aspx

Tootsie Pops Concert

On Valentine's Day morning Kaden and I attended a "concert" for kids called Tootsie Pops. It was presented by a local high school orchestra and was just for young children. We went early to try out the "petting zoo" where Kaden got to try all sorts of different instruments. Afterwards he got a tootsie pop, which I'm sure he'd tell you was his favorite part (I think it took him about an hour to eat). Here are the highlights in pictures.

Testing out the flute with Miss Jennifer's (Owen's mom) help.

Trying out the viola

The trumpet

The cello

And, Kaden's favorite, the tympani drums

(he kept telling me this wasn't a real drum, but I'm not sure why)

Valentine's Day Visitors

We had another fun weekend with grandparents this past weekend. Grandpa Mike and Grandma Teri came out and watched the kids for us on Saturday night so Jason and I could go out for Valentine's Day. How wonderful it was to actually be able to carry on a conversation during dinner! Kaden loved spending time with them. Here are a couple pictures...I have a ton, so I'll have to choose the best ones.

Cowboy Kaden

Enjoying the all the tricks of his new slinky

A new sled...now I'm not sure whether to wish for more snow this year or not!

The picture I didn't get yet, is of Kaden playing with the new garbage truck they brought him. He LOVES it and has been playing with it since Sunday.

Thanks for everything dad and Teri...we had a great time!

Overheard at our dinner table

Out of the blue last night at dinner, Kaden looks at Jason and said, "Daddy, you have a big head!" It was so funny, I think we both almost choked!

Later on, when he was getting up from the table (after his face had been washed) he said, "My cheeks are melting!" I think he meant drying, but seriously, first his lips melt, now his cheeks melt, what is he a snowman?

Light at the end of the Tunnel

Marin is starting to sleep through the night (in my book that's 8 hours or more). This past weekend we had a couple nights of letting her cry it out. That was TORTURE for me! One night she screamed from 12:30am until 2am, then on and off until 3am! However, it seems to have paid off, as the past couple nights she has gone 7-8.5 hours without crying or waking up. Oh Happy Day! She's also seemed MUCH happier and more content the past couple days. Here's some photographic evidence.

By Golly He's Got It!

Yep, after 5 full months of potty training, Kaden finally gets it! He hasn't had any accidents for at least 3 days, probably more. He's even pooping on the potty! Yea! And, most impressive of all, he has keep his diaper at nap dry for 3 days and...get ready....his night diaper has been dry for 4 nights (for Kaden, this means he is going 11-12 hours without peeing!) AMAZING! I am so excited to not have to change the diaper of a very active almost 3 year old (it was work, believe me!) We are so proud, so relieved, and so thankful that now we only have one child in diapers! (and, yes, those are Cars undies, Ramone to be exact)

My Own Van Gogh

Kaden loves to paint on the easel he got from Grandpa Mike and Grandma Teri forChristmas.He'd paint several times a day if I let him. Here he is in action. Oh, and when he finishes painting a paper, it's called "wallpaper."

Kaden's New Haircut and Recent Quotes

On Monday Kaden got a haircut. He does really well at Great Clips and they do a great job on his hair. When he was done he asked, "I look cool?" Then, when he saw himself in the mirror for the first time he said, "I look like Larry Boy!" (He had just watched a Veggie Tale video)

Here are a few other funny quotes from the past week

(I seriously think I could write a book if I wrote it all down!)

• Kaden: "Can I have a 'Mario' cookie?" (meaning, an OREO cookie)

• Kaden from his bed at nap time: "Mooooom....my overalls have an issue!" (turns out his tag was bothering him)

• At a Super Bowl party Sunday night: "I want something healthy to eat." (Are you kidding? The child has NEVER asked for something healthy! I about died laughing. I think I figured out he wanted some yogurt)

• Two days in a row, while bending over upside down with no clothes on, "Mom, how we see our butts?" I told him we had to use a mirror to see our butt.

• Finally, today he asked if he could have a bike and I said, "When you get a little bigger" to which he answered "When I get bigger, I get a...a....a......Dirt Bike!" Oh my, I think I'm doomed!
  
  

Visit from Grandma and Grandpa Steckel

This weekend Jason's parents came for the day on Saturday. They've been bringing us tools, furniture, anything we need really, the past couple months. This weekend they brought us a propane tank for our newly referbished grill, and a sack of fantastic goodies and treats. It was fun to spend the day with them (and get to go out for pizza, which we ALL enjoyed) and the kids both enjoyed seeing their grandparents. This is the one and only picture I got of the day. Thanks again mom and dad Steckel for blessing us this weekend!