Red Rock Canyon

This past weekend, my in-laws came up for a visit.  We had a great time showing them around Las Vegas.  The first day we took them to the strip while the boys were in school.  The second day Colleen and I did Christmas shopping for the boys.  Toward the end of the visit we took them to Red Rock.  It would have been extra fun if I could have hiked some but due to my foot I was limited.  However, we still had a great time and the scenery was breathtaking.
Red Rock is just outside Las Vegas and the first Star Wars was filmed on location there.  The boys thought that was pretty cool.  Anyway, it's a beautiful national park with tons of trails to explore.  All the pictures in the slideshow are from our trip to Red Rock.  Other than that day, I didn't get too many other pics.  We were having too much fun visiting.

Click here to view these pictures larger

Potty Training 101

I decided to start potty training C this past week despite me being on crutches.  I originally planned to potty train after our initial trip to Legoland.  But then came my accident and the trip was postponed.  So, after the three weeks of a broken foot, I decided once the boy turned 3, we were gonna give it a try.  I mean if I didn't do it now, there would be excuse after excuse.  After crutches, well, then it would be the holidays.  This just seemed to be the right time since we are home a lot.  (WARNING:  some pictures may be graphic or unsuitable.  So what - it's potty training people)

Well, here he is on day one of big boy underwear.

After trying several methods....

 He finally settled on the little frog potty being the best option.  HAHA!   

This picture was taken by me on the couch.  I should win mother of the year for my potty training strategies this year!  (sarcasm)  However, we started on Thurs and the boy pretty much has it down despite my unconventional method.  You see, the picture you see above is him after about an hour of sitting and playing games.  I decided it was too hard for me to jump up and run to the potty when/if he needed to go.  So, I just loaded him up with liquids and let him do his favorite thing - sit and play video games.  He would sit there for like an hour, pee and then we would get up for a while and do it all over again about an hour later.  We did this for two days.  HA!  Now don't judge me!  I had to do what worked for me.  Anyway, by the weekend he was only sitting for a minute cause he knew what to do.  This has been the easiest child for me to potty train!!!!  I think in some way, he gets that I am limited and is taking the responsibility upon himself.  I mean he's even taking his clothes on and off by himself for goodness sake.  God blessed me with this one because if you know me, you know that potty training is what I believe to be THE WORST part of raising a child!
Now, I totally expect a setback this weekend.  We have Nana and PaPa coming for a visit.  Stay tuned....

My Big 3 Year Old

Well, it's official - I don't have any more babies in my house.  Only big boys.  My Halloween baby turned 3.  He's growing up so fast.  I look back now and wonder how in the world I survived the days of a 4yr old, 2 yr old and a newborn.  Thank goodness God gives us the strength we need to survive certain seasons of our lives.  

We started the day with a nice birthday muffin breakfast

C and I had a pretty low-key day.  We went to the library for a puppet show.  It was really cute and free.  Plus it's easy for me to go and just sit while he gets out around kids his age.  All kids dressed up since it was Halloween.

After dad got home, we all hurried and did the birthday festivities.  First up was presents!

The Ice Bird from the brothers!

A fun reaction to the digger truck Nanny and PawPaw Pessel sent

Love the dumptruck from Uncle Russ and Aunt Crystal

Jake and the Neverland spy scope always fun from Nana and Papa Jones

A cool parachute from them too.  (Yep, our house is that empty that we have room to do parachute fun)

A birthday dinner to fit the spirit of a Halloween Birthday - pumpkin guts!

Birthday cake time!  I thought this pick was so cute.  He was looking at his brothers singing to him.

Blowing out the candle.

Next up - potty training this big boy.  Way overdue.  But it won't be easy with a mommy with a broken foot!

Halloween 2012

The boys once again had a great Halloween and loaded up on many treats.  This year we had a Ninja (not my choice), Captain America and a "package man".  The older boys kinda brainwashed C into being a package man since we already had the costume.  My thought is if it's his birthday, he ought to get a new costume every year BUT when asked what he wanted to be for Halloween, C always replied "package man"

 There was a lot of preparation leading up to the big day.  Of course we had to carve pumpkins.  So, I took on the duty of cleaning the guts out with the kids one afternoon.

 While S did his handiwork carving all of them (with supervision of course)

 Here's the final product - notice the angry bird one on the far right

 We also made some little happies for our teachers.  Got these cute bags at the dollar spot at Target and filled with a bag of candy corn.  Easy peesy.

 On Halloween day at school, the older grades had "pioneer day" where they all dressed as cowboys & cowgirls.  The Kindergarteners got to dress up and have a parade.  However, since the Capt America costume was not "bathroom friendly", T opted to go as a crayon by day that transformed come night.

C went to the library for storytime and decided he wanted to be a monster.  Good thing he fit in this costume T wore last year.

For dinner we went with a theme for the big day.  Pumpkin guts and zombie eyeballs (aka spaghetti and grapes)

Tyler really got into the spirit.  HA!

 Here's my crew ready to trick or treat!

 This is the crew we trick or treated with around the neighborhood.  I've met a couple of neighbors and we all decided to go together.

 AND....here's the loot!  Don't worry - most of it went to work with S today. 

LegoLand or Bust

This past weekend we went ahead with our LegoLand adventure.  Since I got my new ride, we felt I could do this trip.  We did and we had a BLAST!  The boys loved every minute of it and S and I thought the details of the park were amazing.  Everything was made of Legos.  It was a great get-away for me since my whole broken foot saga.  Much needed.  We got there early enough on Friday that we took the boys to the beach.  It was beautiful.  We stayed near the beach and then headed to LegoLand on Saturday.  There were just too many pictures to post so I created a link to my Shutterfly slide show.

Click here to view these pictures larger

Pumpkin Patch (Vegas Style)

This past weekend, we took the boys to the so-called pumpkin patch.  It's kinda funny because here they either use a parking lot or an empty desert lot on the side of the street.  The one we went to was the desert vacant lot.  They did try their hardest to have it somewhat festive with hay on the ground and fun games for the kiddos.  Just makes me laugh.  Maybe next year we can travel to a real farm...

 My little pumpkin

 They had a small petting zoo that C thoroughly enjoyed.

 Here's fun little ride the boys did.  It's a old bath tub spin-off of a teacup ride.  They look like old bathtubs to me anyway.  Notice the busy street in the background.  HA!

Here's video of the fun:

My Cool New Ride

This past Friday I finally gave in and found the "knee walker" my doctor had given me a prescription for.  He claimed it would be a lifesaver for me.  I finally found a medical supply place that had one and took my insurance.  And that Doc was right - this is the most awesome thing ever!  It is so geriatric but yet so amazing at the same time.  I have a new found freedom.  This just allows me to go run errands, work around the kitchen and overall give my boys a run for their money on their scooters.  It's just plain fun!  Anyway, I am doing much better since receiving it.  I am overall happier and I have a plan layed out for the next 6 weeks or so.  I have hired someone to clean my house once a week (that saved my sanity) and I have created chore charts for my kids.  I'll post more about that later.  All in all I'm trying to make the most out of this situation.  I go back on Mon (29th) to find out if it's healing on it's own or if surgery is in my very near future.  Pray for healing!

So, here's what we have been up to since my unfortunate accident.  S took the boys hiking one day to get some energy out.  I think that's the first time I have been alone in my house since C has been born!

W finally lost his front tooth.  He's got 3 more up top ready to come out.  He'll be singing that "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth" song soon.

C and I have found some activities we can do even though I can't move around much.  We have LOTS of backyard time.  A luxury I didn't have in VA.

 I took him to storytime at the library.  He seemed to enjoy that.  Here he is with the scarves.

 Here's what he did with the scarf.

 We have hit a new park.  It was a great place with plenty of benches for me to sit with my leg propped up.  I clearly heard C tell this little boy "My name is Chase".  He's getting better with his talking. 

 And we have done some crafts together.  He is so proud of all the things he makes. 

So even though I have it rough right now, I'm seeing the benefits of just being still and enjoying my kiddos a little bit more than I have lately.  And I have THE BEST helpers a momma could ask for!!!