WARNING!

WARNING! The following post has some references to "farts." If you are offended by this, please do not read this blog. You are, however, allowed to view the cute pictures (there are no farts pictured).


This is our lovely Gracie. She really has become her own person this year. She is stubborn (both good and bad) and she has a certain spunk (both good and bad) that we haven't seen in our other children. She has us laughing everyday, but it was this week that she made her Dad proud.

Shelly likes to sing to the kids when she puts them to bed. Gracie's favorite nap time song of late is "Little Bunny Foo Foo." You know the one where the bunny scoops up the field mice and bites off their heads, then the fairy comes and turns said bunny into a goon. Well, one day last week Gracie did not want to take a nap (we call this a normal day) and she turned her back to Shelly to show her displeasure while Shelly was singing to her. Well, when Shelly got to the Good Fairy giving Foo Foo one more chance or she would turn him into a..... Here, right as Shelly was going to say Goon, Gracie totally farted, and it was a big one too. So instead of saying goon, Shelly said "...turn you into a...(insert Gracie's fart)...fart bum!" This had Gracie giggling, but with her stubbornness, she still would not turn to Shelly. So, Shelly sang the next verse and when she got to the same point in the next verse, Gracie totally farted again! I cannot believe that I have a daughter who can time her farts. I'm sure that I have had prouder moments as a parent, I just can't think of what they are right now.


Sammy's first haircut. He was seriously so happy. He was laughing and clapping the whole time (except when he ate his hair). It reminds me of this conversation game we have where you get to choose between two things. One of the cards says:
Would you rather...Eat a sand sandwich or eat a hair sandwich?
Personally, I'd go for the sand sandwich.
Hudson has been pushed physically by Jonah in their competitions. Everything is a competition with these two. Hudson finally got his against the wall handstand. So Jonah upped the ante to...


...crawling in the air. Good luck Hudson.

I don't know where to write about this, or how to segue into it, but Hudson has this thing (he's been doing it as long as I remember) where he likes to wear his socks on his hands. He does it off and on, but when it's on he wears the hand socks for a few hours during the day for a few days. Those Moms sure do pass some weird stuff down in their genes.

Dear Grammy,
Thanks for making the fantastic mashed potatoes.
Love,
Sammy

P.S. Thanks Grandpa for scooping them onto the table in front of me. Look at this beautiful woman. Wouldn't you give her whatever she wants for her birthday? What do you want babe?
A new watch?
Some new towels that we can't use for the bathroom?
A night on the town?

What's that? You want some time off? A break from the kids?
Sure babe whatever you want.

Now, here's the dilemma. How do I, as a husband, get my wife to ask for the new watch instead of a break? Wait, I know that there is no way to do that. Let me rephrase the question. How do I, as a husband, give my wife what she wants without the difficulty and headaches that her desires would bring?

I found the answer:

My Brother Chuck

Uncle Chuck came into town last week. The kids love him and he loves the kids. He didn't plan it this way, but Shelly was displaced for a few days in a few areas:

Shelly's job #1-Jungle Gym
Job #2-Dinner. Chuck made a fantastic Lasagna that we all devoured. Thanks again!


Job#3-Bedtime. Chuck let each child pick their own bedtime story and read them to all of of them.
Thanks again Uncle Chuck! The kids still ask about him everyday and wonder why he can't live at our house forever (and Shelly's wondering the same thing).
We also went over to see the puppies at Nana and Papa's house. They are getting so big, and the kids love them so much. Shelly, I have a confession. I totally threw you under the bus. While we where there the kids were so cute and kept asking if we could have one of the puppies. I told them that I wanted one too, but that YOU are the one that won't allow it. Sorry Babe, they were just being so cute.

Well, unfortunately Chuck had to go home. I still wanted you to have some time off. And considering that Gracie and the kids didn't kill or permanently hurt any of the puppies, I let them take care of Sammy while you were gone Friday night.
Goodnight SammyHappy Birthday Babe!