Things That Are Everywhere

A while ago, Kevin noticed that Walgreen's were everywhere. Every time we would see one he would yell "They're everywhere!"

Then one day he saw "Another McDonald's." He told me "Those are everywhere too. Just like Walgreen's."

Then the list was three, and stayed that way for weeks. The three things that were everywhere were Walgreen's, McDonald's, and fire trucks.

Today, we drove past a Walgreen's, to which I pointed out were everywhere. Then I asked him what else was everywhere. Here is his new, unprompted list:

"Walgreen's, fire trucks, McDonald's, ambulances, policemen, cars, trees, grass, bushes, trucks, roads, bridges, fences, trash cans."

(I tried to write them all down in the car.)

Family Day

We had a family fun day today. After breakfast and shopping, we headed to the St. Louis Science Center. The first thing we did was see the Pirate Exhibit. It was a bit scary for the boys, especially Colin, but they did get a couple small pirates, a flag and a treasure chest to play with. As soon as Colin picked his out he kept yelling "Arrrrrrrr!"

We don't have any pictures since I forgot to get previous pictures off the camera. So I have included other family's photos from the internet. Just photo shop my kids into them.




I really like what we did for lunch. We brought our own sandwiches, pears, crackers, and raisins. The only thing that was thrown away was one napkin. Neither Kevin nor I really like what most places offer (it is too greasy), and people throw away so much stuff! Cups, plates, forks, knives, plates, wrappers, cardboard boxes, napkins. It just seems as if people don't mind that so much is disposable. I am a bit proud of us. We have started bringing as much with us that we can, like forks and plates, and even a pizza cutter to cut up food for the kids.

Anyway, after dinner we are heading to the pool. Colin has informed me that he will go down the kiddie slide. I will let you know if he does, but I won't have any pictures of it.

Dream Jobs

Kevin: "Mommy has a job. I will have a job. I am going to build airplanes. I will build fighter jets."
K2: "That's great. You can have any job you want."
Kevin: "Really? ...I am going to drive the METROLINK!!! I am going to be the conductor and sit in the front."
Colin: "Me too! Me too!"
K2: "Colin, are you going to drive the Metrolink, too?"
Colin: "Yaa."
Kevin: "Colin, you want to drive the caboose? You will drive the back and I will drive the front"

Puppy Dogs

We are very big on imaginative play in our house. The kids pretend to be everything, from babies to parents to dinosaurs to animals (this list could go on and on). We like to encourage it.

Lately the boys have been puppy dogs when they get home. And puppies get thirsty. This is how they have been asking for water for a while now.

Zoo Run 2010

This past Sunday the St. Louis Zoo hosted a run. We all went down to support K2 running a 5K and Kevin running 1/4 mile. Here are some pictures.

K2's race was at 8:00, so while he was running we were having raisins.

To keep entertained while he was racing, the boys played in the gravel nearby.

After K2 ran, we had about 45 minutes of downtime before Kevin's race. We played in the fountain by the World's Fair Pavilion. The water was too cold for Colin, but Kevin and I had fun walking through it.

Hot Mom

Here is a picture of the start/finish line from the fountain.
(Lookin' Sassy)

Kevin had already told us that he wanted "Colin, Mommy and Daddy to race" with him. However, it was going to be only Colin and Daddy so that I would be waiting at the finish line. (It was very cute. They had the kids run out 1/8 a mile and then turn around.) It didn't really work out that way. Colin was so tired and hot that he wanted to be carried. So he and I worked out a deal that we would wait by the finish line and then join daddy and Kevin to finish together. Before the race, Kevin even asked daddy to show him how to stretch. Here is a picture of K2 giving him some runner's advice.



However, since there were over 3000 racers entered, and they had every get ready at the start line and made them wait, Kevin was very hot and tired. After about 100 feet he stopped. That is okay. We were all hot and tired, but we all had fun! Colin was very sad he didn't get to run. So I am thinking we will try again next year.

Colin's Mean Face

Colin's class has been talking about emotions lately. There are two stories about this.

1. When they all practice making sad faces, Colin has to give each and every person (teacher and child) a hug to make them all feel better.

2. This is Colin's mean face. I love how he crosses his arms like he is extra tough.

Fun Words

While driving to daycare the other day, Kevin said, "Dang it. It is raining." K2 corrected him by saying "Kevin, we don't say dang it."

Kevin replied "Oh...damn it."

Family Picture

We actually have a picture of all four of us from Mother's Day.

Meet Dennis!

We have a rabbit that has been visiting this week. We have named him Dennis Hopper. It may be a different rabbit each time, or even a girl. It doesn't stop us from looking out the window and saying hi!

Colin's Birthday Cakes

Since Colin had a friend party and a family party, he had two cakes. The zoo provided cupcakes decorated like lions. They were delicious!


K2 and I made the cake for the family party, which was a dinosaur. Our only goal was to not be a disappointment after the cupcakes, but we were quite proud of how it turned out!


Here is just an adorable picture of Colin from his zoo party.

Colin's Zoo Birthday

Colin's birthday party was at the zoo. We figured it would be a long drive for everyone to get there, but hoped it would be worth it. We thought it was!

It started out with a scavenger hunt in the Insectarium while everyone arrived. Here are Kevin, Kyle and Chase searching for bugs.

Colin was so cool to get out of the stroller for about 20 minutes.

After we all arrived, we walked to the Nutrition Center where the games were set up.

Rachel and Parker are playing.

Colin is making a home for the daddy and baby giraffes.

After the games they brought out a chincilla, small dragon, frog, dove, and snake for the kids to touch. Here is Colin touching the snake.

Here is a picture with all the kids. Starting at the bottom left they are: Ryan, Chase, Parker, Rachel, Ella, Kyle, Kevin, Emily and Colin. (Baby Graham not pictured.)

Here is Colin's face when they lit the candles on his cake. He was excited. His new favorite song is Happy Birthday. I think he believes it to be a special song for him!

After the party all the kids made picture frames with their names and animal stickers. Kevin was very proud that he put all his letters on in order! He even named them as he pointed to them, it is just that he was reading from right to left.

I didn't want to make this post too long, so I cut a lot of pictures. However, K2 had the great idea of taking pictures of all the kids as they ate, so I may have to post those, as long as parents don't mind!

Funny Kevin Stories

So Kevin told some funny stories this weekend. Here they are.

1. When Kevin was leaving the zoo Downtown Grandma (DTG) noticed it was raining. She said, "Oh no, it is raining." Kevin yelled quite loudly "Damn it!" DTG asked him where he heard that word, to which he responded "I made it up." And then he repeated it again, yelling "Damn it!" DTG was quite embarrassed, and tried to get him to hush.

2. Someone asked him how old he was, and he held up three fingers and said "3!" They asked how old he was going to be next, and he held up four fingers and said "That many." the person then asked when he was going to turn four. Kevin gave a look like the person was an idiot and said "On my next birthday."

3. Kevin was going potty this morning in the loft. He yelled for DTG to come in. He said his pee was echoing and started laughing. Then he yelled "Hello, hello, hello!"

This kid is so entertaining.

Just Two Guys Watching "This Old House"

Lost Post

I had written a post on April 4, and saved it as a draft. I posted it today, but I can't change the date. So if you want to see Colin sing a few letters, scroll back a month. Sorry I am learning as I go!

Parenting Fail

Colin loves to get in the small wagon and be pulled around. I was pulling him the other day while K2 was cutting onions. At the end of the movie I stop the wagon to look at K2, who is over my shoulder. I kept the camera on Colin. Here is what happened.

And here are the after pictures. He is fine now! The bruises are gone. But I felt horrible for a while!

Colin Hiding Again

This time he is in the laundry room wearing daddy's bike helmet. I wish I had a video so you could hear his giggle.

Kevin's First Cardinal Game

Pappy and Grandma took Kevin and K2 to a Cardinals game last week. It was Kevin's first Cardinals game and he was very excited to eat a hot dog there. Sunday is also free ice cream day so Kevin enjoyed his first ice cream sandwich. He was probably most excited about the free bats that were handed out to the kids. Kevin also got a certificate commemorating his first Cardinals game. It was a very big day for him! He even lasted 5 innings before asking to go home.

On his way there.


K2, K3, and K1


With Grandma

With Pappy

Meeting Fredbird

Meet The Machines

Last Saturday, we went to the event called Meet the Machines. It is a collection of large machines assembled in one area. Needless to say, the boys were ecstatic.

They even got hard hats when they first arrived, which didn't really fit their heads. Colin now wears his hat backwards so that it stays on his head.

They had a huge area to play in. Colin spent most of the time pushing around dump trucks.

Kevin's favorite was the diggers. He would play for five minutes and then get back in line to play again. He probably got on 7 times.

Colin tried, but wasn't strong enough.

Waiting in line again.

Colins face lit up when the fire trucks and ambulances arrived. Here he is in the ambulance.

Kevin got in the fire truck again this year. Here are his pictures from this year and last year. I can 't believe how much he has grown!

They even had a truck set up so that kids could honk the horn. It was the last thing we did, which was a great way to end the day. (We barely made it out as the rain started! Whew!)