HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Keegan just got back from his first Halloween out trick-or-treating. He had a great time, and quickly figured out the routine.
I'd say he did pretty well for a first-timer. HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

5 little pumpkins

Here was KP's activity last week, I forgot to post it earlier. http://toddlerboredombusters.blogspot.com/2009/10/5-little-pumpkins.html

I need parenting advice...

Keegan is in this stage (please tell me it is just a stage) where he whines for everything that he wants. It isn't a sweet little whine, it is this horrible screech-whine thing that is worse than nails on a chalkboard. He does it when he wants something, but then it turns into hysterics (like someone slaughtering a pterodactyl) and sometimes a tantrum when I have to say 'no.' Lately it seems like all I am saying is 'no.' No, he can't have 3 packs of fruit snacks in a row. No, he can't climb on the back of the couch and dive off head first. No, he can't color on the walls. No, I won't pick up his fork for the 5th and 6th time that he has thrown it from the table. No, he can't color on the computer screen with a permanent marker.

Now, he isn't really talking yet, and so I know it is his way of communicating his needs and frustrations. But how do I teach him that it is not the correct way of communicating? He knows a good number of words, or signs (sign-language) but maybe doesn't understand yet how to use them all correctly in context.

I'm a pretty even tempered person, but whining is not the way to get something from me and it sends me over the top. This whole situation literally frustrates me to tears on a daily basis. I don't know what to do! Help?!?!

Big Boy Bed

Keegan slept in his "big-boy-bed" for the first time last night. He slept decently. He went to bed easily last night, but he woke up crying at 5AM and Matt got up with him then. He wasn't totally interested in napping this afternoon and he actually got out of bed, played around for a little bet then opened the door to get out of the room (we weren't expecting that)! So, it will be a learning experience for us all. Wish us luck tonight!

Pumpkin Patch (& a belly picture)

Also, on Saturday we went to a pumpkin patch with my folks to pick out our pumpkins.

Well here you go, a couple belly pics that people have been asking for ... not much to see!

Halloween Party/Chili Cookoff

Last night was our Wards Halloween Party/Chili Cookoff. We went dressed up as a family of zebras. It was a blast.

Magnetic Puzzles

Check out KP on the Toddler Boredom Busters website playing with Magnetic Puzzles.

Family Pictures 2009

Here are some of our super cute family pictures that Matt's cousin Pam (Etherdox Photography) took. I'm leaving out the best ones that we are using on our Christmas card, so sorry you will just have to wait for those :)

She also took some 18 month pics of Keegan.
Here he was blowing kisses."The itsy bitsy spider."Look at those baby blues.And of course in his Halloween costume.

Fiesta!

We just got home from a wonderful weekend trip to Albuquerque, NM. It was a quick and fun-filled 3.5 days. After dinner on Thursday we drove all night to get to Matt's cousin's house in Albuquerque. Keegan was a great trooper and slept almost the whole 8 hour drive. By the time we got there he was well rested and ready to play, while we were ready to go to bed.

Friday morning, the kids had the day off of school so we went to the Albuquerque Zoo. Matt's cousin Pam is a professional photographer (Etherdox Photography) and she took some amazing photos of the animals. Make sure you click on the collage to make it larger so you can really appreciate her talent. She also took some amazing family pictures of us, which I will post later.

Keegan took to his cousins (really 2nd cousins) immediately. They had fun chasing each other around. I think they were playing dinosaurs.

The next 12 hours are kind of a blur. Friday night we went to the balloon "Glodeo" at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. It was special shapes night, so they set up around one hundred different shaped balloons and as they hit the burners the balloons would glow.

This is the wonderful family who took us in for the weekend.Saturday morning we got up before the sun to go see the "Mass Ascension." This is when several hundred balloons all take to the skies. It is one of the most amazing sights I have ever seen. This is my third or fourth time attending the Fiesta, but it was Matt and Keegans first time. We all enjoyed it.Saturday night we went down to old town Albuquerque and enjoyed a great mexican dinner, and good times with family.After the whirlwind weekend we drove home Sunday morning. We had such a great trip and are so greatful for the time we got to spend getting to know a side of our family that we don't get to spend much time with. Thank you guys SO much for your hospitality.

(I'll post the family pics soon. I just have to decide which one I want to use for the Christmas card)

Stinkin' Mouse

Literally!!! Ugh! A couple weeks ago a mouse made an appearance in our basement. We would occasionally see him skitter across the floor in front of us. So, we set up like 8 mouse traps around the house/basement/garage and figured we would catch him that way. Well no. The little bugger decided to die somewhere in one of our walls. We noticed a faint smell yesterday, but by the end of the day today it was very noticeable. We tore apart the storage room and didn't find anything and the smell is strongest between the drywall and insulation on one side of the room, so we assume that is where he is. So, do we tear apart the wall? Do we pull out the insulation? What do we do?!?! Our immediate plan is to close it all off and put some air fresheners down there and hope it is gone by next week. The really cra... not fun part of it is, is that I have a super sensitive pregnant nose and I can smell it everywhere in the house, even though Matt cannot. If the smell isn't gone by next week then plan B ... whatever plan B is.

My funny boy

Keegan has been absolutely hilarious lately. He always has some funny new noise, or dance move or laugh. I just love watching him grow and develop and learn new things.

The other morning Matt was still in bed, half-asleep, with his head hanging partway off the bed and Keegan grabbed the water bottle off of my bedside table and dumped it on his face. Wake up!!

Last night he wasn't too interested in eating dinner so he would get a bite of food on his fork and put it near his mouth and move his mouth like he was chewing and make chomping noises. He didn't quite fool us. :)

He has become a dancing fool. It's totally like a Flashdance move where he just moves his feet as fast as he can while running in place. (I'll try to get video someday)

His favorite thing to do is climb on the back of the couch, give a warrior scream/yelp, and jump face first onto the couch.

He still gives the best hugs in the world. He will now wrap both of his little arms around my neck and squeeze. I love it. He has a hard time if I need to leave him at home with Dad or with a sitter, but the other night I was leaving and Matt was watching him, and I said 'bye' and he came up to me with both arms raised above his head. He gave me a big hug and waved bye right to my face and went back to playing with Dad. Too cute.

Keegan has completely spoiled us, by being such a good and easy kid. I think we are in for a shock with the next one!

He loves his bike, even though he can't reach the pedals yet.

Racecar Painting

This is one that I will actually have to try at home. RACECAR PAINTING

Paper Plate Sunflowers

Here is Keegan making PAPER PLATE SUNFLOWERS.