Since Riley's birthday was a Saturday this year, he brought treats to school the day before. They gave him this tall and colorful hat to sport.

Every once in a while, Jeremy will reclaim his 'pink baby,' for an hour or so. Although now he calls it his 'pink blanket.'

On this particlular day, he enthusiastically informed me,

"My Pink baby is PINK."

Jeremy is such a good big brother. Here, he is proudly sharing his beloved pink blanket with Tyler.

Yesterday Valane asked Jeremy,
"Are you a big brother?"

Nodding, Jeremy replied,
"For Tyler."

Tyler was having a hard time. He wasn't crying but very agitated and uncomfortable. As soon as Lane put him in this postition, he was out for the count.

Tomatoes have always been a favorite. We don't usually eat them this way. Someone had just knocked at the door. Everyone went to the door except Jeremy. Apparently he was hungry.

Ready For School

I carpool with my friend Sarah for preschool. She was picking up Riley this particular day. I got Riley completly ready and told him to go put on his shoes. Frequently, I find myself telling him over and over again. This morning, he went strait to the coat closet, put on his shoes, coat, and backpack w/outh being told twice. That is not all. He, so kindly, helped Jeremy put his shoes on (over his footy pajamas) and his backpack. They were ready for school. I didn't have to nag once. It was awesome! I told the boys that 'Andrew's Mom' would be taking him to school. Riley said he knew. I thought it was sweet that he helped Jeremy all along the way, just because.

Especially for Grandma and Grandpa Cook

You know what I love about kids? They decide that they want to do something and then they DO IT! I wish that I carried through the way they do. On Saturday, Riley decided he wanted to write a book. He quickly began illustrating it. It's an 18 page book mind you, with an illustration on the cover and the back too. He spent two strait hours drawing the pictures.

Note to self: A convenient place to store you pen while not in use.

Riley finished all the pictures in one sitting. The next day, he colored all of them. Then he dictated the story to Lane. Voila! Riley has finished his book in just 3 hours. If you want to read the book, just double click on each image to enlarge the pictures.

A Few of Our Favorite Christmas Ornaments

I absolutely love Christmas! I love having a Christmas tree up. We're like the Mason's and we have an outrageous amount of lights on our tree. It makes it especially sparkly, and I love that.

Last week, I had to go have the brakes done on our van. We sat down. I knew it was going to take over an hour, so I asked Jeremy if he wanted to watch a cartoon. He told me no. I asked him if he was sure and I informed him that we'd be there for a while. This is what he said,

"No (while shaking his head) because the spider will have (whispering) hurt feelings."


He is so funny. He will frequently use a spider as an excuse for many things.

Me: "Jeremy, will you go get me a diaper from upstairs?"

Jeremy: "No, the spiders will get me."
___

Me: "Jeremy, how about an apple for snack?"

Jeremy: "No, the spiders don't like it."
___

There are many more. The spider having hurt feelings, because Jeremy watched a cartoon, takes the cake.

Welcome to the Christmas edition of getting to know your friends. I always hate forwarding stuff. I like these ones though. Instead of forwarding it, I will spare you and do it here. That way, you don't feel like you have to reply. However, If you feel compelled to do it, copy, paste, and email it to me. : )

Okay, here's what you're supposed to do, and try not to be a SCROOGE!!!
Just copy (not forward) this entire email and paste into a new e-mail that you can send. Change all the answers so that they apply to you.
Then send this to a whole bunch of people you know, INCLUDING the person that sent it to you... 'Tis the Season to be NICE!


1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Always wrapping paper. I love love love to wrap. Does anyone want me to do their wrapping? Just bring me the supplies.
2. Real tree or artificial? Real!!!
3. When do you put up the tree? Soon after Thanksgiving.
4. When do you take the tree down? Before Lane starts school again.
5. Do you like eggnog? It's okay. I like a sip now and again.
6. Favorite gift received as a child? Do I really have to pick?
7. Do you have a nativity scene? When we aren't students anymore, I will buy one.
8. Hardest person to buy for? hmmmm....
9. Easiest person to buy for? My Mom, She will LOVE anything you give her.
10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I don't konw.
11. Mail or email Christmas cards? That's another thing we will do when we're not students. When that time comes, Mail.
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Have to think about that.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Before thanksgiving.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? I don't think so.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? spiced cider
16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? always Clear
17. Favorite Christmas song? Hark the Harold Angels Sing by Jewel
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? I like to be at home.
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? Rudolph, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixon, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? I have to have a star!
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas morning
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? There isn't enough time.
23. What I love most about Christmas? That it's a Celebration of the birth of our savior, Jesus Christ.

What is this?

Only the best thing ever!!! I use to think that sleeping masks were completely unnecessary. That is until I used my mom's on a trip back from Coeur d'alene three years ago.

Now I have to say that not all sleeping masks are the same. I use the Tempur-Pedic Eye Mask, from Brookstone. Before using it, I would have thought a person was out of their mind to spend $35 on a measly old sleeping mask. Now, I say, Don't knock it till you try it. It is seriously worth every penny.

With this one, it's not just about blocking out light, it puts just the right amount of pressure in all the right places. I realize that this is sounding like a lame testimonial on an imfamercial. I have to share this, because it's one of my favorite things. As soon as I put it on, I'm out. I remember spending more time trying to fall asleep before I started using it. Now I"m instantly relaxed and ready to sleep when I put it on. I know Rachel Wight has one, and she's very keen on hers.

I recommend you try it. I think you will love it. I sleep better when I use it. Who doesn't want to sleep better? That's just why I"m telling you about this. It is AWESOME!

For those of you who don't know, Riley had surgery today. He had an inguinal hernia. We thought he just had one. He ended up having two of them repaired. The other one was just barely coming out. He is back to his usual chatty self already. He's doing great. It's nice to have it beind us.

Last night I made teriyaki chicken stir fry for dinner. At first glance, Riley turned his nose up. He eventually tried it. Then the conversation went as follows:

Riley: Did you make this Mom?

Me: Yes I did.

Riley: But is it real? Or did you buy it from the store?

(I think he wanted to know if I bought it already made.)

Me: It's real and I made it. Do you like it?

Riley: Mmmmm. I really like it. When you get older, you should cook for the store.

It's out of focus, but look at that smile!

Tyler got a hair cut.

Tyler had a lot of hair when he was born. It really thinned. On the sides of his head most of it was gone. Then he had all this new hair growing in underneath. The contrast was driving me crazy. So I gave Tyler his first haircut at only 3 months old. I think it looks better. Here is the after, if you want to see before, just schroll down.



I realize you can't see his hair in this picture but it was a cute one.

Tantrums are the Pitts

Yesterday I told the boys we'd go see Aunt Amy at the fire station. That all changed when Jeremy wouldn't stop throwing a major fit. I tried to get him to stop by reminding him that we were going to go. We were in the car, he had spilled water down his front. I told him we had to run in the house, change his clothes, and then we could go. He refused to get out of the car. I waited for a minute to give him time to settle down. He didn't and he would not get out. I gave him an ultimatum. 'Stop crying and get out of the car so we can put dry clothes on and go to the station. If you don't get out now, we won't go." He still refused, so I wrestled him out of the car.

I took off his wet clothes and tried to get him dressed. He refused to wear anything but the PJ shirt he's wearing in the picture below. Still insistant upon going to the fire station, he put on his rubber boots that he calls his fire boots, he demanded that we go. Since I told him no, the tantrum continued. I had to take a picture. He got so mad at me for doing it. He tried to run away. I wanted Amy to see how he would have looked if I brought him the way he wanted to go. That would have been funny but waaay toooooo embarrassing. So here's for you, Aunt Amy!

Baby Baluga

This video is not from the story I"m going to tell. But it was really cute, and somewhat related since Jeremy is singing a part of the same song.

The other day the boys had taken all of the cushions off the couch. They made beds on the floor with them. Jeremy laid down, covered himself up with a blanket, and with his eyes squeezed shut the whole time, he sang Baby Baluga. He sang for about 3 mintues. Then he suddenly said, "Enough!" He opened his eyes, got up, and did something else. It was too cute. I was so bummed that I hadn't recharged the camera battery when it died the night before. Live and learn right!

Ooooh

21 other things that make me happy

1. Chubby little legs when I change Tyler's diaper.
2. Jeremy frequent singing.
3. Riley telling me I'm a beautiful cook after he eats dinner.
4. Lane snuggling me all night.
5. Seeing my children smile.
6. My brother, Tom, calling me almost everyday just to chat.
7. When Riley and Jeremy play nicely together.
8. Spending time with my Mom.
9. Lane wanting to spend all of his free time with me and the boys.
10. Jeremy telling me I"m his best friend.
11. Jeremy telling Tyler he's his best friend.
12. Making good choices is very important to Riley.
13. My Dad is a doting Grandpa (AKA Pa).
14. I have amazing in-laws.
15. When Lane has no homework on the weekend.
16. Spending time with my friends.
17. The Christmas season.
18. Spending the evening with Lane.
19. A clean house.
20. My boys' 7 O'clock bedtime.
21. Going on a date with my sweet husband.

Tummy time can be so much work!

Mirror Image

About a week ago, Riley started to incorporate mirror images into his writing and drawing. It's petty cool. I would think that writing the mirror image of your name is hard at 4 1/2. I don't think I even thought about doing that kind of thing when I was a kid. He must get creativity, and being artistic, from his dad.

Creative Play

The boys are so creative.

I just love to watch them play.

It's fun to see what they come up with!

Proud as Punch

Jeremy is potty training. He is so proud.

He was sitting on the toilet just grinning. He was so cute.

I couldn't resist running for the camera to take a picture.

Holloween

(To the Grandmas, Grandpas, Uncles and Aunts:

If you want to see the picture bigger, just double click on it.)

Every year we go trick-or-treating with some of our best friends, the Hansens. Serena is Riley's age. The funny thing, we met them in our birth class while I was pregnant with Riley. We became friends a year later after recconnecting at the birth class reunion. We've been GREAT friends ever since.

The boys had a lot of fun trick-or-treating. Jeremy's bucket got so heavy, it was hard for him to cary. He wouldn't let us empty it out. It really slowed him down. He finally let me help him carry it in between houses.

Here I am with Farrah, and Tyler is under there too.

Tyler

Riley: This is me when I was a super hero.