On Saturday, we continued to work around the house. The list is never ending! We raked and raked and raked and picked up leaves. Joshua actually helped (Caleb napped). Shawn did a majority of the work. He is such a worker!
We also went to church last night. We were supposed to meet another couple from our small group, Don & Melanie, to sit together and then go to their house afterward to eat dinner. But she called to say that Don got a nasty cold (there is a lot going around!) so we rescheduled for Wednesday night. We thought we may meet up with Angel & Becca to sit together (she always works afterward - she's an ultrasound tech who works the graveyard shift on weekends), but Becca called to say that their daughter Alayna has a cold so they were staying home. Shawn & I decided we were all going no matter what, and then we ended up running into John & Angie, yet another couple from our small group, and so we sat with them. Caleb made it through the end of the speaking until he started getting fussy since it was time for his dinner. I was paged out right as they were starting to take offering - but without thinking when we were sitting down, I sat in the very middle of the row and we were toward the front of the sanctuary. So, I all but had to body surf out to go get the baby.
Since the service was over, I decided to pack him up and feed him at home rather than make Shawn & Joshua wait the half hour while I fed him in the nursery. But, I guess after the speaking they played more music. So, we were waiting with Caleb fussing in his car seat. So, I ventured down the stairs with the heavy car seat in tow (not a big deal until you factor in my high heels), and I picked up the Bean from his class. Once again I had all sorts of artwork in my hand, the diaper bag, Caleb & the car seat, and Joshua. Only this time the Bean was an angel. As Joshua & I were holding hands up the stairs, he started to pull away...I asked him what was up and he SHOUTED "Poop!" (grunting) "Poop-poop!" I could have died...there was a woman walking up the stairs behind him, and all the sudden the STINK came. Great timing, son! We caught up with Shawn and eventually got to the car and got things taken care of.
After we made it home and all ate dinner, I bathed both kids and got them in their jammies. Then we started watching a movie on our new TV - a story in and of itself - but I couldn't keep my eyes open again. We've been working hard around our house, coupled with caring for kiddos - I just didn't have any energy left. So, it was off to bed for us. After all, it's been after 10 pm each night til we even think about starting to sit down to do something quiet like that. And, at that time the 'quiet' activity that sounds best is snoring!!!
Then last night we had Chris & Lisa and their daughter Isabella over for dinner. They are one of the families in our life group. Even though I said they didn't need to bring anything, they brought along pumpkin roll for dessert...it was FABULOUS! And, we enjoyed hanging out with them, too.
Tomorrow my side of the family will be here for Thanksgiving dinner at noon and then we will head to Nonie & Poppy's house for supper. Friday we have planned our typical Black Friday shopping excursion and decorating. We also hope to get some yardwork and housework done this weekend - hopefully we can have fun and be productive. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!!!
Here is a view down our street...the trees look so pretty (however, unfortunately, there are still leaves covering much of the ground since we've had a windy couple of days - we'll all have dead grass!!!). 
After breakfast, I started bundling up the Bean (thanks, Aunt Alicia & Jordon, for lending us the coat, pants, mittens, hat and boots...they came just in time and fit perfectly!). Joshua was excited as I got on his pants, was okay with the shoes, sprang right into his jacket, wasn't thrilled about the hat...but then came the darn mittens! They took me over 10 minutes to get on, as I tried to explain that his thumb needed to come through and he did NOT want them on. Ugh! Eventually, we both worked it out and a different pair of mittens did the trick.
Next, I got Caleb in his outfit. It's a little small, but it did the trick for now! He was happy to be outside in the bouncy seat for awhile but soon started to cry. 
Here's our house in the snow...and it's not even Thanksgiving!!! 
I thought Joshua looked so cute, I couldn't help but snap a few pictures before we started to play. First thing he said? "Whoa! What's this?" I howled...were you expecting anything else? The first thing he did was to bat snow off my car...then he wasn't thrilled that his gloves were wet. Oh, silly boy! I put the camera down soon so we could play. 
With one parent and two kids, pictures of every moment are a thing of the past... 
Before we headed in, I decided to take a couple more, and my camera fogged up.Enjoy the winter wonderland!!! 
Tonight, Daddy & I are going on a date, and the boys are going to Grandma's house. Hooray! I hope to have some hot cocoa with whipped cream soon...mmmmm.
My favorite thing that he's saying these days is "WOW! What's this?" He says that at least 10 times an hour as he's discovering new things and building his vocabulary, which gets better by the day. I'm surprised by things that he knows already! Today he cracked me up when he said, "Oh, man!" when a toy fell. He sounded just like me! He also told me that he was being "careful!" before I said it when he was at the top of the stairs. Each day, I giggle at his personality coming through.
He loves to play with Caleb and puts his face near Caleb's hands so that his brother will grab his cheek or nose and then he laughs and says "that's silly!" Joshua also loves to turn the pages in his books by himself when I'm not available to read to him, and he LOVES to color. He also insists on every boo-boo getting a kiss to be "all better," even if they're our boo-boo's.
He still loves to cuddle occasionally, too, but not as much as he once did. He also loves to say "JUMP!" but still can't seem to get both feet off the ground at the same time. My favorite thing he does is sings. Last night in the Wal-mart parking lot, he sang me the entire "How much is that doggie in the window" song. I think he'll be a hoot at Christmas! I was trying to work with him to say "We wish you a Merry Christmas!"
This morning at MOPS, he went right through the little door to play with no tears. He was also FANTASTIC the whole way out. So, I was relieved that I didn't have to relive our earlier experience. :) I think he thinks through things more now. I can see some shread of logic between his actions, and he understands more when we explain things to him. I also will guess at some of the things he's saying that I don't fully comprehend, and if I don't get it right, he'll shake his head and proclaim "NO!" He's also learned the concept of "mine." And, at night, he now likes to be under the covers and asks us to pull up his "colors" as we tuck him in. He must have his beloved blankey, his washable t-bear (thanks, Ma-maw!) and the "colors" to be fully comfortable. He now says "night-night, t-bear, (kisses it) I'll see you in the morning!" So sweet!
Joshua also says "I love you" which melts my heart. I don't know if he understands it yet or not, but I think so. He does say it repeating us.
Joshua's curioisity is also getting bigger by the day, which I know is normal but it also can drive me crazy-go-nuts! He is now getting into everything, and things that were once high out of his reach are now within reach. So, it's often that we hear "Woa - what's this?" and he's got something he shouldn't have. He digs through drawers and doors and throws things around after careful examination. He is a sponge, and I know this is his way of learning about the world. But, I feel like he once again needs constant supervision whereas for awhile I didn't think he was getting into much anymore. Oh, was I wrong! He is testing our boundaries daily to make sure that things are still not okay and that we'll follow through when we say we'll give him a spanking or a time out. Some days I'm completely exhausted til the end of the day (like today). Most days, though, I wouldn't trade my job for all the tea in China. Joshua is so precious! And so is his brother! I love my boys. Happy 26-month birthday, Bean!
So, we set the date for Wednesday, November 12, for a moring gathering of sorts. Poor Joshua was starting to get a runny nose, but I told the other moms who didn't seem to mind. That night, though, is when I started to feel somewhat yucky and I felt bad that we may have spread our germs. I haven't heard from anyone else, though, that they feel sick. After I offered to have everyone here, I counted all the "possible" people and children and realized that with kids, our group could have 23! Wow! So, I thought maybe we should try some pudding painting or something constructive so it wasn't chaos. It ended up that only three other moms could make it, though, which ended up being a nice size group with kids and all. Anyway, first to arrive was Becca and Alayna (pictured above). Next arrived Margie, who doesn't live far from us, and her adorable son Henry (both pictured below).
Later, Renee arrived with her two kids, Nathan and Lila/Laila (sp?). As you can see from the pictures below, they were the best at the finger painting with pudding. This little gal LOVED to put her hands in the bowl and paint her paper. It was absolutely adorable! And funny! She even started licking the bowl!
Nathan, who's a couple years older than Joshua, loved his toys, especially the baseball ones. Joshua fell apart that morning at first as children started playing with his toys, but I gave him a little time to cool off and regroup in his bedroom, and I was astounded at how well it worked. He came back down in ten minutes a brand new kid. And, I think he enjoyed playing then. Little did I know that he was getting a severe cold - and not that I like to make excuses - but it is hard to be sweet and nice and self-controlled when you're not feeling well.
Thanks for coming, friends! We'll see you tomorrow at MOPS, hopefully!