The rest of May 2011

The world didn't end this month (as was predicted but some religious fanatic), but school did! May 27th marked the end of our school year and the beginning of summer break- hoo ray! It was a busy month, filled with year-end activities at work and lots of mini-adventures for Kieran and family. We visited local parks, played in puddles (there have been a lot this spring on account of all the rain), took shelter in basements from the threat of tornadoes, (this has been a nasty weather spring), hung out at Grandma/Grandpa's house with cousin Presley and auntie Shannon, watched lots of cartoons (Ratatouille and Toy Story 3 are the favorites at the moment) and generally had a lot of fun despite all the hustle-bustle and yucky weather!
Kieran had a first today, which happens to be Rick's 33rd birthday, he pooped in the potty (Kieran, not Rick ;)! It was really a fluke and I am not sure we will be able to repeat this success any time soon- but it was exciting none the less! So the story goes like this... Kieran and I were driving back home from a busy morning spent playing at nana/papa's house and then shopping downtown for daddy's birthday. We were nearing the house when Kieran began his tell-tale grunting and straining, followed by, "Poo-poo stinks!" I figured he had already gone, he was sort of stinky too, and so changed him as soon as we got in the door. I was surprised to find a clean diaper but noticed something coming down the pike, so to speak. I asked Kieran if he would like to go poo-poo on his potty and he said, "yes!" He sat there a few moments and wanted to get up so I distracted him with a cup of water and he stayed and just as he was getting ready to get up again- Viola! Splash down! He seemed a little surprised and made a big mess too standing up too soon- but he did it and we made a big deal about it too! Too soon to say if we will be able to convince him to do it again- but at least we have taken one step in the right direction towards potty-training! Way to go Kiearn!

For mother's day, Kieran got a gift! We decided he's ready for a tricycle- at least the type that can be powered by mom or dad. The handle can push and steer but can also be removed when Kieran is ready to pedal it for himself. He loves to ride and push it equally well!

The mom's on mother's day with the kiddos- here we see the beginnings of would prove to be quite a toddler-show-down over who should be able to ride the tricycle. Kieran is not too keen on sharing just yet- but who can blame him? That Radio Flyer is a pretty sweet ride!

"Where should we go first?!"

After a lovely mother's day dinner the kids had a bath and then played some more. Kieran has designated my parent's stone hearth as his offical train/race track and so all of my mother's decorations have to be removed in order for him to be able to freely play. Here you see Kieran trying to convince Grandpa to sit on the floor so he can be closer to the train action!

Argh! Train monster!

This was a hilarious discovery on Papa's part. We know the dogs and cats love to chase the laser dot... but who knew it could be so much fun for toddlers too?!

I managed to snap a quick pic of Rick passed out next to Kiearn's bed after he put him down for a nap- aren't they both so sweet sleeping together?

This is how Kieran sleeps some nights and how I found him one morning- I love how his legs are crossed... this can't be comfortable and yet he's sound asleep!

Here's Kiearn post nap playing trains with George and Neko- this is a favorite activity and is how he spends a lot of his time at home.

Rick took Kieran to a couple local parks one Saturday I was out of town with my mother (we went to St. Louis to see Jersey Boys at the Fox with mom's good friend Linda and a friend of my mine from Chicago, Irene). Here you can see Kieran looking pretty cool in his monkey shades and super hero t-shirt on the Stephen's Lake bridge.

I love this picture because it shows how Kieran likes to point at us as he bosses and gives directions- too cute!

Kieran smiling after he has thrown a handful of rocks into the lake- always a fun activity!

Cool dude in shades- btw he calls sunglasses his "eyes"

Running towards the puddles...

splash down!!

Rick was so happy to capture evidence that Kieran can actually share and play nice with another child! Kieran made friends with a boy around his age at Stephen's Park in the sand pit. Apparently the trucks did not belong to either of them- this may account for the mellowness of both boys ;)

The "boulders" around the sand pit make for excellent off-roading!

I am sure Kieran was making his, "Ahhhh!!!" sound which precipitates a big, dramatic fall off what is undoubtedly a very treacherous drop in his mind!

Taking a break from monster truck action in the swing!

Passed out from too much fun!

Happy May Day 2011!

Nothing like starting one's morning off with a little naked train ride ;)

 This past weekend marked the end of April and beginning of May. Saturday was a beautiful, sunny and warm day which we spent at Rock Bridge park- Kieran's first time there! He loved all the "tracks" a.k.a. trails and paths. We ran up and down the paths for over an hour, following strangers, picking up rocks, looking at the water and most of all pretending to be a train- so in other words a wonderful way to spend a day at the park!

Kieran decided to share his breakfast with his "deet-deet" a.k.a squirrel which isn't actually a child's stuffed animal, but rather a dog toy that Kieran has adopted.

More time spent loving and feeding the squirrel and watching Thomas before we leave for the park.

Mommy and Kieran going up some of the many, many, many stairs at RB park. Kieran did great with all the walking and stairs, but he did request to be carried from time to time which of course I was happy to oblige.

Kieran checking out a construction area on a landing that looks into the natural rock bridge, the park's namesake.

Conductor Kieran inspecting the tracks and making recommendations... Kieran discovered a crack in the track (a rotten spot on one of the wooden landings) that he thought needed to be repaired. He inspected and then decided to call for Sir TopHat (Sir Topemhat from the Thomas books) to help him with the task. He run up and down the boardwalk calling and looking for help- it was so funny!

"Help!!"

Easter 2011

Waiting in line for the Easter Bunny

 We all had a great Easter this year, despite the rainy and cool weather. Saturday, we went to Bass Pro to visit the Easter Bunny and an indoor egg hunt. The line was crazy long and there was no way little mister wiggles would wait for a half hour, so daddy had to wait while Kieran and I ran around the store, hiding in the clothing racks and picking up things to put in Kieran's bucket. When we got to the front of the line, and Kieran saw the Easter Bunny he was pretty excited- laughing and pointing and smiling. But when it was our turn and I set Kieran down to go see the giant white rabbit, he wasn't so sure after all. I ended up having to sit Kieran on my lap for the photo opp- I am sure you can see Kieran's reservation in the pic! The egg hunt was a much bigger success- Kieran figured out the premise of finding the eggs pretty quickly and soon had five eggs in his bucket!
After our Easter Eggstravaganza at Bass Pro we went to El Jimador for lunch and then to Bethel Park to enjoy the few hours of sunshine. Kieran loved playing in the sand, going down the slides and exploring the pond's shores. He got very dirty and by the end very sleepy and so we took a nap-drive and mommy and Kieran slept while daddy drove.
The next day was Easter Sunday and we hosted a brunch at our house for my parents, Sandy and my sister Shannon. I served quiche, fruit, ham and bacon and Sandy brought another quiche, biscuits and gravy, a yummy pear tart and a great hash-brown casserole- so in other words there was more than enough to go around! We ate ourselves silly and then Kieran got to open his Easter Basket. His favorite was a giant peep on a stick- still working on that one!

Searching for eggs- Kieran was convinced there should be an egg hidden here but alas there was not ;)

Four eggs and counting

Swinging at the park in his cool shades

Playing with the dancing Easter Monkey- thanks auntie Joyce!

"Hello Mr. Monkey- how are you?"

This was Kieran's favorite Easter treat- a giant yellow peep like chick on a stick- he still hasn't finished this thing yet!

He just wasn't sure what to do with the little bird at first- too cute to eat- almost!

Kieran upon upon opening an egg and discovering a bright blue peep!

Chasing Kieran for a diaper change after brunch- look at the sweet little tushie!

Kieran and Gracie

Kieran's favorite pet is most certainly Gracie. She's slow, round, huggable and most importantly extremely tolerant of Kieran's affections. Poor thing gets the brunt of his "love" as she can't get away fast enough.

Starts off innocently enough...

Grace is thinking of making her move...

Grace has resigned herself to Kieran's affections and can only hope something else grabs his attention soon ;)

A new chair and some sod...

Nothing like spring cleaning and freshing up to make a gal feel good! We participated in the Ashland city-wide garage sale today and thanks to Rick and mom, we managed to clean out a good portion of our garage and get rid of a bunch of unnecessary stuff that was taking up some very necessary space! And to top it off that clean home feeling we got our sod and seed in this week and a chair reupholstered that belonged to grandmother and aunt. Tomorrow I am going to freshen myself up with a massage and mani/pedi with Lori... so despite the crummy weather and a cold, it's a pretty great spring weekend!

Date Night...

Rick and I had a rare opportunity to get dressed up and go out last night. Rick's school, Cedar Hill, participated in a fundraiser for a charity called, HALO (Helping Art Liberate Orphans) which aids orphan children, particularly girls, in places like Africa and India. Rick's art classes made paper flowers to decorate tables at the auction held at the Capital Hotel in Jefferson City last night and so we got to go. It was a interesting experience as we had never been to an auction before. There were some pretty amazing people there who spend their life, time and money helping others and then a lot of very wealthy people blowing through money like it grows on trees- I guess that's how charities work. In any case, although we didn't buy anything, there was some pretty great art and yummy food and we had a very nice time.

Grandma Sandy came over to entertain Kieran. Sounds like they had a lot of fun playing trains, watching DVDs, eating pizza, splashing in the tub and staying up late. When we got home, Kieran was sacked out on the sofa and Grandma was paging through a cookbook- I think they were both wore out! Thank you to Sandy for taking such good care of our little man, it is so nice to have family near by.

Mommy, daddy and Kieran. As you can see, he wasn't all that interested in being in the photo ;)

Mommy and daddy all gussied up!

This and that from late March-early April 2011

Kieran trying out his new wheels... mostly he gets the car to spin in circles, but he has fun doing it

Look at our big boy, isn't he such a doll?

Watching TV in his Buzz Lightyear chair and drinking from his car's cup... this is the life!

Channeling his inner godfather...

Contemplating... hmmm....

Kieran thought mommy's bunny would like to get out of the bedroom and see a little train action, he was even kind enough to share his favorite seat.

Not sure what's going on here, but I love it!

Saturday lounging at it's best.

Strike a pose!

Kieran and what's left of a sucker.

Again I say, what a little doll ;)

Testing out his Thomas ride-on birthday gift in his PJ's

Okay, so not a Kieran pic, but still pretty darned cute- here the girls are caught napping together.

Waking up and realizing who they are waking up next to...

Anger and apathy- priceless.