Smiles

Keller has started smiling. He is a little stingy with them, but when he finally decides to smile it's priceless.
I love the big, over-the-top, cheesy smile!

I know he looks so sweet in these pictures, but don't let him fool you. It's definitely not all smiles at our house. Here's a funny side note as proof:

Chad got up with Keller one morning last weekend. About a half hour later I woke up and heard Keller screaming in the living room. He was screaming and screaming. Finally I went in there to see if I could help Chad. Well I found Chad on the couch snoring with these on -

He put on his sound-proof headphones that he uses for shooting to mute the crying. I was laughing to myself (after a brief moment of thinking how not-helpful he was being). E for effort right?! He does get a A+ for resourcefulness though.

Super Shoes

I bought these super shoes. Why are they super you ask? Well they are super because they have special powers. I'm sure you've had a pair before. You know when you're little and the shoes you wear make you run faster than your friends? Or they help you do cool tricks? I think these have the same power.

Or at least that's what I'm telling myself.

They have at least some special powers because I worked out 5 times last week. If you know me at all that must've only occurred with special forces at work. I'm trying hard to create new, healthy habits and I'm counting on these shoes to give me the support I need.

I have been doing Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred. I love that video. Quick and efficient! I also started a running plan. I told Chad I wanted to run a 5k for my birthday (October 29th). I found a couch-to-5k training schedule and started it last week. Wish me luck!

Nevermind - with my new super shoes I don't need any luck. These shoes will definitely help me run faster and workout harder. It's all about the special powers.

I don't think I am expecting to much.

Maybe just a little...

Dog Food

My sister gave Vance some stuffed dogs awhile back. Vance discovered some empty Mason jars and started pretending they were filled with dog food. I took him to the craft store and let him buy some "food" for his dogs. He spends so much time feeding his dogs in his room.

Fast forward a couple weeks and Colton comes over. The two of them are playing with dog food and I was trying to take a picture. They wouldn't take their hands out of their nose and I was getting after them. They both said, "We just can't get those things out!"

Things? What things? Why are there things in their nose??? Sure enough they each stuck little pom pom balls up their nose! Vance was able to blow his out and thought he was hilarious. This picture makes me laugh every single time because it captured the moment perfectly.

Colton wasn't so lucky and David and to get the balls out with tweezers.

Afterwards we had a little chat about not putting things up our nose!

Once we recovered I made a quick snack with the boys. This is a super easy and yummy recipe to make with kids.

First you get some crescent rolls-

Then you spread some peanut butter on them -

Sprinkle with a few chocolate chips (and try not to get caught eating them!) -

Roll them up and bake as directed on the package.

Delicious!

Vance-isms

Vance has started calling Chad "Chady Daddy." At first he was calling him just Chad, but I told him I didn't like that. Then he asked if he could call him Chady Daddy. I said he could so that's what he calls him. I think it's hilarious!


Vance has been giving me lots of compliments lately. He is so sweet and makes me smile every time. Here are just a few:
- You look so bootiful today!
- I love your green eyeballs!
- I think your pretty!
- Your red lips look nice!
One day a very lucky girl is going to thank Chad for raising such a complimentary son!


Vance doesn't quite understand how numbers work. He can count but doesn't understand how to use them in sentences. Here's what I mean:
- Are we going to go to ______ on second day?
- I got forty-teen. That means I win!
- We have three-forty-hundred-thousand of those!


We enrolled Vance in a sports class during summer. He loved it. I loved it too even though it makes me sad to think about how big he is! I would always ask what they did and how class was when we got in the car. Here are two funny conversations we've had as a result:
Me: How was class today?
V: It was SO fun! But mom?
Me: Yeah?
V: Mr. Adam told me to sit and wait my turn. I tried, but it is SO HARD!


Me: How was class today?
V: Great! We played basketball and I made a shot.
Me: Way to go!
V: Then I yelled, "Money!"
Me: (laughing) What did the teacher say?
V: (covers his mouth and giggles) Hahahahaha

We were out to eat at Chilis one night. Everyone was pretty much done eating so the waiter was clearing some of the plates. Vance had some fries on a plate and the waiter was picking it up to clear the table. Vance looked at the unwelcomed hand on his fry plate and smacked it instead of politely telling the waiter he wasn't done!!! I was embarrassed at first but then just thought it was funny. Don't mess with a boy and his food or else...

We were at Child's Play one afternoon and these girls were chasing Vance. It looked like he was having fun. He came over and told me the girls were chasing him. I told him, "How fun! Run so fast!" Well I looked over about 20 seconds later and Vance is running as fast as he can, crying hysterically, with a look of absolute terror on his face. I felt so bad! He was trying to tell me he didn't want them to chase him anymore. Whoops!

Vance is learning about what letter words begin with. It is so funny to hear him talk. Here's a few examples of what he does all week (we've only learned about A's and B's so far). a-a-truck. a-a-skateboard. b-b-shoes. It makes me laugh!

Last Lake Trip

We went with the Waldron's on one last lake trip for the season. My mom was nice enough to offer to watch Keller so it was Rand, Georganne, Brent, Zach, Sierra, Vance, Chad, and me. It was so much fun!!!
Vance loves being with the Waldron's because they spoil him rotten.

He wasn't sure he wanted to go tubing at first but with some prodding he finally agreed to try it. After about 20 seconds he said, "Hey - this isn't too bad!"

The weather was absolutely gorgeous. Not too hot, but not cold at all either. The water was just a little cool which made it refreshing. Basically perfection!

Zach is sexy isn't he? I mean look at those big, white, muscular thighs! haha

Vance with Uncle Brent and Uncle Zach. He was glad to have them on the boat with him and talked their ears off the entire time.

All by himself -

I can't wait for the day that we have our own boat. One day...

Vance at School

Vance started preschool this week!!! Let me say it again in case you missed it the first time - VANCE STARTED PRESCHOOL THIS WEEK!!!

We are both very ready for this next phase. He is bored at home and I need a little break. Vance is usually pretty good but he drains me by the end of the day (I'm sure most moms feel like that). He is going to preschool at Miss Heather's house on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00-12:30. He woke up the first day of school at 6:00 am and immediately started asking if it was time to go to school yet. Needless to say he is very excited about school.

Here he is all dressed and ready to go for the first day. Ladies watch out - this one's a heartbreaker!

Here's Vance with his teacher - Miss Heather. Normally she only does 4 year olds but since I teach her kids piano she said she would take Vance at 3. Her results are amazing and I'm so happy that Vance can be in her class. Vance already talks nonstop about "Miss Headder."

I found this questionnaire online. You ask your kids the same questions at the beginning of every school year and one day you can look back at them and see how they've changed. Here's the questions and Vance's answers.

Name: Vance Waldron

Age: Three and half

Favorite color: Red

Favorite food: Meatballs

Favorite animal: Iguana

Favorite song: Down by the Bank (actually Down by the Bay)

What do you want to be when you grow up: Dinosaur

Favorite show: Clifford and Dinosaur Train

Favorite game: Candy Castle (aka Candyland)

Favorite book: Lightning McQueen

What makes you happy: Smiles

What makes you sad: Frowny faces

Write your name:

We definitely have a lot progress to make in the handwriting department. We've been working on tracing letters and that goes much better. Vance hasn't decided which hand he wants to write with so he passes it between his left and right after each letter.

On both days of preschool this week Vance was exhausted when he got home. He ate a little bit of lunch and then wanted to watch an episode of Clifford. About 5 minutes into the episode he crashed.

Yes he loves his green blanket in case you were wondering. Since we've had Keller he's been a little more clingy with it but I don't have the heart to make him leave it in his room right now. He's adapting to a big change already so if this makes him feel better I'm okay with it.

After the first day of school we bought a new backpack for him. He loves it! On Thursday he put in on at like 7:00 am and he doesn't go to school until 9:00.

Vance also started a class on Fridays called Field Day Fridays at Helen Meyer Community Center. It's from 9:00 - 11:00 and it's pretty much just organized play. He's taking it with his cousin, Colton, and two friends. Here are the four little monsters! Vance has taken a class from the teacher before and was beyond excited to introduce Mr. Adam to his cousin. I was worried the boys would be a handful but so far only good reports home.

Vance is also still doing swimming lessons at Waterwings. He just goes once a week now but is still progressing.

If you're looking to put your kids in swim lessons go here. It's worth the money!

He can swim about 15 minutes with pretty good technique and is working on the back stroke too. They also teach the kids swim safety and what to do if they fall in on accident.

Here's a very short video of Vance at swim lessons.

We're so proud of Vance and all the new things he's learning. Every where he goes he brightens the room with his huge personality. He has a busy schedule for a three-year-old but I think he needs it to keep him interested. I'm not sure we'll always be able to afford for all of our kids to do this many things but I'm enjoying it while it lasts. I love the look on his face when he masters a new skill - it's the best reward!!!

Good luck Vance in all your new adventures! Mom and Dad know you'll do great!!!

Dad's Watch

The other night I went to a baby shower and came home to this:
Fabulous babysitting job Dad! I'm not so sure how attentive he was but you can't say he didn't put the boys to bed. haha

Keller looks so small in that big recliner, but I already feel like he is getting too big too fast. This baby is getting ridiculously spoiled (mainly by me) because I just keep thinking this phase will be over before I know it.

The other day I snapped a picture of him napping. That boy LOVES his pacifier. However, today I saw him sucking his thumb so who knows which one he'll prefer.

Keller is doing pretty good at night. Not great, but as good as you expect with a seven week old. He is not the best napper though. Let me rephrase that - he's not the best napper if you would like him to nap in his crib. He's perfectly content in your arms but usually wakes up if you lay him down. In fact if it's time to be awake and I can't get him to keep his eyes open I lay him down. Kind of backwards right? I am trying hard to spoil him less and get him on some type of routine. We are slowly getting there. He put himself to sleep in his crib for one of his naps yesterday. That's progress!!!

Labor Day

We spent Labor Day camping at Panguitch. The scenery was beautiful. The weather was amazing. The company couldn't be better. All in all it was a fantastic weekend!!!

We got there a little late Friday night so it was time to sleep as soon as we got everything settled. We stayed in the motor home with my parents because I wasn't sure how Keller would do. He did great. Grandpa laid with the boys to help them fall asleep the first night.
We spent the rest of the weekend relaxing. As usual Vance was great! I don't know what it is about the outdoors and little kids but they behave so much better when we're camping. Vance hardly misbehaved at all and was great to just play and do his own thing with his cousins. That meant Chad and I were able to sit back and relax with Keller and the rest of the adults.

Our camping chair has a spot in the middle which is supposed to function as a cooler. Chad had the idea to put Keller in it and it was a perfect fit. Resourceful huh? Keller didn't seem to mind -

Vance and Colton are even more INSEPARABLE when we're camping. Everywhere one went the other was only one step away.

I literally don't think either one of them went to time out once for not sharing or hitting or teasing, etc. I love having a cousin so close in age for Vance. I'm so sad that there aren't any Sutton cousins for Keller :(

The big boys spent the majority of the time fishing and caught lots. Chad was like a kid in a candy store. He was so cute!!! He and Vance had been practicing fishing the week prior so Vance knew exactly what to do.

Grandma had to wear "the boot" all weekend since she strained a muscle so she sat in the chair and watched as everyone else fished. She kept an eye on Keller too which I was grateful for.

I love my fishermen!!! Almost nothing is as sexy as watching Chad with our kids. I don't know exactly why I love it so much but I definitely do.Vance REALLY liked getting new bait so unfortunately Chad spent a lot of time at the tackle box.

Look how intently Vance is reeling in his line. He spends the entire time casting, reeling in, and re-casting.

My dad always wears this hat when we go camping. It's ugly, but it's become a part of him. It always reminds me of my Grandpa Sutton.

Now there's a fish I'm glad I caught!!!

I didn't get too many pictures of Keller over the weekend. He was such a good boy! He did as good as expected at night and happy to be outside during the day.

Uncle Chad taught the boys how to put their hand through the flame. Hopefully no lawsuits will be coming our way.

I just bought Vance a new camping chair at Sam's Club. He was excited to use it and especially thrilled about the cup holder. One night my sister was talking to him about his chair and he said, "Look at my chair. It's so sturdy!!!" What 3 year old says that? He's too funny.

I never seem to be in very many pictures because I'm always behind the lens. Here's my sisters, my mom, and I getting dessert ready one night. Aren't we camping beauties?

Me with two of my three favorite boys-

The 2nd day Chad and my dad rented a boat to go fishing. The fished ALL DAY LONG! All the boys took turns fishing in the boat too. Here they are going down to the dock with Vance and Colton .

They were out there forever. Chad said the boys were good the entire time.

Vance was so intrigued by the dead fish that I think I should be worried. He couldn't stop touching them and still hasn't stopped talking about their blood and guts. Boys...I DON'T UNDERSTAND THEM!

I enjoyed a nice and fattening cinnamon roll with these two food beggars!

Here's Chad and my dad holding the biggest fish each of them caught as well as a fish that is the size of the fish they normally catch. The difference is huge and explains why they were so excited. Most of the fish were between 3 and 4 pounds!

We were taking a picture of the boys with all the fish they caught. As I said before Vance was too interested in the dead fish to even look up for a quick picture. This is a gross infatuation!

I will say I forgot how much CRAP it takes to go camping with a baby. I feel like we packed our whole house up for weekend. Camping is fun but it is a lot of work. Period. It's a good thing we have so much fun because other wise it would definitely not be worth all the hassle.

Til the next camping trip!