Twelve Year Interview

Me: What is your favorite color?
RR: black slash blue

Me: What is your favorite food?
RR: Fried chicken
Me: Friend chicken?
RR: Yeah, I like Fried Chicken.

Me: What is your favorite book?
RR: ummmm... Ice Fang.

Me: What is your favorite TV show?
RR; Your Mom.
Me: What's your real favorite TV show?
RR: YouTube
Me: What on YouTube:
RR: I like a particular YouTuber, but it's not a show. Can I answer this with my favorite YouTube? That or nothing since we don't have cable.
Me: We have Netflix.
RR: I don't care.

Me: What is your favorite subject in school?
RR: Poop
Me: What's your real favorite subject.
RR: Math

Me: What is your favorite video game? PICK ONE.
RR: Pick?
Me: ?
RR: Oh... chose one.
RR: Counter-strike Global Offensive

Me: Who are your best friends?
RR; Kenneth, Trevor, Billy Maze and Anthony Sullivan... then he starts a Billy Maze impression

Me: What is your favorite thing to do with TT?
RR: Poop
Me: No really.
RR: I don't know... wrestling.

Me: What is your favorite thing to do with ERP?
RR: Tickles.

Me: What is your favorite thing to do with me and daddy?
RR: Poop.
Me: Try again.
RR: 360 no scrubs
Me: Try again.
RR: watch TV shows... and eat. I like to eat.

Me: What do you want to do when you grow up?
RR: belches and giggles
Me: Think about it.
RR: A computer technician
Husband: He's blowing smoke up your ass. He wants to be a programmer.
RR: Yeah, that.

Me: How do you feel about being a preteen?
RR: ehn... whatev'

Me: What is your favorite thing to do, aside from video games?
RR: Play more video games.
Me: Really?
RR: Make memes.

Me: Anything you want to add?
RR: Memes. Inhale the memes, exhale the memes.

Me: Good night RR.

Last year's interview.

Twelve Years

The biggest boy is twelve years old. He has been for a while... but I've been a crappy blogger for the last 18 months, so you know.

Twelve is a funny age; as I am sure I will say that with about most of the teen years. He's a little guy in a big body - taller than me with the largest foot in the house - some days he's all grown up and wants to do it all on his own other days he's all about watching cartoons and snuggling on the couch.

He is still into his computer games, but not so much Wizard 101 anymore, he's more into T2F. And he loves his YouTube videos - 10 worst, 10 best, 10 things you'll never believe.

He is pulling good (great) grades in 6th grade. He's an alter server at church. He's well into Boy Scouts and really enjoys it and spending time with his friends. He's also in 4-H - computer programming. He sure keeps us busy. I'm already ready for him to drive himself places. As it always seems that he has something to do. Most recently he became interested in playing Magic, The Gathering.

RR at 12

I had started this blog post the other day, but I just couldn't put "pen to paper". But here I sit on a Sunday morning, months after RR turned 12, waiting for TT to finish up at CCD so we can go pick up RR from camp, It's early April 2016 and this is the second time RR has been camping this year. It was cold last night, I am curious to see how camping was for him. How he fared sleeping in a tent in below freezing temps. I wonder did he sleep. Did he sleep well. Was he warm. Did he wear this long johns I nagged him to pack.

On Tuesday evening he's off to a rifle and shooting class. The same kid who less than a year ago went to a gun show with his grandpa and uncle and spent the day bored to tears, longing to play his Nintendo DS. The same Nintendo DS he would sneak to school on my birthday, drop on the floor and break. The one he would spend months earning the $100 to get it fixed.

He is not an outdoors-man, but he loves camping. He certainly loves his video games, but he is more than the "video game nerd" he likes to tell me he is. He loves playing in the yard with his brothers. He actually loves all little kids. He's the big guy that when dragged to the playground with his little brothers will happily push all the little kids on the carousel for hours. He is certainly not the most athletic person; but he wants to get back into swimming. He is on me to get him swim lessons so he can get his skills back. He is an avid reader, lately devouring the complete works of HG Wells. He loves all historical and is big into historical conspiracy theory. His feelings of current events revolves around his desire to own Donald Trump socks (so he can walk on Trumps face, despite me pointing out Trumps face would be on his calf).

At 12 he is growing into a young man. A  complex ever evolving young man.

4 Years

A little while back, TT turned 4 years old.

Four.

What is he up to -

About 58 lbs and 46-inches. About the same size as RR, when RR was six.

His favorite color is RED. Red everything. Especially sneakers. He will only wear red sneakers. And red shirts and sweatshirts.

He is fully daytime potty trained. No worries about night time and nap training now. He'll get there at some point.

He is a funny guy. And his has this lisp. Such a cute little lisp. Some of my favorite TT sayings from this past year include "holy wack-a-mol-ee" instead of "holy guacamole", and "seriously?" Which with his little voice is so sweet.

As of lately he loves everything RR loves. He idolizes his big brother. Currently Legos, little Legos and Lego guys. Which make me so nervous, since ERP loves everything TT loves.

TT is a "go go go" kind of guy. He is always on the move. He has been super in love with the snow and the winter. Frozen was his favorite movie for the longest time this year. He watched it daily. Multiple times a day if you let him. Playing "snowballs" and sledding in the yard were big winter hits for him. In the summer he wanted to play in the pool as much as he could. He loves being outside.

Most importantly this year we were able to get him to give up his pacifier.  Woo Hoo!!!

He is funny to watch - being the middle child. Trapped between wanting to be big like RR, who is much older than him; and wanting to be little like ERP. Most days he seems to waffle between the two extremes, and we need to remind him it's "OK" to be "medium".

In fact he loves most things. He is a big giant snugly "Teddy bear".

11 Year Interview

Me: What is your favorite color?
RR: uuuuhhhhh.... black? BLACK.

Me: What is your favorite food?
RR: buttocks (giggles)
Me: Is it bacon?
RR: Yeah

Me: What is your favorite book?
RR: Ranger's Apprentice

Me: What is your favorite TV show?
RR; Adventure Time

Me: What is your favorite subject in school?
RR: Math

Me: What is your favorite video game? PICK ONE.
RR: TF2

Me: Who are your best friends?
RR; Ken, Trevor and Ethan

Me: What is your favorite thing to do with TT?
RR: rough house

Me: What is your favorite thing to do with ERP?
RR: play
Me: Play what?
RR: JUST PLAY!

Me: What is your favorite thing to do with me and daddy?
RR: Play cards.

Me: What do you want to do when you grow up?
RR: I dunno know.
Me: Think about it.
RR: No! No! No!! Nooooo!!

Me: How do you feel about being a preteen?
RR: Really I don't care.

Me: What is your favorite thing to do, aside from video games?
RR: Play with TT and ERP. No, cards.

Me: Anything you want to add?
RR; Nope.

"Teddy is 3 ears old"

That's what I've finally gotten TT to say.  I started a good 5 weeks before his birthday and about 3 days before he turned three he was able to tell us - how many ears he has.  Ha!!!

So TT turned three.  Hard to believe it.

We had his doctor appointment on Monday and he's 42.5-inches tall and 48 lbs.  Still growing along the 99.9% growth curve.

TT is probably one of the sweetest "little" guys out there.  He loves everyone.  He started preschool on Tuesday and when he went in on Wednesday morning, he needed to hug all of his teachers.  He gives hugs and kisses freely.  He really is a giant teddy-bear.

Some of TT's favorite things; at least what we see, TT isn't verbal enough to tell us for sure.

TV Show: Hole in the Wall, anything Mickey Mouse
Color: Green
Toys: Mr. Potato Head, play-doh, trains, cars, and anything with wheels, moon-sand
Books: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, How Big is My Bear, Bad Baby, Violet's House

Potty learning skills are emerging.  He's still going on the potty at home, as long as he has no pants on.  We can go on short errands out of the house with undies on.... he's getting better and better every day with his skills.

TT is probably one of the politest 3-year olds out there.  He says "no thank you" instead of "no"  all the time - this includes when he doesn't want to do something.  And the more he doesn't want to do it, the more he says it - "no thank you, no thank you, no thank you".  He has started saying "Yes, sir", even to me.... but as of today he's taken to "Yes, ma'am".  So sweet.

I think that is the one word I would use to sum up TT right now - "Sweet".

The Best Laid Plans

Something happened the other day that didn't get documented on this here blog.

TT turned 3 on Saturday the 15th.

Turning 3 is a BIG deal for him.  It marked his graduation from Early Intervention (a birth to 3 program) and his entrance into preschool.

TT was very much looking forward to having a Mickey Mouse party.  Him and I would sit at the computer and look at "Mickey Party" as he would say.  He loved looking at the cakes, and decorations, and all that fun Mickey stuff.

I ordered him a Mickey Mouse birthday shirt off etsy.  I paid a little extra to have it shipped express to arrive in time for his party on the 15th.  Husband and I were totally psyched, we could celebrate his birthday on his birthday.  

Pirate Mickey - it doesn't get better in his eyes.

TT's last day of play-school, through Early Intervention, was the Thursday before his birthday (he only went once a week).  I had planned on making Mickey Mouse cupcakes.  They were going to be super cute - with Oreos with ears and red shorts.  I made the cupcakes on Tuesday with plans to frost them on Wednesday.

By 6pm Wednesday night the schools were closed on Thursday due to the snow.  ggrrr!!!

No last day of play-school for TT.  (And how am I going to get my Girl Scout cookies now.)

That was OK, we still had his party coming in a couple of days.

And then.... they started calling for MORE snow on Saturday (the 15th and party day).

TT started looking really green around the gills.  He had sick eyes.

Husband had been sick for the last week.

Then I seemed to lose all strength and motivation.

Husband and I talked and decided to move TT's party to next weekend.

Saturday, his birthday; started with me taking myself to urgent care.  I hadn't slept the night before my throat hurt so bad.

What a crummy birthday it was turning out to be for TT.

I wasn't going to let my boy down - granted he didn't even realize it was his birthday and his party had been moved, but still.

So after taking the first round of antibiotics and some pain pills I decided I was making him a Mickey cake.  My boy was having some sort of celebration to mark the day.  Husband got his one present out of the basement and set-up while he was napping.  It was a play kitchen.  We had plans to get him food and stuff to go with it while he was at play-school on Thursday, but yup the snow stopped that.

I made one of his favorites for dinner.  But he didn't eat much, he wasn't feeling well.

He did however enjoy his cake.

10 Years

The oldest boy is officially a pre-teen. He is 10 years old.  I've been a mom for 10 years.  HOLY COW.

So what is the 10 year old up to?

4-foot and 10 inches and 84 lbs to be exact.  Ha!!  He's had an interesting growth curve this year.  At one point he was 93 lbs and 2 inches shorter.  But he shed the weight and sprouted upwards.  I am guessing a lot of his teenage growth is going to follow this pattern.

RR is in 4th grade.  He started a new school this fall and so far so good.  He has some of his best buddies in his class.  He is still active in Cub Scouts and will be earning his Webelos badge later this month.  He's on track to earn his Arrow of Light next year; which is the highest award Cub Scouts can earn.  And then off to Boy Scouts (and a break for me).

He is a fun and unique person to be around.  He loves watching Nanny 911 - and not just with me; he'll sit and watch it on his own.  

He is a wonderful and adoring big brother.  He certainly lives up to the meaning of his name "wise protector".  Sometimes he gets a little rough with TT and has a hard time sharing, but that is to be expected.  He will read to his brother and let them play in his room.  And when he has friends over; he's OK with TT following them around and joining in the fun.

He loves to play video games on his computer and is getting pretty adapt at moving about on the computer and typing.  I'd like to get him a book on computer programing.  He still loves building Legos.  He also enjoys reading, writing stories and drawing.

Yearly interview:

Me: How old are you?
RR: 10

Me: What is your favorite subject in school?
RR: Math

Me: What is least favorite subject in school?
RR: Spelling

Me: What is your favorite color?
RR: Black

Me: What happened to blue?
RR: Things change.

Me: What is your favorite school lunch?
RR: Quesidilla

Me: What is your favorite dinner at home?
RR: Spaghetti with meatsauce, only.

Me: What is your favorite vegetable?
RR: Carrots are a vegetable right?  Carrots.

Me: What's your favorite movie?
RR: Indian Jones, the first one.

Me: What's your favorite video game?
RR: Mindcraft.

Me: What's your favorite book? 
RR: Diary of a Wimpy Kid, all of them

Me: What is your favorite thing to do outside?
RR: Play with my friends

Me: Do you have any best-friends?
RR: CJ, Conner and Ethan.

Me: What do you think about girls?
RR: Same as last year.


Me: What's your favorite holiday?
RR: Christmas
Me: Why?
RR: Because you get presents.  You were expecting that weren't you.

Me: How much do like Cub Scouts?
RR: A lot.
Me: How far are you going to go?
RR: I'm not sure

Me: Anything you want to add?
RR: No

Me: Oh hey, what is your favorite song?
RR: Enderborn, still.

To see last year's interview you can go here:
http://2eggs-overeasy.blogspot.com/2013/02/interview-at-9-years.html

Chocolate & Green Eyed Monsters

Way back in January, on the 31st; we went out for our annual RR birthday dinner with his Ney-Ney (grandma) and his Nana (his great grandma).  As is tradition dinner was at a place of his choosing.  Last year we spent a small fortune at Outback, so call me tickled pink (in the wallet at least) when he chose to go to Golden Corral.  Personally I am not a huge fan of buffet restaurants, but when I heard kids under 12 were on special for $2.99 and under 4 was free I was pretty pleased with his choice.

And if you are wondering why he picked this place; that he has never been to, it is because of the chocolate fountain they advertised.

For a Thursday evening the place was packed.  Apparently every other parent had also heard about their kids being able to eat all they can for less than $3.  Aside from that it was a wonderful evening.  90-something year old Nana was walking with just a cane and managed to eat more than everyone else combined, expect RR.  Since it was his birthday I let him go to town, and did he eat; and did he ever enjoy that chocolate fountain.  I will admit, it was pretty darn good.  It didn't have the cheap chocolate taste I was expecting.

Oh yes, and they had cotton candy too.  Trust me, he ate real food including fruits and veggies before all of the junk food.  And yes, he did have a stomach ache from all of the sweets - some lessons you need to learn the hard way in my opinion.  

After we ate the presents came out.  And the strangest thing happened to TT's eyes.  They went from a wonderful shade of hazel to green.  That's right TT turned into the Green-Eyed Monster.  Apparently he learned what presents were over Christmas time; and he did not like his brother getting gifts and him not getting anything.  

Oh the tears.  He cried and cried and cried.  Then he tried to take off with RR's new scooter.  I have never seen a child of mine get so jealous.  I guess that's what happens when you have an only child for 7 years.  

And one last thought.... see that picture above?  Every year I take a picture of him with his grandmas.  I think next year I need to actually be in the shot.  To remind him of ALL the leading ladies in his life, before he discovers girls.  

That Age

As of tomorrow I will have a pre-teen.  The Big Boy turns 9.  As my mother just reminded me on the phone, the last year before double digits.

I will admit having a 9 year old makes me feel old(er); but I think it's also pretty darn neat.  It is such an age of transition and of change and growing (and regressing.... he's into watching Disney Jr. shows again.).  But I have found with this age comes a new challenge.

The challenge of buying him gifts.

Really; what do you get a pre-teen (or teen for that matter) boy these days?

Sure there is the obvious: video games and Legos.

Sure he wants video games and Legos.

But really he doesn't need anymore video games.  And Legos, well lets just say he has enough Legos.  Enough for 5 or 6 or 20 kids his age.  Yes, he would play the video games.  And yes, he would build (then destroy) the 1,000 piece Lego set.  But when you already have a mild video game addiction (which your mother is fighting hard to overcome) and about fifty-million-billion-trillion Legos you don't need anymore.

So what to get?

I settled on a Razor Scooter.  The "graffiti" one.  Husband says he'll break his neck.  He's probably right; given RR's (total lack of) coordination.  But as I pointed out to Husband, better to break his neck on a scooter than on a bike.  And hey, it was 50% off.  You can't argue with that.  As an added bonus he has asked for a scooter a time or two, just not since winter has gotten here.

Oh, yeah... and I got him a little box of Legos.  From his brother, of course.

9th Birthday Party

Yes, it appears that I have fallen off the blogging planet again.... but have no fear I am back tonight.  AND with pictures.  This weekend we celebrated RR's 9th birthday party.  Sure, his actual birthday isn't for another 2 weeks; but TT's is 15 days after his AND we have lots of family and friend birthdays around that time so we had found over the years it is easier to have his party on the weekend of MLK Jr Day.

He really wanted to party in a lamp shade.
No, he didn't leave the house with it.

Giant cookie cake.  We've had one nearly every year.

Charging station.  This makes your balls glow.  Ha!!

Real men wear babies and light birthday candles.

We had his party at a local place that offers glow in the dark mini-golf.  The price was a total bargain and to not have to clean my house before and after the party and deal with RR retreating to his room in tears it was totally worth it.

We didn't have anyone show without RSVPing.  Which I totally loved.  But we did have one guest not make it after RSVPing, I hope he was OK.

So the kids golfed.  TT ran around like a crazy fool.  We ate, we had cake, he opened presents, the kids played in the laser maze and after 2 hours we went home.  It was excellent.  His party was a total success.  And I must say it was in large part of our awesome friends.  Friends that helped set-up, get ready, watch TT, eat with TT, bring things to and from the car.

Awesome friends to RR and awesome friends for Husband and I.

Triumph and Defeat

Our public library is turning 125 this summer, and to celebrate they are hosting a number of events.  This evening was the "Children's Library Birthday Party", it was for ages 5 and up; so we signed the Big Boy up to go.  

We went and grabbed a quick bite for dinner and then dropped him off at the library and went grocery shopping.  Yes, we left him alone at the library.  No, we were not afraid of him getting stolen or the like.  Yes, we left a consent form and our contact information.  Hey, it's small town America.... our library doesn't even have AC.  

So off to grocery shopping we went.  And I hate to admit it that while he can be a super big helper when shopping and keeping me on my list; sometimes it's just easier to shop without him.  Less requests.  Less whining.  Less his legs getting tired.  Now that Monkey is more of a toddler than a baby he loves riding in the car-cart at the store.  This keeps him happy and content for 85% of the trip.  The other 15% he likes to walk and help push the cart.

Anyhow I digress.... after shopping we went and picked Turkey up.  He was SO excited.  Giddy with happiness.  He won the marshmallow stacking contest.  

And he made a crown.

And he had his face painted.

And they read a story about a cupcake.

And they got to decorate cupcakes.

And he decorated his with a gummy worm and a gummy bear

and an explosion of sprinkles.

And he decorated a crown.

And he had got a snake made by the balloon man

And, and, and....

It's amazing all the activities they fit in less than 2 hours.  

He was so happy and had more fun than words could describe.

And then we got home and he walked up the stairs.

And his balloon snake popped.

POP!!!

Tears.  Oh he was so sad.  I felt terrible.  I still feel terrible.  How he loved that balloon snake.  

What had been the perfect evening.  Shattered before his eyes.  

Ouch.  If I could make a balloon snake he would have had it instantly.  

15 Months

Today Monkey turns 15 months old.

Tomorrow we'll find out just how big he is at his well-baby visit.  But I can tell you that he solidly fits into 18 month clothing and some 2T stuff.

Yesterday his 2nd tooth poked through.  So he got his first tooth the day before he turned 13 months and his 2nd tooth the day before he turned 15 months.  I hope we're not still waiting on tooth #3 when he's 17 months.

He is not walking independently yet, but he loves zipping around the house in the walker that the people at Early Intervention dropped off.  We've even moved some things around to give him more room to explore.  I must say we are in trouble when he starts walking on his own, because he's so tall he can get to the top of the tables easily.

Monkey loves to play - by himself, with his big brother and with us.  Everything flat becomes a phone to him, he loves pretending to talk on the phone.  And he loves books; having them read to him or "reading" them himself.

We have yet to cut his hair and he has a HUGE mop of blonde hair, complete with soft baby curls.

We are still breastfeeding and finding table foods he does NOT like have proven to be a challenge.  The only time he really refuses a food is when he's not feeling well or teething (more so than normal).

It seems like he is constantly teething, something is always in his mouth. He likes to crawl around with his big brother's Scooby Doo figures hanging out of his mouth.  Apparently Shaggy's head is good to chew on.

In the carrier at church showing off his blond locks while chewing on Shaggy.

He is stingy with talking.  He babbles a storm and has a few words and phrases, but doesn't often chose to use them.

Sleeping is becoming much better at night, knock on wood, and he's typically down from 7pm to 6:30am with a nursing session around 10pm.

Still he's one of the happiest little guys around.

Party Like A 1 Year Old!!!

On Sunday we celebrated Monkey's first birthday with family and friends.  Unlike Turkey's birthday this year we only did a loose Monkey theme (go figure).

I made him a birthday banner that proclaimed that he was 1.

I made him a double layer (chocolate and yellow) cake with butter-cream frosting, and cupcakes for the guests.  

We had lots of yummy food (and we're still eating left-overs), and many thanks to my Mom, cousin, and Add-emm, for bringing more goodies.  

I had made a video with photos of Monkey from over the first year and we had that playing during the party as a background.  

So we ate, passed around the baby, passed around my cousin's tiny baby, and ate and talked some more.  After eating Monkey opened his gifts.  He got tons of great toys (including a stuffed monkey from Disney) and lots of clothes (because he's a giant and needs them... he's in 18 to 24 months size).  Turkey was his man-in-waiting, and read all of his cards and "helped" him open his gifts.  

After present it was cake time (because after that we needed a bath).  Monkey loves food (I've mentioned that before right??)  Well he really loves cake.

It was a wonderful day... but I just wish I had more time to spend with everyone. 

 Happy Birthday Little Man!!!

Oh yeah, and the real key to having a killer party... having your husband, brother and baby's Godfather clean-up the mess.  These guys ROCK!!!