"Rodeo fun...."

A few weeks ago, I went to the mailbox and found an invitation to Elijah Brooks from Children's Hospital. I opened it and found out that he was invited to attend the rodeo.  Children's Hospital had invited their patients to one particular night, and also their families..., for free!  Because of his recent respiratory troubles, he is now an "official patient".  I told Jay that it was worth the trip to Children's..., Jay's response, "it was an expensive way to get a free ticket to the rodeo"!   Oh well, thankful to have some professional help for his respiratory difficulties, and thankful for a free and fun night at the rodeo! My mom went with me and the kids since Jay had to work, and we really had a fun evening. The kids were able to do all kinds of fun activities there and enjoy a nutritious dinner of pizza, apple juice, and cake!   I am okay with free junk food!   Memories being made  :)

Watching the cowgirls barrel race  

A new way to wear a bandana - just trying to keep a very active toddler still ! 

YEE HAW! 

The kids were invited down onto the floor to pet some of the animals, learn rope tricks, ride a wagon, and do pony rides

Learning to laso 

They both had such a fun time together

Who knows! 

She was begging me to take her picture. Ummmm yeah, she struck a pose. Hand on her hip.  And...., she is only 2.   WOW! 

Maybe alittle too much rodeo fun by this time!!

"1st Haircut"

While I am writing about "firsts", I can't forget Ellison's latest "first".   At 25 months old, she just got her very first haircut - and truthfully, we probably could have waited a few more months, but I thought she needed alittle trim. She watched big brother sit so still for his haircut and she was eagerly awaiting her turn - not anxiously, but eagerly!  She was so excited!  She climbed up on that big chair, and sat as still as I have ever seen her (and she doesn't sit still)!  But she did perfect...., didn't move an inch, and followed directions to a tee.  We were amazed.  

Great job my baby girl!  You are a beauty on the inside and out.

This was her face when I asked her if she was excited!  She kept saying, "I  si si,  I si si" (I am excited)! 

"1st Teeth"!

How can my baby boy be old enough to be losing his teeth already??  I thought this was supposed to happen much later than this!  Guess not!  He lost his 1st tooth on March 6 while eating a cookie at home.  It has been loose for about a week, but he became obsessed with it and literally wiggled it for 12 hours a day until it finally fell out on it's own.

I was so surprised that the next week after his first one came out that the one right next to it was loose too. Sure enough, on March 23, tooth #2 came out...., this time with alittle help from mom!!  Cousin Wyatt was spending the night with us and Wyatt wanted it to come out so badly when he was at our house. He reminded us all that he lost his first tooth when it just fell out, but that his Mommy pulled his 2nd one.  He wanted EB to let me pull it so that the boys would be just alike, with their moms both pulling their second tooth.  When he said that, we were bound and determined to make sweet Wyatt's wish come true. EB was pretty anxious, but honestly, the tooth was more than ready to come out and I knew it wouldn't take but a second to pull it. But, we decided to let EB wiggle it and work on it until he had it pretty much ready to pull and then he wouldn't be so anxious - this way he was able to control it.  Well, after a few minutes, he was crying saying he was SO READY for it to come out but was getting frustrated and was ready for me to pull it. He had been frustrated with it all week because it was just getting in his way, so the extra "peer pressure" actually provided the relief the sweet boy needed!  So, I got the honors of pulling his 2nd tooth -  it was so easy that when it came out he had no clue that it was out and kept waiting for me to pull it. He couldn't believe that it was already in my hand and that he felt nothing. Then the sweet thing just started crying tears of joy again and literally fell into Wyatt's arms on the couch!  I will always remember that sweet moment.  The boys were hilarious!

We stayed up way too late that night, but both boys had their wishes come true, and I was able to be a part of both.

Tooth still hanging on - alittle sideways, but still there! 

Crying in the arms of big cousin Wyatt!  

Wyatt kept looking at me, and I was laughing hysterically and he was trying so hard not to laugh in this picture! The whole scene was just hysterical - had to have been here to see it! 

Now, my sweet child has collapsed again in Wyatt's arms, but this time tears of joy!!   Yes, this is my son...., we are cut from the same cloth, me and my boy. 

2 teeth gone, at age 5.  I feel like this is a rite of passage into boyhood now.   His growing up seems so "official" now. 

"Doing "big boy" stuff"!

Elijah Brooks, when did YOU get to be such a big boy???  I look at you every day and wonder how in the world we got to this place in 5 short years. You are a treasure to our family and we are so thankful for WHO you are becoming. What a joy, honor, and privilege to raise you!

Recently, you did really "big boy" thing when you went deer hunting for the very first time! Some of our dear friends from church asked if they could take you deer hunting with them one Saturday afternoon. They hunt all of the time, so we trusted them fully and knew you would be in great hands. We weren't really sure if you were going to enjoy it, especially if they actually shot a deer, but you were absolutely thrilled with the whole idea and jumped right on board when we told you that you could go with them. You were so excited to dress in camo and have a whole afternoon alone with Mr. Michael and Mrs. Amy! They said you had a wonderful time and were so much fun to spend time with....., and they did shoot a deer...., you said, "it was cool".

"Performer on our hands...."

Oh Ellison, how much you remind me of your mommy and your Aunt Elliot. You continue to amaze us with how much you are changing every day...., however one thing remains constant, and that is your desire and ability to make those around you laugh, just like your Aunt! You also love, love, love to dress up and perform. You oftentimes are found with costume on and microphone in hand. Let the shows begin in this house!!  Truly a walk down "memory lane" for me.