Journey to the Center of ...

Well, last week was a journey on a bunch of different levels. New and exciting stuff everyday! Here are just a few of our journeys ....

Journey to the Center of Kansas - We traveled to Claflin to attend my lovely cousin Laura's baby shower. It was wonderful to visit with all of the family and to see Laura just beaming with joy. She is gonna make such a great mommma! Little baby Charlee Clare is adorable and couldn't be more loved! We also celebrated Corey's Grandmother's Birthday in McPherson. Well, I say "we" but Corey and the boys actually celebrated as I didn't get back from the shower until the end of the party. But, the boys had a great time playing with their cousins and extended cousins as well as entertaining the adults. Riley especially liked cruising around the farm in Marilyn and Vern's golf cart, while Gage apparantly was his comical little self and ate up being the center of attention = ) Unfortunately, we don't have any pictures of this since I had the camera with me. Next time!

sweet, sweet baby

some laughs with gwamma and papa soukup

Journey to the Center of the Potty - Riley is now officially in big boy underwear during all waking hours. He is getting to be a pro at making pee in the potty and often does so on his own without a reminder (especially first thing in the morning!) There have been a few wet accidents that typically occur when he is outside playing and doesn't have time to -- or forgets to -- stop playing and go inside to relieve himself. These can be forgiven. However, he is being very stubborn about making #2 in the potty. He will hold it and wait until nap time (when he is in a pull-up) to do his duty. He has also made poo in his big boy pants a couple of times. I'm at a loss. He knows how to make poo on the potty, he is just refusing to do so and it is about snap my fragile, but still hanging on sanity. Wish us both luck with this final potty-training step before I break!

a peek at the big boy pants due to some major saggage

Journey to the Center of Riley's Memory - Before books and bedtime, we usually let the boys pick out a program or video to watch to help them wind down from their jam-packed days. Last night they picked the cartoon "Penguins of Madagascar." Funny show if you've never seen it. We've actually only caught a couple of episodes, with the one that was about to start being one we saw a few weeks ago. Corey surmised this from the title and title page that showed several sets of little red eyes peering out from darkness. Immediately after Corey stated , "This is a rerun." Riley jumped in and said, "Oh yes. This is where they have sticky tongues and go 'slurp, slurp' and pick up all the animals. And have a party!" What? How can he remember such explicit details about a show he's seen only once, several weeks ago and he cannot remember to poop in the potty? I believe selective memory is the correct term. One more trait he has in common with his daddy ; )

father and son

Journey to the Center of the Dogs - I sooo wish I had a before pic to compare with this after pic. Our Golden Retrievers are outdoor dogs and they grow extremely thick, long and heavy undercoats during the cold winter months. One of my favorite parts of Spring is when the weather is finally warm enough on a consistent basis that the girls can get their hair cut. See those tails? Imagine that, plus some, all over their bodies. Yep, they needed a trim. Aren't they just so pretty?

Ahhh, my lovely Gracie and Katie = )

Journey to the Center of the Earth - I had never seen this show before, nor did I have much desire to, but Corey has been wanting to see it for a while -- he's a big Brendan Frazier fan. Anyhow, he turned it on Sunday afternoon and the boys plopped down with him in his recliner and nobody moved for almost the entire 2 hour show! Miracles do happen! The boys loved all of the adventure and action just as much as their daddy did. Too cute - wish I had a pic!

There were many more journeys I'd love to share, but I'm out of time and brain power right now, so those will have to wait for another day. Take care!