We spent a fair amount of time in DFW this month. Keller had to work in Dallas for a week and then ended up with an appendectomy on Father’s Day. Surprise! =) Between the original week in town and a few extra days to recover, we were able to see most of the family and spend time with them.
Min handled the kids for us when Keller went to the hospital. She pulled out the old Halloween costumes Keller, Garin, and Payton wore growing up. They were a huge hit. I have to admit, the kids look pretty cute in them!
With the changes in Keller’s work, we decided it was time to bunk the kids together. Keller needs a dedicated office and working just off the living room wasn’t effective anymore. As a result, we moved Kamy into Caden’s room … now the Kids’ Room. The transition has been fairly positive and successful, though the first two weeks were really rough at bed time. They go to bed only 15 minutes apart, so Caden is still awake when Kamy comes in for bed. They decided it was much more fun to stay awake and play and turn on the light and mess around than it was to actually go to sleep. Some nights have definitely been smoother than others, but we seem to have gotten past the biggest hurdle. Caden loves having Kamy in his room and asks every night, “Is Kamy going to sleep in my room tonight?” Every. Single. Night. =) They do love spending time together and getting to sleep in the same room is only icing on the cake!
Now that they are both in the same room, we are having to work out a few logistical issues … mainly who’s mess something is and who has to pick it up before they can come out of the room. The majority of the responsibility lies on Kamy’s shoulders, but Caden’s share is gradually increasing too. For now Caden has one side of the room and Kamy’s responsible for the other side. I have heard, “I cant” and “It’s too hard” as an excuse for why he shouldn’t have to pick up quite often, though I know he can do it. We’ve talked about moving to a joint effort policy where neither can come out until it is all picked up, regardless of who does it, but for now they have designated tasks for picking up.
For Memorial Day we went out to Linden to hang out and swim. The kids are like little water bugs and love spending time in the water. They were super pruned when they finally got out. Caden is fearless with his floaties on and will jump into the lake from the dock, no problem. Caden is still figuring out how to move through the water. He kicks his little feet but really defines “treading water” because he stays put despite his best efforts.
Caden is all boy. And one of his favorite things to do is mess around in the dirt. Double points for finding an ant hill and spreading the dirt all around. Fortunately he seems to leave the fire ant piles (mostly by the garden) alone, and harasses the smaller harmless ants instead. He has been bit a few times by fire ants but he gets over it pretty quickly and hasn’t seem phased (or to learn) from it. Silly boy!
Keller purchased a miniature quadcopter and both kids love to watch him fly it around. They’ve named it the Bumble Bee. Caden’s always telling it, “You are BUMble!” They think it is so much fun, especially when Daddy lands it in their hands.
Caden has always been super expressive with body language. When he doesn’t like something you said or told him not to do, you’ll get quite the stare. He’ll lower his eye brows and glare at you from across the room. If looks could kill he’d fully intend to use their power. Lol! He’ll also pout and collapse on the floor in a ball like a little turtle. At least his protests are quiet! =)
The kids love to go to the splash park down in Longview. With a Sonic across the street and half price drinks most of the time we go, we make a drink stop on the way in. Both kids like strawberry limeades, and you’d be surprised how little I actually got of the Route 44 I ordered … I think Caden drank half of it and it is nearly as big as he is!
