Happy Fall!
There is definitely a chill in the air now that it is officially fall. This sunset is our evening view out of our duplex's back deck. So if you can ignore the access road immediately behind us and the 435 highway off in the distance, it is a really pretty view.
There are a number of great reasons to live in a duplex:
1. Cleaning takes 30 minutes since we are only taking up half of a small place and only two bathrooms.
2. We pay less for utilities since we don't have a home phone or cable... which we don't miss.
3. We get out of the house more as a family and enjoy the outdoors. Now when it gets colder it won't be as easy to go swimming or to the many new parks we have found. We will visit the library more often now.
4. This location is very convenient next to the highway and many restaurants so I don't cook much. : )
Burke has been a very hungry boy. His sleeping patterns have not been very consistent. He has been waking up in the middle of the night asking for a snack.
What you can't see is that Burke's large purple bowl is full of POPCORN! He was having a ball holding this whole bowl full of snacks! He started giggling that turning into rolling laughter that I just love. He soon decided it was hilarious to stuff a whole fist full into his mouth at one time. My laughing could have quite possibly encouraged him a bit. When I asked if he would share with me, he tried to stuff a fist full in MY MOUTH and went into a huge fit of laughter. He realized I was about to put a stop to this large consumption of popcorn so he relocated to the hallway to hoard his popcorn prize.
Dad and Burke before they are off to school one morning. Aren't they good looking?
I can't decide who is cuter so I will keep them both.
Burke's manners have been complimented by his daycare teacher, Miss Chrissy. He is very good to say "No, Thank You!" when he doesn't want Gage around. He hands me things I ask for and before I have a chance to say "thank you" he says "welcome."
Evening routine of story time. Burke is becoming more independent and wants to read on his own by pointing out the pictures and naming them himself. He likes to read back to front frequently.
Burke still loves bath time and typically doesn't want to get out. He will stay in the tub after I have drained the water and flops around like a beached whale.
Daycare asked us a few weeks ago if we wanted them to start potty training. I honestly wasn't planning on starting the effort until he turned 2 years old. In fact, I had read boys are later so 2.5 was when we should press the issue. I wanted to wait until we had moved too. Well, there is not harm if they want to try right? Well, all Burke's friends at school are doing it and Burke was showing interest. I come to find out that when the kids successfully go potty they earn a skittle piece of candy. Of course Burke would want a skittle! I figured, if they wanted to try they could inform me of how it was going and I would avoid the effort until he was serious. Well, Miss Alicia at school told me that Wednesday 10/10 she had taken Burke to the bathroom to try to potty. She had pulled his pants down and pulled off his diaper. She was turning to toss the diaper in the trash and heard "plop." Burke had POOPED ON THE FLOOR! Poor Miss Alicia had to clean it up. He didn't quite know to wait one more moment until she had sat him down on the toilet. So, the story is that he is getting close to figuring it out, but until then, daycare is paying the price. Sorry Miss Alicia.
Now that Burke runs everywhere he goes it is common for him to bump his head, smash a finger or really just need some TLC. The terrible twos of whining are in full effect. We have learned a good old fashioned kiss on the head or hand will do the trick. Now he sticks his neck out for us to kiss his head. He even looks to Gage for sympathy and sticks his neck out expecting Gage to give it a kiss. We wish him luck on that one.
PUMPKIN PATCH VISIT
10/21/12
We visited the KC Pumpkin Patch in Gardner for our annual pumpkin visit this year. It had a ton of activities perfect for Burke's size, energy level and curiosity.
Barrels of baby pumpkins to choose from
Wooden trains to climb
Hay bale maizes to get lost in
Bouncy horses for a mini Kentucky Derby
Tractors to dig in the sand
Lots of pumpkins to choose from
Baby hops (rabbits)
Burke decided the best way to choose your pumpkin is to sit on it. Got One!
A beautiful fall Sunday Burke and I had fun at the Mill Creak Streamway Park with a photo shoot.
My favorite pic. We are growing his summer hair-do out so he appears extra fuzzy. ; )
We just love our happy guy!
This Halloween we put Burke to work as a Halloween UPS Delivery Man. Dan came up with the idea when changing a poopy diaper believe it or not!
Nonna is responsible for the awesome costume. Dan and I crafted his delivery truck out of cardboard boxes, a Radio Flyer Wagon, Sarah Wrap some duck tape and some print outs.
What can Brown do for you?
On Monday, October 22nd, Burke scarred us for a whole 5 minutes. It was after dinner and he ran into our bedroom and shut the door. This is not uncommon for him to shut doors, but it is uncommon for him to LOCK THEM! He was able to turn the lock and press it in at the same time. Dan yelled for me to grab a credit card to try to work the lock. Meanwhile I am calling our duplex landlord's maintenance number to see if they have a key and thinking of where our ladder is to climb to the roof and try to open the window from the outside. Burke was upset inside crying and knocking on the door and saying "mama." Luckily Dan's handiwork paid off and he was freed ...and was only in there for 5 minutes. Its seemed like an eternity.
Other fun things that Burke is saying...
1. Dada sweepin (sleeping)
2. Bless you (unprompted after I sneezed)
3. What happen?
4. Bennett NO! (school classmate's name is Bennett)
5. Fookball (football), Socccerball, Basketball, Baseball, (repeat)
6. His enunciation is quite impressive, sometimes he even repeats the last letter (i.e. Foottttt)
7. Got it!
Canterbury Day Care Party
SUGAR BUZZ!
Ms. Nicole- Our babysitter and Burke's favorite teacher
Hitting up the old neighborhood for candy and delivering packages of cookies.
Read the fine print
What can brown do for you?
