Croft Family

Friday, November 8, 2013

October 2013

Dan ran his 3rd half marathon this October. He completed the Kansas City Waddell Reed half marathon in approx. 1 hour and 50 minutes! His personal record. Burke and I cheered him on at his half way point on the plaza and then at the big finish. Way to go Dad!

Burke had an opinion on his Halloween costume this year.

As you can see there are many faces to this Amazing Spiderman.

Look at those muscles!

I joined Burke's school parade and party.

As one might suspect, there were a few other Spidermen. None took their muscle poses as seriously as Burke. These boys are 4.

The neighborhood all met at one house for a group photo. There were swarms of kids!

Here our immediate neighbor, Theo, was a fellow superhero. These boys are only 3 months apart in age so I am so happy they can grow up together.

A neighbor called the city of Shawnee fire department to come out and say hello this Halloween. Burke's jaw dropped in excitement.

Dan set out to take Burke trick or treating while I handed out candy at home. This was Burke's first year to really get the trick or treating concept. Dan reported that Burke was the slowest kid because he took his candy selection very seriously... at each and every house. Big decision for a 2.5 year old.

Saturday, October 5, 2013

September 2013

Uncle Dan is on a mission to convert Reid to a KSU fan. Considering Reid loves football this isn't to challenging. We took Reid to his first Wildcat football game this fall. He loved it!

Dan took Reid to experience a football toss competition that earned him a free XXL Tshirt.

We found Kerby Farm in Bonner Springs on fall Sunday afternoon.

We got lost in a corn maze, saw some farm animals, roped some pretend bulls and chose our pumpkins. Burke loved the tractors in the sand.

Puzzle maniac! This guy loves his puzzles. He is currently focused on mastering this 40+ piece Pirate puzzle.

Our sweet boy is on a bit of a roller coaster of emotions as a 2 and a half year old. One minute he is complimenting you on your dress and the next minute he tells us to go away. Here are a few of the wonderful sayings and conversations we are having right now with our son.

Conversations with Burke

Burke: Where do bananas come from?

Me: They grow on trees buddy.

Burke: Oh! Can we get one?

Burke: Where is your penis?

Nonna: I don't have one.

Burke: You lost it?

Me: Let's walk like spiders up the stairs.

Burke: Mom, lets be normal.

Me: Normal is boring.

Burke Sayings:

Burke asks questions and finishes with, "Ya or No?"
We have been working with him on manners. He has mastered, "May I be excused?"
Did you see that?
Do you want to come in my spaceship?
I'm done.
Clean it up. I made a little mess.
But can we leave this right here? Okay?
My face is really really dirty. I better clean it up.
My name is not Burt. My name is Burke.
I'm not the leader. I am Burke.
Okay Jose. No Way Jose.
I don't love that.
I will pick this for you.
I am a good helper.
Do you want some more?
May I have some more?
Sure!
We have hot dogs at the baseball game.
Quinn (friend at school) was in the circus. She was not nice to me.
I am telling on you.
Mason (friend at school) was not being nice.
Do that!
Dad, I don't like that voice.
Stop talking to me.

There are so many more things that he is saying. Too many to capture all. He is dreaming and telling us his dreams and the imagination is going wild. Now it is getting hard to know what really happened vs. what he is conjuring up in his brain. Such a fun time at the Croft house.

August 2013

This August was the first Camp Nonna.

Grandma came to KC to play with Burke while the Crofts, McGowns and Paceys enjoyed their 10th annual trip to the McGowns lake house in Lake of the Ozarks. We took an extra few days to relax and it was wonderful.

Unfortunately Grandma Jo took a turn for the worse while we were away so Nonna needed to head home to Wichita to take care of Gram. Aunt Nicole stepped in to watch Burke. Thank you to Nonna and Nicole for watching our little man so we could relax.

BUGS BUGS BUGS

Burke loves to find and squish bugs. He uses the new bug catcher that Nonna brought him to capture the grasshoppers.

Here Burke is outside of church investigating this bug. Watch out bug! Your future isn't looking good.

A trip to Shawnee shark pool before the end of summer.

This lazy river was a favorite.

Potty training in full effect.

Burke enjoys a good outdoor magazine on the pot just like his Papa.

Unfortunately Grandma Jo progressively got worse in one week at the hospital. She wasn't improving and had made her wishes clear that she didn't want to live on life support. Nicole and I were able to make a trip to Wichita to see her and say our goodbyes.

Gram passed away on Labor Day this year. We were all so sad to see her go, but know between her mind and then her body failing her, she was going to a wonderful place where Grandpa Don was waiting for her. The funeral was beautiful and the family had a chance to see one another.

Sunday, July 21, 2013

July 2013

Happy 4th of July!!!

This time last year we were moving out of our Noble Street House and into our duplex in 108 degree heat. We are so relieved that we were able to enjoy this holiday in our new home and entertain the McGowns and Paceys.

McGowns

Daytime Fireworks. Burke's first sparklers.

This semi truck was Burke's favorite firework.

Summertime = pooltime

Potty training is in full swing. A little reading to pass the time.

Hey Mom. A little privacy please.

Burke Quotes:

1. Mom. Do you want to come in my space ship?

2. Plip Plops (Flip flops)

3. Leave me alone!

4. I squish it! (bugs)

Funny Burke. While preparing dinner one night I heard Burke saying, "Mommy, I'm tuck (stuck)!"
I had to giggle while we coaxed out of his tight spot...that he got himself into. Ha ha.

We headed to Manhattan for Dan's family reunion. Dan and I dropped Burke off with Grandma and headed out for a quick date night drink at the Little Apply Brewery.

The next morning all three of us headed out to the beautiful Konza Prairie Trail. It was about a 3 mile hike. Thank goodness we had our BOB stroller to cover the rough terrain. Burke enjoyed the bumpy ride. Yes Dan pushed Burke up this hill!

What a view!

My explorers.

It was fun to be free and just run!

Trail blazers.

We had a fun morning exploring the Konza. We then stopped at the KState Gardens (not pictured) to check it out. On our way back to Karyl's we spotted a pig competition at the Manhattan Fair Grounds. It was Burke's first pig show. After snorting at the big pigs we went back to grandma's house.

STITCHES!!!

After we were back at Grandma's house Burke was not cooperating to take a nap. He was running around grandma's house like a crazy man. Dan was out running errands and I had snuck in a shower before we were going to head out to the reunion. I was loading up the car with our suitcases and Burke decided to play in the stand up shower while I had my hands full.

Burke slipped stepping out of the shower and fell, hitting his chin on the metal frame of the shower.
He immediately screamed out in pain and I ran into the bathroom to scoop him up. When he tipped his chin up in the air to cry I immediately knew we would need a trip to the doctor to get stitches. Dan arrived shortly afterwards and helped calm Burke down and get us loaded up in the car.

The urgent care gave him 3 stitches. Burke was a fighter, but I wouldn't know. The doctor only wanted one parent in the room for the procedure. I am glad I didn't have to watch them restrain my baby. He was red and sweaty yelling, "You don't touch me!" to the nurse at the end of it. Thanks Dan for handling that one. Burke was spoiled with juice, a popsicle and stickers when it was over.

A week later I took him to the PA in KC and she removed his 3 stitches. He cried but did really well. He told me his chin was on fire. He was rewarded with ice cream and quickly forgot about it. There is still a scar but you can't see until he tips his chin up.

I have a feeling this will not be our last trip to urgent care for stitches.

Dan turned 33! Karyl came to town to help celebrate his birthday. Here is his beloved KSU rock that Karyl gave him. It has been placed with pride at the front of our house.

Burning off some energy at the Ernie Miller Nature Park.

Grandma Karyl is a great playmate. Tea for two?

Burke went to see his first movie in the theater. Both boys were excited since it was Disney's "Planes."
Burke sat still for the first hour and inhaled the popcorn.
After an hour he announced. " I'm done!" We spent that last 20 minutes talking and wiggling. Then we ran laps in the halls of the theatre for the last 10 minutes so Dan could finish the movie.