Visit to Grandma and Pappy

Paul had tons of fun today playing at Grandma and Pappy's. He especially liked playing with the cat, "Oatmeal," and his new Cars toys and big train track. He and Pappy had lots of giggles while watching Thomas.

Parachute

This morning we followed some instructions on the internet and made a parachute for his toys to go sailing down the steps. We had gotten to throw some parachutes when we went to the children's museum a while ago, and he had had fun with that. He had a ton of fun sending his toys overboard.

I'm so, so glad he is finally feeling better and back to himself. He had a really bad cold that turned into an ear infection. That ear infection made him so incredibly miserable! He still has to take medicine for several more days.

Sick Kid

God bless Grandma for coming and taking care of this sick kid for a while today while Shawn and I worked on the baby room. Paul's been sick since late last week. He has had a low fever and been extremely congested. Yesterday, he coughed very hard and then vomited violently. The whole time he kept asking, "What's happening to me?" Fortunately, he hasn't thrown up since. He is still a mess of phlegm. I hope he feels better soon!

Bryce's Birthday Party

We had lots of fun at Bryce's 2nd birthday party on Sunday. We found Lauren's house in Monessen without any trouble. Paul loved playing with all Bryce's toys. He did a good job sharing with prompting, and a good job showing Rachel how to use some of the toys. He had fun playing with Rachel in the little ball tent. It was great to see baby Charlotte for the first time.

Reese's Birthday Party

We had lots of fun at my friend Brook's daughter Reese's 3rd birthday party this weekend. It was at a gym in Morgantown. All the kids and adults got to jump on the trampolines and play in the big foam block pits. Paul had a ball playing on the equipment and running around with the other kids and it was nice to visit with Keli, Gina and Brook.

The Story of Peterbuilt

Paul is absolutely obsessed with the movie Cars. We have watched it almost every day since Christmas, when Grandma Cowan got it for him. We have also been going to Big Lots a lot because we've been getting storage containers to clean out the stuff in our spare bedroom. We've been getting Paul a Cars toy each trip and he has been really enjoying them. One time we went and he wanted two trucks, Mack and Peterbuilt. We got him Mack, who was the more prominent character. He talked about Peterbuilt nonstop after we got home. It was really the first toy he begged us for. I told him he would have to do some work to earn it.

I told Paul Mommy and Daddy had to put their heads together and come up with some jobs for him to do. He kept saying, "Can you put your heads together?" and he wanted to put his head together with me. Later that night he was reluctant to walk past Cana who was in his way. We encouraged him to step over her and he did and we told him what a good job he did. He asked, "Can I have my truck?" We told him he'd have to do some work to earn it.

Finally the next day, I made him a list of 3 jobs that we'd do: clean the bookshelf and the mat and fold the laundry. He helped me with each job and we crossed them off the list. He was so excited when we finally went back to Big Lots and got his truck. He told everyone how he earned his Peterbuilt.

Piano Man

Paul was having fun "reading" music and playing the keyboard in Shawn's office the other day.

Salt Box

Yesterday we took a walk down across the road for a change. Paul likes to hear about how Great Grandpap Paul would put a big block of salt in these boxes and all the cows would come around and lick them. He decided to get in and explore!

Singing to the Groundhog

When we walk past groundhog holes, Paul asks, "What's in there?" I tell him the groundhogs are sleeping in there for the winter. Now, he wants to sing lullabies to the groundhogs whenever we walk past!

New Year's Day

Today I had a great and much needed nap with Paul. Then, he had a really fun time helping Shawn put together his new art easel. He even helped him read the directions.

New Year's Eve

We had a fun New Year's Eve. Paul got to go outside and bang pots and pans and yell "Happy New Years!! He banged the pots so hard he broke my wooden spoon twice! Then we had a lovely evening hanging out with Chris and Becky. I stayed up till 2am!