Sickness Continued: Outdoor Adventure

Earlier in the day yesterday I was feeling better, so we all went down to the creek to go fishing. Paul had a blast throwing snowballs in the creek and building a snowman with Daddy. He got a little tired for the way home, so Shawn had to carry him. Last night I got pretty sick again. We were planning to go to Walmart and buy a new high chair after Paul threw up all over his. We're going to try again today.

Sickness Continued: Mommy Gets It

Well, I got it on Friday, I woke up sick at 3 am and threw up a few times in the morning. I was sicker that day than I can remember being. I didn't have the energy to move an inch. God Bless Shawn for taking the day off and entertaining Paul. They made gingerbread cookies together.

Sickness Continued: Making Soup

We thought we might get to go have a play date with Kate, Brian and Liam on Friday, so on Thursday we made some chicken noodle soup. He helped me pick the bone and enjoyed chewing on it a bit! Ha, ha, ha, our play date was not to be...Paul threw up again Thurs and Fri., and Friday I got sick.

Sickness Takes Over the House

Paul got a very bad stomach flu that started Monday. He threw up several times Monday and Tuesday and once a day Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. It's Sunday and he's still not feeling back to normal. We have been stuck in the house for a long time. We have been pulling out all the stops to entertain him. He has enjoyed playing Connect Four. Even though he doesn't understand the rules, he likes filling the "net" up with checkers and then pulling the lever to release them.

Helping Haul Wood

I'm not sure what day this was from, last week or the week before when it was warmer. Paul was hauling wood they tore out of Joy's room up to the burn pile for Daddy.

Fun Saturday

We had a busy day yesterday. We had a birthday party for the Borngorni twins at 12:30 so I wanted to wear Paul out in the morning so he'd nap beforehand. We went for a long walk in the crazy wind all the way up to the electrical tower. Paul was pretty tough to keep walking through all that wind. He was wind burnt the rest of the day. When we got back we found a slew of yellow flowers blooming below the lilac tree. It's hard to see them in the pictures but you can see a couple glimpses of yellow.

I left home at 11 for the party that started at 12:30 so hopefully he would get a good nap and I was successful. I stopped at the Amish place in Burgettstown to see about some swingsets. Paul had tons of fun at the party playing with all the toys and kids. I appreciated Clay entertaining Paul a bit while I talked with the ladies. It was good to see Stan from Alpha Xi and a bunch of random Burgettstown people. I also got to meet Fina's niece for the first time. Paul enjoyed his cupcake; he had it all over his face.

We stopped to see grandma and grandpa afterward and Paul had lots of fun playing. He loves to visit the kitties on the porch.

Spring is Springing!!

Paul and I both had a fun day at MOPs. We enjoyed the sunshine for a few minutes before naptime when we got home. Paul was thrilled because the train he has been so excited about, Scruff, arrived in the mail while we were gone. He hasn't really put him down since. That is the latest thing he earned from his sticker chart.

After Paul's nap we played outside for a long time. He helped Shawn put his tailgate liner back in the truck and carry debris from Joy's room up to the burn pile. We have been having fun playing in the sandbox during these warm days. I think we are going to have to get a bigger sandbox.

We also used our Bob Evan's gift card from Jim Mounts this evening. Paul and Shawn were having a serious conversation over some chicken noodle soup and sweet potato fries!

Ready for the Garden

We were thrilled to play outside for so long today! Paul is ready to start work on the garden. He was asking if there were any peas popping up yet. The only thing we have coming up yet is some of the ubiquitous mint. I'm glad he's excited to help!

Visit with Lauren, Bryce and Charlotte

We were happy to get to have a play date with Lauren, Bryce and Charlotte yesterday. Paul and Bryce were watching some of Toy Story in the picture. They had lots of fun playing with Bryce's toys. It was a good opportunity for both of them to practice sharing!

Sticker Chart Accomplished!

Last week we began using a sticker chart with Paul. He was starting to beg for many different toys so we had to come up with a way for him to earn them. Overall it has worked very well. When he asks for a toy, now we just remind him how many more stickers he needs. He had to fill up 2 grids to earn a toy (18 stickers). It took him not quite a week I think to fill up each grid. That seemed to be a reasonable amount of time. Yesterday he filled up his second set of grids. His toy "Scruff" is on the way in the delivery truck. I am proud of my hard little worker!

Paul's Valentine

Paul was so excited to get a Valentine in the mail from Alivia Andria, a new awesome tractor! He loves it, especially putting his toys in the scoop.

Beautiful Run

It was cold and snowy this morning but I was glad I ran. Not only because it keeps Cana sane but because it sure was beautiful. Here is the Mounts farm, looking very pretty in the sun and snow.

Superbowl XLV

The outcome of Superbowl XLV was not what anybody wanted, but we did manage to have some fun. Like the last Superbowl, Paul had wardrobe changes, only one this time. He was excited to wear his Steelers clothes just like mommy and daddy. At half time, Chris, Becky and Becky's daughter Brett joined us. Paul really liked visiting with Brett's birds and was quite fascinated with them. Brett also played with his trains with him and chased him around the kitchen. Having good company helped distract us from the bitter defeat!

Funny Kid

This one just has to make you laugh!

Making Pasta

We made homemade pasta last night. It was our first time making whole wheat pasta and it took some work to figure it out. Paul was helping with his own bit of dough. He was very patient while we figured it out. It sure was delicious when it was all done, Paul enjoyed it too.

Aidan and Emerson's Birthday Party

Paul had a great time at Aidan and Emerson's birthday party. Aidan has a big train table and lots of trains and cars, so Paul was quite entertained. I was glad Aidan liked his train books so much.

Outside, Yay!

Even though it was still cold, it was really great to be out in the sunshine today! It did Paul and I both a lot of good even though it was a crazy no-nap day.

Visit with Cousin Brian

We had dinner and a play date with Kate, Brian and Liam last night. Liam is getting so big and is such a sweet baby. Paul had so, so much fun playing with Brian and all of his toys. Brian had The King from Cars and Paul played with it almost the whole time. They had fun hiding in Brian's tent and tunnel. They played for a long time with Brian's awesome train track. It was funny that Paul kept calling Brian "Tugs" and Brian kept calling Paul "Bryce." All the way home Paul begged me for some milk in a "blue cup with a lid and a straw" just like Brian's. He drank more white milk than I think he ever did in his life when we got home. Good thing I had the same cup! Today he kept asking when we were going to Brian's house again. The best part for me was that someone else was entertaining Paul for a while!