My baby just wrote me a letter...

A few weeks ago, Caleb and I watched an episode of Sesame Street in which Elmo and Abby wrote letters back and forth to one another. Well, this morning, Caleb told me that he wanted to write a letter for Daddy. I thought that was really sweet, so I got him a pen and some paper. As he started, I was impressed because he remembered that he needed to start with "Dear Daddy". He wrote that, and then we had this conversation:

Mommy: OK, now what would you like to say to Daddy in the letter?
Caleb: I have to write him a letter.
Mommy: I know, so what do you want to say to him? Do you want to say, "hi" or "I love you"or something else?
Caleb: No! I want to write him a letter.
Mommy: You are writing him a letter.
Caleb: But I want to write him a "W'!
Mommy (Now on the same page): Oh! You want to write him an alphabet letter!
Caleb: Yes!

I spent a few minutes trying to explain that there are two types of letters, but quickly gave up on that! So, here's my sweet little guy's finished "letter".

Burley Reunion

On Saturday, we attended the annual Burley Reunion. We had a lot of fun visiting with everyone. There weren't very many people there this year, but my Aunt Anne from Texas, who we don't get to see often, was able to be there, so that was exciting for us. Caleb really enjoyed his Uncle Happy this year. I think they have similar personalities, so it was fun watching them interact. Caleb also had a blast playing Tag and Hide and Seek with his cousin, Caroline. Here are a few pictures from the day:

Ilona's Birthday

Last Sunday, our dear friends, Mat and Nikki, celebrated their daughter's first birthday! Ilona is one of the sweetest little girls we know, and we just adore her. Caleb has been doting on Ilona since he first met her in the hospital, and she thinks everything he says and does is hilarious. They are really cute to watch.

I also got to see an old friend of mine (and Mat's sister) at the party. Robin and I were good friends for about 10 years, but I hadn't seen her since right after her daughter, Nova, was born. Nova is 5 now! It was nice catching up with her and spending time with Nova.

Calebism #1-
Caleb: What's that friend's name?
Mommy: Nova
Caleb: Wow! That's a pretty good name!

Calebism #2-
As we were leaving,
Ms. Nikki: Thanks for coming, Caleb.
Caleb: Thanks for having cake!
He sure does have his priorities! :)

Here are a few pictures of our precious future daughter-in-law. Are betrothals legal in the US? :)

Also here's an old video clip of Ilona laughing at Caleb when she was about 8 months old:

Overdue Post #4- Zoo Trip

A couple of Fridays ago, Caleb and I went to the zoo. Yes, it was stinkin' hot, and yes, we still had fun! We were really excited about seeing the new lion cubs. The zoo was supposed to be alternating them, two at a time, during visiting hours, but there were four in there when we went by! Here's a cute picture of one of them cuddling with a stuffed animal:



One of Caleb's favorite things to do at the zoo is to feed the goats. He is really sweet and always makes sure that every goat gets some food, even if it means staying at the exhibit for 15 minutes waiting for one goat to wake up and come get his share! Here's a pic of that groggy goat!



As we were making our way into the barn, Caleb got a really sad look on his face. I asked him what was wrong.
Caleb: Oh no, Mommy. Did you see that sign? It says, "Do not feed the goats."
I looked over and saw this:



I explained that the sign was only referring to the specific plants in that area and NOT to the pellets we'd just fed the goats. He was very relieved!

Next, was lunch at the oh-so-classy- Kenya Cafe, where I purchased a little tiger lunchbox for Caleb. He, however, was adamant that it was NOT a lunchbox, but a tiger PAIL! Not sure what that was about, but he enjoyed it nonetheless.



During lunch I asked Caleb what he wanted to see next. Although he's never shown any interest in it before, he was insistent we go see the turkey. The turkey? Really, Caleb? The gross, wrinkly-headed, evil-eyed, snood-toting turkey?

So, back to the barn we went. Once there, he walked right up to the turkey, said hey, and proceeded to hold a short conversation with it, before saying, "See ya later, turkey" and waving goodbye. Random! As we were walking away, the turkey jumped up on the rail! Perhaps they were hatching an evil plot!



We always allow Caleb to pick one "extra" activity to do per visit to the zoo (either the pony rides, the carousel, or the train ride). This time around, he picked the train ride, which, I have to admit, was really fun. The nice "conductor" snapped this photo for us:



Here's a picture of the closed hippo exhibit-Montgomery the Hippo was euthanized earlier in the week. :( Montgomery was one of only 4 original animals still living at Riverbanks since the park opened in 1974!. The others include a flamingo, a male Siamang named Solo, and a female white-faced saki named Sterling. I think it's pretty neat that Caleb gets to see a few of the same animals that I enjoyed when I was his age.



Sometimes I think the kids enjoy these statues more than they do the actual animals. We actually had to wait in line to get these pictures! What?!? Maybe they just like the hands-on aspect of it.




Calebism-
While walking through the zoo, Caleb started looking up at some really tall trees...

Caleb: Wow. Look at those giant trees Mommy.
Mommy: Those are giant trees!
Caleb: Yep. Do you know what those trees are called?
Mommy: What?
Caleb: Goliath trees

Overdue Post #3- Brady's Party

My cousin's adorable son, Brady, celebrated his 2nd birthday last weekend! He loves (understatement of the year) baseball and is very good at playing too! They were able to pull some strings and have his party at Sarge Frye Field! What an awesome place for his baseball party! Caleb had a blast. Here are a few pictures from the party:




Watch Brady pitch!

Overdue Post #2- Potty Training

As most of you know, we have had a long and arduous journey trying to potty train Caleb. It has resulted in many tears being shed (from both sides) and just frustration in general. I have read all the books, watched every DVD, tried every piece of advice given, and, while it is all great, in theory, none of it has worked for us! Since Isaac's sister and family were coming to town for a week, Isaac and I decided to put the "training" on hold. We knew there would be too much going on to attempt it.

The Emery's left on Sunday, so I decided to use Monday to get Caleb back on his regular schedule and then dive back into training on Tuesday. So, first thing Monday morning, I was putting a dry pull-up on Caleb, when, to my surprise, he said he needed to pee pee in the potty! We hurried to the bathroom and he used the potty like he'd been doing it all year! It's been two weeks now and he's only had 3 accidents (2 of which occurred on the way to the potty)! He even used the potty at Target on Saturday!

So, although I get a little weepy-eyed when folding Caleb's big boy underwear, I am VERY excited that he has entered this new phase.

Congratulations to my big boy!!

Overdue Post #1- Visiting with the Emery Family!

Well, first off, let me apologize for my lack of posting these past few weeks. I've been fairly busy and have had a lot on my mind. But, quit your crying...I'm back!

So, without further ado, here come the updates!

The first week in July, Isaac's sister and her family were in town from Pennsylvania! It was SO good to get to see April, Pat and our amazing nieces, Grace and Abigail. We don't get to see them often, but, when we do, it's always SO much fun. As I've told them before, it's always nice to be around people you don't have to pretend to like!

Our time with them included lots of hanging out, a trip to Edventure and even a He-Man surprise party for Patrick's 30th birthday! Here are some of the many pictures from their visit. April took a lot of pictures as well, so I'll post a few of hers when I get them.




"Calebisms" from that week-

1.) Caleb was reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar to Grace. He had read it three times and each time he finished Grace would
ask him to read it again. The fourth time...
Grace: Again
Caleb: ::sigh:: OK, I'll read it one more time, and then we have to put it away.
(Welcome to my world, Caleb!)

2.) While looking at a picture of Abigail-
Caleb: Aww, that cutie face is so good!