Special Events with the cousins

I swiped the computer from the kids and posted several times.

So while we've been watching my nephew and nieces, there have been a couple fun things to do.  Wednesday night we went to a Christmas-tree lighting hosted by the housing facility.  I didn't actually take a picture of the tree, being too enamored of the Navy Brass ensemble.

Sorry, it was hard to get a good picture.  But you can also see the Marine Corps serviceman ready to collect for Toys for Tots.  When Delaney saw him, she exclaimed, "You look like my daddy!  He wears that too."

They also had a Santa come and hand out age-appropriate loot for the kids.  Santa sippy cups for the toddlers, cute pen and paper sets for the next set (Callie and Delaney) and recorders for Joshua and Marian.  I'm sure I should be happy the kids are happy, but recorders should be listed under torture, not toys. 

Nachos and hot dogs were served, but Camden's only interest was the cookies.  I love how he's just happy hanging out with his cousins and watching all the activity.

I did take him to see Santa and Camden behaved rather predictably to sitting on a stranger's lap.

I love how he is clutching the cookie and candy cane so fiercely and yet, so unhappily!

Fortunately, the water-works and volume decreased significantly once he was restored to the proper person.  And he has almost calmed enough to care about the cookie.

Today we encouraged the kids to clean the house, by holding out a double lure - no screen time til the chores are done AND we would go to a cool park.  I thought that some of them would sleep in, but no!  When I got up at seven, everybody was awake but Rylee.  Callie informed me she and Marian had already cleaned their room, except for vacuuming.  Sweet!  After breakfast, Joshy and Marian and Callie got to serious work.  I wish I had pictures.  Marian vacuumed and wiped baseboards.  The three of the worked together to beat the rugs and sweep and mop the upstairs areas.  Joshy even cleaned the front door.  I am so impressed with how hard they worked.  We were all done by nine.

So we went to this nifty park that a friend told us about.  It was more geared to the older kids, but Rylee had no trouble finding fun either.

This was a popular item for Rylee and Camden both - it rocked very well. 

Mom and I were very impressed that Rylee scaled this wall, no trouble, no fear.  At the top, Rylee exclaimed, "I did it!  I climbed!"

The park had several variations of this sort of spinning top toy.  I like this picture because you can actually see Marian smiling.  

Everybody but Rylee is swinging around here.  Marian and Joshua were great at keeping the spinning motion going. 

Grandma helped Camden get into the spinning, as well.  As you can see, Camden liked it.  He gave a cute laugh every time he spun around.

Not the best picture of Callie (she isn't a snotty kid), but it shows how cool the park is.  

Here is Marian in her favorite place - Up.

Another day

So my mom and I have been watching my sister's kids this last week and it's been pretty good.  Rebecca has five kids, ages ten to two, but they are easy!  Camden is more work than her five put together.  Probably a sad commentary on my own parenting skills, but hey, Rebecca's brood are still alive and well after all this time.  And there hasn't even been any blood spilt.

The days have been quick and the pattern is nice.  Up at 6:30 to get breakfast made, help Marian make her lunch, and referee computer time before Joshua, Marian and Callie walk to the school just down the block.  Then Mom and I take Delaney and Rylee and Camden out for a walk around the base.

To discourage Camden from wanting out too soon, I started driving over the raised reflectors and popping some small wheelies.  Camden and Rylee were delighted and giggled and laughed together in the cutest fashion.  Delaney thinks they should get married when they grow up.  I decided consanguinity is too complicated to explain.

Play at home (or run to the thrift store or commisary and have Camden melt-down on the way home), then have lunch and let the toddlers nap, while Mom and I have freedom!  And Delaney plays on the computer.

Since there is a park across the street from her house, the younger kids and I have spent most afternoons there.  

At first I thought she was really stuck, but no, she just thought this was a very fun place to sit - in the hole.

Here is Delaney explaining some of her thoughts, which are often entertaining and quite random.

The older kids are quite vigorous and roam through the woods to exciting adventures and fun discoveries.  

I have no idea how Marian manages to climb so high and so very well, especially wearing just flip-flops.

While we play, Mom usually fixes dinner (which means putting in some meal Rebecca thoughtfully prepared and put in the freezer before she left).  Then it's homework time or play time and then scripture-reading time and then bedtimes.  So one doesn't typically get much of a breather after dinner until 8:30 or later.

But it has been very fun.  The girls are always delighted if the "Tickle Monster" makes an appearance.  And these kids aren't whiners nor complainers nor unpleasant to be around at all.  They are fantastic and silly and great helpers.  But I am very glad not to be the only adult!

Why I don't have a girl

Rylee needed a re-style after her nap yesterday, so I tried my hand at creating a pig-tail.  

How hard could it be?

And you know what?  My mom watched me do this without offering even a suggestion or helpful hint!  And then she laughed and laughed at my lousy style.  Poor Rylee!  I did better on my second attempt.  

What we've been up to

Oh, we've had adventures out the whazoo, but since we didn't take any pictures of the interesting things - including Thanksgiving, you only get a view of the mundane things I've managed to capture.   

Here is Camden climbing up to the treehouse at Grandma & Grandpa's house.  This picture is most significant because it shows off Camden's new boots.  Camden really wanted to wear Grandpa's shoes, but was persuaded to accept these instead.  

Camden was also thrilled to meet the chickens.  They were less happy to see him. 

Here is Camden, just chillin' at Aunt Rebecca's house!  

He looks older than he is in this picture, I think.

 

We attended story time at the local library near Rebecca's house, which has this super cool castle inside.  Little Rylee is peeking through the window!

Delaney and Rylee and Camden enjoyed storytime a great deal, especially as there was a fun craft cutting and gluing afterwards.  Unfortunately, the fire alarm went off as things were finishing up and the kids seemed quite concerned about the library burning down, a concern enhanced by the fire trucks showing up.  We tried to persuade them it was just a practice to help people know what to do just in case there was a fire sometime and we even drove by the library later to see that it was undamaged and open.

Camden and Rylee, who is just 6 months older, have a sort of fun-fighting relationship.  They are either having a great time together, or shoving and crying over the same toy.  Fortunately, as the days have passed, the ratio of fun to fighting has improved.  

Grandma and the kids and I have enjoyed taking walks in the morning.  

We've probably ruined the harmony that previously existed for Rebecca, specifically that her kids may no longer be happy to ride in the stroller while she runs.  Camden loves to run alongside (and get distracted by everything!) and Rylee wanted to join in.  Delaney walked a bit too, but not as long.  Grandma harnessed the eager energy of Rylee and Camden into helping push her stroller along, conveniently corralling them at the same time!

Jumping

Camden is eager to learn to jump.  He just hasn't figured it out yet.  But he discovered he could get air by hopping off of tall things, like boxes or the fireplace and more.  Except, he more topples off, or just plain falls forward, happily confident that he will be caught.  This is one of his favorite games to play, especially with his daddy.  Check it out.

Since Dan began with counting up to three, using his fingers, Camden indicates he is about to jump by holding up one finger.  

Okay, so it's definitely more like leaning than jumping.  

See, here's the warning.

He's about to pounce!

This is the best game ever!!   

And, yeah, Camden is in the phase where he loves to be nakee.  So we let him run around a bit before bedtime in this fashion.  Also, this toy has somehow disappeared.  The top part was getting a little wobbly- no doubt not accustomed to this sort of abuse.  

Belated Halloween pics

We didn't actually take Camden out on Halloween because he experienced all the fun already at our ward Trunk-or-Treat.  I probably should have gone to more effort to dress my child in a super cute outfit, but I've been pretty distracted by other things lately.  I thought he would make a great Yoda - he already has the hair and ears.  

So here is his extremely elaborate Yoda costume.  

I guess he looks more like an Ewok here.

Dan took Camden around the Trunk-or-Treat, while I manned our own trunk.  Camden seemed to enjoy the experience and getting more stuff in his basket.  He didn't say much, but by the end of the night, he learned two new words:  candy and chocolate.

We let him have a KitKat bar afterwards.  He kept saying, "like it! like it! More! Please?"  So cute!  After Camden went to bed, we doled out the candy into a couple piles - for Daddy, to hand out on Halloween, and for Camden - which was mostly stuff that wouldn't choke him or make a horrendous mess during ingestion.  Yeah, we deprive our child.  But he made out like a bandit and as hyper as he is already, I'm pretty sure he doesn't need any extra sugar calories!  So Dan and I sucked it up and took the hit for the team.  :)

A pumpkin patch

Seems like going to the pumpkin patch is a great Fall activity for kids.  So when I learned of one around here that is free, including the petting zoo, I was super excited to take Camden.

He really liked running around the pumpkin enclosure.  Even after he tripped and fell over and bit his tongue.

I just think he's so darn cute!

Camden was completely enamored of the animals.  We got animal feed for 50 cents and Camden was enchanted that the goats would nibble his fingers.  He didn't quite understand that he should open his fist so they could actually eat the food.  Poor teased animals.

They had a pony ride, which did cost money, but my very nice friend surprised me when she bought a ride for her girls and for Camden.  He loved the ride and was crushed when he had to get off.  Fortunately, this place is wise and immediately offered a piece of candy (your choice) when the ride was over.  I was able to bribe Camden with a string of Sixlets, which lasted all the way to the car.  Hooray!  

All in all, a really successful time.  I'll probably take Camden there once a week next October.  

Too many words

Okay, so I didn't realize how loud Camden's regular voice is until today at church, during the passing of the sacrament, when my precocious little boy repeated several times "nakee".  Hopefully, other people are more reverent than I am - I had to seriously repress the giggles.

A year and a half!

Camden believes he is the best helper ever.  He also wants to do exactly what Mommy and Daddy do - put toilet paper in the potty (even if you are in the way), stir the pancake batter (and stir and stir and stir but never actually cook them), use knives and drills and MP3 players, and paint.  He is getting so tall that we are running out of places to put things so they remain out of reach.  Everything that can be child-locked is, but it's still insufficient.  He has discovered that even though the drawer won't open all the way, he can snake his tiny hand in and have access to lots of things!

Here are his current stats:
Weight:  22 lbs 13 oz,  14%
Height:   33.25 in,  78%
Head:     48.5 cm,  70%

So we have a scrawny, skinny, tall boy.

Camden is obsessed with climbing and being taller to reach more things.  He thinks everything squatty is meant to be a step-stool, whether it be his child-size chair or a box or a paint can or a laundry basket or a shelf.  He moves his kiddy-chair all over to increase access and to watch me cook.

He is just an adorable boy!  

He found Dan's fedora and loved putting it on, but I couldn't get a good picture and he was so darn cute!  He just kept running up to me or too far away.  I need a faster camera!

He is getting really proficient with talking.  When I am cooking, I mostly hear "like it! like it!" especially if he sees vanilla or sugar or chocolate chips.  He also says "hold you" a lot and please.  The other day he was sitting in his car seat babbling "tank oo" over and over.  It was so cute!  He sometimes grabs one of Dan's lunch bags, throws it over his shoulder and says "ready? car? go!"

Camden loves peek-a-boo games, but he only recently started covering his face with his hands to play.

Where's Camden?

Here he is!

This kid is a teaser too.  If I say "Camden, don't walk in the street," then he walks one foot on the curb, one foot on the grass.  And sometimes, he will do something naughty and look at me impishly, watching to see just what I'm going to do about it.  I thought this stage didn't happen til later!  More often though, he will barely obey and push the edge to see exactly where it is.  Since I'm not too sure myself sometimes, it gets tricksy!

Biggest frustrations lately

Okay, so life with Camden has actually been quite frustrating lately.  He has passed the phase where he wants to please Mom and Dad more than he wants what he wants.  I knew this day would come, but it's sure lousy!  The parts of life I dislike most right now involved putting clothes on Camden, changing his diaper, and putting him in the carseat.  For some reason, he has decided that these things are all too horrendous to allow and there is usually a great deal of wiggling and crying throughout.

Anyway, Dan found this video made by the relative of a friend, which adequately demonstrates what life is like now.  It's only two minutes, but it makes me laugh - it's so true!

18 Reasons not to have Kids 

But I have to say, these still aren't reasons not to have a kid.  Cause even though I'm annoyed and I don't know how to persuade Camden not to put his hand in his crotch when I'm wiping poop from his man-parts, and I REALLY dislike the battle to buckle the carseat --  Camden has the BEST belly laugh ever.  And he says "tank oo" and "love oo" and "like it" and is absolutely adorable in a hundred ways.  Plus, he gives hugs (if he's not busy doing something else or mad at you) and snuggles you for a whole second before getting back to pulling things apart.  Camden is a great boy!

Attention, everybody!

We have an announcement to make!  At the end of March next year, the number of children in our family will double.  Yes, we are having another kid!  And it looks like it will probably be a boy.

As great as our firstborn is, we are pretty excited for his sibling to arrive!

What I had for my birthday

Okay, really, it was just for dessert.  Not dinner.  And I didn't actually eat all that by myself!  Oh, but it was very yummy!  

In case you wanted to see that it is layered, with a chocolate-crushed-vanilla-wafer crust, a caramel layer (with toasted pecans on top), covered by delicious chocolate cheesecake.  I drizzled leftover caramel, melted chocolate and extra pecans on top.  

I had a lot of fun planning it out and making it, but tasting it was still the best part!

Camden update

Camden is now 17 months old, but in some ways he seems way ahead, especially in the tantrum-throwing department.  Either getting his way has become much more important all of sudden, or all the things he wants to do are not things I want him to do!  This leads to some frustrating times for both of us.  But he is also a darn cute kid and so fun.

Camden likes to read, or at least, have someone read books to him.  Mostly he likes to turn the pages and hear the same ones over and over.  

He's actually growing hair!  Dan says it is a mullet and we should probably cut it, but it curls a bit in the back and is quite adorable.  Besides, at this point, our kid won't hold still for a diaper change.  I suspect a haircut could be dangerous.

Camden LOVES going to the park.  I thought he was too little, but we started going a month ago and he wants to try everything.  

He likes climbing the big kid ladders, and he does very well, but I still like to stand there and hold on to make sure he doesn't fall. 

Slides are his absolute favorite!  And he is almost fearless, too.  Although the are a couple slides he will not go down a second time.

We went to the local bass pro shop and Camden liked these "toys" out front more than he enjoyed the aquarium and indoor pond of fish.  

 Camden is a copy-cat.  He wants to do whatever he sees other people doing.  Since he has seen us playing Wackee Six, he likes to play with cards and smack them on the table.  The carpet guy came last week to stretch the carpet.  Yesterday Camden was laying on the floor, stabbing the edge of the carpet with a fork.  If I am stirring a pot, Camden wants to do it too.

We had a family home evening about prayer a month or so ago and here is the result:

 Camden thinks we should pray a lot more!  Every time he sits at the table, every time we bring our plate to the table, before naptime, before bedtime, before Daddy leaves for work in the morning, and any other time he feels like it - Camden will clasp his hands and say "pray?"  It's awfully cute and a very good reminder for me!

Our boy just loves to be outside.  Unfortunately, whenever he is in the yard, he thinks we need to turn on the hose.  Which typically involves a good bit of drenching, me and him.  

Our son has become a parrot - he repeats the last word of just about everything I say.  Makes me much more careful about my final words!  It's so cute to hear him try to say what I'm saying.  Camden does know a lot of words though.  I started keeping track of words he definitely correlated to items or actions properly and he knows about 100 words.  He seems to pick up a new one every day.  His latest acquisitions are diaper, song, again, and watch, as in to watch what someone is doing.  He also knows things like cookie, poop, oven, noodles, rice, toys, chair, and sippy.

Things he says most often - "doin'"  as in, what are you doing?     "water" which he says ALL the time, and has even said in his sleep.  "Down" because he does not like being confined in his carseat, so a minute or two after beginning a ride, he starts repeating this ad nauseum.

Current Dislikes include:

• Diaper changes - I think he feels too busy to be interrupted for such inconsequential things as poopies on his bum.
• Clothes On/Off - Not sure if he just doesn't like to hold still for this, or if he feels undignified being manhandled in that fashion or what.  Hope this phase ends soon!
• Having his investigations cut short - he wants to figure things out and understand them.  You  know, stuff like the knife drawer and what the toilet handle tastes like and exactly what is in the garbage.  Some things I don't mind him exploring nearly as much, but there are times I cut short his fun and he isn't happy.
• Me doing things for him that he wants to do himself.  Like opening string cheese packages.  Eek. Who knew?
• Taking his binky and/or blanket.  Camden wants these with him all the time.  I didn't realize he had gotten so completely attached.  Not sure what to do about that.
• When I say bye.  He's a little sensitive about me leaving him and starts crying as soon as I leave or say I'm leaving, even if I'm just going to another room.  This is about the most effective behavior tool I have - when he hits me, I get up and leave the room and he is immediately contrite.  Or at least, upset.

Anytime Camden gets upset, the waterworks on come, the volume increases, and things go downhill from there.  I keep hoping his dreadful scream will evolve into some more pleasant expression, but that hasn't happened yet.  Anyway, it's not hard to know when Camden is bothered.  But he is a great boy and so cute!