Snakes and Worms

The other day Kaden got to go outside and play in the rain. When it's rained for 5 straight days and the forcast calls for at least 5 more we just go play in the rain. He found that our pond out back had filled with some water and proceeded to take his extra big dumptruck, some scoops of various sizes, a bucket and various other toys he happened to find in the garage and played happily for quite some time. However, this IS my Kaden-boy, and that means he cannot do anything without inviting me to join him at least every 5 minutes. (At LEAST.)

He had been coming up the deck and opening the slider and inviting baby (Katelyn) out. "Baby, do you wanna come play with me?" Baby would get all excited and mommy would have to break her heart. Eventually he realized he could tease her. That's when mommy locked the slider door. OH MY. I honestly didn't know if he was going to forgive me, but eventually he made his way back to his pond.

And figured out he could still come invite me by going through the backdoor of the garage and coming in through the garage door. About the 25th time he did this I decided enough is enough. I headed down to have a little talk with the boy. Right as I got to the door he said "LOOK MOM!" It was a worm. Now I'm not scared of worms, snakes, or anything else like that....but it startled me. I mean this thing was huge. And I just wasn't expecting it! I gasped and that was it.

Kaden saw my reaction, dropped the worm, and backed back out into the garage absolutely SHRIEKING! He was hysterical. I finally calmed him down (by calling Daddy to have daddy reassure him that it was ok)...and that he had just startled momma-no big deal. That's when he whimpered, "Mom, I was holding a snake, I think." I asked him why he thought that...he replied that "A snake startles mommy." I don't know how he got that but somehow that's what he thought. I told him it wasn't a snake and asked if he knew what it was. He happily replied that it was a WORM.

It took him a while to convince himself. I tried to get him to pick it up to put back outside (by this time, Kate was VERY willing to pick it up.) He would get *this* close, then startle and jump back. He finally did and was proud to show mommy his worm.

Kate's outside adventure had us pooped!

pun intended.

Since I usually post about Kaden, I had to tell you about this afternoon with Kate. You wouldn't think a girl who can't even roll over could have caused such a scene.

So there I was, relaxing by the pool, watching Kaden play, and enjoying Katelyn in her seat beside me...happily fed and changed.

Suddenly, I heard it. Her diaper was no longer clean....I was afraid to look. So I didn't.

A little while later I noticed she was getting tired and rubbing her eyes so I ran in grabbed a diaper, wipes and blanket. I found a shady spot and went to changing her diaper. Unfortunately, she had BLOWN out...all over her onsie, which spilled onto the blanket. It was horrendous. I stripped her down, used a TON of wipes and got her cleaned up, all the while trying to keep her on the teeny tiny clean part of the blanket.

Then it happened.

My contact fell out.

What do you do when your hands are gross from changing a diaper, your contact falls out, and your 1 year old is in the pool, so you can't exactly leave the area.

I had a great big laugh, then threw the contact in the grass, and took a hose to Kates clothes.

Outside

"Out-tide...Out-tide...OUT-TIDE.."

That is the sound I was serenaded with as Kaden fought naptime this afternoon.

We spent the morning outside with his friends (and mine) Mallory, Ashley, and their mom Marissa and Aunt Lindsay. The kids screamed, splashed, slipped, and scrambled in and out of the pool. Back and forth they went from the driveway full of trikes, bikes, cars and wagons, to the pool with the slide into it and a few cups and balls to splash around with. I can't get over how kids can just sit in a pool full of hose water and not even FLINCH. BRRRR.





From the moment we came inside...through lunchtime...through his Dr. Appointment...back home and until he finally fell asleep for a nap, I heard nothing but his pleading "Out-tide...out-tide..." I tend to find it somewhat annoying, but as I think about it, I realize that he is just a little boy who LOVES loves, LOVES, to be outside, and has no other way to express it. When he grows up I will miss these moments.

Who's in your Neighborhood?

Last week I had Kaden out in the front yard and he saw the neighbor across the fence was mowing the lawn. He was so taken by her mowing and insisted on sitting on the fence (it is a pretty low "fence") and watching. Of course, I needed to be there to to keep him from falling off. She would wave to him each time she passed him. After mowing she came over to talk to him and while we were all talking her daughter, son-in-law, and grandson who is a little younger than Kaden showed up. Of course, Kaden had to meet them, and play with the boy for a while.

Fast forward 1 day.

The next day I took Kaden out and I mowed and did my best to keep an eye on him. The next thing I knew he had completely dissapeared. I almost freaked...until I found him knocking on the neighbor's (same one) door....and the neighbor was bringing out her grandson to play. She had quite the confused look on her face! (Afterall, who lets their not even 2 year old go knocking on doors ask to play?)

I will always remember that moment when I looked up to see him knocking. What a big boy--thinking he can just go play. And oh to be one again, and not scared of crossing boundaries or being rude!

I am thankful I have such an outgoing little boy (even if he does keep me on my toes!) to help me overcome my quiet ways! He is such a good icebreaker, even when it is awkward!!!