Our Little Shoplifter

Jeff and Ry ran up to Sear's Hardware to buy a spark plug for the mower and when they were checking out Ry picked up a Kit-Kat bar (for some reason that is ALWAYS the one he goes for..can't figure out if he knows what is inside of there or just drawn to the orange wrapper?!). Anyways, Jeff said "No, Ry put it back." And then looks up a minute later to see Ry walk around the corner and Jeff looks around the corner and sees Ry stuffing the whole thing down the front of his pants. Nice, huh? So Jeff goes to take it out and make him put it back and realizes he's shoved the bar inside his underwear...so we ended up buying that Kit-Kat! =)

Saturday Morning Tent

This morning Jeff and Ry were under their blanket tent on the couch talking and after Ry asked Jeff to tell him a story, Jeff asked Ry to tell him a story. Ry responded: "One day, in a land far away, the ducks went 'quack, quack, quack.' The end."I snuck a peek inside the top secret boys only area to get a glimpse. =)

Julia watches my spying and smiles with approval.

Handy Manny

We have had Handy Manny (as Ryan calls him..and he really does look like him!) working here Thurs and Friday of this week. He left his risers out front and Ry was really concerned that "our Handy Manny Guy forgot his stuff!" He better be back on Monday or we've just gotten some new playground equipment. Hehe.

Julia's Teeth

Julia is getting her top two incisor teeth. (Perhaps this explains why when I was holding her she all the sudden bit my shoulder! YOW!)Ry tried to help me get a shot of them, but baby sister wasn't so happy about it, so this is all I have for now...

Through Ryan's Eyes

"Look, Mommy! There is a 3 on your bed!" (right in the middle of the photo in the white color to the bottom right of that center flower)."Kinda like train tracks, Mommy!" (As he points to the ladder leading up to the arc.)

Grandma and Grandpa Schuette Visit

Ry and Julia with their Great-grandpa and Great-grandma Schuette.

WHY, Mommy?

Ryan is in the "Why?" stage.

Here is one of our conversations today:
Ry: "Why do you turn the lights out (when you leave the room)?"
Me: "Because you are wasting energy if the lights are on and you aren't in there."
Ry: "Energy?" (makes a funny face) "Energy? What is that?"
Me: "Um, energy is what makes the lights turn on and the air conditioner run."
Ry: "The air conditioner run? Yes, and then we have to keep the doors closed."
Me: "That's right, you brilliant child." =)

And another:
Ry: "What are you doing with that, mommy?"
Me: "Cleaning the toilets, Ry."
Ry: "Oh. I want to help!"
Me: "Ok, you can watch, but not use the brush."
Ry: "Why?"
Me: "Because I don't want you to make a mess, and some of these cleaner chemicals are strong."
Ry: "Why?"
Me: "Because that is how they are effective in cleaning the toilet."
Ry: "FF-ective?"
Me: "Yes, that means they work.
Ry: "Oh". [Begins jumping up and down as we are cleaning his bathroom].
Me: "Shhhhhh! Quiet! Julia is napping, and we don't want to wake her by being loud!"
Ry: "Why?"
Me: "Because I have more cleaning to do, and you know that is impossible to do with baby sister awake!"
Ry: "Oh!!" [And I think we actually had an understanding here!!]

Great Moments in Eville Tennis History

Emily and I played a great game of tennis tonight. I am really going to miss these fun Monday nights! Em had some shots that were so fantastic that seriously, I wanted to just stop and cheer. I had some great shots that I really wish I could say were tactical, but actually, probably a bit more luck or self-defense at the net. =) Although we were really on our game tonight with the down the liners.
There was one funny and embarrassing moment - I was at the net and diving for a ball and tripped over my own feet and totally went down. I really think that might have won us some type of "funniest home video" had we caught it on tape. I wish I could say there was anything graceful about the fall, but Em says no way, she actually can't believe I didn't sprain my ankle. I can't believe I didn't rip my skirt! =)

Skyping with Grandma and Papa and Stacy

Tonight the kids enjoyed a Skype chat
with Grandma and Papa and Stacy
who are all in New York!

Shopping without Uncle Sam's Involvement!

This weekend Missouri had its tax-free shopping weekend, so we felt the need (or use the excuse!) to take advantage of this little "sale"! We headed to The Mills today and ran into Uncle Brian, Aunt Krista, Ty and Lucas. So crazy..we walked in, and Brian was one of the first people we saw! What are the chances?!? =)
Anyways, Jeff (awesome husband of the year award goes to...!) hung with the kids much of our trip and let me actually do some shopping without worrying about the kids. They played in the playground there, got some ice cream treats, and LOVED the fish display at Cabela's. Jeff took this pic on that on his cell camera.

Computer Wiz

I am beginning to wonder if Ry will be a computer wiz like his Daddy. Seems like he's been interested in "puters" since before he could walk. He really enjoys playing the Elmo games from the Sesame Street site (www.elmosworld.com) and recently he's become a YouTube fan. Jeff sets him up on a video with trains in it, and he just keeps clicking and watching from there. It's so amazing. I think he is better at using the mouse than me!

He likes to climb on my lap while I'm on also and he'll say "Mommy, click on that!" and then "Mommy, read me those words!" So demanding. Here he is after being on over an hour...I think we are going to have to put some time limits in place soon. "Go, Mommy!" he tells me. "I'm on the 'puter!"

If you look closely here you can see one of the MANY train videos he watched today. I can't believe how many people will set up their wooden or plastic Thomas sets and record them...proof that just when you feel like you don't have a YouTube audience out there for a certain subject, you do! This particular video actually has a kid in it, but many he cruised through today were just a train running along a track. Who knew how exciting that could be!?!!?!

Thursday at the Pool

Softball was canceled for tonight, so we decided to take a dip in the pool instead.

(Great idea, Jeff!) Julia struttin' her stuff...

Aunt Krista came with Ty and Lucas. Ty, who normally doesn't like the water so much, got in and played for quite a bit with Ry and Julia. Lucas slept the entire time...augh, bliss! =)

Glamma and Papa pose for a pic.

Ry jumps like a superhero (as he likes to say) off the side of the pool to daddy.

Rainy Wednesday

This morning Glamma and Papa babysat for a few hours and when I went to pick up the kids Aunt Krista was there and snapped some pics of the little people...Me showing Lucas some love! Glamma thinks he looks like my baby pics.

Julia and Tyler dance together.

Right before this shot, Ty put this toy in his mouth. Then he put it down, and Ry picked it up and decided to check out if it was any good in the mouth! Aurgh!

Julia admires the little guy!

Ryan 3 1/2 & Julia 18 month Pics

Bird Feeder

A few weeks ago we bought a little birdhouse. We've been trying to feed the birds bread, and even a sandwich from Arby's. Well, these birds around here must be picky about what they eat! So finally, we loaded up the house with birdseed and sure enough, we've already had a few "visitors"! Go figure. Lesson learned: "Harby's" (as Ryan calls it) sandwiches are more liked by people than birds.Daddy loads up the feeder while Ry looks on.
Mommy considers that having birds as "pets",
despite their picky eating habits,
seems to be much lower maintenance than
having Katy around. Humm... =)

Taaa Daaaa!

Daniel stops by and says "hey" to his buddy Ryan.
See the can on the back of Ry's bike?
This is Jeff's idea of a trailer hitch.
Ry likes to pull his golf cart behind him,
because you know, one never knows when a guy
might need his clubs while in the cul-de-sac.

Julia watches the birds...