The GRAY Gang: Chop sticks, Chopped Wood, and Chopped Off!

I’m in a better state of mind since my last blog post. I was finally able to get out of my funk and things are a lot better in our neighborhood.

CHOP STICKS

I took the kids out to dinner this last week with one of my friends while Cody was at school. My friend gave them chopsticks to eat with. For some reason, I had it in my brain that this would be a frustrating thing for them, but they both caught right on and ate their bowls of mac n cheese with chop sticks.

We decided at dinner tonight that in order for our kids to eat well, they have to be 90% entertained and 10% care about the food they are eating. (Turns out we don’t have big eaters!)

Speaking of food. Today was day #8 of using new recipes. This last week we had crock pot apple crisp, crock pot chicken pot pie, wingers sticky fingers, spaghetti bake, taco bake, cheese ravioli, pumpkin waffles, oatmeal pie, and cinnamon roll cookies. Most of them I will be adding to my recipe box. I need to do this more often, I find myself getting in a food rut and we eat the same things over and over. It was really fun, really easy, and not to mention, Cody L.O.V.E.S trying new recipes.

And Speaking of Food-

Here is Little Lacey’s 2 month picture. She had her 2 month doctors appointment on Thursday and we learned that she does indeed have acid reflux. I was already quite certain of it, but she performed her spitting up ability nicely for the doctor to see, who confirmed my suspicions. Due to the fact she is a happy, healthy baby, they aren’t going to do anything to treat it at this point. If it gets worse they will give her something, otherwise she should grow out of it in about 6ish months. YAY for 6 more months of spitting up. You should see my laundry pile. It’s ridiculous. She manages to cover anyone and anything near her several times a day.

but with a smile like that, how can I care?!? Lacey’s stats at 2 months- 10lbs 2 oz. 40%… I need to check, but I’m almost CERTAIN she’s my first to EVER be above the 25% in weight. Rock on girl!!! She is also 24 inches, which puts her at the 75% for height, and she is rolling in at a whoppin 10% for her head. But, for being little, it’s the cutest head ever! Smile

Have I mentioned I love picture texts? I miss Samuel and his sweet smiles. He managed to give himself the Harry Potter look. Just perfect for Halloween!

For the last 5 years I’ve begged Cody to dress up together as a family for Halloween. The last 5 Halloweens I failed miserably, this year however, I win! Although, I’m breaking him in easy. He exnayed DJ Lance in 2 seconds flat, but was game for going as a family of skeletons.

Next year we’ll get bigger and better don’t worry. With small and simple things great things come to pass…RIGHT?!? Smile

Kevin and Julia LOVE their skeleton jammies and jackets and have worn them tons already.

The other day I yelled to Ju,

“Where are yoooooou?” Her reply, “I’m filling the toilet with toilet paper!” She wasn’t kidding!

On Thursday Julia and Kevin got their flu shots as well. Later that night Julia was feverish and sluggish. Poor girl just wanted to be held and cuddled. The little stink must have had the flu bug because Friday night I was about 70 times worse then she was.

Kevin was a bit frantic on Friday night when Puppy was nowhere to be found. Cody got home and told me to go take a picture of Puppy before he told Kevin where it was at. Poor thing was stuck under the garage door.

This is what happens when Lacey is laying almost ANYWHERE! Kevin and Julia love snuggling here. Most of the time it turns into a fight. I’m always reminding them that she has 2 sides so they can both lay by her.

Today was the Primary Program at church. Kevin was super nervous and crying at the drop of a pin all morning. We had practiced tons and he new his part well, but every time he said he is was in a little mousey voice. This morning as we were practicing before church he had a major melt down. Just before it was time for him to go up to the stand I whispered his part into his ear and he said, ‘I know it Mom, don’t worry, I’ll say it!” Then he marched out of our bench and about 1/2 way up the isle he got cold feet and turned back around in big alligator tears. I grabbed his hand and walked him to the front and his teacher was there and helped him find his seat. He new most of the words to the songs, and when it came time to give his part he did it in his little shy mousey voice. It was very funny.

Julia was being a little twerp during church. This was how Cody entertained her. They traded shoes. That is Cody’s foot in her pink boot.

Chopped Wood

This was our project this weekend. We cut and hauled 5 truck loads of wood. We are all sore. The kids were awesome and Kevin was super helpful. (He talked my ear off, Cody had the chainsaw going and couldn’t hear him!) and Lacey napped in the truck for 4 loads of wood and during the 5th load she was done. Julia was too pretty to tromp around in the trees. She helped 10% of the time and complained the other 90!

Cody had lots of fun! We are very grateful for the family that is allowing us to come and cut all of our wood from their property. All of the Oak we got was dead fall, these 2 trees were completely dead and had not fallen, and I think deep down Cody just really wanted to chop a tree down and see it fall. The weather was beautiful as was the scenery.

Chopped Off!

We’ve been working with Kevin on not sucking his thumb. He’s kicked the habit for the most part. We just need to get nap time and bed time. Nap time he can usually fall asleep with out sucking it if I lay by him to remind him… it’s the once he is asleep that he puts it in his mouth. His goal is to be done by the time he turns 4. (When I talked to the dentist about it when he was 2, he said because of the way he is sucking his thumb isn’t causing much damage and he is doomed for braces regardless that his 4th birthday was a good goal!)

Kevin doesn’t suck his thumb unless he has hair to play with, he suggested this morning that maybe if we cut his hair short it would be a good reminder for him not to suck his thumb. Enjoy these pictures of him chewing his gum like a cow!