Category Archives: Buddy

The ups, downs, ins and outs of life with this crazy little man!

Lost Tooth

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About 6 weeks ago, Buddy came home with a loose tooth.  He was so excited by the thought of getting on the tooth chart at school, I thought for sure he’d have yanked it out right away.  He didn’t.  It got looser and looser and he tried getting it out on Christmas Eve so that Santa and The Tooth Fairy could bump into each other!  But that didn’t happen either.

So, we waited and worked and finally, tonight I asked for one more chance to work on it before we brushed his teeth!  Squeezing Dad’s hands, and holding his breath, I grabbed hold and get just a teensy little push, then a bit of a pull.  His face squinched up and he was on the verge of tears, when I said, “It’s out!”

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The expression on his face was pure delight!  He was shaking and giggling and kept checking the mirror to see the big empty space where his adult tooth had already started coming in behind his baby tooth.

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“I can’t believe I lost a tooth tonight!”  he said over and over!  Watching him bask in the glow of this rite of passage was absolutely adorable!  Sis went and grabbed a paper to write a note to the Tooth Fairy and I think she was equal parts thrilled for him and bummed that it wasn’t her tooth!

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I’d begun prepping a tooth pillow a few weeks ago, and of course it was unfinished.  So, I put in a few rough finishing stitches and had him pin an envelope onto it.  The Tooth Fairy has already left him a gold dollar and special note, so it’s likely there will be a follow-up post tomorrow once he finds his treasure!

:: BSM ~ Circus ::

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So I realized that aside from our little Team-up Challenge, I never posted the handful of other pics I snapped at our circus adventure a few weeks ago.  Besides the fact that G had to stay home to keep an eye on our pooch which meant Grandma was able to come instead, it was an all-around good experience.

Calder was fascinated as I would have predicted.  His jumping and squealing from the time he caught his first glimpse of the elephants until we found our seats was hilarious.  Seneca on the other hand, she was just a handful.  Truthfully, she wasn’t ill-behaved, just restless and fidgety which is also precisely as I would have predicted. 

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Circus 8

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I expected the elephants to be the biggest hit (pun completely intended!).  My little man didn’t disappoint.  He LOVED them.  And if I had any high hopes that he’d be above all the poop and fart humor that tend to entertain boys of all ages, they were dashed when he exclaimed – “Look Mom!  The elephants are pooping!  That’s funny!”   For a full week post-circus there were different variations of “elephant pooping” being re-enacted all around the house.  Thankfully without the benefit of real “props!” 

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We had excellent seats and Calder l-o-v-e-d seeing all the animals.  Personally, I found myself a bit torn between thinking it was impressive and a little sad.  I always remember being captivated by the excitement of the circus and this time, perhaps through adult eyes, it seemed so much more commercial.  At one point the ring-master was doing his little “advertising plug” for all the doo-dads they’re peddling.  I expected that.  But it went on throughout the show almost to the point that I felt like I was in a spoof movie where everything was over-the-top cheesy.  All in all, I’d call it a success.  But I think that when it comes to family entertainment we’ll be searching for other activities to top our list.  Since I can scarcely pick a favorite of this series, I’m leaving it up to you to decide which shot you’d vote as best for this fine Monday.

OK, so I’m curious if you’d weigh in on another topic for me today as well.  I don’t love the theme and layout I’ve got going on here right now, but I found this one to allow me to use bigger images.  It looks totally fine on my computer at home, but in other places, it looks a little weird and ill-positioned.  Just wondered what it’s looking like for some of you!  Thanks! 🙂

:: Sweetness ~ BSM ::

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I fully intended to have this little series up last week, but I’m kinda weird and felt like I wanted to wait until after his “official” birthday to share this sweetness.  What?  You’ve seen them already?  Oh, yeah…Flickr! 🙂  I remember last year when he sort of “got” what the birthday thing was all about.  This year, it was more of the same.  He so enjoyed having all his friends come to play – something we need to do more regularly if you ask me!

Typically, my best shot is at the end of a post, but this one, this precious look of excitement and joy as his family and friends sing him “Happy Birthday” – it has to be my best shot this week! 

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In fact, I couldn’t resist looking a little closer at his adorable expression…seriously, who couldn’t love this kid?! 🙂

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He had great fun blowing out his candles.  And with his party being a full week before the actual day, we had to something to celebrate the occasion.  So he got a candle in his cereal (before milk, mind you), a cookies from good friends, and a candle in his pizza that night for dinner.  I do think we’ve created a monster though, because this morning he declared it candle-in-my-Kix day again.  I explained it was just a special thing we do for birthdays and thankfully he was good with that! 🙂

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The much-anticipated eating of the T-Rex cake!  He finally decided on a piece of the teeth. 

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Since I try to take advantage of any opportunity that allows us to get a family picture without the use of the self-timer or remote control, a birthday celebration seemed perfect!  I find it funny that in too many pictures our kids are busy looking every-which-way…while we’re desperately trying to stay positive and focused in one direction.  Perhaps it’s because we’ve started reading a very symbolic book with my students, but I’m thinking there’s some life application to be found in this picture…

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…then again, maybe not. 

See what’s what for other Best Shots this week!

:: He’s Turning… ::

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Three

I can scarcely begin to think of any words to adequately capture all that is my pre-schooler!  More often than not, I have to remind myself that he is in fact a toddler, despite the fact that words like therapod, omnivore, and diplodocus are frequently thrown around with surprising accuracy.  And I’m learning, albeit slowly, that certain things I think are funny for a moment end up completely ridiculous when dealing with a kid who seems to forget very little.  So you see, while I thought it would be funny to hear him say “flatulate” (because we’ve already agreed to be a “toot” household as opposed to “fart”) well, now it’s nestled nicely amongst his other everyday phrases. 

While he soaks up the world around him like an absolute sponge, the slight misunderstandings and imagination that make me stop and smile are the very things that I adore, and will so desperately miss when he grows out of this stage.

C: I go to the doctor.
M: You sure do, buddy. Your doctor’s name is Dr. Israel.
C: {quietly thinking} Yeah. ‘Cuz he’s not pretend.

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C: {mouth full from the backseat} Mom! My -nds all d-n—ry!
M: {tentatively} they’re what?
C: {emphatically} di-n-sry!
M: dinosaury?
D: What’s “dinosaury?”
C: You know, when you eat dino grahams and you’re hands get all “dinosaury!”
M: {to Dad, quietly} duh?! dinosaury, Dad!

You are becoming such a couragous and kind-hearted boy.  Whether you’re busy exploring the yard for creatures and treasures (and of course testing the boundaries) or offering kisses, hugs and congratulations to your sister for a job well done.  You listen intently and ask a million questions, which is both exhausting and exhilarating. 

Looking back over this past year, I’m astounded by how much you’ve grown.  With all the changes on the horizon – new friends, starting school, summer fun – I can only imagine how much more you’ll change right before my eyes.  Today, more than ever, I am reminded of the blessing of you.  Happy Birthday, Buddy!

Love,
Mom