This week - State Fair, The Zoo and Snack Day

The weather this week has been amazing and it is finally starting to feel like Fall! It has really helped us get out of our shell and venture out for some fun!

On Sunday, Ben, Kinley and I went to the Texas State Fair with Scott, Katie, Joe, Emily and Isaac. It was my first time to leave Ty. He stayed with Honey and Boss for a few hours and did great. It was definitely harder on me than him. I don't have any pictures from the State Fair because I forgot my camera...boo.

On Monday, Mom and I took both kids to the zoo. I remembered to bring my camera, only to find out that the memory card was not inside...boo. But, we did a better job of taking iphone pics. Both kids did great at the zoo and we had such a fun day!

Kinley loved getting up and close to the animals.

This tiger is a little too zoned in on her for me!

She is always thinking about her friends and anywhere she finds a phone she is talking to someone. Here she is clearly talking to Ella about her zoo experience.

She also tries to meet new friends everywhere she goes. She says, "My name is Kinley."

There was not a bronze statue in sight that she could walk by without climbing on.

Ty slept most of the day either in his carseat or the baby bjorn.

It was such a fun day at the zoo! Afterward, we came home and got ready for school on Tuesday. Each kid in Kinley's class has a snack day assigned to them once a month. When someone brings snack, they kind of get to be the leader for the day. They are first in line when they walk somewhere, etc. Tuesday was our snack day and we decided to bring some Halloween-themed snacks. I guess I was inspired by Camila's post earlier this month and also remembered some treats Aly made for our Halloween night out last year. We went for Rice Krispie Chocolate Spiders.

Rice Krispie Chocolate Spiders

3 tablespoons of butter

4 cups mini marshmallows

5 cups rice krispies

1/2 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips

I melted the butter over high heat and added in the marshmallows until they were melted. Then I stirred in the chocolate chips until they were melted and removed it from the heat. Then I stirred in the rice krispies. I spooned out large mounds of rice krispies and as they were cooling stuck 8 pretzels in the sides for legs and 2 M&M's on top for eyes. I think they turned out cute and they were a hit with the kids. Kinley immediately walked into school and told the teachers she brought spiders to school!

This was so fun and I even bought enough to make more treats this season. I think I want to try the Surprise Pumpkin Treats next!

Ty - One Month

I can't believe it....my sweet angel boy is one month old today! In some ways, this month feels like it has been long and in other ways, like it has flown by! In all ways, I am SO, SO thankful for this little man. There is something about a boy! I find myself wanting to spoil him rotten! Maybe I know there will be a day when it is not cool for a son to cuddle with his mom and for me to smother him with kisses. I don't know but, I cannot get enough of him right now.

....those eyes!

....those cheeks!

....the baby yawns!

ok...enough mom!

Dad can't get enough either. I can't wait to see these boys interact and play one day. I see many a fishing and hunting trip in their future.

In his first month, I want to remember what an easy baby you have been! Kinley was definitely not a difficult baby...but, Ty, you have been a dream. You have been a fantastic eater and sleeper from the beginning. Already you are nursing about every 3 1/2 to 4 hours during the day and every 5 to 5 1/2 hours at night. That means you really only wake up once at night already. On the whole I am getting great sleep and sleepless nights are definitely the exception. I am so, so thankful for that blessing! At night you sleep pretty great in your bassinet but, you usually end up in bed with me before the night ends...maybe around 5:00am or so until we get up for the day. You sleep pretty much anywhere and everywhere during the day and are not picky....the couch, the bouncer, the swing, the carseat...anywhere.

You are a big boy! You probably weigh over 11 pounds already...gaining about a pound a week. From day 1 you were wearing 3 month clothes and size 2 diapers and pretty much skipped right over that newborn stuff.

The transition from 1 kid to 2 has been really great! I was really scared of how overwhelmed I would feel but, both of my kids have been amazing. Kinley has adjusted wonderfully and she is so patient with us and loving toward Ty. Ty, you are patient with your sister and when she talks to you or around you I can tell you love her. It has been like that since you were in my tummy. Every time Kinley would come around, you would start kicking!

Things you love are: your bouncer, the moby wrap, your car seat and your mobile. You are starting to like your baths and the swing also. When I am working cleaning up your room or Kinley's room or putting away your clothes, I set you in your bed to watch the mobile and you love it.

Ty, in your first month, you have met lots of new family and friends and this past week even helped Austin celebrate his dedication with lots of family and cousins.

You have had your picture taken probably a million times already and I have loved on you and kissed you more than I can count.

You are even starting to smile a little bit. I have not caught at full on smile yet...but, this half smile is to.die.for!

I love you my little Ty Ty. You are such a blessing to us. Our prayers for you continue to be that you will become a man after God's heart. That you will me merciful and gracious and patient and that you will fall in love with Jesus at an early age and believe in Him with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. We are overwhelmed with thankfulness that God entrusted you and your sweet sister to us. Happy 1 month!

A Sweet Prayer

I just could NOT let the day go by without documenting this somewhere. Kinley is saying things all the time that I don't want to forget. I guess the blog is the best way to remember them! Some of her favorite phrases lately are:

1) "Thwee Mowuh Minutes" - Not sure where she got this...maybe school? But, basically every time I tell her we need do something (i.e go potty, put on clothes, get ready for bed, etc)...she says "three more minutes" like everything is up for discussion and on her timetable.

2) "No thank you" or " Ok, I will!"- Pretty much ditto to the above...everything is up for discussion like, "its time to eat dinner" or "its time to take a nap." She decides...if she doesn't want to...its no thank you...if she does, it is ok, I will in a high pitch like she is on Kai-Lan.

3) "Sure you can" - More like "shuwuh you can" as in, "can mommy see that remote control?"

4) "Baby Ty is weally upset"- when he is about to start fussing or wants to be held

5) "....So much" - She adds this for emphasis to everything...and I usually love it. Like, "I love you mommy....so much" or "Thank you mommy...so much."

6) "I can't believe it!" - she said this when my mom got her 2 princess dresses when Ty was born...it was pretty hilar!

And her sweet prayers...which is what prompted this today. We say prayers before bed every night, before nap, and before meals. She loves it and if we forget...she reminds us. Ben or I will usually pray and then Kinley will tell God who she is thankful for. Sometimes it is logical as in, what friends, family, or teachers she saw that day...and sometimes it is totally random and out of the blue....no logical pairings...prayers for dogs or thank yous for certain toys, etc. Today was one of those random days.

She had just gotten out of the shower and was naked in my closet when she randomly closed her eyes, folded her hands and bowed her head...and I quote:

"Thank you God for Matt Matt, Boss, Honey, Uncle Bart, Mommy, Daddy, Baby Ty and thank you for the number 8 and the letter F."

Who knows!? This sounds like Sesame Street..but, we literally have never watched Sesame Street in this house....and you think...maybe she is learning about that in school?....but, this week is the number 2 and the letter H. So, who knows....but, today we are thankful for the number 8 and the letter F.