Family Reading Night

Every night is pretty much family reading night at our house, but the school district put on a formal one this past Friday.  Of course we had to attend.  We had to fill out a reading log from the week prior.  It only required us to read 15 minutes a night.  Seriously?  Piece of cake!

Tyler was pretty patient during the opening announcements of the reading night.  Luckily, there was music and Daddy! 

In this reading room the "actors" read two Dr. Seuss books that I am pretty sure Tyler has memorized - Green Eggs and Ham and Oh, the Thinks You Can Think.  Grandma, Daddy and Tyler sat on the floor while Mommy sat in the back and took pictures.  Seeing a 9 month pregnant lady get up off the floor isn't always a pretty sight. ;)

One of the storytellers dressed up.

In another room, Tyler sat in his desk and was very attentive.  Doesn't he look so small in that desk?  I don't often say Tyler looks "small."

He was such a good boy that he got to go to the book fair and pick out a new book.  I hope he forgets about it because it is going in his Easter basket. We will see...

On our way out there were firefighters and a fire truck he could climb in.  I didn't get the best photos since it was dark outside, but Tyler really could have cared less.  He thought it was pretty "amazing." 

Thanks to Grandma for coming along!  Grandma is his FAVORITE reading partner so it was appropriate.   When I tell him we are going to Grandma's - he often says "to read books!" 

Day at the Park

Tyler, Jeff and I enjoyed a wonderful, warm afternoon at the park today.  We fed the ducks, played on the slide and enjoyed the swings. 

I love this video of Tyler laughing.  He absolutely loved feeding the ducks! 

Don't you love his laugh?  How can you not laugh too?  Or at least smile.

I love this sweet face!

"Look, Dad, no hands!"

Life is good!

We got to meet Kassidy Louise!

No, no - no need for confusion.  No baby has arrived at the Francis household yet...still waiting.

Our good friends, the Noltings, had their first child a few weeks ago.  Last Thursday, we got to head to their new home (they got moved in exactly 4 days before she arrived - can you imagine?)  and meet their sweet baby girl, Kassidy Louise!  I absolutely loved holding her!  She is precious.

So tiny and sweet!

  Congrats Matt and Abby!  

Real Snow Day!

We actually had a real snowfall on Monday.  Tyler was a bit under the weather with a horrible cough but that didn't stop him from standing at the back door pleading to go outside.  Jeff and I looked at each other and suited up for a bit of fun in the snow.  

The cough magically stopped and Tyler was so excited to have Dad pull him on the sled. 

Tyler not only rode down the hill, but when he reached the bottom just sat there and yelled "AGAIN!"  So Daddy obliged and pulled him back up the hill.  They ended up just doing circles. 

This photo cracks me up as Tyler just layed down on the sled and enjoyed the ride! 

The snow was great snowball snow so Jeff and I had a bit of fun.  Tyler didn't quite get how to make snowballs so he just kept falling in the snow.  After a bit, Tyler got some snow in his mittens and was ready to go in.  We are going to have to work on that or get some new gloves/mittens so he can last longer to do some skiing next year.  Won't Tyler be so cute on skis?

We were glad we decided to go out in the snow, even with an under the weather two year old. He had fun...okay, we all had fun. Not to mention we have the snow pants, coat and boots to use before he out grows them...and it could be our only chance this winter.  

Toddler Games

Our local Parents as Teachers program offered a night of toddler games this past week.  Several of Tyler's friends from play group were going to be there and since Daddy could go with us, we headed up for an hour of fun before going to cousin Abbey's band concert. 

There was a sensory area for the kids including bubble wrap on the floor that Tyler was in love with.   The leaders just kept switching it out and within 5-10 minutes the kids would have all the bubbles popped.  It was pretty funny. 

I can cover more surface area on all fours...

They had an obstacle course set up in one of the long hallways with slides, tunnels, things to climb over, etc.  Tyler was in heaven! 

Tyler loved the trampoline too and kept yelling "I'm jumpin' on the bed!"  ....Great, not exactly what I want him shouting out, but he does LOVE to jump on his bed.  While I am not a fan of him jumping on his bed (or ours), he knows it causes Daddy to "get him,"  which he also LOVES! 

One month to go...

It is hard to believe that in one month....or less :) that our new little man will be here!  We are so excited.  Even Tyler is starting to catch on.  He has been kissing my belly morning and night saying "Hi baby brother."  It is so sweet...I just hope it continues once the baby arrives. 

The clothes are washed, hung up and the dresser is full.  I have everything from 0-6 months unpacked and ready.  Let's be honest, that will more than likely only last us 3-4 months.  We are also stocked up on diapers and wipes. 

 Book shelf is stocked and ready to go.  We have accrued so many books that Tyler still has his very own stash.  I really hope this baby enjoys reading as much as Tyler and I do together.

Shoes!  Can you imagine if I was having a girl?  

I just love all the little shoes.  The pair in the lower left hand corner I am pretty sure never fit Tyler as his feet were so big right out of the womb. 

Bed is made and ready to go. 

The bassinet is set up in our room for easy access for the late night feedings. 

Tyler was practicing pushing the stroller today at play group too.  He is a bit of a crazy driver though.

 



Go Tigers!

Yeah, yeah, yeah...I know the Superbowl is tomorrow, but the BIG game is tonight! 

Go TIGERS!  Beat kU! 



It is a great rivalry!  Should be an awesome game...

Sausage Fest 2012

Last Saturday was spent at Mom and Dad's making deer sausage.  I wasn't much help as I was chasing a 2 year old and helping mom in the kitchen (probably not really a whole lot of help, but I tried). :) 

Jeff and Kyle were working hard mixing the meat.  It is a very scientific process, can't you tell?

They did make over 400 pounds of sausage! 

This is Kyle's job every year.  He likes it because he can do it with a beer in hand.  I know that both Kyle and Jeff had a beer in hand at 9am already! 

This is what Tyler did for a good majority of the day - Hot Wheels!  Surprise, surprise?  Yes, my mom keeps his Hot Wheels in a Victoria's Secret bag.  Tyler doesn't care but does often spell the letters on the side. 

Can sleep through anything...

My mom and I took Tyler to the Mizzou basketball game today.  Tyler was excited and dancing all around before the game and into the first half.  Then 1:00pm came (nap time) and he crashed.  The kid can honestly sleep through anything including the excitement of the game.  We also sit in a section pretty close to the band which he loves when he is awake and obviously doesn't mind too much when he is sleeping.

Only a few more weeks of being my "baby."  



Elmo Makes Music

Several weeks ago, I saw the advertisement that "Elmo Makes Music" was coming to St. Louis and since Tyler loves both Elmo and music, I just had purchase tickets.  I convinced Grandma to join us (really had to twist her arm...wink, wink). 

The tickets included the "Play Zone" which you could visit an hour before show time.  The "Play Zone" gave Tyler the opportunity to run around before the show and gave Mommy lots of photo opportunities. 

Murray came out to welcome everyone and sing a few songs including "If You're Happy and You Know It" which is one of Tyler's favorites.  Instead of doing all the motions like he normally would just stood there in amazement. 

Luckily, we arrived before it was too crowded so Tyler got to dance at Zoe's Dance Studio all by himself.  He loves to watch himself dance in the mirror.  He thinks he is pretty funny!

All of the characters had buttons you could push to have them talk to you.  Tyler was all about the buttons.

Talking to Bert and Ernie with Grandma. 

Two peas in a pod...or a trashcan.  Gotta love Oscar! 

They had a coloring table too which allowed Tyler to sit down for a few seconds and scribble on some papers. Then it was on to the next Sesame Street character. 

Tyler taking a rest/pouting after I told him to wait his turn. 

Back up to talk to Grover. 

Watching the characters sing a few songs from the Sesame Street light pole perch. 

Ernie and Cookie were dancing up a storm.

Don't want to forget Big Bird.

 ...and Abby.   Kinda sad how I know all of them, eh?

Then it was on to the show!  Mom informed me that I went to see Sesame Street Live 27 years ago on the exact same day - January 20 because it was the day my cousin, Krista, was born.  Happy Birthday, Krista! 

I wish my non-flash photography would have captured Tyler's face during the show.  He was in absolute awe!

The show was pretty good, considering the average age of the audience they were targeting was probably 3.  Jenny, the new music teacher on Sesame Street, had just arrived but her truck containing all her musical instruments had not yet.  The Muppets had to help her figure out ways to make music. 

In case you were wondering, the letter of the day was "J" and the number of the day was "8."  Tyler remembers. :)

Tyler was so well behaved and interested throughout the show, despite getting a bit sleepy toward the end.  It was a great way to spend the morning with my little man.  He deserved the special treat!

Snow Day

Last week we did really have our first dusting of snow and it fell perfectly in time with a scheduled "snow day" at our Friday playgroup.  They brought in real snow for the kids to play with but it melted pretty quickly with the warm temperatures indoors. 

Tyler did not care about the real snow as much as he did the shredded paper "snow."   I am so glad our playgroup volunteers to do this because the kids sure do create one heck of a MESS! 

Scooping up a bunch to throw.

Tyler just had to wear his I love snow days shirt.  I promise I do not buy clothes like this just for the day - he already had it in his drawer. 

Deep in the "snow." 

For the record, he does know that this is not real snow, but it sure is fun!  The day it snowed, Tyler woke up saw it and said "Mommy....boots?" so we put his snow boots on.  This kid sure remembers the most odd things:  snow = boots!?!  All this talk about snow makes Mommy sooooo jealous that Daddy is headed to ski this week along with the fact that Utah is getting 4-5 feet of snow currently.  Yes, 4-5 FEET!  Ahhh!  Sounds wonderful.  I checked with the doctor again at my appointment this past week just to make sure I couldn't get the approval to purchase a last minute plane ticket and hit the slopes with the boys.  Next year....Tyler should be able to ski with me then, right?