3 Green Fish

Caden's First Green Day

Grayson copying big bro

Triston's garb from school. He was too cute when he arrived home (our friend brought him home for me). He would not get out of the car until he had all his gear back on bc he had to surprise me. He even surprised daddy...and cleared things up when he shouted. "Don't worry dad, it's only me!"

They had Art Moms that day and this is what they created. Luv it!

All week he told me stories of his class' attempts to catch the leprechaun. How anytime they left the room that sneaky leprechaun would do something tricky upon their return-mess up the room, open up all their snacks, leave tricks here and there. And if you don't catch him he leaves pretend gold and if you do catch him he leaves real gold. The stories went on and on. I looked forward to a new adventure story each day afterschool.

Then about 10 am Thursday morning I heard tons of commotion coming from the K room across the hall at work. I walked over and checked out some of their Green activities. It hit me! Mommy guilt! I had NOTHING planned for T (or G) when I get home! My K friend Becky shared an idea she overheard from another teacher. She told stories of creating traps to catch the leprechaun (shoe boxes, wood sticks, anything you want) and if and when you catch him he will turn to stone. Each year this teachers' mom (throughout her whole childhood) would place a leprechaun figurine in the trap for her children to collect. ISN'T THAT AN AWESOME IDEA?! And you know how into traditions I have been lately! SO, I HAD TO DO IT! There I was scrambling afterschool to 3 dollar stores and a CVS looking for a leprechaun figure. All I could find were garden gnomes and seeing as T pays so much attention to detail and the fact we just saw Gnomeo and Juliet a few weekends ago on our date-there was no way that was gonna cut it!

So, I settled on some chocolate gold coins.

I now had 30 min before T was to arrive home!

I ran to his room and threw his dirty clothes all over the place. I dropped a few on the staircase and left the fake gold coins ( my gal Becky gave me from he school projects as we bumped into each other at the dollar store-each mom trying her best to concoct something in the nick of time) leading up the stairs. I then grabbed a box and a stick from the front yard and created a trap in his room. I placed the chocolote coins and cupcakes from school under the trap.

I was ready!

The whole time I was doing this Grayson was following me around telling me to stop making a mess and asking over and over again what I was doing. It was hard to keep from laughing. I had to tell the kid to stay quiet so he didn't bust me!

When Triston got out of the car I told him to hurry up and get in the house. "There is a mess that I need you to explain to me!". He got this look on his face like he was in trouble, he had no idea what I was talking about. As soon as he walked in G said, "Tiston wook at dis mess. Mommy did it! " I insisted the leprechaun visited and that daddy tried to make a trap while he was at school. We followed the mess. As we walked up the stairs he compared it to his school stories. I thoguht to myself, " I am actually gonna pull it off!"

Up in his room he found a disgustingly dirty clothes tossed room. And wallah-the trap.

They loved it! That was the one thing G did not see me do-add the coins n cupcakes. I gave him the job of opening up a soap box for daddy while he showered (and then closed the bathroom door behind me). That kept him busy enough while I stuffed the trap. Then I ran him downstairs so he did not see anything.

I PULLED IT OFF! Not bad for last minute plans. But at least now I have a great idea (thanks to friends-Becky n Nancy) for next year. To remember that leprechauns continue to be sneaky, tricky, messy, like shiney things. We will actually take the time to decorate our own traps and I will have time to pick up a leprechaun figure. But, to be honest, T was not at all disappointed that we didnt catch him. When I told him the story of how I had heard he turns to stone once you catch him he told me he was glad we didn't. He didn't want to "hurt him". BOY, he must have formed some attachment to this character during his school activities! We will see if the stone thing actually plays out next year. If not, we will still make traps and I will still get sneaky. It was fun and anytime we can have some of that it's a good thing! I don't recall doing anything Patty's day activities when I was little (and I am Irish!) so it was super great to start one with my kiddos.

p.s. Grayson has had a chocolate coin right after breakfast each day since. The sooner they are gone the better! We are still hoarding Vday candy for goodness sakes!

Growing up

I regret to inform you...
as of this week-Grayson is no longer calling Triston "Tis Tis". It is now "Tiston". Boooo

Big Boy Caden

Sucking on a chicken nugget (NEVER would have done this w the first two boys!)

I don't know when it happened. He just up and got big on me! He is officially 7 mos old. Weeks ago I moved up to stage 3 baby foods. I had to thicken up my home-made purees to his liking. He also began munching on Gerber cereal puffs. And then he goes and pops a tooth last Monday! I was feeling so guilty! My own mother noticed it before I did, as she commented on how hard he bit her that day. I immediately felt those gums and there it was-his bottom left tooth on February 28th. It explained alot in regards to interrupted naps for two weeks. I convinced myself it was bc of his cold. But duh-colds come with teething! Thank goodness he still remained asleep through the night! I am hoping I get another easy teether like T n G! So far so good.

But Caden boy did not stop there! All week he sat unsupported for longer and longer periods of time. All he needed was some pillows beside him just in case. But I was finally comfy enough to move myself from his proximity and wallah! All the (little bits) of practice paid off! WE have a sitter!!!

And he loves it so! He must love the view. The stadium-like seating he has for his favorite show-his older brothers! You should see his face as he takes it all in. He really cannot get enough. And then he lowers himself to the floor ( or accidentally plops to the side), spins around like a bottle top and scoots a bit toward that golden ticket item of choice and he is so content. It really does seem like he beams with pride. It is a whole new play world for him. My guess is he may just do the army crawl instead of 4 limb crawl like G did. Whatever he chooses, it is not far from happening. He even loves standing in front of his exersaucer instead of inside it. I wonder what he would do if I lowered his crib in the next few days? I already had to lower the bassinet/play yard bc he was pulling up on the sides and peeking out for Grayson. Starting to get dangerous!

He continues to be Mr. Happy. Just when you think there is no way he has more smiles to share, they just keep coming. His laughs and shrieks get louder and louder. He is so attentive and responsive. This week he also learned the "tick tock dance" from grandma. He does before he goes to sleep (lying upright on his belly waiting for you to sing along to his movements), during feedings (hilarious) and anytime he wants to get your attention. He is also clapping to "yays" and whenever he hears G say "the end" after a movie. He cracks me up!

Even after 3 boys I still wonder and embrace every little moment, how he evolves, how he shapes his own personality and "fit" into our family. I love being a mom to him!

You truly are a wondrous boy, Caden...

You will be 8 mos in a few weeks...I wonder what the rest of March has in store for you? Only thing I know, I will love it all!