The boys did great on the way there. We went from two DVD screens to one, that was much more conveniently located to the front seats, which seemed to make our trip much easier. Both boys also had tablets they could play on which I'm sure didn't hurt. This is a picture of Rowan when he rocked completely over around Dexter, MO, luckily that's only about fifteen minutes from Papa's house.
Pretzels and Ginger Ale are a must for any Blakley New Year's eve celebrations.
Zane and I ran numerous laps around the house, getting all of the old year's bad vibes out. Rowan joined us for our last lap where Zane led a short exercise session outside. All good things to do to bring in a new year I guess.
Ginger Ale tastes better and is much more fun in glass goblets, perfect for toasting.
Zane might have hit the GA a little too hard. It was a great little celebration before heading to bed.
3. We had a good time in Missouri celebrating Christmas with the Korenaks. Trina's kids got a new horse for Christmas which meant that Zane got to take a spin on Specter. Both boys loved petting him and Zane even helped with some brushing before Uncle JR took him for a ride.
Adeline is a pro at all things horses and is quite the cowgirl these days. She will be nine this weekend, happy birthday sweet Adeline!
Watching Specter get warmed up. Rowan did say he loved the horse, and was much less scared of him than the Prance's dogs, but didn't want to take a ride just yet.
4. As always Papa has the best toys to play on. Rowan loved pretending to drive all of Papa's tractors but his favorite was the big bulldozer, of course. We even loaded up the little green tractor that the kids can drive and took it home with us this trip.
5. The big event, besides present of course, was the cutting down of a big tree that had been struck by lightening. One of Papa's friends brought over a huge chainsaw and his boys, who were home from college, to help cut the tree down and then cut it up for firewood. The kids had a great time watching them cut it down and I happy to report everyone made it out a live.
Zane watching Papa work.
Rowan convinced Aunt Trina to hold him the whole time. I don't think she minded at all.
Here are the cousins on the huge stump that was left when the tree finally fell.
6. We all got wonderful presents and enjoyed catching up with everyone. The kids played well together, minus the small incident of Rowan falling down the entire flight of stairs at Aunt Trina's house, landing in the basement where all the other boys were. He is now quite bruised, but somehow he didn't reopen his chin wound. I cannot believe my oldest nephew will be a teenager in a few months. Clay is almost as tall as I am and sadly woke up with strep throat Sunday morning, so we have our fingers crossed that we didn't take those germs home with us as a souvenir.
Clay at 12.5 years old.
We came home with enough Lincoln Logs for a small army.
7. Now that we are home potty training is in full force at our house. Rowan is doing remarkably well now that I am actually dedicated to the cause. We got new Thomas the Train pull ups on our way home yesterday, that are smaller and fit him much better. He has kept them dry all afternoon yesterday and all of this morning, which included a trip to the gym, numerous errands, the library, and lunch with Aunt Abbey. He knows when he has to go pee pee and does a great job telling us about it. He is very big and I'm sure peeing won't be a big issue, pooping however is always a struggle for Rowan so I'm sure that will be a much bigger battle. For now he is very proud of himself, getting stickers, candy, and prizes as he meets potty goals. This evening he even went pee pee in a porta potty for the first time!
Of course Verny is now being potty trained as well. Turns out Verny poops M&Ms, fun fact!
8. Today I was back in the pool for the first time in a week or two, armed with all sorts of new equipment that Santa brought me. A knew swimming cap, new ear plugs, and my swimming glove type things that definitely made for a harder, better, workout. I love the silence of swimming, a much needed stress relief!
9.We brought back Papa's ride on tractor for the boys. It has been through quite a few little boys, but still seems to be holding up nicely. Zane might be pushing the weight limit for the tractor, but both boys had lots of fun driving around the yard this afternoon.
10. This evening we finally got to use the free ice skating tickets that I won in my prize package. I haven't ice skated in years and this was Zane's first trip on the ice. It was exactly as you would imagine it, Zane was clinging onto wall most of the time, but he never gave up. After the first, quite painful lap, clinging to the wall, I thought/hoped that Zane would be bored with ice skating. But not my litter warrior, he kept getting up, never quit, and got slightly better, moving away from the wall, by the end of our little adventure. I was so proud of him and he was equally as proud of himself. Here's to children pushing us beyond our comfort zones and me trying desperately not to hold them back.
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