cousins!

The kids and I really enjoy making the trip to Hartville to hang with my sister, Heather and her daughters, Rhylee and Reagan. Last week during the unseasonally warm weather we were able to spend the day together and play outside with the kids. I absolutely cannot wait for spring and warmer temperatures!

They had an awesome time playing in the sandbox.


My sweet Laica Lyn. Please excuse the drool, this is a constant wardrobe issue for her. She changes shirts at least three times per day usually, even when we use bibs.

Miss Rhylee Jane in action! She is getting too big, will be 4 in June!

Reagan and Caden digging in the sand. Reagan looks exactly like Heather did when she was her age...I love it!

There was some serious sand construction going on this particular day. I love that I got to spend a ton of time with my cousins when we were growing up, and will certainly give my kids that same opportunity. I love that my siblings and I can be such good friends.

Brooke

I'm back!

I was driving this morning and a memory of my late Grandma Bennett popped into my head...she would always record herself, my sisters and me singing on cassette tapes. Those are the types of memories that I hope to never lose. Thinking of Grandma led me to remember the things I loved about my Granny, most of all her imagination...all of you cousins know that she never admitted that there was no magic box or Elfie, but I like to believe that both of those magical things exist. I still go down to her property on occasion. I can't wait until it warms up, Caden is definately old enough to learn about Elfie. I saw a picture the other day of caden with my granny but can't seem to locate it now. I wanted to post this rainbow photo I took over the summer in honor of all the lost loved ones that I remembered today: Grandma, Granny, Jessica, and Robert... always missed and loved.

On a brighter note, Sunday was warm and windy and Laica took a long nap; Caden and I took full advantage of that. We walked down our driveway, taking pictures and talking about everything we saw. You can see in this photo that he has his own "camera." It is just a toy "woodybuzz" (Caden speak for Toy Story) one, but he loves it.

Not too sure why I am semi-winking here, but I liked the picture anyway. We got out his little battery-powered four-wheeler and he was loving it. He wanted me to stay right with him at first, but he quickly warmed up to it and was riding all over!





I am so, so, so glad to have my internet back in working order, I will never again lock myself out of everything with parental controls. What was I thinking anyway? Our kids are 1 and almost 3, they don't use the computer unsupervised yet, so I see no problem with waiting to add that. :)

Caden is impressing me with how quickly he is catching onto picking out letters and knowing the sounds they make. He is also a wonderful counter and sometimes I will overhear him counting in spanish (thank you, Diego and Dora). He is sharp as a tack, love him so much!

Miss Laica Lyn is missing from these photos, but I will soon have another post with some pictures of playing with my nieces, Rhylee and Reagan, and she will make an appearance there. I absolutely love to listen to her "read" books, it is ADORABLE! She is passionate about books (gets that from her mommy) and I hope that she always will be. Reading is exercise for the brain, and something that is important to me. Laica is talking so much! We understand a lot of it, it is so fun to watch a baby turn into a toddler again, but these kids are growing way too quickly! I know that everyone feels that way, but it is SO true.

This week is a busy one for us, but have some fun scheduled in addition to cleaning and doctor appointments. Hope everyone has a great week!

Brooke

"it's a beautiful day in the neighborhood..."

I took the kids to the park to play today. The temp was well into the sixties, and other than a little mud, the afternoon was perfect. Caden and Laica had a blast! Laica loves wandering all over the playground. Caden was sliding constantly! He was scared to go by himself at first, it didn't take too long for him to warm up and let loose.

We made some friends while we were there. This is Emma with Caden at the slide.

Taking a brief break for the camera while yelling into this pipe contraption. He spent a lot of time doing this.

Ms. Laica Lyn after sliding. That child has no fear. I have wo watch her like a hawk if she is up high on the playground equipment. She loves to slide by herself and is an integral part of the Caden, Laica, Mommy Express.

I spent some time on the swings. Always has been, always will be my favorite playground actvity. Swinging makes me feel like I am 5 years old again. Nothing else is going on except that very moment. I hope I am able to swing when I am 75. Maybe I will have a porch swing by then... I will definitly have a set of rocking chairs on the front porch, worn in and inviting anyone to sit and enjoy the next sunset.

Well, probably time to wrangle the muddy monsters into the bathtub. Laica took a short nap and Caden has not had one, so I am hoping for an early bedtime for the both of them. Maybe, just maybe, I can spend some quiet time with Clint this evening.

Brooke

music makes the world go 'round...

Brotherly love...

Laica always pulls her pigtails out. Drives me CRAZY! She got her bangs and mullet trimmed a few days ago. The Dishman family HAS to get regular haircuts. We all have thick hair (Laica doesn't yet, but hers grows super fast).

Picture from August 2010, dancing in the rain. He has changed so so so much since then! It is wild.

Mommy and Caden, back in August.

I absolutely love, love, love http://www.pandora.com/ It is freaking ah-mazing!! If you have not experienced the awesomeness, I urge you to try it out. You are welcome. Almost every morning, the kids have a few shows that they like to watch (as do I, The View rocks my ten o'clock hour). Sidenote: I love Joy. I love to hate Elisabeth. The View has caused me to like Whoopie much more than I used to. Barbara is sometimes awkwardly funny but mostly grumpy and bossy. While I am on the topic, did you see the ladies of the View on Oprah? TALK SHOW HEAVEN. Ok, that is a suffcient amount of time spent on the View to be embarrassed--almost. Don't even get me started on Ellen. Love, love, love...

Back to the music: My kids love to sing and dance. My mom and sisters are musically talented. Singing and playing instruments. I like to sing. I don't think it sounds good. I used to be able to beat a hand drum fairly well, but I am about 5 years out of practice in that department. My sister, Chelsi, could make it big if she got the right opportunity. She is that good. Deep and soulful.

I love singing and dancing with Caden and Laica because they just think it is awesome, I don't have any reason hold back and they are too little to be self-concious (I will do my best to keep them that way as long as I can). Laica has recently been spinning circles, singing "ashes, ashes..." She gets so dizzy, it is hilarious.

spring is in the air (I can just feel it)!!!

We took advantage of the nice weather today and played outside for awhile this afternoon. Caden and Laica LOVED it, and all three of us need a good dose of vitamin D from the sunshine. Here is Caden, picking out "cool rocks for Dada." He looks up to Clint so much, I love being a close spectator of their relationship and how it is blossoming as Caden grows. Amazing and beautiful. Of course Laica was looking for rocks, too. She had her own tiny bucket. She played with us for a little while, but is very independent, she likes to go off on her own. Sometimes if I come near her just trying to play (when we are outside) she takes off running away from me. I love it. She can be independent. I have always marched to the beat of my own drummer, and certainly encourage my children to do so also.

They love each other so much, it is so fun to watch them play. I had siblings close in age and while life sometimes got hectic, I would not change a thing. We were each others allies, and we remain close. I consider my sisters my close friends, and know that I am blessed to be able to do that.

Caden is so smart, and learning new things every day! Two of his best friends are Diego and Dora. :) He knows his letters and the sound that they make and is doing great counting in english and spanish. He can pick out and name some of the numbers, almost all of the letters. Sorry, I have to brag a bit.

Laica is speaking so well and understands a lot of what I am saying to her. She is showing signs that she may be ready to start potty training, we will start tomorrow. Hopefully she catches on quickly and we can be done buying diapers! On a similar note, Caden has never had an accident at night or naptime. So proud of my monsters.

Isn't he getting so big?! He is like, not even a toddler anymore. A little boy. My little boy. Ah, I am loving life right now. This weather will be amazing this week, we are anxious to play outside a lot! Hope you all enjoy it as well!

Brooke

Just a quick laugh...

This morning, Caden was debating between cheese and applesauce (don't judge me--I need this kid to eat something for breakfast). He went back and forth a few times, but ultimately decided on the cheese. Mr. Caden (ruler of the roost) demanded "No, other cheese," when he saw it was shredded, rather than sliced.

I tell him, "We don't have the other cheese, this is it. Do you want some or would you like applsauce instead?" To which he replies, "'Stead." Made me smile, I love my little guy (and girl!! Laica had already eaten, as she makes a mad dash for her high chair as soon as her feet hit the floor).

Good start to the day... just hope Clint feels better soon!

Brooke

Sick Day

Uh oh, time to go inside...

Loving the rare warm day in December. We heart playing outside.

Best buds for life... Aren't they so precious?

Cannot believe that Monday is nearing end. Clint stayed home sick today. He has a Dr. appointment tomorrow, we are really hoping that is isn't strep throat! He was able to watch the kiddies while I did my usual Monday cleaning job. I just love the couple that I clean for, the Dollars. They are awesome people and great company. They treat me very well!

Well, I am on my third attempt at putting Ms. Laica Lyn down for bed. Wish me luck...

Brooke

Loving the sunshine!

We had a warm day near the end of Decemeber, and the kids loved breaking out of the house and running around. We are very ready for Spring in the Dishman household.

Laica had her 15 month check up recently. She is in the 40th percentile for height and weight, 75 percentile for head size. She is very healthy and we are so very grateful for that. She is jabbering all of the time, and saying several words that we understand. She will spin around and sing the "ashes, ashes" line of Ring Around the Rosy. It is so sweet.

Caden is growing to be such a big boy! Clint took him rabbit hunting yesterday, he looked so cute dressed up in his hunting gear. He is doing so good at learing his alphabet and numbers. He is a good counter as well. I have been very impressed with what he has learned recently. If we stay on track, we may have him reading before kindergarten! I can't believe my baby will be three in a few short months. Life is passing by way too quickly.

We also had Parents as Teachers. We absolutely love going to the school for this program. It is wonderful. It is so helpful to know where the children should be at, developmentally. I think that it is very beneficial.

We want to sign Caden up for soccer this spring, I can't wait!