I was ready to get up right away when I woke up at 7:10am.  First thing I asked for was candy.  Mimz said that was not going to happen and I refused breakfast.  I watched a little TV and was agreeable to getting dressed because I wanted to ride my scooter before school.   We did go out to ride but not for long because it was chilly.  I decided I was hungry after all and had a bowl of cereal.  That made us a little late for school but at least I didn't go to school on an empty stomach.

I asked Mimz who would pick me up.  She said she would.  I said, "Is Barbara never coming back?"  Mimz explained where she was and that she was coming back.  I was okay with that.

After work Mommy came to get me so she could play with me. 

 This picture shows Great Grandpa John at his desk in the Genealogy library in Bella Vista, AR.

 Behind him are the movable stacks.

He was helping his last customer find her family records  (the Watson family.

 Today was his going away party at the library.  Before the party began Great Grandpa showed Great Grandma and Barbara all around the library and showed them all the jobs he did.  They stopped to talk to the employees.

This picture was taken when people were first arriving at the party.
The party was for Friends of the Library (the volunteers) and there were 21 people there.  They had sandwiches and drinks.  Several people gave him cards and one couple gave him a DVD of old John Wayne movies.  They all told Great Grandma and Barbara how much they enjoyed knowing Great Grandpa.

I spent the night at Daddy's apartment.  He brought me to Mimz around 8:30am on his way to work.  Mimz and I played outside a lot.  I enjoyed talking to the next door neighbors and showing off my scooter skills.

After lunch Mimz' took me to Mommy's home where PaPa was waiting for us.  I helped PaPa spray the ants and then we played baseball and I ran the bases.  Grandma came over to babysit me too.  Grandma took me back to Mimz' home on her way back to the lake. 

Mimz and I played outside again. I had been wanting candy all day and had not eaten well so Mimz told me I had to eat a good dinner if I wanted some chocolate covered raisins.  Mimz prepared pot roast in a crock pot.  I had two helpings of carrots, one of potatoes and one of roast.  I got my dessert of chocolate covered raisins.   We Daddy got here I ate some more.  I was asleep before 8:45pm and was looking forward to school tomorrow.

What a difference a day makes:

Bella Vista, Febrary 26th...

Bella Vista, Febrary 27th...

I was awake at by 7am and asked Mimz ever so sweetly if we could stay in bed and watch my shows.  Of course she said yes to her favorite grandson.

 We are going to the rodeo next Tuesday, so Mimz took me to get a Rodeo haircut...

I was well behaved and they gave me a sucker.  Rodeo, here I come!

PaPa and Grandma spend the night in Ennis, Texas so they only had a three hour drive to complete their trip pulling the U-haul.  They worked hard to empty it, the pickup, and Barbara's car. 

Video of snow in Bella Vista, Arkansas this morning.

 These pictures show what my great-grandparents and Barbara enjoyed watching today.

 They watched six deer walking around in this area and didn't think to take their picture.

It is a good thing PaPa and Grandma left Bella Vista yesterday or they would be still up there enjoying the pretty snow also.

 Great Grandpa working Sudoku killer puzzles and while he is snowed in.

Here is a picture of the food left in their pantry.  Think that will be enough to fed three people for a week?  If not, they will have to go out to eat, I guess.

I woke up happy wanting Mommy and me to stay in bed.  She wished we could stay there all day, but that could not happen.   Mommy took me to Mimz' home as she was going to work.  I saw a little bag of Cheetos and grabbed two as we left the house.  I was wearing my pj's and cowboy boots.  Mommy told Mimz I had not had breakfast and my teeth had not been brushed.

I helped Junior, Mimz' yard man, put dirt in some low areas of the yard.  We decided one sprinkler head was too close to the patio so we had to move it.

I even rolled in the dirt because workmen have dirty jeans. 

Here I am with a clump of dirt I dug up.  I found a grub worm,

and took it to Mimz as a surprise.

In Bella Vista, my grandparents and great grandparents were hard at work packing up a U-haul with some heavy stuff.   It was cold and rainy.  In Houston, it was in the 60s and was a beautiful day.

The plan was to load the U-haul today and drive back tomorrow, but the forecast in Bella Vista changed to say they might have snow tomorrow, so around noon they had the U-haul and Barbara's car packed.  PaPa drove his truck and Grandma drove Barbara's car and they headed home to Tomball.  PaPa ran into hail.  Grandma was 30 minutes behind and she ran into heavy rain.  The plan was to drive part way home and spend the night in a hotel.

It was a beautiful day and Mommy and I played outside all day with Luke and Nicole.  Luke and I played with our trucks in the dirt/flower beds.  We rode bikes and scooters.  We played soccer with Luke's dad.  I wore my helmet all day.

I cried really hard when Mommy finally made me come inside when it was getting dark.  I told her I still wanted to play with Luke, he was my best friend.  I wish every day was this much fun.  I will sleep good tonight.

I started yawning while taking a bath and I was asleep around 8pm.

Barbara drove to Bella Vista by-passing Dallas.  Grandma and PaPa drove to Bella Vista going through Dallas.  Barbara left an hour before PaPa and she arrived a few minutes after he arrived.  But she made six stops to PaPa's two stops.  (I guess my grandparents haven't heard that you should make frequent stops on long drives.)  They were impressed with the amount of work my great-grandparents had done at getting their belonging packed up.  Not many 88 and 83 year-olds could work that hard.  Barbara listened to an audio book.  Grandpa brought along popcorn and three movies for her to watch and PaPa to listen too.  PaPa said if felt just like going to a drive-in movie.




 

This was a great day. 
I continued my trend of waking up early so Barbara and I decided to go to Wal-Mart while Mommy and Bridget slept.  At the McDonald's we shared a big breakfast with pancakes and didn't eat it all.  I guess our eyes were bigger than our stomachs.  We wanted to buy two cans of Pringles, one for me and one for Barbara's trip tomorrow, but they didn't have any.

PaPa came over to see Bridget before he leaves for his Nigeria job next week and he also fertilized the yard. 

Mommy and I took Maggie to the groomers.  A funny thing:  I started crying big time because I wanted to stay and watch Maggie being groomed.  People made comments about how sweet that was because they thought I was crying because I was so attached to my dog I didn't want to leave her. 

Mommy and I took Barbara's car to get the oil changed and washed.  I was very good and got some Proud Candy when I got home.

Mommy and I played outside, riding my scooter, playing with sidewalk chalk, and kicking balls.

 And I played in Brad's flower beds with trucks.

I generally ask to get my hands clean as soon as they get dirty, but I am learning to not be bothered by dirty hands.

I like wearing my helmet.  I pretend it is my construction worker's hard hat. 

I played a matching card game with Barbara.  I am very good at matching pictures.

Resting with Mommy while watching something on the iPad.  As usual scooted up as close as I could to Mommy.

While running errands we stopped at our friendly fire station to get me a new fireman's hat.  They are made of a thin plastic and I play with my firemans' hat often and rough, so they need to be replaced regularly.

Barbara left this afternoon to spend the night at the lake house, then she will get up early to drive to Bella Vista.  Grandma and Papa had to delay their trip up there because of snow in Bella Vista last week, so they are leaving tomorrow also.  They will take different routes.  Barbara drives slower and doesn't want to drive through Dallas.  Grandma and PaPa will return on Tuesday.  Barbara will return on March 6th with my great-grandparents.  I ask every day if they are on their way here.

****Well, I are behind and may not write much on the last couple of days because I have forgotten most of what has happened.

Just like the rest of the week I have was awake well before 7am.  Barbara and I play quietly in my big toy room.  After 7 I can make noise because we will all be awake by then.

Mommy took me outside to ride my scooter before she left for work.  I liked that.  I like to ride fast..  I am always willing to wear my helmet because I know it is "serious."  Grandma and PaPa came over for a visit and they were very impressed with my scooter technique.

I played like I was a football tackler several times during the day and Barbara had to get "serious" with me that I could knock her down playing that rough, so I would try to play "not so rough" but I can't help myself.

While Barbara got her hair cut, I walked around the beauty shop exploring.  They kept an eye on me and any time I got into something I shouldn't I quit when I was told to put something down or to leave something alone.  We were going to the library, but I fell asleep in the car so went straight home where I slept another two hours.

Every day I ask if Great Grandma is on her way here.  Barbara knows it was a mistake to tell me that my great grandparents are moving here.  I don't understand what two weeks is and expect them to show up any time.

Something I enjoy eating is dates.  The only think I don't like is that they make my fingers sticky.

Bridget drove to town to attend the rodeo cook-off tomorrow.  She, Mommy, and I played in the big room.  Barbara went to bed.  Around 9pm, I brought a diaper to my mom and told her I was ready for bed.  A few minutes later I was asleep.

reserved Thursday

I have been waking up early every day this week.  I don't know why, I just have been. 

We played football player tackling until Barbara could take no more.  I agreed to stop that and play with Play Dough.  We wanted a new show about a little Chinese girl.  I don't want to watch Barney, or Bubble Guppies, or Clifford the Big Red Dog.  I want to watch Dora and Diego and Caillou and sometimes Jake.

I didn't eat much breakfast, but I made up for it at lunch.  I ate a bunch of Taco Soup with some chips.  I wanted to lick the bowl clean.

I normally ask for chocolate milk, but today I agreed to drink just white milk.  I liked it.

I was awake early again.  Barbara and I went into the toy room and played quietly so we would not wake up Mommy.  When Mommy woke up we then could play very very loudly and I played as loudly as I could.  That was fun.

(add picture and video)
I rode my scooter before we left for school.  I sang a song Barbara and I made up a long time ago.  We sing it when I am resting, sort of like a lullaby.  The words are: "My sweet baby boy, my sweet baby boy, I love my sweet baby boy."  Repeat one more time.

I got to eat some Pringles as soon as we got home.  That was an agreement we had before I left for school.  I wanted some for breakfast but agreed to wait until after school.

Andy is pretty excited.  He and Kristan are getting the house they bid on and Andy starts his new job today.  Hope he likes it a bunch.

I woke up at 6:45 ready to play I Spy,Hide and Seek, and drive my trucks around the pool table.  Barbara did all of this with me so Mommy could sleep in.

I helped fix Mommy's breakfast and I insisted on having pancakes again.  Five of our near neighbor's had their trash out so I helped take out the trash, even though today is President's Day and they might not come.

I was a real ruffian today.  Several times I got in trouble with both Mommy and Barbara for playing at fighting or being extra rough.  I need to learn to contain my excitement at playing cowboy, or fireman, or whatever character I am.  It is hard when roughness is called for to really "be"  in character.

Mimz told Barbara I loved grilled cheese sandwiches.  Barbara has offered them to me several times and I always said no until today.  And I gobbled it down just like Mimz said I would.

Mommy and Barbara tell very different stories.  Mommy's are exciting and sometimes scary.  Barbara's are tame by comparison.  I like both kinds.  I really prefer to hear a story to reading a book or watching television.  I like to say who will be in the story and what it is going to be about.  I often stop the story teller and tell them, "No, I don't want that to happen."  Then I direct the way the story goes, but I don't want to tell the story myself. 

Mommy and I went to HEB.  We think this is a fun adventure.  I got to pick out the color car/cart we get.  We got a free slice of pizza and I got a free big cookie.  On our way out the front door we played Buddy Bucks.

Daddy is feeling better but is not up to par yet.  Mimz' soup helped him feel better.

Andy and Kristan's offer was excepted for the house, so they will be home owners soon.  The house is a short distance east of I-45 near the Rayford exit.

I was awake with the chicken, but I still didn't wake up before Barbara.   We wrapped up in blankets and I listened to stories about  Jake and the Neverland Pirates. 

Then I made a long train around the edge of the pool tableusing some of my many cars and trucks.  I sure missed not having the pool table track to play on while it was in the garage and being re-felted.

I played in the sink just like I did yesterday but this time it was Mommy watching me.  When I finished Mommy and I went to HEB hoping to get there before the church crowd. 

I still refuse to poop in the potty.  Mimz made a suggestion:  When I asked for a diaper, Mommy and Barbara said no, either I use the potty or go in my big boy underwear.  I did not like either of those ideas, so I cried for about five minutes into a pillow on the sofa, and then I went to sleep for three hours.   Mommy did put a diaper on me while I slept, so in a way I did get my way, but I did not go.

It was a beautiful afternoon so I rode my scooter and we played with my t-ball and bat.  I am pretty good at hitting the ball.

Mommy, Grandma, and I went to a party for a boy who is leaving on his 2-year Mormon mission.  When I got home Barbara asked what I ate.  I said cupcake, cookie, and candy.  I forgot there was a mashed potato bar and I ate mashed potatoes with cheese on it.

I had a three hour nap so it was 9:30 before I want to sleep.

Daddy is sick and we hope it is not the flu.  I stayed with Mimz so I would not be exposed to the bug Daddy has.  Mommy came to get me in the middle of the morning and we went to Wal-mart where we looked at the toys.  I got a new dump truck and two new sippie cups.  I can use regular cups, but I do like my sippies too.

Grandma and PaPa came over to help us get ready for my great grandparents moving in with us.  We worked on cleaning and re-organizing the garage. 

 Instead of a gun fight, PaPa and I had a blower fight.

 I had lots of fun moving stuff around in the garage while every one worked at getting it better organized.

I wanted to see if I could fit in this box.

We made a space in the utility room for their deep freezer and space in an upstairs bedroom for their bedroom furniture.  I think we have room for their belongings.


 The hour Mommy napped I played with toys in a sink of water.  Barbara used a total of three hand towels to soak up the mess I was making.  What fun!
After Mommy's nap, she took care of me for the rest of the afternoon and evening. We started by cleaning Mommy's car, then we played, mostly rough-housing.  Barbara had time to rest and read.
   

I was told last night that I had to wear something other than my new purple cowboy shirt and my black jeans.  They had to be washed.   This morning I, not too willingly, agreed.

I had a busy day.  I chased bubbles.  These were tiny bubble given to me by a classmate on Valentine's Day.

I moved fast to catch most of the bubbles before they reached the floor.

I practiced making baskets.

Good shot! 

Barbara and I babysat Luke and his baby sister, Paisley for Nicole.  Paisley likes me and I played very nicely with her.  Luke was napping.  I played with Luke's toys.

I don't know what Bad to the Bone means, but I don't think my normal nice self fits the bill...

Is this more Bad to the Bone?

I was ready to demonstrate tree climbing.  To be safe I was wearing my helmet.

Actually Grandma helped me get up there.  She stepped away for just a few seconds for this picture to be taken.

When Barbara drove me to meet Mimz, the first thing I did was give Mimz her Valentine's Day card and a red rubber heart.  I have a card for Daddy too.



 

I ate good meals today after eating mostly candy yesterday.  After dinner, I told Mimz I was ready to put on my pajamas.  I fell asleep at 8pm. 

 

Mimz went to Morgan's Grandparents day at her school today.

 



Cousin Holly and Grandma's bosses family have been on board the Triumph cruise ship that lost power.  Instead of a four day cruise, it became a week long ordeal while the ship was towed to short.  4000 people with little or no power, no toilets, and no hot food.  My, oh, my!  They all made it home safely.

 

 

Happy Valentine's Day

 Mommy had a friend take my picture.

 Me puckered up and ready to work in the kissing booth. 

Me pretending to be a photographer.

Smile!

Today we had a Valentine's Day party at school.  My contribution was plates and napkins with red hearts on them.  I also brought valentines and candy for my classmates.  I came home with a small amount of candy and before Mommy was home from work I had eaten it all.  Normally Barbara does not give me any candy, so this was different.  I didn't eat much real food because I was full of sweets.  Maybe tomorrow I will be hungry and eat better.

I was given a little tub of Play Dough at my party so I had to play with it.

Barbara can tell some pretty good stories but she doesn't know much about boy stuff.  Mimz knows all about Batman, Robin, and the Joker and other stuff like that that boys are interested in.

We were making a quick trip out to Barbara's car and we ended up out there for half an hour.  I discovered that carseat belts make good fireman's hose, so I played happily putting out hoses to put out fires.  It was another beautiful day.

When Mommy got home I gave her my valentine and she was surprised to find that all the candy I got from my school party was gone.  There were only six children in my class so it was not a lot of candy but still a lot more sugar than I normally get.  Mommy played with me during a long bath and I was asleep by 8:30pm.  They were afraid I would be awake late because of the sugar I ate today.

Blowing bubbles before taking a bath.

Mimz says her new patio cover is looking great.  I can't wait to see it in person.

Barbara wanted to work around the house and I wanted her to play with me.  All I had to do was ask ever so sweetly and she played with me.  :)

PaPa came over and he, Barbara, and I removed the old carpet, pad, and tack boards from the formal dining room.  I vacuumed.  Funny to think not that long ago I was scared of vacuums and anything that made loud noises.

Barbara read me a book on her iPad about pirates.  When I saw an anchor I said, "Anchors keep a ship from moving just like stabilizers do on a fire truck."

Progress is being made on Mimz' new patio cover.  Mimz doesn't feel well so I am going to stay here this evening and will spend Friday night with Mimz and Daddy.  Hope Mimz feels better soon.

Andy and Kristan are thinking about making an offer on a house, so PaPa, Grandma, Barbara, and I went to go see it.  We only could see the front because someone does live it in.  It does look nice.  Oh, I did not get to see it, I was asleep in my carseat, but I did see the pictures.

Back home we started doing our routine play, starting with Play Dough, then trucks, and finally stories.  I don't know why Barbara gets tired of telling stories after five or six of them.  I don't get tired of listening.

Me eating a hamburger.Mommy bought home a cupcake and we pretended to be friends who shared it.
I had a thirty minute nap in the car.  I went to bed at 8:15 and was asleep one minute after my bedtime story.

school
I got to wear my new purple cowboy shirt to school.
As I was leaving school today Miss Melonie gave me a little box of Nerds candy.  PaPa picked me up from school took me home.  I was pleased to see that our pool table had been reassembled this morning.  The felt is OU maroon and it looks good.  PaPa and I spent the day hanging new blinds on all the upstairs window and putting up some new ceiling air vents. 
Barbara drove 600 miles today to come back to me.  It rained hard to medium more than half the trip.  She said the trip was uneventful but long because she drove slower than she would have if the roads had been dry.
Barbara was glad to get to see my new purple shirt, my new boots, and my new scooter.   PaPa and I helped her unload the front and back seats of her car.  She will now need to find a place for the things she brought from my grandparents home.
I must be growing.  I can now reach the light switch to turn on the ceiling light in my room. 
I did not have a nap and I didn't go to bed until 9:30. 

Happy 29th Birthday, Uncle Andy.

There is alot going on with my family.  
My great grandparents Bates and Barbara are making great progress with the moving process.  Barbara will come home on Tuesday so they don't have much time for her to help.

Andy, Kristan, and Grandma are out looking at houses.  They are thinking they may want to buy a house rather than rent.

I was in hog heaven today!
It started with Mommy and me playing tent on the sofa.  We did a lot of rough housing.  I was the cowboy and Mommy was the steer.
 
I love my orange (University of Texas color) scooter which I have at Mimz home.  I really need to have one at my home too.  So my parents took me to the Imagination Toy store to see if they had one.  We were barely in the front door when I spotted something I had to have.  They had a large display of everything cowboy that a boy could want.  They had cowboy boots in every color.  I saw a black pair with red flames on them and I grabbed them and insisted that they were mine.  They were too large and Mommy had to explain that they were not my size and I still was not willing to let them go.  After I saw the pair that was my size I was willing to let the first pair go.  I wore them out of the store.  People in the store saw this and got a good laugh. 

They did have a red scooter (Oklahoma University's color) and my parents purchased it for me.

New shirt, new boots, and new red scooter!
I got it into my head that now I needed a purple cowboy shirt.  My parents took me to Carter's not really thinking they would have one just like I want, but there was a purple shirt with white stripes.  When we got to the car, Daddy helped me put on my new purple cowboy shirt.  Oh, what a lucky boy I am.  The Houston rodeo is next month.  I am so looking forward to it.

I said I wanted chicken fihita's for dinner so that is what we had.   This was just the best day.  Daddy and I went home around 7:30.