I woke up at 7:14a to find Anna Kate already here.  I was happy and ready to hear the plan for the day.  I hope Mimz's surgery is over soon and she has an easy day.
I gave Anna Kate my little Valentine Monk Monk.  She wasn't much interested, but one day she will like having him to comfort her.
I had a choice of a whole list of things for breakfast.  I asked for pancakes and then I would not eat.  Everyone kept trying to coax me to eat.  I went to school without eating.  Oh, I did drink a glass of chocolate milk.   We shall see.....

I walked out of school with my gloves on.  Teacher told Barbara, I started a new fad. Brant and Ethan have started wearing gloves.   We had two recesses today.  I held earth worms in our science class.  It was a good day.

Grandma came over this morning to take GGM to a doctor's appointment, but before they left she played with Anna Kate.  She hopes to come over more often... when both of us grandchildren are at Barbara's home.
 
On the drive home, I started counting red cars when we were half way home.  I counted 38.  When I got home I ran to see Anna Kate.  She was awake and I noticed my old Jungle baby mobile was set up.

 I tried it out, then had Barbara put Anna Kate on it. 

  I showed her all the fun things to play with.  She was more interested in watching me than the toys.

 You can expect to see a picture like this every day, because every day I want to hold Anna Kate as soon as I get home and wash my hands.

 Barbara always takes more than one picture and we have a hard time picking out just one to put on my blog.

PaPa , GGF, and I had two errands to run.  PaPa had to move my car seat from Barbara's car, to his truck.  We went to Lowe's to get them to send in our new power washer that isn't working.  Then we went to a marine store.  PaPa and Grandma bought a new pantoon boat recently and he wanted to look at things about boats.  He and GGF bought me a water squirt gun.  Grandma bought a used paddle boat on Facebook or something like that.

Back home, I picked up my wooden blocks.  I watched one TV show and the rest of the time I was outside. 

 I rode my bike a little, then I tried out my old scooter and then remembered how much I like riding scooters.  Barbara wanted me to wear this old Halloween shirt to school tomorrow, but the paint on it is a little rough and wearing off.  I wanted to wear the same shirt orange and white striped shirt I wore today, so Barbara agreed to wash it tonight for me.

Daddy picked me up and took me to visit Mimz in the hospital.  Mimz' gallbladder surgery went well.  She is feeling no pain and feels good.  She will go home tomorrow.  I was glad I got to visit her and of course she was so very happy Daddy and I were there to wish her well.

I fell asleep on the drive home.  At about 8pm Daddy carried me up the stairs at Barbara's house, got me to wake up enough to go potty.  He laid me in bed and took off my clothes.    I asked for a drink.  By the time Barbara could get back with a drink, I was already asleep.    Ah... this was another good day.   No bad attitude for me!

I woke up at 4:30 and got into Barbara's bed.  When I woke up at 7:15, Barbara was not here.  She had gone to get Anna Kate.  GGM and GGF were here to take care of me for the short time before she got here with my baby girl.

I got dressed, brushed my teeth, helped fix my lunch, and Barbara went outside with me to play baseball until Mimz got here to drive me to school. 

 Mimz played ball with us. 

She is a good hitter, and a good pitcher too.  Then we left to drive back to Mimz' neighborhood doughnut shop before going to school.  I enjoy a good doughnut.

Mommy went to the doctor.  She has strep throat, which is more contagious than the flu.  I can't be around her for 24 hours after she starts taking her medicine or 24 hours after she has been fever free.  So it looks like I will be at Barbara's again tonight.  She likes having me around when I am happy, which is most of the time.

Mimz picked me up from school and we had a play date at the park with Sophia.  Sophia has a new scooter which she rode. I rode my bike.  We had a few moments that we squabbled, but most of the time we play nicely.

Around 3pm Mimz took me to Barbara's home.  I was happy to see Anna Kate, GGM, GGF, and Barbara all outside waiting for us to get there.   Anna Kate is my first girl friend and I am her first boy friend. 

She really likes me and I know that I will teach her a lot of things, so I have to set a good example.

Barbara played a little baseball with me, then GGF, Barbara, and I went to the grocery store.  I got to pick out something fun to eat.  I chose some M&M ice cream cookies.  I have had them before and they are good.

Back home GGM played a little baseball with me, then I watched a Andy Griffith show.  I like the ones with Opie on the show.  He is a little kid my age and his dad is very good about helping him understand why things are the way they are and how he needs to think about the choices he makes.

I rode my bike, hoping that Mr Brad would come home and go for a long bike ride with me, but he didn't get home.  I have been in bed every day this week, before he gets home.  He did put out some neat Halloween decorations that light up when it gets dark.

It was almost time for the last game of the World Series, when I had to make a choice:  I could take a shower and be finished in time to watch start of the game or I could take a bath, which always takes me a long time, because I like to play with toys in the tub.  I decided on a shower.  We just have a few Pringles left and I decided I wanted to take them in my lunch.  So I had a bowl of chocolate ice cream for a snack during the game.

At 8:30, my bedtime, the score was tied 2 - 2.  I'll have to find out if Kansas City Royals win in the morning.  I have been rooting for them the entire series.

I did a couple of cute things today, but Barbara didn't write them down, so we have forgotten what they were.  Barbara thinks she doesn't have time for that now that she has Anna Kate to take care of too.  She has GGM to help her all day, so she really has time, she just has something else as a higher priority, I guess.

I called Mimz at 8:30 from my bed to wish her good luck with her gallbladder surgery in the morning.  She will be in my prayers.

I have been super good about going to sleep very soon after 8:30pm.  So from 8:30p to 6:30a, Barbara doesn't have any children to care for, so she does have plenty of time to help me with my blog.....  I don't know why she gets behind.

It was almost 5am when Monk Monk and I climbed into Barbara's bed.  If we lived in Minnesota, she would love having me sleep in her bed.  I am like a little oven radiating lots of heat.

I didn't write on this day, so I have forgotten it.  I know I went to school and Mommy is still sick, so I stayed at Barbara's after school and all night.  

 I helped feed Anna Kate.

 I am closely supervised when I am holding the baby. 

 I helped GGF clean up the street.

 Working makes me hungry.  I think this is the day I ate four small bowls of chocolate ice cream.

 When the weather is not too cold, not too, we take Anna Kate outside to get some sun... not really sun, because we keep her in the shade, but you know what I mean.

 I enjoyed watching little bits of the World Series.  I was for Kansas City.  Barbara recorded the game and she would show me exciting parts of the game, the next day.  I had to go to bed at 8:30p before the games were over.   I have been mixing marker colors in the tub every evening.  I found mixing a lot of colors, makes brown.

I respond well to having a bedtime routine.  When I know that I have these things to do: bath, snack, teeth brushing, potty, gather up Monk Monk and other animals, say good-night; I do a pretty good job of being in bed by 8:30 and being asleep around 8:45, maybe even before that.   And that gives me time to wake up in the morning on my own and be plenty rested and then I seen to not get into trouble as often.  Don't get me wrong, I don't get in trouble often, but just sometimes.




  

We know there is a flock of at least 20 large vulchers living in the woods behind Barbara's home.  We have seen that many at one time.  Every morning GGF watches to see how many perch on the tall dead tree in the top center of the picture above.  The only day they come into the yard and neighborhood is on garbage pick-up day, which is today.  There were six perched on the back fence and one was on top of our patio table umbrella in this picture.  You can't really tell it from this picture, but they are huge birds.

Mommy took me to Mimz' home as she drove to work.  I was a little upset that I didn't have my gloves with me, but I got over that quickly and I had a good day at school.

Barbara and GGF came to get me from school.  First thing when I get in the car I look for a water bottle and normally I see one.  It is empty before we get home.  I also ask Barbara to roll down my window so I can holler bye to all my friends as we drive away.  One of the teachers told Mimz that I am a tread-setter... two other boys have started wearing gloves to school.

When we were parked in the garage, I ran inside looking for both GGM and Anna Kate.  I found them upstairs. 

 They were doing the same thing, Anna Kate was swinging in my old baby swing and GGM was rocking in the rocking chair right beside her.   GGM told me to go wash my hands with soap before I could touch Anna Kate, and I did as I was told. 

 I had on my red cowboy hat when I returned and Anna Kate liked looking at it...

 .. and I like looking and touching her.

 Barbara really likes this picture, even though you can't see our faces.    This hug looks like we are in a huddle.

I was hungry, so I had two small bowls of chocolate ice cream.  The only ice cream they have ever have here is butter pecan, but yesterday while grocery shopping, they bought some chocolate ice cream for me.  I think they all love me a bunch.

I wanted to play Dream Snatchers, but we couldn't because balls go flying everywhere and Anna Kate could get hit, so Barbara and I went outside to play baseball.  We laid out my bases and I started out being the pitcher.  I throw some wild pitches but I get plenty over home plate and Barbara is a good hitter.  When Barbara gets a hit, I retrieve the ball and often I tag first base before she gets there and all is well and good.  Then it was Barbara's turn to pitch, of course, I make a lot of doubles and even home runs and all is well and good.  But one time, I made it to second base, and wanted to get to third base, but Barbara was standing on third base, but I still tried and of course, she tagged me and I was out.  I got mad... and that was the end of our fun play.

I said something about kicking her in the face, and I ended up in Time Out.  I threatened to tell my mom how mean Barbara is to me.   Well, guess what... after Time Out was over, I was perfectly behaved the rest of the afternoon and evening.

Back inside, Anna Kate was crying and boy can she cry loud.  GGM was trying to sooth her while her bottle was warming.  GGF was working a jigsaw puzzle and he and I just looked at each other wondering how that loud noise was coming out of that little package.   I like to stick the bottle into Anna Kate's mouth.  It is amazing to see her immediately start sucking.  You can't get the bottle out of her mouth after it is in there.  She gets a good grip on that bottle and won't let go.  I like to help her burp.  And I even helped change another dirty diaper.  It is not as bad as I thought it would be.

I ask Barbara to help me build with these blocks.  She comes up with new things to build every time.  Then the next time I can build it myself.  I wanted to watch an episode of Jake and the Neverland Pirates.  With Anna Kate, GGM, GGF, and Barbara all in the big TV room, I decided I would watch it in Barbara's room, where I could here the show. 
 
I am not jealous of the attention Anna Kate gets.  I know she can't do anything for herself and either Barbara or GGM have to take care of her.  GGF looks at her and talks to her, but he leaves all the other stuff to them.

I saw Nicole outside, so I ran outside to ask her what time Mr Brad would be home.  She said he was playing golf so it could be late.  I stayed outside riding my little bike.    My mom got sick this afternoon and she came home from work early.   It was decided I would spend the night at Barbara's in case she has something contagious like the flu.  Mommy had a flu shot last year, but not this year.  I had my flu mist, instead of a shot.

After Kristan came to get her baby, I ate pancakes for dinner.  I also grabbed a cold salmon patty as I hurried out the door, to play baseball with Barbara.  Shortly my great grandparents came out and they played with us.  One time I had runners on first and second and GGF hit the ball, and I got two players out.  It is sure fun when we all play together.  Mr Brad came home and I invited him to join the game.  He said he would after he did a few things if it didn't get too dark first.  Well, it was already getting dark, so he will have to play again another day.  We picked up our bases, bat, and ball.  That was a fun activity.

 GGM and Barbara walked and I rode my bike to look at a neighbor's Halloween decorations.

By then it was after 7pm.  I striped off my clothes, while Barbara got my bubble bath ready...

...and I played in the tub for over 30 minutes.  My dad brought over two sets of clean clothes for me to wear the next couple of days in case Mommy is sick that long.   He was getting her some Won Ton Soup to help her feel better.
I got in Barbara's bed to watch the Cowboy's football game and eat Pringles and chocolate ice cream.  I knew when the clock said it was 8:30pm I had to get in my own bed.  I didn't want to, but I did.  Ten minutes went by and Barbara was pretty sure I was asleep, but I came walking into her room, saying I had to go tell my great grandparents good night.  I went downstairs.  GGM was in her bed watching the football game.  GGF was watching Hogan's Heroes in the living room.  After a couple of minutes visiting with each of them, I got back in bed.  Ten minutes later, Barbara checked again and I was asleep, so she could turn the TV back on to watch the game.    

Sunday Oct 26, 2014

***** Sorry I got behind.  Pictures are now being added going clear back to Oct 18th.  Great school pictures posted on Oct 19th.*****

My last t-ball game started at 9am.  I had not played any baseball until joining the Blue Jays.  I have really improved during this ten game season.  The coaches selected me to win today's game ball.

My fan club today: Mommy, Daddy, Mimz, Grandma, Papa, Andy, GGM, and Barbara.  My dad and Uncle Andy played ball on this same field when they were little kids.

 Every time I was at bat....

 I either made a single or a double.  Once I made it to third base when the inning was over and once I scored.  I played center field.  One time I got the ball and held the runners from going to the next base.  Then I made a good throw to the pitcher.  The next time I got the ball, I ran around trying to tag runners.   All the players on my team do that, because none of us can catch.  Now the coaches are trying to tell us, that we should throw the ball, instead of run with it.   World Series fielders don't run with the ball.

The coaches gave me the game ball.

 Team huddle.  I have my game ball in my hand.

 I'll always keep this ball.

My teammates and coaches.  I'm on the front row far left.

 Daddy, Uncle Andy, Papa, and Grandma watching my game.

 Mimz, Great Grandma, and Uncle Andy talking to me about my t-ball season.

The team had a pool party at Zachary's home.

 His parents heated their swimming pool and hot tub. We all played in the pool for 2 to 2 1/2 hours.  Have of the boys wore floaties.

 We had a trophy presentation.

 This is a picture of me with one of my coaches.   All the parents brought a covered dish.  We brought Texas Caviar Dip and tortilla chips. After swimming, the team all went upstairs to play while the parents visited.

This party started soon after my t-ball game was over, so that would have been around noon.  We were having a great time, playing upstairs, with no fighting.  There were a couple of quick issues, but that was very minor.  We didn't want to quit playing, so everybody stayed.  Finally, Mommy said we had to leave.  We left at 8pm and there were still five or six boys still there.  It was a really fun day.

Friday, October 24, 2014

I thought Anna Kate would be with Barbara and would ride with me to school, but Barbara had taken her home to GGM.  She said it was time for Anna Kate to eat so it would be another day that she would go with us.  I was disappointed, but then I realized she would be at home waiting for me after school.

I wore my gloves to school again.  Maybe I will stop doing that soon because my ant bites are not as noticeable now. 

I love my little baby girl.  I want to help with everything she does.

I will sit for awhile holding her, with her head on a pillow and her bottom on my lap.  I am learning to talk to her.  GGM said Anna Kate will learn how to do things by watching me.  I need practice talking to her.  Mostly I am quiet or ask Barbara questions about babies.

GGM helped me wash my gloves.

I did some painting in my craft room and sort of made a small mess.  While Barbara washed out my shirt and I did some body painting.

Then I  took a shower to get the paint washed off.

After my shower I wanted to hold Anna Kate again.  She was trying to pull my hair. I think she likes me.

I rode my little bike (my big bike is at home because I can't have it here as a part of my punishment for bad behavior.)  And GGF hit a few balls and I chased after them.
GGM made me a chocolate shake.  It was just as good as the expensive one I had at DQ.

After Mommy picked me up, I played with Carson some before we went to the grocery store.  We had to buy a few items for the dip we are taking to my team party tomorrow.

I was asleep in my room at Mimz' home, when she came into my room at 4am.  She must have made a noise and I woke up.  I asked her what she was doing.  She said she was just checking on me.  I turned over and went right back to sleep.

At 7am, I got up, when to potty, before going into Mimz room.  She thought, "He is growing up."  I don't need help with many things that I asked for help with when I was a little kid.

I got into trouble before school .... for arguing and talking back... and I was put right into Time Out.  Mimz and Barbara have both been pretty rough on me.  They want me to stop that kind of inappropriate behavior now, while I am still a little kid.  And after the Time Out I was back to my normal sweet self. 

GGF likes to watch and talk to Anna Kate, but he lets GGM and Barbara take care of her.

From school Mimz and I went drove to Barbara's.  We were both so excited to get to see Anna Kate.  I was so very gentle and happy to have my own baby girl.  

Mimz got to hold her first. 

 After Mimz left, I washed my hands with soap and then I got to hold her.   I wanted to help with everything, including the dreaded diaper.  I helped take off a wet diaper, and used a baby wipe.  It was not so terrible.

I could hold her while sitting on the sofa, with her head on a pillow.  I want to touch her face, but I'm learning to leave her eyes, nose, and mouth alone.  I kissed her cheek and forehead four times over the afternoon.  I know how to buckle and unbuckle her swing seat belt.  I know how to hold her bottle, but I didn't do that for long... it takes her about 15 minutes to drink 3 ounces and that is longer than I want to sit in one place.

A funny thing:  Barbara had a pan filled with very warm water to warm Anna Kate's bottle.  She showed me how to drop a drip of breast milk on my wrist.  It was still a little cool.  I asked if I could lick it..... sure, I could...... yuck.... it did not taste good!   We did the same little test in a couple of minutes.... this time I did not taste it.

I played peek-a-boo with Anna Kate, but I don't think she understood what we were doing.  I guess she is a little young for that game.

We took her outside, where GGM sat in the shade holding her. 

 I put on my rubber boots and helped Barbara fill the waterfall with fresh water.

    It had just been cleaned. 

Hearing that running water, made me have to go.....

AK liked being outside, but she did act a little tired.  Inside, I buckled her swing seat belt, so she could swing.  

I laid down under the swing, and watched it going back and forth.  Boys like to do funny things.

Barbara and I played with wooden blocks near the baby so we could see and hear if she needed anything.

While Anna Kate slept I washed my blue winter gloves with GGM's help.  They sure were dirty.
 I ate four bowls of butter pecan ice cream with chocolate syrup.  The bowls are my little plastic ones and are very small.

We watched some highlights of the World Series game from last night.  I am impressed with how those ball players can throw the ball, and run so fast.  

At 5pm we quickly gathered up all of Anna Kate's things, and changed her clothes, including her diaper, and got my things gathered up and we drove to my house.  In a bit, Aunt Kristan arrived to pick up her baby.  She sure misses that little girl while she is at school being a teacher.  I wonder if my parents miss me when they are away from me?  I'll have to ask them.

Daddy helped me get dressed for T-ball practice.  Barbara took me to practice.  We put bug spray on me... the mosquitoes are thick at the ball fields.  Mommy arrived and after a bit Barbara left.  I hollered bye to her from the pitcher's mount.  I am improving every day. 

Oh, remember at my last practice, there were four police cars parked along the street with their lights flashing for the last 15 minutes of my practice?  I found out what had happened.  There are two t-ball teams practicing at that time.  And about 30 men play soccer in the large area between the two t-ball teams.  Well, their soccer ball hit a boy on the other t-ball team.  I don't think he was seriously hurt, but the parents got mad, and the police were called.   At the practice tonight, there were about 15 soccer players instead of 30. 

Mimz is going to have gallbladder surgery but we don't know when yet.  She has had several bad episodes with her gallbladder and this will keep that from happening ever again.