A day at the park....

I hate to admit that Cody has only been to the park a time or two in his sweet little life. This past Sunday Aubrey was at a soccer game and Ashlyn was begging to go to the park. One hand I was all for it but on the other hand it sounded like a lot of work. You know….chasing Cody, helping him up the steps, pushing the never ending swing and so on. But, after all the begging I gave in and we headed to Friendship Park here in Frisco. As soon as we walked in Cody’s little face was all smiles. It was priceless. Ashlyn was so kind in giving him a tour of the park…..showed him all the slides, the swings, all the ladders and how to climb up them. After the tour he felt right at home and was soon telling her where to go next. He would grab a hold of her leg and push/direct her where to go next. He is a bold little guy! It turned out to be a great experience for me…..um I mean him! We will definitely be going back…..but only if I have the girls to help!

Willy Wonka a.k.a. Cody

Busted!

When I am getting ready in the mornings Cody keeps himself busy while I am showering and all. Totally unsupervised I might add....but he has earned his stripes/freedom over time by showing me that he can be 'good'. He rarely gets into anything that he isn't supposed to......rarely! This morning I had gotten Cody up and he wasn't acting too hungry so I thought I would go ahead and shower before I made him breakfast. As I was getting ready, listening to my radio in the bathroom I was enjoying the calmness of the morning. It was all good. Calmness......yes calmness.....o no! I peaked in the bedroom hoping to see Cody quietly watching Sesame Street but there was no Cody to be found. Then I noticed Chloe was gone....o no not a good combo at all! When I walked in the kitchen I find Cody and Chloe (or Chlody to cover them both) in the kitchen digging into the candy drawer. We have had this drawer full of candy for MONTHS and he has never really showed much attention to it...until today. Chloe was thanking him for all the candy he was giving her....wrappers and all. She could hardly keep up. I'm really not sure how much either of them ate.
Later that morning when I was making his favorite green eggs (eggs with puree spinach, wheat germ and flax seed) for some reason he didn't want very much...hmmm wonder why!

Ashlyn's plea

Ashlyn is totally and completely obsessed with animals and she is back on the dog bandwagon to get another dog. Just so you don't think I am a big 'ol meanie for not buying into another dog, let me remind you.......we have one HUGE 100 pound dog and 2 cats! Top that off with 3 kids....and can I add one is a pre-teen and one is a toddler! Are you following me here?
Here is the good news (from her perspective).... she told me that she wasn't thinking about getting one anytime soon...... no earlier then June! Whew....that was a relief! haha
She wants to be able to bond with it over the summer!
So, in Ashlyn's world she is ready anytime.....my world.....a big fat nope!

Here is the e-mail plea from Ashlyn....not edited.....enjoy...

I relay want a dog and me and Aubrey are ready for one. We are very responsible and this can be a simple thank you for doing all that baby sitting. Remember I will babysit for free for YOU and YOU only!!! And help out by doing chores. We will clean up any mess this puppy will make.(or will try relay hard) It can sleep in me and Aubrey's room so you don't half to mess with it at night. We will still give Kinlee, Kylee and Chloe ton of action remember animals need homes that's one thing we can do to help. I think God is telling me to keep trying because every one is getting one around me. I know your not ready but you will be. Check out theses puppies if its not the one for us then we will keep trying!! Please I love you. Ashlyn
http://www.terrificpets.com/dogs_for_sale/viewad.asp?adid=76895

Chores
1. Clean the bath room
2. The dishes
3. The litter box
4. Make our beds
5. Brush all the animals
6. Scoop Chloe’s poop
7. Feed all the animals
8. Vacuum any room
9. Clean the house
10. Put shoes away
11. Less computer time and TV
12. Homework
13. Put away toys
14. Help Cody

You have to give it to her for trying...I'm thinking debate club is in her future!

Sandbox full of fun

We have had a sandbox for months now but Cody has showed zero interest in it. He has touched the sand a time or two but would always come to me and say 'mess' and want me to wipe his hands off......he isn't the typical boy that likes to play in the mud....yet! But this past Sunday Ashlyn showed him how to scoop the sand, fill up a bucket and 'play' in the sand. You could see his little wheels turning in his head. Concentration at its best! It was so sweet from my perspective to sit back and watch Ashlyn and him bond. He loved it, and I think Ashlyn loved it just as much and enjoyed spending that time with him. I am so thankful that the girls are so in love with him. It isn't always easy having a toddler around and they never (well I will not go that far.....rarely) complain about him. They are usually more then happy to have 'Cody Duty' as we call it and help me out with him. I know they are held back a little because of him but the love they have for him is amazing! He is one lucky little boy!