First Swim Lessons

If you haven't noticed, I have several children. Several small children. Large bodies of water feel like a death sentence, because remember, I have more children than I have arms. So we decided it would be a good idea to have the big boys take swim lessons. 

I looked in to lessons through the Parks & Rec deparment, but Cason was not old enough to go to his own class. I am not talented enough to do Mommy & Me swim lessons with two boys, so we needed private lessons. I found a fabulous gal through The Village Mommies play group and the boys loved her. She was the perfect balance of patience and prodding. Cannon literally found the courage to swim on his own underwater the day after swim lessons ended. Cason is much more apprehensive but I feel better knowing that he has at least practiced blowing under water, kicking in the water, and monkey climbing along the wall.

In true Reeder fashion, we ended our last swim class with a Slurpee from 7-Eleven and a nice long nap.

Redneck Sledding

I can remember years, perhaps even a decade, of winters without snow growing up. So, the fact that we've gotten enough snow the last few years to actually go sledding seems rare for this Texas girl.

You also know this weather is rare based upon our miss-moshed snow outfits (see Cason's rainboots and the six layers under Cannon's jacket) and our random sleds of choice: a laundry basket, cardboard and a little surf board.

An hour of sliding down the hill and trekking back up and everyone was ready for hot chocolate and a fire. A few trips around the block because we couldn't get out of the neighborhood thanks to hilly, icy streets, and we were home ready to warm up. 

Cason's Bubble Bath

There are things that the second child misses out on because the first child doesn't like them. 

Take condiments for instance. Cannon hates all condiments. He doesn't want mayo on any sandwich, he won't eat jelly on a pb&j (he must have honey), and he refuses to dip anything in ketchup. So, naturally, I never even thought to offer Cason condiments. 

Rewind to a few weeks ago when we were eating at Chick-fil-a and Cason noticed me dipping my chicken nuggets in Polynesian Sauce. He asked for some and I gave him a taste. It was like Christmas morning for the boy. He liked "dipping" so much that I had to remind him to take bites. He would just dip the same chicken nugget into the sauce, licking the sauce off over and over again. Same with french fries. He has since discovered honey, ketchup and Chick-fil-a sauce and his meals will never the same.

The other example is bubble baths. Cannon hates bubble baths. They paralyze him. He refuses to move a muscle until I've bathed him and wrapped him in a nice, fluffy towel far away from any white foam. Well, the boys take all their baths together, so poor Cason has never been introduced to bubble baths. One random afternoon Cason had the privilege of a private bath. He asked for bubbles. I think he was asking for the kind you blow through a bubble wand, but I decided to try something different. We didn't have any Mr. Bubble on hand, so I just dumped some baby wash under the faucet and let it bubble up. Cason was enthralled. They stuck to his hand, he could blow them, and he could fill cups with them. He loved it.

And now I'm on a mission to figure out all the things I've "assumed" he won't like simply because Cannon didn't like them. 

Cason's First Big Boo Boo

For every cautious bone in Cannon's body, Cason has a daring one. He had more scrapes and bruises on his little knees by his first birthday than Cannon has had in his entire life. The child trips over the floor. And then he immediately wants to cuddle and sing "Jesus Loves Me" to make it all feel better. 

Well, one of his "trips" landed his chin squarely on the fireplace and resulted in the first "do I need to take him to the ER" worry. His chin was scraped up pretty good, but it appeared that he also bit through his little tongue. Since the "bite" was more in the middle and not off the edge (meaning his tongue wasn't hanging in two pieces) we thought we'd give it a day and see how it looked in the morning. 

Other than a day of complaining about his tongue when he ate, Cason was a trooper with his injuries. As you can see in the photos, he proudly shows his wounds to anyone and everyone, pointing and loudly declaring "BOO BOOOOOO!"

Some S'mores

This pregnant mama totally bought into Kroger's marketing scheme. I stood in front of that cardboard display and just bought the marshmallows, chocolate and graham crackers that were all right there, conveniently grouped, staring me in the face. I don't think I even paused very long to question my decision. 

Danny brilliantly broiled the marshmallows in the oven one day after dinner and we all relished our urban camping treat. This dessert also perfectly displays how differently my boys eat. 

"Wait what?! You don't eat the chocolate off first?" 

"Hm, this looks messy. Let me assess the best way to get this into my mouth. Can I get a napkin?"

"Well, that was great. Where's the next one? No more? Okay, I'll just keep licking this marshmallow off my fingers then."

First Popsicles

The boys usually play outside with Daddy after he gets home from work and while I'm regaining my sanity fixing dinner. The neighborhood boys all come swarming over to play baseball, ride scooters or do whatever is fun at the moment. On this hot evening, our next door neighbor graciously brought out popsicles for everyone to cool off to. Apparently he took one look at Cason's hair, which is only wet from sweat, and decided the child needed a refreshment!

Corn on the Cob Summer

For four weeks this summer we're getting delicious, farm-fresh veggies straight from a local farmer and family friend. Nothing tastes like sunshine more than sweet corn on the cob and the boys were fans. I had to take away the stripped corn on the cob before they both ate the hull!

First Fishing

Danny has had a miniature fishing pole tucked away in his closet since Christmas just waiting for the perfect day to take Cannon fishing. The only problem . . . Cannon found it and would ask every few days if it was time to go fishing yet. 

Finally, finally it was time. The boys went to a stocked catfish pond in Mesquite and came home with dinner. 

I don't think Cannon quite understood what was going to happen when they went fishing because he enjoyed holding the pole until they caught their first fish. Danny helped him reel that catfish onto the shore and Cannon wanted nothing else to do with that pole. He watched Danny catch the second one. 

He also wasn't so sure about tasting their fresh catch, but Danny sure enjoyed his fried catfish dinner.

The following are a few photos from Danny's phone that he managed to capture while he was keeping kids from falling in the lake.

I Can Do It Myself! Spoon Eating 101

Some little monkey refuses to let me spoon feed him any more. He insists on doing it himself.

Sometimes though it's just easier to use your hands. 

But look Mom! I got some in my mouth!

Although there are just some spots the spoon won't get so we lick the bowl clean.

And then there's musical bowls where banging out a tune is the name of the game.

Oh my heart . . . those eyes.

All done. Meet the newest member of the "Clean Plate Club!"