Mischief

Considering the amount of art we do in the this house, I'm shocked this didn't happen earlier; I guess everyone has to have their "Coloring on..." story. Here's ours:

This is Robbie during "nap time."

Ty was asleep in the crib right next to Robbie's "art" so I told Robbie to go take his nap in the study--no need to wake Ty with Robbie's protest. I quickly grabbed all the markers and put them up and ran downstairs for a magic eraser. (Robbie and I already tried to clean it off with soap and water--it was a no go.) When I got back upstairs, I heard Robbie playing in the study instead of sleeping. I went in to see what was going on and found this:

A very proud Robbie tangling all the string on Daddy's fly rod (which, by the way, I have no idea how he found). Fun day of discovery in this house, let me tell ya!

Bows and Arrows

Spring is here, and that means Rob is out back again shooting on his self-made archery range. Robbie wants to be just like Daddy, though, so he regularly joins Rob with his homemade bow and arrow.

I'm not trying to brag, but the kid has great aim! :)

Robbie and Rob

Robbie and Daddy showing off their bows.

My Parents are Idiots

Robbie is at that stage. I guess we sometimes underestimate how much he really understands, which is why moments like these are hilarious.

Robbie is fascinated by bugs (lucky for him we live in Missouri). We got some insect books at the library with huge, detailed pictures. Rob was reading the part about bees. Robbie looks at Rob and says, "Daddy, touch it!" pointing to the picture.
"Oh no, Robbie," Rob says in a stern voice, "Bees will sting you!"
Robbie wrinkles his nose and says, "Daddy, it's just a picture!"

In the last week, we have looked just as ridiculous, I'm sure, to our little two-year-old. We've stammered and stumbled trying to answer his simple questions.

"What is voice?"
"What is life?"

He's teaching us more now than we are teaching him, I'm afraid.

Easter

We had a really great Easter this year. It seems like the older the kids get, the more exciting it is for us. Saturday night I was setting up the toys and hiding eggs when Rob starts laughing at me. "Kyrsten, I haven't seen you this excited forever--it's like it's your first Christmas or something!" he says. And really, that is how it felt. I am a selfish being at heart, but having children has changed me--their joys are now my own. The plunder

Robbie at his second Easter egg hunt outside Orschlen's Farm & Home store. He found the egg with an X on it--good for a $10 gift card. He went inside and picked out a John Deere tractor and two cowboy/bull action figures. Every day he makes Rob go to YouTube and show him bullriding now. Robbie is sure that when he is bigger, he wants to do that too (uh, NO!).

Robbie & Ty after their first hunt up at the school, sponsored by the SAA.

Venison

Rob is a big believer in eating wild game. He always is telling me how much better it is: it isn't pumped with broths and nitrates; it has less fat; the animal actually had a life instead of an existance in a pen...he goes on and on. The problem is, I just don't really care for the taste--probably just because I am not used to it. Well, though Rob came home buckless this deer season, a friend of his didn't and decided to share the goods with us. His wife gave me ideas of how to disguise the flavor (like me, she's not a huge fan)--thanks Nashelle! I've used it in lasagna, chili, and recently meatballs. The boys are eating it just fine. Still, I took this picture of Ty after taking a bite and it just cracks me up. His expression really matches mine--I'll eat it but I'm not begging for seconds.

Robbie

Robbie after playing in the slushy snow. This picture is truly one to be celebrated since he is actually smiling for the camera!

It snowed last weekend. Rob was away at a boards review so Robbie insisted that he shovel for Daddy. Here's a few shots of the effort.

It's tough being the man of the house for a few hours--Robbie needed to watch cartoons after his hard day shoveling.



Robbie is a little boy now. It's like I blinked and he's no longer my baby. Just today Robbie was playing basketball with Daddy (Rob) outside during Rob's lunch. When Daddy told him he had to go back to school, Robbie tried to convince him not to go. The conversation went like this:

"No, pay bass-a-ball wif me!"

"Robbie, I want to play basketball with you, but I have to go back to school."

"No."

"Robbie, if Daddy doesn't go to school, you can't have any toys, or clothes, or food."

Robbie thought for a second. "I don't want toys." pause "I don't want shirts."

Rob and I started busting up. For the moment, Robbie really meant it, I'm sure (since he didn't add that he didn't want food either). It just goes to show that children really just want our love and attention. I am so glad I get to stay home with my boys!