Big boy stuff

Recently, I went shopping for big boy bedding for Wade. I found some super-cute things and was so excited about it that I had Mark put together Wade's bed, just to see how it al looked. I thought it might take him a while to get used to it being in his room and he could play on it for awhile. Well, I was WRONG! The first night, he cried and cried until I let him sleep in it. Needless to say, 1 drink of water, 1 trip to get a stuffed moose and 1 trip into and getting stuck in his crib later, he decided that it was NOT the night to sleep in his big boy bed.

The next night, next afternoon nap and every day after that, he has slept (or attempted to sleep) in his big boy bed. He really doesn't wander or play with toys in his room and if he does, he willingly goes right back to his bed (if I catch him- man, he's quiet!) It has definately gone way better than I expected, but it's like everything else (eating with utensils, potty training) Wade just tells us when he's ready and there's no turning back!

Daddy and Wade working on the new bed

Wade checking Daddy's measurements

Bed assembly complete!

Wade actually napping in his new bed!

New endeavors

Recently Texas teachers have had to deal with some drastic cuts. In my district alone, a growing district, we had to cut $20 million from our current budget (possibly more). This includes everything from my superintendant cutting $20,000 from his own salary to all the P1 (probationary, 1st year) teachers having their contracts for the 2011-2012 school year non-renewed. Due to a streak of bad luck/bad timing, my first year in this district (last year) didn't count by 3 days... So long story short, MY contract was non-renewed along with all the first-year teachers even though I've taught 6 years in the state of TX... Some information here: http://m.statesman.com/statesman/pm_22431/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=NyZLH2Vp

While my mom visited over Spring Break, we brainstormed, plotted, planned and played. I am toying with some jewelry-making ideas and will share pictures as soon as I experiment. Right now I'm just researching and collecting the necessary equiptment and tools. Here's an idea of what I'm thinking about... www.etsy.com/shop/Revisions Who knows!? I just know that I want to try something new and it seems (although a little scary) definately fun and exciting!

On a lighter note, we also began a "busy book" for Wade's curious little mind and fingers (with zippers, snaps, etc.) and I began painting letters for his new big boy room:

Spring Break 2011

I sent my mom a message asking her to find me some deals to fly to MI over spring break. Her response was, "I was thinking of coming there...?" Well, that would probably be the cheapest option :)

We had such a good time with Nene over break. When we drove to San Antonio airport and back, Wade handled it like a champ watching movies in the car for 3+ hours. He was so excited to see Nene, that he screamed her name and ran up to her nearly knocking her over. He gave her a big ol' hug that lasted for ever!

We played and played (especially after the grey, cloudy skies cleared up), and Nene got to see the "real" Wade. The one that doesn't sleep much, speaks his opinion LOUDLY, runs like a crazy man all day long and has a great imagination :) and of course, she thought he was perfect. She also helped me begin a few crafts and brainstorm some ideas for my own business (more to come on all of this). We can't wait to see her again in June!

Family photo- March, 2011

Jotting down...

...random things that Wade says that make me laugh. He has an amazing imagination!

Today he told Lety that it was his poo-poos birthday. She had a good laugh about that :)

Wade informed Mark the other day that his big Pooh bear likes chocolate milk and yittle (little) Pooh bear likes white milk. In explanation: we bought a back-up Pooh bear, just in case we needed it, but he could tell the difference between the the new one and the original and now he just sleeps with both. Kind of defeats the purpose...

We were eating pizza one weekend and Mark opened up a container of marinara sauce. Wade dropped what he was eating, stood up on his chair to get a closer look (with his nose about an inch fro Mark's plate) and asked Mark, "Daddy, wha' chu got?"

Taking a bath one night, Wade instructed that I, "Say Mr. Wade, Mommy." I was confused and asked him to tell me what he wanted again. He repeated himself so I said, "Mr. Wade!" He asked me twice more and I responded. Finally he looked at me, and very gently said, "Tank 'oo Mommy for tellin' me. Good job."

At the book store tonight, I was waiting in line while Wade hopped around a table filled with books yelling, "Ribbit, ribbit!" And yes, I've turned into THAT MOM. I thought it was funny and cute and did nothing to stop him...

I've saved the best for last. We went to the store to get ice cream one night. Wade insisted on wearing his Mickey Mouse slippers, which I was fine with. We headed out the door and he noticed his bike helmet. You can see where this one is going. Yes, we went to the store dressed like this (you don't really get the full effect until you see the bright red, blue and yellow colors of his bike helmet though):

Mardi Gras

Recently, we went to a Mardi Gras parade in Sun City with Mark's grandparents, Aunt Jay and Uncle Pat (who are in town visiting from MI). I wasn't sure what to expect, considering the Sun City community is mostly retired folks.

But, Wade, Annabelle and Haley all had fun watching the decorated golf carts and people dressed up in costumes and throwing beads. There was even a cart with a home-made bar throwing Jello shots at 10:30 IN THE MORNING! Man, I was wrong about these Sun City folks. They really know how to party...