Family Afar

This is for all of the family that does not live near Cullen. Well, close enough for you to visit frequently. You are on his mind and in his heart. He talks about you all and remembers everything...

Matthew:
"I don't want to go to this park. It is not Matthew's."
"I want to use Matthew's toothpaste."
"I can't wear those pajamas. They don't have rockets on them."

Brandon:
"I want to listen to ear things and music." (headphones and CD player)

Aunt Melissa:
"I want to sleep at Aunt Melissa's tonight."

Uncle Chris:
"Mom, you can't play like Uncle Chris."

PawPaw E.:
"Please, take me fishing at PawPaw's pond."
"I want to catch fish and put them back."
"I need to check the beaver house."
"We need to put eggs in the place."

GiGi:
"Paw Paw had to drive GiGi out of the hole. It's O.K."

Brad:
"I want to fish with Brad."

Tyler:
"I will swim by the boat with Tyler."
"He took off his shirt and shoes."

Uncle Mike:
"Where is Uncle Mike's cows?"
"I want to see them."

PaPa and Nana Moss:
"Will PaPa and Nana feed the deer for me?"
"I want to go chase the birds from my corn."
"Can I eat the blueberries from PaPa's tree?"

Aunt Brandi:
"She buys me prizes?"
"Aunt Brandi bought me those sandles." (The strap broke, and we still have them.)

Emily and Brittany:
"I want Brittany and Emily to visit me on Monday."
"They can run and swim with me."

Cotton:
"I want to watch Cotton crawl in his car."
"I not touch him."

PawPaw and MawMaw King:
"I go to PawPaw and MawMaw's house."
"The wagon?"

Aunt Tam and Uncle Butch:
"Aunt Tam lets me throw rocks."
"I like to hide in Uncle Butch's closet." (pantry)

MawMaw M. and Aunt Jean:
"I picked the yellow flowers."
"It was plenty of flowers."

Uncle Roger:
"Uncle Roger is so sweet. He gave me a sucker."

Hannah:
"That is my Hannah. I need to see her."

Nana in Texas:
"I want some chapstick like Nana's."

MiMi: Cullen talks about you all the time... He will miss you when you move.
"I need to water MiMi's flowers."
"I swim at MiMi's pool."
"We should go check MiMi's mail."

He says many things about everybody. These are just a few of the things that we discuss on a regular basis. We love everyone and miss you!!!!

New BoBo Remedy..

I had to attend a workshop on Monday and Tuesday of this week, so it was "Daddy Daycare." They had a great time, and Cullen was very good for his Daddy.

During both days I would call to check on them. On Tuesday I called to find out that Cullen had found a new remedy for a bump on the head. Brent and Cullen were playing ball in the house when Cullen bumped his head on the fireplace. He started to cry, and Brent asked him if a gummie would make it better. He said, "Yes, Dad." Brent got the gummie and handed it to him. Cullen took the gummie and put it on the spot he bumped like it was ice or something. Brent said he left it there for a few minutes then said, "All better," and ate it! So, if you are looking for something to stop the pain a Lifesaver Gummie might do the trick...

The Boys are Playing

Cullen and Brent are playing in Cullen's room. I was asked to leave by the two year old. So, I comply.

I hear...
"Thanks Dad for the bean bag. You are so sweet. I'm going to cut you."

I go back in only to be told to leave again by the two year old.

I come to the computer to blog, and Brent walks in carrying Cullen. Brent simply states, "I have cut Cullen in the face. He needs some medicine on it." I ask, "What?" He says, "I cut him with my toe. Do not ask..." That made me laugh, so I did not ask.

I take Cullen to the medicine cabinet and cleaned him up. It is a small cut unlike the other one he got today across his check, or I guess I should say he got it sometime during the night. Anyway, back to today. As I am cleaning Cullen, he says, "Mama, Daddy bit me on the face. It needs medicine." I could not reply with anything other than, "He did not mean to..." When I am done being "Medicine Woman", Cullen jumps up and runs to his Daddy and yells, "It is O.K. I am all better. Let's play!"

I am not sure if I will enter the room of guys, or if I will try to locate a place of solitude for five minutes. If I get to quite everyone starts to wonder where I am... They will locate me!

Two new phrases...

Phrase One: "I can't..."
He uses it all the time. No matter what the situation.
Mama:"Cullen, you need to eat."
"I can't..."

Daddy:"Cullen, pick up your toys."
"I can't..."

Mama:"Be nice to the dogs."
"I can't..."

Daddy:"Lets watch Little Einsteins."
"I can't..."

Phrase Two: "Maybe tomorrow..."
Mama:"We need to go to the store."
"Maybe tomorrow..."

Daddy:"Do you want to go to a new school?"
"Maybe tomorrow..."

Mama:"Lets feed the dogs."
"Maybe tomorrow..."

Mama:"Bathtime."
"Maybe tomorrow..."

He also chimes in things like "not today","I don't feel good" and "good job mom and dad." He is dropping the "dy" from daddy, and I am mom. He is formal these days.

Daycare

Nanny Lissa, I am pleading for you to move near us! We miss you and need you. Well, cullen needs you...


With that being said, we have been in search for another daycare since our most recent move. We are those parents. We don't just pick a daycare and leave our child there. Anyway, I have visited just about every daycare in our area and have been completely horrifid at some. I wouldn't let these people keep my dogs much less my first born. We found one that is suitable near my work and that was where we were going to leave him. Then, Brent found one while looking online, and it seems to be the best. It is further away and of course more expensive, but you can't put a price on your childs safety and well being. We went to look at it yesterday, and it was very good. Cullen stayed in the classroom while we toured the facility. He never wimpered, and when we returned he asked to stay. This is a first since we have been on our daycare search. Most of the time he will not stand on the floor much less socialize with the others. He hugged the teacher bye, and said he would see her later. This is a very good sign and makes me feel comfortable. If I must leave him in a daycare facility then it will be this one. Now, we will be paying for it, but Cullen is worth every penny and so is our peace of mind.

While visiting St. Louis we could not get over the price of daycare. When we got in the truck after touring this facility Brent said, "We can just pretend we live in St. Louis, and we have to pay that much for daycare."

Again, Nanny Lissa, you were the best thing that ever happened to Cullen, and I would love for you to have him until he enters school. The love and attention he got from you was unbelieveable, and we felt totally at peace with you taking care of our Little Man! Thank You and we miss you...

Funnies

1. Cullen wants everyone to know that "STUNKS stink. Be Careful."

2. Since our return from St. Louis, Cullen has been requesting green eggs and ham from lunch. No, we did not eat green eggs and ham while in St. Louis, but we did read the book everynight. I beleive it is one of Matthew's favorites. It is now one of Cullen's. He likes it so much that he is wanting green eggs and ham. This is funny because Cullen does not like eggs green or not "Sam I Am." So, we just have normal colored ham and pretend that green peas are the eggs. He is o.K. with this!

Pictures

Angels...

We didn't do it...

Feed the goat?
Like this!
Oops wrong way!

Look at flickr for more! See side bar...

We're Back

and have been back since Wednesday, July 5th. We have been busy getting upacked from the move and decorating. It is coming together.

We had a terrific time in St. Louis. It was great to visit, let the boys destroy Chris and Melissa's home and see St. Louis. This is how it went:
1. Arrived late Thursday night. Cullen liked flying. He rode in the window seat.
2. Friday morning we rested a little bit and kept Matthew with us. We went for a walk in the neighborhood and waited on the workers to return. At noon everyone started coming home, and it was time for P.F. Chang's for lunch. It was good, but it was not a good time to go. It was naptime for the little ones. Matthew was very good, but Cullen was that child during the entire lunch! Melissa and I took the two year olds home while Chris and Brent stayed to clear up the check. Outings are never the same when you have a child...
3.On, Saturday we went ot the Zoo. It is huge, and we only saw a small portion of it. Again, due to naptime for two individuals. I say two individuals. It is Cullen who needs the nap. If he doesn't get one everyone knows about it. I did age 10 years on this day while we were in the reptile house. Matthew decided to leap the fence which kept the caimen in. It does not hold two year olds out. Chris and Brent went to a baseball game later that evening.
4. Church on Sunday, grocerry store and kids played.
5. Monday we went to the city Museum. It was fun. Kids young and old had a great time. Uncle Chris fit through mazes noone else could.
6. On the 4th Meme and Poppy came to town. We cooked out, went to the mall and kids played. Meme and Poppy watched the kids so we could go to dinner. It was a nice treat! Yes, all three of them...

The kids are great together. Brandon was a real tropper through it all. When there are two, two year olds in the house there is not much time for anything else.

Thanks Chris and Melissa, for letting us come and invade your space! We really enjoyed it!