Some Pictures for Today: Pumpkin of Poo

So, as you all know, my husband has an "interesting" sense of humor. I know for a fact that his sense of humor may have been introduced to some of you at importune moments, which I won't divulge here. However, the long and short of it is that Joe likes to laugh. And, he thinks that certain things are just HILARIOUS, and he doesn't really care all that much if others agree. To him, it IS funny, so he goes with it. Now, these little pranks/jokes are never dangerous or really inappropriate. They are always light-hearted at the core. 

Well, a couple weeks ago his Company had a chili cook-off and bonfire. We all had a grand time at it, but especially Joe, because he prepared a very SPECIAL chili for the occasion. His commander and him had been going back and forth bragging about how amazing their personal recipes were, and Joe (as we all know) was bluffing. Instead of actually finding a recipe, or even having his wife cook his entry, he had a BETTER plan. He was going to create a PUMPKIN of POO! Now, a Pumpkin of Poo is an actual really inappropriate and mean prank that can be pulled on someone. Joe wasn't going for this. He just wanted to imitate it, in a way. So, he "borrowed" Patrick's pumpkin from the Pumpkin Patch, cut out the bottom, and went to work! 

Now, I am not allowed to divulge the entire contents of this Pumpkin of Poo, but let's just say that over the course of it's creation I finally got rid of entire containers of spices that I had been carrying around since before our wedding and had never used. I also cleaned out the fridge of some near-outdated random condiments, and Patrick's personal foods may have added some needed substance and color to the endeavor. 

In the end, I can assure you that the contents of his pumpkin were not, in fact, Poo. However, the texture, and possibly even the taste, could have been mistaken for it. 

And Yes… you are, I'm sure, wondering about the chili cook-off. Joe actually DID compete and everyone who attended was actually served a portion of his "chili"! As for the results, let's just say that Joe laughed A LOT and his chili proved to impress many people!

To end, a video of T and Joe being the first taste testers early on in the creation process. As you will be able to tell, Joe was very serious about his masterpiece.

Love, Us.

A Picture for Today: My Little Stitchers

I've shared before that Thérèse, to our great surprise, took almost immediately to embroidery with just a few lessons after last Christmas. Well, it looks like David will take to it pretty well also. I introduced him for the first time to the simple lacing cards a few weeks ago, and he seemed to picked it up more easily than Thérèse did back in the day. However, it may just be that, through trial and error, I have learned how best to teach it. Poor Thérèse, my little homeschool guinea pig. Hopefully she'll survive!

David's first completed lacing card (all by himself!).

T working on her current secret project for a certain teeny tiny baby cousin who will join the rest of us on the outside this Friday!

Love, Us.

A Picture for Today: Patrick's Destruction Abilities

The other day I found out just how quickly Patrick could cause a significant amount of destruction. The kids and I had just finished our school day and had exited the school room. Patrick stayed behind to "play". A few seconds pass and there is a very sudden and loud crash in the school room. We run in and find this…

…our entire (large and heavy!) white board is knocked off the wall and, in the process of falling, has knocked down a number of other things. I thanked God that Patrick was not hurt and made a note to never underestimate what this little munchkin is capable of. He is barely tall enough to touch the bottom of that white board... this boy has crazy skills!

Love, Us.

Some Pictures for Today: Thérèse's Second 100 Books

She did it again! T finished reading her second 100 books! Congrats, T!

She got to celebrate with a big bowl of ice cream!

Love, Us.

Some Pictures for Today: Another Reason for Trying Gerber

OK, to be completely honest, the kids WERE missing their yummy canned applesauce, but there was a second important reason for taking the plunge to Gerber the other day. We were putting the last finishing touches on a gift for a special someone's birthday present.

I know what you are thinking... what does Gerber applesauce possibly have to do with a birthday present for a 29 year old Army officer/dad? Well, it seems that Gerber recently had a BRILLIANT marketing idea. They added very cute and colorful animal pictures to their lids... 30 different ones, in fact! Well, that immediately gave me ideas about a game that we love to play here around the Librandi house: Memory! So, I made sure to "collect" two of every kind of animal lid and wash them as best I could after Patrick partook of the contents (for your future reference, canned carrots REALLY stain those lids!). But, we were about four jars short of completion the day before Joe's birthday. So, the kids had to "take one for the team" in order to complete the set in time. And... we did it! Thanks, Gerber! I really think this durable memory game will be traveling along with us for many many years to come. 

Hope you can come and play with us soon!

Love, Us.

Some Things for Daddy's Birthday

Happy Birthday to Joe! Since we are in the Army, I know that your 29th year will be exciting.
I pray that it will also be grace-filled!

A gift from Patrick:

From David:

And from Thérèse:

We Love You!

Love, Us.

A Picture for Today: What You Have Brought Us To...

With all of the sweet goodness from the midwest depleted, T and D were so in need that they were even willing to check out Gerber's take on applesauce. For shame!

How can you stand by and let his happen? If I would have snapped a picture, I could have also added a visual of the large amount of STORE-BOUGHT spaghetti sauce I purchased today! If you want my opinion (which you obviously do, because you are reading this), it just isn't spaghetti sauce when you don't, every once in a while, get the special portion with the missed bay leaf in it. 

Oh, why can't Christmas come more quickly!?

Love, Us.

Some Pictures for Today: Park Fun

For today, enjoy these fun pics from one of our recent park trips. Yeah - I've got a bunch of goofballs around here...

Love, Us.

A Picture for Today: Patrick's First "One-Nap" Day

Well, Patrick has been a very bad little munchkin lately. He has been taking a super good morning nap right after breakfast, but then refusing to take another nap in the afternoon. This is a BIG problem for mom, because I have the joy of still having my 3 and 5 year-olds taking an afternoon nap. But, if my 1 year-old isn't also sleeping, what is the point, right? So, yesterday I planned to fix this bad boy's problem and get him to take his one nap in the afternoon instead. Everything was going great - Patrick was even very pleasant and agreeable during his physical therapy session from 1030 to 1130. But, as soon as noon came around he turned into a Crank-A-Tron! And then he had a first - he fell asleep while eating (I LOVE THAT!). But, he unfortunately woke up and started cranking again when I went to snap of picture of him. So, I got him out and moved him to the couch. 

I Let him sleep there for 30 minutes until getting him up for some time at the park before "real" nap time. I guess I had a minor success - he took a decent afternoon nap. But, I think the new plan will be just to shorten his morning nap at the regular time and hope that he takes a full afternoon one still.
Having Crank-A-Tron around the house yesterday was not very fun. 

Love, Us.

A Picture for Today: A Very Sad Day in Texas

It's hard to be happy today...

We are on our last jar of either Oma's or Grandma's applesauce...

Sometimes, life is just sad...

Love, Us.

A Movie for Today: Patrick's Best Tricks

Here is a little love from our cuddly little guy. Enjoy!

Happy Sunday!

Love, Us.

Pictures for Today: Bishop's Mass with the Home Schoolers

Yesterday we attended a special Catholic home schoolers' Mass with El Paso's new bishop. All the kids from our group helped out in different ways, and it went very well. Thérèse was part of the offertory procession and did a very good job. A few neat things about this bishop - he is from Wisconsin and attended St. John's for a year! Small world! I had a moment of regret, however. The bishop joined us for a nice brunch after Mass, and as soon as he entered the cafeteria area I lost track of David. Soon, I located him in the bishop's arms. He had run up to him and given him one of his classic "leg hugs." The bishop had, in turn, picked him up to return the gift. Of course, I missed the picture, but got to enjoy the moment. But, for you today, the two that I do have to share.

Love, Us.

Videos for Today: Joe's Final Combatives II Tourney

They finally uploaded! Now, let's see if I can figure out how to get them on here. Joe fought in the light-weights, being the second-to-the-lightest guy there. He fought three fights and won each one, so... he won! And, as you may be able to figure out by the screaming and whining, this took place approximately two hours after bedtime. But, considering that, I think it was pretty impressive that I got videos at all, even if the last round got cut in half. Congrats on graduating (and winning), Joe! It was a long and grueling process, but I'm very happy that we stuck it out. And I'm possibly just a little more happy that it is done...it is good to have you home!

Round 1

Round 2

Round 3, Part 1

Round 3, Part 2

Love, Us.

A Video for Today: Therese the Monkey!

Sorry it has taken me so long to post today. Joe really wanted me to post his final Combatives II matches from the other night, but they are taking FOREVER to load to Youtube. So, for your viewing pleasure, I have instead decided to share with you our dear Thérèse's first successful monkey bar swing from end to end, which she achieved yesterday at the park! Yay, T!

Love, Us.

Some Pictures for Today: Swinging at the Park

For today, a few I took Monday when we went to the park for some swinging on a beautiful cloudy and windy El Paso day. I think Patrick would have been content on that swing for hours. He is currently the perfect size to just slump and relax in it, enjoying the ride.

Love, Us.

A Video for Today: Our Littlest Crossfitter

What can I say... we start them early! Not the best form, Patrick, but a pretty good start.

Oh, and sorry for the delayed posts over the last few days. Our internet has been touch-and-go, to put it mildly, for awhile now. But, the guy from Time Warner just left, and it seems to be doing better now! Yay!

Love, Us.

A Picture for Today: An OshKosh Day

Toddlers (yes, I'd say he has officially earned that title!) are just so cute in overalls, aren't they? And those super-cute socks add a bit of cuteness as well, Aunt Diane! Yeah, you got them for David last Christmas, but this boy has HUGE feet! Thanks for helping me keep those dino-sized tootsies warm!

Love, Us.

A Picture for Today: David's "Daily" Challenge

This morning I had no new pictures to share with you, so I decided to take a couple quick shots of David to go along with a story that I've been wanting to share for quite some time (like 2+ years!). It is a true story about David. And, it is a story that replays every morning and afternoon. You see, David lives two days for every one day the average person lives! I know... kind of crazy, but VERY true! 

Here is how it works: David wakes up in the morning and comes down announcing "Good morning!". Then, in the afternoon, after naps, he comes down announcing "Good morning!". You may, at first, think that this is just him saying "Hi" after naps, but it is not that simple. He really and truly believes, day in and day out, that it is a whole new day after nap time. An example is this past Tuesday when, in the morning, I had told the kids that tomorrow was going to be Patrick's birthday. After naps, David, very excitedly, came running down stairs screaming "Happy Birthday, Patrick!". He was SO upset (and confused) when it wasn't. 

Now, I've tried my best not to just let David remain in ignorance and confusion. I've tried visual aids showing that a new day only starts when the sun goes down and then comes up again. I've pointed out innumerable times that when he goes to sleep when the sun is up (at nap time), it will NOT be a new day when he wakes up. I have also made a simple and clear distinction that during naps we wear our normal clothes, because we are still in the middle of a day and a new day isn't starting afterwards. But, at bed time we wear pajamas so we can put on new clothes when we wake up for a new day. I've been hopeful, at times, that one or more of these explanations has stuck. But, to no avail. Every day is still double for him. And, the really crazy thing is that he is a really bright kid in so many other ways. He is just very stubborn on this one thing. 

Well, I better get going, because David's first day of today is almost a third of the way over and he is still in his pajamas. 

Love, Us.

A Picture for Today: Sleeping Baby

Well, I only have one picture to "choose from" today, so that is what you are getting. This was my first attempt at a birthday picture on Wednesday, because I knew that Patrick isn't always the most photogenic kiddo. But, as you have seen, he proved me wrong later in the day and gave me some great ones. But, for today, his sleeping baby picture.

Love, Us.

Some Stuff for Today: Patrick's Birthday

Well, we didn't have much planned for the big day, but it turned out pretty great for our new one-year-old. I was actually going to make a cake, but then our neighbor randomly brought over a cupcake for everyone in the family - without even knowing about the birthday! Perfect! That, plus a long bubble bath, I'm sure, equals the ultimate birthday for any one-year-old! You can decide whether his big grins affirm that or not.

Unfortunately, I missed a picture of both him and David with bubble beards and mustaches, but I'll take this happy smile!

Luckily, our meeting last night only went until bedtime, not past it, so we were able to quick light a candle and sing "Happy Birthday" to him. He was a bit too intrigued, and came very close to burning his hand on several occasions during our singing.

The first fist-full agreed with him...

...so he decided to dig in!

"That was AMAZING, Mom!"

Hmmm... Maybe a cupcake at bedtime wasn't the BEST idea...? He was a bit energetic!

But, every birthday has to come to an end. I thought this was a pretty great conclusion...

Love, Us.

Some Things for Today: Patrick is 1!

It is Patrick's birthday! I don't know how we will be celebrating, but there will at least be some kind of dessert and present-opening with supper tonight. Unfortunately, we have a 6pm meeting, so it will probably be a cranky-birthday-boy-party after that. We did start his special day off well, though, with a Skype date with the Verly clan and trying out his new ball track that we found at a thrift shop for him.

Patrick says "Hey"!

And here he is this morning trying out the ball track... with a little help from us.

Love, Us.

Teaser...you'll want to turn up your speakers...

A Picture for Today: The Masterminds

Thérèse has found a new game that she can actually play with dad and dad can enjoy (not an easily found thing, just FYI)! Several games of Mastermind were played over the weekend while dad was home. David even got involved once in awhile, but was usually most helpful in telling dad the answer, to the great chagrin of Thérèse. 

Love, Us.

A Video for Today: T's Mammal Poem

As I've mentioned before, in one of our homeschool groups we were studying mammals last month. As part of Thérèse's presentation for the group, she memorized a poem about mammals. Here she is presenting it for you! Enjoy!

Also, I would be extremely remiss to not apologize for my lack of posting yesterday. It was a crazy full day for us here. Unfortunately, that not only led to no blogging, but also kept us from hanging out with my mom on Skype for her birthday! I so sorry, Mom! We love you so much and were thinking and praying for you yesterday. The next moment it rains up there, grab dad and let's hang out! Happy belated birthday! We love you!

Love, Us.

A Picture for Today: Blast from the Past - Napping with My Buddy

Again, no new pictures today. So, today's "Oldie" comes from a snuggly nap I took with Patrick back on April Fool's Day. I guess it takes me falling asleep to get me in any picture other than a "selfie"!

Please take a moment, right now, to pray for a women's retreat I am attending today. Also, and more importantly, I dare say, for the Archdiocese. The world does not understand how the Church strives to seek forgiveness and healing 70X7 times before condemning. And, things are only going to be getting worse. Pray for more courageous and strong leaders and for the faithful to stand behind them, despite persecution.

Love, Us.

A Picture for Today: Blast from the Past - First Sunscreen Day of the Year

I have no new pictures for today, so I went back in my albums and, once again, found the most recent "new" pictures for you. The winners were a couple I took the first day that I had to get out the sunscreen this past spring. These were taken on April 4th while the kiddos and I hung out at a fun outdoor patio area here on post. Patrick was just under 6 months old - not even rolling over! Wow, kids DO grow up fast the first year! It is also memorable, because I recall being burning hot sitting on these cushioned chairs on the patio. Just a few weeks later, we were snowed-in in MN! 

Love, Us.