A Message With Teeth in It*

I haven't seen Thad move so fast or with so much determination in his short little life.

We were at Grandpa and Grandma's house for the weekend. It was time for the morning brushing of his teeth. Of course, there was too much fun going on to stop for brushing teeth--and so the discussion began. Only this time, Grandma was there to put in her two cents' worth, too. Thad was unpersuaded.

But I knew something about Grandma that Thad didn't know.

"Mom, show Thad your false teeth!"

So Mom called to Thad, who turned to look at her just as she pushed out her top set and I was saying, "Grandma didn't brush her teeth when she was a little girl and so she lost all her teeth. Now she has to wear fake ones!"

Thad's eyes were the size of . . . beach balls. He raced into the bathroom, raced back out to the living room to grab the foot stool so he could reach the sink, and raced back into the bathroom. Several minutes later we got his response.

"Dad!!! Look at how shiny my teeth are!"

There just isn't anything like an object lesson.

*HUGE thanks to Grandma for letting me out her!

To Grandmother's House We Go!

We headed down to Iowa to see Grandpa and Grandma, and to check out the incredible flooding. It was a good week!

This is supposed to be a bean field. I stitched two pictures together so you could get the scope of the LAKES that stand in the fields.

I grew up in Iowa and I have seen some rain, but I have never seen anything like this.

Thad was enamored with the cats. The feeling wasn't so mutual. This did not stop Thad.

"I am NOT tired and I WILL watch the shark show with Grandma . . . ZZZzzzzzzz."

With Great-Great Aunt Rachel, who is 92!

Proof I Am a Good Mom!

I made playdough (playdo? How DO you spell it!?) for Thad. Without chemicals, with wonderful vanilla smell, and EDIBLE!

AND it doesn't stick to anything and it cleans up well and best of all . . .

THAD LOVES IT!!!

Camp Christianson

Thad really wants to go camping. So Pete obliged him . . .

Roasting "marshmellows" (grapes) over the fire

Everyone knows you have to blow on the marshmellow before you put it in your mouth!

Mmmm-mmmm . . . perfectly browned . . . and even better with ketchup!

No Explanation Needed

A GREAT Red Wagon Gift!

I am sure you have heard of the red-wagon gift? The little boy who got his grandmother a red wagon for her birthday because he really wanted one? I've always loved that story (and love giving red wagon gifts, too!).

Well, Thad got a wonderful red wagon gift from his Grandparents Christianson: a real red wagon. And we can barely get him out of it!

He watches tv in it, he colors in it, he eats breakfast in it, he has tried to sleep in it, he has ridden on the bike trail in it, he . . . well, you get the idea. Thad loves his red wagon!

What's Your Pleasure, Jerry?

Thad has a stuffed giraffe named Jerry who is a very close friend of his. Today, Jerry and Thad were sitting in their new wagon (thanks, Grandmommy & Granddaddy!) and wanted to watch a little tv. I asked Thad if he would rather watch Wonder Pets or Backyardigans.

Thad turned to Jerry: "Jerry, wanna watch Wonder Pets or Backyardigans?"

Apparently, Jerry was in the mood for a little Wonder Pets.

Thad & Jerry a few months back.

Jerry getting a ride on Thad's shoulders (and Thad's face full of peanut butter . . . yeesh!).

Another First

Look who has pinkeyeS!
(and a double ear infection)
(woo-hoo!)