Big Boy Helper

Kyle loves to help out around the house. Some of his favorites are laundry, sweeping, and cleaning up the dishes. My heart just melts when he watches me clean and then joins in. That little smile on his face and feeling of accomplishment he gets is amazing to watch. Sure, it takes twice as long to get things done, but he is learning responsibility as well as feeling good about himself for achieving new things.

Helping scrub the pans!

He is so proud!

Coloring with Daddy on my new table and chair set Santa brought!

MDO Christmas Party

Kyle had his Christmas Party today at Mother's Day Out. The big kids had a Christmas show. Our class just had a special gym play time. Then we had a book exchange and Kyle got a new book about a puppy! We then went to the cafeteria for a pizza party and cake and cookies! No more school until January 5th!

Kyle and Nana opening up the book!

Daddy was able to come for some of my party!

Eating pizza...

...and cake!

RIP Roopy Dog

Last week was one of the hardest weeks in a long time. Our family dog, Blanca, was killed. She was 1 day shy of her 4th birthday. We were leaving for Fort Worth for a few days and I was outside cleaning out the car. Blanca was outside playing. She always plays so well outside and she comes right when I call her. We live on a cul-de-sac and all the neighborhood dogs play together outside. Blanca was visiting one of her friend dogs and was on her way home when a Terminex truck drove down our street and hit her, killing her instantly. While I am thankful it happened fast and she felt no pain (she never knew what happened), I am extremely angry at Terminex...who is claiming they never hit her. However, since I was outside when I happened I know that is not the truth. I wish they would just be honest and say, "I'm sorry, it was an accident." That's all I am looking for. But, they would rather lie about it.

When I saw here lying there I ran over to her, she was about 2 houses over. I picked her up and ran inside to Kevin, who was actually taking a shower. We tried to get her to wake up, but we both knew she was gone. We woke up Kyle from his nap and drove to our vet, not letting him see Blanca. The vet told us what we already knew..she was gone. But hearing it made it so much more real.

Nearly a week has gone by and I still feel like she should be there when I walk in the door. I feel like I need to be careful getting out of bed in the morning so I don't kick her off because she slept right at my feet. I miss having to always fix the pillows on the couch because she napped on top of them. She was a perfect dog. Kevin gave her to me as a gift a month before we got married, so she has been there with us since the beginning. I remember when Kyle was a newborn. She would lay on the bed next to the bassinet with her little face resting on the side of the bassinet watching Kyle sleep. She would come get me if he stirred and bark at anyone who came near him. She let Kyle pull her tail and ears when he got older and now that he is a toddler they were great friends.

Kevin and I love having pets in the home and we feel it is good for Kyle to be raised around pets too. We are going to wait a few months until we are no longer grieving and then we will go to a nearby shelter and find a new family dog. I know we will love the new dog just as much as Blanca, but we will never have another Blanca. She is greatly missed.

Thanksgiving Party at MDO

Kyle had his Thanksgiving party at Mother's Day Out today! They made place mats that had pictures of family members on it and they made a turkey out of his little hand print. It was adorable. Then they sat down for a Thanksgiving Feast...well, for a toddler it was a feast. He is doing well at MDO and meeting new friends. He has a little buddy and they are best friends at school. It is so sweet.

Fall Football

We went to Georgetown to watch David play in his football game against Leander. Sadly, Georgetown lost (bad), but we still had a great time! Kyle loves to watch and play football. He's our future little football star! Here are some pictures of the family at the game!

Bampa, Nanny, and Joycie watch Kyle as he talks to his cousin Ben.

Kyle is so sweet to Ben. They are so cute when they play together.

Kyle eating Aunt Joycie's popcorn and watching the game. Actually, at this moment he is watching the cheerleaders. Oh boy!

Halloween Pumpkin

We carved our pumpkin tonight and this was the first year Kyle got to help out! He doesn't like to have his hands dirty, so we were unsure how he would like the pumpkin guts. He loved taking the top off and putting it back on, but we were right about the pumpking guts...he wanted nothing to do with that. Here are some pictures of the process:

Kyle made the first cut

Making the top part so we can put the candle inside

Kyle loved to play with the lid

The finished product...

Pointing at the pumpkin...he was amazed at the light inside

Pappie's Visit

Pappie came to Austin to visit us from Dallas. He and Mamaw were only able to stay a day, but it was nice seeing them. I love the goofy look on Kevin's face. Pappie brought Kyle a shirt that said, "My grandpa is a biker." He's wearing it in the picture, but you can't really see it. This is a picture of the "Knight Men" and when I see this picture of think of the theme song to the show Two and half men...ya know men, men, manly men, men, men. Hehe. They think they are so tough. And below is Pappies new toy. Kyle was still a little uncertain about the bike, as he should be...no bikes for him!