told you he's funny

Quite often I think to myself  i wish i had this kid on camera, but then I remind myself that I hate video cameras.  Lucky for me, written evidence of Reese's humor is sufficient!

Today, this little elf and I traveled to see our favorite doctor.  

Reese has had a nagging cough and a stuffy nose, so I thought it might be time to let Dr. Glaze weigh in on the cause.

We entertained ourselves in the waiting room by counting 1,2,5,6,7,8,9,11 and then by singing our A,B,C's.  When we got to the room the spinning stool was awaiting us-- it's one of Reese's favorite things about going to see Doter Gaze.

Then we had our exam.  Oh the exam.  Can I tell you how much Reese LOVES to have his nose looked up and his ears looked in?  It's loads of fun for me as well.  I guess Reese thought he'd tried a new tactic today to avoid the dreaded ear check.  When Dr. Glaze got out the ear looker thing {dr. hugh help me out???}, Reese covered his ears with his hands, laid down on my lap, and started snoring.  Yep.  Can't check my ears, buddy.  I'm napping!

Dr. Glaze cracked up and so did I.  So stinking funny, this kid!

do we get a prize?

Lofton and I had big plans to take away Reese's bah when he turned two.  Life had other big plans, though.  Things like head injuries and salmonella infested our life; and well, taking away our child's only "security" item fell by the wayside.


We've regained our strength, though, and ripped off the band aid::  


The bah is gone.  Praise the Lord.  


It hasn't been nearly as traumatic as I anticipated.  Isn't that usually what happens?


Reese has cried a little the last few nights, but he isn't creaming by any means.  And he isn't waking up during the night AT ALL.


Maybe now his teeth will straighten back out.  I don't actually have a lot of hope that this is going to happen considering genetics are working against him, but we'll see...


Regardless, I feel like we've hurdled another milestone and I'm patting us on the back.  Yippee!

showstopper

My kid is funny.  Like pee in your pants, laugh out loud, side-cramp funny.  He gets it from his Daddy-O, I’m sure.  I’m more “sarcastic” funny, not really laugh out loud funny. 

This weekend we had a visit from G and Gran, Lofton’s Dad and Step-Mom.  Reese, of course, put on a show.  There was some rapping {all we do is WIN}, some break dancing, and then just general buffoonery.

I adore this child of mine and the way he provides constant entertainment.  I’m trying to figure out a way to market his cuteness.  Suggestions?

Then yesterday, he crashed early for his nap and I cooked, baked, and cooked some more.  Then I did laundry and more laundry.  Just when I thought I was done with laundry, disaster struck.

Reese woke up from his nap and asked me to “rock, rock.”  You want to cuddle in the chair with Mama?  Sure thing buddy.  Except about 30 seconds later he yakked all over me.  More than one time. 

There was a lot of yak. 

So during the brief intermission from yakking, I ran down the hallway with him at full speed and set him in the tub.  Then he yakked some more.  Then he cried while I stripped off his clothes and cleaned him up.  Then I stripped myself and threw on some clothes that were yak-proof. 

We wrapped up in towels and laid on the couch till Daddy-O came home from the woods.  A large amount of Handy Manny was watched.

Lucky for us, Reese never got sick again.  After an hour or so on the couch he was back to his usual sassy self.  He did require we CARRY him all night, evidently yakking hurts his legs. 

The ho-ho countdown has begun here at Casa Beasley.  Santa will be here in 12 days!  We gave Reese his special ornament last night and he helped hang it on the tree. 

And another countdown is underway, too… Friday is a BIG day... In more ways than one!

no school day

My cooking list for the weekend is extensive.  Lofton was up and out early this frigid morning, on a duck hunting excursion of all things, so I got right to work.  We are hosting Lofton’s Dad tonight and the third grade Christmas party is here at our house Wednesday.  Lots of cooking and prep to do!  So while I was busy doing this:

Sweet boy was doing this:

Breaks my heart that he can feed himself breakfast.  With his big boy haircut, independent streak, and cartoon watching I’m afraid my baby is growing up!

P.S.  The scratch on Reese's face is from a girl at school.  She clobbered him with a toy train.  Little girls are so mean!

merry, merry

We had our class poetry recitation today.  Can I tell you how much I despise getting ready for this but then absolutely love the performance?  I feel that way EVERY year.  Begging and badgering the kids to memorize the poems, gathering props, cleaning my classroom, baking and bringing snacks and punch… it’s an armload of work, especially when you are your room mom. 


Oh but seeing these little round faces all dressed up in their Christmas finest makes my heart sing.  They recite their sweet poems-- some quickly because their nervous and others with loud joyful voices, they beam with pride because their parents and grandparents are here to see them, and then they gorge themselves on punch and cookies.  It’s glorious.


I added singing to our program this year and I was blown away.  We opened with “Up on the Housetop” which is my favorite, and closed with “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”


It’s been a special day for sure.


Now if we can make it through next week…

decking the halls

Can I get a War EAGLE?  We are so excited about our spot in the national championship game and so proud for our football team.  What a year to be an Auburn Tiger!

In other news, I've been working to get these halls decked out for Christmas.  We ventured to the Christmas tree farm yesterday and what a jolly event it was.

We don't actually ride in the tractor and cut down our own tree because I don't like leyland cypress trees.  I prefer frasier firs, this we just buy our tree already cut down at the farm.  This year we got a stellar deal on our tree because it has a minor boo-boo on one side.  Since our tree sits between our front-room bookshelves, one side is hidden, and for $4o off we couldn't beat it.

Decorating has been joyful, oh so joyful.  I've let more than a few un-Christmas like words slip past my lips.  Shoot.  Sorry Santa.

As we were hanging ornaments I explained to Reese some of them were breakable, which means we have to be very careful not to drop them.  In true toddler form, he picked up a glass ornament and hurled it to the floor, shattering it into a million tiny glass shards.  Then he said, "Oh man."

Not exactly what I was thinking son, but close.

Needless to say the remainder of the decorating was done during nap time.  

Speaking of the toddler, we were snuggling in bed this morning and I asked him what he wanted for Christmas.  His list was short and simple:  shoes, fruit snacks, and toothpaste.  Check.  We have all of those purchased.  Love how his little brain works!

musings on the holidays

·         This is a nightmare time of the year to be a teacher.  I struggle daily not to turn into some hybrid version of the Grinch.  The kids are excited about the impending arrival of Santa, and I’m trying to balance Christmas craft making with fractions and author’s purpose.  Sheesh.  I hate crafts.
·         I might have accidentally allowed Reese to think Santa’s name is “Merry Christmas.”  And like a sponge he absorbed what I said.  I think what happened is I pointed at Santa and said “Ho, ho, ho Merry Christmas” and in his little {in size only} brain it stuck.  So now when he sees Santa he points and says “look Mama, Merry mismas!” 
·         Speaking of Reese and Christmas, I’m overjoyed at his interest in the season this year.  He’s at the perfect age:  old enough to finally see that something exciting and magical is occurring, BUT young enough to care diddly squat about the “commercial” aspect of the holiday.  In fact, I asked him Monday if he wanted Santa Claus to come visit our house and he said no.  Fabulous. 
·         I have finished shopping for Reese but bought no gifts for anyone else.  Shoot.  I bought all Reese’s gifts off the Internet.  If you know me well you know I hate crowds.  Shopping at the mall this time of year gives me an anxiety attack—complete with hives.  I’m slowly working on getting other people marked off the list.  Slowly.
·         We are getting our tree Saturday!  I love real Christmas trees.  In fact, I think fake trees border on being sacrilegious.  Last year I had high hopes for adorable photo ops of my little man, but this year I’m more realistic.  I may not even take my camera.