Train Days

It's a lazy day filled with trains. I heard Ryder talking to Hunter and went in to find Hunter laying on top of his tracks broken. Ryder told him he was in the way, but then decided to give up and to just turn around when he got to the 70 pound "road block".

The Hat

I had to run to target today after work. I told him he could pick something out of the dollar bin. Picture my child walking around in Target with this lovely little hat on. :)) hahaha. Oh man did I hear some giggles from others! He was so excited to get a "worker hat". Although when we got home it became his "dragon fighter hat". He was handing me a sword here and told me that, "the dragons are everywhere mom, come on". Love this kid so so much. I love dragon fights with you little dude.

Monster Bucks

If you know my husband I think there is really not much need for any explanation in this. These are four of his prize toys... I mean four of his "monster bucks".

Jump!

It's a jams don't match, throw all the pillows off the couch, and jump kind of day. Whatever it takes to get a little energy out. :))

Binoculars

This was actually from the other day, but I just came across it. One of the benefits of not having numbers this year. :)) He was looking out the window with his "binoculars". When I asked him what he was doing this was the face he gave me, and replied "trying to spot something". 

... Duh. 

My Heart

Everyone once in a while a shot comes around that stops me. Not because it's technically a perfect photo, but because it captures you and how much you have grown. You are just growing way to fast my boy. The last year has been the difference between a baby face and a little boy. I can't believe how much you have changed. You look older, you act older, you talk older, you are older and it most definitely excites me to watch you grow but it leaves me with as sadness as well. Life is so short and parenthood has a way of reminding you of that constantly. It may be short but I am so thankful I get to raise you and watch you grow.

A Boy & His Ball

Like most little boys he is addicted to balls. Throwing them, kicking them, tossing them high in the air, throwing them at walls, etc. He was having a little bit of a meltdown here and I guess he just needed a moment with his ball. :))

All Smiles

Love this sweet smile, wish you could hear the giggle on the other end of it. I was wrapping him in the blanket and tossing him onto the bed. Each time seemed to be just as funny as the last. Love you little dude. Your smile lights up my world.

Morning View

Another snow day today. Last night we were hit with some pretty awesome ice/snow. This morning as I stood at my kitchen window and drank my coffee I couldn't help but be reminded of how beautiful winter is.

Snow!

Well we finally got to go outside and enjoy a bit of the snow. He loved it and kept swearing to us, "I not cold". His favorite part was picking up the ice chunks the plows and shovels left and throwing them up in the air. :))

It's Cold Outside

Poor guy, he has waited so long to play in some snow and now that it is here it is too cold to go out. He likes to stand at the window and look at it. One day he looked at me and asked, "why we not making snow angles mom".

Hopefully soon bud...

Dragons! Dragons! Dragons!

Our new obsession is How to Train a Dragon. Every minute.Every hour.Every day... he wants to fight dragons. It is nothing out of the normal to have him shout, "mom a dragon" and a sword comes flying past my head. It's pretty cute most of the time, but sometimes I wish those dragons would just sleep every now and then. :))

Our Shadow

He is constantly at our feet. He no longer sits in a room by himself since we put Berkley down. I thought this photograph was appropriate with the shadowing. He is our shadow now, when we turn around there he is right beside us. I feel so awful for him that he feels so lonely that he can't sit in a room by himself. :(

Operation Big Boy Room

It wasn't easy taking down his nursery. I remember putting it up and thinking oh how our life is about to change. Now here we are taking it all down and making a room that fits his growing personality. There are still a few more things that I want to do but overall I am happy with it and he loves it so that is what is important.

Grandpa's Toy

A playroom stacked with new toys from Christmas but this little guy found one of grandpa's toys in the closet and can't seem to put it down. I cringe a little bit as he comes racing past me and yelling, "bam, bam, bam". The little drummer guy seems to be on his game though, he hasn't missed a beat. I asked him to stop for a minute and told him, "Ryder did you know this was grandpa's toy when he was a little boy"? His response was, "whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat". :)) I am not a big fan of saving a bunch of "past" things but even I have to admit it is pretty neat to watch him get such a big kick out of something that used to be grandpa's.