the perils of being the little brother

Growing up as an oldest child you don't realize all the perils the younger siblings face. *No comments please about torpedo swinging children in blankets.

Monday we were headed home after visiting with some family, Dane had been snacking on some chex cereal. All of a sudden we here the dreaded choking sound then desperate gasping for air, then the semi-relieved, severely irritated, and scared screams of Cade. All I know is my seat belt clasp almost broke the window as I tried to get back there to make sure all was ok. Poor Dane I knew he felt bad, I mean how can you resist that cute little smile and reaching hand. Cade practically begs for hand outs, but we have barely started solids and that boy still gags on bread crumbs. Dane was just sharing like he had been taught, but disobeying because I am pretty sure I had told him not to give Cade any food.

Yesterday I found myself, against my better judgement, instructing Dane on how to properly lift his little brother. That was after upon hearing Cade hollering in desperation because he was in his older brother's choke hold. I turned around to see Dane leaning back as far as he could holding Cade around the throat Cade's feet barely touching the ground as Dane tried to relocate his little brother. (*Disclaimer- It was partly my fault, I had needed to grab something quick before heading out the door and I asked Dane to let me know if Cade started crawling towards the door. So I think he was just looking out for his little brother)

What doesn't kill them only makes them stronger....right? I'll try not to think about that too much, it will only make me worry.

I love summer

Even more than that, I love the 4th of July, Independence day and summer celebrations and BBQ's. This weekend has been completely unplanned. We started Saturday after Andy got off work and headed out to Lake Red Rock for some boating and swimming- well the guys swam, my sister's and I have this thing about water so we put our feet in. Next time I will, next time :o) Sunday, we had a great church service, came home had a surprise visit from my sweet cousin and then headed back to church for a picnic and games.
We came home so Andy can finish his homework, did I mention he started working on his Master's? P'jammed up the boys and headed out to catch some fireworks. Cade fell asleep like we had hoped and Dane stayed up for the action.

We love having 4wheel drive, we just pulled ourselves up there on that curb in the little patch of grass and made ourselves a spot to watch.

We were next to a sweet family who shared their bubbles and flag with us and kept Dane entertained.

Today we got up early to kick off our 4th celebration and went to the Carlisle parade. Dane was quite the little candy grabber, the boy will do anything for candy. We came home to get naps since the boys are exhausted, but that has been epic fail. They put up quite the fight. Can't wait to see what the rest of the day brings. I am just glad to have some family time!

Since I have last blogged we have had a garage sale, gone to Colorado, whitewater rafted- yes it was still snowy and chilly, ate lunch in mountains on a sunny day while it was snowing, went hiking in the Maroon Bells, swam and relaxed and went on beautiful drives, and a Rockies game. Hows that for summing up a vacation in 1 paragraph? The boys 'road' in a covered wagon in Gothenburg, NE on the way home from glorious Colorado.

We have also been to the splash park, a week of VBS, more splash park, a sick week, a few days in Galena last week to visit my sister-in-law and nieces which included, more swimming, a stop in the candy store, matching shirt pictures, and a trip to the farm.

Oh yeah and we have gone boating a couple times. I think I am love, well maybe my sister is and it's her boyfriend that has a boat.

Cade has also started clapping and just last week crawling. I have also heard him say ni night, dad, mom, yay, and I think he is even trying to say Magnum. And he is also getting ready to run sprints.

running through my head

A week ago I said I was going to try and walk everyday before our vacation in Colorado so I won't die on our hike. Yeah, that's happened twice, the walking not the dieing.

We have 4 strollers but none of them are quite right for walking 2 kids, and neither of the boys seem to cooperate.
Cade cried the entire 3 block walk I took tonight. Maybe because he was covered in poop. I quit. The End.
I have thought about taking running back up, I am so envious when I hear runners talk about what they are doing. I know good it will feel once I get out there. Not sure if it will happen, maybe I will just go eat a bowl of ice cream, yeah that will make me feel better tonight.

Tonight Dane got a hold of Magnum's shock collar remote, that was sad. However, the grass is brilliant green and freshly mowed.

haircut

Gave Dane his first real haircut the other day. That was sad, most moms experience this far sooner than I, it was two and a half years before I had to say good bye to those first locks of hair. He still doesn't have much, but no longer do the long tufts on top stand up in the breeze as he runs.

Dane - isms

Driving down the street with all the car windows down, wind blowing through his hair, Dane shouts at the top of his lungs "This is so much fun!!"

(glad it is still so easy to show him a good time)

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We just arrived at a park with some friends and the urgent statement 'mommy I have to potty' was uttered. I hesitantly asked him if he wanted to pee on a tree not knowing how he would feel about that. He immediately and quite excitedly said 'OK'. We found our tree, needless to say hysterical laughter and Morse code urination ensued. (did I mention, I assisted him all the while Cade was sitting on my hip in a sling.)

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As Andy was tucking Dane into bed:
Dane: Daddy you come in here when I'm asleep?

Daddy: Yeah, sometimes

Dane: Ya, I open my eyes.

(I guess our secret is out)

These aren't my favorite underwear....

that's what Dane said when we had do put the padded training underwear on him the other day, because all the rest were dirty. (He has hardly had an accident but he is always peeing under the rim and soaking his underwear). The next morning he asked Andy "Daddy are you wearing your favorite underwear today?" These, in fact, are his favorite 'underdare'. I am so grateful this little guy has been an absolute breeze to potty train. When we were in Colorado, every night before his bath he asked to sit on the toilet. I told him when we got home we would put big boy underwear on him. And sure enough as soon as we walked in the door after a long 10 hour car trip, he ran upstairs and got out his underwear, and the rest is history. The pediatrician just laughed and said "You won't get that lucky twice." Cade, I sure hope you get the hang of it this easy.