Geremu's Busy Day

I found him pulling a branch that fell during the storms yesterday with his jeep. I'm not sure where he was pulling it because he did at least one full loop around the house dragging it, I can tell by the mark it left in the grass.

While Nick was at track practice I took the boys on a bike ride to the park, we have been going on bike rides often because I'm trying to get Cullen less afraid of biking. Cullen is not a big bike fan and I'm pretty sure I have mentioned this before. He is just perfectly fine running along behind Geremu. It might have a little something to do with fearless Geremu trying to play chicken with him when he gets on a bike. We have one of those tag-along bikes that Cullen finally likes to ride along on. Geremu rides his bike next to us, and occasionally tries to grab Cullen's handlebars to hitch a ride too (not the safest idea).

When we got back from the park I decided to take the small bike out (this is the one no one really rides anymore) and take the training wheels off of it and lower the seat so Geremu can sit on the seat and touch the ground. Geremu watched with anticipation as I did this. He got on the bike and took off yelling at me, "you no help me." Geremu learned to ride a bike in roughly 5 minutes. Geremu also had his bike taken away from him about 7 minutes after getting on it because he wouldn't stop yelling at the bike or me. Every time he tried to stop he fell and it was always the bikes fault. When he finally earned his bike back when he would fall he would yell at his bike, "Geremu's fault." Which I guess is a step in the right direction.

Geremu was so excited to show Nick that he could ride a bike when Nick got back from practice.

Our kids are so different; one loves speed and is afraid of bugs, the other loves bugs and hates speed. Cullen is one of Geremu's biggest fans and Geremu is one of Cullen's biggest fans. Tonight Cullen chased after Geremu to cheering him on as he was riding the two wheeler. Geremu is often found carry around a whistle when he plays in the yard to alert Cullen of a bug to come and catch. Geremu typically stands back and lets Cullen do the catching and will only take/touch the bug if Cullen can successfully talk him into it. I tell you, these two are like Bert and Ernie.

Today I asked Cullen if he wanted to try riding the two wheel bike to which he replied, "I think I'll just let Geremu try today." Ya, maybe tomorrow kid?

We ate a late meal tonight because of all the excitement and Geremu not wanting to get off the bike. Geremu ate as quickly as he could so he could...

Get back outside in his pj's to bike some more.

Teacher E-mail

I got an e-mail from Cullen's teacher today. At the end she mentioned that Cullen was telling the class about the alien he saw in the water on Spring Break. He also told her that he really wants a hamster to cuddle with.

I did respond to let her know that the alien was probably just a jelly fish, so there is no need to worry about aliens. I also mentioned that it's probably not in our best interest to get a hamster since we can't even keep a fish alive. In the mean time Cullen can just snuggle with his brother.

Where does this kid come up with this stuff?

Sunday, Sunday

The beautiful weather got the boys up bright and early.

They tag teamed making pancakes and eating them...

An early morning fire took place burn up some of the dead shrubs in our yard.

What would a fire be without marshmallows?Apparently Geremu needed to wash his food down with a little drink, I didn't spot this until I zoomed in on this picture. I took the boys on a bike ride to a field and we brought along some equipment (nets and the bug habitat) and went crazy chasing grasshoppers and moths. Cullen was busy most of the time.

Geremu brought along a whistle and blew it every time he saw a bird because that was all he wanted to catch. He ended up getting mad at us because we were busy chasing our own finds and ignoring his whistle so he called it quits after a while...

Until I offered him the camera, he did take a lot of pictures. Most of which look like this

and this...

When we got home we decided it was time to make some experiments. Both boys decided to grow these little crystal balls (I really don't even know what they are) in different liquids. They got to pick their five liquids and see what would happen. They were amazed at the different results.

We have a tree in our yard that sheds a cotton like material in the spring. It's messy and it floats all over and sticks in various places: the screens of our windows, Geremu's hair, etc... I know I should just chop the tree down but I decided as a temporary fix I would instead cut Geremu's hair. While I was at it I also cut Nick and Cullen's hair too. The tree is not completely to blame they really all needed their haircut.

Afterwards they got to run through the sprinkler to clean off.

Shots

Cullen had his 5 year old physical last Friday, there were lots of shots given. He did AWESOME, I didn't tell him about the shots until right before the nurse came in with them and I just explained that he needed them so he could go to school and wouldn't have to worry about him getting sick. A few tears trickled out but no real crying- I was prepared for the worst.

When I went to hand one of the physical forms in yesterday I found out Cullen also needs a TB test for our home study update (an adoption thing for those of you that are not familiar). So I set that up for this afternoon. On the way to the office he kept asking me if he was going to get a shot. I told him it wasn't really like the shots he got Friday but it would be more like a prick.

We get called into the office and on your way to the room Cullen stops by the nurses station to announce, "Man, I sure feel bad for my body." They all smile and laugh at him. He goes in the room sits down and sees the syringe. He loses it and starts crying, it took 4 people to hold him down. Afterwards he apologizes to everyone and says, "It didn't hurt that bad, I was just really scared."

More Party Pics

So here are a few of the party guests at Granny Bird and Pop's house.

The birthday boy was totally diggin' the attention.

Geremu was doing whatever was necessary for a little attention- LOL.

This get-up is one of Cullen's favorite birthday gifts.

Cullen asked for a "safari" for his birthday, I told him that he is still a little too young for an actual safari but he did get some gear to go on a "safari" in our yard.

Weekend Away

We decided to head to my parents house for the weekend to celebrate Cullen's birthday with family. Here Cullen is listening to my parents sing Happy Birthday to him on the phone, he could not wait to go to Granny Bird's and Pops house.

I'll post some pictures of the party tomorrow night, today I will just post some activities that lead up to the party.

The boys got to spend some time with their cousins.

Since my Dad's baseball game was rained out the boys went to the park to play...

and escape...

The boys caught a snake...

More pictures of this weekend to come tomorrow.

My Birthday Boy

Today was a BIG day, Cullen turned 5!

Nick surprised Cullen by going to his school during the celebration. Cullen picked out blue cupcakes with little baseball rings on top of each one. The blue from the cupcakes was all over the kids when they were done eating- LOL. Amanda (our sitter) took the boys out for lunch and brought them to a movie this afternoon. Cullen kept telling me that it was such a special day and he could do whatever he wanted (not sure where he got that idea from).

Nick had a track meet tonight so we stopped by that for a bit then I took Cullen out to pick out his dinner. I went the grocery store and told him he could get whatever he wanted. He picked out a big cup of overpriced cut-up fruit (his favorite), some cheese whips and deli meat.

After eating Cullen got a few singing phone calls.

Here is a picture of Cullen's birthday cheerleader.

Despite the fact that Geremu is smiling and happy, today was a very hard day for him.