Hunter's tooth

When my brother and all the boys picked me up from school yesterday Hunter said, "Mom, look!" and opened his mouth so I could take a peek at the tooth that has been loose for probably a month now, which was hanging by one tiny thread all twisted and crooked. It looked like it could fall out at any second. He has been trying to avoid the inevitable and hold onto this tooth for as long as he possibly can (just as he did with his first loose tooth). He is so funny! John even offered to up the ante a few weeks ago and offered him MORE than the tooth fairy's going rate if he would just pull it out himself. He considered it for a long time but decided against it, which was why I was surprised to see that when we got home he actually tried to pull it out himself for a while. He wasn't having any luck getting a good grip on it though and so I suggested an apple. He went for the idea and low and behold...it came out. So he has officially lost his second tooth and has a gaping hole in the bottom front row of teeth, which I think looks so cute. Last night before bed when we were getting the tooth ready in his "Twinkle Toof" and setting it in place for the tooth fairy he told me, "I hope I'm awake when she comes so I can see her. Then I'll know for sure if she's live or fake."

Help on the stairs

Tyler and Brody are really good at climbing up and down the stairs. They get lots of practice with our two-story house. Tyler has even attempted a few steps (going down) with no hands holding onto the railing, which makes me very nervous. I'm always there to hold hands and supervise just in case. Yesterday we were making our way down to the living room and both boys were on the stairs. I was lower down in front of them holding one of each of their outside hands. Brody was a step or two closer to me and Tyler was still up on top of the landing when suddenly Brody stopped, looked back at Tyler and reached his available hand for Tyler's as if to say, "I'll help you little guy!" Tyler grabbed his hand so their inner hands were together and I still had hold of their outer hands and we walked down a few steps like that. It was the cutest thing EVER!!! They are such little buddies. If only I had an extra set of hands I could've snapped a picture to share.

Our Father...

The last few Sundays we have been able to go to church as a family because John now has weekends off with his new job. It is so much easier on me having that extra help getting everyone ready and into the "crying" room. Last Sunday at the part of mass where you recite The Lord's Prayer Hunter piped up and started saying it verbatim at the top of his lungs. He was SO proud of himself that he could participate! I didn't even know that he knew it! He must have been practicing it at Religious Education. It was adorable to watch and something I'll always remember.

Nighttime reading

Lately after we tuck Hunter in (and read him stories) I have caught him sleeping with a book or children's magazine (National Geographic Kids) lying next to him or close by. I think he is sneaking a little nighttime reading after we leave. I haven't mentioned anything to him about it because I don't think there's any harm in it. As long as he's quietly in his room I don't have any complaints. I can't force the kid to sleep! Anyway, several nights ago I found him sleeping with the book still open in his little hand and I had to run and get the tripod so that I could get this shot. So cute!

Look Mom! No hands!

Both Tyler and Brody like to occasionally eat their meals with no hands, just their tongues feeling around for food on their trays. It's hysterical! I'm not sure how it all started and it's not every time that they eat. Here's a picture of Brody seeking out some grilled cheese bites.

Brody's blankie

Brody is very attached to his blankie and I think it's adorable. I oftentimes will catch him face down on the floor hugging his blankie. He will also wrap himself up in it and hold it with one hand right by his neck like a cape. Today he insisted to eat lunch with it and I had to capture this moment.

Anonymous good deed

A few weeks ago Hunter received a "Family Lent Calendar" at Religious Education with ideas of different good things to do each day of Lent. He especially liked the idea for April 4th, "Pick a friend or neighbor and perform an anonymous good deed for him or her." I had to explain to him what "anonymous" meant and then he decided that on April 4th he was going to do this deed for our next door neighbors, Renee and Joe. Well, unfortunately April 4th came and went and we forgot about our calendar. When he found it on April 6th he said, "Oh no! I forgot to do the anonymous good deed!" and quickly headed over to their yard. When he returned I asked him how it went and what he ended up doing for them. He said, "I picked up all of the leaves and put them in the street! Then I heard their front door opening so I hid behind the tree." I thought it was a really nice thing that he had thought to do for them. A little while later he said, "I promised Renee I would come over after I did my homework and made my bed. Can I go over there?" I replied, "Sure, but did you call her first?" He said, "Oh! Right" and went and got the phone. He dialed their phone number while telling me, "I know their number by heart!" This is what I heard him say..."Hi! Are you home and can I come over? OK! Oh! And did you see the anonymous good deed that I did for you? I picked up all of your leaves and put them in the street! OK, bye!" and he headed out the door.