Thanksgiving 2011

Well, the holiday week started out not so great with Joey having a bug, but, at least we had plenty of time to take care of it.  Unfortunately, it seemed that I had the same bug starting Thanksgiving - really?!?  Anyway, my photos are limited mainly because I didn't feel like moving around much. 

We went to Tia Karina's for Thanksgiving dinner and later popped by my parents to visit in the evening.  On Friday, we drove to Austin to visit a college friend of mine, Marti, and her 2 children.  Again, so sad I didn't take more photos - not even one of the cutest little guy, Andy!

Marti compensated for my "under the weather" feeling.  Not only did she have a swing in her house, she had a bouncy house she later placed under the swing.  Joey enjoyed their large trampoline and the dog.  Marti also got together a variety of craft projects for the kids, adventures at a nearby park, and a treasure hunt at home.  Wow!  Joey didn't want to leave.

On the way to Austin, Joey said, "Mom, you want to know something?"  "Of course," I replied.  "When you're a kid, it's really hard to stop talking.  Did you have a hard time to stop talking when you were a kid?"  I'm happy to say, my child has self-awareness.

Trying to get a Xmas photo for our card.  Hmm. . . this was the best one.



Abuelo. . . .sleeping.




Joey enjoying the attention and providing entertainment.



Joey enjoying Oreo.



Marti's house - what else can I say?!?




Joey and Suzy loving it!




When you thought there couldn't be more excitement. . .




The park!





On the Adventure Walk!



A short clip of the fun they had!

3 - 2 - 1 Blast Off! (And, La Cucaracha!)

A mother has to brag!  Joey created this list of "Muskateers" with my dad.  When I asked Dad if he gave Joey a sample for him to copy, Dad replied, "No, I just told him how to spell them."  Yay - we are on our way!  Way to go, Joey!  (Whew!  My child will have the skills to be successful in kindergarten - states the overconcerned mother. . .again.)  Just so you know, it's quite a privelege to be included in any of Joey's lists.  Not everyone makes the cut!  Oh!  And for those not used to reading young children's handwriting, it states Dave, Joey, Susie, Krista, Kathy, Jose, and Oreo.



The Wurstfest in New Braunfels.  Joey went through the fun house two times - he believes it to be secret spy training.




The Slide!




My handsome guy, waiting in line for a ride!




I took a photo of me and Jose - yes, I was there!




My boys, listening to the polka music.




Joey rode this ride with another family - since I was too cheap, I mean, a good money manager and wouldn't pay for one of Joey's parents to ride.  ("It builds character and good social skills for Joey to be integrated into public situations." :) )




Silly Joey!  Always having fun and always keeping me entertained.




Joey's idea.  I believe he said he was an alien.



3-2-1 Blast Off!  Over the Thanksgiving break, we've been having fun doing projects together.  This is a spaceship from a fort building kit from our dear friend, Mandy!  We have had hours of fun with this.

Last, but certainly not least, La Cucaracha!  This started when I trapped a roach under a cup - that's as brave as I get.  Joey accidentally knocked over the cup and was quite startled.  Luckily, we caught it again (under the cup).  Joey is (kind of) dancing around the cockroach which is on the floor (under the cup).  You gotta love this kid!

Chi Canes!

Joey has had a recent infatuation with key chains (AKA chi canes).  I found the one we gave him for Xmas when he turned one.  Then. . . . he talked to Papa.  Papa is a good resource when it comes to these kind of things.  Papa supplied our Joey with three different kinds of key chains.  One even has a lanyard.  He wore it to school today and convinced me that he could take it in.  He let me know that the teacher would let him share it for "show and tell."  As we walked in with other students and parents, Joey explained his interesting accessory, stating he would share it at "show and tell."  The other parents looked concerned, thinking they had forgotten about "show and tell."  I assured them that this was Joey's idea.  After Joey walked in, he convinced his teacher that he could share it with the class during circle time as a "show and tell."  Persuasive kid - and great teachers!

Joey is having a growth spurt - watch out world!  It started at the end of last week - whew!  It's been an interesting week.  Sugar cravings, sleepy, hard to wake up in the morning, behavior outbursts at home and school, and tonight complaints of growing pains in his legs.   We'll make it through this, and we will see how big this giant can get!  

What will Joey be?

This has been a question I have wondered about.  And, although, it will ultimately be up to Joey, I still like to think what skills he already has and sterotype him into a life-long profession.  I used to think. . . engineer.  He always wants to know the "why" and how things work.  If you ask Joey, he has recently been saying a policeman.  We'll see.  Maybe, with his kind heart and giant size strength, he will follow in his mommy's foot steps and become a physical therapist.  Only time will tell.  But, I had never thought of him becoming a movie director until I taped these brief movies. 

I always try to video Joey playing at the various stages of his life, and, now, I have a blog to post them.  Beware, they are a little lengthy.  They are just precious memories for me! 

Is Santa real?

Joey asked today to meet the "real Santa."  I explained that some people think the Santa at the mall or stores is the "real Santa."  I asked him if he thought it was the "real Santa."  He said "no" because their beards are too rough and the "real Santa's" beard is soft.  OK, then.  I guess we'll call them "Santa's helpers."

Joey had even asked about Santa this summer.  I was surprised - who talks about Santa in 100 degree weather? . . . . . Joey.  He asked if anyone has ever really seen Santa.  I shared with him that Nana said she saw him peeking in  her window when she was a little girl.  Joey has decided that he wants to visit the North Pole and see Santa there. 

This kid never stops thinking!  He's going to figure out this world eventually.

Joey in November 2011

Just a few of the cute things Joey has said over the weekend:
the girl with swirly hair (the girl with curly hair)
the crow scarer (the scarecrow)
skiddy whippers (tiddly winks)

Dad taught Joey how to play Tiddly Winks this weekend.  Dad said he played it when he was a kid.  Who knew that game had been around that long??  (Sorry, Dad.)  Joey is simply a joy!  He is such a happy kid - laughing all the time.  He's really fun to be around.  And. . . again, he got free food at a restaurant.  This time it was cheesecake.  He definitely has his daddy's charm.

Joey is finally into band-aids.  Jose was bothered by this today.  He said, "He's on his 3rd band-aid!"  I explained that all kids go through a band-aid phase, and Joey is actually late.  When Joey was 2 and 3 years old, he would have bleeding wounds and absolutely refuse band-aids.  I know this phase will pass, so I am actually enjoying the variety of band-aids that we are using these days. 

Joey continues to enjoy crafts.  He is definitely "catching up" quickly.  He wants to write on everything.  He wants to share his crafts with others and takes pride in them.  I am relieved. . . he will be ready for Kindergarten - my plan is working! (says the overconcerned mother)

The photos I included - Joey with the computer.  Oops!  I introduced him to YouTube, and he's hooked.  He came out of school one day singing, "Benny and the Jetts."  (His teachers sing the song to Ben in the classroom.)  Anyway, I wanted him to hear the real song so. . .I went to YouTube - and that's the end of it.  The first picture is my nightmare - a child staring into a computer screen.  But, I guess it was going to happen sooner or later.  And, just so you know, his screen time is limited.



My handsome Joey - dressed warmly for our 36 degree morning.

  

The friendly dog that came by to visit.  She acted so much like my beloved Flower,
I had to take a picture.  I still have no idea where she came from,
but we had a wonderful visit.  What a sweetheart.  Oh, how I miss Flower!




Joey created this with Nana.  She added the things he is thankful for on each feather. 
The funny ones are "Baby Fish" (his favorite song in his class) and after the list
was made, he panicked - "I forgot to say Mommy's hair."  Nana was able to add it.
  By the way, my hair is his "lovey."

  

Joey's feather for school.  His homework was to decorate a large feather (about 18 inches high) to add to the class turkey.  He created the entire design by himself.  I only suggested we add his name somewhere so everyone would know who's feather is was.  He wanted to use it all - paint, glitter, a cut out snowflake, markers, gems, even a painted handprint.  I must say, he has more artistic talent and vision than Jose and I combined.  Go, Joey!



Happy Halloween 2011!



Papa came to the door as a "trick-or-treator."  Didn't fool Joey.  He simply said, "Hi, Papa!"  Pretty creepy to me.




Fraces made these awesome owl cookies!




Kathy brought a cake!




I provided pizza and hotdog mummies for the guests.  It was an official party!



Joey, Ruben, and Vonn



Maria, our neighbor, who Joey adores, also joined us.




Tia Karina, Buela, Papa and Joey ready to go trick-or-treating.




Jose got off work just in time to join the fun.




Karl  (Ben 10) and Frances (part witch and part airplane - since Ruben wouldn't wear his costume) - in the Halloween spirit.




Some of the neighbors really decorated.  I complimented them and they responded, "Wait until Christmas!"  It's fun to have them in the neigborhood.




Cool - another decoration at their house.



Getting ready to head home.  Joey was tired and his candy bag was getting heavy.





Trick-or-Treat!  Joey was so funny - looking out for little Ruben.  He would usually tell the people answering the door, "There's a little one coming," so that Ruben didn't miss out.




Me and my wonderful Dad!




Jose's Mom!




Now, it's time to look at what we got!




Candy is sorted and being devoured!  Great Halloween!


This year we had guests over for Halloween.  Usually, it's just me, Jose (if not working), my sister, and my parents.  Last year, Nina (Jose's mom) joined us.  This year Nina and Karina (Jose's sister) joined us.  Our friends also came by - which made it much more fun for Joey to have other children to go trick-or-treating with.  The night before Halloween, the neighbor called and Maria's plans had fallen through - and she wanted to join us, too.  It became quite the entourage.  It was really a great Halloween with wonderful people. 



Joey's School Halloween Party

Joey's class had a Halloween party.  It consisted of many activities - pumpkin carving, ghost bowling, painting and decorating a wooden pumpkin, Fall bingo using candy corn, a beanbag toss through a stand up pumpkin, stenciling candy bags, decorating cookies like jack-o-lanterns, and I'm sure I'm missing something.  The students got to wear their costumes - and the ones who forgot, the teachers had brought extra costumes.  It was a good time had by all!  I stopped by and ended up running one of the stations.  It's nice to be near Joey.



Some of the students (all dressed up) painting pumpkins.




My Joey dressed up like an Army soldier.  He received this costume for his birthday, and we thought it would be easier for him to put on/take off at school.  When he would greet people, he would salute them and say, "At your service!"  This was my station, so Joey spent a long time there.  He created 2 trick-or-treat bags.




Fall Bingo!  Extra special because they got to use (and eat!) candy corn.




Bowling for ghosts.  On the left is one of Joey's teachers, Janet.  She is amazing!




Some of Joey's friends - they kept me busy at my station.




Joey painting and decorating.  On the right is Joey's other teacher - a fabulous classroom!




Joey with his Jack-o-Lantern cookie, complete with M&Ms and candy corn.



Halloween Tradition!

Our Halloween tradition - carving pumpkins.  Joey created his design which looked similar to a dog, but he didn't want to add ears when I suggested it.  He really thinks about his decisions and sticks with them.  Once he's made a decision, he's good with it - I admire that quality (because I don't have it).

Team work - Daddy has the muscles, and I always get the job of the gooey scraping.  Joey assists with it all.  Every year prior I have baked the pumpkin seeds, but I had to pass this year.  I am always the only one who eats them so. . . it really didn't matter.  Joey had his design and Jose had his.  Joey's teacher gave us one of the pumpkins they carved at Joey's school party.  Joey arranged them on the porch in a way that seemed to be a fall risk, but no problems as of yet.  Good times, good memories.