Rex Starts Playschool

A few of my friends and I started a preschool co-op last week.  Rex was beyond ready to have some sort of structured "school" but I didn't feel like paying for a real preschool yet.  I think this is going to be great for him AND me (3 hours of freedom - I cannot complain).   I have to teach this week, so maybe I'll feel differently after that! :)

Rex with his school friends.  He is the only boy and when we were getting ready to take these pictures he said, "hey, there's only girls here!"  Sorry buddy, you'll learn to love that kind of boy:girl ratio someday!

(Lyla, Izzy, Rex, Lucy, Julia standing guard in the back - she didn't want to do a picture) 

These kids' smiles are awesome!  I love this age because they are learning how to smile on command, but they can't quite figure out how to not make it look painful!

We Are Diaper Free! (Until baby comes)

Rex is officially potty trained!  We took a note from the quit smoking playbook and went cold turkey.  We woke up and announced the official end of diapers and all of us pitched in to throw all of Rex's diapers into a big bag that was going "bye-bye".  He saddled into his first pair of undies, donned a shirt and socks and we all embarked on a little adventure.  No pull-ups, no crutches, no going back.  If he peed, it went down his legs and onto the floor.  If he pooped...well, fortunately, that didn't happen.  He nailed it.  He had about 3 accidents over a three day period and by day 3 he was golden.  Its been about 3 weeks since the transition and he's got it down.  He hasn't even wet the bed yet.  I don't know how we got so lucky, but we're not complaining.

The only big change so far is that we're seeing a lot more of Rex's bare cheeks marching around the house. I guess he likes the freedom, or maybe the breeze.

Christmas in Washington

We flew all the way across the country to spend Christmas with Josh's family in Washington.  The flights there were a little rough (a 5.5 hour flight plus a 3 hour flight).  Then due to the 3 hour time change, Rex woke up the next morning at 3:30am local time.  THAT was a fun morning!  Luckily, we all adjusted quickly and had a great week in Washington.

Josh taught Rex how to play a hunting game on the Wii, which he loved and called, "shooting bears game" for the rest of the week.

Rex also loved the PJ's that grandma got him for Christmas morning.

On Christmas Eve we did a puppet show of the nativity.  I got to be Mary, and Rex was baby Jesus.  He took his role very seriously.

Aunt Kelsey and Uncle Jer were the animals and the wise men.

Then Daddy read, The Night Before Christmas, which is a tradition with my family.  Rex was entranced.

We wrote a letter to Santa and left him some treats.  Rex was hesitant to leave Santa anything good so he got carrots and a few M&Ms.  Hope Santa liked his diet!

Santa came all the way to Grandma's house and brought the only thing Rex had been asking for.  A toy helicopter (heppacopter) with a green propeller and a red button.  A pretty tall order for even Santa to fill.  Luckily, Santa talked to just the right little "helper" and found Rex's exact request on eBay. Phew!

We got to visit with Josh's grandparents and remembered to take a picture while we were all together.

Rex's other great-Grandpa, Phil, (who he is named after) restored this little pedal car just for Rex.  From what I understand he spent a great deal of time on it and it was a very special reveal.  Rex loved riding it up and down the street.  For the rest of the week, each time he went two doors down to great-Grandpa's, he rode the pedal car.

More bowling, only this time Rex was done after about 5 frames and wanted to go home.  I loved that they had bowling shoes in his size, so cute.

We had a great week with the Garner family and it was SO worth the LONG trip to get out there.

Thanksgiving in Ohio

I finally had a few minutes tonight to sit down and catch up on some blog posts from December.  That's about when I realized I never posted anything about Thanksgiving.  And while it's almost embarrassing to go back that far, I just don't feel right skipping over the holiday.  So...here goes...more than a month late!

We drove up to Columbus, Ohio to spend Thanksgiving with two of my sisters and their families.  Here are some of the highlights!

Preparing the bird.  I had some serious learning to do because I was going to have to cook a turkey by myself just a few weeks later for a Christmas party.  

And if any of you have not tried injecting your turkey with a buttery garlic mixture, 

I totally recommend it.

The Kids Table

The guys were able to get some tickets to the Ohio State basketball game and enjoyed a guys night out.

We took all the kids bowling.  It was Rex's first time and he loved it.  He did not love taking turns, however. Big surprise.

So glad we have family within driving distance so we can spend holidays with them - we had a great time!