The Helper

We had the bedrooms rewired to have the ability to install an overhead light.  Much like the last house, builders must think people don't really need overhead lighting in bedrooms...not so. 

After getting the bedrooms wired, we had three ceiling fans to install.  Carter was right there to help with the job.  He even got his Home Depot apron on and his tools to get the job done "faster".

 

 

 

Let the Good Times Roll

Since we were early on with no longer having the binky and wanting to just stick close to home, we decided to do something fun as a family for New Year's Day.  Carter had not been bowling yet and it seemed like the perfect day to try it.  There is an arcade/bowling alley near the house.  They even had cute little kids bowling shoes.

We paid for two games, but Carter only stayed interested and was excited about it through the first one.  After that it was kind of a struggle and he wanted to do stuff in the arcade instead.  It was totally worth it though and entertaining to watch him get excited and count the pins.  Something we will have to try again in the future.

 

 

 

 

 

This brought me back to my childhood and made me want an air hockey table again.

 



New Year's Eve 2013

We know this will make everyone jealous of our fancy life, but this is how New Year's Eve was spent this year,  An easy going dinner out, a trip to Bass Pro Shop to look around and ride on the glass elevator and a movie on the couch.  It was a great night!

 

Big Decision

December 29th was the start of a big change in the house.  Scott and I decided it was time for Carter to ditch his binky.  The last visit to the dentist was the tipping point.  He said Carter's teeth were getting pushed out a little from having it in his mouth so often.  We decided the longer we waited the harder it would get.  We had three binkies in the house so we did three consecutive nights of the binky fairy coming to visit.  The binky fairy would take his binky and leave a toy in its place.  We talked it up big and Carter was on board with it.  We waited until after Christmas but while Scott was still home with Carter on break in case it didn't go well.

 

 

 

 

 

The first two nights went great.  There were no questions asked...because he still had a binky in his mouth for bedtime.  On the third night, Scott and I figured we wouldn't get much sleep.  When we went to bed that night, we put the last binky in the dragon.  Carter had a small breakdown and looked at Scott and I and said, "just one more".  It was heart breaking, but we decided if we gave in, we would have to start all over.  So, we made him put it in the dragon and headed to bed.  He cried a little, but nothing like what we thought would happen.  He woke up the next morning, asked for it a few times, but hasn't looked back since.  The blanket and lion are still a necessity and he can have those until he graduates high school if he wants. :)

 

We are binky free in our house and Carter did GREAT giving it up.  We should have known with the kid takes so much in stride and just keeps going.  He rarely has a fit over things we tell him he can't have. 

A Cut Above

Scott took Carter to get his hair cut at Floyd's during break while I was at work.  This is what I saw when I came home. 

 

Yes, that's right, blue hair.  Carter was so excited to show me.  The lady that cut his hair had it in her hair and he told her he wanted some too.  Although I knew Scott wouldn't get his hair colored blue, I was relieved to find out it was a gel that just washes out.  Hopefully this is just a phase. :)

Snow Much Fun

Now that Carter is getting older, he wants to help with everything.  Snow shoveling is no exception.  He "helped" Scott shovel the snow off the driveway and then got a little sledding in too.  Our driveway has just enough slope to it for sledding.  It is the perfect slope for Carter.  We just have to make sure one of us is at the bottom of the driveway, so there isn't any sledding in to traffic.  Carter loved every part of it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quite the Display

During Christmas we were tipped off by Aunt Ellen and Aunt Sally about a house in Englewood that does an extravagant display at Christmas.  One night when after we all met for some St. Louis style pizza, we headed over to check it out.  It was quite a sight and Carter was in awe.  They had a train that ran around it and a tree with about 75K lights on it set to music and that was just two of the items.  It was pretty impressive.  This picture and sideways video don't do it justice.

 

We also drove by the city and county building while we were out looking at lights.  The snow definitely added to the experience.