Wednesday & Thursday

Wednesday I dropped Maddox at school and headed to Bible study.
I love this book that we are reading together...
and I already feel more 'clicked' into my marriage.

Afterwards, I met Candace at Chickfila for lunch...
and to return her potatoes back to her.

Our littlests played... and we chatted.

My blogger friend Nicolle was next door at McDonald's and I asked her to come over and play with us!
You know how some people just feel like you've been friends for years--
she's one of those.

Maybe its because we have blogged together for a few years...
or maybe its because she's just sweet.
Either way, I enjoyed our time chatting.

So much, in fact, that I was 7 minutes late to get Maddox!
I emailed one of his teachers in panic-- drove 80 to get there--
and there were still 5 other kids in his class not picked up.
Whew!  I wasn't the last one!

Maddox earned 6 sticks on Wednesday, and that's something special!
(they start each day with 5 and so far he has only lost one, once... if they are extra well behaved, they can earn an extra stick.  it is rare, but we don't let it go unnoticed when it happens)
Usually it means a Sonic slush as a treat.  (which happens to fall during happy hour, so it is a 50 cent treat, nonetheless)... but I had to run to the bank, and so I decided I would up the ante and take them to Yogurt Story.

Except we pulled into the parking lot, they both looked like this!

 But I decided to wake them-- and surprisingly they acted decent.

We had another defrosted, easy dinner-- lasagna this time-- and Maddox shared a bit of knowledge over dinner.
He said, "Did you know God made each of us individual and perfect?"
I said, "yep.  I sure did."
To which he said, "Yeah, everyone in the world knows that.  ....Well, except Egypt.  ...and China."

***
Thursday Lance was off and we decided to go back to the Stock Show.
It was the last day we could use our Museum passes to get in for free, so we took advantage.
We had a little Joe T's on the way in and mom was able to meet us after she was dismissed from jury duty!

If we omit the stories of Beckham screaming to ride every tractor that we saw, then we can say that the boys were perfect.
We grabbed cookies at celebrity and come home to our 3rd defrosted and quickly heated meal.  (my parents joined us for sloppy Joe's)

Maddox had another Maddox'ism when he told me that something was "harder than a fish in a high haystack."  ...and I think I could probably write a book with all of the made of, "big" words he attempts to use every day.
Truth be told, I don't correct him because I think it's cute-- one day he will realize that "infammable" isn't in anyone else's vocabulary and he will stop using it.
Until then, I'll keep asking, "what?", pretending that I didn't hear him and he will keep repeating the ones that he thinks are probably right, and keep saying, "never mind" to the ones that sound wrong once he re-says them.
And then he will start pronouncing his Ls.
Then Beckham will finally learn to talk...
and then we will just have to have another baby and start the cycle again!  :)

But I'll slow my roll, since your head is already aching from 900 pictures of the Stock Show, and we will save that for another day!

this past week...

I was uploading pictures and realized that I hadn't documented this past week of life just yet!
oh my!  ;)

So I will start where I left off last...
(pre the Valentine's Day post)

My sister agreed to watch the boys last minute for us, and Lance and I went to the awards assembly for the Fire Department.
(It wasn't a dressy-gig before you get to judging my attire!)

I will share a mini-story from the night...

After leaving, I went into a gas station to buy a newspaper and get cash to pay my sister.

The clerk said (and I {embarrassingly} quote), "you are gorgeous." 
Of course I responded (very confused like), "me?!"
To which she said, "yes.  You are very pretty.  I bet you get that all of the time."

I told her that I have actually never gotten that, but I thanked her for making my night life.

When I got back to the truck I told Lance what she said...

and he responded (again, I will quote), "she must really like to compliment people... she told me she liked my boots."

I thanked him for being so kind.
(please insert sarcasm)

He apologized because "he really didn't mean it that way"
He explained that I compliment people a lot, and it really is a nice quality to have.
Whatever!
I forgave him.

Because I have told you before, he really is the worst compliment-er alive.
I know he digs me.

...and my new MAC eyelashes I sported that night!

He's just....

Well...
Lance.
I'm immune to it!! 
(and I love him)

Sunday, my mother-in-law came over and we finally swapped out our Christmas gifts.
Maddox has worn his football uniform every day since he got it.
He swears he catches better and throws further when it is on...
He may be right!

Wednesday, Lance and I both were off work.
We decided to go to the Fort Worth Stock Show and see a few animals.
Little did we know, there are days that there are actually no animals in the building.
Of course, we went on *that* day.

We still made the most of the baby animal exhibit.
We got to see a few rabbits and chickens on display...
and we walked through the shopping exhibit.

This year, your ticket to the stock show also gets you into the museums.
Lance had to leave for a class he was teaching that night, but my mom met me at the science museum and we played a little more.

Maddox could have spent hours in there playing...
and luckily he now can.

Mom split the cost of a family pack, season pass with me....
so we have many more days of play in our future.
(and it gets in up to 5 people, so our friends can benefit too)

With the pass, you get into the Stock Show this year and next year for free as well...
so now we also get another chance at seeing some animals!
(hopefully next Thursday.)

Thursday, we had CiCi's for lunch.

This is a random story, but cute. (to me)

Maddox got a kid's cup and it was green.  (they all are) but he thought he lucked out, and was uber-excited.

Then, I ordered a special pizza so they gave me a number.

We somehow managed to get his and Lance's favorite number 3...

Maddox thought he had struck gold, and asked me to take a picture for my computer!
(the blog)

Today, my dad came over for a visit.
I did not think to get my camera out, but he visited for a good while.

I was not feeling well, and after he left I took a 2 hour nap while Lance watched the kids.
It. was. so. nice!!!
Rare, but so appreciated!

Finally,
the last news of the week...
Beckham turned 9 months old on the 22nd.

He has 3 teeth and is days away from cutting the 4th.
He stands alone for long periods of time but will not take a step unless he can make it with just one, and he gasps and laughs and gets super excited about his big adventure!

He loves to push and walk behind all of his toys, but does not have the control, just yet, to walk.

He sleeps well these days, from about 10:00pm to 8:00am, but he has thrown a few curve balls with this teething-business.

He says "momma", "bubba", signs "milky", and says "ba ba" (rhyming with da da) for daddy.

He is a eater.
He still loves his booby-milk, but there's not much he won't eat, food wise... and now that he has mastered his finger-grasping, he wants to feed himself.

He is such an easy, happy little guy.

We really lucked out in the baby department with both boys, however, Maddox was a mild little soul too.

And then he got bigger.

And rowdy.

The poor thing has bruises and scratches all over him because he will.  not.  stop.  jumping.

I hear it is a stage.
But it doesn't mean I can't wait for it to pass!

His new helmet may just serve to protect him from himself, rather than just football!

He's a mess!