04/26/2009

I am feeling tired tonight, but I told the good folks in Michigan that I would be updating my blog, so I'm getting it done! In no particular order:

Exhibit A: The local trash receptacles. We're REALLY proud to be 'cowboy.'
Exhibit B: Nathan at Snowflake Donuts. When I showed him this picture on the camera he said, "Mom...My eyes is closed down!!"
Exhibit C: Big Bites for Big Brother.
Exhibit D: A thumb-full of sprinkles which...
Exhibit E: ...are not to be ignored...
Exhibit F: ...and will be eaten entirely.
Exhibit G: What remains of Nathan's donut once the 'good parts' have been eaten.
Exhibit H: The only donut shop in town.
Exhibit I: The local water tower. (And clouds!! We NEED rain.)
Exhibit J: Umm...Nick took this picture. I'm not sure what feature I'm supposed to be pointing out, so I'll just give a variety of ideas. 1.) The local motel for visitors. 2.) A possible business prospect for Dad. 3.) 1/1000 of Bandera's population riding on a golf cart.
Exhibit K: Our town road sign. Incorrect as of the 18th of this month. Now there are at LEAST 962 residents.
Exhibit L: A picture of our house (the one on the right) and our only really 'visible' neighbor--the little cottage next door. Right now it is occupied by a guy (who has a family with a wife and two boys). He's a really great guy--easygoing and such. His family will be joining him soon from their previous home in Houston. I feel claustrophobic on their behalf: the cottage is TINY. But, they don't plan to live in that house very long.
Exhibit M: Nathan trying to catch our goats. They are still timid around us. On the other hand, Nathan is NOT timid about trying to play with them!
Exhibit N: Our billy goat. He doesn't have a name.
Exhibit O: Nia and the goat lean-to (built by Nick!).

So, that's that. I have all three kids in bed. Nick is working late tonight. I wouldn't be thrilled about being in the middle of the country late at night without Nick, but I have Baldwin, and honestly, he's a big comfort to me.

Tonight at bedtime, Nathan was protesting (as usual). He's clever...trying new techniques. Nick and I are always careful to maintain whatever has already been said to the kiddos. For example, if Nathan asks Nick for a cookie and Nick says 'No', when Nathan comes to me with the same question my answer will be, "What did Daddy say?" And vice versa...and so on...and so forth...you get the picture. So tonight I told Nathan that going to bed wasn't optional. He HAD to go to bed. And without skipping a beat he said, "But, Mom, Dad said I could NOT go to bed!" (Yea, right!) So, I ignored the manufactured excuse and proceeded to lay him down. He gently laid his hand on my arm and said, "Mom, will you listen to me?" I told him I would. He folded his hands, squeezed his eyes shut and said, "Dear God. Please for the I-don't-have-to-go-to-sleep. Thanks to God. Ayyyyyy-men!" Nathan got an extra long kiss. He still went to bed.

Contents of the cookie jar: Grandpa's Breakfast Cookies.

Weather: Warm and Windy.

Lottie's Hair: Still VERY Red.

Cloth Diapers: I Cannot Believe I Ever Used Disposables!

Status: Still Sleepy.

Goodnight.