Is it time?

I get to my office at 7:30 each morning, so Henry is usually still asleep when I leave the house. He was stirring as I was preparing to go out the door this morning. (My first clue was his yell/ demand for "Mama!") Since I was late, I had to just go on.

Cory called me around 7:20 and said, "I'm assuming you didn't get Henry up before you left this morning." Nope. But Henry was up, walking around the living room, trying to reach his duck hat. When he saw Cory, he said, "Henry fall."

Is it time for a big boy bed?

Quack-tastic!

I wish I had my camera when I picked up Henry from school today. He and his classmates were all wearing the below "duck hats" and running around outside throwing leaves in the air, covering themselves in brown crumbles. A corner of the playground would suddenly burst into twirling willow oak leaves, the perfect mini leaf for the many minis who couldn't seem to get enough of their ability to cover the air.
They also found a particularly large and spiny caterpillar who found itself suddenly circled by about ten little people, three teachers, and one parent before it was scooped into a bug catcher for further observation.

Mrs. Hanna told me that they also painted a very large duck which was later taped to the hallway wall outside their classroom. The class was walking by, and Henry stopped, pointed at it, and then yelled, "WHOA! That's a BIG OL' DUCK!"

He also started exclaiming, "Oh, my goodness!" during story time as each page of the book was turned. Guess it was a real page-turner. Tonight's spaghetti was amazing, too, judging by his repeated "Oh, my goodness!" at the dinner table.Henry told me that, "I like leaves," and "This is Henry's duck hat" most of the ride home from school today. We think we got most of the leaves out of his coat hood, but I'm not going to really bother sweeping them off the floor. We can just throw them around tomorrow.

Curious George

Henry really likes Curious George, so on my day off today, we decided to watch Henry's first movie. (We were supposed to go to the zoo with some friends, but Ida put a stop to those plans.)
It was a good day to stay in PJs and watch a movie.
I'm going to miss him tomorrow.

Ryleigh Grace Farry

Beautiful Ryleigh Grace Farry met Henry and his family, along with Aunt Elizabeth, over the weekend. She probably breathed an adorable sigh of relief when we left. We were rather rowdy.
But there were some moments of reading on the couch, watching TV behind pillow forts on the couch, and some feeding time on the couch, along with a great deal of fishing beside the couch.

And we were appropriately loud when cheering on Evan as the Thunder won their first soccer championship game.

Ryleigh was the littlest fan. We could tell she was proud of her big brother.

A sleepy Henry and Sock Monkey were also proud, and they looked really good, too.

Our sunny Sunday revealed that Evan could teach Henry a thing or two about driving--especially the difference between a steering wheel and a roll bar.

We also learned that both Henry and Anna might need to stick with driving the shopping cart but perhaps not at the same time. (It was the only little squabble that I witnessed the whole weekend--a great feat for cousins!)

Congratulations, David, Stacy, Evan, and Anna! Ryleigh's beauty fits right in with the rest of her family.

Because I said so!

Yesterday afternoon, I asked Henry to stop standing atop the slide platform and shaking the entire unit. He asked, "Why?"

Later, I told him not to throw his giant bouncy ball into the water-filled bathtub. He asked, "Why?"

Oh, brother. Are we really starting the "why?" phase at 21 months?

Ribbit! Ribbit!

Henry had a great Halloween. First, we visited Dr. Song who treated Henry to another dose of antibiotics for a sinus infection and an added trick--the suggestion of Children's Zyrtec in the hopes that we don't have to see her for another holiday. She thinks Henry has allergies that are leading to sinus infections, and, considering my own long and snotty battle with childhood allergies, we jumped on the suggestion. We hope the Zyrtec works since it will be a lot better than rounds of antibiotics.

Then Christine and Darion came over, and we went down to the pool house for the Greens at Rocky Creek Halloween parade and party. I got to talking to a neighbor and didn't realize that we were a lap behind the parade. We caught up eventually. After all, it was a half block parade.
Henry and Christine really got into the glow sticks at the party.
Henry didn't want to remove his costume contest sticker after the party, which was a good thing since, as you can see, he really started to blend in with his environment. It was a good night, and I think Henry's going to look forward to the next Halloween and the candy it offers.

Oh, so, so cute!

Henry's "Character Parade" was today at the YWCA. We could hardly stand the cuteness.Here they are standing on their footprints before setting out on the parade. It is adorable to watch them point out their footprints, name everyone's, then jump on their respective prints. Henry stepped off, though, since just ahead was standing his Daddy who, truthfully, looked like he wanted to hold Henry.
Henry's whole class, from left to right: Frog, Go Cocks!, Train Conductor, Boxer, Mickey, and Chicken
A frog and his conductor: There were snacks, and this little frog was his usual picky self but manged some nibbles off his Rice Crispy treat.We went to Country Boys this afternoon where were were able to utilize Henry's pickiness to select Jackie's (RIP) replacement.
Henry didn't trust the pumpkin snowman's suggestions. Can't blame him. This snowman doesn't even know what season with which he most identifies!

We did find one, though, although this one might not go under the knife. We have a busy day planned for tomorrow, and there might not be room for carving a new pumpkin. Tomorrow is going to be great if Henry gets a nap!