Tip Top, It's October!

Tip top of the day to ya!!! It's been a while since Mom let me sign on the the blogger's world, so I thought I beg her to allow me to give you a shout out. Well, where shall I start?? Life around 8428 is moving fast. I'm gettin' big on ya too. I now can get through an entire pre-school class without my "up" (blanket) or my playfriend, Josh. Oh.... and I looooooove pre-school. I have made so many new friends... like Lilly and Bella and Ryan and Michael and Maddie and Miss Gray and Miss Schroeder. My verbal skills have picked up tremendously too! I am now speaking full sentences using "my" and "I" and I'm asking questions when I need to.... or when I just want to bug Mommy and wake up Ray Ray. Speaking about growin' up on ya.... I now use the big boy potty quite a bit. Mom and Dad really haven't been pushing it-- they say "no hurry"-- but I like to go on my own at night, and I almost have my sticker chart full, which means my piggy bank is getting bigger for Mommy and Daddy to take me somewhere super fun!!! Most importantly I have been an amazing big brother. I love taking Ray Ray around the city. On a regular basis we go to the park, taco shop, library, a walk around the block, our 85 year old friend, Nancy's, house, and the ZOO!!!!!!!!! DID I JUST SAY THE ZOO?!!!!!!

Here's a good story for ya. This morning Mommy was going to take Ray Ray and I to the Children's Museum for the very first time with our friend, Lilly, and her Mommy and little sister. We got all the way to the museum and there was a huge sign that said it was closed on Mondays- boooo!!!! So we went to the Zoo, which I'd like to add is my all time fave place. This picture above me is hilarious, isn't it? Every time I go to the Zoo these guys are laying around like a bump on the log. Poor little Rhinos- don't they know they should sleep at night?

This is my wonderful, awesome, super cool friend, Lilly!! She is one of the main reasons I'm able to get through pre-school. She brings me her blankie, helps me play with the other kids, and even consoles me when I miss Mommy. So, ya, she's pretty much the bomb.

Isn't this seal gorgeous? Can you believe this beautiful animal lives in Indiana? He was singing
the second we walked into the Zoo! Have I told you how much I love singing... and dancing too! I keep showing Mom my Cupcake tap dance, but she still doesn't give me cupcakes every time nor will she sign me up for tap class just yet.

I'm not quite sure what I should say about this picture, but these 3 little lemurs???? were just cuddling and loving on each other, kinda like Ray and Daddy and I do at night-- guys time!

Did I forget to mention Ray has a friend too?? She's Lilly's little sister, Violet. Isn't she sweet?? I know Ray looks a little distraught but he really does great in the stroller and I saw him and Vi exchanging smirks all morning long.... KIDS!

Lilly and I had a great time sharing our snacks too. I've really been struggling with this "sharing thing" Mommy and Miss Gray have been talking about. All the other little kids keep helping with the word "mine," but Mommy keeps telling me that isn't that nice of a word.

Just look at these pictures, and look at how much everyone is struggling with finding a resemblance between Ray and I. What do you think? Speaking of Ray... that little booger is getting up on all 4's, eating all kinds of baby food and just about sitting up all by hisself- such a champ!

See what I'm talking about.... resemblance?

But Ray is sure getting big, isn't he? At his 6 month check up, he was 19 lbs and 28 inches long. 50th in weight and 90th in height, which is nothing compared to my 120% in everything stats! HA!

Oh Daddy!!! Daddy has been working soooo hard!!!! He's been busy traveling the midwest and coming home with a full load of energy!!! I get so sad when he's not there after my naps, but we definitely make up for it on the weekends with catch, tackle and watching the baseball.

Welp, time for bed. Mom would be so mad if she knew how long I've been on here. I'll be sure to post Halloween pics. Mom and I have been going back and forth between Yo Gabba Gabba monster guy and Cowboy. We'll just have to see.

Chugga chugga,

Joey

PS Thomas and the Trains are my favorite currently. If you happen to have any sitting around the house, come on over and play on my tracks.

Another Trip to the Zoo!!

Like father, like son.

What we do at night....

Swing. Swing.

Swing.

Goodbye Summa

This picture explains why Big Joey and I are able to go out nearly every weekend. We have a wonderful high school girl come to the house and we feel so blessed to have her availability and sweet babysitting skills!! Our other babysitter is away at college, so during the school year Laura is our SAAAVIORRR!!! Sydney turned 1 last week- can you believe it? She's walking everywhere and is as happy as can be!

Even though Sloanie is just 3 months older than Joey, she's always teaching him something. They play sooooo well together!

Obviously.

Well, what do you look like in the morning?? My son takes after me... scary!

And yes, his blanket is always laying across him perfectly- he MAKES us do it like that. Just a little OCD, huh?

Learning

After 3 tries to pre-school, we made it without the teacher calling me to come pick him up. We have also learned the word "mines" and use it for anything Ray has his eyes on. We're learning how football is played and know when to say "run, run, run." Lastly we're learning the difference between being a big boy and a baby....now on to potty training and a new bed- we'll see how this goes.

Jabberboxin' about the Power of Prayer

I feel like my prayer list is growing by the minute. Do you ever feel like that? I start my prayers every night before bed and I never get to finish because the list is soo long becuase I'm so tired I just end up falling asleep. What the heck is going on in the world for so many people to be so sick? I really try hard to stay healthy and I try even harder for my kids, but it just seems to never be enough. Also, is there a way to sum up so many people that need prayers so God hears everything without having to pray for an hour at night? I guess I could split it up during the day, but right now I'm overwhelmed. There is an awful lot to be thankful for and an awful lot to pray for. I guess I just want to say as hard as it gets sometimes I'm happy God still listens. Amen.