on the move

and he's off

I surprised him, when he came around the chair.
He thought it was hilarious!

throwing the ball (in mid-flight)
a new favorite pastime

clapping-he always claps for himself :)

I've been meaning to post for the past week that Finn's walking now. He started walking on the Sunday we left Winfield. My mom and I were folding laundry and he walked across the room to us. And he hasn't stopped since. He's got good balance, for only walking about a week. Having an older brother in your face will do that to you.

the apple doesn't fall far...

Ohh Cullen, he is such a trip!

My conversation with Cullen's teacher today went as follows:
Mrs. Titus-"Cullen talks a lot!"
me- "I knooooow..."
Mrs. Titus- "Really, it's non-stop..."
me- "Yeah, the kid has got a lot to say."
Mrs. Titus- "Ohh, it's perfectly fine, he's such a great kid! Real calm and nice."

Hummm... did she just say he's real calm??? My Cullen? Wow. That is not a word I would use to describe him... Can't wait to see if that continues.

On the drive home I asked who he played with today.
Cullen- "I playeded with Taryn."
me- "Ohh, good."
Cullen- "I playeded with Taryn because she loves me. She told me."
Cullen changing subjects....
"Mom, those houses are ridiculous"
me- "Why are they ridiculous, Cullen?"
Cullen- "I'm very disappointed, they don't look like ours."

Cullen to Sean in the men's restroom:
"Hurry up dad, I don't have time for your games!"

Cullen while putting stickers on paper:
"Ohh mom, ohh no." Shaking his head. "I am not a girl. I am not. I am not a girl."
me- "I know Cullen."
Cullen- "There is a Tinkerbell sticker on here. Those are for girls. I am a boy."

Ha! And Sean always said, "There's only one Sean McCaffery." I'm not so sure...

Winfield

The boys and I made it back to Winfield, for the annual bluegrass festival. Cullen had been a few years ago, but now he's old enough to really enjoy it. And enjoy it, he did! (To say the least!) We camped 4 nights and the boys did great, which was a huge relief! It was a great trip- great company, agreeable weather, good food, live music, the familiar smell of campfire...

Can't wait 'till next year...

first day of school

F I N A L L Y ! ! The long awaited day has arrived. Cullen had his first day of preschool today. It really wasn't a day, it was an hour... you know, to ease them into it. (Not needed for kids like Cullen.) His teacher this year is Mrs. Titus and Cullen is in a room full of boys- 9 boys and 6 girls, I think. Mrs. Titus joked about it b/c she raised four boys herself. She's been a preschool teacher for 20+ years and I know Cullen is in good hands.

7 Falls

at the top!

take a look at all those steps

the view from the Eagle's Nest
(can see the 7 Falls over my right shoulder)

another view from the Eagle's Nest

Finn enjoyed his perch

We continued on in our "vacationing" in our hometown today. Today we visited 7 Falls. It was a really nice day for it. Once we got there my mother panic set in, and I was wondering why in the world I thought my three year old could climb the 224 steep steps up to the top of the falls. But in true trooper spirit, Cullen made it up and down with no problems... and a little disappointed that I said no to the 1 mile hike at the top of the falls. At one point (probably 75% in) Cullen said,"Man, I am getting sick of this, I bet the hippos are sick of it too." As a reward for being such a good boy, we got some ice cream when we were finished- which Cullen happily shared with the chipmunks. :)


Here's the Cullen-ism for today: Right as we were walking out the door to go to Seven Falls this morning, Cullen said to me out of nowhere "'Member when Finn threw up all over your leg? I don't want to be a mommy when I grow up, I want to be a daddy. 'Kay?"

sick house

Wow! Our whole family has fought the flu this week. It started with Cullen, which ended up cancelling Finn's first birthday party. He then gave it to Sean about 36 hours later. Sean got it bad and had to go to the ER to make the vomiting stop. About 24 hours later little Finn got it. Luckily he didn't get it too bad, he just threw up 3 times. About 36 hours later (last night) I got it. I was so sure I'd make it without getting it at all... ohh well. What a week! Hopefully this will be our only bout with the flu this year. Ahhhh, the joys of the cold and flu season with children....