Fuzzy Wuzzy Was A....... Hamster?

For the past several days, we've had a little visitor in the Cordes household.... Mrs. Moore's kindergarten class pet, Fuzzy the hamster. I wasn't so sure how I'd like having a little rodent in my house, but I have to admit, it's not so bad. I definitely don't get it out of the cage, but I just give it a little food (about a tablespoon, more or less) and make sure it has plenty of water every day. I'm not brave enough to hold it, but my husband and neices love to. Ian's kind of like me, but he'll touch it. He likes to feed it, so I have to make sure he don't feed it 2-3 times a day. I haven't minded it being here, but I'll kind of be glad when it's safely back at the school. I just pray Ian doesn't ask Santa for one!

A TOOTH!

Well, Tucker finally has a tooth! After actively teething since he was three months old, he cut his first tooth yesterday. We've been wiping slobber from his chin, neck, and chest and our fingers, shoulders, and faces for several months, and one day before turning 8 months, the tooth that has peeked out and hid again numerous times, is out for good. We've been warning Ian for a few months now, but I don't think he has grasped the concept of how bad it hurts when a teething infant bites with all his might. I'm sure he'll find out soon.

Tidal Wave

Well, my little one has a little curl in his hair. It's the funniest thing after his bath. If you don't comb his hair straight right after you put his diaper on, and I mean right after, his hair will stay all messed up and curly until his next bath. Just for fun, I fixed it like a wave. You know what I mean: like your mom used to in the 80s. I've never been a fan of that hairstyle, but couldn't resist on this ONE occasion.

Ready, Set, Go!!!

I'm happy to announce that the games are back!! I'm talking about our wii. Ian has been testing our patience, with success, for about 2-3 months now. The only punishment that has worked was taking ALL toys and games away and making him earn them back one at the time. I'm talking dirt bikes, hot wheels, blocks, etc... All items were to be earned back by one toy a day, depending on how he acted that day. I know, it sounds a little strict for a kindergartener, but we were out of options. The only things he could have were paper, crayons, and books. It has worked great, and he has really done a lot better this week. The rules were: he could not earn video games until he had earned all other privileges back. Well, I'm happy to announce for him, that he has worked really hard and has officially earned back his wii. Other video games are to follow. But for now, let us rejoice in the fact that he acts like he just got his wii for the first time!!! He is so excited, and this little discipline trick is in my mental notes for the future.

Smashing Pumpkins

One of Jared's favorite parts of Halloween is getting rid of anything resembling Halloween. I know, it sounds awful, but I mean it in a good way. He likes to get rid of all Halloween candy by consumption, along with me and Ian helping. Ian also likes to help get rid of the painted pumpkins. We paint instead of carve, because they last longer. A good part of living out in the country is having hills and woods surrounding us. Ian and Jared both like smashing the pumpkins on the rocks that stick out of the hills behind our house. We live on top of a hill, so not only do they smash like they've been exploded, but the remaining pieces tumble down the hillside and a few actually get airborne. I definitely think this is gonna be a fun tradition in my house full of boys.

Halloween Costumes

I'll have to admit, Halloween is NOT my favorite holiday, but you can't help but love seeing your own flesh and blood dressed up for one night. Ian has been looking forward to his costume for over a month now (mainly because of the "stache") and he finally got to put it on. I don't think he realized how "on" it was gonna be, because what little hair was on his upper lip, is now perminently attached to the back of the super-sticky Mario mustache. Tucker was a little hard to fit this year, because he's too big for the cutesy costumes, but not big enough to wear the ones that are stiffer for walking. We had to settle on Batman, which we like, but it wasn't our first choice. He was a very cute Batman, anyway. So here's a few pics:

Fall Festival 2009

Here's a few pictures from the Elementary Fall Festival 2009 held last Tuesday, Oct. 27.:

Ian and Hannah - Kindergarten Nominees for Fall Festival King and Queen 2009.

Ian and Mrs. Lyons: The kindergarten class had a pie throwing booth. Anyone could throw a pie at any of the three kindergarten teachers.

This was a cute Spongebob-themed booth. Ian did pretty good at throwing the sponges.

Ian shooting a few hoops.

Yacht Club Fitness Booth

Moon walk: the second kindergarten booth.