Winter Fun

Hey Graham Fans! Winter is here! We finally had some real snow! We definitely got to have some fun in it. Yeah I know there has been some snow before, and Mom built a little snowman with us. Last Saturday though, it snowed a LOT! Daddy and I built a REALLY big snowman!

We helped scoop the sidewalks, threw snowballs, worked on building a fort - oh the fun we had! On Sunday, we went sledding down this big hill not far from our house. I L-O-V-E-D it! I didn't want to stop! Caroline went down the hill with Mom and by herself. She didn't like it as well.

Besides the snow, we went to Judy's house for a Super Bowl Party. She has a couple of dogs and then there were two visiting dogs. I really liked the dogs that didn't jump up on me. I also really liked playing with her toys! She has some stuff I really like. We have kind of been on the go this week. Besides going to Judy's, we went to a play date at one of our preschool friends. Her mommy had lots of yummy things to eat and again it was fun to play with different toys. That same day we went to Uncle Greg's for dinner. Caroline and I like to chase/try to catch Odell (the cat) and play with Greg's tractor's. He even gave me one of his tractors with a disk! He had some construction equipment that we hadn't seen before. We played quite awhile with those. Fun stuff!

So what have we been up to between Christmas and the big snow? We have managed to keep busy. Shortly after the New Year, Mommy took Caroline and I to the big library downtown, then we met Daddy at 'Nera for lunch. The most important part of the day was going to the Monster Truck Rally! Just 'the boys'! Wow was it fun! It got a little loud despite wearing hearing protection. I talked about it the whole way home!

We went to Grandma's while Dad was out of town last month. We left after preschool. I don't usually fall asleep on the way to Grandma's anymore. I usually watch Cars, but I quit watching about halfway there. I kept watching for Grandma's house, but it took FOREVER to get there. It was really cold while we were there, but I still played out in the snow some. I made a couple of snow angels. Caroline couldn't take the cold and went back in with Grandma. Wimp! We also got to make cupcakes! Yummy!

The next weekend Grandpa came for a visit. He took us to a movie! It was a really good one - Alvin and the Chipmunks. Other than a potty break, I made it through the whole movie. Caroline didn't sit that much - she is kind of young still to watch an entire movie. We went out to lunch too. Grandpa got to see why Mom and Dad don't always like to go out to eat....Grandpa read books to Sissy before she went to bed. She looks pretty sleepy! She actually had a bad cold when Grandpa was here.

I had a really big day at preschool a couple weeks ago - Daddy got to come to class with me for the whole class. It was so fun! We made a snowman. After school we went to lunch - just the boys! Dad even took me to the ice cream store for dessert! Umm, Umm! good stuff.

Well Mom and Dad haven't taken as many pictures lately but here are a couple of Caroline and me playing in a couple of boxes. We really haven't been stuck in the house this winter, but we can make the most of it when we do!

The Holidays!

Hey Graham Fans - Working on keeping the blog up to date. Tough to do with school, swim lessons, playing with all my new toys. Have I mentioned I am taking swim lessons? I am in the second session of lessons. The first week was a little rough i.e. lots of tears, but I have been okay with it since then. I don't like to get my ears wet - those tubes seem to still be in my ears. I am getting more comfortable in the water each week. I am sure I will be swimming laps before you know it (in the rec pool that is!).

In my last post, I think I mentioned we went to visit Santa, but I didn't want anything to do with him. Well we ran into him again. We go to the shop party at Cousin Steve's shop. Santa seems to show up - sometimes in his Santa suit and sometimes in his hanging around the house clothes. This year he just had regular clothes. He talked to me. I told him I wanted a Mack (from the Cars movie). I kept asking Mom who that was and she said he looked familiar, but couldn't place him. Well I knew who he was! Speaking of the shop party, boy is there a lot of stuff I could do 'work' with! It is so much fun to pretend I am working on 'stuff'! Plus there is always a small dog there. Sissy and I really liked to pet that dog. He is a nice little dog and he likes us to pet him. I think he liked us petting him more than the other little girl.

We had a couple of playdates in December. We finally had a playdate with our Brighter Beginnings friends Callan and Declan. They had a new baby brother. Caroline liked the baby, I just liked playing with all their toys! Then the week before Christmas we had a playdate with a bunch of our preschool friends. I always like to go to other people's houses so I can play with their toys.

Well on to the big topic of my post - CHRISTMAS! It actually got off to a rough start. We got up early to go to Kansas City a couple of days before Christmas. We had stopped at Casey's for donuts, but had to run home to get something Mom forgot. We were about to leave for the 2nd time when that donut came back up. Needless to say we went back in the house, changed, and headed back out. I still didn't feel the best, but I didn't get sick again. We hung out at Nanny's in the afternoon and then went to Benjamin's house. He plays basketball in his living room! We had a lot of fun! The next day we made cookies for Santa at Nanny's, then had lunch at Grandpa's. We also got to open our Christmas presents from Grandpa. Later we went to church to celebrate Jesus birthday. We went back to Nanny's and celebrated with Uncle Brad, Aunt Lisa, Benjamin, Joe, Nan, and Uncle Doug and Aunt Cheri. It was so much fun, but it sure wore me out!So Dad had the flu while we were in Kansas City and Mom got struck with the bug on the way home. Fortunately neither one let it interfere with Christmas, particularly once we got home to see what Santa had brought us! The one thing I have been talking about is a Mack from Cars. Santa did not let me down!!

Santa also must know that I like toys with wheels because I got a tractor and baler, and some Matchbox cars. The big guy outdid himself with the big gift for me and Sis -

Mom was the photographer for the pics of the Gator. She really just wanted to go in and lay down, but she was a sport!

Believe it or not Christmas was not quite over! Grandma came up to celebrate with us which meant Uncle Greg came over too. More wheels for me! Uncle Greg gave Caroline some Backyardigan DVD's. We are big fans of the Backyardigans so her gift was really like a gift for me. Honestly I like to play with the babydoll she got and the doll house and her puzzle, but she also likes to play with MY toys too. S-h-a-r-i-n-g. We are working on it! :)

That how our holidays went down! Hope you all enjoyed yours!

Another catch up

Hey Graham Fans - Long time since my last post. We had some computer issues for awhile and then the holidays were here, well life was just busy! Hopefully I can start to get you all caught up on life in the Bagby house.

I hate to admit how long it has been but I have to share my Halloween adventures so that reveals the LONG gap in posts. Halloween is definitely fun. We went to Living History Farms again this year. The weather was pretty good, we got there before it got to busy, so it made for a fun evening! We even rode on the horse drawn wagon! Sis and I thought that was pretty cool! They have a place you can roast marshmallows too - candy, marshmallows, and popcorn what is there not to like! Of course on Beggar's Night we went around the neighborhood. Going up to people's houses made me kind of nervous, but I survived. Caroline tuckered out so we didn't get excessive amounts of candy. I was happy to come home so I could pass out candy!

We also made a late fall trip to the zoo on a nice Monday. Some of the animals were already inside for the year, but we still enjoyed it. We had our picnic lunch as always which we look forward to having. We love picnic lunches!

Caroline attended her first Drake football game. It was my second game. We had fun. Dad bought us M&M's and some Sprite. It wasn't very warm which must have been why Spike the Bulldog wasn't there. The Mascot was there and we high-fived him. Even though the stadium wasn't packed we sure parked a long ways away! The fresh air was good for us I guess (Mom always hopes that will make us sleep better!)

While we haven't gotten much snow, we did get out and play in it when we had the chance. Mommy said it was the perfect snow for building a snowman and making snowballs. Our snowman was small and had melted by the end of the day. It was fun to get to play in it. Mom pulled us each around the yard on the sled. We got out the shovels and pushed some snow around. Fun stuff and it wasn't too cold. Overall we have been lucky that it hasn't been overly cold this season. We manage to get outside regularly.With Christmas coming, we went to Bass Pro Shop to see Santa. There was no line so we got right in, but I wanted nothing to do with him. Caroline cried. Mom held her so they actually got a picture taken. I was off with Daddy checking out everything else. Bass Pro Shop is fun to visit, but I didn't need to sit on Santa's lap!

Thanksgiving we went to Grandma's house. I got to ride the four wheeler with Dad and the tractor with Uncle Greg. Sis and I played with the tractor and the other toys. Kayla and Sam played with us. As usual Grandma read her books to us. Caroline loves the puppy book! Grandma read it over and over and over. Caroline had a cold and ultimately an ear infection so she didn't sleep that well. Even when she is healthy, she isn't a big fan of the pack and play!

One Saturday in December Dad decided we would like to go ice skating. It was cold, but I was willing to give it a try. Dad really just pushed and pulled me along. I didn't want to stop. Mommy doesn't know how to ice skate so she didn't put ice skates on. She did walk Caroline around the rink once. Caroline was done and ready to take her skates off.

Fall fun

Happy Fall my followers! Yes it is Caroline this time. Graham is starting to get used to the idea that I get to post about all of our activities too. Sharing can be hard as I am learning. My favorite phrase is "No Way" and I will say it to anyone my size that seems to be a threat!

I have a lot of words now. "No Way" is what I say the most. I say 'Take you' (thank you) a lot as well and I just started saying 'sawwe' (sorry). Mommy and Daddy are some of my favorites as well. Cup, nack, Kota (our dog), itty (kitty), Melmo (Elmo), ackack (backpack for Dora), up, Mawma (Grandma), Nanny, cookie, helwo,nigh nigh, poop (Mommy is always telling Graham that everyone poops so that means we can talk about it). Lots of other words that I repeat.

You may have heard that Grandma got her knees replaced. Mommy, Graham and I went to visit her and help her out. She had all these staples in her knees. I touched them. She is doing great though. We took her to physical therapy. Mommy tried to keep us out of trouble while we were there, but there were lots of things to touch, lift, and climb on. I don't think we broke anything. It was homecoming in Sigourney. Mommy and Grandma took us to the parade. Daddy showed up to watch it too. We also went to the outlet mall one day. Aunt Deb, Sam, and Kayla met us there. They were lucking enough to get to chase us around. Graham and I sure had fun running around the stores and down the sidewalk! Before we went home we got shakes at Arby's. Graham and I loved it. Oh and you are thinking, didn't Grandma just have knee surgery so shouldn't she be resting. She is like some miracle patient. Gosh she even gave us rides on the mower! She lets Graham do all the steering and he could ride forever. I don't steer and I am ready to get off at the end of my turn.

I don't think Graham has mentioned that we are back at Brighter Beginnings. We actually haven't been there that much. We have been under the weather and Mommy hates to potentially make the other kids sick. We have been there enough to know that I like it. You sing songs, you eat a snack, make a craft, and play with toys. What isn't there to like?! The first week, I admit I C.R.I.E.D! I know the routine now so all is good.

We made our annual trip to the pumpkin patch. They have pedal tractors, teeter totters, a bumpy slide, a corn box, some animals and of course you pick out some pumpkins. The highlight was the pony ride. Graham wanted to ride so Daddy bought him a ticket. I wanted to ride too so the nice man put me on a horse and let me ride without a ticket. I was happy as a clam!

We went to Kansas City to visit our family there. We stayed at Grandpa's house this time, but visited Benjamin's house and Nanny's too. We had a fun time at Benjamin's. We played outside a long time. It was a beautiful day! Graham and I loved Baby Joe! Graham might have even loved him more than me. Since he is older, he got to help feed him. We liked to touch him. We made crafts at Nanny's house, including playing with Play Doh. I had to have a little sample. Doesn't everyone eat Play Doh and crayons?

We went back to Grandpa's house and everyone was there for dinner. Graham and Benjamin had to put on their Halloween costumes. Aren't they silly? Graham even wore his at breakfast the next morning!

I could go on, but think I will break. Graham can share our Halloween adventures!

Happy Birthday Dad!

While this blog is usually based on what is new with the kids, as editor, I can switch the topics. Dad would be 78 on the 30th. It has been over 5 years since he passed. Hard to believe. I miss him so much. We do our best to communicate to Graham about Grandpa Dennis and how much he would love to play with Graham and Caroline. He will ask why he can't come down from heaven and play with him. On occasion, he will look up in the sky, wave, and say Hi Grandpa Dennis. It makes me happy and sad at the same time. Dad was a great Dad and a great Grandpa. For whatever reason, it wasn't meant for Dad to know my kids on this earth. I just have to believe the support he can provide from heaven is greater than the hugs, smiles, and listening ear he provided here on earth.

So today, for my dad, the blog takes a different tone. Happy Birthday Dad! I am sure there is no need for the internet in heaven, and if there was, you wouldn't be on it unless someone else helped you. :) Love you Dad!

Times they are a changin'

Hey Graham Fans! Are you enjoying the fall? Weather doesn't restrict (that is really Mommy!). I would go outside in all weather other than in a storm. I don't like storms. Fortunately the weather has been beautiful most of the time and we have been enjoying it.

September was a big month for me. I started preschool! I will admit that I was pretty nervous and scared. I cried A LOT that first day. By the time Mom picked me up, I was happy. The second day I tried to talk Mom into staying with me or letting Carowine stay with me. She didn't go for it. I cried awhile again the second day, but was happy when mom picked up me. We did some fun stuff but I still got nervous. The 2nd week was better but still got a little upset right when Mom left. The 3rd week no tears! Mom and Dad were so proud (and relieved!). My teachers are nice and we get to do all kinds of stuff that I don't get to do at home. We paint, color, cut, have snack, and other fun stuff!

The weekend before school started we went to Grandma's. We hadn't visited in awhile plus she needed our help with yard work. Can't remember if I told you but she was going to be getting new knees. She wanted to get some things done before she went to the hospital. While we were there, Daddy took me fishing in Grandma's pond. I had already caught a fish and it started to rain and boy do I mean RAIN!! We had ridden the four wheeler out there. We were trying to head for cover when Grandma showed up in the pickup. BOY were we glad to see her!!!! The rain cleared and we went back out and caught a bunch more fish. I am a good fisherman! I got to ride the mower too of course. Aunt Deb, Uncle Tim, Sam, Kayla, and Uncle Greg came too. For some reason Mom and Dad wanted to get away without Caroline and me. Caroline and I had a great time - until it was time for bed. I was pretty nervous, but went to sleep. That didn't last long. I woke up crying crying and crying. Grandma held me but I was just too upset. I fell asleep after Grandma told me that Mommy was going to come back. I love that Mommy! We made stepping stones the next day and Aunt Deb had a project for us - we made picture frames! It was lots of fun other than that little time where it wasn't...

Mommy signed me up for soccer. As you would guess, I was kind of nervous, but eventually went out there and had some fun. The 2nd night I was nervous and couldn't get out there and play. And every other night that I went turned out the same. I just couldn't bring myself to play, though I did manage to run everywhere else but the soccer field.

We managed to play in the sprinklers in September. It actually got a little chilly but it was sure fun. The sprinklers make the yard under the deck steps muddy. Talk.About.Fun!

For the first time, we got to ride on a train. What made the ride awesome was that Thomas the Tank pulled our train! We had a good time! They had some other activities - art projects, a bounce house, and an inflatable obstacle course. Caroline liked the bounce house and I liked the obstacle course.

As a follower of our blog, you have probably figured out that I L.O.V.E. to drive tractors. Caroline does too. Mommy took us to Home Depot awhile back. Not only do they have awesome carts that are like race cars, but the lawn mowers were still out. We could have sat there for at least another 30 minutes.
Life is normal otherwise. We go to the Y while Mom exercises. We go to the park some. We play in the cul de sac. At least that was September. We still need to get up to date. We will keep working on it. Maybe Sissy will do the next update.